Travel Information
General Information
Kenya total area is 582,645km 2 including water masses. Her population is 40 million and the capital city is Nairobi . Other major towns include Mombasa , Nakuru, Thika, Kisumu and Eldoret. Nairobi population is 3.5 million and the growth rate is 3% per annum. There are 44 different ethnic tribes. Our unit of currency is kenya shillings (Ksh)
Languages
The official language is English and Swahili. Kenya has over 75 different languages spoken within its borders.
Diplomatic Representation
Nearly every country has diplomatic representation in Kenya . Information about the location of diplomatic mission is available in hotels and local directories.
Climate
Generally Kenya has warm days and cold nights through out the year .We only have two seasons that is the rainy season and the sunny season. The long rains occur from March to May while the short rains occur from October to November. Average temperature is 25 degrees and the coldest month is July. The costal region is extremely humid during the day and cold during the night, temperature ranges between 27-32 degrees.
Security
Just like any other major city in the world, Nairobi has its security lapses. One has to take extra care of his or her variables. Avoid lonely streets and beaches and don’t expose your variables.
Photography
It’s illegal to take photos of police officers, presidential motorcade, state house, airport and parliament building. For the general public ask for permission first.
Health
Malaria is epidemic in East and central Africa . One is advised to take malaria preventive tablets a week before traveling and continue taking them as prescribed by his or her physician . One should also take a medical check up before travel.
Vaccination requirements for international travelers.
- No cholera vaccination certificates are required of travelers coming from all over the world.
- Only valid yellow fever vaccination certificates are required of travelers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected countries mainly in central and west Africa, south and central America, south East Asia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.
- Vaccination for international travelers are obtained from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils.
NB: Make sure you get your yellow fever short in good time since the yellow fever certificate is valid for travel use 1o days after vaccination.
Flying Doctors Society
Membership of the Flying Doctors Society is highly recommended and only cost $25 for a month. In event of accident or sickness while on safari, the society will fly’s patients by air ambulance to Nairobi for proper care at a well equipped hospital. Travel Information.
Visas
Visas are required for most nationals and cost $50. A visa can be
obtained on entry, however we recommend one be obtained before arrival
to avoid airport lengthy queues. Visa application forms are available
online.
A visa is required by all visitors traveling to Kenya with the exception of those holding a re-entry pass to Kenya and citizens of Ethiopia, San Marino, Turkey and Uruguay.
Note that the reciprocal visa abolition agreements with Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain and the republic of Ireland no longer apply and nationals of these countries now require a visa.
Kenya Visa Requirements
- Valid passport with sufficient number of unused pages for endorsements abroad. Passport must be signed and valid for at least six months.
- Visa applications from dully completed and signed by the applicant.
- Two recent passport size photographs attached to the applicant form.
- Valid round trip ticket or letter from your travel agent certifying that the applicant holds prepaid arrangements.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for express mail, courier, registered mail, etc., if the visa is urgently required. Meter stamps are not acceptable.
- Home and work telephone numbers.
Please fill out the form correctly and enclose the photographs and payments to avoid delay and disappointment.
Standard visa fees are payable by cash to the Embassy of Kenya. Travel Information
Visa Fees Charges
Multiple Entries: $100
Single Entry: $50
Transit Visa: $20
1. Please note that children below the age of 16 yrs are not charged visa fees.
2. The reduced visa fees were effected on 1st March 2009, as a directive
from the ministry of tourism on attracting more tourist into the
country.
3. Travelers can pay in US dollars, British pounds, Euro or Swiss Franc
Shopping Hours
Supermarkets, Stores, Markets, Malls, Business premises, Government
offices and museums are open from 0800hrs to 1700hrs. Some supermarkets
are open 24hrs seven days a week. Most souvenir shops are open during
business hours.
Departure Tax
Departure tax is payable on departure from the International airports
and is equivalent to $40 per person. We have two major entry points to
Kenya , Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International
Airport . Mombasa is the main port of entry by water.
Hand Luggage
The following may be carried in your hand luggage only if they are
stored in containers up to 100 ml in size and placed in a transparent
resalable plastic bag and thereafter screened separately from other
items carried in the hand luggage. The capacity of the transparent
plastic bag must not be greater than 1 litre.
Liquids gels and aerosols include:
- Water and other drinks
- Syrups
- Creams, lotions and oils
- Perfumes and spray
- Gels including hair and shower gels
- Pastes including Vaseline and eye shadow
- Pressurized containers such as shaving foam and deodorants
- Other items with similar consistency
The following items are allowed in hand luggage:
- Medicine needed during the flight
- Baby food needed during the flight
You may buy any liquids beyond the security check points including duty free or in flight items. Items purchased must be packed in security tamper evident bags and accompanied by proof of purchase when presenting them at the security check point.
Train Services
The Kenya – Uganda railway starts in Mombasa and goes via Nairobi to
Kampala, Uganda. This train service is famous “Lunatic Express” that
featured in the Michael Douglas film “The Ghost and the Darkness”.
Commuter Bus Services
Kenya has a network of long distance bus services on which speed is limited to 80 kph. Within Nairobi, buses are run by private companies such as City Hoppa and Metro Trans which offer cheap transport and provide regular services between city centre and the suburbs. The busses have a seating capacity of 20 – 35 passengers. Standing passengers are not allowed by law. Travel Information.