Useful Information on the Mara

It can be quite daunting going to a new country and no doubt there are many questions you would like ask before you start your trip. Here are some tips and information that might answer some of your questions. This information has been kindly put together by Liberty Africa Ltd.

If there is anything else we can help you with please contact us or write us a message. Hope this information has been useful.

Rules and Regulations in Reserves and Parks
Shopping
Working Hours
Bank Working Hours
Currency
Credit Cards
A few helpful hints
Personal Safety
Health
Taxis
Tipping
Photography
Baggage
Languages
Weather and Clothes
Food and Restaurants
Electricity
Country Information
Visas

Rules and Regulations in Reserves and Parks 

• You are not allowed to drive off road.
• Keep to main roads and tracks.
• Visitors are allowed on the roads from 06:00 to 19:00. You are not allowed out of your vehicle.
• Do not discard litter in our wilderness.
• Keep your trash until you get to your place of accommodation.
• Do not harass wildlife, and avoid over crowding them.
• You are not permitted to remove or collect anything from the protected areas.

Shopping

You will find that Kenya has a wealth of fascinating curio shops, clothes stores and shops specialising in Africana. Some shopping areas: Nairobi main streets and arcades in the city centre and within major hotels, City Market and streets around the Market; if you are going to the Rift Valley then there are some interesting curio shops there. Nearly every main shop in the city centres and in hotels/lodges will accept major credit cards and travellers cheques.

Working Hours

Usual business hours throughout Kenya are 08:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday and 08:30 to 12:30 on Saturday. 

Bank Working Hours

Nairobi and Mombasa airport banks are open 24 hours. Otherwise banks open at 09:00 and close at 15:00 weekdays. 10:00 to 12:00 Saturdays. Closed on Sundays and Public holidays. 

Currency

The unit of currency is the Kenya shilling.
The Shilling is divided into 100 cents.
Notes denominations: 1000/=, 500/=, 200/=, 100/=, and 50/=.
Coins denominations: 20/=, 10/=, 5/=, 1/= and -/50

Credit Cards

Most major credit cards are accepted throughout Kenya, except American Express. There is normally a small fee of about 5% charge.

A few helpful hints

• Please show respect for local laws and customs, and the sensitivities of your host country. Remember for religious reasons, many people consider scanty dress a discourtesy (restrict wearing of swimsuits and beachwear to the swimming pools and beaches) - this applies particularly to northern and eastern Kenya, as well as the coastal areas.
• Do not leave valuables, including cameras and binoculars, anywhere. Make use of hotel safes as much us possible.
• Try not to make a flagrant display of wealth - your normal holiday spending money amounts to a small fortune to most Kenyans.
• When on safari never get out of your vehicle, unless you are told it is safe to do so.
• Do not attempt to go for unsupervised walks when staying in game lodges.

Personal Safety

Valuables, including travellers cheques should be locked up when away from your hotel or lodge. The streets in the cities and towns are not dangerous but it is unwise to walk alone after dark or away from well-lit streets, especially carrying bags or cameras. In short, please take the same care as you would normally take in any part of Europe, America or elsewhere in the world.

Health

The sun in Kenya is hotter than you may imagine. One can get sunburnt even on a cloudy day. Please take care, and on first exposure, use a protective lotion. Piped water supplies are safe practically everywhere but local advice should be taken when on safari. You will find that in most safari lodges, there will be a flask of drinking water on your bedside table. There are small field hospitals and clinics in most parts of the country, but it is advisable to purchase all your requirements in Nairobi or Mombasa before setting out on a tour. Please remember to take malaria preventives and continue these for the required weeks after your departure from Kenya.

Taxis

If using a taxi, first check if the meter is working or make sure that you agree on a price before the journey.

Tipping

If you are travelling with a group, your tour leader/escort will probably take care of all tipping. However the following may be useful to the individual traveller. A fixed service charge is normally included in the tariff of most hotels. Restaurant and bar waiters are accustomed to clients leaving 10 percent of the meal bill.

The largest tips usually go to your safari driver/guide (and tour escort if applicable). Around $5 to $10 per person per day is reasonable. However, please do not hesitate to seek local advice on tipping and remember that tips are generally given only for good, attentive service and paid only on final completion of services.

Photography

Please do not photograph the president, police, soldiers, military installations, prisons, prisoners and airports, you may get into big trouble.

Please always enlist the co-operation of your subject before photographing strangers as people do not like to be regarded as exhibits and many may not understand that your photos are merely a personal record of your trip. Your driver/guide will be able to advise you on this.

Baggage

Our tour operator is not insured for damage to, or loss of, baggage. Whilst our driver/guide will make every effort to assist you with your luggage, we take no responsibility for any loss or damage. If you are travelling by small charter aircraft, only one suitcase or soft bag of not more than 15 kg may be carried.

Languages

The official language is English and the national language is Kiswahili (a mixture of African, English and Arabic). Your driver/guide and most people in the hotel industry will speak reasonably good English. Our tour operator can provide on request, French, Spanish, German, Italian or Hebrew speaking driver/guides.

Weather and Clothes

During your safari to Kenya you may cross several weather zones: Mombasa and the Coast - hot and humid; Nairobi - cool and dry, Mt. Kenya - chilly; Samburu and the Maasai Mara - pleasant weather but chilly during the early morning game drives; Tsavo and Amboseli - pleasant. If you travel during rainy seasons (November - December and April - June) - expect rain. Select your clothes according to the season and location.

Food and Restaurants

In general, the food served in hotels and lodges is European food. Breakfast and lunch are served as a buffet and dinner is usually a set menu. In Mombasa and Nairobi you will find a variety of restaurants - European, Indian, Chinese, African, and Seafood. The degree of cleanliness in restaurants is very high as is the quality of food.

Electricity

Electricity is 220/240 volts. Adaptors are available in most hotels/lodges. Since the electricity is usually provided by generators in lodges within the parks, where the genrators come on as early as 05:00 to 0900 am, and again at 16:00 to 01:00 am. However, Mara Bushtops supplies most of its electricity from solar cells, with the genrator only used as a backup, so electricity is available 24 hours a day. Please remember to recharge your video camera immediately after each game drive.

Country Information

GMT                            +3
Country dialling code      +254
Total land area               582,650 sq km
Population (2007 est)     37,000,000
Tribes                           approx 45
Languages                     English and Kiswahili both official languages

Visas

Most foreign visitors to Kenya require a visa. Single entry visas can be obtained at the airport on arrival. The current price of a single entry visa is US$ 50. Alternatively you can apply for a multiple or single entry visa from any Kenyan Embassy or High Commission prior to travel.