How to Apply for East Africa E-Visa as Philippine Passport Holder

an adventure of Pinoy backpacker in processing travel documents

general info:

* East Africa E-Visa is valid within Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda only (airport and land border).
* East Africa E-visa print-out is to exchange as visa sticker in passport on airport arrival 

* multiple entry within 90 days from the date when the visa sticker was applied

* as of June 2017, visa-on-arrival still in process in Entebbe Airport (Uganda)

EAST AFRICA TOURIST E-VISA REQUIREMENTS:
1. scanned information page of passport (more than 6 months before expiry)
2. latest passport photo
3. scanned copy of yellow card certification (for yellow fever vaccination)
4. hotel booking and itinerary details
5. confirm e-copy of flight details

TO APPLY FOR EAST AFRICA E-VISA AND PLANNING TO ARRIVE ON THEIR RESPECTIVE AIRPORT:
Uganda - https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
Rwanda - https://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=203

Kenya - http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html

East Africa Tourist Visa Sticker (Jun to Sep 2017)

2014 Travel Mash-up; Life-changing Adventures beyond 8 Countries

inside Europe, Africa and Asia... 50 days on 8 countries, 20 flights on 7 different airlines...
June 27 to August 15, 2014

6th OFW vacation; 2nd Ultimate backpacking across 3 Continents

"Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world" - Gustave Flaubert

A mash-up is a song composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, or usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another. It is also a video combining multiple pre-existing video sources with no discernible relation with each other into a unified video. As for me, I used the term mash-up in travel to blend or combine the function of plane tickets to two destinations. The departure on one destination is the arrival to new destination, not the usual round-trip flight going to original airport departure. The process is not that comparable with the song/video, but somehow the essence is there.

2nd long term travel from June 27 to August 15, 2014. Sightseeing mash-up travels across the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia; 25 days in western side composed of United Kingdom, Morocco, Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania and another 25 days in eastern side composed of Philippines, Indonesia, Japan. 8 countries in 3 continents, 50 days with 20 flights on 7 airlines, countless bus rides, food trips and life-changing adventures...

I called this trip as the most extreme and expensive travel I ever planned because of the highlight adventure for every countries included. 1st was the 21.7km biking to Stonehenge in Salisbury to Amesbury, England of United Kingdom. 2nd was the camel back-ride to Sahara desert night camping in Morocco. 3rd was the parachute gliding above the cotton castle and balloon flight ride in Turkey. 4th was the Masai Mara safari ride and camping in Kenya. 5th was the 6-days Machame route for 5,895masl trekking of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. 6th was the family road trip in Northeastern Mindanao (CARAGA Region) of Philippines. 7th was the adventurous river white-water rafting and tubing in Bali, Indonesia. Finally (8th), revisiting Japan for the 3,776masl self-guided solo night trekking to Mt.Fuji via Yoshida trail.

2014 travel mash-up; backpacking across 3 continents (fridge magnet souvenirs)

Crossborder Shuttle Bus Travel between Kenya and Tanzania (Namanga)

6-days Mt. Kilimanjaro Machame route Solo Climb in Tanzania
July 14 to July 21, 2014

Mt. Kilimanjaro Machame route Planning & Hike Preparation

Namanga is a border town between Kenya and Tanzania, 180 km from Nairobi and 120km from Arusha. The town lies mostly in Kenya. Crossing the Namanga border can be hectic (it’s often busy) but the process is fairly easy. This crossing is busiest when the intertown and shuttle buses are passing, typically 9:30-11:00 and 15:30 to 16:30. The process that usually happens on this border; police checkpoint (90% likely in Kenya, 10% in Tanzania – you may just be waved through), outgoing immigration for all passengers, out-going customs for passengers / vehicle – baggage + departure form for vehicle if you’re driving and incoming visa applications (entry/exit). Immigration officials may ‘forget’ to give you a receipt for your visa – make sure you get one. This is particularly common on the Kenyan side, but becoming less of an issue. BE CAREFUL OF THE FIXERS.

SHUTTLE BUS TRAVEL FROM NAIROBI CITY, KENYA TO ARUSHA, TANZANIA
 
Nairobi to Arusha bus travel time took approximately 6 hours including the stop-overs, crossborder checkpoints and arrival/departure visas. Shuttles depart from the Silver Spring hotel (Impala Shuttle) or from the centre of town near the Parkside Hotel, on Muindu Mbingu street opposite Jeevanjee gardens (Riverside and other shuttles). Report to the bus at least 15 minutes before departure especially if you have bulky luggage. Some shuttle companies will pick you up at a central hotel if you are staying there. Road conditions are excellent.

0700H    Breakfast
0800H    ETD Central Nairobi, Kenya
1200H    Namanga Border (Kenya departure stamp / Tanzania arrival stamp)
1400H    ETA Arusha town, Tanzania

Crossborder shuttle bus travel from Kenya to Tanzania via Namanga (visa forms)

Kenya last part; Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-3

3-days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya
July 11 to July 13, 2014

Kenya 2nd part; Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-2

Today was the last day of 3-days saga to the one of best things to do in a Bucket list on every traveler's idea. In earlier years, Safari trip was a big-game hunt, but today, safari often refers to trips to observe and photograph wildlife—or hiking and sight-seeing. I'm the only one in our group that availed the 3D/2N trip, all of them booked for 3D/2N tour. Today was just a morning tour for me ended up 1000H. 

Day-3: Masai Mara to Central Nairobi

On this morning, enjoy a pre-breakfast game drive between 6.30 a.m and 9 a.m. After this, return to the camp for a hot breakfast after which we begin our journey back to Nairobi where the Kenya Camping Safari ends. Morning game drives then proceed to Nairobi to arrive by 1600 hrs where the safari ends.

3day/2nights package includes; Transport in a 9 seater custom made Tour van with a pop up roof - each person is guaranteed a window seat; Services of a professional English, Spanish, German speaking guides; Game drives as per the itinerary; Game parks or national parks entry fees; Accommodations in self contained Tents fitted with camp beds/Linen is provided; Three meals per day whilst on safari, prepared by Cook

Price excludes: Drinks; Tipping; Kenya Visas; Hotel accommodation in Nairobi before and after the safari

KENYA MASAI MARA SAFARI ADVENTURE ACTUAL ITINERARY DAY THREE

0600H    Breakfast
0630H    ETD Masai Mara Choi
0700H    ETA Masai Mara National Reserve Park Oldolaimutia Gate
1000H    ETD Masai Mara National Reserve Park and Van transfer
1330H    Narok stop-over for lunch (included)
1730H    ETA Hotel Embassy, Central Nairobi
 

Kenya's Masai Mara Safari Adventure last day of 3D/2N trip (lion)

Kenya 2nd part; Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-2

3-days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya
July 11 to July 13, 2014

Kenya 1st part; Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-1

Today was the Second day continuation of one of the best things to do in a Bucket list on every traveler's idea. In earlier years, Safari trip was a big-game hunt, but today, safari often refers to trips to observe and photograph wildlife—or hiking and sight-seeing. We were 5 tourist in a 4x4 van; me, 1 couple from Australia that we picked-up along the road and 1 couple from United Kingdom that came together with me from Central Nairobi.

Day-2: Masai Mara Full-game Reserve 
Full day spent game viewing exploring the park in search of the Big 5. Early morning and late afternoon game drives are offered. You will enjoy a picnic lunch with the hippos and crocodiles at the Hippo Pool. All your meals and overnight will be at Rhino Tourist Mara tented camp. The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures 

KENYA MASAI MARA SAFARI ADVENTURE ACTUAL ITINERARY DAY TWO

0600H    Breakfast
0630H    ETD Masai Mara Choi
0700H    ETA Masai Mara National Reserve Park Oldolaimutia Gate
1300H    Pack Lunch Safari picnic
1800H    ETD Masai Mara National Reserve Park Oldolaimutia Gate
1900H    ETA Masai Mara Choi, Dinner and sleep
 

Kenya's Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-2 (cheetah)

Kenya 1st part; Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-1

3-days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya
July 11 to July 13, 2014

Nairobi Airport arrival in early morning

On my confirmed booking to Wild Race Africa travel tours, the only communication we had before my Kenya arrival was the email. Upon finishing the Immigration process, I immediately went to Exit and saw my name was written in a piece of paper raised by a local. I walked with him going to a car and advised we will be going first to the office located in Central Nairobi for briefing and wait for other tourist to arrive. Travel time was around 30 minutes only and I'm the only passenger. I took a nap first because it was 0600H then, agreed Nairobi departure was 0900H. 

Day-1: Nairobi City to Masai Mara Reserve
Pick up from your place of stay in Nairobi at 8am and after a brief stop-over at our offices, for briefing purposes, depart for a journey south along the floor of the Great Rift Valley with a pit stop at the View Point for breath taking view of the rift valley. You can take photos and buy souvenirs as you listen to African tales about the formation of the rift valley. Arrive at Masai Mara in the late afternoon and enjoy a game drive till twilight. Dinner and overnight at Rhino Tourist Mara tented camp, our Masai Mara accommodation. Depart from Nairobi in the morning and drive along the floor of the Rift Valley to Masai Mara arriving at the camp in the afternoon for lunch. Afternoon game drives followed by dinner and overnight stay at Mara Sidai Camp or Enchoro Camp 

KENYA MASAI MARA SAFARI ADVENTURE ACTUAL ITINERARY DAY ONE
0430H    ETA Nairobi Airport arrival from Cairo, Egypt
0515H    ETD Nairobi Airport exit, picked-up by Travel Agency staff
0600H    ETA Travel Agency Office
0900H    ETD Central Nairobi
1100H    ETA Short Stop for Great Rift Valley Viewing Deck
1230H    ETA Narok for lunch (included in booked tour)
1600H    ETA Masai Mara Choi (Safari Camp)
1630H    ETA Masai Mara National Reserve Park Oldolaimutia Gate
1900H    ETA Masai Mara Choi, Dinner and sleep

Kenya's Masai Mara Safari Adventure Day-1 (lioness)

3 Days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya

the Season of Great Wildebeest Migration and Big Cats Photoshoot
July 11 to July 13, 2014

“In a country where only men are encouraged, one must be one's own inspiration.” ― Tegla Loroupe

My 37th country to visit, 33rd solo backpacking trip, 3rd country to visit in Africa, 1st part of 11-days East Africa adventure and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Although one of Africa's more powerful economies, Kenya is still a developing country, and so certain aspects of the country's society and infrastructure may come as a shock to some visitors from developed countries who are unfamiliar with the poverty and poor quality of life experienced by locals. Kenyans understandably pursue the business opportunities offered by tourism with a zeal that may be off putting to some visitors, but are usually open, talkative and friendly once business matters have been settled.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Kenya

A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the trip was a big-game hunt, but today, safari often refers to trips to observe and photograph wildlife—or hiking and sight-seeing. The Swahili word safari means long journey, originally from the Arabic "safarīyah" meaning a journey. The verb for "to travel" in Swahili is "kusafiri", the noun for the journey is "safari".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safari

3-days Masai Mara Safari Solo Adventure in Kenya (countless zebras and wildebeests)

6th OFW Vacation; 2nd Ultimate Backpacking across 3 Continents

extreme adventure on my 4th year as travel addict

June 27 to August 15, 2014
51-days longest set of vacation as an OFW 

1st OFW vacation; Come back to my homeland

2nd OFW vacation; Pinoy backpacker China invasion
3rd OFW vacation; Summer solo tour from Malaysia to Japan
4th OFW vacation; Ultimate Solo Trip from Central Europe to Promised Land 
5th OFW vacation; Winter Birthday Get-away from Georgia to Myanmar

“Take vacations... Go as many places as you can.
You can always make money... You cannot always make memories” ― unknown

Getting away does not necessarily imply flying south or anywhere else for that matter. The key is to find a setting that will allow you to leave all your worries behind. Some people manage to do it from home, although a change of surroundings often helps one to disconnect from daily concerns. Simply turning off the cell phone and opening a book under a tree in a city park can be a great getaway! Some studies have found a positive relationship between vacations and intellectual function.

6th vacation as an Overseas Filipino worker for more than 2 years of stay in Kuwait. The image below shows the converted jpeg of calendar of events on my entire 51-days vacation journey. The countries included were United Kingdom, Morocco, Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania, Indonesia, 2nd visit to Japan and Philippines, my homeland.

6th OFW vacation; 2nd Ultimate backpacking across 3 Continents