Do I need a visa?
Virtually all visitors to Kenya will need a visa to enter the country. UK and Irish citizens travelling to Kenya can apply for their visa in advance online using the Kenyan e-visa portal: www.evisa.go.ke. Visas are generally issued within two working days. Please note that the e-visa system only accepts Debit cards and is roughly USD 51 per person. From 1st February 2016 visa fees do not apply to children under the age of 16.
Visitors are also required to have at least two blank pages in their passport which must be valid for 6 months beyond your expected departure date from Kenya. As advice can change on a regular basis we recommend you check with the advice issued by your government’s State Department or Foreign Office before you set off on your journey.
Can I hire a game vehicle privately?
Yes you can. The cost to hire your own game vehicle is USD 600 per day. Private hire of game vehicles at Mahali Mzuri is subject to availability.
Can I hire Mahali Mzuri exclusively
Absolutely. Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, wedding or just a great opportunity to experience a safari with family, friends or colleagues, the Mahali Mzuri team is on hand to cater for all requests.
What's in my tent?
Each tent at Mahali Mzuri includes a spacious seating area, en suite bathroom and large deck to maximise those amazing views over the plains. All our tents cover approximately 106 square metres including the external decks, and two of the 12 tents can accommodate up to two additional guests. All rooms are equipped with a hairdryer, sunscreen, insect repellent, torches, extra blankets, ponchos, bathrobes, slippers, a complimentary mini-bar, snacks, tea and coffee making facilities and hot water bottles. Power sockets in Kenya use the British standard 3-pin arrangement so guests visiting from other parts of the world will need an adaptor which we will provide in your room. Please note that the current in Kenya is 240 volts.
How about cash? What's the currency?
The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling. The Shilling is readily accepted for both large and small transactions however you may need at least USD 50 in cash per person to pay for your visa upon arrival in the country if you've not organised your visa prior to departure. The authorities at the airport will accept payment in Euros and British Pounds however amounts may vary and they are less likely to have exact change. Credit cards are not accepted! ATMs are available at the main international airport and in the larger towns however these reportedly can struggle with non-Kenyan cards so we recommend obtaining some Shillings before you depart for small purchases while you’re in transit (or if you plan on spending any time in Nairobi). Once you arrive at Mahali Mzuri you will not need any cash, and if you purchase anything from the gift shop or book a spa treatment payment can be taken by credit card.
What's the best time to visit? What will the temperature be?
For game viewing the Olare Motorogi Conservancy has abundant wildlife year round, and Kenya’s position straddling the equator means there isn’t a huge amount of variation in temperature throughout the year. You can expect average highs of about 30°C/86°F in the months from December to March with somewhat cooler temperatures from July to September during the height of the migration. Due to its elevation temperatures in the evening do drop to around 15°C/59°F however it rarely gets much colder than this.
Will I be able to visit the Maasai Mara national reserve?
With all the abundant wildlife and careful land management policies in place in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, it’s unlikely you’d need to go farther afield during your safari, but if you do wish to visit the National Reserve we can arrange this for you. A daily access fee per person will apply and this was USD 80 at the time of writing. If you are staying with us during High Season for at least three nights we will include one day's complimentary pass to the Reserve per adult.
What clothing and footwear will I need?
For game drives you should wear pale or neutral colours. In the warmer months from December to March these should be lightweight, but take a windbreaker or light jacket for evenings. For the cooler and wetter months take a jumper/sweater, fleece or warm jacket too. Trainers/sneakers are fine for safari walks, and it’s a good idea to bring a hat and sunglasses – for all seasons. You can wear whatever you like around the camp, and while formal wear isn’t always practical, of course it’s up to you. Make sure you don’t forget your swimsuit.
Do I need to have any vaccinations before I arrive?
No vaccinations are required on entry unless you have just arrived from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Malaria is still a risk in some areas of Kenya so it is important to see medical advice on appropriate precautions during your stay. Please check the most up-to-date COVID-19 entry requirements with your embassy.
What are the arrival and departure times at Mahali Mzuri?
Check-in is officially 2pm. If you want to arrive earlier we’ll make every effort to have a tent ready for you, but if not we’ll look after your bags so you can start enjoying yourself. Check-out of your room is officially 11am however we are flexible. Just ask us the night before you leave. If your flight leaves later in the afternoon we won’t leave you stranded and you are welcome to make use of the camp’s facilities until it’s time to say your goodbyes!
Medical Insurance
AMREF, the flying doctors organization based in Nairobi, provides air evacuation services in medical emergencies across East Africa, as well as air ambulance transfers between medical facilities. AMREF Flying Doctors operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year as a vital link between remote areas and AMREF’s Control Centre at Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Their airplanes, some fitted with operating theatre and resuscitation room, can take you back to Nairobi and to its modern, efficient private hospitals in less than one hour. All you need to do is to subscribe to their insurance: it costs very little and whilst it’s highly unlikely you’ll need to use it, it gives you total peace of mind. For those who already have travel or health insurance, it’s worth double checking what’s included in the existing policy as air evacuation may not be covered. To buy AMREF insurance please visit flydoc.org