Details

Trip Notes & Expectations

FLYING THROUGH LONDON-HEATHROW TO EAST AFRICA?

Travelers flying from or connecting through London-Heathrow are currently allowed only one carry-on item and one small personal bag (e.g., purse, laptop bag, briefcase) on flights to Nairobi. If you arrive at the security gate with more, you will be required to check one, which may lead to complications. This policy is current at the time of writing, but local rules may change. We recommend contacting your airline for the most up-to-date information.

LUGGAGE COMPLICATIONS

Don’t overpack. Your bag must stay within the size limits listed in our packing list. Delayed luggage is common on international flights to Nairobi—especially if you’re flying from Heathrow or Amsterdam. To be safe, keep important items in your carry-on: passport, documents, valuables, medications, and a change of clothes. If your bag is delayed, it will likely arrive within 48–72 hours, and the airline should forward yours to your hotel or next stop in Kenya. If you’re already in Tanzania by then, local staff can help—but be aware that airlines are not always proactive. You may need to buy replacement items locally, or pay someone to help communicate with the airline. Costs for retrieving or shipping your bag are your responsibility. G Adventures will support you where possible, but they cannot cover any expenses. Save all receipts for possible reimbursement from your airline or travel insurance provider.

ACCOMMODATION & CAMPING

Camping in Kenya is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get an up-close experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. Camping Experience: We stay at designated campsites inside of or nearby the national reserves and parks. The campsite in Samburu (first four nights) is a basic public camp run by the local council. You will be in dome tents, and there will be no electricity, and only gas lanterns in the evening. Bathrooms are shared, and have long drop toilets and cold showers. At the Masai Mara, we will stay in a simple permanent tented camp. These are walk-in safari tents with single beds and mattresses. There is no electricity for lights or charging batteries. The facilities are basic, though there are flushing toilets and hot water (when the boiler is working). Camping Support: This is a full-service camping trip. All tents are pitched for you, meals are prepared and served, and the washing up is done by G Adventures staff. You may bring your own sleeping bag (if you would like), but it is not required. We provide a walk-in “safari tent” with single beds, mattresses, small pillow and bedding in the Masai Mara, and a tent, small pillow, sleeping sheet, and the sleeping pads, for the remainder of the trip. Drinking water, ice, and fire wood are not provided but can be bought locally with the assistance of the tour leader. Our services leave you with more time to enjoy your surroundings and is ideal for first-time campers who may be worried about the challenges that a trip like this one can entail.

TRANSPORTATION

You will travel in private 7-seat 4x4 Land Cruisers equipped with pop-up roofs and sliding windows for great wildlife viewing. If your group is large, we’ll use two vehicles. All vehicles have speed governors set to 80 kph, and seat belts must be worn at all times. Our drivers are also trained mechanics and will handle any mechanical issues quickly. Breakdowns are rare, but due to long days and rough roads, they can happen. Thanks in advance for your patience if that occurs. Comfort Considerations: This isn’t a physically demanding trip, but you’ll spend long hours on bumpy roads. If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring any remedies you rely on.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This trip includes light walking and other activities that require an average/moderate level of fitness to enjoy. You can opt out of the longer walks if you aren’t feeling up for them. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.

MIGRATION

The Seronera Plains in the southeast of Serengeti National Park and western Ngorongoro Conservation Area are the main calving grounds for wildebeest. They arrive with the short rains in November or December, calve in January, and stay until the long rains end in May. In late April, they gather for their 800 km migration northward, facing the Grumeti River crossing from June to July. Between July and October, some cross the Mara River into Kenya, while others remain in the northern and western Serengeti. By late October, they return to the Seronera Plains, completing the cycle in November.

ELECTRICITY

The power supply in Kenya is nominally 240VAC, 50hz. Variable voltage, spikes and sporadic, unexpected, unscheduled power cuts of varying duration can be expected.

YELLOW FEVER

According to the WHO and CDC, there is no ongoing Yellow Fever transmission risk in Kenya. However, a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are traveling to Kenya from a Yellow Fever endemic country , including those who transit through such countries for more than 12 hours. If required, Yellow Fever inoculations need to be administered at least 10 days prior to your entry into the country.

MOSQUITOS

Mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya are present in Kenya. While hotels pre-confirm mosquito nets and repellents are available, our experience on the ground is that this isn’t always the case. We recommend bringing repellent, long sleeves, closed-toed shoes, and—if you’re concerned—a portable net or plug-in repellent. It’s best to come prepared to protect yourself.

MEALS

When an evening meal isn’t included, your hotel will have a restaurant, or you’ll be directed to a local option. All camp meals are made from fresh local produce. Food shopping is done before departure, with fresh items bought along the route from supermarkets, shops, and markets.Breakfasts are usually cereal, though warm options may be offered if time allows. Many lunches are light, like sandwiches or salads, provided en route. Evening meals are hot, featuring both continental and local dishes, prepared by the crew, with optional assistance from you. Please specify dietary needs prior to arrival, and not that all bottled drinking water will be at your own expense.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO/G Adventures trips are led by a Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight—giving you the best of both worlds.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Going to Tanzania Too?

Our Kenya program lines up perfectly with our Tanzania program if you want to go on both. There are direct flights from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro International with Precision Air that take about one hour. A seat on a public shuttle bus (leaves daily at 8 am) can be pre-booked through GEEO/G Adventures and takes about 6 hours.

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same. Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion. Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Extra Services section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:: G Adventures Local Office (Nairobi, Kenya) From outside Kenya: +254 727 208 832 From within Kenya: 0727 208 832 G Adventures Local Representative (Tanzania) During office hours, 9 am-5 pm local time: From outside Tanzania: +255 754 400 141 From within Tanzania: 0754 400 141 If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999 AIRPORT TRANSFER: If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, we will do our best to rearrange your arrival transfer however we cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please call the local emergency contact numbers listed below for more information. For any issues relating to pre-booked transfers for Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, including delays or missed transfers, please contact our airport transfer operator: Phelix: +254 729 692 653 (from outside of Kenya) Phelix: 0729 692 653(from within Kenya)

Packing List

See our blog post of staff recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, sports bag, or backpack, no larger than 30cm(height) x 30cm(width) x 60cm(length), maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel. As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination on a site like Weather Spark for the time of year you will be traveling. *Laundry: Hand washing of clothes can be done at campsites, as most have simple facilities for this purpose. We recommend you bring a non-polluting/biodegradable soap, as well as a roll of string to use as a drying line for your clothes. If you arrive at your overnight stop in the late afternoon, or if there is poor weather, it may not be possible for your clothes to dry completely. Your start/end hotel also has laundry service for a fee.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries. 

• → Read GEEO's Guidance for Kenya (detailed instructions with official links and resources)

PASSPORT  All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here. ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS  Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country's official government resources. Use the tool below to see entry requirements for your specific itinerary.  Entry information below is provided by Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner. You must search each of your destination countries separately; “Add connection” solely searches transit visa requirements. Additional fees apply if you choose to purchase any services through Sherpa.

Money Exchange

Currency:The local currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (K or Ksh). For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com. Cash: We recommend getting cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. Your tour leader will inform you where you can exchange money throughout the tour and approximately how much cash you will need. Please note that due to past problems with forgery, USD notes that were issued prior to 2006 are not accepted in Africa. Large note (e.g, $50 or $100) can be difficult to change in some places, but will provide the best exchange rate. Make sure to bring bills that are in excellent condition (not torn, wrinkled, or marked). Credit/Debit Cards:Major credit cards are accepted in many shops, though often with a 3–10% fee. Ask your bank about international transaction charges before departure. In East Africa, Visa/Plus cards are the most widely accepted; Mastercard/Cirrus can be difficult to use. Credit cards can be used in larger towns and cities but should not be relied on as your primary payment method. Also keep in mind that ATMs outside major centers may be out of cash, out of order, or affected by power outages that can last for hours. Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling. See the Estimated Trip Costs section at the bottom of this page for budgeting guidance. For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit: Driver: $5 USD per day Supply crew: $2-5 USD per day Local guides: $1 USD per couple of hours Restaurant/café servers: 10% of the cost of the bill CEO: $5 USD per day. (We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group)

Vaccinations

GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health, which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC's recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously! Yellow Fever Note: Some countries on GEEO programs may require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination if you are arriving from or transiting through countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission. This includes long layovers (typically over 12 hours) in affected countries. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before entry to be considered valid. Always check with your health provider and the official entry requirements of each country to determine if you need a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bear responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins and ends in Nairobi. Check the itinerary for the required arrival date. Aim to arrive no later than mid-afternoon for the 6 p.m. Day-1 welcome meeting, and consider arriving a day or two early to buffer flight delays and see more of Nairobi. You can depart any time on the final day of the program.

Plugs and Converters

Kenya uses Type G plugs and the voltage is 230V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider: 1. Adapter (plug shape) Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post. 2. Converter / transformer (voltage) Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage. How to know which you need: Look at the fine print on the plug or power brick. An “Input 100-240 V” means the device is dual-voltage and works worldwide with only an adapter—phones, laptops, and most camera chargers fall into this category. If the label shows “Input 120 V” (hair dryers, curling irons, some shavers), it could be damaged on high voltage. Pack both an adapter and a travel voltage converter. Converters are inexpensive and sold online or in the travel aisle of many stores.

Weather

In early summer in Kenya, the high temperatures are around 70-80°F – pleasantly warm but not suffocating. The evenings tend to get chilly, dropping to about 55°F.