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 to use for tipping room service or buying 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.

Climate

The East African climate in November ranges from 55°F-75°F (13°C-24°C) in Nairobi (Kenya) and 63°F-86°F (17°C-30°C) in the Serengeti (Tanzania) and Maasai Mara (Kenya). There may be light rain during the day, so be sure to pack a rain jacket and umbrella in case of wet weather.

Destinations

• Monday, November 4 – Arrive Nairobi
• Tuesday, November 5 – Nairobi
• Wednesday, November 6 – Nairobi / Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Thursday, November 7 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Friday, November 8 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area / Serengeti National Park
• Saturday, November 9 – Serengeti National Park
• Sunday, November 10 – Serengeti National Park / Maasai Mara
• Monday, November 11 – Maasai Mara
• Tuesday, November 12 – Maasai Mara
• Wednesday, November 13 – La Paz/Disembark ship at La Paz

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 (November 4, 2013 and November 13, 2013) with personal “Meet and Greet” upon arrival at Jomo Kenyata International Airport (NBO)
• 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
• Meeting with a Maasai Elder
• Visit to Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s Wildlife Foundation in Nairobi (as seen on Oprah)
• Visit to Karen Blixen’s home (author of “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
• Private charter flights from Nairobi to Lake Manyara, via Arusha
• Private charter flight from Serengeti to Maasai Mara
• Private charter or scheduled flight from Maasai Mara to Nairobi
• Guaranteed window seat and access to pop-up roof hatch on safari vehicles (complimentary beverages included)
• Safari library with wildlife guidebooks
• Services of the Flying Doctors’ Society, an emergency airborne medical unit
• Welcome gift, including authentic safari hat and wooden animal necklace
• Olivia safari vest (let us know your size in advance)
• 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/Fax
• International flights to/from Nairobi
• Transfers for guests arriving prior to November 4, 2013 or departing after Nov. 13, 2013
• Cost of obtaining passport, visa or other necessary documentation

Travel documentation and identification

Passport

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, for room to place their entry visa. If there is insufficient space in the passport, entry into the country will be denied.

Visa

U.S. citizens entering Kenya and Tanzania need a separate visa for both countries; we recommend www.genvisa.com to assist with the visa process. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to make sure you have all the documentation you need to go on this trip.

Vaccinations

At the time of this page update, the Yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry into Tanzania. Please check with your local Public Health Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” followed by “Vaccinations.”

Travel insurance

We encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance. Olivia partners 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 this 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 into 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 November 4, 2013. Most flights from the U.S. / Europe arrive in the evening. Your departing flight on November 13, 2013 must be after 10:00pm.

Discount airfare offer

We are proud to partner with American Airlines. The AA discount code A53H3BI is good for 5% off and applies to flights into and out of Nairobi (NBO). Dates of travel are October 28 – November 20, 2013. This reservation can only be booked by calling (800) 433-1790 ($25 booking fee applies).

In order to take advantage of the Olivia transfer from NBO International airport to the Norfolk hotel, your flight should be scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on November 4, 2013. Most flights arrive in the evening. Your departure flight should be scheduled out of Nairobi after 10:00pm on November 13, 2013. Transfers are not included from the domestic Wilson airport or for any flights arriving or departing on non-program dates.

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

Extending your trip

Should you wish to extend your vacation in South Africa or other African destinations, our tour operator, Micato, will be happy to put together a custom package for you. Please contact Paticia DeMaio at (212) 545-7111, ext. 126.

Olivia’s preferred travel agency

We are happy to partner with Panorama Travel, which provides excellent service and competitive airfares. As a full service agency, they do charge a fee for the service of booking your air or add-ons. They can also assist you with using your frequent flyer miles for free tickets and upgrades for an additional fee. You can reach them at (800) 523-0093 or (503) 682-6800.

Should any of you wish to add an extension to Europe or other destinations outside of Africa, Panorama Travel can put a package together for you.

One of the advantages of dealing with a Travel Agency is having assistance while traveling. This becomes extremely helpful when there are flight cancellations or delays in travel; you can call the agency for faster service. For many, it is well worth the additional fee which starts from $75, depending on cost of fare/package.

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 flight to Kenya, 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 (NBO) and you will be transferred to the Norfolk Hotel. A dedicated Airport Team will coordinate and handle your arrival and your Micato porters will expedite your luggage at the airport. You will be transferred from the airport to the hotel, where you are pre-registered for check-in. 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. 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.

Excursions

All Safari vehicle excursions are included in the cost of your trip. There are morning and afternoon safaris available. There will also be an optional Hot Air Balloon excursion and a trip to Lake Victoria that you may book at an additional cost.

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. Some camps include free laundry services; others are very minimal. 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.

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 will be available in your trip guide, which will be emailed to you 3-4 weeks in advance of the trip.

After Your Trip

Transfers to the airport

After the trip, you will be transferred to the airport for your evening flights home.

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out our Olivia travel FAQ. Or call us at (800) 631-6277 or (415) 962-5700.