Before You Depart

Kenya Wildlife Safari

A herd of zebras and wildebeests grazes on a grassy plain during sunset, with the sun casting a warm, golden glow across the landscape. The sky is orange, and the animals are scattered throughout the field.

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

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 tour ends upon arrival at the Nairobi Hotel, in the mid-afternoon. A day-use room is included. If booking a flight, please do so after 7pm.

PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION

Beginning on January 1, 2024, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is required for U.S. passport holders and must be obtained prior to arrival. Apply for an eTA with the Kenyan government directly, 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 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

Immunizations are not currently required, however, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local health authorities for their suggestions 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

Disposable water bottles are now banned in Kenya. 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 official currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (Ksh). Hotels, lodges, and some stores accept major credit cards, however 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 2012 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 are available in Nairobi and dispense Kenyan shillings. While ATMs may be available upcountry, they are less reliably present and 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. 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.