For Kenya, starting January 4^th 2024, you are no longer required to obtain a Visa the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system replaces the eVisa system for Kenya. It’s crucial for all visitors, including children and infants, to obtain the approved eTA before embarking on their journey to  Kenya.

Visitors should apply for the eTA via www.etakenya.go.ke and pay a processing fee of USD $34. Standard processing time is three working days. But vistors should still apply well in advance. 

Visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania.

Foreign nationals may apply for a visa online in advance of travel. Applicants may complete the e-visa application form and make payment online with a credit card or bank transfer at www.immigration.go.tz. If the e-visa is approved, the applicant will receive a “grant notice” via email. Present a copy of the grant notice to the Immigration Officer on arrival at the airport in Tanzania.

U.S. citizens may also obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania. The cost is $100 USD. Be prepared to pay in cash in case connectivity issues make electronic transactions impossible.

A passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond visa issuance and/or date of entry, and at least one blank visa page, is required. Visitors who enter on visas must present a roundtrip ticket and demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their stay.

Visas requirements to enter Malawi 

The cost of single entry visa (valid for 30 days) is $50. This must be applied for

online. If you will be entering Malawi on more than one occasion, double

entry (US$80pp) or multiple entry (US$150pp) visas are available. Some

passport holders don’t require a visa, like SADC countries, (please check if

you need a visa with the Malawi embassy in your home country). An

onward or return ticket is required, as well as sufficient funds and detailed

travel plans. Visitors to Malawi must have a minimum of 6 months validity

and two blank/empty pages in their passport. We advise you to contact

the Malawi embassy directly or contact us to confirm these details at the

Visas requirements to enter Zambia 

 The United States and Canada are not required to obtain a visa. The list can be found here. 

An onward or return ticket is required, as well as sufficient funds and detailed

travel plans. Visitors to Zambia must have a minimum of 6 months validity

AND two blank/empty pages in their passport. 

Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001or the World Health Organization https://www.who.int/ for the latest on required and recommended vaccines for your destination. You’ll want to visit your doctor or local travel clinic a couple of months before departure to allow time for any vaccinations to take effect or to fill any prescriptions.

We highly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. travel protection plans should include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, and baggage delay.

Kenya

June to October –  Cool Dry Season –

This is the cooler dry season when temperatures are the coldest in Kenya. Daytime temperatures vary between 23C to 28C on the coastal areas. These days are sunny with clear skies. The wildebeest migration reaches the Masai Mara in July and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. The wildlife is easier to spot because the bush is thinner and animals gather around waterholes.

November – Short Rains 

In November, Kenya experiences what is called the ‘short rains’. While the forests and trees look very green, you may see fewer animals on safari as they tend to hide in the bush.

During this month, it doesn’t rain all day – it’s usually more short outbursts and the temperatures are only a little bit lower than in the dry season.

December to February  – Hot Dry Season

 This hot dry season is excellent for birds and animal viewing, though long grass may make some smaller species hard to spot. January through to February is the calving season. The days are hot and the nights are warm, making this high season a popular time for safaris.

March to May – Wet Season 

Rains start to fall in March and the weather is characterized by spring-like conditions. From March to May, the rains can be continuous and, when not raining, the skies are often clouded. Some lodges and camps close down during part of the wet season. Heavy rains bring run-off into the rivers, reducing visibility in the sea.

We advise you to bring a supply of anti-malarial tablets for your entire time in Kenya. Ask your doctor to prescribe the best one available. We do not recommend Larium (sometimes known to cause hallucinations) or Doxycycline (many people have had bad reactions to the sun when they use this prophylactic)

Visit the U.S. Department of State at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.htmltravel.state.gov or the Government of Canada at https://www.canada.ca/en.html

for information on travel advisories, special considerations for travel in various countries and to register with your nearest embassy or consulate for the destinations included in your journey.

Choose comfortable, versatile clothing that can be layered to account for changes in the weather throughout the day. 

khaki and green colored clothing are recommended and bright colors are best avoided. Camouflage can be considered unlawful in East Africa as it is worn by the local forces so best to avoid.  

Make sure to bring at least one good fleece or jacket as it can get chilly at night and on early morning game drives.

When packing, keep in mind that most lodges and camps provide laundry services and keep in mind luggage alliance.

Clothing guidelines

• T-shirts

•  Long-sleeve shirts

• Sweatshirt or fleece for when it gets chilly

• lightweight raincoat 

• comfortable shorts

• Cotton trousers/pants

• Socks

• Underwear 

• Pajamas

•  Pair of sunglasses (preferably with UV protection)

• 1 sunhat to protect from the hot African sun.

• 1 warm woolen hat 

• 1 swimsuit 

• Pair of lightweight, durable walking shoes or hiking boots

• Pair of flip-flops or sandals (for wearing around camp)

• Money belt or neck wallet. Theft in major cities like Nairobi can be common. Protect your cash, credit card, passport, and phones by securing them in a neck wallet or money belt that can be worn underneath clothes,

• Convertible Travel Pants like these pants from Clothing Arts. (https://www.clothingarts.com/products/pickpocket_proof_convertible_travel_pants

Toiletries

Every camp or lodge will have toiletries and first aid kit, But its always a good idea to bring your supply. 

• Personal toiletries, including travel size shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, moisturizer, toothpaste, and toothbrush

• Lip balm

• Sunscreen (minimum SPF 30+)

• Antiseptic gel (for washing your hands when there’s no water around)

• Sanitary products for ladies

• Mosquito repellant (the most effective includes DEET)

• Malaria pills 

• Antihistamines for bug bites and allergic reactions

• Painkillers, e.g. aspirin or Tylenol

• Cold and flu medicines 

• Diarrhea medication, e.g. loperamide

• Antiseptic cream

• Band-aids

• A spare pair of glasses for those that wear contact lenses (it’s often too dusty to wear them comfortably)

​Electronic devices

• Camera 

• Spare memory cards 

• Spare camera battery 

• Binoculars (if you have them, otherwise your safari guide will likely have a pair you can borrow)

• Spare AA and AAA batteries

• Universal travel adapter.

• Outlet adapters

• A lock for your luggage, Always pack your valuables such as your camera in with your hand luggage.

• Phone or Go Pro for those quick shots and videos

Pack for a purpose

 If you want to make a positive difference during your time away you can pack a few extra items such as pens and pencils. 

What not to bring

Plastic disposable bags have been banned in Kenya.

US dollars printed before 2006 

Jewelry, we strongly recommend leaving valuables such as jewelry at home as we cannot be responsible

• Passengers must hold a QR code showing they have completed a Travelers Health Surveillance Form online before departure. This is completed online here: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/    72 hours before. All travellers to Kenya must complete this form online before arrival:  
• Passengers must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result. The test must have been taken within 96 hours from the date of sample collection before arrival.