WHAT TO BRINGFor your adventure holiday, you will need a hat, suncream, anti-mosquito cream for sunset, sunglasses, swimming costume, a tough pair of sandals, a torch, towel, t shirts, shorts and one pair of long trousers/skirt. Excess luggage can be left at a hotel when you are on the dhow. You might also want to bring alcohol with you as it is difficult to buy in Lamu, a Muslim island. However we can obtain Tuskers for your trip locally.
HEALTHFor your Kenya holiday, you should not need Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccination certificates as they are only required for visitors arriving from infected areas. There are a number of other inoculations recommended to visitors. Clients are advised to contact their own doctor or local medical advisory center for up to date information. Mosquitos are not a problem on sea water, but sensible precautions should be taken. Malaria is endemic in East Africa and visitors should follow a course of Malaria prophylactics according to doctor's advice. www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
PHOTOGRAPHYBring plenty of film with you. A wide choice of films are available locally but are rather expensive and in establishments outside main towns and cities and can be out of date.
CLIMATEThe climate in East Africa is strongly influenced by altitude and proximity to the sea. The swahili coast has a hot and humid tropical climate with sae breezes (July and August are cooler and less humid). Inland, a pleasant temperate climate prevails, with warm, sunny days and cool nights. There are two rainy seasons. The long rains occur during April and May during which we are closed, and the short rains mid-November to mid-December. Rain falls generally at night for which we have a tarpaulin, and the days are often sunny and warm. In October, the monsoon switches to the North, the Kaskazi, and temperatures heat up for the dry season. A sea breeze blows from 11am to 11pm. This is the best snorkelling season. We are well above the cyclone belt and wind strength rarely exceeds Beaufort Force 5.
DRINKING WATERDrinking water from the tap must be considered risky. Bottled mineral water is available in every hotel and supermarket and is supplied on the dhow.
SECURITY
Your security is assured by our local crew who have family all over the islands. Also the Kenyan navy, Ministry of Fisheries, Kenya Wildlife Service and World Wildlife Foundation all have bases and fast boats around the archipelago. We are about 30 miles from the Somali border, but are not affected by piracy or cross border raids. For foreign travel advice kenya, see www.fco.gov.uk.
Lamu is a Muslim community, and one of the few places in Africa where it is safe to wander around at night. Visitors should however respect the dress code around town, covering the shoulders and knees, a kikoi - a Kenyan wrap is ideal.
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