Frequently Asked Questions
Find Answers
Going on a safari holiday is exciting and we understand that you may have a few questions regarding your trip. We have answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) summarized here.
Payment
Full payment must be made by the time of booking unless otherwise specified. Last-minute reservations made for day trips can be paid in cash directly to the driver before the tour start.
Please print out your tour booking confirmation to show to your guide.
Please contact us directly via email or the contact form for any custom tour inquiries.
The tour booking is fully refundable if a cancellation is made 90 days before the start of your trip.
Cancellations made between 89 – 31 days prior to the start of the safari result in a 25% cancellation fee.
30 – 15 days before the start of the trip will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the total amount paid.
Cancellations made 14 days before the tour or ‘No Show’ will incur a cancellation fee of 100% and no refund will be issued.
PD Tours & Safaris reserves the right to cancel a reservation if payment is not received by a specified date. The total price of the booking will be set out in the reservation confirmation with payment before the date in case of custom tours.
PD Tours & Safaris cannot be held responsible if participants are unable to travel as a result of entry visa refusal for any reason. Moreover, there is no exception to the cancellation policy if participants cannot take part in the trip due to personal emergencies, unexpected weather, natural disasters, or any other force majeure.
In the event of a cancellation PD Tours & Safaris is not responsible for any financial losses incurred. We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance to have peace of mind.
General Travel Advice
There is good news for tourists visiting Kenya: the government has replaced the tourist visa system with an electronic one known as the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. Designed to improve the overall travel experience and streamline the admission process for foreign visitors, this cutting-edge system was unveiled in January 2024.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival. Moreover, you should have at least two blank pages in your passport. Ensure you have your travel documents at hand in JPG format such as a photo of your passport cover, biometric data page, tour or hotel confirmation, and other relevant travel documents.
Entry visas are valid for 3 months from the date of issuance and travel should commence within this period. A colored, printed approval copy must be presented to the immigration officials at the airport on arrival.
Kenya is easily accessible and many direct or connecting flights are available to the country’s two main airports Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi.
Nairobi is the hub of East Africa and the majority of international flights from the USA, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Dubai arrive there. However, several international airlines also fly directly to Mombasa with some offering daily service. Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Condor, Eurowings, KLM, Lufthansa, Delta Airlines, British Airways, Fly Dubai, and Emirates are the most popular airlines on this route.
Yellow Fever
Yellow Fever vaccination is generally not mandatory to enter Kenya but is recommended as the country is part of the endemic zone. Travelers entering Kenya from destinations where the transmission risk is high may require a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Since entry requirements change from time to time, we encourage travelers to check the information provided by the World Health Organization or the Kenyan Health Authority.
Malaria
Malaria is present in tropical countries, with a high risk throughout the year. The disease is transmitted through the bites of the Anopheles mosquitos. We encourage all travelers to take precautionary measures by wearing proper clothing and using insect repellent. Additionally, we recommend that you ask your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets.
COVID-19
All Covid-19 measures have been lifted and travelers are no longer required to present a COVID‑19 vaccination certificate or a pre‑departure PCR test for travel to Kenya. However, travelers arriving with flu-like symptoms will also be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test upon arrival at their own cost.
Kenya is one of the most welcoming, diverse, and exciting countries in the world. Travelers have a lot to gain from experiencing everything this East African country offers. To ensure your safety when traveling around our country general caution is advised when traveling here. Follow these simple tips:
- Respect local laws.
- Respect wildlife.
- Watch for emergencies and stay informed about the latest news.
- Avoid isolated areas.
- Stay alert at all times, avoid becoming isolated, and take appropriate precautions to protect yourself if necessary.
While there are risks involved with any kind of travel, visiting Kenya is worth your while. The stunning scenery, friendly people, and plethora of activities make it an unforgettable experience. You may even find yourself longing to return once you leave!
Participation in any of our tours is at your own risk. While every effort is made to keep you safe during your trip, we strongly advise you to purchase comprehensive travel insurance so that you can travel with peace of mind.
Our International Travel Insurance Partner
Heymondo allows you to tailor your insurance policy according to your specific trip and budget. They also have an assistance app allowing you to connect to a 24-hour medical chat, free emergency assistance calls, and incident management. The best part is that our customers receive 5% off on any insurance plan.
Weather
The best time to travel to Kenya depends on what you want to do there. You can visit Kenya all year round. Due to its favorable climate, it is a perfect winter destination for travelers from the northern hemisphere.
The most popular time to travel to Kenya is from June to October. Clear skies and sunny days are perfect for game drives, beach outings, and other outdoor activities. The great animal migration also happens during this period in Maasai Mara.
Climate:
The climate is generally hot and dry, but it can be quite humid, especially in the coastal regions. You can expect temperatures to range from 23°C in the highlands to 35°C (74°F to 95°F) in coastal areas with little variation between night and day.
The rainy season runs from October to December and March to May, with most rain falling between mid-March till May. Travel interruptions may occur during this time. However, this season also has its charm. You can enjoy the lush green vegetation and spectacular waterfalls during the rainy season since the rivers are full. There are also fewer visitors in the national parks.
The best time to see animals is during the dry season when they gather around water sources such as rivers and lakes. However, game viewing can be good any time of year.
Wildlife safaris allow you to spend time with lions, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos in their natural habitat – the bush. Here are our top tips for what to wear on a safari holiday:
- Closed comfortable walking/hiking shoes in case you get a chance to explore some of the national park’s more remote areas on foot.
- Casual, lightweight long-sleeve shirts and pants in neutral, earthy colors to protect you from the sun and mosquitos. You may want to look at the Craghoppers NosiLife collection. Craghoppers anti-insect clothing is designed and developed for travel in hotter regions. Additionally, the anti-insect solution is built into their fabric providing you with long-lasting protection against biting insects.
- A Rain jacket when you travel during the rainy season.
- A comfy sweater as it can get quite chilly at night.
Make sure you have sufficient sunscreen and insect repellent for both daytime and nighttime activities. Other essential travel items shall include a sunhat, sunglasses, binoculars, a camera, spare batteries, and perhaps a power bank. You don’t want to run out of battery when Simba (the Swahili word for lion) and his friends are passing by.
