Here's a few things you should know about the trip:

We’re so glad that you want to come to Kenya! We will be reaching out in person to answer your questions, discuss expectations, and share a few stories to get you excited. In the meantime, read over these details to help you prepare for your adventure.

You can also download a PDF version of this page..

COST AND PAYMENT

Daraja tours cost $2,890.00 per person. This cost includes 8 nights of accommodation, all in-country transportation, 90% of meals, and all listed activities. This cost also includes a built-in donation to Daraja Academy. This payment does not include flights, visa costs, immunization expenses, travel insurance, souvenirs, or other personal items. If you’re ready to register for the trip Click Here!

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT

Arrange your flight to arrive on the first day of the tour and to depart the last day of the tour. We will pick you up and drop you off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Flights should depart after 4pm on the last day of the tour. 

May trip: Arrive on May 5th, Depart on May 12th
September trip: Arrive on Sept 8th, Depart on Sept 15th

If you need to arrive a day early or depart a day late, we will arrange an extra night of accommodation at the Fairview Hotel.

If you would like help booking your flights, we recommend Jill Romano at Dimensions in Travel. They can help coordinate flights and purchase travel insurance. They can be reached at (800) 828-2962 or (415) 475-5535. Explain that you are going on a trip with Daraja. They charge a booking fee of $75 for airfare and $100 for mileage tickets. 

If you’re interested in booking additional trips or excursions before/after your Daraja tour, Dimensions in Travel can help you. You can also contact our on-campus volunteer coordinator, Stems, for advice about additional trips to take or sights to see. He can be contacted by emailing stephen@daraja.org.

TOURIST VISA

You will need to arrange for your own travel visa to Kenya, but this is a very straightforward process! You can apply for your Single Entry Visa online at Kenya Online Visa.  Although they promise a 4-day turnaround, we recommend that you complete this process at least two weeks before your flight. The single entry visa cost is $50. Please contact Bethany Hardy at bethany@daraja.org if you have questions about this process. 

IMMUNIZATIONS

We recommend talking to a doctor before your trip to get recommendations on vaccinations or medications you may need.

Please note that Nanyuki sits at a high elevation, so malaria isn’t a concern in our area; however, you should always follow the counsel of your doctor.

PHONES

You can check with your cellphone provider to learn the cost of an international plan while you are in Kenya, or you can choose to purchase a prepaid SIM card upon arrival. Many past visitors have simply turned their phones onto airplane mode and just used wifi to communicate back home. Wifi will be available at the Fairview Hotel and Ol Pejeta, as well as on Daraja campus. Please note that although wifi is available, it can be spotty.

ACCOMMODATION

The accommodations on the Daraja campus are called “bandas” with cement floors, thatched roofs, and a standard western bathroom. However, if you would rather not stay on the Daraja campus (it is a tad rustic!), we are happy to book you accommodation at the following hotels for an additional cost:

PACKING LIST

You should pack for dry days with temperatures in the 70s. The dress code is more conservative on campus; shoulders should be covered, and skirts/dresses/shorts should come to at least the knees. Other suggested items include:

  • Passport
  • Anti-Malarial medication, Advil, Benadryl, anti-diarrheal tablets, Tums, and any other personal medications
  • Buy spray & sunscreen
  • Plug adapters (Kenya uses the British outlet)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Flashlight/headlamp (it can get pretty dark on campus!)
  • A smaller backpack for day trips
  • Reusable Water bottle
  • Camera with extra batteries
  • Lightweight pants, shirts, and dresses for everyday use
  • A few sweaters and a light jackets for cooler evenings, as well as for the early-morning game drive
  • Sturdy sandals
  • Flip-flops for the shower
  • Lightweight closed-toe sneakers
  • One or two nicer outfits for graduation, and dinners in town
  • Hats & sunglasses
  • Snacks (although we will do our best to cater to individual dietary needs, if you have particular restrictions it’s always wise to have backup options on hand!)

Ready to go? Click Here!