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Kenya Travel Tips
Visa
Visitors from commonwealth countries (except Nigeria,
Australia, Sri Lanka and British Passport holders who are subject to control
under the Migration Act 1971), Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey
and Uruguay DO NOT require visas to enter Kenya. Nationals of countries other
than these should obtain visas from a Kenyan Embassy or Consulate in their
country or from a British Embassy where there is no Kenyan Diplomatic
representation. If in doubt, please check with the nearest Kenyan diplomatic Mission.
Visa applications should be made at least thirty days prior to the date of
departure. On arrival in Kenya passports are stamped with a visitors pass for a
specified period, extendable (if there is no objection) from the Immigration
Department, Nyayo House, Kenyatta Avenue, P.O. Box 30191, Nairobi (Tel 332110)
or in Mombasa at P.O. Box 90284 (Tel 311745). Visitors are not allowed to
engage in any paid or unpaid employment during their stay in Kenya
except with written permission from the
Department of Immigration.
Health
Visitors to Kenya
arriving from yellow fever and cholera infested areas must have valid
vaccination certificates. Malaria is rare in Nairobi
and the highlands but prevalent in the hot and humid low altitude areas around
the Coast, Lake Victoria and the Savannah.
Prescribed doses of Malaria Prophylactics should be taken two weeks before
travel, during your stay in Kenya
and continued for two more weeks after your departure. It is safe to swim in
the sea and swimming pools but it is not recommended to do so in lakes, rivers
and open reservoirs as they may not be infested with bilharzia parasites.
Drinking water from these places is also not advisable. Bottled water is widely
available.
An independent cover from the Flying Doctor Service can be
arranged through our office.
Kenya
has excellent medical facilities which include Nairobi
Hospital, Kenyatta
National Hospital,
Aga Khan Hospital,
Pandya Memorial
Hospital as well as Air Ambulance
Services offered by Africa Medical Research Foundation Flying Doctor Service
(AMREF), Africa Air Rescue (AAR) and EAR – Medivac Ltd.
Clothing
At the coast during the day time, beach wear is acceptable
while in the hotel or on the beach. Light cotton dresses or shirts are recommended
when walking around the city. While on safari, “Safari Suits” are the most
suitable attire and in the evenings if in the highlands, warm clothing is
essential. For Nairobi and the
highlands lightweight clothing and dresses are suitable throughout the year
except during the cooler months of June to August when warmer clothing is
advisable. A wide brimmed hat, sun tan oil and sun glasses are recommended for
a sun bathing holiday at the coast while a rain coat and insect repellent can
be handy during a safari. Some establishments insist on evening wear and we
will be able to advise you on this based on your chosen itinerary. Please do
not walk away from the hotel oe off the beach in your beach wear as it may
offend the cultural and religious sensibilities of the local people.
Customs
Apart from personal effects, you may bring:
(1)
Cameras (still and movie), films and binoculars
which must not be sold during your stay in Kenya
(2)
Non consumable provisions and non-alcoholic
beverages in such quantities as are in the opinion of the authorities,
consistent with the visit
(3)
Cigarettes, cigars, cheroots, tobacco and snuff
not exceeding in all 250 grams in weight, spirits, (including liqueurs) or wine
not exceeding in all one litre, perfume and eau de toilette in all one half
litre, of which not more than a quarter may be perfume (these duty free
allowances are granted only to passengers of seventeen years and over)
(4)
Live animals, provided they have a veterinary
certificate. Gifts are dutiable while firearms, illicit drugs and obscene
literature are prohibited.
Photography
Kenya
is a photographer’s dream country since there is abundant wildlife and birdlife
in their natural habitats, magnificent scenery, captivating avifauna, colorful
people, reliable as well as unlimited. It is therefore, not difficult to take
memorable photographs even if you are not a professional photographer. When you
are on safari please always remember that the animals you encounter are not
tame and as such it is advisable not to get out of your vehicle. Please avoid
photographing the local people you meet while on safari before seeking their
permission. A UV or skylight filter is necessary everywhere and lens hood helps
reduce the glare. You may require a good telephoto lens for shooting dramatic
close-ups of animals as well as a camera bag to protect your photographic
equipment form dust.
Driving
Short stay drivers require only their own valid driving
licenses which have to be endorsed at the Road Transport Office, Income Tax
House. An International Driving License is the most convenient. Driving is on
the left and drivers approaching from the right at roundabouts are given
priority. Petrol is sold in liters while distances are measured in kilometers.
Currency
There are no restrictions on the foreign exchange you may
bring into the country. Defacement of the Kenya
currency is an indictable offence. The unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling.
Notes come in denominations of Ksh 10, Ksh 20, Ksh 50, Ksh 100, Ksh 200, Ksh
500 and Ksh 1,000. It is recommended that you change your foreign currency only
in banks, bureau de change or authorized hotels.
Major international credit cards are acceptable in most
establishments.
Advance Booking
Advance booking is advisable if you are planning to visit Kenya
during the high season (December to March and July to September). Accommodation
tariffs are lower in the low season (April to June).
Train Service
Kenya Railways operates services to Mombasa
and Kisumu.
Domestic Air Service
Kenya Airways, Air Kenya,
British Airways and East African Safari Air operate flights to the major
tourist centers. In addition some of these carriers have daily services to the
National Parks and Game Reserves.
Security
In keeping with the acceptable practice elsewhere in the
world visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in their hotel rooms
but to make use of hotel safe deposit boxes or safes. You should not carry
large sums of cash on your person while walking in the streets. Ladies are
advised to be careful with their bags in crowded places, while jewellery and
necklaces should be left at home or kept in hotel custody with other valuables.
As in all major cities walking alone at night should be
avoided. Kenya
has an efficient police force as well a special Tourist Police Unit with highly
trained officers. In addition most
hotels employ experienced security personnel. However it is advisable to always
take those precautions you would take anywhere else in the world.
Business and Banking Hours
Most banks in the major urban centres have a Bureau de
change, while hotels are authorized to transact in foreign exchange. Banks are
open between 9.00 am. and 3.00 p.m. Monday through Friday and between
9.00 am and 11.00 am. On the first and last Saturday of the month. Branches of
banks and Bureau de change at the International Airports run 24 hour services.
Offices in Kenya
are generally open between 8.00 am.
And 5.00 pm. Monday through Fridays.
Telephone and Postal Services
Kenya
has an excellent telecommunication network for both domestic and international
services. International STD system is fully operational in all major urban
centers. There are excellent Telex and Fax facilities in hotels. Radio call
equipment is available in most lodges and camps where telephone service may not
be always reliable.
News Media International as well as local newspapers are available. Kenya
has several local Television and Radio stations. Other International Television
and Radio stations are received via satellite.
Departure formalities
On departure, an international Airport Departure Tax is
payable for both international and local flights. There are duty free shops at
International Airports but purchases are made only in convertible currencies.
Customs officials may require inspection of outgoing baggage. All baggage is
weighed and subjected to X-ray inspection before loading.
Souvenir Shopping
Most hotels and game lodges feature a boutique or two,
stocking a wide variety of Kenyan souvenirs. However, the real test is in the
art of bargaining at market stalls, wayside outlets and bazaars.
The choice of products include practical accessories such as
safari suits and hats, kiondos (sisal bags), mats, baskets and containers made
from indigenous fibres as well as hand crafted jewellery in precious or semi
precious stones. Kenya
coffee an dtea make thoughtful presents to take back home. Available gemstines
include rubies, Malaya garnets, amethysts, tsavorite,
malachite, bluelace agates, fluorspar, haematite and jasper. The world famous Akamba wood carvings and Kisii soapstone
carvings, batiks, bead tapestry and local artwork make for good ornamental souvenirs.
Our driver guides offer useful tips on shopping. Time
Kenya
has only one Time Zone. Local time is G.M.T. plus three hours.
Insurance
Appropriate insurance cover is recommended. Tipping
Most hotels, game lodges and tented camps include a service
charge in their tariff as do most restaurants and in such cases tipping is not
necessary unless exceptional service inspires a desire to express extra
appreciation. We are happy to make some suggestion regarding suitable amounts
which vary according to the value of service rendered.
Charity
It is recommended that you do not give money to street
urchins and instead donate to established charitable organizations. It is also
recommended that you avoid street salesmen and beach hawkers as not all of them
are reliable.
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