KBYG: TGC Africa Research Trip

Passport
Photocopy of your passport ID page
Printed Copy of eVisa/Kenya
Proof of Vaccination card (covid and required vaccinations/yellow card from passport health)
International Debit & Credit Cards for any personal spending
(recommended to bring some cash)
Medication (ibuprofen, allergy, RX meds, vitamins, cold medicine, Imodium, Pepto Bismol, Dramamine, etc)
Contacts or Glasses if needed
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Malaria Pills
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, shampoo, lotion, Chapstick, comb, etc)
Good Walking shoes (hiking shoes or tennis shoes)
Bandana (for potential dust storms in the desert)
Headlamp/flashlight
Socks, 7 pair min
Underwear, 7 pair min
Flip flops and/or sport sandals
Long sleeved shirts – 2-3 at min.
T-shirts – 3-4 at min
Shorts or a light skirt – 2 pair
Jeans or safari trousers for evenings – at least 2 pair
Warm top, sweatshirt or light pullover/jacket for evenings and early morning game drives (layers are good)
Puffer or fleece jacket or similar for early mornings and evenings in the desert and Mara
- (Women – Sleeveless tops are ok as long as cleavage isn’t exposed, shorts as long as they are knee length. Long skirts & loose-fitting blouses are great too.)
- (Men – Longer shorts are fine, but have light comfortable pants as well)
- **Light or Neutral colored clothing (not white or black or camo for Kenya) Khaki, green, grey and beige are recommended. Also, stay away from dark/bright blue in Kenya as biting flies are attracted to that color.
Moisturizer/Lotion
Chapstick or Aquaphor
Sunhat (wide brimmed and/or baseball hat)
Sunglasses
Binoculars
Camera/Phone
Charger
Power bank for phone
Insect Repellent
Sunscreen
Antibacterial Wipes/Baby wipes
Hand Sanitizer
International plug/Adapters (Type C Europlug and Type G and the Type E and Type F plugs)
Daypack – small backpack, fanny pack, etc.
Swimsuit
Pen
Mesh laundry bag

**Recommend packing a carry-on bag with sufficient clothing & toiletries to last you 3 days in case of lost or delayed luggage

Nairobi Baggage Allowance – checked bag strictly 15kgs in soft sided bags (33 lbs) and a carry-on of up to 13lbs. We can leave extra bags at the Sheraton in Nairobi if necessary.

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Drones:

Morocco

The use of drones in Morocco is strictly prohibited if not authorized in advance. We do not recommend bringing a drone with you to Morocco. If you are traveling with a drone, it will be confiscated at your arrival airport, and you should be able to pick it up on your departure from the same airport.
We do not recommend traveling with equipment that may seem like it will be used for a professional shoot. Specifically, we advise against traveling with tripods, several lenses, or more than 2 cameras per person.

Mara – Not allowed in the reserve

Cairo – Not allowed in the reserve

Laundry Service

Morocco – Available at hotels, not in desert camp

Egypt – Available in Cairo, Fayoum and the camp in the White Desert

Mara – Available

Baggage Allowance:

Mara Baggage Allowance – strictly 15kgs in soft sided bags (33 lbs) We can leave extra bags at the Sheraton in Nairobi if necessary.

Check your specific airlines from home but most will allow:

1 checked bag (up to 50 lbs but if you are over 33 lbs you will need to leave items in Nairobi when we transfer to Mara)

1 carry-on (no more than 13 lbs)

1 personal item like a purse or fanny pack

Official Language:

Morocco – Arabic

Amazigh 101: Southern Morocco is largely populated by

Amazigh (or berber) villages, and a basic greeting to know

as you arrive into the Sahara is “Manzakeen”, short for “How’s

it goin!?”

Egypt – Arabic

Kenya – English (Official) and Swahili (National)

Frequently Used Terms

Jambo or Hujambo – “Hello”, “good day”, “how are you”, “problems?” (multi purpose greeting)

Jambo or Sijambo – Response to above greeting meaning “no problems”

Habari? – “How are things?” (literally “news?”)

Nzuri – “Fine”, “good”

Hodi! – “Hello?” “Anyone In?”

Karibu – “Come in”, “enter”, “welcome”

Kwaheri/ni – Goodbye to one/many

Asante/ni – Thank you to one/many

Bwana – Title meaning “Mr”

Mama – Title for adult women

Kijana – Youth, teenager (plural vijana)

Mtoto – child (plural watoto)

Jina lako nani – What is your name?

Morocco

Hustlers can be an annoyance - if you're accosted by someone offering directions, tips, henna tatoo, etc. politely but firmly refuse their services and keep walking.
Be aware of your surroundings whenever you are walking in the medina, particularly during evenings.
Keep valuables in a safety wallet or in a hotel safety deposit box. Make sure there's nothing important in your outside or back pockets.
Avoid talking on the phone in the streets. Wait until you’re in your vehicle or inside a building.

Cairo

Do not give anyone your phone for any reason
Vendors can be relentless – be firm and walk away
Don’t go anywhere alone

Kenya

Kenya has experienced political unrest in the past but remains stable at present. Those planning to travel to Kenya are advised to exercise caution and take advice from local operators before leaving. Visitors should be alert and vigilant in public places and tourist sites in all major cities and tourist destinations.

Kenya have made plastic bags illegal, in a positive effort to reduce the impact on our environment.

The ban applies to:

Carrier bags with handles & with or without gussets.
Flat bags without handles & without gussets.

Please take note that if you are travelling to Nairobi, plastic bags that match the above description, including duty free bags, will be confiscated at the airport. There is however a bigger risk that if anyone is caught using these plastic bags the fine is Ksh. 4 000 000 approximately USD 38 000 or prison sentences of up to four years.

It is our opinion that with immediate effect we advise our guests to refrain from using all forms of ‘disposable’ plastic carrying bags in both main luggage and hand luggage, to avoid inconveniences and possibly prosecution.

Areas of Sensitivity - Photographing official buildings and embassies is not advised. The coastal towns are predominantly Muslim and religious customs and sensitivities relating to dress should be respected, especially away from beaches and resorts. Smoking in public places is illegal, other than in designated areas. Homosexuality is illegal.

Wifi

Egypt

Steigenberger Tahrir Hotel in Cairo (available in all hotels’ public areas and in guest rooms as well)
Helnan Hotel in Fayoum (available in the lobby only)
White desert Camp (available in the main building which includes the restaurant only and not in tents)

Mara – Available at the main areas of the cam. Available in rooms, but not as strong as public areas.

Morocco – All hotels will have internet access (strongest signals in lobby and common areas)

Cell Coverage:

Morocco – Yes, but may be spotty in the desert

Egypt – Available in all places

Mara – available locally but is generally very intermittent inside the reserve

Flights:

Cindy Enama – ALTOUR/Travel Patti Inc

Office: 973-947-4100 x5

Direct: 973-947-4909

Mobile: 973-809-7703

888-625-8687 – Emergency 24 hour assistance