Kenya Safari: Dos and Don’ts
Hey guys! It’s been a while and this is after I decided I needed to be a bit more consistent with my posts, so sincere apologies for that! What can I say, it’s been a crazy few months with travel planning, actual traveling, getting over the travel, and then a few back to back illnesses and health issues! But hey, I’m back now, so let’s just get straight to the topic!!
In December last year, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Kenya and go on safari - something I’ve wanted to do for a long long time! We kept planning it for years and years, and then our son was born, so we waited for a few more years.. you know how it is! Anyway, my son is still quite little, but he can recognize animals, so we thought, why not! There’s never going to be a ‘perfect’ time to travel with kids, so we just went for it! And to be honest I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely my 3 1/2 year old took to the safari. He loved it! Of course, there were some meltdowns and many ‘Are-We-There-Yets’, but all in all, it was a very enriching experience for him and he definitely learnt a lot about wildlife and nature in general - things you wouldn’t learn from books or shows, things you learn only by experience.
Before going to Kenya, I did my desk research (obviously) which covered topics ranging from ‘what to wear on safari’ and ‘are there mosquitos in Kenya’ to ‘what if I need to use the toilet while on safari’. Yes, I realize I spend far too much time on the Internet, but what to do, research is necessary. So I thought, I’d compile a list of dos and don’ts based on everything I personally experienced. This will hopefully be useful to anyone who wants to go to Kenya, or travel with kids on safari, or is just in the planning phase and wants to gather as much info as possible! I hope Google does it’s magic and people find my post when they really need it! :D
Kenya Safari: Dos
Wear neutral, safari friendly clothes: When you’re going on safari, ensure you pack comfortable, neutral clothes that you can wear on game drives. So colours like beige, brown, khaki, grey work best! Avoid dark colours and even white (white stands out, but off white is fine)
You may think, what’s the big deal, you’ll anyway be in the jeep all the time, etc, etc. Yes it’s true, you’ll probably never leave the jeep. We got off just once or twice I think, and that too in safe zones. But bright colours just scare the animals and they will stay away from you if they spot you from a distance (and they have great eyesight, obviously). So what’s the point of going on safari and scaring the animals, right? In fact when we spoke to the Maasai people, they said that they wear reds and other bright colours to keep animals away. So if you want to make the most of your safari, and see lots of animals, wear neutral colours. Also, avoid camouflage print no matter how on-trend it is, because only the military is allowed to wear that print and you don’t want to risk getting questioned or being told off!
Carry loads of insect/mosquito repellent stuff, and after bite cream: There are loads of mosquitos and insects in the jungles as well as in the cities. There are different types of mosquito creams, lotions, sprays and patches available in the market. Stock up on all of them! You’ll find that some work better than others. My doctor advised us to use a formulation that contained DEET to be more protected. But whatever you choose to use, make sure you apply the repellent on every exposed part of your body, especially if you’re like me who gets bitten by mozzies all the time! Some people just get bitten more than others! What is that all about?! Anyway, carry some repellent with you in your bag at all times and top up every 5-6 hours. Pay special attention if you have kids because they tend to run around and play in the most random corners and come back with lots of bites! Avoid dark colours like black and dark blue as they tend to attract insects and tsetse flies. Rooms are generally equipped with mosquito nets and sprays, so make use of those for sure! And finally, be really alert and never leave your room door open at any time.
Invest in a pair of binoculars: I would highly recommend investing in a good pair of binoculars if you want to watch the animals closely. Especially useful when spotting the beautiful birds. You could share, but I feel it’s always good to have your own personal pair of binoculars because you really don’t want to miss out on any action. We were lucky enough to spot many animals at close range, but the white rhinoceros for example, was quite a distance away, and I’m glad I had my trusty binoculars to watch it closely. You don’t need to go overboard and purchase the most expensive one, or with the highest magnification, but a lightweight, medium priced pair of binoculars will work just fine. I highly recommend the Avalon 8x32 mini HD binoculars which is what I used.
Carry basic medicines and first aid supplies: It’s always a good idea to carry some basic medicines that you might need or your kids might need, like for fever, pain relief, tummy bugs, minor scrapes and bites, antihistamines, motion sickness medicines, nasal sprays, cooling patches, antiseptic cream, sterile wipes and plasters. Believe it or not, we were a group of six and we needed all of the above! So, don’t rely on the jeep/lodge supplies, be prepared and carry your own! If you have motion sickness, make sure you take effective medication because those rides are bumpy as hell and you don’t want to be throwing up on game drives!
Be prepared for all types of weather: We did our safari in December, so it got quite chilly in the mornings and nights, but by noon it was boiling hot! It also rained for a bit while we were on our game drive, and when we did a boat ride, it was sunny as hell! I forgot my hat so I can tell you that you could probably cook an egg on my head. It was that hot, no kidding!
So to cover all bases just dress in layers so you can easily peel off the layers as the day progresses. Keep a scarf handy as it is really useful as a cover up and for covering your nose when it gets really dusty. Last but not the least, definitely carry or buy a safari hat (or any regular hat with full protection) as it is a MUST, and slather on lots of SPF, even if it is cloudy.
Keep some cash handy for tipping: It’s not mandatory to tip, but it is customary, and definitely a nice way to show your appreciation. So whether it’s tour guides, airport transfer drivers, hotel staff, housekeeping, porters etc, it’s a nice and acceptable way of expressing your gratitude. People are really nice and friendly and always eager to help. At least that’s what I experienced. Keep lots of $1 bills handy for daily tipping and while there are no specific rules, there are some guidelines that your tour operator will tell you. As a general rule of thumb, for safari tour guides/drivers it’s nice to tip $10-$15 per person, per day so best to keep that money aside so you don’t spend it all in the local shops! Yeah, local shops have beautiful handicrafts and handmade paintings and sculptures and you will feel like buying the whole shop! Having said that, it’s not mandatory and you can tip as you wish depending on your experience, these are just guidelines.
Listen to instructions: The safari tour guides are really experienced and know their stuff, so if they ask you to not do something, or be quiet, or stay in the jeep, please listen to them! I came across this group of people in another jeep that insisted on going towards a hippo by themselves to get a better look, and completely ignored their tour guide. Soon enough, the hippo started charging towards our jeeps and we had to hurriedly get inside. Seriously, these are wild animals and can break you into pieces if you get too close! Some people pressurise their drivers to go too close to a lion or cheetah and that’s such a stupid thing to do. The guides will try and give you the best view possible, so trust their judgement and please don’t ask them to do something they’re not comfortable doing. Your stupidity might put everyone in harm’s way, who knows!
Stay hydrated: One of the main reasons I was stressing a lot before going on safari, especially with a 3 year old is - what if he needs the loo (or I need the loo) in the middle of the jungle??! In this situation, you automatically tend to drink less water. But don’t do that. The game drives are usually 5ish hours and there will be opportunities to use the loo in certain safe places in the jungle. Inform your tour guide accordingly and he will take you to a safe spot. Of course, the toilets in the jungle are basically holes in the ground (and not really clean), but if you have to go, you have to go! Just setting expectations here! Carry tissues and hand sanitizer with you at all times to be on the safe side. For kids, carry a portable potty seat and/or a potty with you at all times. What I’m really trying to say is, don’t stress over the toilet situation as it’s really not such a big issue. Just enjoy the safari and keep hydrated. The safari jeep will most certainly have bottles of water. Only drink sealed, bottled water.
Wake up early: I usually woke up between 4:30am - 5:00am every morning, and I’m not at all a morning person, so you can imagine my situation! But funnily, I hardly ever complained! You really don’t want to miss anything - the sounds of the birds, the beautiful sunrise, the fog and the morning game drive. You will most probably hear animals, birds and crickets while you’re trying to sleep, so if you’re a very light sleeper carry some ear plugs, otherwise you might find it really hard to fall asleep!
Morning game drives typically begin around 6:30 am. So you need to be dressed, and ready to go otherwise, you won’t be able to cover much ground. When we were at Maasai Mara, they put out the lights at around 9pm every night, so we basically had to sleep. What’s there to do with no electricity and no internet anyway, ha! That’s the other thing, be prepared for complete darkness, and no wifi. It’s actually a really nice change and I didn’t mind it at all!
Get vaccinated: There are certain guidelines that you need to follow when you’re traveling to Kenya or any other African country. The CDC website has all the necessary information on vaccines and preventive medications. If you’re traveling with kids, they might need to get additional vaccines like Hepatitis A and Typhoid, but best to check with your GP or travel clinic. We got the Yellow Fever vaccine but decided against the anti malaria tablets because of the side effects, but it is your choice if you want to take them as a precaution. Anyway, regardless of the vaccines and medication, you have to take lots of precautionary measures - like reducing exposure to mosquitos and insects by using repellents, eating only piping hot cooked food (avoid raw food and salads), drinking only bottled water and using only sterile wipes to clean wounds in case you get injured. Prevention is better than cure!
Kenya safari: Don’ts
Don’t go anywhere by yourself after sunset: Especially if you’re staying within the wildlife reserves or national parks, please don’t venture out by yourself. It’s not heroic, it’s just stupid, and highly dangerous! In all the lodges that we stayed, we were not allowed to get out of our rooms unaccompanied after sunset. A security guard would always accompany us in case we had to go, and he had a huge stick to scare off any animal. Sometimes, there are wild animals right at your doorstep, so keep the room door locked at all times and pay special attention to your kids. NEVER leave them out of your sight even for a second. Never try and get too close to any wild animal. I know this is basic stuff and common sense, but some people still try and get too close to animals, only to get a selfie!
Don’t take photos without permission: You’re not allowed to take photos of the Maasai tribe and the police/military without their knowledge. You might get into trouble if you do. In any case, it’s always polite to ask first before taking someone’s photo.
Don’t try and feed the animals: Seriously, the animals are able to feed themselves and there’s no need to try and feed them fruit or bread! You’ll just spoil their habits and put yourself in danger. As a general rule, never approach the animals for ANYTHING! Even plant eating animals can seriously injure or kill you if you get too close for comfort. Remember, it is their home, and you’re the visitor so please respect their space and their natural habitat.
Don’t carry any valuables: It’s just one less thing to worry about, so keep all your expensive jewelry and watches at home. It’s just the sensible thing to do.
Don’t pressurize your tour guides: You have to understand that wildlife safaris are really unpredictable. The safari guides will do their very best to show you every single animal that they safely can. Don’t go with a preconceived idea that you HAVE to see certain animals. It just adds unnecessary pressure on the guides and it’s not a nice position to put someone in. We were so lucky to spot the Big 5 and also a lot more animals and birds. Just take it as it comes and don’t blame the guide if you’re not able to spot the animals you wanted. It’s not a zoo and there’s thousands of acres to cover. So just go with an open mind and enjoy!
Don’t hesitate to ask questions: The safari guides have immense knowledge and they are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have. It’s so important to develop a good rapport with the guide because it just makes it easier to have conversations and to ask questions and clear doubts. So ask away and you’ll be amazed at how much the guides know and love the jungles!
Don’t expect to get high speed internet: While most of the lodges offer a wi-fi connection, it is intermittent and slow, so don’t stress over it! Just go with the flow, and enjoy your digital detox. I was really amazed at how little I missed the internet world! If your mind is not pre-occupied with what’s happening on Instagram and Twitter etc, there’s so much more to take in and see. So enjoy those precious moments and the sounds of the birds! This was the first holiday where I really had no clue what day of the week it was and what time it was. And I’ve not experienced that in a long long time, so it was really refreshing!
Having said that, if you’re traveling with kids, make sure you have their favourite shows or movies downloaded on your tablet or phone. There will be situations when you will need to just keep them quiet or make them eat, and showing them their favourite show for 20 minutes is way better than dealing with the howling and tantrums for 5 hours when the guide is asking you to ‘make them quiet’ (in my opinion of course, do what works for you!).
Don’t forget the birds!: Sometimes we focus so much on the animals and the Big 5 that we forget that there are so many gorgeous birds to see in Kenya. Don’t underestimate the beauty of the birds! They are more difficult to spot, but once you spot them, it’s hard to take your eyes off them! So remember to keep your eyes open for the birds as well!
I hope this was useful and gave you an idea of what to expect and what not to do when you go on your Kenyan safari! If you have any questions, do write to me in the comments section below! Take care, stay wild!
xx
Kirti