FAQ

Question 1

Passport & visa requirements

Accepted Answer

* In order to enter Kenya (and Tanzania on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in advance in order to enter Kenya. While it is possible to obtain a visa at the airport, we strongly recommend purchasing your visa in advance as wait times upon arrival can exceed 2 hours. You may purchase an e-visa online through the [Ministry of Foreign Affairs](http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html) or submit a request for a paper visa by visiting your local embassy. (Please note: The consulates in the U.S. and Canada have no jurisdiction over the e-visa process). You can also purchase your visa by using a visa provider, such as our partner [VisaCentral](http://visacentral.com/tourkits?bookmark=1&login=goaheadtours). You will need to have your visa receipt with you upon arrival in Kenya.
* U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Tanzania on the tour extension. While it is possible to obtain a visa at the border, we strongly recommend purchasing your visa in advance as wait times upon arrival can exceed 2 hours. You can purchase an electronic visa on the [Tanzanian Electronic Visa Portal website](https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/). You may also submit a request for a paper visa by visiting your local embassy or purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner [VisaCentral](https://www.visacentral.com/goaheadtours). You will need to have your visa receipt with you upon arrival in Tanzania.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Question 2

Tour pace

Accepted Answer

*   You will walk for about 45 minutes daily across mostly flat terrain, including some paved roads, unpaved trails, and dirt paths.
*   Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
*   You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times. This tour also includes long bumpy rides in safari vehicles. You should feel comfortable stepping up and down to get in and out of the vehicles, standing for long periods of time, and maintaining your balance.
*   Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
*   If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

*   Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Nairobi. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
*   Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
*   During your game drives, you’ll travel in a specially equipped 4x4 safari land cruiser. The vehicle is open, allowing for panoramic views. Window seats are guaranteed for all travelers. Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

*   Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
*   Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles.
*   You’ll need one overnight bag, such as a backpack or small collapsible duffle bag.
*   One small carry-on bag is also permitted (which can double as your overnight bag).
*   Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Safari luggage restrictions are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your luggage meet the following requirements:*   A soft, flexible duffel bag (absolutely no hard suitcases or bags with hard sides are permitted)
*   Your bags can be no larger than 34” W by 17” H by 15” L
*   The total weight cannot exceed 44 pounds (including your camera equipment and carry-on bag)

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
*   Wear muted colors for game drives, as bright clothing may scare animals away and blue or black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
*   Comfortable closed-toes shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
*   Pack a swimsuit as many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
*   Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
*   Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
*   Mosquito repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
*   A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
*   The Kenyan government has a strict ban on plastic bags. It is illegal to use, sell, or carry plastic bags anywhere in the country under the new law, and violators will face charges including high fines or imprisonment. Please bring reusable cloth bags if you plan to go shopping on tour, and do not pack any plastic bags, including small resealable bags.

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

*   At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov).
*   Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card ) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit [cdc.gov/yellowfever](https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever) for more information.
*   If you’re traveling on the tour extension to Tanzania you’re required to provide proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card ) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine.
*   Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
*   Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
*   Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry on luggage.
*   If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
*   If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   Cuisine in your game lodges reflects the region’s British colonial influence—you may find that many locals pause for afternoon tea. Most restaurants offer curries and other South Asian cuisine brought over by the many Indian immigrants. Maize, sweet potatoes, and pineapple were brought over by the Portuguese, and beef has been a staple since the 1600s.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Kenya operates on the British standard 240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
*   Tanzania (on the tour extension) operates on 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
*   We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
*   Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
*   Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
*   Power outages are common. In some of the camps, power is turned off in the late afternoon as well as in the early morning.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in some hotels, though charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches or safari vehicles.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Kenya (and Tanzania on the tour extension) is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and eight hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (ET).
*   When it’s noon in New York, it’s 8pm in Nairobi.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   The currency you’ll be using on your tour is the Kenyan shilling (and the Tanzanian shilling on the tour extension).
*   You may be able to purchase Kenyan shillings in advance from your local bank or a foreign currency exchange retailer, such as Travelex. There is no limit on importing currency into Kenya, but please note travelers are restricted from carrying more than $100,000 in Kenyan shillings out of the country (and cannot export more than $5,000 in Tanzanian shillings from Tanzania on the tour extension).
*   We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
*   ATMs are most readily available in Nairobi; while there, we recommend taking out cash in small bills to have on safari.
*   Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
*   We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

*   At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your driver/guide a gratuity in USD. We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day.
*   If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
*   Tips can only be paid in cash.
*   You can also expect to be solicited for tips from the hospitality and restaurant staff that you encounter. Leaving as little as the equivalent of $1USD is greatly appreciated, although tipping is entirely at your discretion.

Question 13

Tour Director

Accepted Answer

*   Your guide for this tour will be different than a typical Tour Director. You will be met by a representative from Go Ahead Tours upon arrival and will then meet your guide the morning of your first full day on tour. He or she will act as both your tour guide and driver for the duration of your tour.

Question 14

Shopping

Accepted Answer

* You will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
* Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don't be afraid to bargain—it's a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.

Kenya Wildlife Safari

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