Bush Notes
Bush Notes
As you plan your trip, please refer to this guide. If you have additional questions, just let us know!
All of our safari vehicles in Kenya and Tanzania come equipped with:
- Seat belts
- Game viewing hatch
- Luggage area for soft sided bags
- Seven passenger window seats
- Radio communication
- Cooler box with bottled water
- First aid kits
Your tour will be in a 4×4 vehicle(s) with 2 to 6 people plus a driver/guide.
Hard sided suitcases are very difficult to pack in the designated luggage area. Therefore duffle type bags are recommended and expected.
- Driver/Guide: $15 per person per day at a minimum
- Excursions in either Arusha or Nairobi: $10 per excursion
- Airport Transfers from NBO and ARK: $4 ($2 each way)
- Airport Transfers from JRO: $10 ($5 each way)
- Porters: $.50 – $1 per bag (includes stowing a bag at the base hotel in either Arusha or Nairobi)
- Tips on meals – 10% of bill
- Beverages* really depends on the individual: $5 – $25 + per day.
- Beverage tips on any type of beverage: 10% of bill paid directly to the server – even if you are charging it to your room.
Miscellaneous
- VISA: you will need one for both Kenya and Tanzania and are required to have at least 6 months of validity remaining in your passport.
- Kenya is currently $51 – http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
- Tanzania is currently $50 – https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
- Souvenirs: double whatever you expect to spend $100 – $200
- Additional Meals not included in the itinerary: $20 – $35
- Cash Cushion for the unexpected: $100
Cash Notes
All U.S. dollars will need to be printed 2006 or later for Kenya and 2008 or later for Tanzania. The local people/banks/hotels/restaurants will not accept bills from you that are printed before the dates above.
* Coffee/Tea bars are free and usually open all day. Juices are included with breakfast. Also, included is one 20 oz. bottle of water for each person at the hotel/lodge and one 20 oz. bottle of water per person per day from the safari company while on safari. All other beverages – water, soda, specialty coffee drinks, beer, wine and cocktails can be purchased with your server or through the bar. You may charge any of these items to your room but PLEASE pay the tip directly to the server or bartender.
Your Tour Includes
- Meet and greet services at the airport upon arrival and departure
- Airport Transfer to and from your base hotel
- A 4×4 vehicle while on your safari with a photo roof with maximum 6 pax in a vehicle (SeeBush Notes)
- Services of an English speaking driver-guide
- Guaranteed window seat
- Game drives
- All accommodations and meals as specified
- All park fees and government taxes
- One bottle of mineral water per person per day during game drives
Your Tour Does Not Include
- International flights
- Visas
- Airport tax (usually included in the ticket price)
- Driver guide or local escort gratuities
- Drinks unless specified and dining rooms tips, porterage, personal travel and baggage insurance
- Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature (souvenirs, etc.)
A National Park are wildlife and botanical sanctuaries that do not allow human habitation or use of the land and is administered by the government. A National Reserve is similar but under certain conditions the land may be used for purposes other than nature conservation. Therefore, some controlled agriculture may be allowed. Administration is done by a body such as a conservancy, local council or trust.
There are several ways to obtain a Visa for either country:
– You can obtain these visas at their consulates in either New York City, NY or Washington D.C. either in person or by mail.
– You can obtain a Visa when you arrive at the airport in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – NBO) or Arusha, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport – JRO). This has been the most popular which has made lines and wait time longer. The offices there are open 24 hours a day.
– The easiest way is the eVisa which works for both Kenya and Tanzania. This is done online no more than 90 days prior to arrival and is valid for 6 months. Once approved you will receive a PDF document that you will bring with you to East Africa. The Visa will be validated upon arrival.
Kenya eVisa – http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
Tanzania eVisa – https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
– If you are traveling by road between Kenya and Tanzania you may obtain a Visa for either country at the border office building at Namanga (border town that sits in both countries).
PLEASE NOTE: Your passport will need to have a minimum of 6 months validity to obtain a Visa. You will not be able to ‘deal with it when you arrive’. All airlines will deny you boarding on their flight that is bound to Kenya or Tanzania.