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KENYA TRAVEL GUIDE

Size/Area/Time

Kenya has a total area of 582,650 sq km. The capital city is Nairobi. The other cities are Mombasa and Kisumu. Other major towns are Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Thika, Meru, Embu, Malindi and Kakamega. The standard time zone in Kenya is UTC/GMT +3 hours.

Economy

The 2006 Kenya central Bureau of statistics report shows that the economy growth rate as at 2005 was 5.8%. A 16% value added tax is levied on most items. Please note that visitors cannot claim a refund on the levy.

Currency

The unit of the currency is the Kenya Shilling abbreviated as KSh. Bank notes are available in denominations of KSh 50,100,200 and 1000, while KSh 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 are available in coins.

Credit cards

Major international credit cards are accepted in Kenya and most Automated teller machines (ATM's) accept international VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards. ATMs can be found at airports, bank branches, shopping malls and petrol stations. Traveler's cheques are probably the best and safest way to bring money with you to Kenya and most hotels and service providers accept them. Credit cards incur a 5% bank processing charge the process may take 5-7 working days.

Making Payments by Credit cards

There are two ways of making payments by credit cards. One; is you making payments/purchases in person and two; by mail order. The later (Mail Order) is most common with most tour companies as payments for safaris need to be made well in advance. The process of making credit card payments by mail order is sometimes perplexing especially if it is your first time to do such a payment. Once you agree on the amount you will pay for your safari, the company / consultant will send you a form to fill in some details. Some of the details are so personal but it is important to understand that the form is prepared by the local processing bank for that particular company. All forms vary depending on the bank in which your preferred tour operator has an account, but without filling the form, there are no payments that can be made. The company will ask you to fill the form correctly and then send it back via mail together with both sides' copies of your credit card. This is necessarily for the credit card payments to be processed. These details are a requirement of the bank and no other process/transaction can be made except the ones stipulated in the form. The credit card processing incurs a 5% bank charge and this should be included in the amount to be processed. The process takes 7-10 working days but it may even go beyond 14 days depending on whether this falls on weekend or Holiday and also the inconveniences of banks' bureaucratic systems. Most clients' often feel 'insecure' when paying in this procedure, but this should not be, as the bank guards the welfare of the clients and ensures the clients details are treated with great confidentiality and privacy.

Changing Money

There are numerous options for currency exchange ranging from reliable foreign exchange bureau, banks casinos and hotels. You will also find guys especially in Nairobi and other major towns and borders requesting for exchange, watch out! As this might have fake notes or could be conmen/conwomen. However, we have genuine dealers who work out this for their livelihood, but trust no one. If you must change, then let your guide do that in your stead.

Banks

Banks in Kenya operate, between 9am and 3pm weekdays, and 9am to 11am on the first and last Saturdays of the month. In Nairobi and other major towns, Banks are open all Saturdays from 9am to 12noon. Some banks have 24hour system banking and the tread is spreading widely among banking institutions. Automated teller machines are open all day and night.   

Languages

The official language in Kenya is English and the national language is Kiswahili. Most people in the urban areas speak English, while a big majority in both the urban and rural areas speaks Kiswahili. The remaining one percent comprise of Asian, European and Arabs. Kenya has 42 ethnic groups all with different dialects but with Kiswahili and English, the contra has been unified.

Communication / internet

Kenya has a fixed line telephone operator 'Telkom Kenya Limited', three mobile phone operators, Safaricom, Celtel now known as Zain, Orange mobile ltd and Econet Kenya ltd famous as 'YU'. Orange and Econet have just started their operations and are offering very competitive calling rate services forcing the other two to bow low their tariffs. Excellent roaming services are available for East Africa countries. There are also two loop operators in Nairobi namely Popote wireless and Flashcom which cover most of Kenya. Internet connectivity and email services are available at most lodges and hotels. These services can also be accessed in cyber cafes countrywide and in all local post offices. The cost of surfing the net varies from one area to another. If you are chose subscribe to Safaricom as your service provider, then you will have an opportunity to use the new technology of sending and receiving money 'M-Pesa'. With 'M-Pesa', you can send and receive money in Kenya shilling and also tip using the same service.

Legal requirements

Documents:

There are three major documents that are a MUST. Passport of your country of residence, Visa (where applicable), and Yellow fever vaccination certificate without which you cannot be allowed to enter Kenya.

Visas;

Visas are a requirement for all except nationals of commonwealth countries, but nationals of Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka and British passport holders of Indian, Pakistan and Bangladesh origin require Visas. Those who do not need visas are issued with visitors pass valid for a stay of six months though the average is three months depending on what you ask. It is a usual thing that you will need a passport to obtain a Visa but the other two documents are a MUST more so the yellow fever certificate.

A  British passport holder may be issued with a visa at any port of entry to Kenya provided they meet the usual Immigration formalities. See this sites http://www.kenyahighcommission.net/visas.html You can also visit the Kenya Embassy website for more details. You can also read more on the visa application requirements and download a Kenyan visa application form at www.theschengenoffice.com/kenya_tourist_visa.htm

Visas are renewed at immigration office. Remember that you don’t need a re-entry Visa if you are only going to visit Tanzania or Uganda as long as your Visa remains valid. Staffs at the immigration offices are generally friendly and helpful. A single-entry visa costs USD50 and a multiple entry visa USD100. If you are planning on visiting just Kenya, then a single-entry is all you need. If your plans include Tanzania and Uganda then you'll need a multiple-entry visa if you wish to re-enter Kenya again.

Vaccination / Health

Before visiting Kenya, you may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at your destination:

Yellow fever: This is a MUST vaccination for any visitor intending to visit Kenya. A certificate showing prove of vaccination is a MUST produce at any point of entry in Kenya whether by ship, air or even road. The vaccination should be done at least 10 days before the arrival date. For more information about vaccinations and other health requirements please visit http://www.who.int/ith/countries/2008_country_list.pdf

Other diseases that you need to consult your health care provider/s on before visit to Kenya includes; Malaria, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Skin care and diet etc. It is also recommended that you are up to date with your polio and tetanus vaccinations.

Malaria: There's a risk of catching malaria pretty much everywhere you travel in Kenya. The highlands used to be a low-risk area, but even there, you have to be careful and take precautions. Kenya is home to the chloroquine-resistant strain of malaria as well as several others. Make sure your doctor or travel clinic knows you are traveling to Kenya (don't just say Africa) so he/she can prescribe the right anti-malarial medication

(Note: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.)

If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your health-care provider know so that you can receive the appropriate vaccinations and information for all of your destinations. Long-term travelers, such as those who plan to work or study in Kenya may also need additional vaccinations as required by their employer or schools.

Safaris,

This is a Swahili word meaning travel. There are essentially two types of organized safaris – those where you camp, and those where you stay in game lodges or luxury tented camps at night. Mainly safaris start and end in Nairobi though there are exceptions to this. While in the park you will be taken on a number of game drives lasting on an average of three hours. Early morning or late evening is the best moments to do game drives. Camping safari cater for budget travelers while camping safari caters for those who want luxury at night and in between game drives. In the camping the price includes all the necessary camping gear except a sleeping bag which you must provide or hire locally.

Planning a Safari

Take your time

A safari in Africa is in some ways like an expedition - exciting and adventurous, but requiring careful thought and planning, which is what we, as locally based tour operators, are there for. However you must plan for a leisurely pace of travel to truly enjoy your tour - so whether you have 3 days or 30, make sure you do not plan for too much in your travel.

Choose a safari type

There are a variety of safaris, from luxury safaris with deluxe accommodation and internal flights to camping safaris where you sleep in tents out in the open, with only the basic amenities available. Also, you can choose to add a variety of activities into your tour, such as walking safaris, mountain climbing, or more luxury options such as golf, fishing and water sports and beach excursions or holidays. Most of your safari will be in the " bush ", but this does not mean your travel will involve "roughing it" - you can have all the luxury you want! Africa is home to many internationally reputed hotels and lodges, with well appointed rooms, excellent cuisine and deluxe facilities such as bars and swimming pools. You can also fly between most places during your luxury safari.

Choose a good tour company

Choosing a good tour company is not easy, but it is very important to make sure you choose a company that you really feel it is offering you what you want. There are various ways in which you can gauge a good tour company:

• Prompt and quick responses

• Well informed travel consultants

• Honest in communication

• Listening and understanding

• Good reputation/recommendations from other people/previous clients

• Well outlined cost breakdowns

Doing a safari,

There are set rules and regulations while doing a safari in Kenya. Kenya is an eco destination and therefore sustainable utilization of natural heritage and attractions is a key factor. Let the guide lead the way and give you directions on where to stand and alight from the safari vehicles. When you see something of interest, don’t shout, just alert the guide to stop. Make sure the windows of your van are closed and also the valuables and foodstuffs are in safe place as baboons and monkeys can play cunning tricks and this can be menace.  The best time to do game drives is the early morning and late evenings.

Important Kenya Travel Tips

Basic Safety Rules for Travelers to Kenya

• Make a copy of your passport and keep it in your luggage.

• Don't walk in dark streets in the  cities or on empty beaches.

• Don't wear too much/showing jewelry.

• Don't carry too much cash with you.

• Wear a money belt that fits under your clothes.

• Don't carry a lot of camera equipment especially in the major cities.

• Beware of thieves posing as poor persons, with petty reasons.

Climate / When to go

There are two rainy seasons in Kenya short rains in the months of March, April and May and Long rains in October, November and part of December.It doesn't necessarily get cold, but the roads can become impassable. There are now winters and summers as Kenya is a tropical country right at the equator. The months of June and July are misty and sometimes especially around central Kenya and Mt. Elgon at Kenya Uganda. It is at this time when the new seventh wonder of the world – the wildebeest migration takes place in Maasai.

Clothing

Clothing while on safari depends on preferences and tastes but there are a few recommendations. In most cases, days are warm and nights are cool. While packing safari clothes ensure clothes with 'dust hide' colors such as beige of jungle green. For mountain climbing; please pack water proof and reasonably warm hiking boots., Rain proof shell, four pairs long under underwear sock liners, warm hat, gloves for freezing temperature, Sub-zero weather sleeping bag and camp pillow. Also carry flashlight or head lamp and granola or energy bars rejuvenating while hiking.

Laundry

Laundry services are available in most of the safari lodges and are done at an extra cost.

Water and food

Mineral drinking water is always the best option, though in most areas the tap water is purified and filtered. Some safari companies will provide with drinking water while on safari. Hygienic standards are high in hotels and lodges and cause for alarm.

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