Lodges in Kenya: The dos and don’ts

Lake Nakuru Deloraine House

• Never walk unaccompanied after dark in the bush or an unfenced camp or lodge.

• Don’t feed the wildlife – not only does it encourage a dependency on handouts to survive, but it may also foster problem animals.

• Don’t leave cash or other valuables lying around in the room.

• Do cover up in the evenings, spray exposed skin with repellent, and sleep under a net or fan to discourage mosquitos and other biting insects.

• Don’t freak out if you find lizards in your room or frogs in the basin – they are not vermin but rather harmless contributors towards insect control.

Ol donyo Lodge, Great Plains Conservation

• Don’t make any unnecessary noise when wild animals are in the vicinity, or you might scare them off.

• Do take the opportunity to go on a guided bush walk if offered – it will be a wonderful opportunity to focus on plants, insects, birds and other creatures less glamorous than the Big Five.

• Do carry sunblock and a hat on all game drives.

• Do assume that any large animal that enters camp is wild – respect its space and give it a wide berth rather than walking up to it to be photographed with it and chasing it away or provoking attack.