Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Kenya: Kakamega to the Coast. Its sole purpose is to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING KENYA: A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens visiting Kenya as tourists. Evidence of yellow fever immunization may be requested. Travelers may obtain the latest information on visas, as well as any additional details regarding entry requirements, from the Embassy of Kenya. Persons outside the United States should contact the nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate. Rapid processing is possible, but if you can, allow at least one month. Visa services such as CIBT can take care of your needs quickly and efficiently.
KENYA MAPS AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Kenya in the University of Texas series here. You can review the U.S. Department of State background notes on Kenya here.
HEALTH: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommend a malaria preventative; travelers to Kenya should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam®), doxycycline, or Malarone. As the situation changes fairly frequently, you should contact your doctor as to which of these drugs would be best for you.
The CDC further recommends the following vaccines (see your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect): hepatitis A or immunoglobulin (IG); typhoid; yellow fever; and as needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.
Due to a recent outbreak of yellow fever in Kenya, evidence of a vaccination may be required. You can review the latest CDC advisories here.
Biting insects are not numerous, though mosquitoes and ticks occur locally.
Tap water has a notably high mineral content; bottled water is readily available, and we will have a supply in the vehicle for drinking during the day. Mild stomach upsets are not infrequent in Kenya, and we suggest bringing an adequate supply of immodium or another diarrhea treatment. Also be certain to bring adequate supplies of all prescription and personal medicines, as they may be impossible to obtain during the tour.
ALTITUDE: Nairobi is around 5,500 ft. The Rift Valley is the lowest point at around 3,000 ft. Mountain Lodge is 7,200 ft and will be our highest accommodation. In the Aderdare Mountains we will drive up to 10,000 ft and drive slowly through the moorland in search of the highland specialities.
ACCOMMODATION and FOOD: During the tour we’ll stay in a variety of hotels, lodges and tented camps. The tents are permanent structures with concrete floors, thatched roofs, proper beds, built-in flush-toilets, showers, and electric lights. Where a camp generator provides the power, this is usually turned off late at night and turned on again early in the morning. Hot water is usually provided by wood-fired heaters each serving several tents. Most of the rest of the accommodation consists of good quality hotels or lodges with all the usual facilities.
The food throughout the tour is generally good to excellent and many people are surprised at the high standard provided, even in the remoter parts of the country. Breakfasts are buffets offering everything from cereals and fresh fruit to full cooked breakfasts. At other meals there is almost always a choice of two or three main courses or there is a buffet. Vegetarians are well catered for. Beer and bottled water are widely available and generally reasonably priced.
CLIMATE: Despite its proximity to the equator, much of Kenya feels anything but tropical, and many people are not prepared for how chilly it can be. Much of the tour is at elevations over 5,000 feet and highland days can be quite cool if there is cloud cover. At Mountain Lodge it can be cold in the early morning and evening. Lowland areas will be warm to hot (90°F) at mid-day, and at the coast temperatures may be even higher. Humidity is low, except at the coast. We’ll be visiting Kenya in the dry season and rain is unlikely, except, possibly, in the west.
PACE OF TOUR AND DAILY ROUTINE: Please note that our January tour is designed for keen birders who want to see as many species of birds and mammals in Kenya as possible. While day length on the equator prohibits very long days in the field and 6-7 hours of sleep is possible every night, we will nevertheless be offering dawn-to-dusk birding for those who want it, with one or two optional after dinner night trips. Whenever possible the day will be divided up into optional sections, but on travel days this is usually impossible. The itinerary is designed to encounter as many species as possible, and involves a number of long drives, and in the first part of the tour six consecutive one-night stops. Those preferring a more leisurely routine might like to consider whether our June or November tours might be more suited to their requirements.
On almost all birding tours to Kenya a fair amount of birdwatching is done from the vehicles since we spend a lot of time in National Parks where getting out of the vehicle is not allowed except in certain allocated areas.
There are no strenuous walks on this tour. Most walking is done around the grounds of the lodges we stay at. At Baringo we do make two two-hour walks through rocky and, at times, bushy terrain. Anyone wishing to stay at the lodge during these walks will find the garden full of birds. Most of our days begin at first light, around 5:30-6:30. We will either have a pre-breakfast walk or have breakfast first and make an early start. When we are not moving on to a new lodge we will usually spend the morning birdwatching and return to our accommodation for lunch. Sometimes we then have a break or go birdwatching around the grounds before going out in the vehicles again later in the afternoon. Most days will finish at dusk, which is about 7:00 pm in January, and we’ll try to plan in a break before meeting for dinner and running through the daily checklist. Please note that on many days dinner will be fairly late, 8:00 or 8:30 pm. On a few days the pre-dinner break may be shorter or longer.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation is in 4wd Totyota Land Cruisers with roof hatches for window-free viewing and photography. Our native drivers will be professionals, skilled at finding birds and game, and at repairing vehicles. Most roads are good to excellent, but there are some rough stretches. Each person will have a window seat and the roof hatches are helpful, but come prepared to spend an unusual amount of time in the vehicles.
DRESS: Dress is informal throughout.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, do so well away and downwind from the group. If any location where the group is gathered has a stricter policy than the WINGS policy, that stricter policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information & Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Kenya in January will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Updated: March 2010