Faith, the founder of Pick A Safari, is Kenyan-born and spent significant time there as a child. Her early experiences in her native country left her with a deep and abiding love for the land. She is passionate about nature and the beauty of the African wilderness. Being around the animals of the African bush in their natural habitat has a special healing energy and imparts a tranquility that she has found nowhere else.

Faith believes that to experience Kenya is to be transformed, and it is her goal to share this majestic, magical country with others.

Pick A Safari will take you to the bush, to the beach, to the real Kenya. You will meet real people that are part of the intricate tapestry that is Kenyan culture. You will have the opportunity to observe the incredible African wildlife and take in the glorious beauty of the landscape. Pick A Safari is providing the trip of a lifetime.

Our safaris are for those who:

• need and deserve to take themselves on the vacation of a lifetime.

• anyone with a sense of adventure who takes joy in discovery.

• people who would enjoy basking on a Kenyan coast or experiencing the culture, wildlife, and geography of this beautiful country.

• someone who wants to create memories that will last a lifetime in a country that will enchant them, drawing them to return over and over.

Kenya welcomes visitors, whether they come for business or pleasure. Visitors to Kenya MUST have a passport with both of the following:

• six months or more remaining before its expiration (counting from the date of arrival to Kenya)

• a minimum of two remaining blank pages.

If your passport is due to expire in less than 6 months, it is possible that Immigration will deny you entry to the country.

You will need to also obtain an e-visa before departing for Kenya.

You will need to be moderately fit. There won’t be hikes, but there will be walking, and in some cases that walking will take place on uneven terrain. If you’ve had any recent injuries, this may not be the trip for you, as rides into the bush will be bumpy.

Be aware that drives and boat rides may cause you to experience motion sickness if that is something to which you are prone

Kenya does not require travelers to purchase insurance, but it is HIGHLY recommended. Travel insurance policies can help you to recoup unexpected costs resulting from circumstances that you could not have foreseen.

Pick A Safari does not require you to purchase travel insurance either, but we will require either proof of travel insurance OR a waiver signed by you to hold Pick A Safari blameless in case of unexpected losses or expense. If you choose to get travel insurance, please find a policy that works for you. For a place to start, we recommend visiting https://alison.brokersnexus.com/.

Health insurance policies that are valid in your country frequently do not cover you when you are traveling outside that country. It is therefore recommended that you also purchase a travel medical insurance policy.

Visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get inoculations or medicines you need. It is recommended that travelers receive the following immunizations:

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• Malaria (pill form)

• Meningitis

• Rabies (only for very high-risk travelers)

• Typhoid

• Yellow Fever

• Cholera (if traveling to areas of active transmission)

Travelers should also ensure they have received the routine vaccinations listed below. Some adults may need to receive a booster for some of these inoculations:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)

• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)

• Chickenpox

• Polio

• Influenza

Kenya is on East African Time, which is GMT+3; US Eastern Standard Time is GMT-5, an 8-hour difference. So if it is noon in New York on December 3rd (a date when Daylight Savings Time is not in effect), it is 8:00 pm in Nairobi.

• Loose, lightweight layers are best. Fabrics that are natural (cotton, linen, etc.) will keep you cool and are easier to wash and dry if needed. Long trousers and long sleeves will offer protection from the sun, and possibly also from mosquitos.

• Light, neutral colors are a good idea (though not white, as it shows dirt and dust easily); avoid blue and black clothing, as some biting insects are drawn to those colors. Very bright colors will not allow you to blend in with the surroundings when out in the bush, and will alert wildlife to your presence from far away.

• Camouflage or military clothing is prohibited.

• Nighttime and early morning game drives can be cold, so pack a warm hat, scarf, gloves, and a fleece or jacket. Pack a light raincoat in case of afternoon rainstorms.

• Make sure you have your beach attire, sunglasses, and a hat that will shade your face.

• Bring along a few nicer outfits for dinner. Pashminas and sarongs are versatile and can be used for both sun protection and to “glam up” an outfit.

• Practical footwear is important; you’ll want to have walking shoes (NOT open-toed) or boots. Swim shoes are also a must-have, to protect your feet from sand fleas and sea urchins on your beach days.

Budget for at least the equivalent of $20-$25 per day for tipping, and whenever possible tip in local currency. (As of this writing, the exchange rate is 120.40 Kenyan Shillings per US Dollar.)

A tip of 10-15% for wait staff is standard, and hotel porters generally receive approximately $1 per piece of luggage. Lodges and camps often have a tip box in the reception area. It is customary to tip your driver or guide at the end of a pre-arranged tour such as an organized safari (typically this tipping is done as a group).

In Nairobi and other larger cities, your Visa or Mastercard will likely suffice, but there are almost certain to be stops during your travels where cash in Kenyan shillings is required.

It is always best to convert money BEFORE you embark on a trip to another country. Check business sites to get an idea of what the current exchange rate is, and then check with your bank or credit union to see if they can exchange your cash. Major banks often have ATMs in other countries, which is also a handy way to get cash in the local currency.

A Game Drive is an excursion into the bush to catch a glimpse of the incredible wildlife of Africa. These drives are led by a guide who is familiar with both the area and its animal inhabitants. The drive will be timed to ensure that you’re heading out while the animals are most active

It is recommended that visitors do not drink the tap water in Kenya. Two bottles of water will be provided in the hotel rooms, and water will be provided for the game drives. At other times guests are expected to purchase their own water. Bottled water is readily available.

Pack as lightly as possible, choosing clothes that are lightweight and versatile and can be layered as needed. Local flights are more baggage-restrictive, and you’ll be traveling a great deal — you will appreciate fewer and lighter bags!

Rather than suitcases, use duffle bags or backpacks for your clothes and other belongings. They will be easier to load and unload when you’re taking transportation from one location to the next.

The hotels on the trip can typically accommodate dietary restrictions. For some restaurants, we will need to plan ahead to be sure.

Inform Pick A Safari of your dietary needs as soon as possible prior to your trip.

If you have roaming on your phone plan, your phone will likely function. However roaming charges can be very high. Some phone companies can be notified in advance to add a travel plan for as little as $10/day; check with your phone company to see if this is an option for you. It may be that buying a SIM card at the Nairobi airport upon arrival is more cost-effective.

Global SIM cards are more expensive but may be worth it if you plan to do more international travel soon. You can also look into e-SIM cards.

Also, using WhatsApp to send messages may be the most effective way to communicate. It’s free, can be downloaded by anyone with a mobile phone, and works with wi-fi (so you don’t even have to have a phone plan to use it, just internet access).

While of course no one can control what wild animals in the bush choose to do or whether they will be visible at a specific time, Pick A Safari does ensure that game drives take place at ideal times, when wildlife is likely to be the most active and there is the greatest chance of seeing Africa’s amazing fauna in action.

Additionally, the trip to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (one of Africa’s oldest wildlife charities) is sure to both fulfill your dreams of meeting elephants face to face, and touch your heart with its beautiful mission of providing safety to animals and sustaining the ecosystems present in the continent’s vast and diverse landscape

Pick A Safari partners with exclusively 4-star and 5-star hotels. Accommodations will be top-notch!

There are several reasons that Kenya stands out as an excellent safari destination.

1. The geography and landscape comprise a variety of environments. Kenya has plains, mountains, lakes, forests, rivers, desert, beaches…and more.

2. Kenya has fifty national parks and reserves. The Wildlife Service of the country works tirelessly to ensure that the animals and their natural habitats are preserved and protected.

3. Kenya’s natural fauna include the Big Five: lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards, and black rhinos.

4. The culture of the country is rich and varied, with 43 major tribes and over 60 languages spoken. And the Maasai are famously friendly and welcoming.

5. Kenya’s weather is gorgeous throughout the year, due to its location on the equator.

6. Kenyan cuisine is nothing short of amazing.

7. Tourist visas for Kenya are easy to acquire.

8. The country is stable and peaceful and travel there is safe.

Because it is a major African hub, it is easy to find flights to Kenya.

Kenya itself is very safe. There is a long-standing travel advisory regarding travel to Kenya, but it refers to specific non-tourist areas in the east. Kenya is a safe, stable country visited by millions of tourists annually.

Game drives take place in vehicles designed for the journey, with trained guides. There are rules for guests to follow to ensure their safety (listen to your driver/guide, remain in the vehicle, keep cell phones on silent, don’t wear bright colors, etc.). When these rules are followed, the risks of game drives are incredibly low.

You are absolutely in charge of your plans after your Pick A Safari adventure has ended! Kenya has so much to offer, it would not come as a surprise for you to decide to extend your stay and take in more of what the country has to offer.

The Kenyan coastline is nothing short of breathtaking with idyllic beaches of white sand, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and palm trees.

Mombasa, the oldest city in Kenya, is on Mombasa Island, which is connected to the northern coastline by bridges that span the creeks that separate it from the mainland. Mombasa offers ancient architecture, a national park, historic structures to tour and explore, colorful bazaars, and more.

Wasini Island, frequently referred to as “Paradise on Earth”, is located at the southern end of the Kenyan coast. This largely untouched piece of natural beauty, containing no roads or cars, can be reached via public ferry. There are boat tours, snorkeling for spotting the sea turtles, dolphins, astoundingly lovely fish of many species, and sometimes even humpback whales. There is also a magnificent marine park and the Coral Garden, composed of the fossilized coral that form the island itself.

• From your travel agent.

• From the airline website.

• From Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website https://mfa.go.ke/

• From Kenya's Ministry of Immigration and Registration of Persons website immigration@go.kemoh@go.ke