EFTA00730990.pdf

UNCHARTED OUTPOSTS PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION East Africa ' Qlqrs °. UNCHARTED OUTPOSTS EFTA00730990 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS PASSPORT UNCHARTED OUTPOSTS Ease Afrk a • Required for entry into Africa • Must be valid for six months after your estimated date of entry into Africa • Have at least one empty page (front and back) for each visa that you will need • If you do not have a passport. please consult with your local US Passport Office (look under the US Government State Department listing in your phone book). *Applications and renewal forms are often available through the US Post Office. VISA A visa is an official authorization to visit a country and is required for entering many countries in Africa. The visa is entered as a stamp in your passport. Both Kenya and Tanzania require a visa to enter their country. If you wish to obtain your visa upon arrival please note that the Kenyan Immigration department has introduced new rules that require payment for visa fees in US Dollars only . £GBP will no longer be accepted. Please have available $50 per person readily available on arrival into Kenya to avoid any problems. PROCESSING YOUR VISA Uncharted Outposts can have your visa(s) processed for you. Please allow 2-3 weeks to process your visa application. Visa fees are not included in your trip cost and we require payment for the visa prior to sending the application. Please send Uncharted Outposts the following, at least one month prior to your departure: • Your valid passport (with appropriate blank pages) • Two 2x2 passport photographs per country • A completed and signed visa form per country Important: Remember to sign both your passport and visa form Visa cost per country if processed through Uncharted Outposts: • Kenya $95 US • Tanzania $150 US * For further information regarding passports and visas. please visit: *Before you leave home, we suggest you make photocopies of your passport. We also recommend bringing at least two extra 2x2 passport photographs. This will facilitate the replacement of your passport in the event your passport is lost or stolen. EFTA00730991 TRAVEL IMMUNIZATIONS UNCHARTED OUTPOSTS You will find East Africa to be a healthy and hospitable region to visit However, healthconcernsthroughout the world change regularly so we strongly recommend that you consult your physician regarding medications and immunizations that are recommended or mandatory. The following is a general outline, and you should make sure you are up-to-date on the following CDC recommendations: SUGGESTED IMMUNIZATIONS TO UPDATE • Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine • Measles, mumps & rubella • Polio vaccine HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS • Yellow fever vaccine is not required for travel to Kenya unless you have been to a potential infected area within 6 months of your travel dates. Tanzania does require the yellow fever vaccination. if you are traveling to multiple destinations (for example both Kenya and Tanzania or in combination with Southern Africa), a yellow fever vaccination is also required. • Typhoid immunization • Hepatitis A & B • Meningitis • Cholera vaccine for extended travel to East Africa (for a period of six months or more) • Malaria prophylactic Remember, not all immunizations can be taken or obtained on the same day or on the day of departure. Some immunizations must be administered over a period of time, while others cannot be given together. See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for vaccines to take effect All vaccinations should be officially recorded and stamped in a yellow international immunization card. This card is obtained from the place of immunization and should be carried with your passport. The World Health Organization compiles a listing of required and recommended immunizations for International travelers. These recommendations can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia at: 404-639-3311 or 404-639-2572. For the latest requirements and recommendations, consult your doctor and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/travel *Please take special note that any person who has undergone any surgery 12-18 months prior to travelling in Africa should be on antibacterial drugs for any risk of infection. This is imperative please consult with your doctor prior to your trip and be sure that you have adequate medications for this eventuality. EFTA00730992 UNCHARTED OUTPOSTS CURRENCY & TIPPING East Africa -wirer" As exchange rates in East Africa often fluctuate, we recommend that you check with your local bank or newspaper for current foreign exchange rates and information. The following website may be useful for checking current exchange rates: www.xe.com Kenya Kenya shilling Tanzania Tanzania shilling HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I TAKE? • $300 to $500 per person in U.S. cash ($50, $20, $10 small denominations for tipping) • We recommend you take a few $1 or $5 bills for city-stays and airport assistants • Credit cards are less widely accepted but can be used in some shops and restaurants (VISA is the most common credit card, MasterCard and American Express are less accepted) • Kenya & Tanzania do not allow you to export their currency. Plan your safari so you are left with as little local currency as possible before your departure home. * We strongly recommend keeping your passport, all money, vouchers, & international air tickets in a money belt or pouch. Most hotels and safari properties provide safety security boxes for your convenience TIPPING SUGGESTIONS It has been a custom since safaris first began to consider tips for your guides/drivers and support staff. Tipping is a personal and individual matter; the decision to tip and how much to give is entirely yours. Please bear in mind that tips are Oats in Kenya and Tanzania whereas in the United States and Europe they resemble payments/wages. The gratuity amount is to be given to your host upon departure from each safari property. Gratuities are then evenly distributed among all guides and staff members. We also suggest bringing extra tipping money for guides you feel have given exceptional service. Following is a general guideline: • Estimate $10-15 per person per day at individual safari properties • For drivers and guides estimate $5 - $10 per person traveling per day • Hotels & city services: $.50 - $1 for carrying bags, room service, etc. • When dining in city restaurants, it is best to pay by credit card. Tips are generally 10% EFTA00730993 UNCHARTED OUTPOSTS East Africa PHOTOGRAPHY INFORMATION CAMERAS & VIDEO: Our best advice for successful photography is to know your camera and/or video camera before you go on safari. Be sure to take plenty of film and/or memory cards for digital cameras as well as spare batteries! Lens cleansing fluid & tissue along with dust spray can be very useful. It is also great to bring along any cover cases/bags or lens covers for equipment protection. LENSES: The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, we recommend at least a 5.0 or 6.0 mega pixel or higher for digital cameras. A zoom or telephoto lens can be extremely useful on safari. A telephoto lens of at least 300 mm focal length or a zoom lens with a maximum focal length of at least 300 mm is recommended. * Always ask before photographing the native people. Do not take pictures of military installations. police stations, airports, soldiers, police or border posts you may have your film confiscated. VOLTAGE: East Africa operates on 220-voltage electricity so converters and adapters are necessary. Several safari properties provide adapters but it is advised that you bring your own for charging equipment. The following web site will be helpful in the purchase of converters and adapters: http://www.walkabouttravelgear. com GEN ERATORS: Most properties are run on generators and usually they are only turned on in the evenings. Please consult with your hosts for the best time to charge equipment. AVERAGE TEMPERATURES IN EAST AFRICA JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC KENYA, Nairobi , r. st... lzfq ,c;.? c.;h1 rz, :.)-::„ ;Y.:, . t t. yam_(a Average High 77° 80° 80° 76° 74° 73° 71° 72' 76° 78° 75° 75° Average Low 58° 58° 60° 61° 59° 56° 54° 54° 55° 58° 60° 59° Average Precip.(in4 1.8° 1.7' 2.9" 6.3' 4.7' 1.2" 0.5' 0.5" 1.0" 1.7' its.r 3.0' TANZANIA, Dar es Salaam 0, U iC iv .C , • l,:` :.i.: ;i 0, Average High 87° 88° 87° 85° 84° 83° 82° 82° 84° 86° 87° 87°I Average Low 77° 76° 75° 74° 72° 68° 67° 67° 67° 70° 73° 76° Average Precip.(lo.) 2.8' 2.5' 5.0" 10.6" 7.2" 1.3" 1.1' 1.0" 1.1' 1.9' 3.3' 3.7' EFTA00730994 UNCHARTED OUTPOSTS East Africa PACKING INFORMATION Africa is very casual and relaxed. There is no dress code; feel free to wear what you would like. However, do we have a few recommendations: • Plan to wear neutral colors; bright colors and white can startle animals. • Quick-dry clothing and layers seem to be the key. • Early mornings and evenings tend to be much cooler than the afternoon heat. • June - September nights & early mornings can be extremely cold; please pack sufficient warm clothing. • Washing and ironing is available at most safari properties The following is a general outline of items to pack: CLOTHING: • 5 - 6 T-shirts or other short sleeved shirts • 2-3 long sleeve shirts • 2-3 pair of casual pants (Khakis or cotton pants) • Causal skirt or Khakis for evening dinners • 2 - 3 pair of shorts • underclothes and socks • sleeping attire • bathing suit • safari Jacket or lightweight windbreaker • lightweight hiking shoe & sandal with backstrap (Teva/Chaco/Keen) *If you are doing any specific treks within Kenya or Rwanda we recommend a sturdy hiking boot with ankle support (water resistant or water proof) with gaitors • fleece/sweaters or sweatshirts • cotton turtleneck • Scarf to keep the neck warm • Gloves for early morning, chilly game drives OTHER ITEMS: • travelers' medicine for diarrhea, heart burn, indigestion, etc. • personal medications or prescriptions • insect repellent, preferably containing DEET • extra pair prescription glasses • contacts: bring ample cleaning supplies & wetting solutions • lotion, wash-n-drys, Kleenex, lip balm, eye drops • personal cosmetics, toiletries • sunglasses and sunscreen • hat or baseball cap along with a few bandanas • small bottle of washing detergent & fabreeze • money belt • camera/film/binoculars • converters for electrical equipment You will be limited to one carry-on bag and one soft duffle bag. Both bags should not exceed 33 lbs. for air-safety reasons on charter and schedule flights. Your carry-on should include your camera equipment & toiletries. EFTA00730995 UNCHARTED OUTPOSTS hag:Vika --4111511r ir LOST LUGGAGE TIPS In the event of Missing Luggage, please fill in the necessary report with the airline representa- tive, giing our name and address in Nairobi as contact details followed by the name of the firt safari destination on the itinerary. (Example) BUSH HOMES OF EAST AFRICA LTD. KISIMA BUILDING, WILSON AIRPORT Emergency Mobile Telephone Office Mobile Office Phone Give the report to our driver so we can then track it, together with KEYS for any locks on the missing Item, as often customs ask to verify contents when the luggage does arrive. Airlines frequencies into Nairobi are generally once daiy or longer intervals, so it usually takes a FEW DAYS for Missing Baggage to arrive and be delivered to us. We will forward missing luggage to you on safari, but any costs incurred will be for your account to pay us, and to then claim on your travel insurance. There are some places to which the airline will deliver them- selves - at their own cost, but some places they can't We are not responsible for any costs of forwarding missing luggage. Please DO NOT PACK CAMERAS or valuables an airline check-in luggage. If the bag does go missing you'll loose photo opportunities until you cameras cathces up with you and pilfering is common in many airports, so you could loose your camera completely! INTERNATIONAL CHECK-IN TIMES For ANY international flight (this includes flights between Kenya and South Africa), the check-in time required by the airlines is 3 HOURS prior to flight departure time. This allows for delays at the security screening units in each terminal. There is no first class / club class fast track through security screening. This is particularly pertinent for night time departures when a num- ber of International Airlines leave at similiar times. It is in your best interest to get there early! EFTA00730996