Africa-970

is a land that evokes the past, the present and the future all at once. It is the world’s second largest and second most populated continent after Asia. From North to South, East to West, Africa has a diverse collection of cultures, peoples and languages to offer; climate temperatures from icy cold to desert hot and everything in between, flora and fauna indigenous to Africa, stunning in their natural beauty and habitat and wildlife specific to this continent.

Home of the Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino. Africa is the only place on Earth you can enjoy all five in one place. Unfortunately, as the world develops and rural-urban migration increases, these animals are becoming far more elusive than ever. For this reason, it is imperative to be in the hands of experienced and trained guides to guarantee viewing of this growingly rare group.

Big 5

East Africa
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are commonly referred to as East Africa. Of the three countries, Kenya and Tanzania are straddled by the Indian Ocean on one side and joined with Uganda by Lake Victoria on the other.

The highest concentration of the Big 5 is in East Africa. The geographical lay of East Africa has rendered it rich in many areas. The two tallest peaks in Africa, Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro, are both in East Africa. The world’s second-largest freshwater lake, Lake Victoria, and second deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika, are also in East Africa.
The Equator runs through East Africa, so the climate is fairly moderate throughout the year with perennial sunshine and a few months of rain and cooler temperatures.

KENYA - Inland average temperatures and rainfall
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. Temp	78	81	80	75	75	77	72	70	75	77	77	79
High/Low	55	54	55	58	58	58	52	53	58	59	58	60
Rainfall	4	6	8	12	13	10	5	5	4	4	10	5

East Africa is a year-round destination offering a variety of landscape and seasons, resulting in the perfect atmosphere for a safari.

The continent of Africa is deeply rooted in a colorful yet sometimes violent history. But its history is what defines the beauty of the continent. The Island of Zanzibar used to be a slave port. At Fort Jesus in Mombasa, natives fought to protect the land. From the islands of Lamu and Watamu to the Gedi ruins in Malindi, there is much to be discovered about Africa. Karen Blixen fell in love with Africa and was inspired to write several epic works of literature. One of them, Out of Africa, written under the pseudonym, Isak Denisen, went on to become an award-winning film. Africa has so much history, and the only way to properly experience and learn about the continent is to be here.

The people of East Africa (the Kenyans, Ugandans and Tanzanians) are honest, hard-working folk and some of the warmest, most hospitable people you will find. In a world where most of us are obsessed with making money, East Africans still uphold strong family values and traditions and remain hospitable to anyone who crosses their threshold. They’re warm, kind, humble and funny, too. Despite so much adversity surrounding Africa, Africans hold their head up high and always have a warm from-the-heart smile to offer.

KENYA
Kenya is a country of dramatic contrasts. It covers an area the size of France (almost 225,000 square miles) and has altitudes ranging from sea level to the peak of Mount Kenya, which at 17,058 feet is Africa's second-highest mountain. Kenya possesses an extraordinary variety of natural habitats and terrain, from coral reefs to open grasslands and tropical forest; snow-capped volcanoes to arid desert. Its population of some 35-million includes over 40 ethnic groups, yet its cultural influences come from all over Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Its national parks and game reserves, among the best in Africa, host the most abundant and varied wildlife in the world. In so many ways, Kenya is the entire African continent in microcosm.

TANZANIA
Sporting game reserves the size of some countries and a spectacular coastline, Tanzania is a vast country that offers the adventurous traveler a truly African experience. It is the Africa you have always dreamed about: vast plains teeming with wildlife, colorful Masaai herding their cattle and rainforests screeching with monkeys and birds. Choose from one of our existing itineraries or allow us to tailor-make the holiday of your dreams.

UGANDA
Known as the “Pearl of Africa” by early explorers, Uganda is famous for the opportunities it offers to trek into mountain gorilla country. Located to the west of Kenya and bordered by Tanzania in the south, Uganda has diverse lake forests and mountain landscapes and is a haven for the remaining great apes.

BASIC AND USEFUL INFORMATION ON EAST AFRICA

Languages:

English and Kiswahili

Religion:

Largely Catholic, with a significant representation of all the world’s religions

Currency:

Kenyan Shilling (KSH); Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) and Ugandan Shilling (UGS). USD accepted in some places. Bureau de Changes are widely available and accessible and often offer competitive rates. Traveler’s Checks however, are always the most recommended form of carrying foreign currency.

Credit cards:

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discovery widely accepted

Banks:

National and international banks have branches in most major towns and cities

Tipping:

Most major hotels and restaurants include a service charge. Tipping is not obligatory and is entirely at your discretion. A gratuity of 10% is customary at restaurants and bars where a service charge is not included. Tipping to your driver/guide is not included and once again is at your discretion. You could tip $2 to $5 per person per day. Porters at airports, hotels or lodges may be tipped $1 per piece of baggage; this, too, is at your discretion.

Electricity:

220/240 volts AC, 50HZ. Plugs are UK-type round two-pin or flat three-pin. Most major hotels and lodges may supply adapters on request.

Security:

Click here to read the latest security update from the US Ambassador to Kenya, to US Citizens and people wishing to visit Kenya.

Visa requirements:

COUNTRY	VISA REQUIRED	PRICE	FORM
Kenya	YES	$50	KENYA
Tanzania	YES	$100	TANZANIA
Uganda	YES	$50	UGANDA
Rwanda	NO

Health requirements:

Some vaccinations may be required prior to travel to Africa. Please contact your physician for more details.

Insurance:

We strongly recommend travel insurance before you travel. Most U.S.-based health insurance providers do not have international medical coverage as part of your basic policy; therefore, you may need to obtain a separate policy. Please contact your health insurance provider to obtain international coverage.