Visas are compulsory for almost all nationalities traveling to either Tanzania or Kenya and normally prices between US$50 to US$100. There are e-visa structures in place for both countries which are recommended for clients to use for their visas before travel. Please ensure to check all visa requirements carefully before traveling as directives change often.
Why do safaris cost so much?
A safari can make for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but they can cost a lot — there is a basis for this. One of the principal reasons is a lack of infrastructure in distant areas. Building a safari lodge has different trials to build a hotel in a city. Roads need to be constructed; materials need to be transferred in. Boreholes need to be excavated to find water which then needs to undergo treatment to make certain it is clean. Solar panels and battery banks need to be positioned for electricity. Even once the lodge is built, subjection to the African components means that it is an everyday struggle to keep the property in good condition.
Food and supplies are usually flown in to maintain extremely good levels of service. There are usually a minimum of three staff assigned to every guest with expert guides, chefs, waiters, housekeepers, mechanics, etc — all of whom are paid and trained of course.
Park and other government fees need to be paid every day. These fees are essential to safeguard, take care of and enable key wildlife areas. On top of this, most responsible operators will also charge a minimal fee to aid local communities and conservation projects.
To bring down the price of a safari, guests can travel outside of peak season — when tariffs are a lot less, and the experience can be equally as good if not better.
Can children go on safari?
Without doubt! Aside from spending valuable time with your loved ones, a family safari offers irreplaceable experiences, unforgettable wildlife sightings, and the chance to discover nature.
Most of the camps that we quote are fitting for children of any age. In especially family-friendly camps, special activities and programs are offered for children, so they acquire good knowledge from their safari.
They will have the opportunity to learn bush skills and identify animal tracks, go on guided bush walks, visit a nearby community or school to learn about the customs of East Africa, buy local handicrafts, and more! Children will leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and wildlife that simply can’t be taught in the classroom.
In the Masai Mara, what is the difference between a Conservancy and a National Reserve?
The Masai Mara National Reserve was created in 1961 and from the beginning became an established safari favorite. The combination of the tremendous annual visit of the great migration and the year-long residence of all members of the Big 5 against the iconic backdrop of immaculate savannah is a safari enthusiast’s dream.
Key features of the National Reserve:
The land is county government owned and managed.
During the region’s migration months (July-October) it is the best place for river crossings – Mara and Talek Rivers.
Anyone can pay park fees and enter, including day trippers – it is therefore incredibly busy during migration months.
No restrictions on the number of vehicles allowed at a wildlife sighting.
Closer to balloon launch sites but no walking safaris, off-road driving, night drives, or visits to local communities are possible while in the National Reserve.
The first Mara Conservancy was established in 2005 and now is a collection of 15 separate conservancies that surround the Reserve. This land is owned by the Maasai, who lease concessions to tourism partners which offers the local community consistent income while conserving the land and wildlife.
Key features of a conservancy:
Privately managed and as such, have stricter control on visitor numbers. Only those staying within the conservancy can game drive within the conservancy.
It is not possible to visit a conservancy if staying in a camp located in the main reserve.
A maximum of five vehicles are allowed at a sighting.
A wider range of guest activities on offer that is not available in the main reserve, such as walking safaris and night drives.
Community and Positive Impact partner visits are easily arranged.
4 Unbelievable Things That Dream up The Masai Mara Experience
A Masai Mara safari in Kenya is a unique kind of experience. It is one of Africa’s most classic safaris. Here, you are undertaking to spot the Big Five and spectate the most impressive wildlife performance on earth, the famed Great Migration.
Besides that, four main charms make up the action-packed Masai Mara experience:
THE MAASAI TRIBES
The Maasai tribe is settled in northern, central, and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are a Nilotic cultural group. The language spoken by the Maasai is known as Maa language and isamong the best-knownresidents internationally due to their habitation near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes and their distinguishingtraditions and local attire. They are strongly paternal in nature. The elders sometimes get together with retired elders who determinethe most stellarconcerns for each Maasai group. The Maasai are devoted to a single deity called Engai. A man’s wealth is measured in terms of his cattle and children and their tralatitious lifestyle centers around cattle which comprise their direct source of food.
THE UNVARIED WILDLIFE
Well celebrated for hosting one of the greatest wildlife migrations, the Masai Mara Game Reserve is home to all members of the Big Five including the lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo, and rhinoceros. The governingdwellers are the wildebeest, and their numbers are calculated in the millions. In search of greener pastures, millions of wildebeests, Thompson’s gazelles, topi, elands, and zebra migrate from the Serengeti to the Mara fromJuly to October. Impalas, duikers, coke’s hartebeests, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, and bat-eared foxes are also constituted in the reserve during the Masai Mara rainy season, which typically runs from late March to May and November to early January.
THE FOUR DIFFERENT TOPOGRAPHIES
The Mara is separated into four different conformations known as the Ngama Hills, Oloololo Escarpment, Mara Triangle, and the Central Plains.
NGAMA HILLS
Half of the reserve is made up of the Eastern facet from the Mara and Talek Rivers to the Ngama Hills. The Hills rise above the main Sekenani entrance gate and are a striking feature of the landscape perceptible from all areas of the park, and a serviceable landmark if you are doing a self-drive safari. It is the nearest part of the reserve to Nairobi and the most frequented. You can spot the big cats and cheetahs here along with their targets of gazelle, antelope, elands, and ostrich, along with herds of elephants. The only intersection between the eastern and western sectors of the park is the southern Mara Bridge, perfect for views of a large pool of hippos.
THE MARA TRIANGLE
The Mara Triangle is governed by the non-profit organization known as the Mara conservancy in the interest of the Trans-Mara county council and it is the southernmost part of the Masai Mara National Reserve. With an area of 510 km sq, the Mara Triangle is one-third of the Masai Mara National Reserve. It boasts two natural boundaries, to the southwest is the Tanzania / Serengeti border, to the east is the Mara River, and to the northwest is the Oldoinyo Escarpment. Mara Serena is the only lodge inside the Mara Triangle and Little Governors is the only camp. The Mara Triangle is accessible by road and is easy to approach by plane with Serena and Kichwa Tembo airstrips. The grasslands of the Mara heave with wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, as well as many other predators in July and August.
THE SIRIA ESCARPMENT
Siria Escarpment is an escarpment in the Rift Valley province with the region font code of Africa / Middle East and is situated at an ascension of 1,828 m above sea level. An Escarpment is a long line of steep slopes rifting level surfaces above and below. It is also known as Doinya Escarpment, Istria Escarpment, Ololol Escarpment, or Soitolol.
THE CENTRAL PLAINS
Situated between the Mara and Talek Rivers in the heart of the Masai Mara, the Central Plains features an exceedingly reliable game viewing, particularly for big cats, many of whom are habituated to vehicles. You can take great photos without fear of driving the cats away. The Mara River and the Talek are the only stable water sources flowing through the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Mara River sustains plenty of birdlife and aquatic life including hippos, crocodiles, and otters. leopards, vervet monkeys, and bushbucks who reside in the abundant forest that borders the river.
THE PLENTIFUL BIRDLIFE
The Mara is home to over 470 species of avian species, many of which are migrants with almost 60 species being raptors. Vultures, secretary birds, marabou storks, crowned cranes, ostriches, and many more dwell here.
If you are looking to live these four incredible show-stoppers that make up the Masai Mara experience on your Kenya safari tours, get in touch with us today to get started.
What to Pack (And What to Leave Behind) For A Safari
We all love to go on safari, but what do we bring on the safari??
Here at Safari Seekers we have a small list of the Do’s and Don’ts of packing for a Safari
The Luggage
The weight of luggage is very limited on the small aircrafts that fly in Africa: per person, 33 lbs. per checked bag, soft duffel, for East Africa. The most important thing is to forgo wheels on your luggage as they add about eight to 12 pounds.
Remember to put your prescription medications in your hand luggage (in case your check-in bag goes astray… it happens!)…and make sure you have enough of each type to last your entire safari.
Preventative pharmaceuticals- This is just a fancy way of saying stuff you need, just in case the worst happens: diarrhea, headaches, heartburn, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, bites (antihistamine), indigestion, sore throat (lozenges), eye drops, and most important – anti-malarial tablets; Moisturizer and suntan lotion—SPF 20 or higher
The Clothes
Of course you’re not going to forget clothes! But are you taking the right clothes…and are you within those weight restrictions your travel agent told you about for those light aircraft flights?
Pack very minimal and lightweight, earth-toned clothing. Since most camps provide laundry services, packing light should be easy (think three to four outfits). It’s always good to pack a windbreaker or fleece, as the nights can get cool. We found that if you stick to green, khaki, grey, and white, it’s easy to mix and match.
Casual, comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year when on safari. Whilst you may elect to start a completely new safari ‘wardrobe’ it is really not necessary to look like an extra on the set of Out of Africa! Apart from selecting reasonably neutral or ‘non-bright’ colored clothing, safari-wear is generally casual and practical.
Be sure you take clothes that you feel comfortable in – especially when it comes to your walking/hiking boots.
We recommend no-fuss, breathable materials like cotton that can be dried in the sun without shrinking. But do go for a cute blousy top (good for sun coverage and loose for heat)
Layering is key – Wearing clothes in layers is the most practical way to cope with fluctuating day/night temperatures and cool evenings whilst on safari.
The weather can change drastically from day to night, one region to another, so pack a variety of layers based on your trip.
Our go to’s for safari packing:
2x tank tops
2x tees
2x long sleeve shirts
1-2x sweater/sweatshirt/Fleece/warm jacket
2x shorts
1-2x pants – those that zip off at the knees are very handy, too
Hat
Swimsuit – a number of lodges and camps have swimming pools
Flip-flops or similar for pool or in-room use, or even in safari vehicle
An elegantly casual outfit for dinner at the smarter hotels
Tissues/Wet Ones
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Hairbrush/comb
And, of course, your undergarments – yes we have had people who have actually forgotten these….
Bring a bandana, which, when warm and dipped in water, is very refreshing around your neck.
If you plan to walk, then pack one pair of lightweight walking shoes with good tread…ideally, not white or neon!
A good torch (flashlight) is a must. It can be pitch black in the bush or in your tent in the middle of the night. A rechargeable torch is ideal but a small battery-powered torch is sufficient. The new LED miner’s lights that fit on your head (and leave your hands free) are also a good option. A smaller (pencil) torch for emergencies or looking at star maps is also worth considering. Most camps will provide a torch, or will walk you back to your tent as required, but being self-sufficient is always a good idea.
A good book. It never hurts to have an interesting book when travelling. You never know when you are going to be delayed at the airport or fall victim to Africa time!
A travel diary or journal is something we recommend. You will see and experience so much in such a short period of time on safari, that the only way to maintain a good record of it will be to write it down. It does require discipline, but will serve as an invaluable record of your safari adventure.
A word (or two) of warning:
It is not advisable to wear any form of clothing that may be construed as “camouflage”. By this we mean any form of brown/green “combat” style coloring. Even if it is the latest fashion statement – and even if it is your 14 year old wearing it – and even if it is just a cap. Many African authorities have a disproportionate phobia about such garments and this could conceivably result in you being questioned or harassed by the police. It has the potential to cause you grief, so don’t do it.
Do not take any expensive personal jewelry on safari. Be minimalist or take only those everyday items that you normally wear, like your wedding band, inexpensive earrings. In Kenya, do not wear any animal bone or ivory as it is illegal.
With regard to securing your luggage, we would strongly suggest using one or more combination locks to secure zips together if your suitcase does not have its own locking mechanism. Luggage tampering in airports does occur, unfortunately. Luggage straps that wrap around your suitcase can also deter, whilst shrink-wrapping facilities are available at some airports.
What Not to Pack
“Kenya and Rwanda are polythene-free countries. For environmental reasons, plastic bags are illegal and have been banned, the customary plastic duty-free bags included. For liquids in hand luggage, it is recommended to use transparent toiletry bags.”—Wilderness Tours
“Please note no drones are allowed by any camps in East Africa.”—P.W.
“Do not bring a portable hair dryer—most camps’ electrical systems cannot take the drain, but if you must bring, make sure it is a travel version with capabilities at 220-240v (most do not auto-adapt).”—N.W.
Final Prep
“An International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow fever inoculation) is required for travel to Rwanda and Uganda, and Tanzania/Zanzibar if you arrive from Kenya (or have been to Kenya on this trip).” —N.W.
“In the unlikely event of an injury, travel insurance is highly recommended—especially to cover evacuation.”—P.W.
Other necessities: your plane tickets, passport, credit cards (note that AMEX isn’t widely accepted), and some U.S. dollars for visas, tips, and souvenirs, etc. If you’re traveling in Kenya, you’ll need to bring a printed copy of your E-Visa.
Pro tip: We’re all about souvenirs at Traveler, so make sure to pack a second duffel bag when you go on safari—that way, you’ll have plenty of room to bring home memorabilia on the way back.
Time to plan your safari!
Hopefully, these tips will help you to figure out what you need to pack for your safari. If you need more information or want to go ahead and embark on a safari adventure, Contact Us. We’ll be happy to help you decide on the best tour option.
As a travel agent of course I always research on happening around the world, and I can across this article by Kat Tenbarge and it definitely did shock me. Social media, definitely has a positive impact when it comes to spreading the word, but I suppose that this also comes with its cons of over crowding and over populating destinations.Instagram has undoubtedly created a lot of cultural shifts, and one major change is in our travel habits. Spots that were once considered private, residential, unknown, or even sacred have met their match on Instagram.
The process has been as follows: Instagrammers with large followings take pictures at beautiful, previously unheard of or rarely visited locations. People see the likes and the natural beauty and swarm to the streets, parks, cliffs, fields, and more. Sometimes, places end up worse off in the face of new visitors. Sometimes, disasters occur. Of the hot new travel destinations discovered through Instagram, these 15 spots have been ruined, desecrated, or even closed down permanently thanks to a barrage of photo-takers. Tree-lined streets in the Broadacres neighborhood of Houston have attracted too many photoshoots, residents say.
Photo-takers are drawn to Houston’s Broadacres neighborhood, where a scenic walkway lined with trees cuts through an affluent residential area. Screenshot Google Maps It’s easy to see the appeal of Houston’s Broadacres. The tree-lined brick pathways in the residential neighborhood create a stunning backdrop for all photography occasions, from weddings to graduations. But residents have put up signs demanding that no photoshoots occur, and warning visitors to stay off private property, since up to 50 shoots take place in good weather conditions at a time, homeowners say. The local Homeowners Association president told Paper City Magazine in Houston that residents had been considering how to take action for four years as photography interest in the area grew. Part of the issue became that, along with photography equipment, photo subjects would bring props and leave behind garbage like balloons and confetti. Even a Jeep was reportedly brought onto the brick walkway at one point. A #poppynightmare took over the town of Lake Elsinore in southern California.
Tourists climb the hills in a nature reserve in Elsinore, California, where orange poppies bloom. Shutterstock The town of Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles, found itself facing what the mayor called the “apoppylypse” in March. Heavy rains caused the city’s Walker Canyon nature reserve to bloom with millions of bright orange poppies, and the scenic slopes quickly gained traction on Instagram. In just one weekend, more than 66,000 tourists looking to take the perfect shot for Instagram flooded the town, causing gridlock and standstill traffic in the streets, crushing poppies underfoot, and fainting in the heat. City social media termed the situation a “#poppynightmare,” and streets leading to Walker Canyon had to be temporarily closed to non-residents. The Mount Everest base camp accumulated so much trash from tourists that it had to be closed.
The Chinese government announced in February that only tourists with climbing permits could access its Mount Everest base camp. Only 300 of those permits are issued each year. The Tibetan base camp accumulated over 8 tons of waste, including human feces and mountaineering equipment, thanks in part to the flow of tourists who could reach the Tibeten side of the mountain by car. On the Nepalese side, the base camp requires a 2-week hike to access. In 2015 alone, Tibet welcomed over 40,000 visitors to the base camp. The Chinese government said the recent closure would help them clean-up Mount Everest by allowing them to collect the unknown number, but numerous amount, of dead bodies that have been left on the extremely dangerous slopes. The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board in Wyoming is asking Instagram users to stop geotagging its natural wonders altogether.
Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock In an effort to keep Wyoming wild, a tourism board overseeing the Instagrammable Delta Lake, along with other natural beauties, has started a campaign to stop people from geotagging their photos. An overabundance of people, along with their trash and trampling, inspired the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism board to issue posters with slogans like “Tag locations responsibly” and “How many likes is a patch of dead wildflowers worth?” The movement reflects a growing concern among park staffers with limited resources and nature photographers who want to share their scenery shots without causing a stampede to formerly pristine locations. The Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon in Iceland attracted more people than the green cliffs could handle after a Justin Bieber music video.
Kevin Kopf/Shutterstock When Justin Bieber released the music video for “I’ll Show You” in 2015, the singer probably didn’t anticipate making Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in Iceland such a popular tourist attraction that it had to close this June due to damage from foot traffic. The scenic canyon, with its green cliffs and waterfalls, was already a known destination east of Reykjavik, but a representative of Iceland’s tourist agency told CNN Travel that visitors increased by 50-80% over the past 2 years after Bieber’s video, which today has over 448 million views. The director of Iceland’s tourist agency also told CNN that, while the canyon wasn’t intended to be overwhelmed by so many people, the country is working to install better infrastructure so that everyone can enjoy it. Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park is at risk of tourists who get too close to take pictures of or with wild creatures.
Lee Prince/Shutterstock Selfie and snapshot culture mixed with a lack of knowledge about wildlife issues and the carefully preserved populations of animals like bison in national parks has created a big issue for places like Yellowstone. Visitors to the most popular national park in the US are warned to stay 25 feet away from animals like bison at all times, but park rangers told The New York Times you can find people breaking rules just by driving around for an hour at any given time. In one recent episode, a bison calf had to be euthanized after it was loaded into the back of an SUV. The photos in the Yellowstone buffalo tag on Instagram may not usually trend so dangerously, but multiple episodes of animal cruelty, like the dolphin that died after being passed around for photos, serves as a warning to park visitors worldwide. Residents of Rue Crémieux in Paris have requested gates to shut out Instagrammers.
LembiBuchanan/iStock/Getty Images Cobblestone streets, pastel rows of houses, and a Paris geotag have made the city’s Twelfth Arrondissement a very popular spot for Instagram photos. But that’s driven residents of Rue Crémieux, the seemingly ideal photo-taking street in the area, bonkers. The street association’s vice president says it has become ” hell” with an influx of Instagram-ready tourists flocking to the street for rap videos, bachelorette parties, and endless photoshoots that ceaselessly disrupt the people who live there. Residents have called on the city to install a gate that can be closed during sunrise and sunset, or what’s known as the “golden hours” of photography, when tourists gather for the most flattering lighting. Public housing in Hong Kong serves as a huge photo attraction, but some residents feel disrupted and are not interested in being photographed.
The colorful Choi Hung Estate public housing in Hong Kong. Shutterstock Public housing may not seem like the type of place to go viral on Instagram, but the Choi Hung Estate in Hong Kong has become a popular photography destination, thanks to its colorful basketball courts and bright, pastel exterior. The influx of photo-takers has made it difficult for residents to go about their daily life, including playing on the aforementioned basketball courts, The New York Times reported. Across Hong Kong, public housing has become a backdrop, and marketing campaigns and music videos haven’t done much to stem the ire of people who live there. A sunflower farm in Ontario shut its doors to Instagram users forever after thousands overwhelmed its property.
Charlie Riedel/ AP For a while, the Bogle Seeds family farm charged visitors $7.50 to visit and take photos in front of its more than 1 million sunflowers. But then, last summer, the family said an ” apocalypse” occurred. After a few photos from the farm went viral on Instagram, an estimated 7,000 cars showed up over the course of 12 hours. The small farm and surrounding properties in Ontario couldn’t handle the onslaught of photo-takers. Many people reportedly stormed past the farm’s small staff without paying, trampling delicate plants. The roads leading toward the farm were swamped to dangerous capacities, with cars lining the highway in search of parking spots. The family has permanently closed its unintentional tourist attraction and had to rely on police forces to remove aggressive photo takers. Horseshoe Bend is a great place for a scenic photo, leading the park to install new infrastructure to handle an influx of visitors.
LucasHeplerPhotography/Shutterstock Horseshoe Bend used to be a more secluded spot a few miles away from the Grand Canyon National Park. Now, it’s overflowing with phones, photo-takers, and their garbage, as Instagram-famous snaps have made it a new bucket list item for more people than the natural attraction can hold. The Guardian reported that seven times the number of visitors to Horseshoe Bend have arrived since 2010, the year Instagram launched. This year, more than 2 million people are expected to make the trek to the top of the canyon for views that can be captured on camera. Because of that, park rangers have had to install new infrastructure, meaning everything from parking lots to handrails to trash cans, to handle the swell in numbers. Not only has overcrowding become an issue, with some people saying the photo-takers detract from what was what once a solitary, thoughtful experience, but inexperienced climbers and hikers may require more facilities and support than the trekkers of old. Lavender farmers in England appreciates the Instagram photo takers who pay to visit their land, but they complain that it gets too overcrowded on the weekends.
belushi/Shutterstock A lavender farm in Surrey, England, appreciates tourists who pay the $3.14 fare to photograph themselves with the beautiful purple flowers. But on the weekends, they’re asking Instagrammers to stay away, if possible, because the number of people who show up overwhelms the business. Like many Instagram attractions, farm staffers have had to clear trash that tourists have left behind, but word-of-mouth (or in this case, via geotag) has helped maintain a steady stream of business. A tourist fell to his death in Norway’s popular photo-taking destination, the mountain pass of Trollstigen.
Shutterstock The mountain pass of Trollstigen in Norway is beautiful, and tourists perched on cliffs make for great Instagram photos. But it can also be dangerous, and even deadly, as Forbes reported in July that a Lithuanian tourist fell to his death while taking a picture. According to a local police chief, the man leaned back over a railing to pose for a photo when he lost his balance and fell into a river that runs along the tourist route that’s growing in popularity, thanks to social media attention. It isn’t the first time a tourist has lost their life in Trolltunga. The path is difficult to climb, moreso than some travelers seeking a photo opportunity may realize. A Norwegian tour guide told The Telegraph accidents like these are bound to happen when people surmount a path they aren’t ready for. Places like Santorini, Greece, are almost too picturesque, leading to overcrowding from tourists.
Dmitry Morgan/Shutterstock Greece’s tourism may help keep local economies afloat, but the soaring numbers of visitors looking to capture shots in picturesque coastal cities — like the now-iconic pale dwellings in Santorini — may be more trouble than they’re worth. The Telegraph reported that the number of tourists traveling to Greece has doubled since 2010, when Instagram first launched, soaring to well over 30 million people each year, from numbers like 6 million in 1998. The rapid growth has led to strain in cities like Santorini, where the infrastructure isn’t capable of holding its visitors, and has led to major overcrowding in small islands and small communities. Banff National Park has already been closed temporarily for historic overcrowding, and still remains a major photogenic draw.
Zhukova Valentyna/Shutterstock The stunning, picturesque lakes of Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, have already led to one temporary closing in 2017 because of the sheer number of visitors. It’s something CBC reported had never happened before, and park officials hope never happens again. Even with a resolve to keep the park open, trails have had to close to the public due to overcrowding and the need to protect vulnerable wildlife. The main draw has been the Instagrammable lakes, forests, and slopes that serve as the ideal backdrop for social media users. Venice, Italy serves as the “front line” of the battle against over-tourism, as the waterways have become more packed than ever before.
Facebook/Natasha Ba Being a floating city with narrow walkways, Venice, Italy is destined for troubles associated with over-tourism. CNN Travel reported that the iconic city has become the “front line” of overcrowding in the Instagram age, with travelers having to be urged to stand aside so that the people who frequent and live in the area can get though. Both on land and in the canals, an influx of people getting into Venice, and then stopping to take photos, has created foot, road, and canal traffic. Airbnb rentals have driven up costs, and questions of how to keep the tourist attraction sustainable for the future in the face of over-tourism and climate change have plagued officials.
The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in North Korea is a building that serves as the mausoleum for Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea, and for his son Kim Jong-il. It is not easy to get inside: foreigners can get permission to get inside the palace only during the official governmental tour. And the few people who manage to get inside the palace have to follow several rules. For example, taking photos or videos, smoking, and speaking are prohibited in any area of the mausoleum. Besides, all the visitors have to go through a special machine that blows off any dust they may have on themselves.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most photographed sights in the world. However, there are certain limitations. The thing is, its nighttime illumination is a kind of art and protected by copyright law. So, it is actually forbidden to share the photos of the tower without written permission. But if you are a non-professional photographer and you take a photo just for your own use, you don’t need permission.
It is not easy to take a photo of this romantic castle in Germany. Because of the safety regulations, you are only allowed to visit the castle during the 35-minute-tour with a guide and taking photos and videos inside is prohibited. Also, you can’t take a baby stroller or a backpack inside.
One of the deepest canyons in the world is visited by 4 million people every year. Tourists often go to a special observation deck to enjoy the fantastic views from a glass bridge. This is where you can’t take pictures: tourists are actually prohibited from bringing cameras. Also, you will have to wear special shoe covers to protect the glass from scratches.
One of the modern wonders of the world can be photographed as much as you want but only from the outside. Inside, even photos are prohibited. Also, you can’t eat, make noise, or smoke in the Taj Mahal and your smartphone should be turned off or be set to silent mode.
Sistine Chapel
It used to be a church and today it is a museum and an outstanding monument of the Renaissance. It is not very surprising that it attracts thousands of tourists and that they can’t take any pictures of what’s inside. It is prohibited to take photos and film videos inside and you also have to keep quiet in the Sistine Chapel.
It is prohibited to take photos inside. They believe that taking pictures doesn’t allow other people to enjoy the unique beauty and history of the Abbey. Besides, photography can disrupt the holy atmosphere of the building which is first and foremost a working church. What you can do is download the photos from the website, but only for your personal use.
Nowadays, Lenin’s Mausoleum is not as popular among tourists as it once was, but the tourists who do go inside are not allowed to take pictures of Lenin. By the way, the lab that works on the preservation of Lenin’s body also worked on embalming the bodies of several other famous politicians from other countries.
Uluru and Kata-Tjuta National Park
Taking pictures in this national park in Australia is not always permitted. You need special permission to shoot for commercial purposes (including posts on social media). But even if you just want to take a picture for your own purposes, remember that some places are not supposed to be photographed because they are believed to be holy. Even drawing these places is strictly prohibited.
It is prohibited to take photos in some Las Vegas casinos because of safety precautions: in order to prevent any possible robberies and protect visitors from having their personal lives intruded on. In the past, it was prohibited for people to take pictures in almost all of the city’s casinos, but over time, the limitations were lifted in some of them.
Despite all the prohibitions, some tourists still manage to sneak a picture. Maybe our readers also have some of these “trophies”?
That’s right folks, we are in the service of helping people book holidays and going on holiday is an effective form of therapy that has scientifically proven positive effects =)
Here are some reasons why travel agents are better than therapists:
1. TRAVEL CAN DEFEND AGAINST DEPRESSION
According to various studies, going on holiday has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of developing depression, and in fact can help promote greater brain health. Travelling has also been found to make us happier than actually getting married!
Interestingly, and great news for travel agents, travelling’s therapeutic effects don’t just start once the client has set foot on a plane or landed in a new country, but actually start as soon as the person has booked their holiday.
Pretty cool huh?!
2. TRAVEL BRINGS PEOPLE CLOSER TOGETHER
Sharing new travel experiences together, and solving problems on the fly strengthens all types of relationships and generally brings people closer together – so well done to us, oh travel agent!
Couples that travel together were found to report higher levels of intimacy than those that stayed home, and had healthier and happier relationships overall.
3. TRAVEL CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE STRESS =)
Travelling has been found to be one of the most immediate ways of relieving stress.
Studies have found that stress levels dropped by as much as 89 percent just a day or two into a holiday – that’s much faster than even the most effective anti-depressants and so much more fun!
Freed up from the commitments and complexities of everyday life, travelers can ditch the old in search of the new and actually feel alive again instead of feeling imprisoned by the mundane.
And we’re the ones who help free them……
4. TRAVEL MAKES PEOPLE MORE OPEN MINDED
Exploring new cultures and meeting new people that hail from all walks of life has been proven to make travelers way more open minded and creative.
This is due to the brain’s neuroplasticity and the ability of travel to shape and mould the brain in new ways as we experience new things.
5. TRAVEL MAKES YOU MORE STABLE (EMOTIONALLY)
The constant change that comes with travelling can make people better able to cope with anxiety back at home.
That’s because a traveler will get used to things not going their way on their travels, and then won’t be so flustered when the same happens back home.
This ability to make people more emotionally stable is more pronounced over long-term travel, so we advise our clients to turn that two-week holiday into a three month journey!!
Sunset Cruises, Black Cotton Soil and A Broken Prop Shaft…
Being a travel agent I usually like to go and randomly visit areas and hotels to see if there are any changes or improvements to a place or even just the products they offer so that I can be sure that my guests will be happy.
This November took me to the beaches of Watamu and the bushes of Taita Hills.
In Watamu, we stayed at Turtle Bay Beach Resort, where despite the rain we actually did have a lot of fun.
They offer a variety of food on their all inclusive package and there was always something new on the menu, I especially enjoyed their banana chips that they had one night and the fried coconut that was present at the salad bar.
The room size is actually perfect for 2 people although the bathrooms were a bit disappointing-they did however mention that they are planning to refurbish the bathrooms which for the hotel I feel will be a plus point.
Before going there however, please enquire whether there is a conference going on-this is simply because the conference people can cause havoc at the quiet pool (which is supposed to be an adult pool). The property does have 3 pools, a baby pool and a larger pool that children can swim in and the quiet adult pool which is secluded and has a no children policy. Due to the conference we found that the children’s pool was actually more peaceful than the quiet pool.
One of the highlights of this trip was the sunset dhow cruise which was well worth every penny honestly.
it was a beautiful sunset with prawns, beef skewers, chicken skewers, samosas, bruchettas unlimited Dawas ( a famous Kenyan cocktail) and people eventually jumping off the dhow (I wasn’t one of them obviously) and we actually ended up not able to eat dinner that night because we were so stuffed with what we got on the cruise.
The next time we would actually want to try their dinner cruise; based on the sunset cruise I don’t think it can disappoint.
As it was a road trip, after 4 days on the beach we headed to the bush- because what’s a holiday with out both right?
We made our way to Voi after a lovely lunch at Nautilus Kilifi
(Can you believe they gave free oysters as bitings??? – how awesome is that???) and from there to Sarova Salt Lick. A beautiful property with lots of plains game.
I however found the rooms bit small compared to other lodges that we have been to, but then I’m also guessing it may not have been the easiest to build on stilts and to make sure it was rock steady. That architect definitely had his head on the right way.
One thing I don’t think any one can ever fault any Sarova property on is their food and especially their dessert. Anup, went mad over all of their mousse and I went mad over all of their pastries and we met a lady who would eat heaps of watermelon and pineapple only and drink tusker..I don’t know if I am actually ever going to try that combination to be honest and no I didn’t take a picture coz that would be rude.
we went looking for the honeymoon. lions that evening and of course knowing my luck- we just drove around in circles and GOT LOST despite having a map..LOL
The next day we woke up late, ofcourse the weather was beautiful and raining and well that’s awesome sleeping weather right and after breakfast where we had a visitor
armed with our map we set out going to look for the lions once again.
Here’s what we found
OF COURSE NO LION…….because it had rained and they APPARENTLY went in the bush somewhere…
We didn’t even manage to find the 300 or so buffaloes that were apparently around, but we did find ourselves in black cotton soil which with water isn’t the best idea right??? Well we are known for our bright ideas and we ended up with………
To sum it up, we were rescued by the sarova team, broke the prop shaft, walked in the mud but ate good food and drove back to Nairobi with a speed of 60KPH – it was OMG not funny especially for Anup who was driving.
All in all it was a memorable trip and not one we will forget easily.
Stay tuned for the South African Adventure that we had in June of this year.
Kenya-A Snap Shot Of Things You Probably Didn’t Know
Kenya is one of the most known countries in Africa both for good and bad reasons. However, there are a few facts you may not know about this East African state.
1. Kenya has one of the highest literacy levels in Africa with 85% of those above 15 able to read and write.
2. Kenya has six recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
Mount Kenya Forest
The Sacred Kaya Forest in South Coast
Lamu Old Town
Lake Turkana
Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
Fort Jesus, Mombasa
3. 42% of the Kenyan population is below 14 years.
4. The National anthem, adopted in 1963 is based on a traditional Kenyan (Pokomo) folk song.
5. You can join the army while under the age of 18 but only with parental consent.
6. The Maumau was an illegal association in Kenya from 1950 and was only legitimized in August 2003.
7. Machakos was the first administrative centre for the British colony, but they moved the capital of Kenya to Nairobi in 1899 since Machakos by-passed the Uganda Railway that was under construction.
8. Many classic adventure films were shot on location in Kenya, including The Snows of Kilimanjaro starring Gregory Peck, King Solomon™s Mines with Stewart Granger and Mogambo featuring Clark Gable and Ava Gardner.
9. Treetops Hotel is where the then Princess Elizabeth of England was staying with her husband (then Philip Mount batten, but now Prince Philip) when her father, the then King, died. So she technically became queen while in Kenya.
10. Kenya has the second most active Twitter community in Africa.
11. Paleontologists believe people may first have inhabited Kenya about 2 million years ago.
12. The Majority of the people in Kenya are Protestants with Christians making for almost 85% of the population.
13. Kenya has the sixth highest population in sub-Saharan Africa, behind Tanzania, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
14. Kenya hosts one of the “7 wonders of the world” – the annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara.
15. That Homo Erectus, also called “Turkana boy”, predecessor of man, was discovered in the Koobi Fora national park, close to lake Turkana, by Richard Leakey.
16. Kenya has 65 National parks and reserves specifically allocated as protected areas for wildlife conservation. These comprise of 23 terrestrial National Parks, 28 terrestrial National Reserves, 4 marine National Parks, 6 marine National Reserves and 4 national sanctuaries.
17. Giant crocodile fossils have been discovered in Kenya dating from the Mesozoic Era, over 200 million years ago. The fossils were found in July–August 2004, during an excavation conducted by a team from the University of Utah and the National Museums of Kenya at Lokitaung Gorge, near Lake Turkana.
18. The first inhabitants of present-day Kenya were hunter-gatherer groups, akin to the modern Khoisan speakers.
19. Kenya signed a defense pact with Ethiopia in 1969, which is still in effect.
20. Kenya has had 10 vice presidents but only 4 presidents.
