THE GREAT KENYAN SAFARI
ETG SAFARIS
A division of the Express Travel GroupThe Greatest Safari on Earth
You feel it the moment you land in Nairobi – the unique magic of the Land of Safari. On the road from the airport, you’ll find yourself marvelling at the sweeping plains, the sparkling flowers, the statuesque Maasai herdsmen following their cattle. You’re 5,500 feet up in the African highlands, breathing in some of the purest air on earth. It’s clear that the magic is going to last.
The next day your safari begins. Lush forests give way to snow-capped mountains, desert valleys to rain-fed plains. And all around you, all the time, are tens of thousands of magnificent animals. The beautiful Big Cats: lion, leopard, cheetah. Huge herds of buffalo and elephant. Birds of every shape, size and sparkling colour. Rhino, giraffe, zebra, impala – the list is as long as it is spectacular.
Who knows what the next hour or minute will bring? Only chance, and the skill of your guide, will determine whether you see a family of cheetah, a lion kill, an elephant charge. But wherever you go, the sheer mass and beauty of the wildlife will provide endless excitement – and eternal memories.
After a night in a beautiful camp or lodge, the sun rises at 6am – a brilliant orange ball in the hazy dawn sky. Steaming coffee awaits as your driver prepares his vehicle for your early morning game drive. As you take to the plains, the dew is disappearing and the predators are on the move. A hungry mother lion might give chase to a zebra or kudu; a cheetah might shamelessly stalk a newborn calf.
Back at the lodge, you share your experiences over a hearty breakfast before it’s time to move on. Driving out through the game reserve, you witness more spectacular scenery, more huge herds, perhaps a posse of Maasai tribesmen. Tall, lithe and ornately adorned, the Maasai are the ultimate personification of this striking untamed land.
Your next destination may be a stunning old ranch house, tucked into the landscape, invisible from afar. A large waterhole in front of the house attracts a range of creatures great and small. After a delicious four-course lunch, there’s time to unwind by the pool, serenaded by the chatter of monkeys and the splash of elephants bathing in the river below.
A proper English tea on the verandah is followed by an afternoon game drive. Once more, the predators are on the move. The sun’s blazing red descent produces long, confusing shadows – the perfect camouflage for the hunters.
After three hours in the wilderness, you return to your lodgings. A piping hot shower or leisurely bath is followed by the greatest of African traditions – a ‘sundowner’ overlooking the waterhole. Dinner presents a delectable blend of Continental and Swahili cuisine, served beneath a sweeping starlit sky. And then it’s time to share your safari tales around the campfire – the natural end to a day of high adventure.
As you slip off to sleep, the roar of a lone lion pierces the still thick night. You are safe, cocooned in your luxurious bungalow. But outside, the wildest scenes on earth continue to unfold around you…
ON SAFARI
Accommodation
When you visit Kenya with ETG Safaris, you will stay only at the finest, most reputable safari camps and lodges. We take great care in choosing and checking all the properties at which our guests stay, and each lodge and hotel is individually selected to reflect the style and flavour of your personal safari.
Baggage
On light aircraft in Kenya the baggage allowance is limited to a maximum of 15 kilogrammes (33 pounds), excluding camera and video equipment. We would therefore urge you to pack lightly!
Excess luggage can be stored at our offices or your hotel in Nairobi. Luggage and personal effects are carried at their owners’ risk on safari, and baggage insurance is recommended.
Excess luggage can be stored at our offices or your hotel in Nairobi. Luggage and personal effects are carried at their owners’ risk on safari, and baggage insurance is recommended.
Banking
Normal banking hours in Kenya are as follows:
Monday-Friday: 0900 – 1400
Saturday: 0900 – 1100
Please note that it is not always necessary to go to a bank to change money. This can be done at most hotels and safari lodges at fairly competitive rates.
Monday-Friday: 0900 – 1400
Saturday: 0900 – 1100
Please note that it is not always necessary to go to a bank to change money. This can be done at most hotels and safari lodges at fairly competitive rates.
Binoculars
Probably the most important piece of equipment that you will use on your safari will be a pair of binoculars. If buying, get the finest that you can afford: 7-10 magnification is best. Try to avoid an electrically driven focus – manual adjustment is usually still required and the electrical drives cannot be repaired on safari.
Cameras & Film
The best camera for a safari is a 35mm with automatic exposure and interchangeable lenses. For photographing wildlife, the best advice is to cover the whole range from 28 to 300mm in as few lenses as possible: remember that wild animals move fast, and you will often not have much time to change lenses! Consider using a 100 to 300mm zoom that stops down to 4.5. There is always the option of multiple bodies – a particularly good idea if you want to shoot some black and white.
Most people use between two and three rolls of film each day. Consider bringing relatively fast film; blurring from handshake is a bigger problem in wildlife photography than graininess from fast film speeds. Remember that a lot of your pictures will be taken in the subdued light of dawn and dusk.
Most people use between two and three rolls of film each day. Consider bringing relatively fast film; blurring from handshake is a bigger problem in wildlife photography than graininess from fast film speeds. Remember that a lot of your pictures will be taken in the subdued light of dawn and dusk.
Climate
Equatorial Kenya is a year-round destination. The climate is pleasant throughout the year, due to the high altitude of most areas you will visit.
Daytime temperatures are usually in the region of 70 degrees Fahrenheit – except in the mountains (low 50s in the evenings) and at the beach (80s). The coolest months are July and August; the warmest are between December and March.
Daytime temperatures are usually in the region of 70 degrees Fahrenheit – except in the mountains (low 50s in the evenings) and at the beach (80s). The coolest months are July and August; the warmest are between December and March.
Clothing
The weather in Kenya varies from extremely hot days to chilly nights, and you should chose your safari wardrobe to allow for easy layering. Ideally, you should plan to wear a lightweight shirt or T-shirt and a pair of shorts during the day, with a jacket or sweater for early morning game drives and cooler evenings. In the winter months of July and August, you should also pack a heavier jacket or thick sweater.
A same-day laundry service is available in most of the places where you will be staying, so you can replenish your supply of clean clothing as you need it.
Lightweight, comfortable shoes are recommended – ranging from walking or tennis shoes to lightweight desert boots.
You will be in the sun a great deal, and at these altitudes it is easy to get sunburned very quickly. Please pack a hat or cap with your sunscreen!
We also recommend that you bring a swimming costume, as most of the hotels and lodges have swimming pools.
A same-day laundry service is available in most of the places where you will be staying, so you can replenish your supply of clean clothing as you need it.
Lightweight, comfortable shoes are recommended – ranging from walking or tennis shoes to lightweight desert boots.
You will be in the sun a great deal, and at these altitudes it is easy to get sunburned very quickly. Please pack a hat or cap with your sunscreen!
We also recommend that you bring a swimming costume, as most of the hotels and lodges have swimming pools.
Contact Address
As most lodges do not have telephones, messages can be transmitted via radio to you through Express Travel’s Nairobi office. Our contact details are as follows:
Express Travel Group,
P.O. Box 14736,
Middle East Bank Building,
Milimani Road
Nairobi. 00100
Tel: +254 20 2734968/2734971/2734973
Fax: +254 20 2734980/218910
e-mail: info@etg-safaris.com
Express Travel Group,
P.O. Box 14736,
Middle East Bank Building,
Milimani Road
Nairobi. 00100
Tel: +254 20 2734968/2734971/2734973
Fax: +254 20 2734980/218910
e-mail: info@etg-safaris.com
Credit Cards
Although most lodges and shops accept American Express, Visa and MasterCard, the best purchases are usually made with cash. Personal cheques are rarely accepted.
Currency
Kenya’s unit of currency is the Shilling (shillingi in Swahili), which is divided into 100 cents. Notes come in denominations of 1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 shillings; coins represent 20, 10, 5 and 1 shilling, and 50 and 10 cents. The shilling is often referred to as a ‘bob’, and 20 shillings is sometimes called a ‘pound’.
Customs
Visitors are permitted to bring into Kenya duty free a one-litre bottle of spirits, 200 cigarettes or 250 grammes of tobacco, a quarter-litre of perfume, and a reasonable amount of camera equipment and film.
Electricity
The voltage in Kenya is the same as in Europe: 220-240 volt at 50 cycles, using two- or three-pin plugs. However, as outlets often vary, we would recommend that you bring a set of international adaptor plugs if you plan to operate any electrical appliances.
Although larger hotels have reliable electricity supplies, lodges in the game parks are usually powered by generators which are switched off during the day. Plan ahead to recharge your video and camera batteries at appropriate times of the day – or carry a spare set of batteries.
Although larger hotels have reliable electricity supplies, lodges in the game parks are usually powered by generators which are switched off during the day. Plan ahead to recharge your video and camera batteries at appropriate times of the day – or carry a spare set of batteries.
Express Travel
As East Africa’s leading and longest-serving travel company, the Express Travel Group can help you take care of any number of holiday ‘extras’ – from optional extensions to your safari to airline bookings and the purchase of additional travellers’ cheques.
Express Travel is an IATA-approved air ticketing agency, the franchise holder of international car hire firm Europcar, and the sole Kenyan representative of American Express. We are also general sales agent of the five-star Hemingways Resort on Kenya’s north coast – widely regarded as East Africa’s finest beach resort – and a specialist in large-scale corporate and incentive safaris. Together with our nine offices in Nairobi and Mombasa, we operate a 24-hour office at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Express Travel is an IATA-approved air ticketing agency, the franchise holder of international car hire firm Europcar, and the sole Kenyan representative of American Express. We are also general sales agent of the five-star Hemingways Resort on Kenya’s north coast – widely regarded as East Africa’s finest beach resort – and a specialist in large-scale corporate and incentive safaris. Together with our nine offices in Nairobi and Mombasa, we operate a 24-hour office at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Fees & Taxes
The land portion of your safari will include all government taxes and service charges related to the accommodation and meals provided, as well as entrance fees to national parks and game reserves.
Game Trophies
It is illegal in Kenya to sell any goods produced from wild animals, including ivory, hides and skins, rhinoceros horn, elephant-hair bracelets, and crocodile-skin shoes or handbags.
Government
Kenya enjoys a stable democracy with strong ties with most Western nations, particularly the US and UK. The country has had three presidents since Independence in 1963: Jomo Kenyatta ruled the country until his death in 1978, when Daniel arap Moi succeeded to the presidency, Mwai Kibaki won the general election in 2002 in what was seen as the fairest election on the African continent.
Guides
Your guide will be an integral part of your safari, spending many days with you revealing the wonders of life in the Kenyan bush. All Express Travel guides are Kenyan nationals with a high level of guide training and an exceptional knowledge of the local flora and fauna, regional geography, national history, and traditional tribal lore.
Health
Although no inoculations are required under Kenyan law, most doctors recommend vaccinating against tetanus, hepatitis and yellow fever. Anti-malarial prophylactics are strongly recommended, and should be taken two weeks prior to your arrival. Please consult your own doctor regarding any personal health requirements.
Highest Point
Batian Peak, Mount Kenya, at 17,058 feet (5,199 metres).
Languages
The national language of Kenya is Swahili, but English is widely spoken. Nearly 80 different dialects are spoken by the country’s 42 tribes.
Laundry
Laundry service is available at any lodge or safari camp where two or more nights will be spent. Dry cleaning is only available in Nairobi. If you wish to do any washing yourself, please bring your own ‘Woolite’ or soap powder.
Lowest Point
Mombasa Port, at sea level.
Meals
All meals will be provided during your ETG safari – except in Nairobi, where an additional charge will be levied for bed and breakfast, and at the coast, where half-board will be charged.
Nightlife
Nairobi offers a wide selection of nightlife, from international casinos to modern discotheques and shows by local and visiting bands. Check the Daily Nation or the East African Standard for details of what’s on during your stay.
Photographing People
Permission for photographing people should always be obtained from the subjects, and a fee may be required. Please do not feel offended by this: to many Africans, a portrait is a tradable commodity.
Population
Kenya’s population currently stands at 33 million.
Public Holidays
Kenya’s public holidays are:
| January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| March/April | Good Friday/Easter/Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| June 1 | Madaraka Day |
| October 10 | Moi Day |
| October 20 | Kenyatta Day |
| December 12 | Independence Day |
| December 25/26 | Christmas/Boxing Day |
Reading List
The following books on Kenya would provide informative and entertaining reading before, during or after your safari:
Adamson, George: My Pride and Joy (Collins Harvill, 1986)
Beard, Peter: The End of the Game (Chronicle Books, 1988)
Bonner, Raymond: At the Hand of Man (Collins, 1994)
Bull, Bartle: Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure (Viking, 1988)
Dinesen, Isak (Karen Blixen): Out of Africa (Penguin, 1954)
Gallman, Kuki: I Dreamed of Africa (Penguin, 1995)
Hemingway, Ernest: Green Hills of Africa (Scribners, 1963)
Markham, Beryl: West with the Night (Penguin, 1988)
Mathiessen, Peter: The Tree Where Man was Born (Collins, 1995)
Moss, Cynthia: Elephant Memories (Elm Tree Books, 1988)
Naipaul, Shiva: North of South (various editions)
Poole, Joyce: Coming of Age with Elephants (Hyperion, 1997)
Trzebinski, Errol: The Kenya Pioneers (Heinemann, 1985)
Trzebinski, Errol: Silence Will Speak (University of Chicago, 1985)
Williams, J.A.: A Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa (Collins, 1983)
Williams, J.A.: A Field Guide to the National Parks of East Africa (Collins, 1983)
Adamson, George: My Pride and Joy (Collins Harvill, 1986)
Beard, Peter: The End of the Game (Chronicle Books, 1988)
Bonner, Raymond: At the Hand of Man (Collins, 1994)
Bull, Bartle: Safari: A Chronicle of Adventure (Viking, 1988)
Dinesen, Isak (Karen Blixen): Out of Africa (Penguin, 1954)
Gallman, Kuki: I Dreamed of Africa (Penguin, 1995)
Hemingway, Ernest: Green Hills of Africa (Scribners, 1963)
Markham, Beryl: West with the Night (Penguin, 1988)
Mathiessen, Peter: The Tree Where Man was Born (Collins, 1995)
Moss, Cynthia: Elephant Memories (Elm Tree Books, 1988)
Naipaul, Shiva: North of South (various editions)
Poole, Joyce: Coming of Age with Elephants (Hyperion, 1997)
Trzebinski, Errol: The Kenya Pioneers (Heinemann, 1985)
Trzebinski, Errol: Silence Will Speak (University of Chicago, 1985)
Williams, J.A.: A Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa (Collins, 1983)
Williams, J.A.: A Field Guide to the National Parks of East Africa (Collins, 1983)
Safari Checklist
The following is a brief practical checklist of items other than clothing that you are likely to need on your safari:
Camera, lenses and film
Binoculars
Adaptor, 3-hole, for electrical items
Extra batteries for cameras, razors, etc.
Extra pair of prescription glasses (if worn)
Toiletries/personal cosmetics
Malaria pills and other medicines
Hat, cap or visor
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion and sunscreen
Insect repellant
Laundry soap
Passport, health card, driver’s license, copy of passport
Travellers’ cheques, credit cards, small amount of cash
Notebook and pens
Reading material
Travel alarm clock
Flashlight
Penknife
Extra set of luggage keys
Extra pair of shoes/sandals
Camera, lenses and film
Binoculars
Adaptor, 3-hole, for electrical items
Extra batteries for cameras, razors, etc.
Extra pair of prescription glasses (if worn)
Toiletries/personal cosmetics
Malaria pills and other medicines
Hat, cap or visor
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion and sunscreen
Insect repellant
Laundry soap
Passport, health card, driver’s license, copy of passport
Travellers’ cheques, credit cards, small amount of cash
Notebook and pens
Reading material
Travel alarm clock
Flashlight
Penknife
Extra set of luggage keys
Extra pair of shoes/sandals
Safety
Guests should exercise the same care and common sense that one would while travelling in any foreign country. It is not advisable to walk in downtown Nairobi after dark, neither carry obvious valuables nor jewellery. All lodges and hotels have safety deposit facilities where your valuables can safely be stored. Because of the presence of wild animals, please do not walk outside your lodge or camp grounds at any time.
Shopping
Bargaining in Kenya’s shops is the perfect way to find exotic and reasonably priced souvenirs while meeting the local people up close. Local stores range from vibrant marketplaces and tribal roadside vendors to the modern malls and boutiques of Nairobi.
Among the ‘best buys’ in Kenya are Maasai tribal ornaments, wooden carvings, hand-woven baskets and bags, beautiful kangas and kikois (sarong-type wraps), soapstone carvings, handmade children’s toys, and, of course, cotton safari outfits. Nairobi’s up-market stores also offer unexpected ‘finds’, such as colonial and driftwood furniture, antique Arab doors, and paintings by world-renowned artists such as Simon Combes and David Shephard. From Nature, Kenya offers some of the world’s best tea and coffee, liqueurs such as Kenya Gold (coffee) and Kenya Cane (sugar cane), beautiful gemstones and elegant jewellery.
If you wish to order goods shipped to your own country, please make sure that they are insured and that you receive a detailed, itemized receipt. Our freighting division will be delighted to help with any shipping requirements. Your guide is on hand to assist in all your shopping arrangements.
Among the ‘best buys’ in Kenya are Maasai tribal ornaments, wooden carvings, hand-woven baskets and bags, beautiful kangas and kikois (sarong-type wraps), soapstone carvings, handmade children’s toys, and, of course, cotton safari outfits. Nairobi’s up-market stores also offer unexpected ‘finds’, such as colonial and driftwood furniture, antique Arab doors, and paintings by world-renowned artists such as Simon Combes and David Shephard. From Nature, Kenya offers some of the world’s best tea and coffee, liqueurs such as Kenya Gold (coffee) and Kenya Cane (sugar cane), beautiful gemstones and elegant jewellery.
If you wish to order goods shipped to your own country, please make sure that they are insured and that you receive a detailed, itemized receipt. Our freighting division will be delighted to help with any shipping requirements. Your guide is on hand to assist in all your shopping arrangements.
Transport
As much of your journey will involve long days on the trail of wildlife, the quality of your vehicle is of the utmost importance. In Kenya, our safari vehicles are all professionally serviced by experienced mechanics. You can also rest assured that your guide is himself a trained mechanic.
Our luxury minivans are limited to seven guests each – thus affording everyone a window seat and access to the roof hatch. Each vehicle is also equipped with cool boxes of complimentary drinks, binoculars, and a library of bird, animal and plant reference books.
Our luxury minivans are limited to seven guests each – thus affording everyone a window seat and access to the roof hatch. Each vehicle is also equipped with cool boxes of complimentary drinks, binoculars, and a library of bird, animal and plant reference books.
Visas
As visa requirements change from time to time, we advise that you check with Express Travel or your travel agent when you are making your airline reservations.
Water
Regardless of what you may hear, we do not recommend that you drink the local tap water. Sterilised drinking water is provided at all lodges, and bottled mineral water is always readily available (if a little expensive). Guests should also exercise care when requesting ice in their drinks.
SWAHILI – A BEGINNER’S GUIDE
BASIC SWAHILI
As one of the official languages of Kenya, English is understood by many Kenyans – particularly in the larger towns and at lodges and camps in the game parks. However, a little Swahili will often get you a very long way!
The vowels in Swahili are pronounced as follows:
- a as in father
- e as in bed
- i as in tin
- o as in or
- u as in truth
HELPFUL WORDS AND PHRASES
General
| Hello | Jambo! |
| How are you? | Habari? |
| Good, fine | Mzuri |
| Bad | Mbaya |
| Thank you (very much) | Asante (sana) |
| Please | Tafadhali |
| Goodbye | Kwaheri |
| Welcome | Karibu |
| Friend | Rafiki |
| No problem | Hakuna matata |
| Excuse me | Samahimi |
| Sorry | Pole |
| Quickly | Haraka |
| Slowly | Pole pole |
| Yes | Ndio |
| No | Hapana |
Shopping
| Shop | Duka |
| Money | Fedha/Pesa |
| How much? | Bei gani?/Ngapi? |
| Expensive (very) | Ghali (sana) |
| Cheap | Rahisi |
| Please give me a discount | Tafadhali nipunguzie |
| Clothes | Nguo |
| Shoes | Viatu |
| Newspaper | Gazeti |
Eating Out
| A lot | Mingi |
| Another | Ingine |
| Beer | Pombe |
| Big | Kubwa |
| Bread | Mkate |
| Butter | Siagi |
| Chicken | Kuku |
| Coffee | Kahawa |
| Cold | Baridi |
| Egg(s) | Yai (mayai) |
| Enough | Tosha |
| Fish | Samaki |
| Food | Chakula |
| Fruit | Matunda |
| Hot/fire | Moto |
| Meat | Nyama |
| Milk | Maziwa |
| Potato | Kiazi |
| Rice | Wali |
| Salt | Chumvi |
| Small | Kidogo |
| Sugar | Sukari |
| Tea | Chai |
| Vegetables | Mboga |
| Water | Maji |
Animals
| Leopard | Chui |
| Rhinoceros | Kifaru |
| Buffalo | Nyati |
| Lion | Simba |
| Elephant | Ndovu |
| Cheetah | Duma |
| Baboon/Monkey | Nyani |
| Zebra | Punda milia |
| Giraffe | Twiga |
| Impala | Swara |
| Hyena | Fisi |
| Warthog | Ngiri |
| Hippo | Kiboko |
Numbers
| One | Moja |
| Two | Mbili |
| Three | Tatu |
| Four | Nne |
| Five | Tano |
| Six | Sita |
| Seven | Saba |
| Eight | Nane |
| Nine | Tisa |
| Ten | Kumi |
| Twenty | Ishirini |
| Thirty | Thelathini |
| Forty | Arabaini |
| Fifty | Hamsini |
| Sixty | Sitini |
| Seventy | Sabani |
| Eighty | Themanini |
| Ninety | Tisini |
| One hundred | Mia moja |
| Two hundred | Mia mbili |
| One thousand | Elfu moja |
Time
| Now | Sasa |
| Today | Leo |
| Tomorrow | Kesho |
| Yesterday | Jana |
| Morning | Asubuhi |
| Afternoon | Alasiri |
| Evening | Jioni |
| Night | Usiku |
| Day | Siku |
| Week | Wiki |
| Month | Mwezi |
| Hour | Saa |
| What time is it? | Saa ngapi? |
| Sunday | Jumapili |
| Monday | Jumatatu |
| Tuesday | Jumanne |
| Wednesday | Jumatano |
| Thursday | Alhamisi |
| Friday | Ijumaa |
| Saturday | Jumamosi |
Useful Words
| Man | Mwanaume |
| Woman | Mwanamke |
| Child (children) | Mtoto (watoto) |
| Old man (men) | Mzee (wazee) |
| Girl | Msichana |
| Boy | Kijana |
| Teacher | Mwalimu |
| Citizens | Wananchi |
| House | Nyumba |
| Farm | Shamba |
| Post office | Posta |
| Bank | Benki |
| Hotel | Hoteli |
| Hospital | Hospitali |
| Taxi/Car | Taksi/Gari |
| Where? | Wapi? |
| Why? | Kwa nini? |
| When? | Lini? |
| Who? | Nani? |
Useful Phrases
| Bring | Lete |
| May I have? | Tafadhali nipe? |
| I want | Ninataka |
| Come/Let’s go | Twende |
| Where are you going? | Una kwenda wapi? |
| What’s your name? | Jina yako nani? |
| My name is… | Jina yangu ni… |
| Where do you come from? | Unatoka wapi? |
| I am lost | Nimepotea |
| Stop here | Simama hapa |
| Wait here | Ngoja hapa |
| Where is the hotel? | Hoteli iko wapi? |
| Where is the toilet? | Choo iko wapi? |
