Before You Depart

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Our flights to Kenya and back are on the following airlines with the corresponding schedules. We recommend that you arrive at the airport at least 3 ½ hours before the scheduled departure. If you are planning a connecting flight, please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs. Flight schedules are subject to change.

ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT AND FREQUENT FLYER MILES

Airlines do not assign seats in advance for group fares – seat assignments are arranged upon check-in at the airport. smarTours is not involved with seat assignments. If you require a specific seat due to a medical condition, please obtain a doctor’s note you can present to the airline at check-in.

BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS

Booking your own flights has advantages like flying from your home airport, choosing your own seats, upgrading your seats, and using and collecting airline miles. Tour-only travelers are responsible for arranging their entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. Unused land services including those caused by air schedule changes and delays are non-refundable and smarTours cannot be held responsible.

When booking your flights, please note that our tour starts in Nairobi and ends in Nairobi. We recommend that you:

• Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
• Fly out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

TOUR MEETING POINT

When and where you’ll meet the rest of the group depends on if you purchased our air-inclusive package with group flights from/returning to the U.S. or our tour-only package.

• smarTours Group Air Travelers: Upon arrival in destination, please proceed through customs and immigration. Our Tour Director will be waiting for you at the airport upon arrival in the arrivals area near the point you clear customs with a smarTours sign.
• smarTours Tour-Only Travelers: We recommend you arrive around 4 PM to settle in before joining the welcome orientation and dinner on Day 1. Hotel check-in is generally not before 4 PM.

TOUR ENDING POINT

The final end point for your tour depends on if you purchased our air-inclusive package with group flights from/returning to the U.S. or our tour-only package.

• smarTours Group Air Travelers: On our last day, we’ll transfer to the airport for connecting flight booked from Kilimanjaro Airport to Nairobi International Airport where we’ll catch our return flight to the U.S.
• smarTours Tour-Only Travelers: The tour ends upon arrival at Nairobi International Airport (NBO) on our last day in the early afternoon.

PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION

For U.S. passport holders, a visa is required for travel to Tanzania and beginning January 1, 2024, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required for travel to Kenya. Apply for an eTA with the Kenyan government directly, and an e-visa for Tanzania online with the Tanzanian government, or use a visa processing service like sherpaº or CIBT to facilitate the process.

When applying for the Kenyan eTA or providing information to a visa processing service to apply on your behalf, please note the following:

• During the application process, you will be asked for the following documents. The acceptable formats for these documents are PDF, JPG, or MS Word.
  • Travel itinerary (sent by email 45–60 days prior to departure)
  • List of hotels you are booked to stay at (sent by email 45–60 days prior to departure)
  • Copy of your return flight ticket (for travelers who book the air-inclusive package, this sent by email 45–60 days prior to departure)
  • Scan or photo of your passport’s main data page
  • Clear passport-style photograph
• Please note that Kenyan visas must be used within 90 days of their date of issue. smarTours will email you the above documentation (itinerary, hotels, and flight ticket for travelers who purchased the air-inclusive package) 45–60 days prior to departure. Please allow for at least 3 working days to process your visa prior to your trip.
• The visa fees are payable online by major credit / debit card and there may be processing fee.

All existing eVisa applications in the system are also still in the process of being reviewed and approved. Any granted eVisas remain valid for a 90-day period and are accepted upon arrival.

Before applying for the Tanzania e-visa or providing information to a visa processing service to apply on your behalf, please note the following:

• U.S. passport holders must apply for a multiple entry visa. Due to bilateral agreements between Tanzania and America, U.S. passport holders who travel to Tanzania for holiday or tourism will have to apply for Multiple Entry Visa
• During the visa application process, you will be asked for the following documents.
  • A recent passport-size photo
  • A copy of the your valid passport (biographic data page)
  • Copy of your return flight ticket
• The visa fees are payable online by major credit/debit card and there is a US$100 USD Visa fee
• A yellow fever vaccination (or waiver) is required for travelers visiting Tanzania from a yellow fever endemic country like Kenya
• Travelers must have at least 1 blank page in their passport
• See all Tanzania visa guidelines here

Before your trip, review travel requirements and restrictions by country including passport and visa requirements. You can also learn more about passport and visa services. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Please note that days are spent in a safari vehicle traveling from point to point on unpaved roads.

TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS

Final instructions, documents, and travel tips will be emailed to you 10–14 days before the scheduled start of your tour. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (or a waiver from your doctor) is required for travel to Tanzania. Visit Tanzania’s U.S. Embassy site for more details about the Yellow Fever Certificate and/or waiver requirements. You may wish to consult your personal physician or local health authorities for their suggestions including recommendations regarding anti-malaria pills. The CDC recommends you stay up to date on routine vaccinations, and consult your physician at least one month prior to travel. Learn more about the CDC’s destination-specific recommendations.

WATER IN KENYA & TANZANIA

Disposable water bottles are now banned in Kenya and Tanzania. Filtered water will be provided on the safari vehicles, but we recommend travelers bring their own reusable water bottle that can be refilled at the lodges, camps, or in the vehicle during the safari.

CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY

The Kenyan shilling (Ksh) is the official currency in Kenya and the Tanzanian shilling (TSh) is the official currency in Tanzania. Hotels, lodges, and some stores accept major credit cards like MasterCard and Visa but be aware of any minimums or surcharges for credit card use. It is recommended that you carry extra cash in case a card is not accepted or the network is down. For “street shopping” you will need local currency. Local currency is also recommended for tips as well as expenses not included on safari. U.S. Dollars are commonly accepted, however USD notes dated before 2009 will not be accepted and notes will not be accepted if they are torn, stamped, or marred. Currency can be exchanged at the airport or foreign exchange centers. Large notes like $50 and $100 USD notes will get better exchange rates than the smaller denominations. ATMs can be used to obtain local currency, but note there may be fees. In Kenya, ATMs are available in Nairobi and may be available upcountry, but are less reliaby present. It is not advisable to depend on ATMs while on safari.

Electricity

Kenya operates on 240 volts/50 Hz and uses plug type G which features three rectangular prongs. Tanzania operates on 230 volts/50 Hz and uses plug types D and G. Click here to learn more about plug types, adapters, and converters.

CLIMATE

Kenya is located on the Equator. Generally speaking, the weather is temperate with average daytime temperatures in the 60’s – 80’s. However, in higher elevations you may experience cooler temperatures, cool enough for a sweater at night year-round.  In the arid, desert like region like Samburu National Park, temperatures may be hotter.

BAGGAGE

Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (soft duffel bag only), (max. 33 pounds) and one carry-on piece (no more than 18”x10”x8”). Due to the extremely limited storage space in Safari vehicles, please pack light. If your luggage does not fit into the vehicle, you will have to store it in Nairobi or Arusha at your own expense. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.