We strongly advise obtaining travel insurance when visiting Kenya, as you would for any other destination worldwide. Having insurance can be important, especially when exploring remote parks and game reserves during safari adventures. It is highly recommended to secure comprehensive travel insurance from reputable providers in your home country to mitigate risks such as flight disruptions, baggage issues, and travel interruptions throughout your safari experience in Kenya. Notable insurance companies offering such coverage include AIG (American International Group, Inc.) https://www.aig.com/  with their “Travel Guard” insurance products, HTH Worldwide https://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/, Seven Corners https://www.sevencorners.com/, Berkshire Hathaway https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/ and Trawick International https://www.trawickinternational.com/.  AMREF MEDICAL https://amref.org/kenya/ offers air evacuation from parks and game reserves to well renowned hospital in Nairobi with good medical care. Please ensure flying Doctors Service is listed in your inclusions.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover:

• Trip cancellation and interruption – This is the most important kind of insurance. If you are paying up-front for an expensive holiday, it is a good idea to get this type of insurance which will cover the nonrefundable financial penalties you incur when you cancel a tour or a flight for reasons, such as:
  • Sickness, death, layoff, or a list of other acceptable reasons (for you, your travel partner or a family member);
  • Tour company or airline goes out of business;
  • A family member at home gets sick (check terms and conditions of the insurance plan);
  • You miss a flight or need an emergency flight for a reason outside your control (such as a car accident, inclement weather, or a strike).
• Medical emergencies – While you may have medical insurance back home, we recommend get additional medical insurance that covers the costs of medical emergencies overseas.
• Evacuation – Covers the cost of getting you to a location which can provide adequate medical facilities in case of injury or medical emergencies.
• Baggage lost, delayed or damaged – Most comprehensive travel insurance plans include this up to a certain cap.

Most of the safari guides and lodges staff have basic medical and first-aid knowledge, so they can provide care until you get help at a hospital. Many health care professionals have EMT basic training, meaning that they can help the sick and injured in different settings. In the event of an emergency, such as a serious illness or accident, you’ll be transported to the nearest health care facility. Aero-medical transportation could be purchased separately via the Flying Doctors AMREF https://flydoc.org/ who provide a fast and efficient response. Emergency transportation is ensured to quality medical facilities in bigger towns. Medical travel insurance is a necessity and we recommend that you purchase a policy with a supplemental benefit for emergency medical evacuation. There are good quality medical facilities in the larger towns and cities if you require medical attention while on your trip.

Contact our team of travel experts who will help you plan your trip and will provide a price quote. You can use our quick request form on https://www.landofthelion.com, email us at info@landofthelion.com or call/text us via WhatsApp at +254727558219.

Once you have agreed on the type of tour that you would like to take part in, the itinerary and the price, you will be provided with the initial deposit payment instructions to secure your booking. The deposit is 40% of the total cost of the safari. Remaining 60% balance has to be settled two months before the start of your safari.  Payments can be made via international wire transfer directly to our company bank account or through a credit card (Visa or Master Card only; additional 5% credit card surcharge apply).

Yes! Our itineraries are tailor-made to suite each client’s needs. As a solo traveler, you will need to pay a single occupancy supplement, which unfortunately will raise the expenses for your trip.

Our safari guides are highly trained, with years of experience in the industry. They are trained to be sensitive to gender-specific needs and concerns ensuring the tourist feels comfortable and respected regardless of gender. Rest assured that African hospitality will make you feel as though you are among friends for the duration of your trip.

Children aged 12 years and younger will receive significant discounts off the price of their trip. School students of age 17 or younger will receive small discounts for visits to certain National Parks and private reserves.

If you’re planning such a trip, it’s a good idea to check with the Land of the Lion Safaris for any promotions/discounts or rewards tailored to family travelling with kids.

Land of the Lion Safaris is a regulated and accredited tour operator registered under the tourism regulatory authority (TRA) and accredited with various bodies like KATO. Rest assured that your payments to Land of the Lion Safaris are handled with the utmost security and professionalism. We understand the importance of safeguarding your financial transactions and ensuring peace of mind for our customers. Our dedicated customer support team is available to assist you with any payment-related inquiries or concerns. We strive to provide prompt and helpful assistance to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience, utilizing trusted and secure payment systems to process transactions.

Land of the Lion Safaris adhere to industry standards and regulations regarding online payments, implementing robust measures to prevent fraud and unauthorized activities.

Land of the Lion Safaris has built a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness in the travel industry. Our track record of satisfied customers speaks to our commitment to excellence and integrity in all aspects of our operations, including payment handling.

Mobile phones will work in the majority of safari camps and lodges and in Kenya’s major cities and National Parks/Reserves. If you visit multiple tourist destinations in Kenya and will be on the road a lot during your trip then definitely get yourself a Safaricom prepaid sim card. We recommend Safaricom  www.safaricom.co.ke because is the largest and most consistent 4G/5G network in Kenya. Its coverage is over 90%. We advise you to make arrangements and purchase a Safaricom sim card as soon as you arrive in Kenya.

You will need to provide your passport and pay a nominal fee of about $2-$5.

Another reputable network provider is Airtel Kenya www.airtel.co.ke

As part of our safari tour services, Land of Lion Safaris provides free pickup and return to the airport/hotel for any guests who are booked safari tour with us.

Please let us know your arrival & departure flight details including airline codes and arrival/departure times. We will provide you with the name of the driver and telephone contact in advance of your arrival/departure. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport arrivals area, holding a sign with your name on it, making it easy for you to find him or her as soon as you exit.

Most safari lodges and tented camps offer complimentary Wi-Fi in the common areas including the reception, dining areas and lounge, but not necessarily in the individual rooms/ tents. While some locations have excellent internet connection, some remote places might have very low connectivity.

You can purchase internet data for your use upon arrival in Nairobi. With approximately $10 you will get a weekly plan of about 10GB of mobile data that you can use to access the internet without having to rely Wi-Fi spots.

Luxury (high-end), comfort (mid-range), and economy (budget) accommodation options refers to the level of amenities offered.

In almost all instances, luxury lodges & tented camps are located at vantage locations within the national parks and game reserves. They are unique in architecture and design. Luxury accommodations typically offer the highest level of comfort, service, and amenities. They may include high-end hotels/lodges or luxury villas. They often feature spacious rooms or suites, premium bedding, high-quality furnishings, upscale toiletries, and state-of-the-art technology. They may also include amenities such as fine dining restaurants with a variety of food, spas, fitness centers, swimming pools and chauffeur-driven vehicles.

Staying in luxury accommodations provides guests with a lavish and indulgent experience, with personalized services and attention to detail.

Comfort lodges and tented camps offer a balance between quality and affordability. They may be located inside or just at the boundaries of the national parks and game reserves. Others may be slightly further. They are typically mid-range hotels/tented camps.

Comfort accommodations provide guests with comfortable rooms, basic amenities such as clean bedding, private bathrooms, Wi-Fi access, and sometimes limited additional services like a small fitness center.

While not as extravagant as luxury lodges/tented camp, comfort lodges and camps offer a pleasant and hassle-free stay, suitable for travelers who prioritize convenience and a cozy atmosphere.

Economy lodges and tented camps are generally for individuals that have a small budget and therefore wish to spend as little as possible during the hotel stay. They are easy, comfortable and sufficiently adequate for relaxation, overnight and meals although relatively basic compared to the luxury and comfort options. Most of these hotels are located outside of the National park/Reserve’s boundaries and just next to the park. These types of hotels are a good option when you have a single day trip for business purpose and you do not want to spend a lot on hotels.

A single room supplement or extra is an additional charge that solo travelers may have to pay when booking a hotel room or a tour package that is based on double occupancy.

Most hotel rooms and tour packages are priced based on double occupancy, meaning the cost is calculated per person sharing the room with another traveler.

When a solo traveler prefers to have a room to themselves rather than sharing with another person, they will often need to pay a single room supplement or extra fee. This supplements the cost that would have been covered by the second occupant.

The reason for this extra charge is that hotels and tour operators often price their rooms and packages based on double occupancy to distribute the cost between two guests. When only one person occupies the room, the hotel or tour company may charge an additional fee to compensate for the lost revenue. Our safari tour prices are based on two persons sharing in a double room/tent.

Any special dietary requirement can be catered for. Please inform us in advance and we will organize everything accordingly!

Meals are international and the dishes are heavily influenced by Swahili, Indian, Arab and European cuisines. Typical dishes that you see on safari will include soups, salads, pasta dishes, vegetable stews, meat and fish dishes, charcuterie, cheeses, breads, fruits, and desserts.

Your day normally starts with tea and biscuits before your morning activity. After returning to your lodge or camp late morning, breakfast is enjoyed – cereals, fruit, bacon, eggs, sausage, toasts, and pastries. For lunch, warm dishes such as soups, stews, meat and vegetable dishes are typically served. Dinner consists of meat, fish and vegetable dishes, curries, pasta, breads and variety of salads (salad bars are very common). Dinner is followed by coffee or tea, cheeses, and delicious desserts.

Usually, smaller remote camps offer pre-fixed meals (but they will do their best to accommodate any traveler’s dietary restrictions, if notified in advance). Bigger and more centrally located lodges will typically have buffet-types meals, often with enormous variety of gourmand dishes.

The rule of thumb: the more remote the lodge or the camp – the simpler the menu, the more central the lodge – the more sophisticated the menu.

We do not recommend that you drink the tap water at any of the lodges or tented camps. The lodges have water purifiers, but there are occasional issues, so one can never be too careful. Every lodge has free bottled water available in your room, so please drink that. We recommend using bottled or filtered water to brush your teeth too. During the daytime while on safari, we will be providing you with water, so no worries about ever going thirsty.

Safari Lodges

A safari lodge in Africa is usually located in a remote wildlife area and is made up of a several cottages or chalets spread over a beautifully landscaped land. Safari lodge has a large main building with a restaurant, bar, lounge, gift shop, reception, and administration facilities. In most cases, there may be swimming pool. The lodge’s guestrooms are situated in smaller cottages scattered around the main central building. The atmosphere is usually rustic and compliments the natural surroundings while bringing in the essence of the wild. Safari lodges vary in size, unique design, location and standards. They range from budget, mid-range and luxury category.

Most lodges have got buffet restaurants on site, so you can expect a lovely variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner, complete with decadent desserts and fresh fruit, there is bound to be something to suit everyone. Many dishes can be adapted to be vegan or made without gluten products.

Safari Tented Camps

The safari tented camps share some similarities with safari lodges in layout, purpose and location. A tented camp is composed of the main building which usually looks like a huge tent or an African style building with the thatched roof. Several guest tents that are scattered around the main building and have a feel of privacy. The main building usually has dining area, a lounge and a bar.

Additional clarification regarding the tent camps. These are not the standard tents you have used when camping on family vacations. Perhaps the only similarity is that they are made of canvas, but that is where it stops. The interiors of these permanently built camps are impeccably clean and huge, with plenty of room. Ceilings are over 10 feet in height.  Each room has one or two twin, queen or king beds with fresh linens. Each tent has its own private bathroom with flush toilet, sinks and hot water shower, numerous lights, power outlets for charging batteries and laptop computers, comfortable seating, a writing desk for your work, and a patio or a veranda for watching the sunset. You might forget that you are in a tent, because inside it looks like you are in luxury hotel room. The only difference is that the exterior is made out of a canvas rather than wood or brick. The tented camp complex may also have a swimming pool. Just like a lodge, it might range from budget, mid-range and luxury category.

In contrast with lodges, food at safari tented camps is generally simpler and more focused on local and seasonal ingredients. Tented camps often have smaller kitchens and fewer culinary staff, which can influence the variety and complexity of the meals offered. However, this simplicity can also lend itself to a more authentic and intimate dining experience, with communal meals served in a rustic setting, such as a dining tent or outdoor boma (enclosure) or just simple buffet with small variety of dishes to choose from. Meals at tented camps often emphasize traditional African dishes and cooking methods, though there are some exceptional camps that offer international or even a la carte menu.

Kenya generally experiences 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and rarely does the temperature vary throughout the year. Temperature variance is determined more by region than by season. For example, Mount Kenya and the Aberdares at 7,000 feet can be cool, while the drier bush country is warmer and the sea level regions of Mombasa and Lamu are quite tropical.

Generally, early mornings and evenings on safari could be chillier than one might expect them to be in Africa (low to mid 50’s F), especially when driving in a car with the open roof or windows in the pre-sunrise hours. You will be quite happy to have packed long pants and a fleece jacket. However, late morning, mid-day and afternoons can be quite warm, so it will be nice to take off some layers.

Do not forget to bring a hat and a sunscreen to protect yourself from the harsh equatorial sun!

There are chances of morning or afternoon rain, so bring a light rain jacket. We will not be cancelling the game drives during the light storms, in fact, the animals often are more active when it rains, and dramatic stormy clouds will make the photographs much more impressive.

Our standard safari vehicles are custom built 4 x 4 Toyota Land Cruisers with a pop-up roof for ease of sightseeing and photography. The vehicle sits a maximum of eight passengers. Our safari vehicles are fitted with long range radios for easy communication, cooler boxes, and first aid kits.

We also can have specialized photography 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers, which in addition to standard safari vehicles have extra features that wildlife photographers appreciate: open-sided canvas windows, wooden sidebars for placing or attaching the camera, bean bags for stability, laptop and phone chargers.

Your guide will always do a safety talk with you, whether your game viewing is to be done from a vehicle, or on foot. Wildlife is potentially dangerous, but as long as you adhere to what the guide tells you, there is very little to worry about. We have very competent guides/drivers.

It is extremely rare for tourists to be attacked when on safari with a reputable company and experienced guide. Most animals are wary of the sight and smell of humans and will flee rather than attack, but you should never attempt to approach animals yourself on feet unless you are being escorted by a professional guide. While on game drives you will be taken out by expert guides who are highly trained in assessing situations and avoiding danger. If you stay inside the safari vehicles, then animals do not attack or jump inside the car. Wildlife can wander close to camps and lodges and even pass through the camp after dark since they are typically unfenced, but every measure is in place to ensure guests safety. In unfenced camps guests should be escorted around camp after dark by staffs that are familiar with the behavior of wildlife.

Most typical activities on safari are game drives, but in some locations, they can include guided walks, cultural visits or game viewing from a river.

The morning typically begins with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea and a light snack. The first game drive starts right before the sunrise. There are great opportunities to see wildlife at this time since it is still fairly cool and animals are most active. The breakfast could be packed and enjoyed as a picnic in the wild, which will allow to extend the game drive hours. Alternatively, the guests could opt to return to the lodge for a freshly prepared hot breakfast.  Morning game drives usually end by late morning or early afternoon with guests returning to the camp for lunch. During the mid-day when the light gets too harsh and the animals are not active, guests generally relax at their rooms or enjoy the facilities at the lodge (e.g., lounge, hammocks, swimming pool and massage parlors). Some properties offer short walks or visits to a hide to observe the wildlife.

Evening game drive activity will start in the late afternoon and usually end at a scenic point to watch the beautiful African sunset. After the evening guest drive, guests return to the lodge for dinner and drinks, and after some personal time, they go to sleep.  In certain locations, some camps might offer optional night drives.

If the clients spend two or more days in the park, it is possible to arrange a full day game viewing. The guests can ask for a packed breakfast and lunch from the lodge, so they do not have to come back for meals.

We understand that you want to be immersed in our natural world. We will make sure that prime game viewing times will be utilized so you can view as much as possible, you can embark on multiple game drives throughout the day accompanied by experience guide/driver. However, we strictly adhere to National Parks/Reserves rules which dictates that we can only participate in game drives between 6.30am to 7pm. Due to this regulation, it’s still valuable to maximize the opportunity during this prime viewing times.

Morning drives which are done pre breakfast or after breakfast depending on the arrangement with the tour guide/driver. Afternoon game drives which are done just after lunch and the full day game drives which are done both in the morning and afternoon with a break for lunch. You can arrange for as many hours as you can within the prescribed gaming time.

Major world airlines including Kenya Airways, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and Swissair fly several times a week from Europe into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). From North America, we recommend to fly with Qatar, Turkish Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Other airlines include Emirates, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, and Air India.

Luggage should be kept to a minimum, especially if you will be travelling via smaller aircrafts. In East Africa the limit for the charter planes is typically 15 kg per person. The luggage should be in soft bags as opposed to hard suitcases in order for it to fit in the baggage compartment of a small airplane.

On road safaris the weight and size of luggage allowance is not as important but you should still try to bring as little as possible. These luggage restrictions sound very little but bear in mind that all safari camps and lodges and hotels provide fresh towels and basic toilet amenities.

Most luxurious or high-end lodges and camps, laundry services are often provided as part of the amenities offered to guests. This might include complimentary or fee-based laundry options where guests can have their clothes washed, dried, and folded by the lodge’s staff. Camps and lodges will usually supply a mesh laundry bag in each room where you can leave your clothes to be washed while you’re out game viewing.

In some lodges and camps in remote or wilderness areas where washing machines cannot be used or found and the laundry must be done by hand; you may be asked to wash your own undergarments due to local customs. In this case, environmentally-friendly washing detergent will be provided in your room, so you may need to arrange to hand-wash the items in a sink or tub and hang them to dry where convenient.

Mainly casual clothing is required, as no formal clothes are needed on safari, we recommend that you limit your luggage to the basic. Most camps have laundry service available for a nominal cost so we suggest packing light. Overpacking is not necessary and will go a long way towards your personal ease of travel and convenience of other travelers sharing the car with you.

Here is a suggestion for clothing packing list for 10 days safari:

• 1-2 pairs long pants, convertible pants can be a great idea as well
• 3 long sleeve shirts
• 5 T-shirts
• 5 pairs of socks
• 5 pair underwear
• 2 pair of shorts
• 1 wide brim hat
• 1 bandana to keep the dust out of your mouth and face
• 1 wind stopper or fleece jacket
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable walking shoes/boots/sneakers.
• Sandals are very nice to wear when back at camp or when spending time in vehicles.
• Personal toiletries (travel shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss,

deodorant, lip balm with SPF, glasses or contact lenses (if needed), hand sanitizer)

• Insect repellents
• Nightwear
• Swimsuit
• Backpack
• Plug adaptors (type is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Operates at 240V supply voltage and 50Hz)
• Earplugs
• Medication – pain relieving drugs, Cipro antibiotic pills (prescription – used for any anti-diarrhea problems), Any RX medicines needed.
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Camera and binoculars

Note: For game viewing it is best to wear grey, brown, khaki or green colored clothing to blend with nature and not alert wildlife.

The suggested vaccinations are:

Yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. It is not required for travelers coming directly from non-endemic areas like the US, but it is highly recommended by health authorities for most travelers visiting Kenya.

Malaria medication

Typhoid vaccine

Hepatitis A & B vaccine (now given as a combo shot, good for life)

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Polio vaccine (one-time booster shot)

Tetanus vaccine (one-time booster shot)

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Please consult your local immunization clinic before you travel. It is always wise to carefully assess your health requirements before travelling abroad. You can visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya for more updates on immunization/vaccination.

The US dollar is the preferred means of payment for services and activities such as park entrance fees, hot air ballons, Kenyan hotels and lodges, local safari guides, souvenir sellers, and high-end malls and businesses. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and lodges, and foreign cash can be converted into Kenya shillings at banks and Forex bureaus. On the same point, if you want to buy small items in small businesses/shops, especially those located away from tourist destinations and major towns, note that most of them do not accept US dollars. However, in the villages, only cash is accepted.

We advise you to convert some USD to Kenya Shillings to have small bills to pay tips and well as pay for the small items, services that are not included in your itinerary. Finding ATMs out of Nairobi is difficult, so bring sufficient amount of cash if you are a serious shopper.

Kenyan banking hours are between 9.00 am to 3.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 12 pm on Saturday. Forex bureaus are open until 5.00 pm Monday to Saturday. If you take US dollar bills with you, please note that older banknotes dated before year 2009, as well as old, worn or torn bills are frequently rejected or accepted below nominal value. US currency must be in new/crisp bills dated after 2009.

Tipping in Kenya is not mandatory but expected and appreciated after a good service. All hotels, lodges and porterage gratuities are already included on your safari price – these are collectively referred to as service charge. Individual waiters, porters and other hotel service employees may provide exemplary service and it is in your discretion to decide to tip them. In the hotels and lodges, there is usually a box where you could leave a tip before you checkout. $5-$10 per person is considered a good tip. The tip will be equally split between all the hotel staff. It is always handy to have numerous single dollar bills for the baggage porters and other service providers.

It is customary to tip your safari driver-guide at the end of the safari tour. The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service provided. An average of $ 10-$20 per guest per day is suggested. The amount is however at your discretion. You are welcome to provide additional compensation to any staff that has provided special services. You may tip in Kenya shillings, USD or Euro at the end of your safari (preferably in an envelope). If paying in US dollars, please bring crisp, new US currency. Otherwise, staff member or a guide might find difficulty having the currency accepted.