WELCOME TO KENYA WITH ARNFINN JOHANSEN

In this document, you will find some important information regarding the trip to Kenya.

Please read through the document. Should you have any questions afterwards, you are most welcome to contact Hans Elmqvist at Zoom Photo Tours by phone at +46 70-180 90 99 or via email at hans.elmqvist@zoomphototours.com

YOUR FLIGHT TICKET
Please check that the spelling of your name matches the spelling in your passport.

LUGGAGE
Airlines generally allow two pieces of luggage per person: one carry-on and one checked bag. The checked bag can weigh a maximum of 23 kg, and the carry-on, a maximum of 8 kg with dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25 cm. For Icelandair, the same rules apply except that the carry-on can weigh a maximum of 10 kg with dimensions of 56 x 40 x 20 cm. For exact information regarding the airline you are traveling with, please refer to the respective airline’s website.

CHECK-IN
Check-in must be completed at least one hour before departure. However, we recommend arriving at least two hours before departure, as there may be queues for passport control and security checks.

PASSPORT
Don’t forget your passport, as the airline will always ask to see it during check-in. Without a passport, you risk not being allowed to board the plane.

CURRENCY / EXCHANGE
The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (KES). 100 KES is approximately 7 SEK (as of August 2024). It is possible to exchange money in Kenya, but many places offer poor rates for Swedish kronor. Therefore, it is better to exchange money at home or bring currency in US dollars. NOTE: $100 bills, and sometimes even $50 bills, are not accepted in certain places in East Africa. Preferably bring bills in denominations of $5, $10, and $20. These should be ordered in advance from banks, as they usually only have higher denomination bills. Dollar bills from before 2003 are not accepted in Kenya. It may be difficult to withdraw cash with a credit card, but conditions are constantly changing, and credit cards are becoming more common. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and lodges as well as in souvenir shops. For more information and exchange services, we refer you your local bank.

VACCINATION
Vaccination centers recommend that polio, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccinations are up-to-date, as well as protection against hepatitis A (epidemic jaundice) and yellow fever. For certain risk groups, Dukoral is also recommended. Malaria is prevalent throughout Kenya below 1,500 meters in altitude, so malaria tablets are advised.

We recommend contacting your local vaccination center for the latest status, as some vaccinations need to be taken well in advance of the trip.

ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (ETA) / HEALTH SURVEILLANCE FORM

Starting from January 1, 2024, travellers who do not have an approved eVisa from the Kenyan government will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). An ETA is an electronic document linked to a traveller’s passport, granting them permission to enter the country for tourism, business or transit purposes. It costs $35 per visitor, including infants and children.

However, if you already have an approved eVisa, you can use it until 2024.

It is recommended that travellers apply for the ETA at least three days (and up to three months) prior to departure. The authorization is valid for a single entry and is specific to the flights and dates given in the application. It allows for a stay of up to 90 days.

The passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. Please make sure that your passport has at least one blank page available.

 Here are some recommendations to keep in mind when filling out the form:

• Primary purpose of visit should be Tourism
• Address in Kenya should be Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp, Aitong, Kenya. John Siololo / cell 254711612961 / e-mail siololojohn@gmail.com
• Accommodation Booking Confirmation should be the Oltepesi Booking form. Booking confirmation for ETA application

To apply for an ETA, visit the official Kenyan government website at https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en. Note that the information on the website may change.

Before departure, you also need to fill out an International Travelers Health Surveillance form. You can do this on the following website: https://ears.health.go.ke/international_registration/

FACEBOOK GROUP
We have started a Facebook group for the trip. Here, you can communicate, share photos, and exchange information with other participants and with Mattias before, during, and after the trip. Click on the link below and sign up for the group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/492445456824740

If you are unable to access the page, email Alexander at the address below, and he will let you in.

alexander.elmqvist@zoomphototours.com

PARTICIPANT LIST
Below, you will find a link to the list of participants for the trip. NOTE: If any participant has chosen not to have their information shared, only their name will be included on this list.

List of participants: Participants Masai Mara

SEND SCHEDULE
If you have not already done so, please send a copy of your flight schedule so that we know how each person is traveling. Please send it to info@zoomphototours.com

LODGE

TIPPING
Tipping is customary in many places around the world, including the African continent. Service staff such as waiters, cleaners, porters, etc., often have very low base salaries. Therefore, they rely heavily on the tips they receive for doing a good job. The general rule for tipping in USD: $1 per suitcase that a porter handles. In bars and restaurants, it’s customary to tip 10 percent of the bill.

For the safariguide / driver it´s normally $15 / day. This is given directly on the last day of the safari. For those who work at the camp, there is usually a common tip box that all camp employees share. Here USD 10 per day is indicative. If you are very satisfied, you can pay more, while if you are not satisfied, you can pay less.

ELECTRICITY
In Kenya, the voltage is 220 volts, and the plugs have three prongs, type G, the same as in England. Adapters can often be borrowed or rented from hotel receptions, but we recommend bringing a travel adapter set. Also, bring a power strip with 2-3 outlets so you can easily charge camera batteries, phones, and other electronic equipment.

CLIMATE
Kenya is located on the equator, with a pleasant average temperature of 24-25°C during the day. Evenings and nights are cooler, potentially dropping to 13-14°C. Rain is very rare during this time of year. It’s a dry heat with low humidity.

CLOTHING
Throughout your stay in Kenya, casual clothing is appropriate for the entire trip. It’s wise to bring comfortable walking shoes and sturdy clothing since we will spend the days on safaris. It can be a bit chilly in the early mornings, so we recommend bringing a jacket or sweater. Khaki-colored clothing has two advantages: it doesn’t show dirt and dust as much, and it’s said to attract fewer tsetse flies (while darker blues and blacks attract them the most). White clothes are impractical as dirt and dust are more visible. Clothes can be laundered at the lodges, usually overnight, and will be washed and ironed. The cost is about $2 per item.

CREDIT CARDS
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels in Nairobi. At the camp, you won’t need a card as everything is included, except for a little cash for tips and laundry.

STOMACH ILLNESS
Since the bacterial flora in Kenya differs from what we have in Sweden, it’s important to be extra cautious. The common causes of stomach issues and diarrhea are poor water and sewage treatment and eating spoiled or uncooked food. Therefore, do not drink tap water; instead, buy bottled mineral water, which is inexpensive and safe. We also recommend brushing your teeth with mineral water instead of tap water. Remember never to eat fruit without first washing it with mineral water, and never to take ice in your drinks. We suggest bringing plenty of hand sanitizer and always washing your hands with it before meals and before putting anything in your mouth. We also recommend bringing anti-diarrheal medication. It’s also important to stay hydrated to avoid dehydration.

MOSQUITOES
Mosquitoes come out when the sun sets, and you are most likely to be bitten in the evening and at night. It’s wise to wear long pants in the evening and possibly a long-sleeved shirt, and make sure to spray your ankles, wrists, hands, and neck with insect repellent.
Our camp has mosquito nets over the beds. In Nairobi, they are not necessary.

LANGUAGE
Kenya is home to over 40 ethnic groups. Nearly two-thirds of the population belong to one of the five largest groups: Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, and Kamba. The official languages are Swahili and English, but around 70 indigenous languages are spoken in the country.

TELEPHONE
In general, you will have GSM coverage in and around the larger cities but not in more remote areas. The mobile network is gradually expanding, and today there is coverage in most of the popular parks. Coverage also depends on your operator and the agreements they have with local telecom companies in Kenya. If you need to call Kenya, the country code is +254, and to call from Kenya to Sweden, it’s +46, Denmark +45, England +44, and India +91. However, calling from Kenya is very expensive.

TIME DIFFERENCE
Kenya is +1 hour compared to Scandinavia, +2 hours compared to England, and -2.5 hours compared to India.

FOOD AND DRINK
At the lodge, all meals are included in the price of the trip. Soft drinks and coffee and tea are also included. Beer, wine and spirits are paid on site.

WATER
Never drink tap water as it has a completely different bacterial flora. Always drink mineral water.

MPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Photographer: Arnfinn Johansen +47 976 71 870

Guide: John Siololo +254 711 612 961

Emergency Number in Kenya: 999

USEFUL WEBSITES

Kenya Tourist Board:                       www.magicalkenya.com

Lonely Planet:                                  www.lonelyplanet.com/kenya

African Wildlife Foundation:          www.awf.org/country/kenya

Kenya Wildlife Service:                  www.kws.go.ke

Cheetah For Ever:                          https://www.cheetahforever.org/english-1/

PACKING LIST

Below are some tips on equipment. This is not mandatory but rather guidelines.

BAGS

• Suitcase/Large Duffel Bag: We recommend packing in a soft large duffel bag instead of hard suitcases. They are much easier to stow in minibuses and take up less space in the tent.
• Camera Bag.

SHOES AND CLOTHING

• A pair of sturdy walking shoes or boots.
• A pair of sandals or lighter shoes for the lodge.
• Summer clothes such as shorts, pants, and light polo shirts.
• Long-sleeved shirt / a pair of long pants for cooler evenings.
• Cap or other headwear.
• Sunglasses.

OTHER EQUIPMENT

• Mobile phone.
• Binoculars.
• Electrical adapter.
• A small flashlight.
• Sewing kit for emergency repairs.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

We recommend bringing some personal medical equipment such as:

• Band-Aids.
• Insect repellent.
• Antiseptic cream.
• Pain reliever pills.
• Sunscreen.

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

• A DSLR camera with a zoom or telephoto lens up to 600mm, plus a short zoom like 70-200mm.
• A teleconverter, 1.4x or 2x.
• Polarizing filter to increase color saturation in photos.
• A monopod, if you have space for it, for stability.
• A “bean bag” for steadying your camera.
• Extra batteries, at least two.
• Battery charger for the camera and other electronic devices.
• A power strip with 2-3 outlets so you can charge your camera batteries, phones, and other equipment simultaneously.
• Memory cards as needed and a portable hard drive or a laptop to transfer files.
• Cleaning equipment such as lens cloths, compressed air, and other cleaning tools for the camera.
• Spare batteries if your equipment requires them.
• A laptop for photo editing with software like Photoshop or equivalent.