East Africa Country Dossier

The East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are, to many, the quintessential 'African dream', boasting stunning National Parks teeming with game, blissful beaches and challenging treks to the top of Kilimanjaro. World-renowned names like the Serengeti and Masai Mara promise incredible game viewing while the self-contained bowl of Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Inland, and less-visited than its neighbours, Uganda holds a wealth of lush natural beauty – verdant mountains, thick rainforests, pristine crater lakes and amazing wildlife. Home to some of the continent’s most enigmatic wildlife, Uganda offers superb opportunities for tracking mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitats; one of the most breathtaking experiences this world has to offer. But here it's not just the game or the famous National Parks that will astound you, for this corner of Africa contains a great diversity of peoples, a rich tribal heritage, and the legacies of the multitudes of invaders, traders and explorers who have all shaped the cultures here. So with all this on offer, isn't it time you went?

David Anderson, Traveller

Factfile
Preparing to go
Money
Cultural & Environmental Guidelines
Arrival
On Tour
General Information

Factfile

Kenya

Capital: Nairobi
Official Language: Swahili, English. Others: Bantu, Nilotic, Luganda and Cushitic languages
Religions: Christian 65%, Muslim 30%, animist 5%
Voltage: 240 Volts. Sockets are of usually of the British, three pronged variety.

Tanzania

Capital: Dadoma
Official Language:Swahili, English. Others: Bantu, Nilotic, Luganda and Cushitic languages
Religions: Christian 65%, Muslim 30%, animist 5%
Voltage: 240 Volts. Sockets are of usually of the British, three pronged variety.

Uganda

Capital: Kampala
Official Language:Swahili, English. Others: Bantu, Nilotic, Luganda and Cushitic languages
Religions: Christian 65%, Muslim 30%, animist 5%
Voltage: 240 Volts. Sockets are of usually of the British, three pronged variety.

Rwanda

Capital: Kigali
Official Language:Swahili, English. Others: Bantu, Nilotic, Luganda and Cushitic languages
Religions: Christian 65%, Muslim 30%, animist 5%
Voltage: 240 Volts. Sockets are of usually of the British, three pronged variety.

Preparing to go

Visas

Most nationalities, including UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland require a visa to enter these counties. These should be obtained in advance. This information was correct at the time of writing. However it is advisable to re-check the latest information regarding your specific visa requirements with your local Kenyan, Tanzanian or Ugandan Embassy or Consulate, a few weeks before your planned date of travel.

This information was correct at the time of writing. However it is advisable to re-check the latest information regarding your specific visa requirements with your local Kenyan, Tanzanian, Ugandan and Rwandan Embassy or Consulate, a few weeks before your planned date of travel.

Money

Local Currency

Kenya
The monetary unit of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (KES), divided into 100 cents. Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows:

1 Pound Sterling = 121 KES
1 US Dollar = 61 KES
1 Euro = 95 KES

Tanzania
The monetary unit of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS) divided into 100 cents. Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows

1 Pound Sterling = 2,371 TZS
1 US Dollar = 1,215 TZS
1 Euro = 1,878 TZS

Uganda
The monetary unit of Uganda is the Ugandan shilling (UGX) divided into 100 cents. Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows

1 Pound Sterling = 3,247 UGX
1 US Dollar = 1,665 UGX
1 Euro = 2,574 UGX

Rwanda
The monetary unit of Rwanda is the Rwandan franc (FWF). Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows

1 Pound Sterling = 1,053.57 RWF
1 US Dollar = 541.440 RWF
1 Euro = 835.785 RWF

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that a visitor may bring into Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda. Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ugandan shillings can often be purchased outside of the countries, but the rates are generally poorer than those inside the country.

Imtrav Tip - During your stay in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, you will notice a general lack of small change. We recommend maintaining a small supply of coins and small denomination notes.

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs

Banks and Bureau de Change facilities can be found throughout Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It is advisable to exchange money at banks, in large hotels, and authorised Bureau de Change. It is usually possible to exchange money at Nairobi airport on arrival, although the Bureau de Change does not normally accept traveller’s cheques. There are ATMs in many major towns and cities; however, due to the fact that these are not particularly reliable, you should not rely on these as a method of obtaining money.

Credit cards are not widely accepted so you should not rely on them. US$ cash is best, preferably with notes in good condition. In Uganda and Tanzania US$ notes should be issued after the year 2001 as earlier ones are not always accepted.

It can be difficult to change traveller's cheques in more rural areas, and we would recommend that you change them when you arrive in Nairobi. It is wise to bring a combination of money sources (traveller’s cheques, cash and credit cards) in GB£ or US$ (Scottish pounds are not recognised outside of the UK) to ensure you have access to enough funds during your stay.In Uganda you will receive a poorer exchange rate for US$20, 10, 5 and 1 notes.

Please note - Australian Dollar and Canadian Dollar traveller's cheques and cash may not be accepted. It can be difficult to change money on Saturdays and Sundays, except at large hotels.

Working out your Budget

The Pre-Departure Booklet contains general information about the things you will need to consider when budgeting for your holiday. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Entrance Fees

Although you won’t have much free time on our trips in East Africa, if you’re arriving early or staying later, you may wish to check out some of Nairobi’s museums, as well as some of the sights in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Most charge around US$3-5 per person.

Park Entry Fees

All of our itineraries include visits to some of East Africa’s magnificent National Parks. The entrance fees to these are covered by the local payment applicable to your tour, which should be paid in US dollars cash to your Tour Leader at the start of the tour.

Optional Excursions

All of our itineraries include some free time, the amount of which usually depends on the style of tour you are travelling on (Adventurer trips generally have more than Traveller). If you wish to take optional excursions your Tour Leader will be able to advise you of the possibilities in each area.

Approximate costs (per person) for popular excursions are as follows:

Prison Island Tour: US$6-11
City Tour: US$11
Spice Tour Half Day: US$11-20
Swim with dolphins: US$25-30
Scuba diving: US$ 40-65 per dive

We are able to prebook an amazing balloon ride over either the Maasai Mara Reserve or over the Serengeti National Park. This is a once in a lifetime experience! To guarantee availability please book as early as possible. Please ask your booking agent for details.

If you have any extra time in Nairobi before or after your tour there are many places to visit in and around the city. Please ask us for details of day trips. These must be pre-booked before departure. Options include Daphne Sheldriks's elephant orphanage, the Karen Blixen Museum, Langata Giraffe Centre and lunch at the famous Carnivore restaurant where meat lovers can taste a variety of barbecued game meat.

Meals

You will find the meal plan for your tour clearly indicated in the brochure and on your Trip Dossier. As you’ll mostly be staying in areas where there are limited options for meals, we have chosen to include most meals as part of the itinerary. However, there may be occasions when a meal is not included, such as at Lake Naivasha, or on Zanzibar. Approximate costs for meals not included are shown below:

Simple snack: US$3-5
Light meal: US$5-10
3 course meal: US$10-15
Fancy restaurant: US$25+

For a guide to the type of food you will find in East Africa see the Local Food & Drink section of this dossier.

Drinks

Tea and Coffee are always provided with breakfast. All other drinks (i.e. bottled water, soft drinks) are at your own expense.

Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below. Note: Prices in restaurants, hotels, and cruise boats can be as much as double those specified.

1.5l of water: US$0.50
30cl bottle of soft drink: US$0.50
33cl bottle of beer: US$0.60-2

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda however bottled water and carbonated soft drinks are widely available throughout the country.

Local Transport

In both Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, there are two principal methods of transport within a city – private taxis and matatus (Kenya and Uganda) or daladalas (Tanzania), which are shared minibuses running along a fixed route. Matatus /daladalas will wait until all seats are filled before departing for the destination. This can take a long time, and so if you don’t want to wait, choose one that is nearly full. Private taxis are more expensive than matatus/daladalas, but do have the advantage of leaving when you want them to. A ride around town shouldn’t cost much more than Ksh200-300/Tsh1000-2000/Ush3-5000 in a private taxi, or around Ksh30-40/Tsh200-400/Ush200-500 in a matatu/daladala. Private taxis have meters, but these are sometimes out of order, so you may have to negotiate the fare you will pay with the driver. This can be fun, but it is a good idea to find out in advance, from your Tour Leader or the hotel receptionist, approximately how much the fare should be for the journey you propose. You will almost certainly have to accept that you will pay more than locals do.

What to Take

The Pre-Departure Booklet that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. There are certain items of equipment (e.g. sleeping bags, towels) that you will need on some tours and not on others. Check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements.

Clothing

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In the hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. While on safari, you should wear natural, neutral colours – bright colours can make you stand out, meaning that you’re less likely to spot wildlife.

Zanzibar and Mombasa have sizeable Muslim populations, and you should dress more conservatively when away from beach areas.

Imtrav Tip - Make sure you some clothing that covers shoulders and knees and also several outfits which cover your legs to ankles and your arms past the elbows. A sarong is an invaluable item to carry as it can be used to instantly cover any exposed areas (i.e. head, legs). It also doesn’t go amiss to bring along a set of smart/casual clothes for the occasional night out.

In certain areas your Tour Leader may ask you to dress conservatively. Out of respect for local values, we ask that you follow your Tour Leader’s advice at all times.

Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in very hot countries, night-time and early morning temperatures can be extremely cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow.

It is also worth noting that you DO NOT need a mosquito net on any of our tours in Kenya, Tanzania OR Uganda.

Notes for Treking

Clothing
For trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need to bring a variety of clothing. While at the base of the mountain it will be warm, and light clothing may be worn. However, the temperature will drop hugely on your way towards the summit, and you will need to be prepared for very cold conditions at the top. We recommend that you bring a down jacket, a hat/balaclava, and a fleece, among other items. Please see the Trip Dossier for full details. Well worn in hiking boots and cotton or woollen socks are essential.

Other useful equipment
You will find a general equipment list in our Pre-Departure Booklet which should help you decide what to bring – and may remind you of a few things you haven't thought of. However there are some items on this list which we highly recommend you bring with you on trips which include trekking. A torch (and spare batteries), travel towel, spare boot laces, water bottle and strap/holder, sun block and lip balm can be invaluable. An emergency first aid kit is carried by the guide during the trek, however this kit DOES NOT include any kind of oral medications. You should bring personal medical supplies, including rehydration salts, a blister kit, supply of plasters, aspirins, sunscreen, tiger balm or equivalent for sore muscles, necessary medicines, etc.

Luggage & Load Limits
While trekking up Kilimanjaro all equipment, food and luggage will be carried by porters. Luggage for the trek should be limited to 12kg per person and be carried in a soft compact bag rather than a framed backpack or hard suitcase. Any luggage not required on the trek can be left in storage at the hotel in Moshi. If you plan to do this, don’t forget to bring a bag to carry each set of clothes. It is also advisable to bring a day pack so that you can carry your camera and water with you whilst you trek. The luggage limit for the safari trucks is 15kg per person – you should take a soft bag rather than a rigid suitcase.

Prepare Yourself
Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

If your trip includes a trek on Mount Kilimanjaro you will need a good level of fitness and we recommend that you do some physical preparation before your trip. The more physically fit you are, the more easily your body will adapt to trekking and the more you will enjoy the experience. Hill walking and aerobic activities like jogging, tennis, swimming and aerobics classes are all excellent exercise.

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

The Environment

Toilet Paper
Some trips may have a few days where toilets are not available. When you do answer the call of nature please burn your toilet paper – do not bury it. If it is not possible to burn it, take it back to the camp where it can be placed in the rubbish bin and disposed of appropriately.

Whenever you use a squat style toilet please place your toilet paper in the rubbish bin provided – DO NOT flush it down the toilet as this may block the sewerage system. You may also want to carry your own toilet paper as not all toilets will supply it.

Imtrav tip - You may find it useful to take a supply of antiseptic wet wipes and sealable plastic bags to put your toilet paper in if it cannot be burnt / placed in a bin.

Water
Local water supplies are frequently drawn from nearby streams. Please do not wash yourself, your clothes or cooking utensils directly in or near streams and water courses. It is important that you use the bowls provided and wash yourself / utensils at least 20 metres away from the water source. Please limit the use of soaps and detergents as much as possible and make sure that those you do use are biodegradable/eco-friendly.

Litter
It is particularly important to take all rubbish and non-biodegradable items with you when you leave camp sites. Try to leave camp sites even cleaner than you found them.

Religion

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are largely Christian, although they all have sizeable Muslim populations. It is often possible to visit mosques, but you should make sure that you are correctly dressed with legs and arms are covered. All three countries’ Muslim populations are largely confined to coastal areas and larger cities.

Begging

Begging is quite common in some areas of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, especially in the tourist areas of Nairobi, and in Moshi. Ultimately donations are a travellers personal choice; however, in line with initiatives and government policy in many of our destinations, our recommendation is NOT to give money, pens, gifts or sweets as this encourages a begging mentality and is largely ineffectual. If you do want to help it is probably better to give to a recognized charity. If you choose not to give simply say no with a smile and keep on walking. If you learn nothing else of the local language, learn to say ‘no thank you’

Haggling

In many shops prices are not negotiable; however, haggling is expected for tourist souvenirs. The shop keeper or market trader will start with a high price which you are then expected to bargain down until you reach a fair price. If the seller accepts your price it is very bad form to not go through with the sale. Haggling should always be relaxed and can be a lot of fun – it’s a great way of interacting with the local people.

Etiquette & Customs

There are several simple rules of etiquette in East Africa and in most cases your Tour Leader will brief you accordingly. One point worth remembering is that public displays of affection, although very common amongst friends of the same sex, are frowned upon between couples, even married ones.

Photography

You should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph and respect their decision if they say no. In more remote areas women and older people often do not want to be photographed. Some people may also ask for a few shillings in return for a photo. Taking photos of military installations, state buildings, and airports can lead to problems with local authorities.

Arrival

Arrival Transfers

An arrival transfer is not included in the cost of the tour, but can be pre-booked for an extra charge. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, please look out for our representative who will be holding a sign with your name on it. Please make sure you take time to look around carefully for our representative with the sign. There may be a large crowd of people waiting, and it may take time to find them.

There is a taxi booking desk next to Customs at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, costing $20-25 to the hotel.

If several travellers on Imaginative Traveller tours are arriving on the same flight, the transfer representative may be taking you all together to the meeting point. Please be patient if you need to wait a few minutes for other travellers from the same flight.

Imtrav Tip - If you experience any problems with your luggage and are delayed in the baggage/customs area, please try to make contact with the transfer representative immediately to advise them of the problem and ensure they wait for you. You may need to ask permission of security to exit the customs/baggage hall and then re-enter.

Making Your Own Way

The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers.

You can take either a taxi or bus into Nairobi (the city centre is 15km away from the airport). As the bus does not operate 24hrs, and would not take you directly to the hotel, a taxi may be the best option.

Taxis can be found outside of the airport building. As prices can vary wildly, it’s worth asking around to obtain the best deal. Don’t be afraid to bargain. You should agree a fare with the driver before getting in.

It is also possible to take a bus from the airport to Nairobi. The #34 runs on a regular basis, and drops you at the central bus station on Mfangano Street. From here you would need to take a taxi to your meeting point hotel. However, the bus is often a target for pickpockets.

On Tour

Safety

None of our tours spend very much time in Nairobi. However, you may choose to arrive early or stay later than the tour. Although Kenya is generally a very safe country, Nairobi does have a reputation for robbery and muggings. With a little common sense, you should be able to make yourself less of a target.

There are certain areas of Nairobi that you should avoid, notably the River Road district, around Kenyatta Avenue, and bus stations in general. If in doubt, ask the hotel reception staff. We do not recommend walking anywhere in Nairobi at night – it is much safer to travel by taxi.

Try not to carry obvious valuables upon your person, such as a camera around the neck, expensive wristwatches, or a bum bag with your funds in it. Brand new clothes can also mark you out as a new arrival, and therefore, a prime target.

Tanzania and Uganda are for the most part very safe and peaceful countries, and as long as you stick to the guidelines above, you’re unlikely to encounter problems.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advise on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our ground agent.

Please note that some styles of trip, such as Imaginative Escapes or Imaginative Honeymoons, do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take.

Accommodation

Many of our tours use tents for the accommodation, as we feel that this gives our travellers a real experience of the African bush. These would normally be two man dome tents, with built in insect nets. Mattresses are provided but you will need to bring a sleeping bag, and perhaps an inflatable pillow or fleece to use as a pillow – it is NOT possible to hire sleeping bags. Please bear in mind that washing facilities can often be very basic, and there may not be showers at all campsites.

Please note that you do not need a sleeping bag on our family trip ‘Wildlife and Water’ in Kenya.

While trekking the Marangu Route up Mount Kilimanjaro, you would stay in communal mountain huts. Accommodation here is basic with rudimentary facilities – there are showers, but they do tend to be quite cold. When trekking the Umbwe Route, accommodation is in tents, and again, facilities are rudimentary.

Our main criteria for choosing hotels is cleanliness and location. In East Africa the standard of hotels may vary from region to region. On Adventurer tours accommodation tends to be simple. Bathroom facilities may sometimes be shared and rooms may sometimes be multi-share rather than twin. Hotels on Traveller tours almost always have private bathrooms, and some have bar / restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement*). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

Note: Single supplements must be paid by people travelling alone, and by every third, fifth etc. member of a group on Traveller-style tours only and are not applicable in mountain huts or while camping (except while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on the Umbwe Route).

Local Food & Drink

Food
East African food is not particularly exciting, but it’s nutritious and wholesome, and is good if you’re looking for something to fill you up. Remember that while camping, most food will be similar to what you’re used to back at home. The best food can often be found along the coastline, where the influences of Arab and Indian Ocean cuisine can be found.

Nyama choma (roast meat) is one of the most popular dishes, and can take the form of goat, beef, mutton or chicken. Other popular dishes include egg bread, which is a pancake with a fried egg and minced meat inside, and mandaazi, which are fried dough cakes. As well as these, you’ll find a lot of rice, potatoes and beans, which are usually served as an accompaniment to meat dishes. In Zanzibar and on the coast, you’ll find a great selection of seafood.

Drinks
Chai (tea) is undoubtedly the national drink, and is drunk at any time. It is usually made sweeter than we are used to at home. Coffee is commonly of the instant variety, and is not as popular as tea. The usual collection of bottled water and soft drinks - coke, lemonade, orangeade - can be found almost anywhere.

Alcohol is widely available in East Africa, and several different lagers are brewed here. The most popular of these are Tusker and Castle, and Kilimanjaro Beer is also quite popular in Tanzania, and Nile Special is favoured in Uganda. Lager varies in price depending upon where you’re drinking, but generally costs between Ksh50-200/Tsh700-15000/Ush1500-5000. East Africa is not known for its wine, but there are some fairly good varieties, as well as imported wines, mainly from South Africa. Foreign beer, wine and spirits are also available but inevitably cost more.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
Meat is often the main feature of a meal, and can be found in many dishes, even if only as a stock. Therefore, if you are a vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available at meal times. Your Tour Leader will do their best to offer a vegetarian alternative, but your patience and understanding is requested. Vegetarians may find it difficult to find suitable food in East Africa – most meals include some sort of meat ingredient. However, eggs and fruit are widely available, and many towns have Indian vegetarian restaurants. If you notify us that you’re vegetarian when booking the tour, then the camp crew will make arrangements for you.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Imtrav Tip - You should advise us at time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements, particularly for tours that include trekking. You may like to bring some snacks or supplements in case food choices are limited.

Communications

Email
Internet cafés can now be found in many towns in East Africa. The cost for an hour varies dramatically, and can cost anywhere from US$0.10 to US$2 per minute.

Phone
The phone system in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda is improving, although international calls are expensive. A 3 minute call (to the UK) can cost up to approx. US$15. The best way to call home would be by using a card – these can usually be purchased outside post offices.

Post
The postal service is relatively good and stamps are available everywhere. An overseas stamp for postcards will cost approx. US$0.80. Posting of parcels can be time-consuming however, and contents of parcels normally have to pass customs inspection before they are sealed for posting.

Cameras

Video Cameras
If you intend on bringing a video camera, please be aware that there may not be facilities to recharge them on camping safaris. It is usually possible to recharge video cameras from the batteries of the safari vehicles, but it is up to you to bring the correct adapter.

Availability of Film
Colour print camera film can be found in East Africa, but you should always check the expiry dates. Slide film, black and white film and video film can be more difficult to come by so it is best to bring your supply from home. For digital cameras ensure you bring an adequate supply of memory cards.

Flight reconfirmation

Many airlines require the traveller to reconfirm return flights at least 72 hours before departure. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your flights are reconfirmed. We would recommend that you do this at the appropriate airline desk upon arrival at Nairobi airport.

General Information

Weather

East Africa’s weather is varied, alternating between wet and dry seasons. January and February are hot and dry, followed by March, April and May, when it is the main rainy season, and hot and wet. From June to October it is cooler, but dry, and in November and December it starts to rain once more, and is warm.

Nairobi is at an altitude of over 1,500m so temperatures can drop quite low at night. The Kenyan Highlands are much cooler than the rest of the country, especially in the winter.

The average temperature in Dar es Salaam and Kampala remains in the mid to high twenties throughout the year.

East Africa Weather

Holidays

East Africa Public Holidays