Kenya : Self-Catering Wildlife Safari – A Low cost option

Most people seeking wildlife Safari to Kenya would be thinking of doing the ‘traditional’ type in which most of the catering and accommodation needs are included in the package. That means your meals, accommodation, transport and sometimes even laundry needs are taken care of. You simply sit back and ‘shot’ the African wildlife with your camera, while your safari operator worries about these on your behalf.

However, besides this traditional, conventional, guided, full-board accommodation safari in Kenya, one might also consider other types of safari arrangements. One of these is the self-catering safari. This is for the more adventurers. As long as you are willing to sacrifice a little comfort and luxury, then you should consider this option. In some places you might have to go without running water or flushing toilets. But the alternatives to this comfort are bearable and at the end of it all, is worth the experience and the savings on your pocket.

The self-catering Safari would be ideal for budget travelers who may be on a shoestring budget or students with limited financial resources.

What is the difference?
The self-catering safari does not differ much from the guided, full-board safari. The major difference is on food and accommodation arrangements. While on the guided full-board safari, you depend on meals prepared by the hotels and lodges in the areas you will be visiting. You will have paid for all these meals in advance. But on the self-catering safari, you will be preparing your own meals. In fact, some facilities have cooks available so that you only need to come along with your food, and they will cook it for you. You get to determine, to a large extent the type of menu that you prefer and you are also in control of the cost to a large extent. And, as mentioned, a few luxuries are foregone.

First things to consider when thinking of self-catering safari
Depending on your interest in terms of what you would like to see and experience on your safari, you will need to define your routing. The choice of routing is of course dependent on the availability of accommodation facilities that will enable you to do your self-catering. It also depends on the number of days you have for your Safari.

Whichever routing you opt for, and whatever number of days you may have, accommodation while on self-catering safari will be limited to about 3 main options:

The first option is to use of the Kenya Wildlife Services self-catering facilities
Kenya Wildlife Services, the organization that is basically in charge of taking care of wildlife in Kenya, runs and maintains some self-catering facilities. These are spread out fairly well through out the country covering a good number of wildlife viewing areas. For example on the southern circuit, there are self-catering facilities in Amboseli National park and Tsavo West National park. Further, south, along the coast, you will also find their bands at Shimba Hills National Reserve, at Shimoni near Wasini Island and in Malindi, on the north coast side.

In the central Kenya area, you will find KWS self-catering facilities in Aberdares National park and in Mount Kenya area. On the western Kenya route, Kenya Wildlife Services have self-catering facilities in Kakamega, Ruma, Sibiloi and Mount Elgon.

On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, they have facilities in Lake Nakuru – Naishi Guest House.

The second option is to pitch up your own igloo-type tents at designated Campsites
This option means you carry your own tents that you pitch up and dedicated campsites. Such campsites have share public facilities that you can use for cooking. You also share bathroom facilities. You might need your own utensils and certainly need to have beddings. Sleeping bag is a must-have item on this option.

The third option is to use semi-permanent Tents run by private or community groups. As the name suggests, these are semi-permanent canvas tents that are basic. At the campsite, most facilities will be shared – the bathrooms, dinning hall, cooking area etc. Such facilities are not as spread out to the whole country as the ones managed by Kenya Wildlife Services. They are found in Amboseli National park, Maasai Mara, Samburu Game reserve and in Lake Naivasha area.

Transportation mode while on Self-catering safari in Kenya
Once you have designed your routing and picked your accommodation location, you will need to shop around for transportation. If you are traveling in a group of up to 4 persons, you might want to consider renting a SUV that will tackle the sometimes-difficult terrains of the national parks and reserves. Another thing to consider at this point if whether you are better off on a self-drive basis or if you might need a local driver. If you shop around well, you might be able to get one who will triple up as driver/guide/cook.

For groups of more than 4 persons, you probably needs to rent a bigger 4WD vehicle- one that can take up to 8 passengers. If you are 6 persons for example, you still have enough space for your bags and other items that you need on such a safari. In Kenya, such vehicles are always rented out together with a driver. You will hardly find a car-rental company willing to give it to you on a self-drive basis. This should serve as an advantage since the local drivers know their way around, especially for first-timers.

Arrangement for park and reserve entrance charges
Your entrance fees to the various game parks and wildlife reserves need to be arranged in advance and this requires your attention. Kenya Wildlife services does not allow handling of cash by officers at the entry point for the payment of these fees. This is a measure to reduce possible lose of such monies by way of corruption. They have therefore employed the use of a smart card system that demand that you make the payment at designated points of sale.

Even in the case of the game reserves that are run by the local county councils, councils in part of Maasai Mara have designated agents from whom you must purchase the tickets in advance.

In fact, if you have not engaged a travel agent or tour operator to help you in putting together your self-catering safari, you certainly will need a couple of days before the start of the safari so that you can arrange all the aspects for a smooth-running safari.

If you are using a guidebook to gather information as you plan your tour, please crosscheck the currency and reliability of the information you get by consulting as many sources as possible.

Other areas of concern while on self-catering safari: Safety, Security and Health matters
When planning your self-catering tour and designing your itinerary, one major concern will your safety and security during the safari. Again, take your time to consult and get the most current of updates on the security situation. This will guide you on what areas you might want to stay clear off even if they might be of high interest to you.

If you opt of the self-drive option, find out about the road conditions, availability of gasoline and acceptability of credit cards. When on the road, watch out for reckless drivers who might pose danger to you!

Needless to say, on your health matters, take the required precautions against Malaria and other tropical diseases. Ensure you buy and stock enough clean water and only drink bottled water during this time in the bush. Take along water-treatment tabs just in case the need arises.

Enjoy your self-catering safari!

Solomon Okila is Editor African Voyages Ltd Kenya Travel Guide and Tourist Information and African Hotels, Lodges and Tourist Information.

Get to know Seychelles Islands – African Beach Holiday Paradise perched on granites

The Seychelles is the name for an archipelago of 115 small islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean. All the islands are splendid in their own right, one more exotic than the other, yet they share a common denominator: lush tropical vegetation, lined by white sandy beaches running down to crystal clear water in shades from emerald green to dark blue. It is a sight which never fails to impress the newly arrived traveller: beach after beach, sometimes appearing as unending expanses of white sand and sometimes as rare white pearls enclosed by small coves and lagoons. The dazzling white and extremely fine sand is a product of erosion, from the coral reefs and from seashells. Ones first impulse is to dive straight into the warm crystalline water where the abundant fish can be spotted right up to the shoreline.

Immediately upon arriving at Mahe International Airport - Mahe being the main island - one feels as if one has entered another world, a world shrouded by an exotic calm accentuated by the sweet fragrances of red jasmine, vanilla and chilli.

Mahe, the main island of Seychelles covers roughly 150 square kilometres and is 27 kilometres long and seven kilometres wide. The highest point, Morne Seychellois, is 930 metres above sea level. Even high up in the interior the roads are good. There are plenty of opportunities for walks through winding paths to appreciate the lush flora and fauna at close quarters, especially in the Morne Seychellois National Park.

The airport, south of Victoria, is built on reclaimed land. Landing there is an interesting experience - offering stunning views of the verdant island and its coastline.

Victoria, the national capital of Seychelles, with a population of some 20,000, is spread around a large bay at the foot of Morne Seychellois and the Trois Freres. This small town is the islands' economic and administrative hub, as well as their only international port.

The clock tower in the city centre is a replica of the clock that stands at the junction of Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road in central London. Erected as a memorial to Queen Victoria in 1903, the Seychelles clock tower is today more readily associated with the declaration that year of Seychelles as a Crown colony.

Then there are the beaches, the glory of Seychelles. The east coast, on which the airport is situated, has long beaches such as Anse Marie-Louise, but there are also many small beaches, some of which you can call your own at times. To many, the king of beaches is Beau Vallon, in the north of the island - a huge two-mile-long curve of white sand with crystal-clear water that is especially calm and welcoming. Several hotels on Beau Vallon offer excellent watersports and diving facilities.

Praslin : the second-largest granite island of Seychelles is about 40 kilometres from Mahe. It is 15 minutes by Air Seychelles service, which offers 20 scheduled flights a day. By boat, it takes about one hour with the powerful catamaran 'Cat Cocos'.

The Praslin island has a population of about 6,000. Praslin is not as mountainous as Mahe - the highest point being 330 metres - but it has similarly great granite outcrops surrounded by beautiful beaches, and a coral reef enclosing the crystal-clear waters which are so typical of Seychelles.

The majestic bays and beaches alternate with smaller ones on which, even in the busy season, you could believe you were the only person on the island.

One of the eternal symbols of Seychelles, the huge coco-de-mer nut, grows in the Vallee de Mai forest of Praslin, also home to one of the world's rarest birds, the Black Parrot. To walk through the Vallee is to step back in time into a primeval forest, canopied by thick palm fronds that block out the sun. The silence is broken only by the call of the black parrot and the clatter of huge sturdy leaves as the wind blows through the trees.

La Digue: This is the third-largest granite island in Seychelles in terms of population, housing about 2,000 people. It is a half-hour trip from Praslin, or three hours by schooner from Mahe.

The pace of life is slow, about the same speed as its traditional way of transport - the ox cart. Very few cars are allowed on the island and bicycles are popular.. At 1'Union a fine old traditional planter's house has been carefully restored. It used to be the centre of a vanilla plantation of which the treatment factory can still be seen.

On the agricultural estate, you can see furnace-dried coconuts, or copra, being turned into oil. The old cemetery at 1'Union is also an attraction. La Digue is noted for its superb beaches, and snorkelling (particularly in front of La Digue Island Lodge).

There are more spectacular granite formations which have been shaped by wind and sea over millions of years. Eagle's Nest Mountain rises dramatically to 300 metres, taking up most of the island. Beaches at Pointe Cap Barbi have, like so many other beaches, a dramatic granite backdrop. The remote beaches at Grande Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos with pink-tinged sand are beautiful, but beware of dangerous undercurrents.

Most parts of the island can be reached in under an hour. Among the birds you will encounter is the unique Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher, one of the rarest birds in the world (less than 100 pairs), the symbol of this island.

Solomon Okila is Editor African Voyages Ltd Kenya Travel Guide and Tourist Information and African Hotels, Lodges and Tourist Information.

Kenya Tour - Enhance your group and incentive travel experience

Kenya is natural choice of a wildlife safari. Kenya offers some of the most beautiful and finest, yet natural attractions in the whole world. If you combine this with a network of first class hotels and lodges, you or your visitors certainly enjoy great value for your money. There is absolutely nothing in terms sounds, sights and smells that compares with the what you will experience in Kenya.


Even a simple wildlife safari in Kenya, without any additions, is in itself a grand affair – enough to remain in your memory for a life time. In fact, a single visit to Kenya needs nothing else added to justify its awe-inspiring and rich memory. But even then, the quality of that experience could still be enhanced tremendously a million times over to make it a unique experience. There are unlimited, inexpensive and value added inclusions, virtually in every area of your trip, that could achieve this effect. This is more so, for that special incentive trip, convention or congress or any group travel you could be arranging.


Generally. these extras and additions could start off as simply as having a superior accommodation within the same accommodation unit – an upgrade to a suite from a standard room, or to a sea-facing room etc. Or a sundowner at the end of the day or a bush dinner in the wilderness. You could have a private gala dinner with a live band in performance. Simply endless possibilities.


Specific examples may be of help. For instance, on international arrival, a band of traditional dancers, either at the Airport or at the check-in at the Hotel might be an excellent jolt into the reality of Africa, where dancing and taking a moment to enjoy and even join-in is not only the essence but a custom.


In Nairobi, innumerable options could leave one entirely dazed - an out of Africa dinner at the Karen Blixen Museum has been acclaimed as a highlight to many a farewell diners. As rule of rule thumb, it is unusual when at least a lunch or dinner is not included at the famous game meat restaurant, The Carnivore.


On Safari, the options are even wider – half a day’s treasure hunt if properly organized can create a great sense of purpose and team building for participants. An equator Ceremony at Mount Kenya is mind boggling and a must for the curious and those in quest of ‘an additional theory’ to take home. A sundowner, in the vast Africa open plains, maybe overlooking the great Mara/Serengeti Plains, might be a helpful insight to the sense of time and space, african style. A bush meal, especially dinner, is travel back in time, and nothing could get one as close to nature, the sounds of african jungle, the roar of a lion close by, the hyenas howling in the periphery…..


Then the per excellence experience in the bush, that was previously limited only to Maasai Mara and Serengeti, but is now available in Amboseli, Naivasha and Loisaba, is an early morning Hot-Air balloon ride over the plains, forests and rivers of this expansive game area. Lions, Elephants, Buffaloes, Hippos, Crocodiles and prolific numbers of plains game are regularly seen, as are countless species of birds both in flight and atop their lofty perches in the trees. The flight lasts about an hour, with ample opportunities for photography and video filming from this unusual and often exciting perspective. After landing there is a traditional champagne toast, followed by a breakfast cooked on balloon burners in the middle of the rolling plains. Each passenger is presented with a certificate signed by the pilot to commemorate the flight.


On the East African Coast, the options are breathtaking and as plentiful, some of these towns have cultural and archeological riches that date back to the seventh century. This is besides the wide selection of sea food restaurants, dhow safaris and the rich marine life.


One cannot list all the possible add-ons that could make your group travel better. But a reliable safari outfitter should be able work hold your hand as you plan the tour and add the appropriate ingredients that will be make everything worth your while.

Solomon Okila is Editor African Voyages Ltd Kenya Travel Guide and Tourist Information and African Hotels, Lodges and Tourist Information.

Visa Information By Country

Kenya

Most countries’ enfranchised members of the state are demanded to acquire a Visa, which is a bout 50 US dollars.
The Visa can be got directly on entry. However, if a Kenyan diplomatic mission exists in your country, it is recommendable to get the Visa prior to the coming. The visa can be got directly on entry.

Uganda

Visas are charged at US$30 for single entry and US$100 for multiple entry. Student visa costs $20 for single entry and $ 30 for multiple entry. Visa requirements are subject to change. It is therefore advisable to take advice from the relevant embassies before traveling.

Tanzania

Single entry visas cost $100 and are valid for six months from the date of issue. Although you can obtain an visa/extension at any Immigration Office in the country. Though we recommend that you obtain your visa before arriving in Tanzani.

Egypt

All visitors to Egypt must have valid passports. All visitors are required to have visa except citizens of Malta and Arab countries. Visa Fees are about US$ 25

Mauritius

Visitors to Mauritius require valid passports. Visas are not required for most visitors to Mauritius . However, it is always advisable to check with Mauritian Embassies and Airlines before departure.

Seychelles

All visitors to Seychelles must have valid passports. Visa is not required for most visitors however it is always advisable to check with local Seychellois Embassy and or your airline travel agency before departure.

South Africa

All visitors to South Africa require valid passports. Visa requirements vary from time to time and it is always advisable to check information regarding visa requirements with Travel Agents, South Africa High Commissions and Embassies abroad and the Department of Home Affairs. Visas are not issued at South Africa boarders.

A traditional Swahili wedding Harusi: Here Comes The Bride!

As darkness sets on the island of Zanzibar, excited shouts, music and the ululating of women fills the air. Dressed in their most colourful and stylish outfits, donned with heavy gold bracelets and chains, their hands and feet decorated with flower patterns made from traditional henna, the women anxiously await the arrival of the star of the evening: the bride. As the live band in the expansive hall draws the crowd to a climax, the bride makes her grand entry.

She enters amidst shouts of 'Bibi Harussi, the bride, has come!' as the women let out their high-pitched sounds of joy. Her mother, friends, sisters and aunties follow in her footsteps, dancing and singing, literally escorting her in. Her sight catches the breath of many: it is the most important appearance this young woman will ever make in her life. She has now officially entered womanhood; she is a married woman, a changed person, and the results of days, sometimes weeks, of beauty treatment, culminate in her moment of entry. She majestically struts in, all bright and shiny, showing off her glittering gown, her astonishing hairdo and make-up and the intricate henna patterns on her arms and legs.

The grand entry of the bride represents the climax of a Swahili traditional wedding. Such weddings are held among the entire Swahili population of Eastern Africa, including the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, and the Tanzanian and Kenyan coasts. Swahili weddings incorporate a deeply rooted culture and religion, which can be traced back to the Arabic roots of the Swahili population.

Although a Swahili wedding can differ according to local tradition and the depth of a families' wallet, the basics remain the same. If a young man and woman want to get married, first, a dowry payment has to be made. This involves elaborate negotiations between both families. The dowry, usually a sum of money or gold, or furniture for the newlyweds' house, is given to the girl. Secondly, the girl has to consent to the marriage. On the wedding day, before the actual wedding vows are taken, she is asked three times if she has consented to this marriage. If she says no at any one time, the wedding is immediately called off. If she agrees, the vows are then taken with witnesses present, one of which has to be her father or a representative of her father.

For those who are not able to afford elaborate wedding celebrations, a simple ceremony incorporating these things makes for a valid marriage. Swahili culture however deems marriage one of the most important events in a person's life, and it is therefore expected that a wedding be celebrated in style.

When wedding negotiations are over, a wedding date is set and preparations can start. Two weeks before the wedding day, the bride receives a 'Sanduku', the Swahili word for suitcase. It is literally a sizeable suitcase filled with every imaginary item the girl could need for her personal use in her first year of marriage. It includes clothes, shoes, underwear, make-up, toiletries, materials for making dresses, bed sheets, perfume, and even toothbrushes and toothpaste.

A week before the wedding, the girl is taken to a secluded place where she can prepare herself, receive all kinds of beauty treatments and can ask her female relatives, especially her godmother, all the questions she has about the life she is about to enter. For a young Swahili woman, her wedding day symbolises the transition to womanhood. In her culture, this comes with responsibilities, such as a husband and later on a family, but also with rights; she has come of age. She can now wear make-up, gold, beautiful dresses, do her hair, attend weddings -something unmarried girls are not allowed to do- and generally be a woman in her own right.

One of the most noticeable differences between a traditional Swahili wedding and its Western style equivalent, is that the bride and groom are not together when the wedding vows are taken, and they are even separated during much of the festivities. This is based on the religion of the Swahili people, Islam, which does not allow men and women to celebrate such an occasion together. Reason being that the women would not be able to celebrate freely; that is removing their headscarves, dance their sensuous traditional dances and be generally free when men are watching.

During the official ceremony, or Nikkah, the groom is normally in a mosque; his wife to be is in the same area -but not in the same room- if space allows, for instance if the mosque compound harbours another building or secluded area where the bride can sit. It does happen that the bride is not anywhere near the groom when they say their vows. She could be at her parent's home, or any other place that is deemed fit.

When the wedding vows are taken, it's time for the bride to come out in her moment of glory. She makes her entry in front of the female wedding guests, and takes her place on a stage in front of the crowd so that she can be admired and people can take pictures with her. A while later, the groom joins her and after elaborate congratulations and picture opportunities, they leave together as man and wife, leaving their guests to celebrate and eat sumptuous amounts of food.

When attending a Swahili wedding, it's quite obvious that the women are in charge here. The air in the hall where the festivities are taking place is heavy with the perfume of all the women present, their outfits a feast of colour, their gold dangling in abundance. A wedding celebration is a Swahili woman's party time; it is her chance to get dressed up, show her latest fashion outfits, wear her gold and dance until morning; a chance to get away, if only for a while, from the chores of daily life.

There are usually several other functions following the official ceremony and the 'showing of the bride'. A smaller party with close relatives can follow, or a religious celebration where prayers are recited to bless the couple. Sometimes a mock 'fight' is staged; if the party is at the girls' parents house, the husband has to 'break down' the door to get his wife; and usually, he has to 'bribe' the male relatives of the bride to let him in!

With the official wedding day over, the celebrations can go on for several more days. The husband then takes his new wife to all his relatives to introduce her - in Swahili tradition; a bride becomes part of the husbands' family after marriage. She remains a bride until she gives birth to her first child. Her 'bridal' days are then officially over. But by then, she will have probably gone for countless other weddings to enjoy the party!

Yvonne Oerlemans is the Owner of CoverConceptsMedia Ltd.
Events Planning including Weddings and Conferences

Mombasa Kenya Coast: Gedi Ruins

When travelling through Kenya, you can’t ignore the marvellous national parks and game reserves, inhabited by countless fascinating animals. The mosaic of wildlife inside Kenya’s borders is what makes this country a famous tourist destination. However, Kenya has another, equally enchanting side: the coast. Donned with paradise-like beaches, it’s a wonderful leisurely end to an active holiday. But if you look just a little bit beyond the beach, you will find a rich coastal culture that goes back a thousand years.


After enjoying a Safari in interior Kenya, the coastal town of Mombasa is a wonderful place to exhale with a cocktail in hand. But Mombasa also has a rich history where centuries of trade and all kinds of cultural influences have shaped the Swahili culture, including the national language of Kenya, appropriately called Swahili. The language reflects Kenya’s colourful history; it incorporates words from Arabic, Portuguese and even German origin. Swahili is now spoken all over East Africa, and even as far as the Congo.


A walk through Mombasa Old Town reveals the heart of the Swahili culture. The narrow streets can hardly accommodate cars, but all the more people and donkeys. The high houses provide shade from the scorching Mombasa sun; the heavy wooden doors are beautifully carved and inscribed with Arabic text from the Koran; Islam is the dominant religion alongside the Kenyan coast. On the veranda’s, old men in traditional Muslim attire chat the day away sharing a pot of spicy coffee.


At the edge of Old Town, facing Mombasa bay, stands Fort Jesus; built by the Portuguese who conquered the city in the 16th Century. They held on to the fort until the British colonialists turned it into a prison. The fort is open for viewing; inside is a museum narrating the history of the fort and its occupants. The canons used to keep attackers at bay still proudly stand facing the sea.


Travelling alongside the Kenyan coast, there are countless other reminders of the cultures that once ruled the entire coastline. A must-see is the ruins of Gedi, an Arab-African settlement built in the 14th Century. There are many such ruins on the North coast of Kenya, all the way into modern day Somalia, but Gedi is one of the very few that have been maintained as a public historical site open for viewing.


The town has fascinated archaeologists since its discovery. Gedi seemed to have been a wealthy, thriving town, given the precious artefacts that were dug up including Ming China porcelain and countless other objects indicating Gedi’s wealth. However, there is no official historical record of Gedi, which makes the place all the more intriguing.The name Gedi is a Galla word meaning "precious". The Galla were a nomadic people from Somalia, who conquered all settlements on the Northern Kenyan coast in the 17th century and who baptised Gedi and ruled it until the late 19th century. They then lost their position of power to the Arabs, who reoccupied their original territories.


The historic site is on the Mombasa-Malindi road, sixty-five miles from Mombasa and ten miles from Malindi. Gedi is a fascinating place to visit, more so because the ruins are up to today shrouded in mystery; the actual reasons for its foundation, as well as its destruction, are not known. Surrounded by modern-day villages built of wood, mud and stone with all the hustle and bustle of the local inhabitants, Gedi is an oasis of peace; overgrown with all kinds of trees, plants and flowers. There are friendly and well-informed local guides available at a small fee, but the map of Gedi is self-explanatory, and you can easily discover the city by yourself.


The ruins are clearly indicated, identified by their architectural style, such as the mosques, or the artefacts that were found in or near the structures; names like ‘The house of the Iron Lamp’, ‘The house of the Ivory Box’, ‘The house of the Scissors’, ‘The house of the Venetian Bead’ fuel the imagination. In the silence that now enfolds the once thriving town, you can hear the echoes of the voices of centuries ago. While walking through the ruins, it takes only a little imagination to see the veiled women walking through the streets, hear the children play at the water well and sit with the Sultan while he receives trade delegations. In the museum built adjacent to the ruins, the found artefacts are exhibited alongside an overview of coastal Swahili culture.


The structures at Gedi include 8 mosques, more than a dozen houses, a palace and an Amfi-theatre-cum-law-court. Gedi was surrounded by a wall, and it seems like the city was deserted, then later reoccupied, because there is a second wall built at a later date that encircles a smaller part of the town. This wall incorporated some of the walls of existing houses. The artefacts that were found in the ruins, such as Chinese porcelain and Venetian glass, indicate that Gedi was a wealthy city that traded with Portugal, Italy, China, India and the Arab world; which makes its absence in official historic records all the more intriguing.


There are several theories to the downfall of Gedi. Some say the river changed its course, so the water wells dried up, forcing the inhabitants to move. Others theorize that the Portuguese brought the deadly Black Plague, with no known cure, wiping out the population. A dispute or invasion that caused the inhabitants to fled or evacuate is another theory. But whatever it may be that caused Gedi to fall, its ruins are strong reminders of how powerful it once was, and how it influenced a culture that exists to this day.


For more information on Gedi Ruins, call the museum in Watamu on telephone number 042-32065 or call the National Museums of Kenya headquarters in Nairobi: 020-374213 .


Entrance fee for tourists is 200 Kenya Shillings; Under 16’s pay only 100 Shillings. For locals and residents the price varies from 20 to 60 Shillings. Please confirm with your local guide as prices my vary.


Yvonne Oerlemans
Coverconcepts Ltd
Momabsa Excursion and Beach Holidays Information

Family Vacation to Kenya – What does the age of your child mean for your budget and planning?

Planning a vacation is not an easy task. It might be easy if you know the destination well. The planning will certainly be easier when you are travelling alone. Even then, you might still find that you will need the travel agent or destination specialist to help you here and there especially if you have to make a big decision. When you are a single traveller, planning is easy because you know your interests and can easily sacrifice one interest to be able to achieve the other. But when or if another family member – for example a spouse - is also involved, then you have to be sensitive to their needs as well. That means more discussions, more deliberations, more considerations and more concerns.

When kids come into the mix, the situation gets a little complex. You have to deal with more challenging issues and you have trickier decisions to make. As you think about how best to enjoy yourself, and get the best value for your money, you also get concerned about the children’s safety, health, and comfort, interests, among other issues. Balancing these aspects of a trip is hard enough when only adults are planning. Having children come along obviously calls for a little more effort and attention to detail during your planning stages.

Let us now assume you have finally held that family meeting to discuss this very important matter of vacation. The consensus favoured travel to Africa. You have decided to go on a Safari in Kenya. And you are going with the children. How then do you proceed from here?

Kenya remains a great destination even for kids
Even with the changing faces of family travel, Kenya still remains a very attractive destination in Africa. Kenya’s magical attraction lies partly, in its contrasting physical features and to a great extent, in the wildlife. Within the borders of this same country, you will find beaches – both public and private, pockets of rainforests, steep rocky hills alongside flush green plains teeming with wildlife, cold mountains and hot deserts, all in one. The climate and the culture are almost as diverse.

This enchanting and alluring combination means you have a wide variety of options when it comes to planning your vacation to Africa. It also means families travelling with children have a wider range of options to explore. Needless to say, the age of the child or children involved will be one of the most important aspects that will guide the process of the vacation planning. For example, the age of the children will determine the type of vacation – adventure or beach or otherwise. It will have an effect on the cost. Some hotels may have age restrictions. Some activities may be too strenuous for children below a certain age.

Here is a summary of the connection between the age of children and the other aspects of the safari.

Age of children and type of Safari vacation
The type of safari you choose – whether on the adventurous side or beach vacation will be dependent on the age of the children. The age in turn determines many other things. For example what is their interest? At that age, are they able to appreciate nature, or meeting new people? Or would they have more fun playing with the sand instead? How much attention will they need while you are on holiday? Can trust other persons with the task of looking after them? If you are thinking of a particular resort, does it provide child-friendly environment? These are just a few of the things you are considering as you plan. The answers to these questions lead you to picking the right Kenya Safari.

Age of children and the cost of the Safari
The age of your child or children has implications on the pricing of the Safari. Most hotels, and by extension, most Safari outfitters, have a pricing policy that is guided, partly, by age. For the purpose of costing, they will consider the ages from birth to 2 years, as infancy. Persons falling within this age-group may be free of charge during their stay. Some other hotels will say accommodation is free but you pay for meals. You will therefore need to get a clarification on what is applicable in your case. From 2 years to 12 years, the person is considered a ‘child’. Again here there is a whole spectrum of policies and general procedures that the hotels and safari outfitters apply. Some will tell you they charge 50% of the adult rate on condition that the ‘child’ is sharing a room with 2 adults. Others may say 70%. You may also encounter a situation where the child’s rate changes depending on whether the child is sharing the room with 2 adults, 1 adult, or with another child or children. Avoid grey areas, just seek clarification as you plan.


The question of age and pricing gets a bit hazy and slippery from 12 years upwards. Definitions like ’young adults’ pop up. At 12 years you have a 'child' but at 15 years you have a young adult. The problem is that these definitions are not universal and therefore will not apply to all the service providers that you might come into contact with. Your best bet is to go with the definition fronted by your trusted travel agent of Safari outfitter. There is reason you want to insist on settling these seemingly minor issues in the process of arranging you vacation in Kenya. It might bring forth a minor dispute if not addressed in the beginning. For example, you might be considering your 13-year-old as a 'child', yet the hotel expects full adult rate to apply.

You might be considering doing a self-drive Kenya Safari where you will be making direct payments to the hotels, as opposed to a an all-inclusive Safari where you prepare a tour operator to take care of your payments on your behalf. In that case, it is worth noting that the National parks and Game reserves in consider persons below the age of 18 years as children and therefore the child rate should apply when paying the entrance fees to their facilities.

Age of children and age restrictions in some hotels
Some hotels have age restrictions. In simple terms, these hotels have rules that do not allow children below a certain age to stay in their facilities. These types of hotels are the ones commonly referred to as ‘tree hotels’. Generally, these are hotels that either have a natural waterhole or salt deposits that attract wild animals to come within the vicinity. This of course allows the visitors to view the animals from the comfort of their rooms or balconies. For this reason, these types of hotels place an age restriction on the basis that very small children may scare away the animals as the children play or cry. Find out if your Kenya Safari itinerary might involve any form of age restriction from your Safari outfitter or destination specialist.

Age of children and Safari activities
If you intend to engage on safari activities while on your vacation, you will have to worry about the participation of the children as well. The age of the child will determine whether they will take part in some activities that may be part of the safari. For example, hot air balloon excursion in Maasai Mara, Serengeti or Amboseli is restricted to 12 years. This is obviously due to safety concerns. If you insist as a parent, you will be asked to sign a release form. Other activities that may have age restrictions are bush walks or hiking.

Age of children and flow of your Kenya Safari itinerary
As you plan your vacation to Kenya, the age of your child will play a major role in determining the flow of your itinerary. For example, do you want to use road or air transportation? You may not want to subject your 5-year-old to a 5-hour-drive from Nairobi to Samburu game reserve. The scenic drive would certainly be worth the drive for the discerning adult who wants to see the country-side, the people and probably learn their way of life. But the young ones will find it taxing and exhausting. Such a consideration will lead you towards opting for the schedule flight option that will take you there in 40 minutes. You will probably spend a little bit more, but the kids enjoy the safari ultimately. That means your destination specialist will be good enough to be able to advise you on the best way to design your itinerary. With young children you need an itinerary that will avoid long, uninterrupted drives that may be on rough roads as well.


Age of children and the services in the hotels
Related to the question of the flow of itinerary is the matter of services delivered by hotels and lodges in your itinerary of choice. You will want to ensure wherever possible, you stay in hotels that are built with children in mind. This goes beyond the physical structures. It concerns that area of food, recreational facilities, staffing and all other services. The truth of the matter is the lodges that will serve you while you are on your Kenya Safari will score differently, when it comes to ‘child-friendliness’. Some are better equipped than others. A few are simply not built for children.

Generally, one can say that within the mid-market range of larger lodges with many rooms, you will need to try harder and insist more if you are to a perfect lodge for a vacation that both adults and children will enjoy.

On the other hand, the smaller, up-market, boutique hotels appear to be better equipped for families with children. But again, this is a big generalization and you will need to keep asking for details of what you need.

If, in the process of planning your Kenya Safari, you contact a lodge or hotel and ask the front office person if they will provide a baby cot and the persons hesitates in response or says they have to find out, that hotel is probably not wired for children. Drop it. And if you are planning your vacation with the assistance of a destination specialist, make it clear that you have such and such a wish with regard to the children. They should be able to suggest the best hotels that can meet your needs. But even if you decide to delegate this small matter to your destination specialist, remember to hang on to it as your own responsibility so that you it delivered. Keep insisting politely.

Age of children and room occupancy
Put differently, how many persons can be in a one room while on safari? You are travelling with your 2 children on Kenya Safari. There age is 8 and 14 years. You feel these are children and because you are concerned by their security especially at night in the African bush, you want be together in the same room. If this is your wish, you will have to ensure that the entire itinerary is booked on family rooms. This will be challenging because not many hotels and lodges have ‘family room’. The most comfortable number for hotels is 2 persons in a room. They are willing to do 3 persons in a room. Most are not ready to have a 4th bed in the rooms. Apart from the size of the rooms being a hindrance to this, the quality of comfort is also compromised.

Finally, as you plan your Kenya Safari with children, I would advise that you avoid ready-made safari programs. These will look attractive, especially in terms of price, but they do not offer you the flexibility you need to ensure the children enjoy themselves. Ask your Safari outfitter or destination specialist to help you design a perfect child-friendly Kenya Safari.

Solomon Okila is Editor African Voyages Ltd Kenya Travel Guide and Tourist Information and African Hotels, Lodges and Tourist Information.

Kenya Travel - How to spend your time in Nairobi if you miss your international connecting flight.

Besides losing out on the all-important deal, the business travellers’ worst nightmare is probably the possibility of missing the next flight – for whatever reason.

No matter how well-prepared you may think you are for this small inconvenience, it will still throw you off-balance. It may happen to you after being bumped from your seat by the airline or you could simply get caught up in the unpredictable traffic congestions of the city and end up being late for the check-in. Whichever way it comes to you, you will end up with a situation to deal with.

Your first reaction is of course what we all expect and accept, especially if you believe the fault is not yours – rage, annoyance, whining, shouting match with the duty manager etc.

After all the telephone calls have been made and you have explored all options, you realize you have 14 hours in your hands before you can get into the next flight for your destination. The next revelation to you is that life must go on.

At this point, I advise that you put into use the lessons you learnt from one of the very many self-help books you have been carrying around to keep you busy in- between meetings. Hopefully, one of the lessons would be adopt the positive - approach to life when faced with difficult situations and move on.

In other words, make a decision to use this time to enjoy some of the attractions and interesting places in and around Nairobi. Resist the temptation to book a hotel in Nairobi where you would spend the rest of the time feeling annoyed. Find out what you can do with this time!

Here are some options for day trips and excursions in Nairobi

Tour of Nairobi City
If you are a first time traveller to Nairobi and have not had time to see the city, a 3 hour tour of the city will give you some ‘feel’ of this beautiful city in the sun. You get to see the central business district, viewing the shops, the city market, and the railway museum among other places. Normally this tour would end with a visit to the Snake Park and national museum that are just about 5-minutes drive from the city centre. Go for this option if have at least 8 hours between you and your next flight.

Tour of Nairobi City together with a visit to the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen
If you have about 12 hours available to you before your next flight, you may wish to consider extending the city tour to cover the animal orphanage at the entrance of the Nairobi national park, the Giraffe centre and the Karen Blixen Museum. Or you could just skip the city tour and undertake the 4-hour tour covering Animal orphanage, Giraffe centre and Karen Blixen Museum.

The animal orphanage is run by Kenya Wildlife services. It lies just about 27 kilometres
(approximately 16 miles) from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Unfortunately, the animals here are caged, and some people may not like this. But they are caged for a reason. Some were brought from the wilderness after losing parents to predators or poachers. Some were born at the orphanage while their parents are being taken care of. The Nairobi animal orphanage raises the orphaned animal with the aim of nurturing them and training them. Eventually, they are released back into the wild to lead a normal animal life!

The Giraffe Centre
The Giraffe Centre is an educational centre run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W). The story of the Giraffe Centre is widely known. It was set up to protect the endangered Rothschild giraffe. If you lean towards conservation and fun, please consider visiting the centre. You will get the chance to feed the giraffe from a raised platform as you contribute towards conservation.

Karen Blixen Museum
You must have heard about the film ‘Out of Africa’. Yes, if you love history and antiques, you may consider a visit to the home Karen Blixen and step back in time for a few hours. Karen’s home is now preserved as a museum. The museum lies about 30 minutes drive from your starting point – the airport.

Nairobi National park
The Nairobi National park is enjoys the unique status of being the only protected wildlife area so close to a capital city – Nairobi. It located just 7 kilometres from the city centre that means about 27 kilometres from the Airport. The park is home to the rhino, buffalo, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, lion and plenty of antelopes and gazelles. You will need at least 8 hours to enjoy this tour. You will use 4 hours for the tour, keep 1 hour to use from on the road to and from the park, and 3 hours for your check-in!

Lake Nakuru National park
Lake Nakuru National is known world-wide for the flamingos. Besides the flamingos, there is an additional 450 of bird species. It is also a sanctuary for the white Rhino. Situated just about 3 hours from Nairobi, you can visit the park either as a day long excursion or overnight trip if you have the time. You must have at least 11 hours here.
Six hours will be spent on the road between Nairobi and Lake Nakuru; 5 hours for your game drive in the park and lunch break.

It is important that you do not miss your connecting flight again. So let us summarize this:

Pick the Tour of Nairobi City if you have at least 8 hours. Combine the City tour with Karen, Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen if you can afford at least 12 hours.

If you would rather do the individual excursions of Giraffe Centre or Karen Blixen, keep at least 8 hours for each.

Lake Nakuru National will take up at least 12 hours.

This is not a word of caution, just advice: Whichever excursion you take up, whatever you do, please make sure at the end of everything, you still have 4 hours ‘buffer zone’ to get to the Jomo Kenyatta International airport from the City centre. Three hours for your check in and 1 hour just in case there is heavy traffic on the road.

Solomon Okila Editor African Voyages Ltd Kenya Travel Guide and Tourist Information and African Hotels, Lodges and Tourist Information.

Climbing Longonot - a personal experience

I decided to take a drive down one of the most breath taking routes down to the floor of the rift valley and from their climb Mount Longonot situated about 90 Kilometers from Nairobi. From Nairobi use the Limuru road up to the end of the dual carriage way then turn left on Mahi Mahiu road. Drive past Mai Mahiu town and turn left before the railway crossing a sign board will guide you the base of the mountain. By the way why is that when I am driving next or precipice my legs feel cold... (note to myself "ask Dr. Odhiambo ( the family doctor) about this).

Along this scenic route as you start the decent into the rift valley, there are curio shops where one can buy African artifacts and crafts made by local groups. However even if you are not down here to do some shopping it will be worth your while to step out of your car and stretch your legs you will be greeted by a splendid panoramic view of the rift valley doted by many small and hills and of course Mt. Longonot.

Entry fees to the Mt Longonot Park ranges from Ksh 500 (US 7) to Ksh 100(US 1.5) depending on whether you are a tourist, resident or citizen.

The climb takes about one and half hours at a leisurely climb and is not a difficult accent at all if one paces themselves. the climb starts with an innocuous 2 kms very gentle muram road to the base of the mountain proper. the vegetation is mainly elephant grass and shrubs. One can see a type of antelope grazing and small ground herbivores as they walk past a basic campsite with basic toilet amenities.

The accent can be divided into four main stages, thee first two a characterized by plateaus after each steep accent. On the second plateau one can see clearly lake Naivasha and the surrounding mau hills. If you are lucky you will find Giraffes grazing on the shrubs here, curiously watching you as you pass underneath them. The third accent is by far the steepest and the most strenuous it is here where if you do not pace yourself you might give up only to realise that you were only 100 meters to the top of the rim of the crater. Peering over the crater one can not shake of the felling that they are looking at another world down there, it is about 1 by 2 kilometers wide, in the crater one can see smoke being vented by some mild volcanic activity.

Take a breather here and breathe in the beautiful scenery. Although you are not the peak of this mountain you have already conquered it because the accent to the highest peak on the crater ream is an easy climb while circumnavigating the rim of the crater.

In preparation ensure that you have plenty of water because you will sweat, ~ believe me I know ;-). Carry some power snack a mars bar or something or if you are a health buff like me take some bananas. You might want to make some sandwiches too because one tends to be hungry after the climb. I did not see a restaurant on site so please come prepared with all you might want to consume, there is however a modest Tack shop for things like water, juice and biscuits.

Wear comfortable hiking shoes climbing buts stress on the shoe on the heel when climbing and the top of the foot when going down make sure the shoes are padded to minimise abrasive action on your foot.

Wear loose fitting clothes but not too frilly loose hanging clothes tend to get snagged by the thorny brush

Do not forget your camera the view from the top is wonderful.

Remember keep the park clean and throw waste into the numerous provided bins and waste pits on site.



Have a lovely Climb !!, Park Entry Fee Change from time to time confirm with your travel agent before embarking on this adventure

Ken Lukongodo
Kenya Travel Agents and Tourist Information