About Our Destination

Currency

Kenya uses the Kenyan Shilling. All East African countries have stringent exchange regulations; their currencies are not interchangeable. We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible. We suggest cashing about $100 per person in Shillings to use for tipping room service or to buy small items along the way. Ask for $50/$100/$1000 shilling bills.

Languages

The national language of Kenya is Swahili, but English is widely spoken. There are also approximately 78 tribal dialects.

Before Your Trip

What’s Included and What’s Not

What is included?

• Accommodations for 10 days/9 nights in the finest hotels, lodges and tent camps
• Airport group arrival transfer and departure transfers on days of program (October 31, 2012 and November 9, 2012) with personal “Meet and Greet” upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyata International Airport
• Private day-use rooms on the day of departure
• All meals while in Kenya & Tanzania
• Water, soft drinks, coffee, tea at all meals
• Special Enhancements and time-saving flights
• Welcome cocktails and dinner at the home of Felix and Jane Pinto
• Meet Maasai Elder
• Visit to the Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s Wildlife Foundation in Nairobi (as seen on OPRAH). View Elephant feeding
• Visit to Karen Blixen’s home in “Out of Africa” and to Giraffe Center
• Lunch at Gemini’s, featuring African Jewelry
• Bush Luncheon in the Ngorongoro Crater (subject to approval by park authorities)
• Museum visit and lecture at Olduvai Gorge
• Maasai Village visit
• Farewell Bush dinner
• Option to visit America Share sponsored project and participate
• Safari briefing conducted by your Micato Safari Director
• Three Flights with all transfers to enhance comfort and minimize lengthy drives
• Private Charter flights from Nairobi to Lake Manyara, via Arusha
• Private Charter flight from the Serengeti to Maasai Mara
• Private charter or scheduled flight from the Maasai Mara to Nairobi
• On Safari – Our Nine passenger vehicles will only seat a maximum of six guests, guaranteeing a window seat and access to pop-up roof hatch for each guest. Each vehicle is equipped with binoculars (one per guest) and ice chests with complimentary beverages
• Safari Library with wildlife guidebooks
• Services of the Flying Doctors’ Society, an emergency airborne medical unit
• An authentic Safari hat and wooden animal necklace as a welcome gift
• An Olivia Safari Vest (be sure and let us know your size)
• All entrance fees to parks (subject to increase)
• Government taxes, VAT and service charges relating to accommodations and included meals
• All porterage throughout
• All gratuities, including the Driver Guides and Safari Director
• Micato’s concierge service
• Hospitality Desk, fully staffed throughout the day in Nairobi and on safari
• Olivia Representative to accompany the group

What’s not included?

• Personal expenses
• Alcoholic beverages
• Beverages outside of meals
• Laundry
• Individual insurance
• Excess baggage fees
• Phone calls/Faxes
• International Flights to/from Nairobi
• Transfers for guests arriving prior to October 31, 2012 or departing after Nov. 9, 2012
• Cost of obtaining passport/Visa, etc . . .

Travel documentation and identification

A valid passport is required for entry into Africa, and should be kept on your person or in the hotel safe deposit box. Your passport must be valid 6 months after travel. All visitors to Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passport book, so that there is room to place their entry visa. If there is insufficient space in the passport, entry into the country will be denied. U.S. citizens entering Kenya and Tanzania need a separate visa for both countries; we recommend www.zvs.com to assist with the Visa process.

Vaccinations

Please check with your local Public Heath Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on "Traveler’s Health" and then "Vaccinations."

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance. Olivia has recently partnered with Travel Guard to make things easier for you; you can now add your travel insurance when you book your trip, all in one call. In order to receive the most comprehensive coverage, please purchase your insurance within 15 days of your initial invoice. If you have questions about Olivia’s travel insurance, call (800) 631-6277 option 1 to talk to one of our travel consultants.

Joining the Olivia.com trip group

If you’d like to chat with people who are going on the trip, sign up for the official Olivia trip group.

Travel and Arrival

Air travel

Where to fly into/out of

You will need to fly in and out of Nairobi, Kenya (NBO). We encourage all passengers to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.

Suggested arrival/departure times

Please arrive anytime, on or before October 31, 2012. Most flights from the U.S. / Europe arrive in the evening. Your departing flight on November 9, 2012 must be after 10:00 PM.

Airfare

We are proud to partner with American Airlines. The AA discount code A39H2BL is good for 5% off and applies to flights into and out of Nairobi (NBO). Dates of travel are October 24– November 16, 2012. This reservation can only be booked by calling (800) 433-1790 ($25 booking fee applies). If you prefer the services of an excellent travel agency, we recommend our partner Travel Agency, Panorama Travel to assist you with you flights. 800-523-0093.

In order to take advantage of the Olivia transfer from the airport to the Norfolk hotel, your flight should be scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on October 31, 2012. Most flights arrive in the evening. Your departure flight should be scheduled out of Nairobi after 10:00 p.m. on November 8, 2012. Again, transfers are not included with any flights arriving or departing on non-program dates. Information on additional hotel nights and pricing will be available one year from the date of trip.

We encourage you to contact the airlines directly to confirm your flights, baggage allowance and seat assignments prior to departure.

Luggage allowances

On light aircraft flights in Kenya and Tanzania, the baggage allowance is 33 pounds, excluding camera and video equipment. Please pack a soft-sided “safari bag” (a small duffle bag with or without wheels) as they are much easier to load onto small planes. All excess luggage can be stored at the hotel in Nairobi. Luggage and personal effects are at owners' risk throughout the tour, and we advise you to obtain baggage insurance. For your trip over to Africa, please contact your air carrier for the latest baggage requirements and allowance.

Transfers and Meeting up with Olivia

Your Micato Safari Director will meet you after you pass through customs at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and you will be transferred to the beautiful Norfolk Hotel. A dedicated Airport Team will coordinate and handle your arrival, and your Micato porters will expedite your luggage at the airport. Enjoy a cool drink in the vehicle while you transfer from the airport to the hotel, where you are pre-registered for check-in. You will be greeted with a drink and welcome package. Should you have any queries, your Micato Safaris Concierge staff will be at their desk in the lounge to answer all your questions.

During your trip

Electricity

The voltage is 220, which is the same as in Europe. However, the plugs are shaped differently than in America and most parts of Europe. You will need 3-prong square adapters. As outlets sometimes vary, if you plan to operate electric appliances, we suggest you travel with a set of international adapter plugs as well as a voltage converter. Most camera battery and computer chargers have the 110/220 converters built in, but double check this. With the proper converters, you can easily re-charge your batteries in all of the accommodations on safari, including the tents. Please note that lodges in the game parks sometimes turn off their generators during the day, which means no electricity is available during that time.

Telephone

Most lodges do not have readily available phones; in an emergency, you may be contacted through Micato Safaris offices in Nairobi. Complete information about this is available in your trip guide.

Gratuities

Gratuities, including your hotel staff (except for room service delivery), porter, driver/guide and Safari Director are included. If you received exceptional service from someone, you are welcome to give an additional gratuity. If you take an optional excursion, you may want to tip your guide/driver.

Laundry and dry cleaning

Laundry, pressing and dry cleaning service is available at all locations. No self-serve laundry is available.

Medical services

We utilize the services of the Flying Doctor's Society, an elite, airborne medical unit. Should you require emergency medical assistance, they will be dispatched. If necessary, they evacuate travelers to Nairobi, where excellent medical facilities are available. Medical treatment is available for a fee.

Smoking policy

Please refrain from smoking in safari vehicles and other enclosed places where it may affect others.

After Your Trip

Transfers to the airport

After the trip, you will be transferred to the airport for your evening flights home. Should you wish to extend your time in Africa, we recommend our partner Travel Agency, Panorama Travel to assist you with you plans. 800-523-0093.

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out our Olivia travel FAQ. Or call us at 800.631.6277