We cannot guarantee that all listed safari accommodation and other facilities will be available for such as wheelchair passengers, however, we shall do our best to reserve equal value/standard properties and facilities that conform to the special needs of our guests.
We request that each guest specifies their special needs and requirements including special diet preference in this case.
Almost all safari tours operated by Sensational Adventures are private per booking and are operated in own pop up top 4×4 jeep with a dedicated tour driver / guide.
Guests booking with Sensational Adventures can however form private groups to travel together as families or friends.
We do not make tour groups from individual bookings for medium / long range safari tours .This is to allow foe flexibility, customization ,pace and choice of safari lodge / camp preference
Almost all safari lodges / tented camp accommodations during your safari do provide free Wi-Fi. These is in the three accommodation levels of economy, comfort and luxury
Wi-Fi is provided in the public areas of the safari lodges / tented camps including the reception, dining areas and lounge. It is not provided in the individual rooms/ tents
At Sensational Adventures, we understand that your primary reason for an African safari is to view wildlife and encounter nature to the maximum. This means that prime game viewing times shall be utilized for this purpose to the maximum.
Your safari tour driver / guide and 4×4 Jeep are at your disposal for maximum and most rewarding possible game viewing drive activities
We however must respect the National park authorities park rules including opening and closing hours which range from around 6.30AM to 6PM.
Games drives viewing time and pace are also flexible and you may decide to skip some, shorten others and maybe relax to enjoy the relaxing facilities of your safari lodge / tented camp accommodation.
Yes we do. East Africa is within the tropics and the famous Equator line separates the region’s two halves. The tropical temperatures are relatively high on the safari route and even within the national parks / game reserves.
The need for frequent hydration during the safari is factored with a provision of an unlimited supply of drinking water
All Sensational Adventures vehicles are fitted with a cooler box or mini fridge and a constant unlimited supply of bottled drinking water in your safari Jeep
Drinking water is replenished at hick town stops along the safari circuit.
Our selection of safari lodges and tented camps is well researched and offers the best in terms of comfort, relaxation and atmosphere during safari. Each accommodation category is well catered for in the selection.
We fully understand the need for your protection against Mosquito and other insect bites.
All rooms / tents during your safari are fitted with mosquito nets or are insect proofed to protect you against bites.
You are also advised to carry / use insect repellent to further protect yourself especially in the outdoors during evenings.
The maximum number of persons allowed in one room / tent is 3, these can be accommodated in a double bed and a single bed or in 3 single beds.
Where 4 persons or more are travelling together and prefer stay in one room / tent, we may book them in 2 rooms with interconnecting doors
For those that may prefer to stay close as family or friends, we may book them in adjacent tents / rooms
Some safari lodges / camps have family units for maximum of 4 persons only. This however includes an extra cost.
All safari rooms / tents are private with own bathroom / toilet
Your safari tour Jeep has a generous luggage compartment at the rear and can comfortably carry 6 suitcases with an average 25 -30kgs each
You may carry hand luggage with your vital stuff inside the safari jeep.
We suggest that you pack / carry your luggage in soft sided suitcases for ease of storage in safari vehicle and also to minimize on friction and damage during the sometimes bumpy road safari trips.
In case you are booked on a Kenya fly -in safari and or you would consider taking local / domestic safari flights to the national parks / game reserves, there is a baggage allowance.
The baggage allowance for local domestic flights commuting between national parks is 15kgs excluding hand luggage
You may also choose to pay an extra $ 5 per kilogram for any extra baggage if you decide to carry all your baggage around with you (this is subject to flight / carrier capacity)
Kenya welcomes visitors from all over the World with and they come with diverse diet preferences .Some diet preferences may be due to religious, believes, lifestyles or health reasons.
To comfortably cater for a larger diet preference, the menu in all safari lodges & tented camps is continental, however vegetarian, Halal, gluten free etc meals are also catered for.
We request you to indicate your special diet needs during safari booking / confirmation
As an extension of our safari tour services, Sensational Adventures provides free one-way airport transfers for our guests booked a 3 days plus safari tour with us.
The transfer is provided even when you arrive or depart several days before or after your safari start / end.
In all cases, you shall share with us your arrival & departure flight details including airline codes and timings, we shall in return provide transfer driver name and telephone contact in advance of your arrival / departure
In case you are arriving in Nairobi earlier than your safari starting date or are intending to stay a few days more after safari finish, you require a Nairobi hotel.
Nairobi has a wide range of hotels in economy, comfort and luxury categories suitable for your 1 night or extended stay.
As part of your safari tour, Sensational Adventures shall pick you up and drop you off at your respective Nairobi hotel or residence. This includes areas around Nairobi
We shall be happy to assist you get a good accommodation in Nairobi.
SAFARI LODGES
A safari lodge in Africa is located in a remote Wildlife area and is made up of a number of cottages / chalets spread over a landscaped land .Here shall be a main building which houses a restaurant, bar, gift shop together with the reception and also administration facilities.
The lodge’s en-suite guestrooms are spread in smaller separate scattered cottages around the main central building.
The atmosphere is usually rustic and compliments the natural surroundings while bringing in the essence of the wild.
Safari lodges vary in size, unique design, location and standards with a nice range in economy, comfort and luxury category.
SAFARI CAMPS
The safari tented camps share some similarities with safari lodges in, layout, purpose and location.
A tented camp is composed of the main building (housing the public areas) usually thatched African style for effect .It may also be made of a large tent .The en-suite guest tents are scattered around the main building providing a private feel.
The tented camp is a composition of large en-suite walk in tents which are built on a solid floor base and are complete with private bathrooms and a small terrace or veranda.
Essentially they are rooms with the exterior being canvas rather than wood or brick. The tented camp complex may also have a swimming pool.
Tented camps range from the comfort, superior comfort, luxury to the super luxury.
A Kenyan Sim card shall greatly reduce your telephone roaming bills during your visit and while on safari in Kenya
1 GB of data costs an average of $ 5
Safaricom , a telco provider in Kenya is the market leader and with the best national coverage and better offers
Sim cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers .You can make a purchase at the Nairobi airport outlets on arrival
Cost is approximately $ 1 or Ksh.100
To purchase local sim cards, you are required to have a Sim -unlocked, GSM -compatible phone
Tipping in Kenya although not mandatory but is recommended after a good service
All hotels, lodges and porterage gratuities are included on your safari price – this is collectively referred to as service charge.
Individual waiters, porters and other hotel service employees may provide exemplary service and it is your discretion to decide to tip .Usually $ 1 -$ 5 per move or sitting is appropriate and appreciated.
It is however customary to tip your safari driver / guide at the end of the safari tour. The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service rendered. The amount is however at your discretion, you are
welcome to provide additional compensation to any staff that has provided special services. A bar gratuity of $1 is acceptable.
You may tip in Kenya shillings, USD or in Euro at the end of your safari / tour and preferably in an envelope.
Tourists visiting Kenya must have a valid visa. Your passport must also be valid for at least six months after the date of your arrival in the country. In 2017 Kenya introduced ‘eVisa’, the electronic tourist visa CLICK HERE , although you can still apply for a visa manually on arrival at the Nairobi or Mombasa airport in Kenya. Both electronic and manual visa application ran concurrently. This means that you can still apply for a visa on arrival at the Nairobi or Mombasa airports, or online before flying into Kenya.
Manual application for a visa on arrival in Kenya:
On arrival at the Nairobi or Mombasa airport in Kenya, you will need to complete an application form and pay a fee of USD 50. The process is relatively smooth and fast-(takes only some few moments). It’s handy to carry your own pen!
In the field where you are requested to state your Kenyan address, please enter the name of the hotel/lodge where you are proceeding to spend your first night. (we shall provide the safari lodge / camp name if starting safari from the airport on arrival)
Electronic visa application for Kenya:
Please use the website www.evisa.go.ke to apply for an electronic eVisa. You may pay by credit card. The visa processing fee is USD 50, and there is a service charge of USD 1. The minimum period you can apply for a Kenyan visa is three months before your travel to Kenya date.
The visa application process involves uploading your passport picture along with your passport photograph. Your visa shall be issued approximately five days after you register. You shall be required to print a copy of your electronic visa, bring it with you for presentation along with your passport on arrival in Kenya. If you have any problems or enquiries related to applying for an electronic visa, please contact the Kenyan Embassy in your country / region.
Other things you need to bear in mind with regard to your visa:
You shall be required to complete a landing card that will be issued to you on the plane, or at the visa desk when you enter Kenya.
You shall be required to complete an exit card, which will be provided to you in the departure terminal when leaving Kenya.
Please note that your Kenya Tourist Visa is valid for 3 months with an allowance for multiple entries. You shall use the same Visa permit if combining a Kenya / Tanzania Safari, Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda.
Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan shilling (KSH). Check online for the current rate. You can exchange your convertible foreign currency in to shillings in a forex bureau (at the Main Airports when you arrive or in the main towns at the forex bureau or banks) you shall find the best rates at the airport.
Small cash denominations are handy for tipping and minor expenses. You can also withdraw Kenya shillings at the ATM (VISA & MasterCard). Cash USD, Euro, British pounds are readily accepted in many outlets. We recommend that you exchange money only as needed.
You will find it easiest to make small purchases in local currencies, and will usually receive a better price and also change when required .You may conveniently exchange money at all lodges and hotels at close to the bank rate, but the best exchange rates you get from the Forex Bureaus at the airport or at Nairobi city
Specific animal species’ spotting cannot be guaranteed on safari, as animals are in their natural habitat. Our safari itineraries are however designed and operated to bring out the best opportunities for game viewing.
There are some national parks / game reserves with almost guaranteed spotting for specific animal species
These include Amboseli for Elephant herds, Hippos at Mzima springs in Tsavo West & Lake Naivasha, Rhino at Lake Nakuru National Park and Ol Pejeta etc
In national parks and game reserves, game viewing drives become exciting because of the possibilities of the “search” and “find” aspect.
Distances and driving times in Africa vary from the European and American concepts. In Kenya, roads are narrow and may not be well maintained. The roads immediately leading to the National Parks and Game Reserves are rough.
Our selection of Economy, comfort and luxury accommodation options for lodges and tented camps are sufficiently comfortable and adequate for relaxation, overnights and meals. However standard of facilities, style and location are varied.
In almost all instances, luxury lodges & tented camps are located at vantage locations within the national parks and game reserves. They are unique in architecture and design. They also provide easy access to the game
Viewing areas. The facilities and comfort levels are of higher standard. Rooms/tents are private and en -suite. There shall most likely be a swimming pool in most of the luxury facilities
Comfort lodges and camps may be located inside or just at the boundaries of the national parks and game reserves. Others may be slightly further .In all instances; they are less than 30 minutes from the park entry gate. The facilities’ comfort levels are sufficiently adequate although slightly lower than for luxury accommodation level. The rooms and tents in this comfort level category are also private and en suite. Most comfort lodges / tented camps shall have a swimming pool.
Almost all economy lodges and tented camps (except a few) are located outside of the National park boundaries and just next to the park. They are easy, comfortable and sufficiently adequate for relaxation, overnight and meals although relatively basic compared to the luxury and comfort options. Rooms and tents are private and have en -suite bathroom facilities. Some of the economy options may also have a swimming pool.
A single room supplement is an extra fee imposed on single occupancy of a double/ shared room by hotels, safari lodges and tented camps. Our safari tour prices are based on two persons sharing in a double room /tent.
If someone chooses to have single occupancy of room, the single room supplement applies .Single room / tent extras are indicated on the price section of each tour package page.
Our standard safari travel & game viewing drive vehicle is a custom designed 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeep with pop up top for ease of photography during game viewing drives and sightseeing. The vehicle sits a maximum of 6 persons for guarantee window seats and access to the pop up top.
Our 4×4 safari Jeeps are fitted with long range radios for easy communication, cooler boxes, and first aid kits.
The 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeep has several advantages on safari. These includes a higher elevation, better navigation on rough terrain, deeper reach, more comfort and brings out better the African adventure experience.
We also have mini vans with pop up roof but less fancy than a land cruiser
You may request for flexible or customized booking payment / terms depending on the uniqueness of your booking requirements or your budget.
Sensational Adventures is always about flexibility and value for money!
Sensational Adventures does not include International flight costs in all our East Africa safari tour prices. This is because Sensational Adventures is an inbound local Kenya tour operator and ground handling agency.
Local safari tour packages operated by Sensational Adventures start from Nairobi airport, Nairobi hotels, Mombasa airport and hotels, Diani beach resorts, Malindi / Watamu beach resorts,Naivasha area resorts, Kisumu, Nakuru, Arusha, Namanga, Taveta and Isebania border towns and from any other location in Kenya and East Africa.
