About Our Destination
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). The temperatures tend to drop in the evenings and can be about 10 degrees cooler on the Ngorongoro crater rim with an altitude of 7500 feet, so pack a fleece or sweatshirt. There may be light rain during the day, so be sure to pack a waterproof jacket and umbrella in case of wet weather.
Currency
Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling, and Tanzania uses the Tanzanian 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 $50 per person to use for tipping room service or buying small items along the way. Ask for smaller $50/$100/$1000-shilling bills. There is no need to bring Tanzanian shillings, and most places accept U.S. currency. We do suggest bringing smaller bills. ($1, $5, and $10).
Languages
The national language of Kenya and Tanzania is Swahili, but English is widely spoken. There are also approximately 78 tribal dialects.
Health & Safety
Health & Safety
We highly recommend a COVID-19 vaccination, plus booster for this trip. We strongly encourage you take a COVID-19 test prior to leaving home for your trip to ensure you are COVID-negative. We will keep you updated with COVID protocols as we get closer to the trip date.
We will continue to keep you updated as we get closer to your departure date. As of 6/20/22, the following is required to enter Kenya:
Requirements for Entry into Kenya
Requirements During Traveler’s Stay in Kenya
- All travelers must be fully vaccinated to enter Kenya. This means that a minimum of 14 days must elapse from the time of the traveler’s second dose (for 2-dose vaccine) or only dose (for J&J single-dose vaccine).
- Kenya does not require pre-arrival Covid testing for fully vaccinated travelers.
- There may be additional testing required by airlines or countries where travelers have an in-transit layover. Travelers should consult their air carrier for the specifics of their flight itinerary.
- Before departure for Kenya, travelers must upload their vaccine certificate online at https://globalhaven.org
- A Trusted Travel Code (TTC) will be generated upon completion of the form. Travelers should download the code to their phone or copy the TTC (above the 2D barcode) to present when requested.
- Before departure for Kenya, travelers must also complete the Travelers Health Surveillance Form online at https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration
- Travelers will receive a QR code upon completion of the form and should download it to their phone or print it out in color, as it will need to be presented on arrival.
- It is recommended that travelers carry a copy of their Vaccine Certificate with them as well.
- Additional Covid testing may be required during travel. Micato will schedule and facilitate all required in-country testing in Kenya.
- The Kenya Government requires that face masks be worn over the nose and mouth in confined public places, motor vehicles, and aircraft. Micato Safari Directors will advise all travelers of specific mask regulations during their journey.
- Travelers may find screening processes in place at airports, hotels, lodges, and other public venues. These screenings could include proof of vaccination, temperature checks (travelers must exhibit a body temperature under 37.5°C (99.5°F), social distancing indicators on queues, etc.
- Should a traveler present symptoms of COVID-19 during their trip, they will be required to isolate from others until a PCR test is conducted. Should the test display positive results, the traveler will isolate at their own expense until such time as they test negative.
Before Your Trip
Airfare Discounts
Please visit our airfare discount page for the most up-to-date information.
Cancellation Policy
Unexpected events can cause you to cancel your vacation. Because we are committed to this charter, we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy as outlined in our Olivia Terms & Conditions.
Transfer funds are nonrefundable and nontransferable from the point of sale forward.
Celebrations – Birthdays, Anniversaries, Honeymoons and more
If you have any celebrations and birthdays during the trip that you have not already advised your travel consultant about, please let us know of this information as soon as possible, but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.
Register at Olivia Honeymoon Wishes for your honeymoon, anniversary, or other special celebration; browse through the selections and let your friends know just how easy it is for them to purchase a gift for you.
Connect with other guests – Join the Facebook Group
To meet some of the women who will be joining you on this trip, join the 2024 African Safari Adventure Facebook group.
Passport and Visa
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 trip start date. All visitors to Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passport, for room to place their entry stamp. 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. Both can be done online. Specific filing information will be sent closer to the trip, as you cannot apply any sooner than 3 months prior to your visit. If you prefer not to do it online, we recommend CIBT Visa Services. You can call them at (800) 406-1523 or visit www.cibt.com/micatosafaris to download the Visa form instructions. 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 have all documentation you need to go on this trip.
Specific Needs: Medical, Dietary and Mobility
If you have medical, mobility, or dietary requirements that you have not already told your Olivia Travel Consultant about, please let us know as soon as possible, but no less than 120 days prior to the trip. Resources in this very remote location are limited, so advance planning is necessary.
Travel Gear Store
To help you get ready for your next vacation, we’ve partnered with New Headings to create Olivia Travel Gear, our own online gear and apparel store, featuring items from leading brands, including Craghoppers, Patagonia, Teva, Outdoor Research, and Eagle Creek. Visit olivia.newheadings.com for more information!
Travel Insurance
Olivia recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your trip investment against the unexpected. Visit our Insurance page olivia.com/travel-insurance for more information.
For a travel insurance quote, more information or to purchase a protection plan, please call Olivia at 800-631-6277 and select option 1 for a travel consultant.
Vaccinations
Please check with your local public health department or personal physician regarding immunization recommendations for your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” and then “Vaccinations.”
A Yellow Fever immunization is required for entry into Tanzania. Please visit the www.cdc.gov website for current immunization requirements, as well as your local Travel Immunization Center. Once you receive the immunization, they will issue you a yellow card which you MUST have with you when traveling to Tanzania. This serves as proof that you have had the shot. If you are over 60, and your doctor recommends that you SHOULD NOT have the shot, you must have a letter from your doctor advising their recommendation not to have this immunization. You must bring this doctor’s letter with you to show to authorities when you land in Tanzania.
2024 African Safari Adventure |
START DATE | END DATE | CANCEL PENALTY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation Fee 365 days or more prior to trip date | 11/15/2023 | 50% of trip cost | |
| Cancellation Fee 0-364 days prior to trip date | 11/16/2023 | 11/14/2024 | 100% of trip cost (no refund) |
Travel and Arrival
Airport
You will need to fly into and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi, Kenya (NBO). We encourage all passengers to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays. An optional pre-trip one- and two–night hotel package on November 12-14 and November 13-14, 2024 with VIP meet and greet transfer will be available to add-on approximately 11 months prior to trip.
Flight Arrival and Departure Times
Please plan to arrive anytime, on November 14, 2024. Your departing flight on November 23, 2024 must be after 10 pm.
In order to take advantage of the Olivia transfer from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to the Fairmont Norfolk hotel, your flight should be scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on November 14, 2024. Most flights arrive in the evening. Your departure flight should be scheduled out of Nairobi after 10 pm on November 23, 2024.
Transfers are not included from the domestic Wilson airport or for any flights arriving or departing on non-program dates unless a pre-trip hotel package is purchased through Olivia.
We encourage you to contact the airlines directly to confirm your flights, baggage allowance and seat assignments prior to departure.
Luggage Allowance
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 staff will provide you a VIP meet and greet service. She will meet you at your gate and assist you through customs at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and you will be transferred to the Fairmont 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
What's Included?
What's Not Included?
International flights to and from Nairobi, alcoholic beverages at the Fairmont Norfolk in Nairobi (except where indicated), beverages outside of meals, laundry, individual insurance, transfers for guests arriving prior to November 14 or departing after November 23, cost of obtaining necessary visas, other incidentals, and NDAs.
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, cell phones and computer chargers have the 110/220-V converters built in, but double check this. With the proper adapters, you can easily re-charge your batteries at 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. Normally there is a morning and an afternoon safari available. There will also be an optional Hot Air Balloon excursion that you may book at an additional cost. Please visit our Vacation Stretchers tab for more information.
Gratuities
Gratuities, including your hotel staff (except for room service and laundry delivery), porter, driver/guide, hostesses, 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 balloon excursion, it is appropriate to tip your balloon guide.
Internet
Complimentary wifi is available at the hotel in Nairobi and the safari lodges/camp in Tanzania and Maasai Mara. The wifi works best in the public areas but is not always dependable.
Laundry Services
Laundry, pressing, and dry-cleaning service is available at Fairmont Norfolk Hotel. The Ngorongoro Oldeani Lodge and Mara Safari Camp are complimentary. Under-garments are not accepted at these lodges due to their culture, however they are accepted for laundry at the Four Seasons. The Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti provides each room with a $50 laundry credit per night ($100 per room total). No self-serve laundry is available.
Medical and Recreational Marijuana
Though Marijuana has become a legal substance in many states, it is not legal in Kenya or Tanzania, whether or not it is medicinal. Please do NOT bring any form of marijuana with you to Kenya or Tanzania.
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.
Plastic Bags are Illegal
Both Kenya and Tanzania have made plastic bags illegal. Any type of plastic bags. It is their attempt to rid of so much waste that was polluting their streams and rivers, and it really is making a big difference! Heavy fines will be imposed if authorities decide to search your luggage and find them. There’s no specific list of what is allowed, and what is not. It is usually up to the individual authorities that do a search. To be safe, we highly encourage you to use reusable bags for storing items, holding your medications, or in placing things in you don’t want to leak into your luggage. Several options can be found on Amazon.
Phone
Most lodges do not have readily available phones; in an emergency, you may be contacted through Micato Safaris offices in Nairobi. We suggest you check with your carrier about cell phone service in Kenya and Tanzania. Complete information about emergency contact information will be available in your final documents, which will be emailed to you 3-4 weeks in advance of the trip.
Smoking Policy
Please refrain from smoking in safari vehicles and other enclosed places where it may affect others.
- 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 14 and November 23) with personal VIP “Meet and Greet” upon arrival at your gate and assistance through immigrations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Baggage handling is included.
- Private day-use rooms at the Nairobi Norfolk Fairmont on the day of departure until 6 pm, November 23
- All meals from November 15-23
- Water, soft drinks, local wine and local beer, coffee, and tea are included at all meals. At Four Seasons, house wine, well spirits, and local beer is included in Kulu Restaurant, Maji Br, and Boma. Waitstaff gratuities are included.
- Special enhancements:
- Meet a Maasai elder
- Visit to the Giraffe Center
- Visit to the Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s Wildlife Foundation in Nairobi (as seen on ”Oprah”)
- View elephant feeding
- Lunch and shopping after visit to Elephant Orphanage
- Bush luncheon in the Ngorongoro Crater (subject to approval by park authorities)
- Museum visit and lecture at Olduvai Gorge
- Maasai village visit
- Sundowners set-up on last evening (one complimentary, other drinks billed to room based on consumption)
- Option to visit and participate in an AmericaShare project, Mukuru slums
- Safari briefing conducted by your Micato Safari Director
- Three flights with all transfers and safaris to enhance your comfort and minimize lengthy drives:
- Private charter flight from Nairobi to Lake Manyara, via Arusha
- Private charter flight from the Serengeti to Maasai Mara via Musoma
- Scheduled flight from the Maasai Mara to Nairobi
- Laundry credit of $50 per room, per night at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge. Laundry included at other Safari lodges
- On safari, we will seat a maximum of 6 guests in our 9-passenger vehicles guaranteeing a window seat and access to pop-up roof hatch for each guest
- Each vehicle is equipped with ice chests with complementary beverages, binoculars, and safari library with wildlife books
- 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 (fees subject to increase)
- Government taxes, VAT, and service charges for accommodations and included meals
- All porterage throughout
- All gratuities, including the Driver Guides, Safari Director, and Micato Concierge staff
- Micato’s concierge service at all hotels.
- Hospitality Desk, fully staffed throughout the day in Nairobi and on safari
- Olivia representative to accompany the group
After Your Trip
Transfers to the Airport
After the trip, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport in time for your evening flight home on November 23, 2024. Most flights depart between 10 pm and 12 am. Everyone will be given a private day room at the hotel to use from our arrival until 6 pm to shower and re pack before their evening flights home. If your flight departs in the early morning after 3:30 am or later November 24, and you would like to extend your day-room into an overnight room on November 23, we offer a Stretcher-package that will extend your day-room into an overnight room.
These trips do require a certain level of mobility, including longer walks to accommodations, stairs and some uphill terrain to reach rooms/platform tents and staging areas for vehicles and airplanes, walking on rocky, and sometimes uneven terrain, and the ability to get in and out of vehicles that require big steps. We regret that wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on this terrain. All guests must be ambulatory and able to walk up and down stairs, walk long distances from ÂĽ mile and up to 1 mile without assistance. If you do have limited mobility that requires assistance, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you. Please contact us with any questions.
Our Travel Consultants can be reached at USA or Canada: 800.631.6277 or International 415.962.5700, option 1.
