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Kenya Travel
Information |
Visas:
All visitors to Kenya are required to have valid passports.
Visas are also required for visitors who are not citizens of the
commonwealth countries in order to enter Kenya. At present visitors
from Germany, Denmark, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Ethiopia,
Eritrea, Finland, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay do not require visas.
However, since visa requirements may change, it is advisable for the
visitors to check the current visa requirements through airlines,
tour operators or Kenya Tourist Offices, Kenya Embassies or High
Commissions in their countries before coming, to avoid
embarrassment. Visas normally take up to six weeks to process and
are valid for up to a three month period. Those visitors with proper
documents and who also possess onward or return tickets may be given
visitor's passes free of charge on arrival at any Kenyan point of
entry.
During the three months period, the visitors' pass holders are not
allowed to engage themselves in any form of work or business in the
country without authority from the Principal Immigration officer.
Visitors without proper documents will be required to pay a
refundable deposit of Kshs. 5,000/= before they are issued with
visitor passes.
Weather: Kenya 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 average annual temperature for the coastal town of Mombasa
(altitude 17 meters) is 30.30 Celsius maximum and 22.40 Celsius
minimum, the capital city, Nairobi (altitude 1,661 meters) 25.20
Celsius maximum and 13.60 Celsius minimum, Eldoret (altitude 3,085)
23.60 Celsius maximum and 9.50 Celsius minimum, Lodwar (altitude)
506 meters) and the drier north plain lands 34.80 Celsius maximum
and 23.70 Celsius minimum.
There is plenty of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes
are worn throughout the year. However, it is usually cool at night
and early in the morning.
The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October
to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and when it does come
it often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest period is
from February to March and coldest in July to August.
The annual migration of wildlife between Serengeti National Park in
Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya takes place between
June and September. The migration of almost two million wildebeest,
zebras and other species is nature's greatest spectacle on earth.
The animal trek has been captured by filmmakers worldwide.
Baggage: Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium
suitcase or hold-all per person, plus hand baggage (private safaris
where there are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are not subject
to this restriction). Visitors to Treetops and the Ark are asked to
take overnight bags only; suitcases can be left at the base hotel.
Hotels will normally store baggage at no extra cost. Baggage can
also be stored at Vindicate Tours & Travel offices. A baggage weight
restriction of 15 kg per person applies on air safaris. Where very
small aircraft are used this maybe reduced to 10kg.
Currency: Hard currencies can be exchanged in cash or
travelers cheques at banks all over the country, at forex bureaus in
Nairobi and at most large hotels. US Dollars and Sterling Pounds are
most acceptable and will cause the least delay. As a norm, always
ask what commission and charges will be deducted first and prior to
transaction. Banks are usually open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, Mondays
through Fridays and from 9.00 am and 11.00 am on Saturdays.
Credit Cards: VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS are
widely accepted for tourist services. There's usually a 5% mark-up
on top of the price as establishments are charged a fixed percentage
of their transactions.
Health: Since rules concerning disease prevention change from
time to time, a check should be made with the nearest Kenyan High
Commission, Kenya Tourist Office or any airline flying scheduled
services into Kenya. Malaria is endemic to most parts of Kenya and
intending visitors should start taking anti-malarial tablets before
departure and continue taking them for the prescribed time after
their return. Insect repellents should be made use of after dusk and
suitable cover up clothes should be worn in the evenings.
Flying Doctors Society: Membership of the Flying Doctors
Society is strongly recommended. In event of accident or sickness
while on safari, the society will fly patients by air ambulance to
Nairobi for admittance to hospital. The current cost for 1-month
membership is US$ 25 per person.
Drinking Water: Drinking water from the tap must be
considered risky. Hotels and lodges usually furnish safe water in a
thermos flask in guest rooms. Bottled mineral water is available in
every hotel and supermarket.
Security: Normal precautions as in any other destination
world-wide should be taken. Visitors are advised not to leave cash
and valuables in their hotel rooms but to make use of safe deposit
boxes and safes. One should never carry large sums in cash and women
should keep a tight grip on handbags in crowds or busy streets.
Jewellery snatching is quite common in city streets. As in all major
cities walking alone or in small groups at night should be
considered a hazard and avoided. Reliable taxis are available at all
the principal hotels. Taking photographs at airports, near military
installations, of policeman, the president, the national flag, the
State House, state lodges, soldiers, prisons and prisoners etc., is
prohibited. Before photographing local people, permission should be
obtained and a fixed price agreed. Seek the assistance of your
driver/guide in this matter.
Voltage: Both mains electricity and generated supply in
lodges provide 240 volts AC 50 cycles. Most large hotels and some
game lodges provide shaving points with 110v 50 cycles. Sockets are
normally three pin and of the 'square' variety.
Tipping and Porterage: Although hotels and lodges include a
service charge, it is customary to tip porters, waiters, taxi
drivers and safari drivers/guides.
Language: Kiswahili is the lingua franca while English is the
official language. In addition, most tribes have their own language.
Post and Telephones: Keeping in touch by mail and telephone
is generally easy. Direct overseas dialing is possible from major
centers and increasingly from remote places such as game lodges.
Call home bureaus are in plenty in Nairobi as are the Cyber cafe for
e-mail and Internet access in the towns throughout the country.
Arrivals and Departures: Kenya has two main ports of entry by
air: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. Located 16 km
from the city center. Moi International Airport, Mombasa. Located 12
km from the town center. Mombasa is the main port of entry by sea.
Airport Departure Tax: International Airport departure tax
equivalent to US$ 30 per person is payable on departure from the
International airports. A local airport service charge is also
payable on departure for domestic flights. As this varies from
country to country, please check with us on the prevailing amounts
payable prior to your flight departure.
Opening and Shopping Hours: Major stores, tourist services,
offices and museums open from 8.00 am to 5.00 PM in large towns
though offices often break for lunch. In rural areas and out in the
bush small shops can be open at almost any hour. Souvenirs to take
back home can include wood and soap stone sculptures and carvings,
ciondos (sisal baskets), beadwork and tribal regalia, masks,
textiles and gemstones set in unique jewellery pieces. |
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Kenya Tours & Safaris