Accommodation and Airport Transfer Prices – All accommodation and transfers are paid by you locally.

KENYA - Nairobi - Karen Camp

Physical Address – Just off Marula Lane, Karen, Nairobi
Email:- booking@karencamp.com or Website:- www.karencamp.com
Tel:- + 254 (0) 208 834 75 or Tel:- + 254 (0) 733 703 510
Airport Pick Up - $25  – Meet the driver at Planet Safari shop, just to the right after big glass doors.
Deluxe double ensuite US$60
Ensuite bedroom US$30
Non ensuite US$24
Outside room double US$20
Outside room single US$12
Dorm US$8
Camping US$5

Transfers: After immigration control and customs you will find Forex Bureaus with rates the same as town. The best way to get to town is to book a transfer = safe and easy. You can book a transfer through Karen Camp via the link above or with us. Transfers cost $25 per person. If you have booked a taxi with us as you exit the glass doors after customs look for someone holding a sign with your name on it an also turn right and walk ten meters on the right to the booth of the company “Planet Safaris” Don't go with a taxi run by one of the numerous touts who approach you at the airport.

Pre Departure Information.

Included in the trip price & Local Payment - The tour cost and local payment includes transport in a fully equipped expedition vehicle, road taxes and tolls, services of the driver-leader, use of camping and cooking equipment, campsite fees, entrance to gameparks as specified, and two meals a day while on the truck. So in towns or places where the vehicle will be parked up, although the kitchen will be available for you to cook with, food during this time will not come out of the Local Payment. Generally at lunchtimes we eat at small cafes or restaurants where you can try cheap and tasty local food. If no local food is available we eat on the truck.

Local Payment - Payable in £ Pounds Sterling cash but you can pay in $US dollars or Euros cash at the current cross exchange rate on date of departure, check with the driver for the rate. Please pay this to the driver on departure. Travellers cheques, cards or other forms of payment are not accepted.

Not included in the trip price and local payment - The price does not include flights, visas, side trips, lunches and meals out. There are a number of optional side trips that you can choose from and pay for on the route.

Deposit and balance & Insurance - Once you are booked, your deposit and balance (within two months of trip departure) is non refundable. Insure yourself when you book for the full time your away.

Buying your Flight - when you buy your flight, don't go just on price alone, check conditions and flexibility. Take into consideration that you may be buying your flight well ahead of time and the nature of your trip you are doing. It may be worthwhile paying more to have a flexible flight with a better airline that flies frequently to your destination.

Return Flight - Although it is our intention to finish the trip on the finishing date, in case of delays en route you should allow a couple days at the end of the trip before you fly out.

Visas - Please see the Visa page

Insurance - You must be insured against personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation expenses. We only carry passengers on the understanding that, in most African countries through which we travel no passenger or vehicle liability is available whatsoever. You should take out insurance when you pay your deposit for the tour or for flights so that you are insured against cancellation (for medical or family reasons, for example). Bring your policy with you. If you travel without insurance and need to get home urgently due to ill health or family problems, you or those responsible for you could incur huge expense. The medical coverage is the most important part of the insurance policy, loss of belongings less so. For UK, Australian and NZ residents, we can point you in the right direction for insurance if you contact us. For other nations, it is best to search online - there are some good online insurance companies catering for US, Canadian and European residents.

Inoculations - You have to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove this when we cross borders. It is also advisable to be vaccinated against Typhoid; Rabies; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Tetanus; Polio and Meningitis.

If possible start your vaccinations two months, but as late as two weeks before departure. Your GP can also inoculate but may take a while to get to get the vaccine in. Medical centre with their own travel educated Doctors can supply up-to-date medical advice and also administer vaccinations.

Malaria - The risk of contracting malaria in the areas we visit is high. You should be aware that malaria tablets offer only partial protection against malaria and that you should couple taking the tablets with mosquito bite avoidance. The malarial mosquitoes come out at night that is from the beginning of sunset onwards, so from this time you should cover up in long sleeves, jeans or track suit pants plus socks - mosquitoes tend to bite around the feet and ankles. You must also use insect repellent containing Deet, bring some you will need it. The use of repellents and covering up can be as effective as the use of tablets, so by coupling both methods of protection together you should be malaria free. Whatever type of prophylactic you choose to use you should try a sample of it well before you go as adverse reactions can occur. This often happens with the Larium or Mephloquine type of drug. In Africa buy a can of fly/bug spray to clear your tent of mosquitoes and bugs before you go to bed.

Medical Kits - We carry First Aid kits on board for emergency use only. However, the crew is not entitled to recommend or prescribe any medicine. We advise a health check with your GP and Dentist before you start your journey, and that you carry your own medical kit with you.

Your Electrical Equipment – Mobiles, Cameras, Laptops - In most camps you can charge from the mains, so bring a travel adaptor plug, as outlet power points are of different types. Most countries run on 220 or 240 volt current. To increase your battery time get a spare battery. You can charge off the truck if you have a 24 volt in-car charger but charging from the vehicle will reduce the life of your batteries.

Mobile Phone - It will work abroad if you have roam facility enabled on a dual band phone. Coverage is generally good. Although convenient for outgoing calls, incoming calls can cost a lot. An option is to buy a local number in each country we go through and  use that for to keep in contact with home.

Security in General - There is a lockable safe bolted onto the floor of the truck for your money belts; however, we take no responsibility for such or for any belongings. If you lose your passport or travellers cheques it is not always possible for the expedition to wait for you. So when you’re off the truck wear a money belt that fits under your shirt. Do not wear a bum bag around your waist, or a money belt that hangs from your neck. In certain problem areas a passenger roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle during the day. Don’t take items of value that are not essential for your journey, ie. jewellery.

Spending Money - For side trips and visas you need $US cash. Not having enough US$ cash is normally the biggest spending money problem people face on the trip. The dilemma been that though cash is easiest you risk losing your money with no chance of getting it back.

For general spending £10 - £30 a day is a good start excluding side trips. Depending on how much you drink, eat out and the souvenirs you buy. The best way to bring your money for of ease of exchange and safety is 1/3 cash in US$, 1/3 Travellers cheques in either US$ or Pounds sterling and 1/3 in money on your credit card.

Credit cards - bring at least two credit/debit cards as one might be rejected by the cash machine. Tell your bank before you travel to stop them blocking your card. In East and Southern Africa ATM machines are available about every three days - ATM machines only pay out local currency.

Visa credit and debit cards are better than MasterCard/American Express/ Maestro/Cirrus for acceptability

Money Gram and Western Union - If you’re concerned about carrying cash and knowing the pain travelers cheques are to cash get someone to MoneyGram or Western Union funds to you as you travel on your trips. On their websites are the locations of their offices in Africa.

MoneyGram International -  moneygram.com or Western Union - westernunion.com

On most borders you can change excess left over currency for the next country's money.
Side trips & optional excursions - Are paid for on the spot. Please see the separate page - Side Trips & Extras

Maps - It's good to have your own map to follow the trip as you go. In Africa use the Michelin 955 of Africa, central and south.

Washing - Most of the time you can wash every day and at camp sites you can do your laundry or often have it done quite cheaply.

E-mail - Can be collected three times a week to every week or two (some campsites have facilities).

Drinking Water – Though we have drinking water on the truck to ensure you good health we advise you drink bottled water which is cheap and readily available.

Camping -Tents are provided and all have sewn in floors and mosquito netting. You will need to bring with you a sleeping bag, sleep sheet, foam roll mat or airbed. Get a mosquito net in Africa if you want to sleep outside of your tent.

All campsites have ablution facilities & bars, and some have restaurants, shops and internet facilities. Also, about half the campsites we visit offer the facility to upgrade to hut or cabin accommodation for an extra charge.

Discman/iPods/MP3's & CD's - An amplifier is provided in the rear of the truck for you to plug your Discmans/i-Pods into. Although the amp is powered off the truck, your Discman/iPod isn't, so bring along extra batteries.

Photography - Authorities require tourists don’t take pictures of airports, railway stations or military installations. We are often in areas where locals are not used to being photographed and we ask you to show them every respect and courtesy.

Accommodation at the end of the trip - There are numerous cheap backpacker hostels so no need to book.

Suggested list of clothing and equipment - The less you take the less you have to pack, wash, lug home and you'll always pick up extras along the way. You'll be travelling in the heat and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates, rough stuff is best. The best type of carrier is a rucksack (with an internal frame) or a kit bag.
Sleeping bag & sleeping mat
Medical kit - Bring your own simple kit
Re-hydration sachets available from any chemist
Insect repellent containing Deet e.g. Jungle Juice
Sun cream
Headache tablets
Plasters
Malaria tablets
Toiletries - You can buy most basic toiletries easily in Africa
Toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss
Soap in a container & razors
Towel & shampoo
Tampons/condoms; enough for the trip
Clothes
Socks
Shirts
Jeans/long trousers
Underwear
Sweatshirt/jumper
Shorts, T-shirts, swimsuit
Skirt
Sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs
Walking shoes
Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items
Hat and sunglasses
Camera (in a protective case), spare batteries and all the film you think necessary
Money belt or pouch to hold your passport
Vaccination book
Travellers cheques
Books, personal CD player and CD's
Torch & spare batteries
Water bottle at least 1.5 litres, these are available in shops on the way
The easiest and best way to travel is as lightly as possible, taking just what is necessary. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much luggage.

Side Trips & Optional Excursions

Are paid for on the spot. As a guide to help you budget your spending money, below are approximate costs for the side trips ($US). These prices are only a guide and may vary.

Passports

Your passport must be valid for at least six months with five clear pages. For the Trans Africa trip 25 clear pages are required.

East and Southern Africa trips: If your Travelling with us anywhere from Nairobi to Cape Town are have the following passport - Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA you can at the moment get all your visas on the border of each country we visit if they are needed.

EU Passports: As there are so many new countries coning into the EU there are some exceptions to the above, particularly for new members.

Dual Nationality: If you have dual nationality you can only do the trip on one passport as you may need to show your exit from the previous country before you enter the next and most African countries do not accept dual nationality

Please note: Nationalities other than Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA please seek local consular advice for your visa requirements before setting off. As visa requirements are subject to constantly change it is advisable to check before travel. Visa costs change overnight so prices used are only correct at the time of publishing.

For Gorilla trip visiting the gorillas which is normally in Rwanda: If the gorillas are seen out side East Africa; that been in either Rwanda or DR Congo another Ugandan and Kenyan visa will need to be bought at the respective borders to re enter these two countries.

Africa Visas

Kenyan: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA need one. It can be obtained at the airport in Nairobi for US$50. Kenyan High Commission, 45 Portland Pl., London W1 - Tel: 020 7636 2371.

Uganda: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA need one. It can be obtained on the Uganda border for US$50. It can also be obtained in UK for £25 from the Uganda Embassy, Uganda House, 58-59 Trafalgar Square, London - Tel: 020 7839 5783.

Rwanda & D.R. Congo: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA need one. It can be obtained on the Uganda border for US$60. An application for this visa is made on line at the start of the tour.

Tanzania: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA need one. It can be obtained on the border of Tanzania for US$50 and $100 for USA You can check your requirements with the Tanzanian High Commission, 42 Hereford St, London W1 - Tel: 020 7491 3600.

Malawi: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA do not need one.

Mozambique: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA need one. It can be obtained in Malawi prior to entry for US$30. You can check your visa requirements with the Mozambique Embassy, 21 Fitzroy Square, London W1 - Tel: 020 7383 3800

Zimbabwe: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA need one. They are obtained on the border and cost; NZ - US$30. Australian - $50. UK - $55. USA - $60. You can check your visa requirements with the Zimbabwe High Commission, 429 Strand, London WC2 - Tel: 020 7836 7755.

Botswana: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA do not need one.

Namibia: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA do not need one.

South Africa: Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, EU, & USA do not need one. South Africa requires that you have 2 free consecutive pages in your passport to enter, sometimes they also ask for proof of onward journey; that is your flight or tour ticket.