Travel Info Kenya
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KenyaTravel tipsKenya like no other country on earth can offer you as much to see and do within one single country! From the sheer volume of animals, there’s simply nothing like a safari in Kenya. You will find savannahs rich with big game, timeless cultures unchanged by the modern world, pristine beaches and coral reefs, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped mountains, searing deserts, cool highland retreats and endless opportunities for adventure, discovery and relaxation….more than you would ever expect. Join us and feel the excitement of following in some of Kenya's legendary visitors' footsteps; Karen Blixen, Ernest Hemingway, Theodore Roosevelt as they visited some of Kenya’s regions - Mt. Kenya, the Great Rift Valley, Amboseli, Samburu and the Maasai Mara. While on safari you will feel wonderfully alive and aware of nature. You may laugh with delight at the first glimpse of a warthog trotting across the plain with upturned tail and gaze in confusion on your first herd of zebra with their stripes all mixed up! Then the beautiful predators; from the spotted sleekness of the cheetah stalking, to the regal often lazy-looking lion so close you can practically reach out and pet its golden back to the relaxed spotted leopard as it lazily observes you from a nearby tree. GeographyKenya lies astride the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. It is a medium-sized country by continental standards. Kenya is bordered by Somalia and the Indian Ocean to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west and Tanzania to the south. The coastline is about 550km long and faces the Indian Ocean. This country has tremendous topographical diversity, including glaciated mountains with snow-capped peaks, the Rift Valley with its scarps and volcanoes, ancient granitic hills, flat desert landscapes, coral reefs and islets. ClimateKenya is divided by the Equator and enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. The hottest period is in February and March and the coldest in July and August. The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October to December. Rainfall is sometimes heavy and tends to fall in the afternoon and evenings. Conditions in East Africa are often ideal, although the coast can be humid and there are hot, desert conditions at arid sites around Lake Turkana. What to wear?Convertible slacks (with a zipper to turn slacks into shorts) and long-sleeved shirts are ideal, with a sweater or other layers to shed as the day heats up. A hat with a brim is essential, plus sunscreen and sun glasses. Pale earth colors such as tan or olive are best for viewing wildlife and birds. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended over sandals; thorns are everywhere, socks with your shoes deter mosquito bites. Include a lightweight raincoat or jacket and a swimsuit as many lodges have swimming pools. Laundry services are available at most lodges and even tented camps but be clear about when you need your clothes returned. The lodge and camp staff will generally not wash underwear, due to prevailing local traditions. Take at least three changes of clothes for a week on safari, plus your own detergent to wash a few things. Some hotels and lodges have hairdryers in each room, but tented camps rarely do. The best advice is to travel light! Entry Requirements & VisasVisas are required for: British, Australian, Canadian, USA, other UE passport holders. Passports have to be valid for six months from date of entry with at least one blank page. Visas are required by all nationals as above. You may obtain a visa on entry into Kenya. Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Multiple-entry visas may only be issued to nationals of the United Kingdom on application. Please check that the above is still in order before you travel to Kenya. ActivitiesMeet the local Samburu and Maasai people, who sing and jump as a welcome to their village, proud to share their culture and still firm believers today that "a man without culture is like a zebra without stripes’’. Other optional activities when you visit Kenya:-
MalariaProtection against mosquito bites will reduce the risk of Malaria, provided that you take the standard precautions aswell.
Travel InsuranceIf you need medical care whilst in Kenya, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. MoneyCurrency: 1 Kenyan shilling=100 cents All the major credit cards are widely accepted, as are traveler’s cheques which can be changed in any bank. Bear in mind they have varying commission charges. Banking hoursBanks: Monday to Friday: 09h00-14h00 (16h30 in the major cities). The airport banks are open until midnight every day. Local TimeGMT + 3 hours Electrical PowerElectric Power is 240V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used are: National Parks and Game Reserves
Getting AroundKenya has an extensive domestic travel network, with plenty of options to suit you. Whether you're looking for speed, comfort, sightseeing or service you'll find something to suit your travel needs. Domestic flights - Kenya has a good network of domestic flights, with carriers including Kenya Airways, Air Kenya, Mombasa Air Safari, Fly 540, Safari-link. and East African Safari Air. These airlines service the coast, major game parks and Western Kenya. Domestic air taxes are included in ticket or charter costs. Air charter is an ideal way of visiting remote areas, or avoiding long drives and can be arranged. Most charter companies will charge a set rate for a journey, regardless of the number of passengers. There are many private and public airstrips throughout the country which are accessible to charter companies. Driving - Visitors to Kenya can drive using an international driver’s license. Driving is on the left hand side and drivers should give way to traffic on their right. Distances are measured and signposted in kilometers and petrol / diesel sold by the litre. Road conditions are variable and can be very poor in remote areas. Ensure that your vehicle is suitable for handling rough roads before embarking on a journey. Driving at night is not advisable. Hire Cars are widely available in Nairobi, Mombasa and other large towns. Before hiring a car, all legalities should be thoroughly checked and appropriate contracts and waivers signed. Most car hire companies charge a set per kilometer or unlimited rate. Cycling - Long distance cycling is possible in Kenya, but cyclists should be prepared to be very alert and wary of traffic on the major roads. There is plenty of scope for off road and mountain biking in Kenya. In many tourist areas, bicycles are available for hire for a day or a half day. This is a good way to explore some areas. Hell’s Gate National Park is a very popular destination with cyclists. Bikes can be hired locally and there are roads and tracks through the park, giving the visitor the opportunity to cycle through herds of wild game. Taxi - In Nairobi, Mombasa and other large Kenyan towns, taxis are widely available and convenient. Taxis are often parked in the street around hotels and tourist areas. Hotels and restaurants can order taxis if necessary. Nairobi Taxis are usually marked with a yellow line along each side. Taxis are not metered, and a price should be agreed with the driver before departure. Ask for local advice or at your hotel for correct rates. In Kisumu, Cycle Rickshaws and Bicycle Taxis are popular. They are locally known as 'Border-Borders' as they were a popular means of accessing the nearby Ugandan border. Bus - Buses can be boarded at any stop and tickets purchased on board. Buses also regularly run between most cities and towns. There are several bus companies with extensive inter-country networks. Buses also run across borders into Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Buses are an inexpensive way to travel the country. Some private bus companies now offer private bus shuttle services between Nairobi and Mombasa and Nairobi and Arusha (Tanzania) as well as city airports. Rail - Kenya has a railway connection between Nairobi- Mombasa and Nairobi-Kisumu. It is also possible to take the train through to Kampala. The overnight Nairobi- Mombasa rail trip is the most popular rail route for visitors. Tickets can be bought from Nairobi's Railway stations, or in advance through local travel agencies. Kenya's railways are currently awaiting a planned upgrade of facilities and rolling stock. The railway line between the coast and Nairobi has a long and colorful history. Anyone interested in the history of Kenya’s railways should visit the Nairobi Railway Museum. Sea - The Kenyan coast is open to both commercial and private shipping. There are several popular anchorage points for yachts including, Mtwapa, Kilifi, Mnarani and Lamu. Those landing should process immigration locally. It is possible to join dhows for short cruises or longer trips along the coast. Health & SafetyInoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. * A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age arriving from infected areas; those countries formerly classified as endemic zones are considered to be still infected by the Kenyan authorities. Travelers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country. Public Holidays01 January: New Years' Day Useful AddressesKenya High Commission in the UK Submit an enquiry so we can assist you in planning your holiday to East Africa or Southern Africa. |