_MG_3710.jpg

Welcome to our new information hub, dedicated to keeping you inspired, informed and up to date on the world of safari travel. We’re here to keep your African dream alive and make it a reality as soon as possible.

 
 

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

GETTING TO KENYA

Navigating the ‘new norms’ for Departures and Arrivals

Kenya is open for international air travel and we are ready and waiting to welcome you on a magical safari.

Kenya has been awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) ‘Safe Travel Stamp’ in recognition of the standardised global health and hygiene protocols that the government and private sectors have put in place. You can rest assured that the Kenya Tourism Sector is taking every necessary precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and give guests a warm but safe welcome.

To put your mind at ease we’d like to let you know what to expect every step of the way as you embark on your journey to Kenya. Please click here to view the official government protocol document.

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

  • All travellers over the age of 12 years arriving into Kenya through any point of entry must have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate uploaded onto the Panabios system. Please note: vaccination means having received the prescribed doses of specific vaccine, latest shot at least 14 days before arrival, not including the day of vaccination. *All travellers coming to Kenya who are fully vaccinated shall be exempt from the requirement of a PCR test.

  • Only unvaccinated travellers above the age of 12 years must have negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 72 hours before departure regardless of the route of entry.

  • Any traveller above the age of 12 arriving at any point of entry with no proof of vaccination or a PCR test, or those with flu-like symptoms, shall be subjected to a rapid antigen test at their own cost of US$ 30. Any person who tests positive on antigen RDT will be subjected to a PCR test at their own further cost of US$ 50 and must self-isolate. Travellers below the age of 12 years are exempted from this testing requirement.

  • Traveller’s Health Surveillance Form- With effect from 1st September 2022, only travellers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya with flu-like symptoms will be expected to complete the passenger locator form on the ‘Jitenge’ platform. They will also be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival at their own cost.  Click here to complete the form. Passengers will receive a QR code after completing the form which they must display to the Port Health Official before proceeding through immigration.

  • In addition, please check your airline’s specific requirements for COVID-19 free certification and follow their guidelines for outbound and return flights.

  • Travel insurance Please ensure you have travel insurance for your safari that will cover you for changes to your itinerary as a result of COVID-19 related issues. Also check that your health provider covers you for any health-related hospital admission, including COVID-19, whilst on your travels.

  • Kenyan Visa - All foreign citizens must obtain a visa for entry into Kenya. A single entry visa costs US$ 51 and allows visitors to stay for up to 90 days. You will need to apply for your Kenyan visa using the online e-visa application ahead of time as it can take up to 2 weeks to be issued. Click here to apply. Once issued, the e-visa is valid for 3 months before travel.

ARRIVAL INTO KENYA

  • Government Health check- Once you have disembarked the aircraft, you will proceed through the government health checks before immigration and customs.

    All arriving passengers on international flights whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5° C (99.5°F); do NOT have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing or other flu-like symptoms; have a negative PCR based COVID-19 test carried out within 96 hours before travel and are from countries considered low to medium risk COVID-19 transmission areas, shall be exempt from quarantine.

  • Quarantine & exemptions lists- Some travellers may be required to quarantine upon arrival in Kenya depending on the risk evaluation of their respective countries. Those required to quarantine will do so at a government-designated facility or at their home subject to prevailing guidelines.

    Countries exempt from quarantine upon arrival into Kenya will be reviewed by the Ministry of Health on a day to day basis. Please get in touch to confirm the latest list of countries.

  • Airport transfer - Once you have exited the arrival building, you will be met by a representative from The Specialised Safari Company who will assist you with your bags and guide you to your transfer vehicle.

For what to expect on arrival, please watch this video from the Kenya Airports Authority

DURING YOUR SAFARI

  • Face masks - Wearing face masks in public spaces is not mandatory, however, the use of masks is encouraged in all indoor spaces

  • Hand sanitiser- Although there will be plenty of hand sanitiser available throughout your safari, it is advisable to bring some with you.

DEPARTURE

  • Passengers travelling out of the country are required to abide by the particular travel, health and COVID-19 related requirements of the destination country or airline.

    Therefore, a PCR certificate and/or vaccination certificate are only required for departing passengers whose destination country or airline require them. All other departing passengers do not need to present this certificate to leave Kenya. Given that regulations vary between airlines and countries, we recommend checking the specific requirements of your airline and destination country carefully. Passengers should get to the airport with ample time for additional screening and antigen tests if required. Costs for all tests are at the expense of the guest.

  • Getting tested in Kenya
    If your return destination or airline requires a negative PCR based COVID–19 test before you depart Kenya, you must get tested with a certified clinic that can issue the Trusted Travel Code and results must be uploaded to the Global Haven website.

    Specialised Safaris can help arrange testing throughout the country. Please contact us in advance for costs and arrangements to be made.

We will endeavour to keep these government airport protocols as up to date as possible, however, please check with our office if you need further information.

We are ready and waiting to welcome you for the trip of a lifetime.

We are delighted to be able to offer the ultimate escape which is ideally suited to our new world of travel: a remote safari to the soothing sanctuary of Africa’s wild spaces. A safari is, by its very nature, the ideal socially distanced vacation. Experience a journey that will connect all your senses to the natural world, healing body and soul along the way.

We’ve done our best to ensure that you can plan your safari with complete confidence through our flexible booking terms. These are as follows:

BOOKING POLICY

With honesty, flexibility and understanding we can help you plan your trip of a lifetime.

New bookings for travel due to complete before 31 December 2022 have the following terms and conditions.

  • If you cancel your trip more than 120 days before arrival, the deposit is refunded, net of bank/payment transaction/currency exchange charges excluding the booking fee of US$5000pp.

  • If you cancel your trip between 120 and 46 days prior to arrival, the deposit is forfeited.

  • If you cancel your trip between 45 and 30 days prior to travel, 30% is forfeited (excluding booking fee of US$5000 + bank/payment transaction charges).

  • If you cancel your trip less than 30 days, and no shows, 100% is forfeited.

  • No refund will be given for guests who join a tour but leave before its completion.

Should your country of residence or Kenya close its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or should a guest be diagnosed with COVID-19* the following ‘COVID-19 cancellation terms’ will apply:

  • If you cancel your trip more than 120 days before arrival, the deposit is refunded, net of bank/payment transaction/currency exchange charges and the $5000 pp booking fee.

  • If you cancel between 120 and 46 days prior to arrival, the deposit will be held in the form of a non-refundable credit note valid for 24 months from the date of issue. Any further balance to be refunded will be net of bank/payment transaction/currency exchange charges.

  • If you cancel your trip between 45 and 30 days prior to travel, the deposit will be held in the form of a non-refundable, non-transferable, credit note, valid for use up to 24 months from your original travel dates.

  • Less than 30 days the full booking value will be held in the form of a non-refundable, non-transferable, credit note valid for use up to 24 months from your original travel dates.

*An official doctor’s note (verified, stamped and signed) and proof of residency will need to be supplied in order to claim the amended COVID 19 terms.

These terms and conditions apply to stays in our private camps and in The Safari Collection properties in Kenya. Third-party accommodation and logistics are subject to their own policies; however, we will work on your behalf to recover any third-party supplier costs wherever we can and will advise on a case by case basis.

  • Once a safari has been postponed, increases in cost due to changes in travel season or dates will be updated and passed on to the client.

Please note, cancellation penalties are subject to the original booking deferral date, until such a time that the new travel date takes precedent. For example, if a booking that is 30 days away changes its booking date now, the cancellation terms will be based on a 30-day cancellation, until the point it becomes 29 days from travel at which point the cancellation terms will then be based on the new booking dates.

These are the terms and conditions that you are agreeing to when paying the Booking Fee or Deposit.

Any specific enquiries must be addressed directly with us – we are always here to help.