Frequently Asked Questions
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Trip Questions
1. Is my international plane ticket included in the price?
No. Your international plane ticket is not included in the trip price. The trip
partners with Uniglobe Let’s Go Travel - a travel agency based in Nairobi,
Kenya. Let’s Go Travel is a Kenyan based tour company that specializes in
creating authentic safari experiences. The company is fantastic in organizing
your international travel as well as pre or post travel in Kenya or East Africa.
Let’s Go Travel: https://uniglobeletsgotravel.com
2. What will the weather be like on this Adventure for a lifetime?
July in Laikipia, Kenya, is an ideal month to come visit.
Laikipia is centrally located in Kenya and the Laikipia plateau is situated between 1,166 to 2,122m (3,825 to 6,962ft). Its location at altitude helps to keep temperatures morning and evening cool. Temperatures increase in the middle of the day and the sun’s rays are powerful.
More details for weather: https://weatherspark.com/y/100135/Average-Weather-in-Nanyuki-Kenya-Year-Round
3. What is the terrain and difficulty of this trip?
Cycling: Laikipia is situated at altitudes between 1,166 and 2,122m, cycling at altitude is more challenging and it can take the body a bit longer to acclimatize.
The terrain of biking is not very technical. It includes riding on dirt roads throughout conservancies, single track through the forest and wide tracks through the Laikipia bush. Please note the approximate distance each day on the itinerary.
There will be support vehicles during the entire cycling experience. These support vehicles can be accessed whenever you need.
Trekking: Trekking on Mt. Kenya requires the most acclimatization, but you will have had a week to acclimatize to the altitude in Laikipia before tackling the mountain. The daily trekking distances are manageable and you will be carrying minimum weight. You will reach a max altitude of 4,985m - Lenana Peak. There is an entire support team that will take care of setting up your luxury tent (includes mattress and elevated cot in a large tent), cooking all your meals (high energy, healthy and adjusted to your dietary needs) and carrying your gear (sleeping bag, extra clothing, etc).
4. What should I pack for this trip?
Below please find two documents that help advise on what to pack for this trip. In short, though it gets warmer throughout the day and temperatures surely rise in the afternoon, the mornings and nights can be quite cool. We recommend bringing warmer clothing for the early morning and evenings; clothing that can also be used on Mt. Kenya to keep you warm.
Mount Kenya Packing list: Download here
Biking and safari packing list: Download here
*Essentials not to forget: camera, binoculars, wide-brimmed hat, headlamp, cash,
outlet adapter and/or power converters (British system used in Kenya), and sunglasses.
OTHER ODDS & ENDS - PACKING
Be mindful to carry a full supply of any medication you’re on (including malarial prophylactics); sufficient toiletries, whilst remembering that most lodges provide the essential soaps and shampoos; sunscreen (non-scented); an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses if you can’t see without them; extra memory sticks, camera batteries, chargers and all things camera and phone-related.
Be sure to remove any wrapping (such as plastics) when packing new purchases. Keep in mind that whatever you are taking in your bag, should return with you, including used batteries, empty toothpaste tubes, etc. Waste disposal in remote safari destinations is often done through burning. What is generally appreciated, though is to leave your used reading material and magazines for local lodge or camp staff.
Single-use plastic bags are banned in Kenya, so you will not be allowed to bring them into the country. Fines may be levied if these are found in your possession by customs officials. Please keep this in mind as you are packing. Also, remove any duty-free items that have been sealed in plastic bags and leave the bags on the plane.
5. What currency is used in Kenya? Can I exchange money while I’m there?
Kenya uses shillings. There are several exchange bureaus in Nairobi and
Nanyuki. There are plenty of ATMs for cash withdrawal including Barclays. It is
recommended to bring some USD cash with you, but make sure that the notes
are 2009 series or later. The average exchange rate is about 120 KSH for 1
USD.
6. What language is spoken in Kenya?
Kenya has many different languages. English and Kiswahili are the two most frequently used languages. In schools, all children learn English from the first class.
7. What is the time difference?
Kenya is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
8. Do I need to get any vaccinations or get any medications?
Be sure to contact your physician or a travel clinic well in advance of your travel
dates to obtain professional medical advice and discuss up-to-date vaccination
requirements for the areas you are visiting.
When you plan your trip, the last thing on your mind is thinking about getting
sick. Some careful pre-planning and research can reduce this possibility. Just to
put your mind at rest; Nairobi has some top-notch hospitals, pharmacies, and
doctors. There is also a state of the art and professional air ambulance
evacuation service based in Nairobi. They will fly to wherever you are, however,
remote you may be.
Included in your trip price is:
AMREF Flying Doctors - AMREF Flying Doctors subscription has an Air
Ambulance scheme aimed at providing quality and affordable medical
evacuation services throughout the Eastern Africa region. The subscription
includes: access to our 24-hour medical helpline, two evacuation flights per
year, two ground ambulance transfers per year and direct contact with the air
ambulance provider, no third-party involved.
On your Adventure for Rhinos trip, you will receive a Maisha Tourist Gold coverage that covers you while in East Africa.
Before you travel, please make copies of any medications you are on. Ensure you have sufficient for the trip. Maybe even bring a prescription with you, just in case of loss or damage to any of your meds.
Required vaccinations
Yellow Fever is required for travelers coming from a country with the risk of yellow fever transmission. However, as Kenya does have areas where yellow fever has occurred, for your protection it is recommended, especially if you are going on safari. The yellow fever certificate is valid 10 days after vaccination. Existing and new yellow fever certificates, since July 2016, are now deemed valid for life.
Recommended vaccinations
As the Hepatitis A & B virus is present worldwide, it is recommended to be inoculated. There are now combined Hepatitis A & B vaccines, also there is a combined Hepatitis A and Typhoid fever vaccine. Talk to your health care provider regarding your options available and the time frame needed to be covered before your travel.
Malaria
The risk of Malaria is present in all of Kenya below the altitude of 2500 m. if you are planning a safari, it is best to take prophylactic measures for the whole trip. Please consult your health care provider for up to date advice for the correct antimalarial drug to use. In addition, please reduce your risk whilst in country by using the mosquito nets provided at the camps. Use bug sprays, wear long sleeved shirts and long trousers at night, don’t use perfume. For some reason the female mosquito is attracted to perfume, and it’s only the female ones that transmit malaria.
9. What are Africa’s Big Five?
Africa’s famous Big Five consists of the lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino, and leopard.
Do you know the small five? Fun facts…
Leopard tortoise, ant lion, elephant shrew, buffalo weaver, and rhino beetle.
10. Will there be internet connection or cell phone service on this trip?
Internet access is available at most of the permanent lodges we use in Kenya, but connections can be slow and limited. Internet at our mobile camps is spotty and sometimes not available at all. Please check with us for details regarding the connectivity specific to your trip; however, we recommend that you don’t rely on having a consistent connection throughout your trip.
Cellular connection is quite good throughout the country but can be very spotty in the bush and on the mountain. International plans will work in Kenya. Further, you can purchase a local SIM card, through Safaricom- that gives you internet connection as well.
11. What is the best way to get to Kenya to meet the group?
As the trip starts on July 18th, 2023 at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, we recommend that people arrive that day or a few days earlier.
Let’s Go Travel can help you arrange accommodation and activities in Nairobi prior to the trip, should you wish to arrive earlier and acclimatize.
12. What about travel insurance?
If you prepare for the unexpected, the chances are that you don’t need it. However, if you do have an unexpected problem while on holiday, then travel insurance is worth its weight in gold. Never travel without it. There are many products available these days, please find one that is suitable for you.
13. Visas and Passports?
International travel to Kenya requires a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and have at least one blank page available when you present it to immigration, and a return ticket. All foreign citizens traveling to Kenya will need an Evisa, except citizens from countries that are exempt.
There are three types of Evisa available:
-
Single Entry visa - Issuedforsingle entry to persons whose nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya either for business, tourism or medical reasons.
-
Transit visa - Issued to persons connecting through Kenya to other destinations for a period not exceeding 72 hours. Those connecting flights directly without leaving the airport don't need to apply for Transit visas.
-
Courtesy visa - Issued to Diplomatic, Official and Service passport holders coming into the country on official duties.
Processing of the visa is 2 days. Once it is approved, the Evisa will be made available to your Evisa account. You must print a copy to carry with your passport and bring it along when you travel to Kenya. When you arrive in Kenya, you must have your Evisa printout with your passport.
An Evisa to Kenya, once issued is valid for 3 months before you travel.
Please contact Let’s Go Travel for any help with visas for Kenya.
14. What is food like in Kenya? Are meals covered?
Please note that all meals are covered on your Adventure for Rhinos, as well as all house beers, wines, and spirits. Snacks will also be provided during the biking and trekking portions of the trip.
Please contact us if you have any dietary restrictions.
Before and After Trip Questions
1. Are there any opportunities to extend my trip if I want to see more of East Africa?
There are many opportunities to extend your trip. Interested in traveling further in Kenya, or heading to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, or, perhaps, gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Contact Let’s Go Travel for pre and post trip travel arrangements.
2. What are some of the best tourist activities in Nairobi, Kenya if I want to arrive a day or two early?
Nairobi is a cultural hub and some of its best activities including the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Karen Blixen Museum. Let’s Go Travel can help you arrange all of your Nairobi based activities, including accommodation.
Payment Questions
1. How do I pay for this experience of lifetime?
Great that you want to sign up for this trip of a lifetime. Please contact African Ascents to coordinate all payment.
Contact: info@africanascents.com
2. What are the methods of payment?
African Ascents will be handling all payments for the trip. African Ascents has a bank account in the US and one in Kenya.
Please contact African Ascents: info@africanascents.com
3. What is the cancellation policy?
Please contact African Ascents for detailed cancellation policy. info@africanascents.com
4. What’s included and not included in my trip cost?
Please see the trip itinerary page for what is included and not included in trip price.
5. What’s the price of this once in a lifetime, exclusive trip?
Please see trip price and price breakdown on the itinerary page.
Donation Questions
1. How do I make my donation?
You can confidently make a secure donation to the Rhino conservation efforts and the Mazingira Conservation Fund by clicking this link.
2. How will my donation be used?
Please take a look at the "Cause" page to see where your money will be used. Majority of your donation will be used to support sustainable natural resources management within the Greater Laikipia Landscape. Over time, it is expected to grow to support other CCC initiatives in other conservation landscapes and countries.
After making a donation, you will be kept up to date on all progress of the Mazingira Conservation Fund through its newsletter.
3. What if I can’t join the trip, but still want to donate?
Of course! It’s wonderful to hear that you still want to support the Mazingira Conservation Fund and help protect the future of rhinos and wildlife in Kenya. Please click on this link to make your donation.