Great promotional video for Richard Roberts's exclusive luxury camp in the Masai Mara in the heart of Kenya. The video shows the flight into the camp, then various jeep safari adventures, seeing the requisite zebras, wildebeest, hippos, giraffes, lions, rhinos, elephants, etc. What makes this video work for me is the camera work and editing - the richness of the landscape colours and wildlife is very compelling; and all in a soft-sell approach. Very nice!

01/27/09 by visitEarth
Tags: Kenya, Kenyan, safari, Kenya safari, Kenyan safari, Masai Mara, Masai Mara safari, trip, camp, luxury, exclusive, Richard Roberts

 

Here's a great little video showing a safari adventure in Kenya. Even though it's less than 3 minutes long, it covers a lot of ground, from the local Kenyan cultures to the big wildlife you expect to see in the Masai Mara. Big highlights for me were the baby elephant hanging on to its mother's tail, and the cheetah hijacking the top of a jeep! But there's also footage of wildebeest and zebras crossing a river during their migration, hippos, a resting rhino and even a family of warthogs. Good compilation!

01/05/09 by visitEarth
Tags: Kenya, safari, Kenya safari, Kenyan safari, tour, elephant, cheetah, rhino, giraffe, warthog, rhino, migration

 

Time: Local time is GMT +3.

Electricity: 240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style square three-pin plugs are used.

Language: English is the official language but Swahili is the national language, with 42 ethnic languages spoken.

Health: Travellers should get the latest medical advice on inoculations and malaria prevention at least three weeks prior to departure. Malaria risk exists all year round, but more around Mombasa and lower coastal areas than in Nairobi and on the high central plateau. Immunization against yellow fever, polio and typhoid are usually recommended. A yellow fever certificate is required by anyone arriving from an infected area. Other risks include diarrhea diseases. AIDS is a serious problem in Kenya and necessary precautions should be taken. Water is of variable quality and visitors are advised to drink bottled water. Cholera outbreaks occur frequently, and travellers should take care not to drink contaminated water and be cautious of food prepared by unlicensed roadside vendors. There are good medical facilities in Nairobi and Mombasa but health insurance is essential.

Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Kenya, however a 10% service charge may be added to bill in more upmarket restaurants. On safari, however, drivers, guides and cooks often rely heavily on tips to get by, but these are discretionary.

Safety: Following disputed elections, be advised to exercise caution and take advice before leaving. Nairobi was at the centre of the violence, but parts of Mombasa, as well as towns in the Rift Valley were also affected. There is a threat of banditry in the northern areas and travel is only advisable with armed escort; north eastern Kenya should also be avoided due to increased tension along the Kenya-Somalia border. Visitors to Lamu Island are advised to travel by air. When driving, landmines have been used in attacks around Moyale, close to the main A2 road south.

Customs: Taking photographs of official buildings and embassies is not advised and could lead to detention. It is illegal to destroy Kenyan currency. Coastal towns are predominantly Muslim and religious customs and sensitivities should be respected, particularly during Ramadan; dress should be conservative away from beaches and resorts, particularly for women. Homosexuality is against the law. Smoking in public places is illegal, other than in designated smoking areas; violators will be fined or imprisoned.

Business: Business in Kenya tends to be conducted formally and conservatively, with the appropriate formal attire of a jacket and tie. Punctuality is important. Business cards are exchanged and handshakes are standard. English is the principal language of business. Business hours are usually from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Communications: The international access code for Kenya is +254. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)41 for Mombasa and (0)20 for Nairobi. International Direct Dial is available throughout most of the country, but service is expensive and inefficient. Hotels usually add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills; it is less expensive to call from an international phone service or buy a pre-paid calling card for use in public telephone booths. All major urban areas are covered by mobile networks. Internet cafes are widely available in most towns and tourist areas.

Travel guide content sourced from wordtravels.com

01/05/09 by visitEarth
Tags: Kenya, travel tips, business, communications, safetey, health, local customs