Affordable luxury Kenya - Upcoming Tour | Gourmet Kosher Safaris

Affordable Luxury Kenya - Great Migrations and Diana Beach

Kenya is a safari destination that offers incredible natural beauty, stirring cultural encounters, sensational game viewing and, of course, the thrills of the Wildebeest Migration. No wonder it is the birthplace of safari travel!

-8 days
Monday Aug 19 – Monday Aug 25, 2024

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ITINERARY

KENYA

From seeing the wildebeest mega-herds in the Masai Mara and Amboseli’s legendary elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro to cultural encounters in Samburu, a Kenya safari will not disappoint.

BIRTHPLACE OF SAFARI TRAVEL

Experience nature up close, while staying at exceptional camps that are perfectly located for observing game.

On this exciting “Affordable Luxury Kosher Safari” itinerary, we blend this ‘bucket-list’ experience with a weekend on the stunning tropical coast of Kenya.

DATES & PRICES

Welcome to Kenya!

Our team will ensure a seamless transition from the airport to your top-tier hotel for check-in, a light lunch and some time to relax and refresh at the hotel facilities.

Today, we arrive in Nairobi, and start our adventure with a late-afternoon safari in the Nairobi National Park, a unique park forming part of the city limits but open on its southern boundary and home to all the Big 5!

This evening, a gourmet dinner will be served with time to recharge and rest easy to get ready for the excitement ahead tomorrow when we head off to explore the wonders awaiting you in Kenya!
Today, we rise early to embark on the most enchanting leg of your Kenya adventure as we fly from Nairobi into the world-renowned Masai Mara National Park. Here, the spectacle of the migration herds and their vigilant predators unfolds against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes.
Immerse in the magic of this peak migration season, where the Mara comes alive with an abundance of wildlife. Brace yourself for the possibility of witnessing legendary river crossings, a testament to the resilience of these magnificent creatures facing the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara or Sand River.
However, the wonders don't end there. The Masai Mara boasts one of the planet's highest concentrations of resident wildlife. From antelopes, gazelles, and zebras to the famed "pumba" (warthog), cheetahs, leopards, lions, elephants, buffaloes, and graceful giraffes – each day promises an exhilarating search for these extraordinary creatures.

On Thursday we visit a traditional Masai African village, after which we fly back to Nairobi and on to Diani Beach, for the next leg of our African adventure.
On Thursday morning, we will visit a very different part of Kenya. Ranked one of the world’s most magnificent beach areas, the endless tropical white sands from Malindi to the North of Mombasa and Diani Beach to its south, are reason enough for a trip here. When we add to that one of the world’s great marine reserves, with its world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities, the Kenya Coast joins the list of must-visits on a Kenya itinerary.
In addition to the ocean, and the opportunity to ride an African camel on the beach, the nearby creeks are great spots for smooth-water excursions by local canoes, and the reptile park is a great place to meet a python or hold a baby crocodile.

For a relaxed Shabbos setting, not much beats staying at one of the gorgeous beach-front lodges or villas in the area?
A mid-day flight on Sunday takes us back to Nairobi, where we enjoy a visit to the famous Giraffe Centre, and some other highlights of this great African City.

Itinerary

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DATES:

Monday Aug 19 – Monday Aug 25, 2024 (8 days)

PRICE:

$5,500 (per person sharing – based on min 16 persons in group); please inquire about single supplement.

Early-bird price (bookings before April 1): $20,000 per group of 4!
Lovely 4 Star Hotel accommodation

Deluxe Kosher Cuisine: 3 freshly prepared high standard kosher meals daily including packed lunch when out for the day, under strict hashgacha of the Johannesburg Beis-Din

Snacks and plenty bottled water on excursions; drinks during meals

Quality kosher wines served on Shabbos

Experienced English-speaking guides throughout the trip

Airport transfers

Excursions and activities and entrance fees per itinerary except when explicitly excluded

Park fees for reserves

Government tax & Service charge

What is not included in the tour price:

Tips – 6% ($360 per person service levy)

International airfares

Compulsory Local flights: (Nairobi - Masai Mara - Nairobi – Diani - Nairobi) (+/- $600 per person)

Optional Hot Air Balloon ride (approx. $500 per person)

Visas and airport taxes

Travel insurance

Optional flights

Hotel upgrades, bar laundry and other hotel extras

Personal expenses
50% non-refundable deposit and signed contract to secure booking.

50% final payment 3 months prior to tour

All amounts non-refundable once due. Please purchase suitable travel insurance in case of emergency

All hotels and other items are subject to change due to availability, group size, and other factors, however, all within similar standard and experience. Please note National Parks are not zoos and no wildlife sightings can be guaranteed.

All guests are required to provide proof of full vaccination against yellow-fever (or exemption certificate if over 65 or shot is not indicated for medical reasons), complete registration forms, and apply online for Kenya electronic travel authorization (in place of visa)
Arrive: Monday by early-afternoon, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport/Nairobi

Depart: Sunday evening: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport/Nairobi

Kenya

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Frequently Asked Questions

On 12 December 2023 the President of Kenya announced that Kenya would be visa-free from January 2024.

Visitors to Kenya are now required to apply online for an electronic travel authorisation in advance of travel. Some exemptions apply and can be found in full on the website of the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority.

Travelers who currently hold a valid visa can continue to travel using their visa until its expiry.

As GKS cannot take responsibility for accuracy of visa information, it MUST be verified by the consulates of these countries well in advance of travel.
To enter Kenya, your passport must have:
an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive
at least 2 blank pages
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

East Africa has an equatorial climate and the temperatures are fairly similar throughout the year. At this time in particular, temperatures are generally still high. Also, August is quite a dry month for most of the country making it one of the best times to visit Kenya, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra.
The weather does change though depending on where exactly you go, especially with elevation and precipitation. At sea level it will most likely be extremely hot and humid, and cooler as elevation increases. So, although usually pleasantly warm, the higher areas of the Serengeti, Arusha, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro regions can be a little windy, rainy, and cool, and a sweatshirt and jacket are always recommended, particularly for early morning drives.

Prior to traveling anywhere, we recommend seeking a qualified medical practitioner’s advice about vaccinations and up to date precautionary medicine based upon your itinerary and personal situation.
Yellow fever inoculations are required.
Malaria is a risk in all of East Africa throughout the year, and you should consult your doctor for a prescription for prophylactic drugs.
Women who are pregnant, infants, children under ages of 4-5 should consult their doctor before visiting malaria areas.
Kenya has a rather basic health-care service and the nearest modern private hospital is in Nairobi, Kenya. The regions we visit are very remote, and anyone with serious medical issues should discuss them with their doctor before signing down to this trip.
All travelers should take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to travel that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation.
If you require a particular medication, ensure that you take an adequate supply as it may not be available locally.

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling.
When you’re buying currency for Kenya, look out for the currency code KES. And once you’re in Kenya, you’ll see the symbol KSh used to show prices.
Kenyan banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 - although the 10 and 20 KES notes are seldom used.
Kenyan coins come in 1, 5, 10 and 20 Ksh and 40 and 40 cents.
ATMs are widely available across the country. KCB, Barclays, and Citibank are among the more reliable banks in Kenya that accept MasterCard, Maestro, and Visa. Bring additional cards, as the daily uptake with a foreign card is limited at the ATMs.
US Dollars and Euros can easily be changed to Kenyan Shillings at any Forex Bureau in most provincial towns.
Many vendors in the region will only accept cash, but many are all too eager for $US.
The good news is that being on an organized trip, you only really need cash for the small things, so it’s nothing to worry about!
*For your convenience, click here for updated currency conversion rates.

In Kenya, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type G are used, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.
The standard voltage is 240 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.
You can use all your equipment in Kenya if the outlet voltage in your own country is between 220V-240V. This is the case in most of Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom and most countries in Africa and Asia.
If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100V-127V (which is most common in the US, Canada and countries in South America) you might need a voltage converter in Kenya. Newer devices can most probably function regardless of the type of electric energy system, but there is no harm in checking, especially in the case of more sensitive or expensive personal devices.