Almost all safari tours operated by KENT Specialists Safaris are private per booking and are operated in own pop up top 4×4 jeep  with a dedicated tour driver / guide.

Guests booking with us can however form private groups to travel together as families or friends

We do not make tour groups from individual bookings for medium / long range safari tours .This is to allow foe flexibility,customization ,pace and choice of safari lodge/ camp preference

The only exception is the short/ small Nairobi Kenya group tours which  we operate on Tuesday ,Friday ,Saturday and Sunday of every week.

Almost all safari lodges / tented camp accommodations during your safari do provide free Wifi . These is in the three accommodation levels of:

  • Economy
  • Comfort, and
  • Luxury

Wifi is provided in the public areas of the safari lodges / tented camps including the reception, dining areas and lounge . It is not provided in the individual rooms/ tents.

We provide free Wifi in our 4×4 Safari jeeps with connectivity being at approximately 70% due to local Kenyan network coverage

On our overnight group sharing safari ,it is not possible to request for an extra day safari extension

This is because you share your safari Jeep with the other travelers on a seat in car basis .It also means that you leave and return to Nairobi as a group

It would thus require a unanimous decision to extend safari from all tour participants for this to happen . It would also be subject to the availability of extended accommodation in the respective tented camp / lodge.

An extra day on safari shall also require extra payment.

At KENT Specialists Safaris, we have invested in the employment of among the best tour driver / guides

However we allow our guests to have that special preference for an individual driver / guide either from recommendation or online reviews.

If you prefer a specific safari tour driver / guide from our team ,we are happy to allocate him as your guide for the duration of your safari tour. This is however subject to his availability.

In case he is already requested for during the period of your planned safari tour ,you can always choose another driver / guide from our diverse team.

Our selection of safari lodges and tented camps is well researched and offers the best in terms of comfort ,relaxation and atmosphere during safari. Each accommodation category is well catered for in the selection.

We fully understand the need for your protection against Mosquito and other insect bites.

All rooms / tents during your safari are fitted with mosquito nets or are insect proofed to protect you against bites.

You are also advised to carry / use insect repellent to further protect yourself especially in the outdoors during evenings.

The maximum number of persons allowed in one room / tent are 3 , these can be accommodated in a double bed and a single bed or in 3 single beds.

Where 4 persons or more are travelling together and prefer stay in one room / tent , we may book them in 2 rooms with interconnecting doors

For those that may prefer to stay close as family or friends , we may book them in adjacent tents / rooms

Some safari lodges / camps have family units for maximum of 4 persons only. This however includes an extra cost.

All safari rooms / tents are private with own bathroom / toilet

Your safari tour Jeep has a generous luggage compartment at the rear and can comfortably carry 6 suitcases with an average 25 -30kgs each

You may carry hand luggage with your vital stuff inside the safari jeep.

We suggest that you pack / carry your luggage in soft sided suitcases for ease of storage in safari vehicle and also to minimize on friction and damage during the sometimes bumpy road safari trips.

In case you are booked on a Kenya fly -in safari and or you would consider taking local / domestic safari flights to the national parks / game reserves , there is a baggage allowance.

The baggage allowance for local domestic flights commuting between national parks is 15kgs excluding hand luggage

You may store extra luggage not required on safari at our Nairobi or Mombasa offices for free.

You may also choose to pay an extra $ 5 per kilogram for any extra baggage if you decide to carry all your baggage around with you (this is subject to flight / carrier capacity)

As an extension of our safari tour services , KENT Specialists Safaris provides free return airport / hotel transfers for our guests booked a 3 days plus safari tour with us.

The transfers are provided even when you arrive or depart several days before or after your safari start / end

In all cases , you shall share with us your arrival & departure flight details including airline codes and timings ,we shall in return provide transfer driver name and telephone contact in advance of your arrival / departure

Our listed safari tours and advertised prices do not include Nairobi hotel stay

In case you are arriving in Nairobi earlier than your safari starting date or are intending to stay a few days more after safari finish ,you require a Nairobi hotel.

Nairobi has a wide range of hotels in economy ,comfort and luxury categories suitable for your 1 night or extended stay.

As part of your safari tour, KENT Specialists Safaris shall pick you up and drop you off at your respective Nairobi hotel or residence. This includes areas around Nairobi

We suggest that you look up and book online your favorite Nairobi hotel .In case you do require advise, suggestions or booking assistance for your Nairobi hotel ,we shall be happy to assist.

SAFARI LODGES

A safari lodge in Africa is located in a remote Wildlife area and is made up of a number of cottages / chalets spread over a landscaped land .Here shall be a main building which houses a restaurant, bar, gift shop together with the reception and also administration facilities. In most cases, there may be a swimming room,

The lodge’s en-suite guestrooms are spread in smaller separate scattered cottages around the main central building.

The atmosphere is usually rustic and compliments the natural surroundings while bringing in the essence of the wild

Safari lodges vary in size, unique design, location and standards with a nice range in economy , comfort and luxury category.

SAFARI CAMPS

The safari tented camps share some similarities with safari lodges in layout , purpose and location.

A tented camp is composed of the Main building (housing the public areas) usually thatched African style for effect .It may also be made of a large tent .The en-suite guest tents are scattered around the main building providing a private feel.

The tented camp is a composition of large en-suite walk in tents which are built on a solid floor base and are complete with private bathrooms and a small terrace or veranda.

Essentially they are rooms with the exterior being canvas rather than wood or brick.

The tented camp complex may also have a swimming pool.

Tented camps range from the comfort, superior comfort, luxury to the super luxury.

If you are booked on any of our Nairobi to Mombasa safaris ,you shall catch the Nairobi to Mombasa SGR train at Emali ,Mtito Andei or Voi train stations this depending on your last national park visit.

Your first class train tickets shall have been booked and paid for in advance and you shall only need to print your travel ticket once at the respective train station

This takes only a few moments and your safari driver / guide shall be at hand to assist.

We have got you covered with the Nairobi – Mombasa Train Schedule.

Remember that we shall pick you up from the Mombasa train station and transfer you to your beach hotel in Mombasa . Diani ,Kilifi, Watamu or Malindi as part of the safari service.

Tipping in Kenya although not mandatory is expected after a good service.

All hotels, lodges and porterage gratuities are included on your safari price – this are collectively referred to as service charge.

Individual waiters, porters and other hotel service employees may provide exemplary service and it is your discretion to decide to tip .Usually $ 1 -$ 5 per move or sitting is appropriate and appreciated.

It is however customary to tip your safari driver / guide at the end of the safari tour. The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service rendered. An average of $ 10 per guest per day or 5-10% of your (safari only cost ) is suggested .

The amount is however at your discretion, you are welcome to provide additional compensation to any staff who have provided special services. A bar gratuity of $1 is acceptable.

You may tip in Kenya shillings, USD or in Euro at the end of your safari / tour and preferably in an envelope.

Tourists visiting Kenya must have a valid visa. Your passport must also be valid for at least six months after the date of your arrival in the country.

Effective Jan 1, 2023/2024, all passengers traveling to Kenya from countries that require visas to enter Kenya shall be required to apply and obtain E-visa before boarding an aircraft as no visas shall be issued on arrival.

Electronic visa application for Kenya:
The visa application process involves uploading your passport picture along with your passport photograph. Your visa shall be issued approximately five days after you register. You shall be required to print a copy of your electronic visa, bring it with you for presentation along with your passport on arrival in Kenya. If you have any problems or inquiries related to applying for an electronic visa, please contact the Kenyan Embassy in your country / region or email evisa@immigration.go.ke.

Kenya Evisa Application procedure:

  • Click register on evisa.go.ke (This is the only official portal, others are scams).
  • Select Register as a Visitor.
  • Once Logged in, Select Department of Immigration services.
  • Select submit Application.
  • Select Kenyan Visa.
  • Select the type of Visa and read the Instructions Carefully.
  • Fill in the application form.
  • Pay Using visa card, Mastercard, and other debit cards.
  • Await approval via email, then download and print the E-Visa from your eCitizen account.
  • The processing time is 2 business days.
  • Present your printed E-Visa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.

Visa Charges as of 5th January 2023/2024:

  • Single entry visa + service charge: us$51.00
  • Transit entry visa + service charge: us$21.00
  • Courtesy entry visa + service charge: us$0.00
  • East African tourist visa + service charge: us$101.00
  • Multiple entry visa + service charge: us$101.00
  • 5yr multiple entry visa + service charge: us$201.00
  • Fast-tracked visa fees: coming soon

Useful Links:

Visa Validity:

An E-visa to Kenya once issued is valid for 3 months before you travel. Once you present yourself to immigration control at the port of entry, you may be issued with a stay period not exceeding 90 days, which may be renewed for a further 90 days at the immigration headquarters. The maximum number of days a visitor may stay in Kenya is 6 months.

Related information on e-visa application:

Approval Time:

The e-Visa takes a maximum of 48hrs to approve but can be issued in a much shorter period.

Availability in different languages will be looked into but poses a challenge for local Immigration Officers who may not be familiar with different languages.

Auto Save:

The ability to auto save applications has been updated to the system. Should the system “hang”, one can refresh the page then click on the “history” tab to access the information saved.

Payments:

The system currently only accepts Visa & Mastercard and arrangements are in progress to include American Express, Union Pay, PayPal & Mpesa.

Critical to note is that when making payments, the system sends a One Time Password (OTP) for the owner of the credit card to confirm. Failure to enter this OTP has been a cause for card payment decline.

Communication (in case of a hitch in process)

Application process assistance is provided in a timely manner

The system flashes two dedicated telephone numbers & an email that can be used to get help:

General Enquiries: +254 110 922 063 /4
Payment Issues: +254 110 922 062
Email: evisa@immigration.go.ke

System Downtime:

The E-visa system has very little downtime but is occasionally taken offline for system upgrade.

During the downtime ,a message shall be displayed indicating the system was offline for upgrade and the time this would take.

Other things you need to bear in mind with regard to your visa:

  • You shall be required to complete a landing card that will be issued to you on the plane, or at the visa desk when you enter Kenya.
  • You shall be required to complete an exit card, which will be provided to you in the departure terminal when leaving Kenya.

Distances and driving times in Africa vary from the European and American concepts. In Kenya, roads are narrow and may not be well maintained. The roads immediately leading to the National Parks and Game Reserves are rough.

Please note that advertised driving time on safari itineraries/programs on website are estimate and may vary depending on road conditions and road traffic.