A few tips:
ETA: Kenya’s Ministry of Home Affairs and National Administration, the Kenyan State Immigration and Citizenship Service and the Directorate of Immigration Services have developed and now administer Kenya’s electronic travel authorization application system.
Called “Kenya eTA”, it is a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of travelers wishing to visit Kenya. An electronic travel authorization (eTA) is a travel permit issued by the government of the Republic of Kenya. Holding an eTA does not constitute the ultimate authority to enter the Republic of Kenya. A traveler’s admissibility will be determined at the border crossing point.
The eTA application procedure collects biographical data as well as information relating to the person’s eligibility to travel. Kenya eTA applications: www.etakenya.go.ke, are generally processed within 3 days. However, we recommend that you send in your eTA application 2 weeks before your departure date to guarantee sufficient processing time. Travelers can apply up to 90 days prior to departure. We strongly recommend that travelers apply as soon as they have booked their travel and accommodation.
DON’T FORGET
For your Safari :
- Camera with Zoom preferred
- Binoculars if possible
- Practical clothes, preferably in non-delicate cotton, as there’s a lot of red dust that often doesn’t wash out.
- Lightweight pants and long-sleeved tee-shirt for evening safaris, to protect against mosquitoes and cool temperatures.
- Sweater or fleece jacket and scarf for early morning departures
- Practical, lightweight shoes.
- A flashlight
- An iron water bottle (plastic bottles are forbidden in the parks)
- 3-point adapter
To go to the beach :
- A beach towel
- A cap or hat for the sun
- Plastic shoes for the beach (recommended)
- Good sunglasses
- High protection sunscreen
- Soothing sun cream, Biafine style
If you stay at Tembo Cottages, the following are included:
- Towels
- Pool towels
- Pareos
- Sheets
- Pillowcases
- Dishcloth
We have adapters for all sockets.
Pharmacy :
The minimum, because we have well-stocked pharmacies in Kenya:
- Paracetamol or aspirin
- Anti-diarrhea drugs
- Mosquito repellent (cinq a cinq or equivalent brand recommended)
Vaccinations are not compulsory, but yellow fever is recommended.
Bank :
Take only euros in cash, as they can be easily exchanged, or you can withdraw Kenya shillings from ATMs with a Visa or MasterCard. Withdrawals per week for a standard card are normally 40,000 ksh, i.e. around 300 euros, and for a “premier” card 160,000 ksh, i.e. around 1,000 euros (check with your bank). In some department stores, you can pay with your bank card.
Luggage :
Always take the precaution of packing a minimum number of clothes in the bag you keep with you in the aircraft cabin, as well as any important medication, in case your luggage takes longer to reach its destination. If this happens, don’t forget to fill in a form to declare the loss of your luggage, giving the color and shape of the luggage. You’ll find it at the next stop in Nairobi.
Please note: no liquids in your hand luggage, no creams (except in 100 ml minimum samples), not even tweezers, penknives or small scissors in the bag left with you on the plane, and no plastic bags in your suitcases either, as these are forbidden in Kenya.
Banking: Take only euros in cash, as you can easily exchange them, or withdraw Kenya Shillings from ATMs with a Visa. Withdrawals per week for a standard card are normally 40,000 Kenya shillings, i.e. around 400 euros (depending on exchange rates), and for a Premier card: 1,000 euros (check with your bank). In some stores you can pay by credit card, but beware of charges, and you won’t be able to haggle. In supermarkets, you can pay by credit card.
Visa: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
You can no longer take your visa on site, you must take it online.
Luggage: Always take the precaution of packing a minimum number of clothes in the bag you’ll be taking with you on the plane, as well as any important medication, in case your luggage takes longer to reach its destination. Don’t forget to fill in a form to declare the loss of your luggage, giving the color and shape of the luggage; you’ll find it the next morning. Please note: no liquids or creams, except in samples, and not even tweezers, a penknife or a small chisel in the bag that stays with you on the plane – it’s forbidden.
