INTERNATIONAL GUESTS If you are staying at a lodge or house on either Borana or Lewa conservancy, that lodge's safari cars will be dedicated to bringing you to and from the Friday Welcome Reception, Saturday Wedding, and Sunday Brunch. These "game drives" will take approximately 30 minutes - 1 hour each way and you are sure to see wildlife and some of The Big Five along the way. You will also have a variety of activity options that are included in your stay, such as: morning and afternoon game drives for wildlife viewing, horseback riding, guided bush walks, and add-ons like eBiking and helicopter safaris. All meals, drinks / alcohol, and most activities are included in these stays. CANVAS TENTS For local guests or those wishing to stay in a canvas tent, we have multiple tent options held for the 2 nights of September 27 - 29, 2024. Stay for one or both nights or bring your own tent to the wedding! The tents will be walking distance from the wedding ceremony and reception sites. Please use this link to book: https://tarpoevents.com/private-events/?product_cat=borana
For International Guests, you will fly into Nairobi's NBO airport, called Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The Domestic Airport is Nairobi is about a 20 minute drive from NBO, and the domestic airport is called Wilson Airport. There are many domestic flight options to get from Nairobi to Borana: including short one-hour domestic flights from Wilson Airport to Lewa Airstrip or Nanyuki, or private charter Cessna caravans for any size group. Domestic Airlines: Safarilink and Air Kenya Private Charters: Yellow Wings, Rift Aviation, Tropic Air Alternatively, you can book a trusted private driver between Nairobi and Borana, information below.
To get around Nairobi, Ubers are cheap and plentiful. We also have many trusted, safe, and English-speaking private drivers in Nairobi with cars in multiple sizes. They can stay with you and your luggage for the day in Nairobi, or bring you to Borana Conservancy or elsewhere on your own safari. Please let Emeri know if you would like the WhatsApp number of a private driver. Estimate: $200 USD per vehicle and about 4 hours of drive time each way from Nairobi to Borana.
E-VISAS eVisas are no longer necessary to enter the country. HOWEVER, you will need to apply for a $30 eTA entry on a digital platform that is being released in early 2024. It's a simple process that takes about 10 minutes to complete. When asked where you are staying, select "Borana Conservancy" Link here: https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en INSURANCE All travelers will need to purchase AMREF Flying Doctors Insurance in order to stay at most lodges in Kenya. Please purchase this per person in the link below by selecting "Maisha Bronze" for 3,100 Kenya Shillings ($20 USD). https://flydoc.org/maisha/products/ VACCINATIONS There are no mandatory vaccinations to enter or exit Kenya from the USA. No COVID certificates needed. We do not have malaria-carrying mosquitos on Borana and those of us who live here do not take malaria medication. If you are traveling elsewhere in Kenya and this is something you are concerned about, please consult with your doctor to receive a prescription. If you are traveling to or from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever before or after the wedding, you may need to get a Yellow Fever vaccine 3 weeks before your travel date. Please check the CDC website for guidelines.
Anything you pay for in advance (lodging, transport) will be paid for in US Dollars. The US Dollar is accepted as currency in most places in Kenya. You do not need to pull out Kenya Shillings, unless you wish to shop at village markets. Outside of Nairobi, you will likely not find an ATM. It is advised to bring a couple hundred dollars of USD large and small bills if you wish to purchase souvenirs, shop locally, and leave gratuities for lodge staff, as often places do not have credit card machines to take payment. Please note AMEX is not usually accepted in Kenya stores or on-site at lodges.
For safaris throughout East Africa, it is the norm to bring USD cash for both your lodge's staff tip and for your safari guide. For those staying at a lodge or exclusive-use safari house, please account for $30 per person per night and that will be given to the lodge manager at the end of your stay to divide between the staff. For those staying in canvas tents, it is not necessary.
Kids are very welcome! For the Ceremony, all kiddos are welcome alongside their parents. For Dinner, we will have a separate (but nearby) Kids Area with an earlier simple dinner and a couple Ayas. If you would to bring a bedroll for them please feel free to.