Africa 2019-21 Brochure

158 Somak Holidays 020 8423 3000 Country Guide Kenya From the vivid aquamarine shades of the Indian Ocean to the enchanting lakes, fringed pink by flamingos on the Rift Valley floor, Kenya is a startlingly beautiful land. Famed for its striking wildlife bounding across the acacia-studded savannah of game parks, such as Amboseli, the Masai Mara, Samburu and Tsavo, Kenya is a safari-lover's dream; vast national parks and reserves encompass one- tenth of Kenya's surface, spanning desert, grasslands and dense mountain forest. Kenya's human population is equally as fascinating: around 40 different ethnic groups live in Kenya, including the Kikuyu, the Luo and the proud and beautiful red-clad Masai, who still lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle of cattle-herding along the southern border. An efficient flight network connects most regions in Kenya, making flying safaris a superb option. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is the entry point for most visitors, and along with Wilson domestic airport they form the hub for regional flights. As a consequence many visitors spend some time in Nairobi, where there is a wide selection of hotels. Explore Nairobi with caution as levels of street crime can be high; do not wander about at night and always seek advice from your representative or guide. Flying time: Non-stop flights from London to Nairobi take approximately 9 hours. Time difference: Three hours ahead of GMT. Currency: Kenyan Shilling. Passports: Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after your date of return and have at least two blank pages. Visas: British passport holders require a visa for Kenya which can be arranged before departure or on arrival. Multiple-entry visas cannot be issued at the point of entry, and must be obtained in advance through the Kenyan embassy. Other passport holders should check with the Kenyan Embassy. Vaccinations: Vaccinations are recommended, please consult your doctor. For the latest information click on the ‘country information’ tab at http://www.somak.com/africa/kenya Tanzania This vast East African country is home to Africa’s highest mountain, its most famous national park and its largest game reserve. The plains and savannahs of the Serengeti National Park are considered the premier spot on the continent to see wildlife roam unheeded across vast plains. Nearby, within the steep walls of the Ngorongoro Crater lies one of the most densely concentrated populations of African animals on earth. Both flying safaris and road safaris (conducted in 4x4 vehicles) are available. The exotic palm-fringed beaches on the spice islands of Zanzibar are an excellent choice for relaxing after a safari. Flying time: Flights from London to Dar es Salaam, via Nairobi, take approximately 9 hours 45 minutes. Time difference: Three hours ahead of GMT. Currency: Tanzanian Shilling. Passports: Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after your date of return and have at least two blank pages. Visas: British passport holders require a visa for Tanzania which can be arranged before departure or on arrival. Multiple-entry visas cannot be issued at the point of entry, and must be obtained in advance through the Tanzanian embassy. Other passport holders should check with the Tanzanian Embassy. Vaccinations: Vaccinations are recommended, please consult your doctor. For the latest information click on the ‘country information’ tab at http://www.somak.com/africa/tanzania Rwanda Known as the land of 1,000 hills, this country couldn't be further from the clichéd African image of arid deserts and dry bush. Winding roads hug verdant slopes, every inch carved into fields with crops ranging from banana trees to maize. In the valleys are great sweeping tea plantations, rice fields and coffee groves. The bamboo and mid-altitude forests of the Volcanoes National Park in the north are home to the rare mountain gorillas and the high-altitude Nyungwe Forest in the south, one of the largest remaining rainforests in Africa, is home to 13 primates, including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, rare orchids and nearly 300 different species of birds. A landlocked country, Rwanda makes up for this with the stunning Lake Kivu, with beaches at Gisenyi and inlets and coves at Kibuye. Out in a kayak, you can paddle around forested islands and nod hello to the fishermen in dug-out canoes. Flying time: Flights from London to Kigale, via Nairobi, take approximately 10 hours. Time difference: Three hours ahead of GMT. Currency: Rwanda Franc. Passports: Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after your date of return and have at least two blank pages. Visas: British passport holders do not require a visa for stays of up to 3 months. Other passport holders should check with the Rwandan Embassy. Vaccinations: Vaccinations are recommended, please consult your doctor. For the latest information click on the ‘country information’ tab at http://www.somak.com/africa/rwanda ZANZIBAR, Tanzania – Average Temperature (°C) Average Rainfall (mm) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 27° 27° 27° 26° 26° 25° 24° 25° 25° 26° 26° 28° 76 76 127 381 254 51 51 51 51 76 76 152 KIGALE, Rwanda – Average Temperature (°C) Average Rainfall (mm) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 19° 19° 19° 18° 18° 18° 18° 18° 19° 19° 19° 18° 105 110 170 170 120 25 20 40 100 130 160 125 ARUSHA, Tanzania – Average Temperature (°C) Average Rainfall (mm) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 33° 33° 32° 29° 27° 26° 26° 27° 29° 31° 32° 32° 25 51 127 356 254 25 25 25 25 25 51 51 It is very easy to combine two or more countries to make yours a holiday never to forget: • Safari in Kenya + Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is an animal lover’s dream. • Kenya and Tanzania combine beautifully with Mauritius, Mombasa and Zanzibar. • Victoria Falls combined with Cape Town and the Masai Mara plus a relaxing beach stay. • Witness one of nature’s greatest events, the Great Migration on a Kenya & Tanzania combination. We have a multitude of ideas we would love to share with you. See pages 150 for more details. NAIROBI, Kenya – Average Temperature (°C) Average Rainfall (mm) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 25° 26° 25° 24° 22° 21° 21° 21° 21° 24° 23° 23° 25 51 127 203 152 51 25 25 25 51 102 76 MOMBASA, Kenya – Average Temperature (°C) Average Rainfall (mm) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 31° 31° 32° 32° 29° 28° 28° 28° 29° 30° 31° 31° 25 25 51 203 330 152 102 51 51 76 102 51