Kenya Mini Guide
    Source: World Travel Guide

Overview

Kenya is regarded by many as the ‘jewel of East Africa', and has some of the continent's finest beaches, most magnificent wildlife and scenery, and an incredibly sophisticated tourism infrastructure. It is a startlingly beautiful land, from the coral reefs and white sand beaches of the coast to the summit of Mount Kenya, crowned with clouds and bejewelled by strange giant alpine plants.

Between these two extremes is the acacia-studded rolling savannah, which is home to game parks such as Amboseli, the Masai Mara, Samburu and Tsavo; the lush, agricultural highlands with their sleek green coat of coffee and tea plantations; and the most spectacular stretch of the Great Rift Valley, the giant scar across the face of Africa.

Above all, Kenya is a place for safaris, and one-tenth of all land in Kenya is designated as national parks and reserves. Just about every African plains animal is present. Over 50 parks and reserves cover all habitats from desert to mountain forest, and there are even six marine parks in the Indian Ocean.

Kenya also has a fascinatingly diverse population with around 40 different tribes, all with their own languages and cultures. Major tribes include the Kikuyu, the Luyia and the Luo, but the most famous are the tall, proud, beautiful red-clad Masai, who still lead a traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle of cattle-herding along the southern border.

A mixture of African and Asian, the unique Swahili culture can be found along the balmy coast, where for centuries it became prosperous on the profits of commerce from the tradewinds that carried ocean-going dhows (sailing boats) across the Indian Ocean to Arabia and Persia.

Kenya does have some downsides as a tourist destination. There is enormous pressure to buy anything and everything, often at ridiculously inflated prices, and even taking a photograph in the local market is likely to incur a cost. But despite this, the people are friendly and the tourist trade is supremely well organised and professional. For those in search of a little adventure, this can be an ideal holiday destination.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for three months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart above with at least one blank page.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) all holders of a re-entry pass to Kenya.
(b) 1. Nationals of Cyprus.

Visa Note

(a) All nationals referred to in the chart above may obtain a visa on entry in Kenya. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses). (c) Multiple-entry visas may only be issued to nationals of the United Kingdom.

Types of Visa and Cost

Single-entry: £30. Multiple-entry: £60. Transit: £10. On arrival: US$50.
Note: If the application is referred to Immigration in Nairobi, an additional £7 will be payable.

Validity

Single-entry: up to three months from date of issue; Multiple-entry: one year from date of issue. Renewals (up to six months) or extensions can be made at Immigration in Nyayo House, Uhuru Highway, Nairobi or at Kisumu and Mombasa. The period of stay in Kenya can be given at the port of entry (maximum three months).

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Three (applying in person) or one week from date of receipt (postal applications). If the visa has to be referred to Nairobi, it will take up to six weeks or, in some cases, longer.

Money

Currency

Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KSh20, 10 and 5.

Currency Exchange

Currency can be exchanged at the major banks, bureaux de change or authorised hotels. The banks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport have 24-hour exchange services. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. Major hotels now also accept payment by credit card, as do major safari companies, travel agencies and restaurants. Almost every bank now has an ATM and in the cities they are increasingly being installed at petrol stations.

Traveller's Cheques

These can be changed at banks, and are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat 0900-1100. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier. The banks at the international airports open 24 hours every day. Bureaux de change have longer hours and in the cities open on Sundays.

Health

Vaccinations

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers 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. Travellers 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.

Food and Drink

Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should be avoided at all times.

Other Risks

Diarrhoeal diseases are common. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic; hepatitis E is widespread. Meningococcal meningitis is a risk, particularly in the savannah during the dry season; long-staying visitors and backpackers should consider vaccination. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Dengue fever is present. Avoid sandfly, mosquito and tsetse fly bites, and wear shoes to protect against hookworm. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. There is a high incidence of HIV/AIDS.

Health Care

Health insurance is essential. Part of the African Medical and Research Foundation, the Flying Doctor Service have introduced a special Tourist Membership, which guarantees that any member injured or ill while on safari can call on a flying doctor for free air transport (website: www.amref.org). There are good medical facilities in Mombasa and Nairobi.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airline is Kenya Airways (KQ) (website: www.kenya-airways.com).

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Nairobi to is 9 hours 30 minutes.

Main Airports

Nairobi (NBO) (Jomo Kenyatta International) (website: www.kenyaairports.co.ke) is 16km (10 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: A Kenyan Bus Services bus and a Kenyan Airways bus leave every 20 minutes (journey time - 40 minutes). Scheduled bus service to and from the town centre is available at unit 1 and 2 bus stops. Taxis are readily available, but the fare should be established before getting into the vehicle (journey time - 15 minutes). Facilities: Duty-free shop, hotel reservation, bank/bureau de change (open 24 hours), post office, restaurant/bar, car hire, Internet cafe and Wi-Fi hotspots.

Mombasa (MBA) (Moi International) (website: www.kenyaairports.co.ke) is 13km (8 miles) west of the city. To/from the airport: There is a regular bus service by Kenya Airways to their city centre office in Mombasa (journey time - 20 minutes). Taxis are also available. Fares should be negotiated in advance. There are also a number of shuttle bus companies in the arrivals hall that will take people directly to their resorts on the north and south coasts. Fixed prices to these destinations are clearly written up on boards. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank, restaurant/bar, tourist information and car hire.

Departure Tax

None.

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Mombasa. There are presently no international ferry services to Kenya but cruise ships dock at Mombasa.

Getting There by Road

The main crossing points from Tanzania are at Lunga Lunga south of Mombasa, and Namanga on the road to Arusha, with smaller posts at Isebania and Taveta. From Uganda there are crossing points at Buisa and Malaba. Note that at Malaba, the Kenyan and Ugandan customs posts are about 1km (0.6 miles) apart and, other than bicycle taxis, there is no transport between them.

Coach: Scandinavia Express (tel: (020) 242 523; website: www.scandinaviagroup.com) runs coaches between Nairobi and Mombasa and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Nairobi and Kampala (Uganda).

Climate

The coastal areas are tropical, but tempered by monsoon winds. The lowlands are hot but mainly dry, while the highlands are more temperate with four seasons. Nairobi has a very pleasant climate throughout the year due to its altitude. Near Lake Victoria, the temperatures are much higher and rainfall can be heavy.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens with rainwear are advised for the coast and lakeside. Warmer clothing is needed in June and July and for the cooler mornings on the coast. Lightweights are needed for much of the year in the highlands. Rainwear is advisable between March and June and October and December.

Contacts

Kenya Wildlife Service

PO Box 40241-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (020) 600 800.
Website: www.kws.org

Kenya High Commission in the UK

45 Portland Place, London W1B 1AS, UK
Tel: (020) 7636 2371/5.
Website: www.kenyahighcommission.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: applications 0930-1200, collections 1400-1530.

Kenya Tourist Board in the UK

c/o Hills Balfour, Colechurch House, 1 London Bridge Walk, London SEI 2SX, UK
Tel: (020) 7367 0900.
Website: www.magicalkenya.com

Kenya Embassy in the USA

2249 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 387 6101.
Website: www.kenyaembassy.com