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The original safari destination... many would say. However, there is so much more, Kenya being another African destination that offers so much breathtaking variety within the borders of a single country. Here you will find savannahs valleys teeming with a great variety of big game, ancient cultures, miles of beaches and sparkling blue water fringed with coral reef, snow-capped mountains and equatorial forests, hot deserts and cool highlands, sophisticated cities and timeless rural settlements, and more.
Kenya straddles the equator between Africa's great lakes and the Indian Ocean coast in the east, a place where the desert of the north and the green hills of the south meet, where in previous centuries Arabs and Africans met, mingled and gave rise to both the language Swahili and the people who spoke it. Today it is the most widely spoken African language. |
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| English, Swahili & other indigenous. |
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| Nairobi. |
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| Varies greatly from hot humid temperatures at the coast to cool and humid in the central highlands, to some cold and wet regions, and hot and dry in the north and east.
Most parts of the country have warm days and cool early mornings and evenings.
Long rainy season around April and May and a short rainy season in October and November.
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| UTC/GMT +3 hours. |
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| Currency: Kenya Shilling (Abbreviated as KSh or /=, e.g. 500/=).
Notes are 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings, while coins are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 shillings.
Foreign currency can be changed at banks, bureaux de change or authorized hotels with US dollars, pounds sterling and Euros being the easiest.
Travellers Cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted.
No foreign currency amount restrictions. •ATMs available 24hrs at all major banks and other points. |
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| International code for Kenya is +254.
Good telephone, cellular and satellite communications network.
Hotels and lodges offer international telephone and fax services.
Good cellular networks covering most larger towns and tourist areas with international roaming.
Good network of Internet Service Providers, while many hotels, lodges and internet cafes offer email and Internet services.
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Good postal service and international courier services.
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| 220/240 v 50 Hz – plug outlets are 3 point square type. |
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| Three international airports: the main one, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport 18km from Nairobi; Wilson Airport outside Nairobi is one of the busiest airports for smaller aircraft and charter companies in Africa; and Moi International Airport at Mombasa on the coast.
Transport to and from the airports is provided by government owned Kenatco Taxi Service, Voda taxis and local taxis. •Numerous international airlines have flights to these airports, including the national carrier, Kenya Airways.
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| VAT of 16% on general goods, 14% for hotels & restaurants.
Customs duties payable on most imported goods with certain exemptions.
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| Visas are required for entry and can be obtained at the airport upon arrival except for citizens from a number of Middle Eastern and African countries. However, it is best to obtain visas abroad prior to travelling to Kenya.
Kenya can also be entered by road from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia and by sea through its ports.
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| Yellow fever and cholera inoculation certificates required only for visitors arriving from countries where these diseases are endemic.
Advisable to bring along basic medical supplies and any prescribed medication.
As elsewhere in Africa, HIV/AIDS is prevalent.
Lodges and hotels in major towns have safe water drinking. Bottled mineral water is also available in most places.
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| Good network of domestic flights with numerous local carriers and numerous domestic air charter operations.
International and local car hire companies available at airports, in Nairobi, Mombasa, and other large towns.
Drive on left side of road - valid driving licence with photograph or international driver's licence needed.
In larger towns taxis are widely available - bus services available within towns, between towns and across borders. Also minibus taxi services called Matatus.
Railway services between Nairobi- Mombasa and Nairobi-Kisumu and to Kampala, Uganda are available.
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| Kenya has been a stable democracy since independence with no political upheavals except after the last general election. However following the formation of a government of national unity, peace and calm was restored.
Some areas are crime-prone and like anywhere else, one must ensure personal safety by taking the necessary precautions.
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