July 28 – August 3, 2002
Sa f a r i
ETHIOPIA
LA
KE
TURK ANA
SUDAN
Kenya
SOMALIA
UGANDA
LAKE VICTORIA E Q U A T O R
Maasai Mara
Nairobi Serengeti Plain
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Diani •
TANZANIA
Compass Club 2
0
0
2
2
INDIAN OCEAN
Kenya is yours.... Congratulations! Or as they say in Swahili, “Hongera”! Your dedication and hard work have earned you a place on Compass Club 2002. Yes, this has been a very difficult year, perhaps the most difficult in your career. Yes, you have had to battle a hostile business climate and the inconceivable horror of September 11. Yes, you’ve had every excuse not to qualify for “Club”. But in spite of it all, you focused and you persevered. Kenya... you’ve done it. Your reward for this remarkable achievement is our Kenya Safari, the greatest adventure on earth. You’ll witness the splendor of this amazing country with its incredible scenery and magnificent animals. What’s more, you’ll meet the Kenyans, our most gracious hosts, who’ll amaze you with their warmth and kindness. But before you board the plane for Nairobi, you’ll have to do some planning and make a couple of important decisions regarding your vacation. We have prepared this brochure to give you all the information you need to get ready for Compass Club 2002. Please take the time to read it carefully. Among the topics discussed are: • It’s decision time. As you may remember from our first brochure, you have a choice of spending your time in Kenya on safari or at a beach resort on the Indian Ocean. Our beach destination has changed so make sure you read the section entitled “ The Beach Option”. If you choose the safari, you’ll need to tell us if you want to spend all four nights in game lodges or if you want to stay two nights in a game lodge and two nights in a tented camp. • Passports, visas, and inoculations. You will need them and we’ll tell you how to apply and where to get your questions answered. • Packing suggestions: What to take and what to leave at home. While you are getting ready for Kenya, the CA Travel Specialists will be preparing your airline tickets. Sometime during the last week in June, you will receive additional travel information. Then, during the second week in July we will send your scheduled airline tickets and/or charter flight tickets along with your specific safari or beach itinerary. In the meantime, if you have any questions, you are invited to call the CA Travel Specialists in Islandia at (631) 342-4691 or you may e-mail your inquiries to “Compass Club” (as found in your CA E-Mail Address Book).
Soon you’ll be in Kenya. Just imagine... “...the greatest collection of plains-dwelling animals left in the world today. It is a microcosm of what most of east and central Africa was like little more than half a century ago, a surviving pocket, a remembrance of one of the greatest sights the world has ever known. This is all we have left.” — Elspeth Huxley. Imagine the game parks. Yes, most countries in the world have national parks, but your understanding of a national park is probably very different from the parks you will visit in Kenya. Imagine a park the size of Belgium or the state of New Jersey, with a human population of only 5 thousand and an animal population of 3 million. Imagine there are no fences, no paved roads, no telephone poles or electrical wires, no industry of any kind. Nothing except a handful of people, a couple of lodges, thousands of kilometers of rolling savannahs, and the greatest collection of mammals on earth. Then, imagine that there is not one park like this, but 48 of them. Imagine that the land and the animals you will see look very much as they have for the past 2 million years. Now, imagine you will be in Kenya during the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra which travel north each year from the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Finally, imagine yourself in the middle of it all, because in just a couple of months you will be.
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Now, the choice is yours...
For the past few Compass Clubs we have offered you a choice of itineraries. Traditionally one itinerary has been packed with adventure, while the other has been more relaxed. This approach has been so popular with Compass Club qualifiers that we are, once again, offering you a choice:
safari...
Our main program is, of course, the safari. If you choose the safari, you have another couple of decisions to make: 1. You will spend four nights of your Kenya trip in the wildlife parks. Two of these nights will be spent in a game lodge. You then have the option of staying the next two nights in another game lodge or in a tented camp. That’s right, a tented camp, which is similar to a lodge except for the fact that the sleeping rooms are individual tents. Please indicate on the form if you prefer all four safari nights in a lodge or two nights in a lodge and two nights in a tented camp. You will find a description of both the lodges and tented camps in the “Safari Accommodations” section of this brochure. 2. We know that you like to travel with other Compass Club members from your country/area or office. It is important to consider, however, that some of you will choose the lodges while others from the same country/area or office will choose the tented camps. We also know that some of you are just thrilled to be going to Kenya and don’t much care about the accommodations. So, included in the form are the questions: A) Is it more important to you to stay in a lodge or tented camp regardless of what others from your country/area or office decide? B) Or is it more important for you to travel with your country/area or office rather than be concerned about the lodge or tented camp question?
or the the beach... beach... or
The alternative to the safari is a relaxing four days and nights in a deluxe resort on a beautiful expanse of Indian Ocean beach in the Kenya coastal resort of Diani (pronounced in English “Dee-ah-nee”). Since you received our first brochure, we have changed beach destinations. We are happy to report that this is a change for the better, so read all about our new beach resort, the Diani Leisure Lodge. Please refer to “The Beach Option” section of this brochure for details. North and South Americans can expect to depart from home on Friday, July 26 and arrive in Nairobi
IMPORTANT! Compass Club Registration... This year we are asking all Compass Club members to register via the web. You can access our Compass Club Registration Form and register at: http://canet.ca.com/sales/events/prelim_kenya2002.htm. Please complete all sections of this form before returning it to us. We understand that, in some cases, it may be impossible to complete all of the sections, but please do the best you can. You will notice that we have enclosed with this brochure a printed copy of our Compass Club Registration Form. If we are asking you to register on-line, why would we enclose a copy of the Registration Form? Well, for two reasons: 1) Some of you may be unable to register online; if so you may fax the form to (631) 342-6945. 2) You have told us that you find it convenient to bring a printed copy of the form home so your spouse/guest can complete the necessary “Guest Information”. The qualifier then can complete the form on-line and e-mail it to us. Registration Deadline: Whether you respond on-line, or by fax, you need to register for Club by 5:00 p.m. (Islandia time) on Friday, May 31. By the way, you can also access an on-line version of this brochure at http://intranet.ca.com/sales/sales.htm. 4
Travel Dates, Airline Tickets and CA’s Private Charter Flights North and South Americans can expect to depart from home on Friday, July 26 and arrive in Nairobi on Saturday evening. Europeans, Asians, Australians and Kiwis can expect to leave home on Saturday, July 27 and arrive in Nairobi on Sunday morning. Flights will be reserved and tickets provided by our CA Travel Specialists in Islandia who will inform you of your exact flight schedule. For your comfort, convenience, and peace of mind, we have chartered two aircraft for the flights to Kenya. One flight will depart from New York’s Kennedy Airport and accommodate most Compass Club members from North America. The other charter flight will depart from London Gatwick and accommodate most European and many Asian travelers. North American, European, and Asian travelers will be ticketed to connect to the charter flights in New York or London on scheduled airlines. Both charter flights will depart Nairobi early on the morning of Saturday, August 3. The New York charter will arrive mid-afternoon and the London charter will arrive in the early afternoon. You will then be booked on connecting flights to your home city. Please keep in mind that our Compass Club members and guests will be coming from over 40 countries, so although we expect to accommodate most of you on our two charters, it is likely that some of you will fly on regularly scheduled airlines. Depending upon your home city and the flight schedules available at the time of booking, your actual departure date from home and arrival date into Kenya may be different from the dates noted above.
An Important Note Regarding Pre and Post Club Travel We are estimating that about 75% of you will be traveling to and from Kenya on one of our two chartered aircraft. So if you wish to either arrive in Kenya before Club or stay after Club, you may do so only if you are willing to pay the cost of a regularly scheduled airline ticket. Naturally, the cost of the ticket depends upon your home city, but you can assume a cost of at least US$2,000. Now although this may seem like bad news, we want to offer you some advice: During the Kenya trip you will see and do things that are unique in the world. Regardless of your age or physical condition, you will find the trip mentally and physically tiring. Furthermore, just about any experience you would plan after Club will be anti-climactic. Finally, you will be seeing Kenya in an elegant, comfortable, and controlled way. You will not be able to duplicate this experience, or even continue the adventure, on your own regardless of your budget. So, take our advice and don’t waste your money. Arrive in Nairobi on the prescribed Compass Club dates and depart when it is over. Heeding this advice will ensure that you will have great memories for a lifetime. If you are traveling on our New York or London charter flights and would like to spend a day or two in your assigned charter departure city, please advise your CA travel consultant.
Nairobi Hotels Accommodations in Nairobi are 4 and 5 star European style hotels including the Hilton, InterContinental, Stanley, Serena, Norfolk, and Safari Club. Like most hotels outside of North America, the majority of the rooms have two twin beds which can be pushed together to make a large double bed. All rooms have direct dial phones, televisions, air-conditioning, private bath (not all have hair dryers, so you should probably bring yours), and most have minibars. To the best of our ability, you will be assigned to hotels with others from your country/area or office who choose the same Compass Club option (safari or beach). You will be staying in Nairobi on July 28 before your safari or flight to the coast and again on August 2 when you return to Nairobi for our Compass Club Awards Dinner. (Most North and South Americans will also be staying in Nairobi on the night of July 27.)
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Safari Program Overview First of all, we expect that there will be about 1,000 of us attending our CA Safari which will make it the largest travel program of its kind in the history of East Africa. The previous record was held by guess who? That’s right, CA in 1997. And although that trip was fantastic, our 2002 trip promises to be even better. It will come as no surprise to those who have attended past Compass Clubs that CA does things right. What does it mean to do the safari “right”? First, we have to use the best lodges. But the best lodges have only 40-50 rooms, so we need to use a bunch of them. Second, we have to provide the best safari experience. The thrill of a safari comes from getting together with a group of six to eight friends in a safari cruiser, led by your own expert Kenyan guide, and exploring the most magnificent wildlife parks in the world. Third, the drives between wildlife reserves are over bone-jarring, teeth-rattling dirt roads. So to make the trips between the wildlife parks quick, interesting and comfortable, we have chartered a fleet of twin and single engine aircraft to fly us around Kenya. Flying time between the parks averages about 50 minutes. You will find that the flights above the Rift Valley, past Mt. Kilimanjaro and over the vast African plains add perspective and dimension to your safari. As you can see, our Kenya safari is quite a logistical undertaking and to provide the best safari for our Compass Club qualifiers we will be operating several different safari itineraries. Each itinerary will be named after one of Kenya’s magnificent animals, so you may be a “Zebra” or a “Giraffe” or a “Leopard.” Each itinerary will differ slightly, however, all itineraries will be comparable and everyone will spend at least two nights in the Maasai Mara and two nights in another of Kenya’s great wildlife parks.
A note to those who attended Compass Club 1997: We have rearranged the animal names, and the lodges and tented camps. So, although we will use many of the same animal names we used in 1997, and we will stay in many of the same lodges and tented camps as we did then, the names of the animals do not refer to the same itinerary.
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Sample Safari Itinerary Friday, July 26 NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICANS DEPART HOME Most North Americans will fly to New York on July 26 to board our charter flight to Kenya. This flight will depart New York in the evening. En route the flight will make a stop in Europe for refueling. You will arrive in Nairobi on the evening of July 27. South American travelers’ schedules will vary. Some will connect with our charter flight in New York, while others will fly on scheduled airlines.
Saturday, July 27 ASIANS AND EUROPEANS DEPART HOME Most Europeans and many Asians will fly to London to connect with our charter flight. The charter will depart London on Saturday night and arrive in Nairobi on Sunday.
NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICANS ARRIVE NAIROBI Depending upon your specific itinerary you will be staying in one of our six Compass Club hotels. After check-in enjoy a welcome drink and dinner, then it’s time to catch up on some lost sleep.
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Sunday, July 28 If you arrived yesterday, you will have breakfast in your hotel. Then you may relax by the pool, or take a morning tour of Nairobi followed by a stop at Nairobi’s famous Giraffe Sanctuary and an outdoor lunch at the Karen Blixen Museum.
ASIANS AND EUROPEANS ARRIVE IN NAIROBI The London charter flight is scheduled to arrive in Nairobi this morning. Those arriving this morning will have the option of an afternoon tour. This evening everyone will get together for a “Welcome to Kenya” party in your hotel.
Monday, July 29 After breakfast our Kenya staff will give us a final briefing and we’re off for our four night safari. The journey begins with a 50 minute flight north across the equator to the Samburu National Reserve. After landing at the air field you’re immediately off on your first safari. Then check into the Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River. There is time to relax before lunch, then rejoin your group for an afternoon safari. Return to the camp for dinner and a good nights rest.
Tuesday, July 30 Your day begins with an early morning game drive. Then back to the camp for breakfast after which you may relax at the hotel or leave the camp for a late morning game drive. Lunch will be served at the camp. Then it’s time to relax by the pool. (The pool? That’s right, luxury even on safari.) Enjoy a late afternoon game drive, then dinner and overnight at the camp.
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Wednesday, July 31 This morning fly south to the Maasai Mara. At the landing strip you’ll board the safari cruisers for a game drive before checking into the Mara Serena Lodge. Lunch and time to relax. (Yes, they have a pool too.) An afternoon game drive is followed by one of the most memorable cocktail parties of your life. We’ll get together at a spot high in the hills to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset over the expanse of the incomparable Maasai Mara. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Thursday, August 1 Delight in a second day at the Serena Lodge. Start with a sunrise game drive followed by breakfast on a riverbank overlooking a “hippo pool” (a place in the river where hippopotamus congregate). Return to the lodge for lunch and time to rest or go for a swim. Go for one final game drive before a “Farewell to the Mara” barbecue dinner served poolside.
Friday, August 2 RETURN TO NAIROBI FOR OUR AWARDS DINNER Some of you will be returning to Nairobi this morning and others will be back in the city by mid-afternoon. You’ll check into the same Nairobi hotel you checked out of before you became a seasoned safari explorer. Most of you will have time for shopping and visiting Nairobi before departing for our 2002 Compass Club Awards Dinner. The evening, like the rest of our Kenya program, promises to be unique. We don’t want to spoil all the surprises, but the location of our dinner is Nairobi’s famous Carnivore Restaurant (really), where we can dine on all of the animals we took pictures of over the last few days, including: zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, gazelle and crocodile, plus an array of more familiar selections, such as: chicken, beef, pork and lamb. “Vegivores” (that’s what they call vegetarians here), don’t despair. There’s a special menu for you here too. Later the Carnivore becomes our own private Compass Club nightclub complete with dance band, disco and some very special local entertainment.
Saturday, August 3 DEPART NAIROBI FOR HOME Our New York and London charter flights will leave Nairobi early this morning. Those returning to New York will stop in Europe to refuel, and arrive in New York mid-afternoon today. You will then connect to flights home. The London charter will arrive at Gatwick Airport in the early afternoon. From there you will board connecting flights to your home city. Some scheduled airlines depart this morning and others leave at night. Depending on your schedule, you will either arrive home this evening or tomorrow morning. Those departing tonight will have the daytime option of visiting one of Nairobi’s attractions or relaxing at the hotel. You will be able to keep your hotel room until it is time to leave for the airport. By the end of our time in Kenya, you will have visited the best hotels and lodges, explored the greatest wildlife reserves in the world, come to know the warm and friendly Kenyans, and lived an adventure that very few people will ever know. The memories will last a lifetime.
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Safari Accommodations We have made reservations in the heart of Kenya’s wildlife reserves at the best lodges and tented camps.
THE LODGES… The lodges are one or two story buildings with simple, but clean guest rooms. All lodges have a lobby and bar area, good dining rooms, a swimming pool, and most have some type of entertainment in the evening. You will, however, want to bring a couple of good books, because the lodges do not have televisions. For that matter they don’t have in-room telephones, room service, or air-conditioning (which you usually do not need at night). Please keep in mind that these lodges are accustomed to catering to international safari travelers. So while the accommodations are simple, the service is of a high standard.
NOW TO THE TENTED CAMPS... For the most part, the facilities and amenities of the tented camps are the same as the lodges. And, like the lodges, the public areas are contained within wooden buildings and include: dining room, bar, lobby, gift shop, and entertainment. Although we wouldn’t call the tents “luxurious,” they are as good as tents can be. The tents are best described as hotel rooms with canvas walls. The top of the tent is approximately 7 feet (2.5 m.) high. All tents have two twin beds (real beds, not cots), electricity, and private bathroom and shower with hot and cold water. Won’t it get hot inside the tents? While it can be warm in both the tents and the lodges during the day, at night you will need blankets. Do you have to worry about the animals breaking into the tent and eating you? No, you don’t have to worry about that. Occasionally a giraffe will stroll onto the campgrounds, however, they are too tall to fit inside a tent. Furthermore, all the tented camps (and lodges) have a 24 hour security staff who ensure your safety.
IMPORTANT NOTE… Before you choose the safari option, please be aware that transportation through the game parks and reserves will be in 6-8 passenger “safari cruisers” (specially outfitted Toyota or Nissan vans). As the roads and trails in the wildlife parks are mostly dirt, riding around is bumpy business. Therefore, if you or your guest is pregnant, or if you have chronic back or neck pain or are recovering from surgery, you should consult with your doctor before going on safari. We expect that this restriction will apply to some of you, so we have reserved a number of rooms at the Diani Leisure Lodge, a deluxe beach resort on the Indian Ocean. Therefore, those who are not able, or choose not to take part in the safari, can still participate in Club.
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The Beach Option Diani Leisure Lodge The deluxe Diani Leisure Lodge is located directly on the Indian Ocean about 90 minutes south of the city of Mombasa. We understand that most North Americans are not familiar with the area, but the coastal region of Diani is very popular with European vacationers, particularly with the English, Germans, and Italians. The Indian Ocean coast is a region similar in many respects to the Caribbean – the activities are mostly beach and water sports. The area boasts some good restaurants and nightlife. By the way, not far from the hotel is the Kisite Marine National Park. This underwater “wildlife reserve” is a protected area of Kenya’s Indian Ocean reef and provides some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving on the planet. In addition, those interested will have the option to fly to Amboseli National Park to participate in a one-day safari. This excursion provides an excellent opportunity to view many different species of wildlife including elephant, giraffe, ostrich, antelope, wildebeest, monkeys and, yes, lion. The temperature on the coast in July and August will be in the 82-92°F range (27-33°C) during the day and as much as 15°F (8°C) cooler in the evening. Those who read the previous brochure will note that the Diani Leisure Lodge is a change from our original resort. What happened? Well, the Diani Leisure Lodge was always our first choice for the beach option. However, at the time we had to select one of the Indian Ocean resorts, the Lodge was under some major renovations and we were not sure if the hotel would be ready for us. Well, good news. The resort looks great and your accommodations will be in the upscale private “Club” section of the hotel. Facilities include a long stretch of beautiful white sand beach, several excellent restaurants, lounges, a disco, a casino, an 18 hole golf course (and a good one), tennis courts, swimming pools (one with a waterfall), and a shopping arcade. The enormous guest rooms are exceptional and feature: air-conditioning, mini-bar, hairdryer, safe deposit box, satellite television, and private balcony. Most rooms have two double beds. Note: None of the rooms have a water view and none have king beds. Although this program is not “The Safari”, you can be assured that all features will be up to Compass Club standards – private receptions and meals, CA sponsored activities including sightseeing, snorkeling, golf and fishing, and, of course, our Compass Club Travel Staff will be there to make sure you enjoy yourself to the fullest. The Diani Leisure Lodge itinerary will look like this:
Saturday, July 27 or Sunday, July 28 Monday, July 29 Monday, July 29 to Thursday, Aug 1
Arrive Nairobi; overnight in one of our Compass Club hotels. Fly on chartered aircraft from Nairobi to Diani and transfer to Diani Leisure Lodge. You will spend four relaxing yet fun-filled days and nights at the resort. Activities include a snorkel trip to Wasini Island, a Dolphin Safari, deepsea fishing, golf, and a one day safari in Amboseli National Park.
Friday, August 2
This morning you’ll return to Nairobi for our Awards Dinner. Overnight Nairobi.
Saturday, August 3
Depart for home.
If the Diani trip sounds like your kind of Compass Club, please choose this option on the Compass Club Registration Form.
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Important Pre Trip Information PASSPORTS AND VISAS date you intend to leave Kenya. In other words, your passport must not expire until after February 3, 2003.
All visitors to Kenya are required to carry a valid passport and visa. (Citizens of Turkey and Uruguay will need a passport, but no visa is required.) Those who have never applied for a visa before, should note that while a passport is issued by your national government, a visa is issued by the Kenyan government. Securing a passport and visa are two separate procedures.
Then the visa... Once you have the passport, you will need to obtain a visa by sending your passport to the nearest Kenyan Embassy or Consulate. This process will take at least a week and maybe longer. We suggest you apply for your visa no later than July 1. Your CA office will have a supply of Kenya visa application forms and envelopes. U.S. and Canadian citizens can also download a Kenya visa application on-line by logging on to http://www.kenyaembassy.com. To secure your Kenya visa you will need:
First the passport... Applying for and receiving your passport can take several weeks in some countries, so we suggest you apply no later that May 30th. • U.S. citizens can obtain a passport application at any one of 4,500 locations, including: post offices, municipal offices, courthouses, and libraries, or by going online at http://www.travel.state.gov. If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to complete the application and present it in person together with…
• A valid passport with at least one empty page to which the visa can be attached (Remember, your passport must be valid until after February 3, 2003.) • One completed visa application per traveler • Two passport type photos per traveler which must be attached to the visa application.
• a copy of your birth certificate (with a raised or embossed seal)
• A letter from CA verifying that you are a member of Compass Club.
• two passport photos
• The visa fee. This fee varies from country to country. For specifics please speak to your local CA Travel Coordinator. The charge for a US citizen is $50.00. The fee must be paid by money order or bank check. Personal checks, cash, and credit cards are not accepted.
• proof of identity (such as a drivers license) • a money order or bank check for $60.00 If you need to renew an expired or expiring* passport, you may do so by mail. Passport renewal applications are available at the same 4,500 locations mentioned above. Renewing a passport can take up to 30 days.
• Finally, so the Kenya Embassy or Consulate can return your passport and visa, you must enclose a self-addressed envelope including prepaid postage or a prepaid airbill from an overnight package delivery service such as: Priority Mail, Express Mail, DHL, Federal Express, UPS, or Airborne.
• Citizens of other countries will need to check with the division of your national government that issues passports, or contact your local CA TravelCoordinator. *IMPORTANT: In order to enter Kenya, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the
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The following is a list of Kenya Embassies and Consulates: Japan Embassy of the Republic of Kenya NO. 224-3 Yakumo, 3-Chome Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152 Tel: 3723-4006 E-Mail: kenrepj@ma.kcom.ne.jp Website: http://embassy.kcom.no.jp/kenya/
Australia/New Zealand Kenya High Commission 3rd Floor, Q.B.E. Building 33-35 Ainslie Avenue G.P.O. Box 1990, Canberra, A.C.T. 2601 Belgium Kenya Mission to the European Union Avenue Winston Churchill 208 1180 Brussels, Belgium Tel: 2-3401040 Fax: 2-3401050
The Netherlands Kenya Embassy, The Hague Nieuwe Parklaan 21 2597 LA The Hague Tel: 31-70-350 4215 E-Mail: kenre@dataweb.ni Website: http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Node/9827
Canada Kenya High Commission 415 Laurier Ave. East Ottawa, Ontario KIN 6R4 Canada Tel: (613) 563-1773/1774/1776 E-Mail: kenrep@on.aibn.com
Russia Kenya Embassy Bolshay Aordinka, Dom. 70, Moscow, Russia Tel: 95-2374702 Fax: 95-2302340
People’s Republic of China Embassy of the Republic of Kenya 4X1 Liujie, San Li Tun Beijing 100600 - China Tel: 1-6532 3381 E-Mail: Koenyla@iuol.cn.net
South Africa Kenya High Commission, Pretoria 302 Brooks Street Menlo Park, 0081, South Africa Tel: 27-12-362-2249/2250/2251 E-Mail: kenrep@pta.lia.net
Egypt Kenya Embassy 20 Boulos Hanna Str., Dokki P.O. Box 362, Cairo Tel: 223-3453628 E-Mail: embcai@hotmail.com
Sweden Embassy of the Republic of Kenya Birger Jarlsgatan 37, 2nd Floor P.O. Box 7694 Stockholm, Sweden Tel: 8-218300/04/09 E-Mail: kenya.touristoffice@swipnet.se
France Embassy of the Republic of Kenya, Paris 3 Rue, Freycinet 75116 Paris, France Tel: 01.56.62.25.25 E-Mail: KENPARIS@wanadoo.fr
Switzerland Kenya Mission to the U.N. Geneva 1-3 Avenue de la Paix 1202 Geneva, CH Tel: 41-22-731 29 05 E-Mail: mission.kenya@ties.itu.int
Germany Kenya Embassy Villichgasse 17, 53000 Bonn-Bad Godesberg 2, Federal Republic of Germany Tel: (041) 885570 E-Mail: embassy-kenya.bn@uumail.de
United Kingdom Kenya High Commission 45 Portland Place, London, UIN 4AS Tel: 171-636271 E-Mail: KCOMM45@aol.com
India Kenya High Commission, New Delhi E-66 Vasant Marg, New Dehli, India Tel: 11-6146538-40, E-Mail: kenredel@ndf.vsnl.net.in
United States of America New York Kenya Mission to the United Nations 866 U.N. Plaza, Room 486 New York, New York 10017 Tel: (212) 421-4740 Website: http://www.kenyaembassy.com
Israel Embassy of the Republic of Kenya 15 Abba Hillel St. Ramat-Gan 52 136 P.O. Box 52136, Tel Aviv Tel: 03-5754633 E-Mail: Kenya04@attglobal.net
Washington Kenya Embassy 2249 R Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 462-3829 E-Mail: KLQY53A@Prodigy.com Website: http://www.kenyaembassy.com
Italy Embassy of the Republic of Kenya Via Archmede 164 00197, Roma Tel: 6-8082714/17/18 E-Mail: kenroma@linet.it
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INOCULATIONS
CLIMATE
First of all, most people return home from Kenya healthier than when they arrived. The combination of fresh clean air, warm sun and a relaxing way of life tends to be very good for the body and soul. As of this writing, the Kenyan government does not require any inoculations unless you are coming from an area where Yellow Fever, Typhoid or Cholera exist. However, the health authorities of most European and North American countries suggest that visitors be inoculated against Yellow Fever and Hepatitis A. Some doctors also suggest a single injection containing measles, tetanus and diptheria vaccine. Furthermore, health authorities suggest taking Malaria pills while you are in the country. Malaria does exist in Nairobi and in the wildlife parks, as well as in certain poorer areas along the coast. The fact is that there are two types of visitors to Kenya – those who come for vacation and those who come to work. Those visitors who come to work in Kenya are involved in industrial or humanitarian efforts. These folks may be exposed to a variety of diseases. Those of us who come to Kenya for vacation are at very little risk. But, it is better to be on the safe side. There is a relatively new Malaria preventative to the US market called “Malarone”. We have found it superior to all of the other pills we have tried. It seems to have none of the side effects – nausea, dizziness, sore muscles, and fatigue - associated with preventatives such as “Lariam”. Our best advice is to check with your own doctor or health clinic before getting any inoculations. You don’t need to rush out and get the shots today, but don’t wait until the last minute either. Health authorities advise receiving the inoculations 4 to 6 weeks prior to your trip.
Kenya is probably not as hot as you think. How, you ask, could a country on the equator not be hot? The reason is the altitude. Nairobi sits at about 5,500 feet (1800 m.) above sea level and the area of the game reserves in the southwest runs from approximately 4,800 ft. to 5,300 ft. (1600 to 1750 m.). July and August are winter months for most of Kenya and relatively cool and very dry months. You can expect the temperatures in Nairobi to range from 55 to 76°F (13 - 25°C). When traveling in the mountains or during the early morning game drives the temperature can be even 10°F (5°C) cooler than that. By late morning in the Maasai Mara, the temperature will reach a high of about 82°F (28°C). Humidity should not exceed a comfortable 50%. Be aware that in the game reserves in the lower altitudes such as Samburu, Amboseli, Tsavo, and along the Diani coast, it can get quite hot, 85-92°F (30-33°C), so remember to drink plenty of water. While the Kenya sun feels great, you must keep in mind that we will be traveling near the equator, so the rays of the sun will be as direct as they can be anywhere in the world. You will need to bring sunscreen and use it frequently.
PACKING SUGGESTIONS Casual, comfortable, lightweight clothing is appropriate both during the day and at night. Shorts, tee shirts, a hat, running shoes, a light jacket or sweatshirt, and a pair of casual trousers or jeans are all you need on safari. Also, many people make the mistake of wearing hiking boots or other such heavy footwear. If you want to bring your boots, you certainly may, but they are not necessary and they can be quite hot. You will find lightweight running type shoes to be more comfortable.
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Those choosing the Diani beach option should pack lightweight casual resort wear. Shorts, tee shirts, swimsuits, and sandals are fine for the daytime. Evenings are not much more formal, but gentlemen are expected to dress in trousers and collared shirts. Dress for our Compass Club Awards Ceremony and Dinner is casual. Jackets are not necessary, but no jeans or tee shirts, please. If you take prescription medicine, make sure you have enough to last the entire trip and bring your medication in the original container you received from the pharmacy (chemist). Finally, leave all but the most essential jewelry at home. Although you may bring to Kenya a suitcase of standard size and weight, it is important to keep in mind that we will be traveling to Kenya’s national parks on small aircraft and safari cruisers, so there are serious weight and space limitations. Therefore, on safari everyone will be limited to 30 lbs. (14 kg.) of luggage. In addition, all luggage must be soft-sided duffel-type bags. To make this easy, we will be sending all qualifiers and guests a CA Safari duffel bag that measures approximately 12 x 12 x 22 inches (25 x 25 x 48 cm.). You will be able to fit everything you need for safari into this bag. Any remaining luggage may be stored at your hotel in Nairobi where you can pick it up when you return to the hotel on August 2.
ELECTRICITY The electrical service in Kenya is 220/240 volts and 50 cycles. Outlets are three flat prong British type. If you are from the land of 110 volts, and you intend to bring along any appliances, you will need both an electrical converter and an adapter plug which allows you to plug your appliance into the wall. Such items are sold at most electrical appliance stores such as Radio Shack, and at large luggage stores. When purchasing a converter it is critical to note that one type of converter will accommodate hair dryers, travel irons, clothes steamers, and curling irons. But, you will need another type for use with tape players, contact lens sterilizers, and calculators. These gadgets are not interchangeable and can and will destroy your appliance if used improperly. If you plan to buy a converter, please do so before you leave for Kenya. Most laptop computers have the ability to accommodate 220/240 volt electricity without needing a converter, however, you will still need a British-style adapter plug.
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Suggested Reading Those of you who take your safaris seriously may want to get started on some reading. Below we have listed a selection of our favorites... Born Free by Joy Adamson (Pantheon, 1960) — popular book about lions raised by the author and returned to the wild. Turned into a film. Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen, a.k.a. Karen Blixen (Random Books) — the life and times of a Danish woman who managed a coffee plantation in Kenya in the early 1900’s. The book was made into a film in 1985 and is a great video to rent in preparation for your trip. And the sound track is wonderful. As is often the case, however, the book is better than the movie. Elephants Have the Right of Way and There’s a Rhino in the Rose Bed, Mother (Doubleday) both by Betty and Jock Leslie-Melville — two “easy reads” by a couple who organize their own safaris. West with the Night by Beryl Markham (North Point Press) — Ms. Beryl Markham was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west. In this book she recounts her childhood in Kenya, her experiences as a bush pilot in the 1930’s, and her landmark solo flight across the Atlantic. Tourist in Africa by Evelyn Waugh
(Greenwood) – a well written diary of a two month trip to East Africa in 1960. The Green Hills of Africa, and The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway (Scribner) – great stories by one of the great story tellers of all time. Something of Value by Robert Ruark (Doubleday, 1955) – historical novel about the lives of two boys, one black and the other white, set at the beginning of the Mau Mau uprising. Insight Guide Kenya by Deborah Appleton et al (APA Publications) — perhaps the best one volume guide book. Great photos and background stories. (Health information in the 1993 edition is not current.) East Africa by Geoff Crowther and Hugh Finlay (Lonely Planet Publications) — in-depth guide to East Africa. Detailed information on all of East Africa.