Kenya Travel Tips

Kenya Travel Tips, Planning a Kenyan Tour or Safari Holiday

Visas

Foreign travelers must have valid passports; a visa valid for not less than three months is required for non-citizens of the Commonwealth countries if they are to enter Kenya. Currently citizens of Germany, Denmark, Norway, San Marino, Sweden, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Finland, Spain, Turkey, and Uruguay do not require visas but this does not exempt a potential traveler from consulting a Kenya Embassy or High Commissions in their country for more information since changes may occur anytime, amidst planning a tour. Travelers with proper documents and possess onward or return tickets may be given visitor’s passes at a refundable deposit of Kenya Shillings 5,000 on arrival at any Kenyan point of entry.

Climate

The climate of Kenya varies by location; from mostly cool every day, to always warm/hot. The climate along the coast is tropical. This means rainfall and temperatures are higher throughout the year. At the coastal city of Mombasa, the air changes from cool to hot, almost every day. The further inside Kenya, the arider the climate becomes. An arid climate is nearly devoid of rainfall, and temperature swings widely according to the general time of the day/night. For many areas of Kenya, the daytime temperature rises about 12 C (corresponding to a rise of about 22F), almost every day.
The elevation is the major factor in temperature levels, with the higher areas, on average, as 11°C (20°F) cooler, day or night. The many mile-high cities have temperature swings from roughly 50–79 °F (10–26.1 °C). Nairobi, at 1,798 m (5,899 ft) or 1.798 km (1.12 mi), ranges from 49–80 °F (9.4–26.7 °C),and Kitale at 1,825 m (5,988 ft) or 1.825 km (1.13 mi), ranges from 51–82 °F (10.6–27.8 °C). At night in the highlands, temperatures drop to about 50–54 °F (10–12.2 °C) every night.

At lower altitudes, the increased temperature is like day and night, literally: like starting the morning at the highland daytime high, and then adding the heat of the day, again. Hence, the overnight low temperatures near sea level are nearly the same as the high temperatures of the elevated Kenyan highlands. However, locations along the Indian Ocean have more moderate temperatures, as a few degrees cooler in the daytime, such as at Mombasa.

There are slight seasonal variations in temperature, of 4 °C or 7.20 °F, cooler in the winter months. Although Kenya is centered at the equator, it shares the seasons of the southern hemisphere: warmest summer months in February-March and the coolest winter months in July-August, although only a few degrees cooler.

On the high mountains, such as Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon, and Kilimanjaro, the weather can become bitterly cold for most of the year. Some snowfall has occurred on the highest mountains.

Currency

The Kenya shilling (KSH)is a stable currency and used in both notes and currency. There are no legal restrictions of foreign exchange transactions and the shilling is fully convertible (you can buy Kenya shillings with US dollars or US dollars with Kenya shillings). Smaller US bills from 20 and below attract a much lower exchange rate than larger bills (for example; US$50 and US$100 notes).
Dollar notes dated 2001 and earlier are not accepted by some Bureau de changes thus, it is better to carry later notes.
The United Kingdom (England) pound is also accepted at Bureau de changes stops.
Don’t change money in the street.

Banks open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm Nairobi time- Monday to 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 is usually a 5% markup on top of the price as establishments are charged a fixed percentage of their transactions.

Health

Yellow Fever Vaccination is now REQUIRED. Malaria risk in general, and a prophylaxis should be taken: use insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a mosquito net and take anti-malaria prophylactics as prescribed by a physician. Bring prescription medicine, spare glasses, contact lenses and solution as well as sunscreen and cream for bites/stings. Drink only boiled and bottled water, canned drinks, avoid ice cubes and salads. HIV/AIDS is widespread; therefore we strongly recommend the use of condoms.

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 worldwide 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. Jewelry 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 a 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.

Most of Kenya is perfectly safe for foreign tourists, and certainly, we have never encountered any problems. On some routes in the south, notably between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks you are advised to take advantage of the local armed guards who will travel with you to deter bandits. The North of the country is a very different matter with frequent bandit attacks near the borders. In fact, Kenya currently has a problem with militia groups from Ethiopia crossing the border and terrorizing Kenyan villagers. We are on the side of caution and avoid traveling in these northern border areas.

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 pins and of the ‘square’ variety.