Helpful Hints - Rasabi Safari Kenya

Helpful Hints

The currency of Kenya

The currency used in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling.

Exchange rates fluctuate on a daily basis. For an up-to-date conversion rate please consult an reliable on-line currency converter such as exchangerate.guru

Tipping

Tipping will always be at your own discretion. Whether to tip and how much to tip is entirely up to you. Your Safari Guide and the staff at the Lodges all work hard to make your safari as enjoyable as possible. Therefore, you may wish to reward them with a gratuity. Your generosity will be very much appreciated as tips are a significant part of the income of most service staff.

Tips should ideally be given in Kenya shillings as this makes things easier for the recipient. It’s a good ideal to have some small denomination notes in your pocket. Reception staff at the lodges and camps are always happy to provide small notes in exchange for larger notes.

We suggest that the following amounts will be considered as reasonable and we show them for your guidance only:

         Safari Guide = 500 Kenya shillings (KES) per person per day.
         Lodge Gratuity Boxes (to be shared by all staff) = 300 KES per person per day.
         Individual staff at lodges (for exceptional service) = 100 KES per person per day.
         Porters = 100 KES per person per suitcase.

Please remember…it really is for you to decide when to tip and how much.

Hover over image to enlarge

male African grey hornbill
(Tockus nasutus)

Stuart at the border between Kenya and Tanzania

white rhinoceros
(Ceratotherium simum)

Vaccinations for your safari

It is essential that you consult your medical practitioner to discuss which vaccines and/or medication is recommended for your safari. Please see the Health and Safety page.

Kenya’s roads

In recent years the roads in Kenya have been greatly improved. However, many are still in a less than desirable condition. Trails in the parks and reserves are unsurfaced and can be extremely rough in places. The humps, bumps and pot-holes are all a part of the safari experience.

Please see the Health and Safety page.

Clothing for your safari

Kenya’s tropical climate ranges in temperature from very hot to very cold, depending on elevation. Temperatures on the plains are warm to hot and relatively stable. However, at higher altitudes the early mornings and late evenings can be surprising chilly.

Therefore, we advise you to pack mainly light, airy hot weather clothing and also a warmer long sleeved jumper or fleece.

For game-drives please choose neutral, inconspicuous colours. Avoid bright, bold colours as these will make you too visible and cause the wildlife to keep their distance. Do not however, pack camouflage clothing because it is not permitted by some authorities. Colourful clothing should be reserved for the evenings when you will be relaxing in the lodges and camps.

A broad-peaked hat will keep the glare of the midday sun out of your eyes. It will also protect the top of your head from sunburn.

If, like Peter and Bill, your hair is not as thick as it used to be, RASABI SAFARI KENYA caps are ideal for this purpose and they are available from your Safari Guide, with our compliments. They are top quality headgear and will give you years of reliable service. RASABI SAFARI KENYA caps have in fact, become a notable statement of quality and exclusivity on the Kenya safari scene.

Comfortable, functional, well-fitting footwear is best for game-drives and for exploring the grounds of the lodges and camps. Flip-flops are fine around the swimming pools and other hard-surface areas. Fashion shoes are suitable in the restaurants and lounge-bars. Heavy hiking boots are not required on your safari.

All the accommodation we use offers an excellent overnight laundry service. So there is no need to bring your entire wardrobe to Kenya.

Egyptian goose
(Alopochen aegyptiacus)

elephants
(Loxodonta africana)

children of tea plantation workers Subukia, Kenya

What else to pack

Other items to pack include:
         Passport (make sure the expiry date is at least 6 months after your return)
         Vaccination certificates
         Travel insurance documents
         Prescription medication (containers must have professional pharmaceutical labels)
         Sunscreen
         Insect repellent
         Sunglasses
         Binoculars
         Note book and pencil (for recording your sightings)

Please don’t forget to bring your camera, battery charger plus lots and lots of memory cards

Please also see the baggage regulations on the Flights page