Kenya Country Guide

 

Top Kenya Safari

Glimpse Of Kenya -11 Days     Kenya Classic Safari -14 Days     Kenya Royal Safari -13 Days     Wings Over Kenya - 11 Days     Wealth Of East Africa - 17 Days     East Africa Safari 17 Days

Kenya is one of the only places in Africa where you can watch a lion kill in the Masai Mara in the morning, then drift over coral reefs in a glass-bottomed boat off tropical Mombasa in the afternoon; or wander back in time through the Islamic island of Lamu. Kenya is Africa in miniature; it is home to the greatest concentration of free-ranging wildlife on earth as well as an astounding diversity of people with almost every main African tongue spoken and over forty distinct ethnic groups.

Kenya is situated on the equator alongside the Indian Ocean. The country has four geographical regions. The northern terrain is arid desert, with savannah grassland in the southern regions. Along the coast, and around the shores of Lake Victoria are fertile lowlands, and in the west are the highlands with the spectacular Rift Valley. Several extinct volcanoes can be found along the Rift, including Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. Kenya borders on Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, in the southwest. Lake Turkana in the north is Kenya's largest lake. The two main rivers are the Galana and the Tana, both in the south.

General Information
FULL NAME: Republic of Kenya
CAPITAL: Nairobi
INDEPENDENCE : 12 December 1963
CURRENCY: Kenyan shilling


CLIMATE:
Kenya is a year round destination with excellent game viewing. The annual wildebeest migration between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya takes place from around June to September.
Kenya is divided by the equator and enjoys a tropical climate that varies greatly. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. Because of geographical diversity, temperatures, rainfall and humidity vary widely. It is very hot and humid in the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. The hottest periods are in February and March and coldest in July and August.

The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October to November. Rainfall is sometimes heavy and tends to fall in the late afternoon and evenings over higher altitude areas.

KENYA : INLAND AVERAGE TEMPERATURES (F) AND RAINFALL (inches)

VISA REQUIREMENTS
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. Depending on nationality and country of origin, a visa may be obtained on arrival at Nairobi or Mombasa airports, and at Namanga Gate on the Tanzania/Kenya border. However it is advisable to obtain visa in advance. Visas cost US$ 50 and usually valid for three months. There should be sufficient blank pages in your passport to stamp the visa.

CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Kenyan shilling (Ksh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20.

CREDIT CARDS
All major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express) are widely accepted. In addition to credit cards, it is wise to bring US dollars and traveler’s cheques.

BANKS
National and international banks have branches in: Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Thika, Eldoret, Kericho and Nyeri and in most other major towns. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas: open and close half an hour earlier. Banks and bureaux de change at international airports are open 24 hours a day.
Banking hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 - 14:00
First Saturday of each month 09:00 - 11.00


TIPPING
Most major hotels and restaurants include a service charge. Tipping is not obligatory and is entirely at your discretion. A gratuity of 10% is customary at restaurants and bars where a service charge is not included. Tipping to your driver/guide is not included and once again is at your discretion; you could tip $2.00 to $5.00 per person per day. Porters at airports, hotels or lodges may be tipped a $1.00 per piece of baggage; this too is at your discretion.

COMMUNICATION
The international dialing code for calling Kenya is +254.
International direct dialing is available at most hotels but remember that hotels levy a substantial surcharge on all calls.

Public phones work with coins or with telephone cards (which can be purchased post offices or from international call services in major towns.) Most game lodges will have a central phone at reception but not individual phones in the rooms.

Major centers like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Thika and Eldoret have Internet cafés, and Internet facilities are constantly being upgraded throughout the country. Several local companies offer computer Internet access, and charge by the hour.

Many hotels have facsimile machines, but often limit their access to guests; fax services are also available at office supply shops. Hotels levy a substantial surcharge on all calls. Most lodges have telephone communication facilities, unless they are in very remote areas, and are able to maintain radio contact with the "outside world".


ELECTRICITY
It is supplied at 220/240 volts AC, 50HZ. Plugs are UK-type round two-pin or flat three-pin. Major hotels and some game lodges may supply adapters on request. Bayonet light sockets exist in Kenya.


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HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Inoculation against yellow fever is not mandatory but recommended. Anyone entering Kenya from or via a yellow fever infected area must, however, be in possession of a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever.
It is imperative that you obtain malaria prophylactics before entering Kenya. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor or pharmacist that you intend visiting Kenya. It is important to note that the Kenyan authorities have banned the use of chloroquine combinations as prophylactics, and instead recommend the use of either mefloquine (Lariam/Mefliam) or doxycycline. Start your course at least one week before entering Kenya and continue taking the pills for six weeks after leaving the country. If you suffer from side effects, try taking your malaria prophylactics at night, after dinner, as this usually minimizes the effect of the symptoms.

Precautionary measures that you can take to prevent contact with mosquitoes are: sleeping under a bed net or in room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember to keep the flaps zipped at all times), spraying your accommodation with insecticide, making use of a mosquito repelling lotion or stick and wearing long sleeve clothing and socks when outside at night.

Immunization against yellow fever,  hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tetanus is recommended. It is advisable to obtain medical insurance prior to travel. Emergency services and first aid is difficult to obtain outside major cities and tourist areas, so bring with you any medication which you may require


INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance which includes curtailment and cancellation cover as well as medical cover, upon confirmation of your booking.

LANGUAGE & CULTURE
The national language is Kiswahili although English is spoken throughout. Kenyans involved in the tourist trade speak English. However, it is good to have a working knowledge of Swahili (Kiswahili). In total, there are 47 ethnic languages in Kenya. There are more than 70 ethnic groups among the Africans in Kenya. Differences between many of them are blurred - Western cultural values are becoming more deep-seated and traditional values are disintegrating.

AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
In Kenya, International flights departure tax is included in the airfare. Some local airports also require a departure tax for domestic flights payable in local currency.

SOUVENIRS
As in most African countries, there is a huge range of cheap souvenirs to be purchased along the roadside. These are handmade, but mass produced, so always check the quality before buying. Materials include ebony, soapstone and ivory. Note that it is illegal to export products that contain any elements of elephant, rhino or sea turtle. Tribal souvenirs are available; including Maasai beaded jewelry, kiondas (woven sisal baskets) and natural or decorated calabashes (dried gourds). Bright sarongs (kangas or kikois) make good wearable souvenirs. If you are after quality artwork, it is probably wisest to look in galleries and shops that deal in it, rather than buying on the roadside markets.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Professional and amateur negative and transparency film is widely available in Kenya's major centers, but if your time is limited, it is advisable to carry enough film with you to last the trip (at least double the number of rolls you think will be necessary). Kenya is rich in photographic opportunities, whether it be the people, the landscapes or the wildlife. But please be sensitive: it is prohibited to photograph the president or his residence, as well as any government, military, police or related installations. Ask permission before you photograph the Kenyan people as some may wish to negotiate a fee.
For game and bird photography, a telephoto lens between 200 and 300mm is strongly recommended. Larger lenses that require a tripod are generally impractical for game photography from vehicles, unless you are carrying a beanbag, and are in a position to ask your driver to switch off the engine when photographing - and to ask the other occupants of the vehicle to keep still! Remember to bring spare batteries for your camera. Binoculars are essential for bird and game viewing.


SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year. The most practical items to pack for safari are:
» 3-5 changes of casual clothing
» Khaki, green, beige and neutral colors
» T-shirts
» Some hotels and country clubs require gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie and women to be suitably attired for dinner
» Shorts or a light skirt
» Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
» Fleece or sweater and a windbreaker for game drives (necessary,
even in summer)
» Comfortable walking shoes
» Sun block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent - essentials!
» Binoculars and a camera are a must
» Tracksuit - good for sleeping in during winter months
» Light, compact raincoat is a good idea for the summer
» Swimsuit, as most hotels/lodges have swimming pools
» Towel, torch and sleeping bag for camping safaris (sleeping bags can be hired from most safari operators)
» Blouses with long sleeves (even in summer; they will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes
» Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures of Botswana. Dull and/or neutral colors are more suitable for safari, white is not practical. It is best to pack hardy, durable clothing
»» VERY IMPORTANT: packing space is limited on all modes of safari transport so you will need to restrict your baggage to 33 pounds (preferably packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable amount of camera equipment


PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day - 1 January
Good Friday (varies)
Easter Monday (varies)
Labor Day - 1 May
Madaraka Day - 1 June
Moi Day - 10 October
Kenyatta Day - 20 October
Independence Day - 12 December
Christmas Day - 25 December
Boxing Day - 26 December

Kenya Safari and Tours - Various Tour packages

Glimpse Of Kenya -11 Days

A superb introduction to the splendors of Kenya, visiting 4 national parks and game reserves along a classic safari route—with distinctive and comfortable accommodations that offer great value, such as a world-famous “tree hotel” that overlooks a watering hole.

Kenya Classic Safari -14 Days