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Worth knowing about Kenya

Useful informations about kenya. This category will be extended from time to time.



Getting There
flugzeug.jpgFrom Europe, direct flights are available from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Madrid, Moscow, Athens, Rome, and Zurich. Some of the airlines flying to Nairobi include British Airways, Air France, Sabena, SAS, Lufthansa, Iberia, Aeroflot, Olympic Airways, Alitalia, and Swiss Air. Kenya Airways flies from Paris, London, Zurich, Athens, Frankfurt, Rome, and Cairo. From the United States and Canada, you will have to change planes in Europe. Over thirty international airlines provide scheduled flights to Kenya.

Flying time from Europe to Nairobi is approximately 8 hours and from North America 16 hours. The two main points of entry are Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa. On the way home the Nairobi airport has an exit tax on flights out of the country. Our directory includes a listing of airports in Kenya.
 
Books - Travel Guides
.....will follow soon.
 
Currency and Exchange
Kenya ShillingThe official currency is the Kenya Shilling.The written abbreviation is either KSh or using /= after the amount (ie 500/=)

Available Notes are 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings. Available coins are 5, 10 and 20 shillings.

Visitors to Kenya should change foreign currency at banks, bureaux de change or authorized hotels. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds sterling and EURO.

Travellers Cheques are widely accepted, and many hotels, travel agencies, safari companies and restaurants accept Credit Cards. Credit cards are accepted at many hotels. American Express, Diner's Club, Visa and Mastercard all have local agents in Nairobi and Mombasa.

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Kenya.

Before departure, travellers are advised to convert any excess Kenya shillings into foreign currency at a bank or bureau de change before departure. Departure taxes can be paid in local or foreign currency.

Anyone wishing to take more than 500,000 Kenya Shillings out of the country will require written authorization from the Central Bank.
For current currency rate click here.
 
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for....

usa.gif  Americans:
United States citizens require a valid passport and a visa.
uk.gif  UK nationals: British citizens require a valid passport and a visa.
canada.gif  Canadians: Canadians require a valid passport and a visa.
australia.gif  Australians: Australians require a valid passport and a visa.
south_africa.gif  South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
new_zealand.gif  New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens require a valid passport and a visa.
ireland.gif  Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport and a visa.

Passport/Visa Note:

Visas can be obtained on arrival for a fee of US$50, which is valid for a period of three months and must be paid in a convertible currency. This may result in passenger delays and it is preferable to arrange a visa in the country of origin. Required by all passengers are onward or return tickets, documents needed for next destination and sufficient funds for length of intended stay (at least US$500). Passports must be valid for at least the period of stay. 
 
Electricity
powerplugElectricity is 220-240 volt, 50 cycles. Outlets may be two or three pronged. In some cases you need an adapter for your electrical appliances. These adatpters can be purchased at hardware stores or borrowed at some hotels. On request you can get an adapter also in our office.

Remote lodges and camps get their electricity from generators. Often the generators are only operated at specific times of day. Most of them will be shut down at midnight.
 
Food & Drink
EssenThe multicultural heritage of Kenya is the basis for a wide range of gourmet foods. Traditional African dishes are supplemented by English and Indian fare. Kenya offers an assortment of quality beef and seafood dishes, supplemented by an array of tropical fruits and vegetables.

Portions tend to be generous, and elaborate buffets are common at hotels and lodges. Even the more expensive restaurants are reasonable by American and European standards. 

 
Holidays
Kenyan Public holidays include:

1st January New Years Day
February/March Idd il Fitr *
March/April Good Friday**
March/April Easter Monday**
1st May Labour Day
1st June Madaraka Day
10th October Moi Day
20th October Kenyatta Day
12th December Jamhuri Day
25th December Christmas Day
26th December Boxing Day

*The Muslim Festival of Idd il Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadhan. The date varies each year depending on the sighting of a new moon in Mecca.

** Dates for the Christian festival of Easter vary from year to year.
 
Immunisation
Vaccine recommendations

Disease    
Recommendation    
When to see a doctor
Typhoid    
Vaccination recommended 10 days before travel
Hepatitis A Vaccination recommended 2 weeks before travel
Diphtheria
Vaccination recommended 3 months before travel
Tuberculosis *Vaccination sometimes recommended 3 months before travel
Hepatitis B *Vaccination sometimes recommended 2 months before travel
Rabies *Vaccination sometimes recommended 1 month before travel
Meningococcal meningitis *Vaccination sometimes recommended 2-3 weeks before travel
Yellow fever Vaccination recommended 10 days before travel

* Recommendations that are marked "Vaccination sometimes recommended" should be considered as "Vaccination strongly recommended" if a person is travelling frequently or spending extended time in that country.

Malaria is always a serious disease. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Prevent this serious disease by seeing your health-care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites.

Tropical Institutes:


Netherlands: http://www.kit.nl
 
What to Wear
what to wearDress is casual in most situations. Comfort should be your key motivation for what to bring. Light, wash and wear clothes will give you the most use. A warm sweater or pullover may be helpful.

While the coast is hot year round, Nairobi and the western highlands can be cool at night in July and August. A light rain coat is advisable. On safari, long pants and long sleeves can help for those sensitive to strong sun. on safari Dust is prevalent, fortunately many camps offer laundry service. Some hotels have pools, so you may want to include a swimsuit.

Good, comfortable walking shoes are adequate for most situations, hiking boots for trekking in mountain areas. Many travelers pack more than they really need. Try to bring only the minimum clothes necessary.
 
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