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On tour now. Suggestions
We are moving to our last lodge and the Masai Mara Fairmont Tent Camp. This is the trip of a lifetime and not to be missed. A few observations for those who may be taking this journey in the next few weeks. All of this is in previous posts, but I wish some of it was emphasized based upon current conditions.
Pay heed to the advice to dress in layers and to bring warm coverings. Our first four nights were extremely cold – upper 40s. The first two lodges, in Arusha and at then at the Ngoroongoro crater rim, have no heating in the rooms. Unlike when you are in the states and you can get out of the cold into your warm house, that is not the case here. Once your core gets cold, it is hard to get warm again. There are only showers, so the ability to take a hot bath to get warm is not there. They do put hot water bottles in the bed at night, however Many in our group were quite miserable in the evenings. There are fireplaces in the public areas which were lit and provide some relief from the cold evenings. That said, the days can get warm, but never extremely hot. Low to mid 80s. Long sleeves which can be rolled up and a fleece or puffy jacket are an absolute requirement.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Although cool, not too humid and not much physical exercise, you are still at altitude and need to take in fluids. Couple of people in our group got ill, one needing a doctor, and the diagnosis was dehydration. Take in as much water as you need and then some. There is always plenty. Also dehydration makes it difficult to regulate your body heat.
About half of us got the Tanzanian two step. Take your cipro, imodian, pepto tables, etc. as soon as the first signs come on. It is not that the water in the hotels or the food is particularly unsanitary, it is just different to our systems. I was cautious, drinking only bottled water and eating only cooked veggies, but still got it. Lasts 24 hours, but it is not a fun day wondering if you can make the next toilet stop.
When you leave the first lodge in Arusha take the half-used role of toilet paper with you. Tauck does a decent job of stopping every few hours for toilet brakes with European/American style toilets, but not all have toilet paper. Also, if you do need to “check the spare” you will need the tissues. So far none in our group has needed to do so, but don’t be shy about telling the driver of the need to hurry to the next toilet. Everyone with you in your vehicle will understand and may be silently grateful you spoke up.
Kenyan officials were checking for yellow fever vaccinations. Evidently some times they do and some times they don’t. They are not doctors just low level bureaucrats and really don’t care what the CDC or anyone else may say. A few in our group did not have the vaccination and ultimately got through, but it was worrisome. Be prepared for some hassle if you do not have the yellow card. Bring a note from your doctor if you can.
Wish we had taken eyedrops. Dust is constantly blowing in your face from other vehicles. The various types of buffy style dust coverings for the mouth and nose were needed and used.
Not a lot of mosquitos this time of year does not mean there are none. Some bites among our group especially those who do not want to use deet. Mosquitos were particularly noticeable at the first lodge in Amboseli Kenya. Only encountered one tsetse fly so far. Supples at some of the lodges can be lacking as delivery is difficult and spotty, so some of the lodges did not have supply of repellant wipes. We brought a good supply of Bens, and were glad we did. Used them in the morning and again in the evening. No bites for us thus far.
Everyone uses american dollars and visa credit cards. No need to exchange money.
Everyone wears safari style clothing. No problem feeling out of place at either the Four Seasons or the Mt. Kenya Club.
Have a great trip. Kenya and Tanzania are everything you have heard and then some.
Pay heed to the advice to dress in layers and to bring warm coverings. Our first four nights were extremely cold – upper 40s. The first two lodges, in Arusha and at then at the Ngoroongoro crater rim, have no heating in the rooms. Unlike when you are in the states and you can get out of the cold into your warm house, that is not the case here. Once your core gets cold, it is hard to get warm again. There are only showers, so the ability to take a hot bath to get warm is not there. They do put hot water bottles in the bed at night, however Many in our group were quite miserable in the evenings. There are fireplaces in the public areas which were lit and provide some relief from the cold evenings. That said, the days can get warm, but never extremely hot. Low to mid 80s. Long sleeves which can be rolled up and a fleece or puffy jacket are an absolute requirement.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Although cool, not too humid and not much physical exercise, you are still at altitude and need to take in fluids. Couple of people in our group got ill, one needing a doctor, and the diagnosis was dehydration. Take in as much water as you need and then some. There is always plenty. Also dehydration makes it difficult to regulate your body heat.
About half of us got the Tanzanian two step. Take your cipro, imodian, pepto tables, etc. as soon as the first signs come on. It is not that the water in the hotels or the food is particularly unsanitary, it is just different to our systems. I was cautious, drinking only bottled water and eating only cooked veggies, but still got it. Lasts 24 hours, but it is not a fun day wondering if you can make the next toilet stop.
When you leave the first lodge in Arusha take the half-used role of toilet paper with you. Tauck does a decent job of stopping every few hours for toilet brakes with European/American style toilets, but not all have toilet paper. Also, if you do need to “check the spare” you will need the tissues. So far none in our group has needed to do so, but don’t be shy about telling the driver of the need to hurry to the next toilet. Everyone with you in your vehicle will understand and may be silently grateful you spoke up.
Kenyan officials were checking for yellow fever vaccinations. Evidently some times they do and some times they don’t. They are not doctors just low level bureaucrats and really don’t care what the CDC or anyone else may say. A few in our group did not have the vaccination and ultimately got through, but it was worrisome. Be prepared for some hassle if you do not have the yellow card. Bring a note from your doctor if you can.
Wish we had taken eyedrops. Dust is constantly blowing in your face from other vehicles. The various types of buffy style dust coverings for the mouth and nose were needed and used.
Not a lot of mosquitos this time of year does not mean there are none. Some bites among our group especially those who do not want to use deet. Mosquitos were particularly noticeable at the first lodge in Amboseli Kenya. Only encountered one tsetse fly so far. Supples at some of the lodges can be lacking as delivery is difficult and spotty, so some of the lodges did not have supply of repellant wipes. We brought a good supply of Bens, and were glad we did. Used them in the morning and again in the evening. No bites for us thus far.
Everyone uses american dollars and visa credit cards. No need to exchange money.
Everyone wears safari style clothing. No problem feeling out of place at either the Four Seasons or the Mt. Kenya Club.
Have a great trip. Kenya and Tanzania are everything you have heard and then some.
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Comments
It's crazy to think that so many on tour tour did not read the Tauck provided information about the cold temperatures at night in this area of Africa, I mean, you are on a high plateau. Obviously very few read the Tauck forum, but this particular topic is all there from the Tauck info and any weather website.
Interesting too about the Yellow fever certificate being asked for in Kenya because many are resistant to getting the shot by what I read on the forum. Interestingly, I recently saw the 'Travel Specialist pharmacist' at the pharmacy related to my usual pharmacy in the next town. When I originally enquired about his services and he mentioned Yellow fever, he appeared totally unaware of the new guidelines for the vaccine, being that some countries accept one shot forever, I was not impressed. It's the first time I have used a special travel consult for ages because my regular doctor always gives my my scripts for malaria meds. But I needed a typhoid vaccine so that is why I saw him. By the time I actually went for the consult, he had updated himself. It just shows that everyone needs to read up about the latest information before they get a consult. There's nothing worse than an out of date health specialist!
Also, on our last safari,very few wore anything like safari clothing, wearing bright t shirts and the like. I guess it varies from group to group.
Continue to enjoy!
British. Actually most everyone did read about the weather and layers. As I attempted to explain, what is not mentioned or taken into consideration is the inability to come in out of the cold to warm up and the lack of heat in the rooms. Most everyone had layers, but the layers worn in the States around town for temps in the high 40s are not the same as layers worn camping with no ability to get warm other than crawling into a sleeping bag. The latter is what is needed. Big difference.
Also, the South Africa safaris are much colder on the morning drives, hat and gloves cold.
Thank you for taking the time to share!
Enjoy the rest of the trip- it was the best I have ever been on- such great memories!!
We leave on the 18th.......can't wait to start taking pic's!
I also brought several Columbia long sleeve shirts. On sunny afternoons it warmed up so I just opted to take off the shirt and had my T-shirts underneath. Also in the early mornings I found the T's provided another layer of warmth. I found layering was the best option. Have a wonderful trip !!