TRAVELLING
VISAS
These are necessary for all but East African citizens. You can get them either on arrival or apply ahead of time. They cost $50 per person and last three months (2019). Your passport must be valid for another six months and have two free (facing) pages.
INSURANCE
Please make sure you have full travel including emergency evacuation from remote areas and medical insurance before you leave home.
WHAT TO PACK
We are considered a low to no Malaria area here. Being a high altitude, our days are usually hot and our mornings/nights are chilly - so bring a little bit of everything! For a full packing list, see here.
GRATUITIES
These are of course not compulsory and entirely up to your discretion. Just contact us for advice on how to plan for this.
MONEY
Our currency is the Kenya shilling, which is currently (roughly) around 100 to $1. We also have a card machine (this carries a small banking charge), but advise bringing a bit of cash just in case it’s not working or the signal goes.
TRANSPORT
Kenya is a vast country with roads and sign posts of varying quality! You have the choice of organising a traditional road safari or you can use the highly efficient domestic flights and charters that move around the country every day. Check the boxes below for more advice:
CAR HIRE
Unlike some other countries in Africa, self drive is not that common in Kenya. Contact Uniglobe – Let’s Go Travel and Sunworld Safaris for more information on how to hire vehicles safely in this country.
Map and directions
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
Kenya’s busy tourism sector has ensured that we have great flying links in most parts of this country. Outside of our own landing area at the HQ, which can receive private planes and charters, the nearest public airport is Nanyuki Civil Airstrip, just one hour from the lodge. We can arrange transfer cars to meet you off your flight, bringing you to us in just over an hour, most of which is a game drive!
Safarilink and Air Kenya: have up to three flights a day to Nanyuki from Nairobi, Wilson airport and other areas. This can be the perfect way to move between El Karama and your other destinations if you want to maximize your time in each place.
CHARTER
Traveling by private air charter is the most amazing way to visit and understand the scale of this incredible country. If you would like to charter a plane or helicopter to make your journey to us quicker and hassle free, this could be the best option for you.
We work directly with several charter companies and have a registered landing strip on the ranch located just 1.8 kms from the lodge and a grass heli pad right on site for helicopter landings.
ITINERARIES
Sometimes it’s difficult to wade through the many lists of lodges and areas to visit in Kenya. To help build your perfect safari, we have come up with some safari ideas, visiting places that you can book through our lodge, which will complement your stay here. They even include special discounts and offers for El Karama guests only. We also work with some terrific international agents that we can recommend who know us well and use our lodge for their clients throughout the year.
Please don’t hesitate to email us with any questions or to hear more about our itinerary suggestions;
we are more than happy to help guide you.
WILDLIFE AND
CONSERVATION
We believe that by involving guests in the day to day of what it means to live alongside wildlife and to protect it today, your safari will be more meaningful and you will leave with even more respect for the natural world around you. As a visitor you are a crucial component in the conservation success of this region. Through your safari you are directly contributing to the protection of a unique habitat. This lodge offers specific conservation activities all year round including annual census events for various important species. Contact us for more information on how you can participate.
All wildlife in Kenya is owned by the Government of Kenya. Properties that protect wildlife do so at their own cost through income generating strategies. There are no government grants, fiscal advantages or credit schemes available in Kenya. This is why our model of eco-tourism is designed the way it is: to generate an income that directly contributes to the survival of a crucial habitat for the future generation of Kenyans.
Itinerary 2
FAQs
If you have any further queries, have a look through this document - or get in touch with us directly and we’ll help you with whatever you need to know.