Visas:
All visitors to Kenya are required to have valid passports.
Visas are also required for visitors who are not citizens
of the commonwealth countries in order to enter Kenya. At
present visitors from Germany, Denmark, Norway, San Marino,
Sweden, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Finland, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay
do not require visas. However, since visa requirements may
change, it is advisable for the visitors to check the current
visa requirements through airlines, tour operators or Kenya
Tourist Offices, Kenya Embassies or High Commissions in their
countries before coming, to avoid embarrassment. Visas normally
take up to six weeks to process and are valid for up to a
three month period. Those visitors with proper documents and
who also possess onward or return tickets may be given visitor's
passes free of charge on arrival at any Kenyan point of entry.
During the three months period, the visitors' pass holders
are not allowed to engage themselves in any form of work or
business in the country without authority from the Principal
Immigration officer. Visitors without proper documents will
be required to pay a refundable deposit of Kshs. 5,000/= before
they are issued with visitor passes.
Weather:
Kenya enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the
coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast
parts of the country.
The
average annual temperature for the coastal town of Mombasa (altitude
17 metres) is 30.30 Celsius maximum and 22.40 Celsius minimum,
the capital city, Nairobi (altitude 1,661 metres) 25.20 Celsius
maximum and 13.60 Celsius minimum, Eldoret (altitude 3,085)
23.60 Celsius maximum and 9.50 Celsius minimum, Lodwar (altitude)
506 metres) and the drier north plainlands 34.80 Celsius maximum
and 23.70 Celsius minimum.
There
is plenty 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.
The
long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October
to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and when it does
come it often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest
period is from February to March and coldest in July to August.
The
annual migration of wildlife between Serengeti National Park
in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya takes place
between June and September. The migration of almost two million
wildebeest, zebras and other species is nature's greatest spectacle
on earth. The animal trek has been captured by filmmakers worldwide.
Baggage:
Baggage space on safari is restricted to one medium suitcase
or holdall per person, plus hand baggage (private safaris where
there are less than 7 persons in the vehicle are not subject
to this restriction). Visitors to Treetops and the Ark are asked
to take overnight bags only; suitcases can be left at the base
hotel. Hotels will normally store baggage at no extra cost.
Baggage can also be stored at Alefran Tours & Safaris offices.
A baggage weight restriction of 15 kg per person applies on
air safaris. Where very small aircraft are used this maybe reduced
to 10kg.
Currency:
Hard currencies can be exchanged in cash or travellers cheques
at banks all over the country, at forex bureaus in Nairobi and
at most large hotels. US Dollars and Sterling Pounds are most
acceptable and will cause the least delay. As a norm, always
ask what commission and charges will be deducted first and prior
to transaction. Banks are usually open from 9.00 am to 3.00
pm, Mondays through 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's usually a 5% mark-up on top of the
price as establishments are charged a fixed percentage of their
transactions.
Health:
Since rules concerning disease prevention change from time to
time, a check should be made with the nearest Kenyan High Commission,
Kenya Tourist Office or any airline flying scheduled services
into Kenya. Malaria is endemic to most parts of Kenya and intending
visitors should start taking anti-malarial tablets before departure
and continue taking them for the prescribed time after their
return. Insect repellents should be made use of after dusk and
suitable cover up clothes should be worn in the evenings.
Flying
Doctors Society:
Membership of the Flying Doctors Society is strongly recommended.
In event of accident or sickness while on safari, the society
will fly patients by air ambulance to Nairobi for admittance
to hospital. The current cost for 1-month membership is US$
25 per person.
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 world-wide 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. Jewellery
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 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.
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 pin and of the 'square' variety.
Tipping
and Porterage:
Although hotels and lodges include a service charge, it is customary
to tip porters, waiters, taxi drivers and safari drivers/guides.
Language:
Kiswahili is the lingua franca while English is the official
language. In addition, most tribes have their own language.
Post
and Telephones:
Keeping in touch by mail and telephone is generally easy. Direct
overseas dialling is possible from major centers and increasingly
from remote places such as game lodges. Call home bureaus are
in plenty in Nairobi as are the Cyber café for e-mail
and Internet access.
Arrivals
and Departures:
Kenya has two main ports of entry by air: Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport, Nairobi. Located 16 km from the city center. Moi International
Airport, Mombasa. Located 12 km from the town center. Mombasa
is the main port of entry by sea.
Airport
Departure Tax:
International Airport departure tax equivalent to US$ 40 per
person is payable on departure from the International airports.
A local airport service charge is also payable on departure
for domestic flights. As this varies from country to country,
please check with us on the prevailing amounts payable prior
to your flight departure.
Opening
and Shoppng Hours:
Major stores, tourist services, offices and museums open from
8.00 am to 5.00 PM in large towns though offices often break
for lunch. In rural areas and out in the bush small shops can
be open at almost any hour. Souvenirs to take back home can
include wood and soap stone sculptures and carvings, ciondos
(sisal baskets), beadwork and tribal regalia, masks, textiles
and gemstones set in unique jewellery pieces
