The Kenya Safari Code
KARIBUNI! Welcome to Kenya, the original home of the great African safari. Our country is blessed with some of the world's richest wilderness areas and rarest creatures. To preserve these wonders, we urge all visitors to read the following guidelines and help us protect our natural heritage - for our sake, and the sake of all future generations.
WHEN VISITING OUR COUNTRY:-
- Travel with reputable operators and qualified / certified safari guides
- Respect local cultures and traditional livelihoods
- Stay at lodges and safari camps that take care of their environment and benefit local people
ON SAFARI:-
- Keep to designated roads or tracks when visiting national parks or reserves. Off-road driving can cause extensive damage to grass and woodland habitats
- Minimise disturbance to animals by: keeping a good distance away from animals, not surrounding animals with several vehicles, keeping noise to a minimum and not attracting the animals attention
- Stay inside your vehicle at all times, only leave it in designated areas. Remember: wild animals can be dangerous!
- Keep the speed limit, usually 40 kph - and animals always have the right of way
- Never feed any animal, this can upset their diet and lead to an unnatural dependence upon people
- Take care not to disturb natures balance. Please do not purchase, collect or remove any animal products, rocks, plants, seeds or birds' nests from the wild
- Take all your l itter with you, it is dangerous to wild animals. Please be extremely careful with cigarettes and matches, which can cause major bush fires.
AT THE COAST:-
- Protect the marine environment. Please do not touch or stand on the coral reefs.
- Take all your l itter with you, never dispose of it on the beach or in the sea.
- Never buy or remove starfish, shells, or any products that derive from turtles, whales or other endangered species.
- Avoid buying undersized crabs and lobsters and restaurants/hotels that serve them, as they are contributing to the rapid demise of these species.
- Support designated market areas, where traders are making an effort to keep their business off the beaches
- Please do not give money or gifts to children, which encourages them to stay away from school.
- Please dress in a respectful way when visiting towns and villages - and never bathe topless on the beach
The protection of Kenya's natural environment is a responsibility shared by the tourist industry, local people and visitors. As a visitor, you have the power to influence the behaviour of others. If you see an incident that clearly contravenes any of these guidelines, please record the details and request for an Incident Report form from the reception of your hotel. If you insist that these guidelines are adhered to, you will be playing an important part in preserving Kenya's greatest wilderness areas.