Kenya: Pre-Departure Information

Passports and Visas

Note: Visas are your responsibility and the information provided below is to serve as a guideline only. We advise that you confirm this information with the embassy/consulate of the country that you will be visiting in your home country before departure.

You should have a passport valid for at least six months after your arrival date in Kenya, so please check the expiry date. Note: it is advisable to bring a photocopy of your passport in case you lose the original.

Visas are your responsibility and you should have USD cash available to pay for them on arrival at the airport. For Kenya: For USD50 you will be able to obtain a 3 month visitors visa at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport on arrival.

If you plan on exploring other East African countries, such as Tanzania or Uganda, you will be able to purchase a visa at the respective borders or at the airport upon arrival in that country.
- For Uganda: for USD50 you will be able to obtain a 3 month visitors visa at the Ugandan border
- For Tanzania: USD50 for a 3 month visitors visa at the Tanzanian border

If asked to give an address of where you will be staying in Kenya, please state Brackenhurst International Baptist Conference Centre, Limuru.

On Arrival – We will meet you at the airport!! On arrival, the ACTS crew will welcome you and give you a thorough orientation session. If you cannot find the representative please do not leave the airport or accept any offers to take you into town. Please call one of the following numbers:
Sean: +254 736 479 550
Tesni +254 736 601 513
Or our Kenya office number: +254 (0)20 203 4197
Our volunteer cottage number: +254 (0) 20 354 6022

Project Managers

Your project managers are there to make sure that your volunteer experience is as rewarding as it possibly can be. They are responsible for organizing your daily activities and helping you to resolve any problems you may face whilst in Kenya. Please do not hesitate to contact Sean (+254 736 479 550) or Tesni (+254 736 601 513) for whatever reason.

Project Accommodation

Our volunteer house is a comfortable and safe home shared with other volunteers during your time here. You may be required to share ablutions and bedroom with other volunteers of the same sex. All bedding is provided, so you will not need to bring a sleeping bag with you, unless you are thinking of doing a camping safari during your stay and an extra cover sometimes is useful in the colder months (March - August). Regardless of which house you end up staying at, all meals, laundry and transportation to and from your projects and tourist activities will be provided and organised by your volunteer co-ordinator. ACTS staff are also available to organize tourist activities, which will be at your own cost.

Meals

You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually sandwiches, home-made pizzas etc. Lunches may be packed or may be local lunches at your placement. Dinner is the main meal. This usually consists of casseroles, pasta dishes, stews and stirfries, etc. We do cater for vegetarians. You will have a cook who will provide you with your daily meals.

Please let us know before you depart for Africa of any food allergies or specific requirements. We do everything we can to provide for any dietary requirements, but we may have to ask you to bring some things with you if what you need is not available locally.

Laundry/Washing

Your laundry will be washed and folded for you free of charge and you will be given a laundry basket to use for the duration of your stay. We do not do any ironing at the moment. We recommend that you do not bring clothing that you are too concerned about being damaged as our facilities are basic by first world standards and we do not want to ruin your favourite clothes if the colours run.

Communication

You will be able to buy a SIM card for your cell phone when you arrive at the airport for about USD5. (Your phone will need to be Tri-Band and unlocked from your home network – speak to your cellular provider before you leave to make sure). Alternatively you can enable international roaming by speaking to your cellular provider before you leave home. Generally, cell phone coverage is not a problem in the areas you will be in.

Internet cafes are available close to the volunteer house.

If people wish to send you mail, they can use our mailbox. The address is PO Box 541- 00217, Limuru, Kenya. However, please don’t send any valuables, as the postal service in Africa is not completely reliable and is generally slow.

Electrical Appliances

We have British (3 pin square) plugs in Kenya. There is electricity at your volunteer accommodation and you will be able to use all normal electrical appliances such as hair straighteners; iPod; camera chargers, etc.

Weather and Climate

As with most other countries in the equatorial belt, seasons seem to merge into one and are not distinctly different.
Summer: begins in September and temperatures begin to rise until January and then cool off again.
Rainy season: The “long rains” are generally from March to May and “short rains” fall mostly in November/December.

Coastal regions are more humid, as well as the area around Lake Victoria. The northern and more southerly regions are known to get really hot and dry, and the Highland areas, i.e. Limuru, are cooler because of their altitude.

Please expect there to be surprisingly large drops in temperature at night, with temperatures possibly dropping to 10C, which is 50Fahrenheit. Basically, you could say that Limuru, because of it’s location in the hilly tea plantation areas, is COLD most nights and still chilly most early mornings and sometimes during the day as well. So please pack warmer than you would expect for this project!

Dress Codes/Clothing

When doing project work, particularly in rural areas, please dress with modesty. Women should wear clothing that covers shoulders, and that are not revealing in any way. Items with hemlines that are much higher than the knees can be considered disrespectful, thus minimising the impact of your work. This applies equally to men, as wearing shorts can be considered inappropriate in certain areas and particular times.

Please make sure you bring comfortable clothes, as well as clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. It is also advisable to bring clothes to wear that you would normally wear to work in your home town. The doctors in the hospital all wear smart work clothes with a lab coat on top. We provide white lab coats for your work in the hospital, but if you wish to bring your own that is fine.

We ask that you bring strong, covered shoes to wear whilst working, especially for working in the slum area. Trainers are acceptable, but leather shoes are better. If you have a pair of Wellingtons or gum boots, these will be very useful in the slums. If not they can be purchased here for a few dollars.

Medical/Health

Please ensure that you are in good health before your arrival. A consultation with your personal physician before departing is advisable. We recommend that you find out about vaccination requirements for the countries you will be visiting. Generally, a Yellow Fever vaccination, and documented proof in the form of a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, is compulsory for East African countries. Many of these are also malaria areas and malarial prophylactics are recommended. In some countries, certain vaccinations (e.g. Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A & B, Cholera and Meningitis) are required.

NB: Please travel with copies of your vaccination certificates.

The prevalence of malaria is very low in Limuru and Nairobi, however, we recommend that you do take precautions, especially if you are planning on doing a safari into the Masai Mara, or to the coast.

Malaria and Sun Precautions

Please make sure you bring an ample supply of anti-malarial tablets for your time in Kenya. Ask your doctor to prescribe the best one available. N.B. We do not recommend Larium (sometimes known to cause hallucinations) or Doxycyclene (some people have bad reactions to the sun when they use this prophylactic).

Insurance

Personal travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. Please make sure that your insurance has comprehensive cover for personal accident, air evacuation, medical expenses, repatriation, personal effects and luggage. You should also have cancellation and curtailment insurance.
Please travel with a copy of your insurance policy, which you should give to the trip leader at the beginning of the expedition.

Spending Money

How much spending money you need differs from person to person and depends on how much you shop, drink and eat besides the meals provided for you. We recommend that you allow a figure of at least US$10 to US$20 per day for extra spending. It is also important that when deciding how much money you bring, you take into account what optional activities you anticipate participating in.

You should try to carry cash and travellers’ cheques, preferably in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or both. Be aware that if you are bringing USD notes, they should be post 2000 or later issue and the larger notes ($50 and $100) are awarded the best exchange rates. We strongly advise against bringing travellers’ cheques, but if you choose to bring them, be aware of the following: Travellers’ cheques should be a well-known brand such as Thomas Cook, American Express or Visa. In Kenya, travellers’ cheques can only be cashed in Nairobi but attract significant commission charges. A larger percentage of cash over travelers' cheques is probably best for your trip.

Cheques in other currencies (E.g. Canadian or Australian dollars etc.) are not recommended for African travel. Credit cards, on the other hand, can be convenient (but again only in Nairobi), but please do not rely on them as your main source of funds, as there are many places where they are not accepted, particularly for cash advances. You will be able to draw Kenyan Shillings from cash machines at shopping centres not far from your placement using a VISA / MASTERCARD at a decent exchange rate.

If you are planning on going on safari that has been organized by African Impact, please note that we do not accept credit cards. Payment can be made in USD or Kenyan Shillings.

Volunteer Expectations and Conditions of Stay

Africa provides an ever-changing environment and power failures, water & fuel shortages, temperature fluctuations and other uncontrollable situations do occur. You will need to remain flexible, understanding and good humoured. “African time” can be difficult and frustrating for those used to a very structured life so this is something to keep in mind!

Once you arrive in Africa, your care is the responsibility of ACTS and our trained project managers. We always aim to provide you with all your daily needs, keep you out of harm’s way and support you in your volunteer work. In exchange, we ask you to attend work punctually and to behave consistently in ways that reflect well upon ACTS and our project managers.

We ask that you dress according to local norms while in public and to treat people on the work site with kindness and respect. In addition, ACTS insists that volunteers avoid any contact with drugs and any culturally inappropriate activities relating to alcohol. The ACTS projects rely on networks, and those networks are held together by good relations. If a case should arrive in which our staff feels that volunteers have repeatedly behaved in ways that contradict the basic spirit of this agreement, we reserve the right to remove you from the program.

We view the volunteer experience as a commitment that includes a willingness to overcome challenges of various sorts. In cases where volunteers are experiencing difficulties, we strongly encourage creative, collaborative solutions. At the same time, we respect the ability and freedom of our volunteers to make their own judgments and understand that volunteer work only functions well when volunteers retain the will to participate fully and energetically.

General Safety

Tourists are always targets for pickpockets and thieves. Please educate yourself about Kenya before you leave, so that you can be alert for all types of situations. General travel safety rules are below.

• Avoid traveling alone, especially at night.
• Find out where the unsafe areas are and avoid them.
• When traveling keep all important documents & valuables in a safe place, like an inner hidden pocket or money belt.
• Carry only as much cash as you think you will need for the day.
• Don’t wear expensive jewellery or watches.
• Be wary of people who seem too friendly too fast.
• Keep cameras out of sight. Always keep bags and purses in your sight.
• Be aware at all times!!

In addition, you will be working outdoors, in an unfamiliar community and environment. PLEASE respect the advice given to you by the project leaders. Listen to your project manager and respect the local rules and customs AT ALL TIMES PLEASE!

We cannot stress enough the need for you to be security conscious whilst traveling in Africa. Please do not bring unnecessary valuables along with you such as jewelry or expensive watches. We also recommend that you photocopy all travel documents, including the first four pages of your passport and keep them aside from the originals.

Although all care and attention will be exercised, African Impact nor its agents and employees can accept responsibility for items that are lost or stolen.

Luggage and what to bring

We recommend that you keep to your airline’s restriction i.e. 20 kg or less. Most people bring along a back-pack and a day bag. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much clothing. Your laundry will be done on a weekly basis. Please remember that Africa can be colder than you might expect, particularly at night and in the early mornings, and especially in LIMURU.

Packing Checklist
Passports etc.

• Passport, insurance certificates & personal documentation, including some certified copies stored separately.
• Spending money in USD
• Camera with enough film and batteries for the duration of your placement (you will have electricity on your placement to charge batteries)
• Proof of recommended inoculations

Clothes and everyday accessories

• Sunscreen & lip salve; Sun Hat
• Trainers &/or walking boots
• Wellingtons or rain boots are essential for visits to the slums (you can buy a pair when you get there)
• Sandals
• Personal torch & batteries
• Sunglasses
• If you wear glasses (or contACTS) it is also advisable to bring a spare pair.
• Work gloves and old work clothes or overalls
• Lightweight waterproof jacket
• Fleece type pullover (it can get cold at night) and lightweight sweater
• Khaki, or similar neutral coloured lightweight bush wear (Note: Not with camouflage design)
• Long sleeved shirts/blouses
• Short sleeved shirts or T-shirts, No low-cut shirts or shirts revealing shoulders or cleavage
• Trousers and long skirts (well-over knee)
• Shorts
• Tracksuit pants
• Swimwear; Beach/Showering Towel
• Mosquito & insect repellent
• Binoculars for game viewing but not a priority
• Water bottle
• Daypack to carry: fleece, personal medical kit, camera, sunscreen, and water bottle
• Sleeping bag (medium warmness)
• Waterproof & secure bag for documents & money

Useful knickknacks

• Notebook and pen
• Hand wipes (these are useful for days where you will be in contact with many children, or patients)
• Small sewing kit
• Plastic bags/Large Ziploc bags for storing things, or separating clean and dirty clothes in your back pack
• Personal medical first aid & hygiene kit
• Diarrhea & anti histamines + headache tablets

For the volunteer house

• DVD’s
• Books – wildlife & novels
• Cards & games

LAST BUT NOT LEAST… Positive attitude!

What you can bring that would help!

If you have extra space in your bag we ask that you bring some small things to help the project that we struggle to get in Kenya. We are looking for the following at present:

For the projects:

• Old clothing that you no longer need that can be given to a local orphanage
• Toys & games for the kids
• Sports equipment (such as tennis balls and baseball bats)
• Pens & pencils, glue, chalk, rulers, compasses
• Text books for all ages
• A4 exercise books
• Educational posters for the walls
• Trowels & garden forks
• Paintbrushes & rollers
• Plastering trowel
• Large letter & number stencils
• Children’s novels

If you are able to bring any of the above items, please just hand them to your project managers on arrival.

If there is an emergency and you need to be contacted urgently, messages can be left for you by phoning (+254 (0)20 2034197, +254 (0)736 479 550, +254 (0)736 601 513) or emailing (sean@africanencounter.org or tesni@africanencounter.org) our headquarters. The ACTS East Africa headquarters will do its best to get the message to the group as quickly as possible.

Our volunteer cottage number for your family to reach you on is +254 (0) 20 354 6022

We look forward to welcoming you to Kenya!!

ACTS Contact details
ACTS Head Office:
11 Philips Ave,
Belgravia, Harare,
Zimbabwe +263 (0)4 702814

Kenya Extras

Safari Options

Kenya offers a variety of safari options, not far from its bustling capital, Nairobi, perfect for a weekend ‘get-away’. Below are a few popular options, for a 2 night/3 day trip to experience more of this spectacular corner of Africa…

These options are all inclusive: transport, transfers, full-board accommodation, services of driver/guide, park entry fees are all included. Please note: drinks & sleeping bags are excluded. Tailor-made trips can also be designed upon discussion with our Kenyan office.

*Bookings are subject to availability, and prices subject to change. Contact your volunteer coordinator to secure booking and price. These prices are merely indicators and almost always there are special offers available.

Masai Mara

Most visitors to Kenya make time to experience the Masai Mara National Reserve, the northern extension of the Serengeti. Well known for the renowned migration of 1.4 million wildebeest (usually between July and November), the Masai Mara is famous for its prolific game-viewing and abundance of predators all-year round, and boasts the country's highest wildlife density. Spend your days exploring the beautiful surroundings and searching for those unforgettable wildlife encounters. The Mara experience is a must and will never disappoint.

Kenya’s roads in general are not in very good condition. These can make for sometimes long and somewhat uncomfortable traveling days by road. Many people prefer to fly into some destinations such as the Masai Mara.

Fly-in Option
Low Season: USD 780 per person
High Season: USD 840 per person

Drive-in Option
Camping: USD 345 per person
Lodge: USD 600 per person

Abedare National Park

Enjoy wildlife at close range, as you spend your time in a tree lodge overlooking a waterhole, within the Abedare National Park. The wildlife can also be enjoyed whilst exploring the surrounding area on an optional game drive. Abedare National Park offers great views of Mount Kenya and its pristine mountain forest habitat is a precious part of Kenya's rich wildlife heritage.

Drive-in only
Low Season: USD 500-540 per person
High Season: USD 600-655 per person

Amboseli National Park

Traveling south of Nairobi to the Tanzanian border, Amboseli National Park is situated perfectly for spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Whether you are camping at the foot of Africa’s highest peak or doing it in style at a luxurious lodge, this park is well worth the visit! The commanding backdrop provided by Mount Kilimanjaro and large herds of elephant and buffalo, ensure your game drives will be an unforgettable experience of the ‘African bush’.

Fly-in Option
Low season: USD 750 per person
High season: USD 840 per person

Drive-in Option
Camping: USD 345 per person
Lodge: USD 600 per person

Lake Nakuru National Park

Heading northwards from Nairobi, after traveling on the edge of the breathtaking Rift Valley, you will reach Lake Nakuru National Park. This unique game park offers impressive scenery and wildlife on the lake’s shores. The lake is home to thousands of flamingos, and is renowned for frequent leopard and rhino sightings.

Camping: USD 345 per person
Lodge: USD 600 per person

Kenyan Coast

Kenya’s coast could easily be called paradise… The white sand fringed with palm trees and turquoise waters sheltered by coral reefs will take your breath away. Amongst the optional activities are snorkeling, dolphin safaris, dhow cruises (traditional Kenyan boat), fishing, scuba diving and bird watching. There are several spectacular spots to visit on the Kenyan coast and fly-in safaris can range from USD 480 per person (low season) to USD 550 per person (high season).

Nairobi Day Trip

USD 120 per person
For those that do not want to travel far, you can experience the ‘African Bush’ a stone’s throw from the city centre and spend your day enjoying a range of wonderful experiences…

Nairobi National Park
The game park is a great escape from the busy city of Nairobi, and offers opportunities for exciting and unforgettable wildlife encounters. If you are lucky, you might find the ‘king of the beasts’, or the frequently seen Black Rhino as well as a host of plains game and great bird-life.

Giraffe Sanctuary
Experience these graceful creatures at close proximity whilst feeding them by hand. This unique experience is bound to be one of those unforgettable highlights of your visit to Kenya. Many of our visitors have been treated to a slobbery giraffe kiss! (With the encouragement of a food pellet in their mouths).

Elephant Orphanage
Here you can see how these young, orphaned giants are nursed back to full health on their way to being reintroduced into the wild. Watch them wallow in the mud puddles, trumpet their way to their milk bottles and perhaps even kick their soccer ball!

*If you would like to visit these places separately, entrance fees are as follows (prices exclude vehicle & transport costs, driver/guide services, meals):
Nairobi National Park: USD 40 per person
Giraffe Sanctuary: USD 8 per person
Elephant Orphanage: USD 5 per person

Popular Optional Activities and Extras

Prices subject to change

Lake Naivasha
(The informal nature of activities at this destination makes all prices negotiable and subject to regular change)

Horse rides: USD35
Hippo Safaris: USD35 for one boat (takes up to 8 people)
Fishing: USD35 per hour for one boat (takes up to 8 people)
Game walk in Crater Lake Reserve with African Impact guide: USD5 (entrance fee)
Mountain Biking in Hell's Gate National Park (with guide): USD27

Masai Mara Balloon Safari (Sunrise and Champagne breakfast) USD385 or approximately GBP200.

Contact Us

Contact us to organise your mission, volunteer project or holiday to Africa. Get in direct contact with us via phone/email or fill in our simple form and we will get back to you.