In Kenya, with over 40 ethnic languages, the official national language is Swahili, though English is spoken throughout the country. And in Tanzania, with 120 different tribes with as many languages, both Kiswahili and English are the official languages. An English speaker should not encounter any problems in being able to communicate. Q17: What if something happens and I require immediate medical attention? We recommend a temporary membership to The Flying Doctor's Society of Africa.

English is the "language of communication" in Tanzania and Kenya. It is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and visitor establishments. Swahili is the national language in both Tanzania and Kenya, and a little Swahili goes a long way. Try to learn a little before your trip, and try top pick up a little more while on safari. Don't worry about your accent; the locals are thrilled to hear visitors attempt to use any Swahili at all. To get you started, "jambo" means hello.

Hundreds of thousands of people travel to Kenya and Tanzania every year just to see the animals. There are lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo, rhino, giraffe, gazelle and wart hogs, just to name a few, that are alive and well and walking around in the game parks. Although you can no longer kill them, you can get mighty close to them to either photograph or just enjoy watching them go about doing whatever it is they do. There is also a huge variety of bird life.

Yes. Our advice is that you add the gorilla and chimpanzee experience to the end of your Kenya or Tanzania safari. Why the end? Because the altitude of Kenya and Tanzania is typically 4,000 to 6,000 feet and spending time on safari will help prepare you for tracking the gorillas in Bwindi.

Kenya straddles the equator, and Tanzania is not far south, so both countries enjoy a tropical climate. The coasts are hot and humid, while the inland areas are generally temperate (due to the altitude). The northern parts of Kenya are very hot and dry. The average annual temperature in Nairobi (altitude 4,980 feet) is 77?F maximum and 56?F minimum. The coastal town of Mombasa (altitude 50 feet) is 86oF maximum and 73oF minimum.

The US State Department issued Travel Warnings for both Kenya and Tanzania following the 1998 embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. A Travel Warning remains in effect for Kenya as of May 2005. Nevertheless, tourism in East Africa hit record numbers in 2004, with no reports in recent years of threats to tourists in the popular game reserves or on the roads between them.

Most major hotels and restaurants include a service charge in the price of the service. Tipping is not obligatory and is entirely at your discretion. Porters at airports, hotels or lodges may be tipped $1.00 per piece of baggage. A gratuity of 10% is customary at restaurants and bars where a service charge is not included. Note that on safaris, tips are considered part of a guide/driver's pay. A tip for your guide of $2.00 to $5.00 per person per day is appropriate.

Kenyan Shilling (KSH) and Tanzanian Shilling (TSH). US dollars are widely accepted. In fact, guides and service staff prefer to receive gratuities in US dollars.

In East Africa they say people go to Tanzania for the wildlife and then go to Kenya for the comfort. While this may have been true in years past, in recent years Tanzania has improved the quality of its lodges and food to more than acceptable standards. If you have time, we recommend you visit both countries.

English is the "language of communication" in Kenya. It is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and visitor establishments. Swahili is Kenya's national language. A little Swahili goes a long way in Kenya. It is worth learning a little, and most Kenyans are thrilled to hear visitors attempt to use any Swahili at all. For example, "Jambo" means hello and is often the first word learned by visitors to Kenya. Additional translations can be found in the Kenya Tourist Board's Web site www.

French and Tahitian are the official languages, but English is spoken and understood in tourist areas. Brushing up on a few basic French phrases and learning Tahitian greetings are appreciated.

Minimal. Most all costs will be paid for prior your departure. At some lodges/camps there will be a charge for soft drinks, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. Of course, any items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, etc. are your responsibility. A Departure Fee may be due at the airports, if the amount has not been included in the price of your International air ticket.

The UK Foreign Office website covers all the basics with travel tips and useful in-country contacts: www.fco.gov.uk/ and follow the "travel advice" links.

We can assist you once you have arrived to make bookings and we can send you details on request of all the airlines operating so you can contact them directly by email to make reservations. We are reluctant to get involved in booking internal flights for you before you have arrived, as we have no control over the services they offer.

English is widely spoken but a few words of Swahili can be useful and will be appreciated by the locals.

English is spoken fairly widely (German and Hungarian are the main languages). The reception area of the apartment and the dentist both speak good English. We have had no problems making ourselves understood, restaurant waiters, taxi drivers etc. in general speak some English.