Traveller Information
Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa. Its Indian Ocean coast lies between Somalia to the north east and Tanzania to the south. Its other surrounding countries are Ethiopia and South Sudan to the north and Uganda to the west.
Although made up of many diverse ethnic groups and tribes, Kenyans have strong sense of national pride. Most Kenyans are optimistic about the country’s future.
Kenya has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeastern parts of the country. The country receives a great deal 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. Also given that Nairobi is at a high altitude, it can be quite cold even during the day between June and August. The long rain season occurs from April to June. The short rain season occurs from October to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest period is from February to March and coldest in July to August.
The annual animal migration – especially migration of the wildebeest – occurs between June and September with millions of animals taking part. It has been a popular event for filmmakers to capture and its now classified as the eighth wonder of the world.
Tourist attractions
Kenya has some of the world’s best game reserves where you can see some of the finest African flora and fauna. The parks are famous for lions, giraffes, elephants and huge herds of zebras, wildebeests and buffalos.
If you are on a tight schedule or even when on transit and you have a few hours to spare, take a game drive in the Nairobi National Park found less than 20 minutes’ drive from the Central Business District. You need to have a transit visa to move out of the airport facilities.
The annual wildebeest migration (from Maasai Mara to the Serengeti and vice versa) is an awesome sight and memorable experience. Balloon safari enhances the experience. Bookings to watch the migration are best done months in advance due to the high demand and limited lodging available in the Mara. Migration is during August and September.
Kenya also is a great destination for beach holidays, with several located along the coastal regions: Kilifi, Lamu, Mombasa, Malindi and Watamu.
Kenya is also becoming a golf holiday destination, with an abundance of beautiful golf courses around major urban areas.
Cities
- Nairobi — The capital city and economic centre of Kenya
- Garissa — A predominantly Muslim town in the east close to Somalia
- Kabarnet — Gateway town for Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria
- Kisumu — The major town of the west, on the shore of Lake Victoria
- Lamu — Main town of the Lamu Archipelago
- Lodwar — In the north on the main route to South Sudan with access to Lake Turkana
- Malindi — The landing point of Vasco Da Gama in Kenya
- Mombasa — Historic port on the Indian Ocean seafront and probably Africa’s longest continuously settled town
- Nakuru — Lake Nakuru National Park and an active volcano
- Eldoret — The training spot of long distance athletes
Other destinations
- Aberdares National Park — cool and cloudy Rift Valley park with lots of large game, and over 250 species of bird recorded
- Amboseli National Park — a swampy lowland Maasai park that is one of the best places anywhere in Africa to view large mammals
- Lake Nakuru National Park — a stunning 400 species of bird have been recorded here including the largest flocks of Flamingos anywhere on earth
- Maasai Mara National Park — probably the most popular reserve in Kenya due to the high concentration of large cats
- Mount Kenya National Park — challenging trekking on high peaks
- Nairobi National Park — virtually within the Nairobi city and a great option to see large game for those on a tight schedule
- Tsavo East National Park — major game park on the main road from Nairobi to Mombasa
- Tsavo West National Park — popular destination on account of its magnificent scenery, Mzima Springs, rich and varied wildlife, good road system, rhino reserve, rock climbing potential and guided walks along the Tsavo River.
- Meru National Park – It has a wide range of wild beasts like elephant, hippopotamus, lion, leopard, cheetah, black rhinoceros and some rare antelopes.
- Shimba Hills National Park
- Sibiloi National Park – listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a part of Lake Turkana National Parks.
- Mount Elgon National Park
Local laws and customs
Smoking in all public places (except in designated areas) is prohibited throughout Kenya. This applies to areas such as hotel grounds, lounge areas and entrances. If you wish to smoke in your hotel room please confirm first with hotel management that it is permitted. Offences attract fines ranging from 50,000 to three million Kenya shillings and/or imprisonment for six months to three years.
The use and trafficking of illegal Class A drugs in Kenya carries heavy fines and jail sentences. The penalty for possession is ten years imprisonment.
One must obtain a valid work permit before taking up any paid or volunteer work in Kenya; the penalties for not doing so can be a fine, jail or deportation depending on the nature of the offence.
Taking photographs of Government buildings, including Embassies, is not recommended and can lead to detention. If in any doubt about what a building is used for, do not photograph it or film around it.
Permission to carry any kind of firearm must be obtained from the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government authorities prior to entry.
It is illegal to destroy Kenyan currency whatever the denomination.
If things do go wrong when you are overseas, it is advisable to report to the nearest police station and inform your Embassy/consulate
It is advisable to have your local currencies converted to Dollars, Euros or British pounds which can easily be converted to Kenya Shillings at forex bureaus and banks. ATMs are widely available in Nairobi and the main towns. Credit cards and travelers’ cheques are widely accepted.
Visas
For travel to Kenya, apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) at: https://www.etakenya.go.ke
Getting to Kenya
Kenya is accessible by air, road and sea.
Kenya Airways (KQ) is the national airline. It has extensive regional and international connections. It is also a Sky Team associate member.
In addition, an increasing number of airlines are flying to Kenya, connecting Kenya to the rest of the world. Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has become a hub for East and Central Africa.
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
- Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
- Eldoret International Airport (local flights and cargo only).
JKIA is the primary arrival point for visitors flying into Kenya. There are excellent flight connections provided by Kenya Airways (KQ) to major tourist destinations such as Mombasa, Kisumu and Malindi. Most charter tourists fly directly to either of the coastal airports of Mombasa or Malindi.
Language
English and Swahili are the two official languages. Swahili is also the national language. You can get by with English in most parts of the country.
Learn some swahili words:
Please/Por favor – Tafadhali
Thank you/Obrigado –Ahsante
Welcome/Bem-vindo – Karibu
Goodbye/Tchau – Kwaheri
Food/Comida – Chakula
Buying souvenirs
Kenya is famous for many handicrafts, which are often the signature of a particular tribe or region. The city and town centers usually have markets that sell curios. There is also a fine selection of stores selling craft goods in Mombasa, where the atmosphere is somewhat more relaxed. However, the best prices can be found by buying direct from the artisans in their villages in the countryside.
The largest selection of handicrafts can probably be found at the Maasai Market which rotates and can be found at different locations within Nairobi, which include Maasai items such as beaded jewellery, decorated gourds and the distinctive red-checked blankets worn by all Maasai men make good souvenirs. For example, on Sundays, they are at Yaya Centre near Hurlingham, and, on Saturdays, they can be found at the Central business district near the law courts parking space. On Fridays, they are at the Village Market in Gigiri, near the UN headquarters.
What to look for:
Kisii stone (soap stone) carvings, Maasai jewelry, Mkonde wood carvings, Lamu chairs and batiks.
Khanga, kitenge and kikoi cloths are ideal to use as sarongs (common in East Africa for both men and women)
Kenyan baskets made from sisal and leather.
African drums, old brass and copper, batiks, soapstone knick-knacks, carved chess sets, and large wooden carvings of animals or salad bowls carved from a single piece of teak, mninga or ebony.
Apart from the typical souvenirs such as wood carvings, it may be a good idea to buy one of the large books with photos of wildlife, nature, or culture.
Local Kenyan music.
Kindly note that exporting souvenirs made from wildlife skins (this includes reptiles), ivory and shells is forbidden.
Eateries
Nairobi has some of the finest eating establishments in Africa. Many different cuisines and types of restaurants are available, from fast food to five-star hotels with exotic cuisines have attached fine restaurants, which are expensive but worth it if you are looking to not get a true Kenyan cuisine. Restaurants are called “hotels” and there are many in Nairobi, if you stop by make sure you try Pilau,-a specially spiced rice dish; cabbage and rice; and the staple food in Kenya-Ugali, made from maize flour which can be eaten with many different kinds of stew. Street food is also definitely worth a try and usually safe to eat, Mandazi are sweet bread-like treats that are often sold on the street. Maize grilled with a side of chili to add on is a wonderful snack and very cheap. Samosas are awesome and delicious. In addition, fruit stands are everywhere-the mangoes and avocados are to die for and can be bought for less than a dollar. There are many restaurants, with various cuisines to suit your taste. Among the many cuisines available are: Kenyan, Indian, Italian, Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants. Fast food restaurants, Steers, Nandos, KFC, Chicken-in and steakhouses are common in the larger urban areas.
Drink
Kenyans love their beer. Mostly it will be served with roast meat which is locally referred to as “Nyama choma”. Tusker is Kenya’s biggest brand. Other brands include Guinness, Pilsner, White Cap Lager, and Smirnoff. Imported beers are available in supermarkets and better hotels, but the prices are usually high. Imported and local wines and spirits are widely available. There is also an excellent selection of soft drinks.
Accommodation
Major towns in Kenya like Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu have a wide variety of tourist hotels, from five-star establishments to guesthouses. Most hotels offer bed and breakfast. View list of hotels, resorts, lodges and camps.
Other options for accommodation include airbnb and long-term rentals in fully furnished apartments. In addition, homestays are increasingly gaining popularity, for the reason that one is able to experience Kenyan culture in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Work
If you are coming to live and work in Kenya, you should be aware that it is illegal to work without a permit and this also applies to voluntary work and to the self-employed. There are numerous opportunities for volunteering in Kenya, whatever skills you have. The main areas include education, conservation, community development, or a number of similar areas. Kenya’s English-speaking history and relative stability make it extremely well suited for this kind of work. In most cases, volunteering can be undertaken with a standard tourist visa, although it is worth checking with your host organization before travelling as the authorities may not always take this view.
Stay safe
Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth and property, particularly tempting objects such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players, etc. especially in public areas.
Take special precautions if travelling by road to the North and North Eastern part of the country. Armed convoys are normal for this part of the country. Visitors to Lake Turkana (indicated on the map as Lake Rudolf) in the northwest and Lamu in the northern end of the coast should travel there by air. Lodwar, Lokichogio (‘Loki’) and Moyale are towns best avoided by the casual traveler, unless you have business with the humanitarian organizations based there.
Stay healthy
Yellow Fever vaccination is NOT a requirement for travelers visiting Kenya. If travelling to other East African countries, you should have a yellow fever vaccination so as to prevent complications. These can be administered at an affordable price at most reliable Nairobi clinics and hospitals.
If you get such symptoms within twelve months of returning home, seek a doctor’s advice very quickly and immediately tell him where you have been in the last year. Delayed treatment, even by just a few hours, can lead to permanent brain and liver damage or death. It is advisable to have travelers and accident insurance.
Respect
Kissing or heavy petting is frowned upon in public.
Internet
Internet connection is readily available in most establishments and all mobile phone service providers. Internet cafés are also common throughout Kenya and usually offer decent link quality.
