Kenya Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Kenya

Former Name

British East Africa

Capital City

Nairobi

Government Type

republic

Area Size

It is a medium-sized country by continental standards, covering an area of about 586,600km sq.

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +3 hours

Climate

Kenya is generally a dry country; over75% of its area is classed as arid of semi-arid with only around 20% being viable for agriculture. Inland, rainfall and temperatures are closely related to altitude changes, with variations induced by local topography. Generally the climate is warm and humid at the coast, cool and humid in the central highlands, and hot and dry in the north and east. Across most of the country, rainfall is strongly seasonal, although its pattern, timing and extent vary greatly from place to place and from year to year. The relatively wet coastal belt along the Indian Ocean receives 1,000 mm or more rain per year. Most rain falls from April to July as a result of the southeasterly monsoon. Differences in temperature vary predictably with altitude. Frost occurs regularly at 3,000 m and occasionally down to at least 2,400 m, and there is permanent snow and ice on top of Mt. Kenya at 5,200 m. The hottest areas are in the arid northeast, and west of Lake Turkana, where mena maximum temperatures average over 34 C.

Geography

Kenya is bordered by Somalia and the Indian Ocean to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west and Tanzania to the south. The coastline, about 550km long, faces the Indian Ocean. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value.

Languages

English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

Culture

Kenyan Modern Culture was born of myriad sources and influences both new and old. Despite the many and varied influences that have shaped Kenyan society, the culture in Kenya has become truly and purely Kenyan. If any one thing of Kenya speaks of this unique character, it is the modern melding of traditional societies and culture. In Kenya it is possible to leave Nairobi, a city with a thriving business heart powered by the latest information technology, and drive in just a few hours to a place where life is lived in accordance to tradition and custom, where warriors armed with spears drive cattle into thorn brush enclosures to protect them from lions at night. In Kenya the modern and the traditional live side by side, and at times the lines blur. For many visitors to Kenya, this is evident within minutes of arrival. Among the busy urban traffic, the median strips of fresh grass along the airport road are a popular place for Maasai herdsmen to graze their cattle.

History

Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but are viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December of 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition, defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.

Travel Information

Kenya has three international airports -Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi -Moi International Airport, Mombasa -Moi International Airport, Eldoret These airports service numerous international carriers including the national airline Kenya Airways. Kenya has good connections to destinations throughout Europe, the Asia- Pacific region, USA and Africa. Kenya can be accessed by road from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia. Immigration should be processed at land border stations. Entry by sea is possible, and immigration should be processed at a port facility.

Accommodation

Kenya offers the traveller a wide range of accommodation options. From youth hostels to five star luxury suites, from pitching your own tent in the wilderness to relaxing in a private beachside villa, the possibilities are endless.

Visa Requirements

A visa is required prior to entry into Kenya. Citizens of the following countries need to have a visa prior to arrival in Kenya; 1. Afghanistan 2. Jordan 3. Senegal 4. Azerbaijan 5. Lebanon 6. Somali 7. Armenia 8. Mali 9. Syria 10. Cameroon 11. North Korea 12. Tadjikistan 13. Iraq 14. Nigeria (residing outside Nigeria) 15. Ivory Coast 16. Stateless Persons For those whose country doesn't appear in the list above, visas can be obtained at the Airport upon arrival. A single Entry Visa (valid for three months from date of issue) will cost US$ 50. A transit visa will cost US$ 20. It's advisable to obtain the visa from the Kenyan Embassy/High Commission in your country prior to departure.

Getting Around

Kenya has a good network of domestic flights, with carriers including Kenya Airways, Air Kenya, Mombasa Air Safari and Regional Air.These airlines service the coast, major game parks and Western Kenya. Visitors to Kenya can drive using an international drivers license. Driving is on the left hand side and drivers should give way to traffic on their right.Distances are measured and signposted in kilometres. Road conditions are variable and can be very poor in remote areas. Ensure that your vehicle is suitable for handling rough roads before embarking on a journey.Driving at night in most areas is not advisable. Hire Cars are widely available in Nairobi, Mombasa, and other large towns.Before hiring a car, all legalities should be thoroughly checked and appropriate contracts and waivers signed. Long distance cycling is possible in Kenya, but cyclists should be prepared to be very alert and wary of traffic on the major roads.There is plenty of scope for off road and mountain biking in Kenya.Anyone seriously considering cycle travel in Kenya should come fully prepared and equipped with a repair kit and some spare parts. This will make repairs on the road much easier. In many tourist areas, bicycle are available for hire for a day or half day. This is a good way to explore some areas. In Nairobi, Mombasa and other large Kenyan towns, taxis are widely available, and convenient.Taxis are often parked in the street around hotels and tourist areas. Hotels and restaurants can order taxis if necessary.Nairobi Taxis are usually marked with a yellow line along each side. There is also a large fleet of large London Taxis operating within the city.Taxis are not metered, and a price should be agreed with the driver before departure. Ask for local advice or at your hotel for correct rates. In Nairobi and Mombasa there are several companies operating Dial Taxi services with phone bookings, modern vehicles, competent drivers and reasonable rates. Several Taxi companies have airport booking offices. The 3 wheel Bajaj Auto-Rickshaw or Tuk Tuk of South East Asia are becoming increasingly popular as taxis in Nairobi. Once again, fares need to be negotiated in advance. In Kisumu, Cycle Rickshaws and Bicycle Taxis are popular. They are locally known as 'Border-Borders' as they were a popular means of accessing the nearby Ugandan border. Within Nairobi and Mombasa the large Kenyan Buses operate on set routes and schedules throughout the city and suburban streets. Buses can be boarded at any stop and tickets purchased on board.Buses also regularly run between most cities and towns. There are several bus companies with extensive inter-country networks. Buses also run across borders into Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Buses are an inexpensive way to travel the country, although there are safety considerations to be kept in mind. Buses in Kenya are known for overcrowding and speeding. The most popular form of public transport in Kenya is the Matatu(minibus), which has become a national icon and a large part of Kenyan modern culture.Matatus operate on set routes, and collect as many passengers as possible both from the outset and along the way. Passengers board and alight whenever and wherever they choose. Kenya has a railway connection between Nairobi- Mombasa and Nairobi-Kisumu. It is also possible to take the train through to Kampala.The overnight Nairobi- Mombasa rail trip is the most popular rail route for visitors.

Health & Safety

Vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Africa include those against: Tetanus,Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow fever, Rabies, Meningitis. Travellers are recommended to take malaria precautions. Always choose food that has been freshly and thoroughly cooked, and is served hot. Avoid buffet food, or anything that has been re-heated or left exposed to flies. Avoid seafood. Raw fruit and vegetables tend to be very difficult to sterilise: don't eat them unless they have been carefully and thoroughly washed in clean water,or are easy to cut open or peel without contaminating the flesh. In the tropics, the easiest and safest fruits are bananas and papayas. Only drink water that you know is safe. Don't drink tap water or brush your teeth with it, stick to bottled or canned drinks - well known brands are safe. Have bottled mineral waters opened in your presence, and regard all ice as unsafe. Alcohol does not sterilise a drink! Diarrhoeal diseases are common. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic; hepatitis E is widespread. Meningococcal meningitis is a risk, particularly in the savannah in the dry season; long-staying visitors and backpackers should consider vaccination. Bilharzia is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Dengue fever is present. Avoid sandfly, mosquito and tsetse fly bites, and wear shoes to protect against hookworm. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Health insurance is essential. East African Flying Doctor Services have introduced a special Tourist Membership which guarantees that any member injured or ill while on safari can call on a flying doctor for free air transport. There are good medical facilities in Mombasa and Nairobi. By decreasing the temptation for thieves, staying away from bad areas, and being aware and using common sense, you can have a safe trip. Luckily, violent crime is rare in Kenya, even in Nairobi. Violence exists, but thieves care only of a victim’s goods, and will not inflict harm unless necessary.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Years Day Mar/Apr - Good Friday Mar/Apr - Easter Monday 1 May - Labour Day 1 Jun - Madaraka Day 10 Oct - Moi Day 20 Oct - Kenyatta Day 12 Dec - Jamhuri Day 25 Dec - Christmas Day 26 Dec - Boxing Day

Currency

Kenyan Shilling (KES)

Electricity

220/240V

Working Hours

Most businesses in Kenya are open from Monday to Friday, though some also trade on Saturday. Business hours are generally 9:00am to 5:00pm, closing for an hour over lunch (1:00pm – 2:00pm). Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Some branches open on Saturdays from 9:00am to 11:00am. Many banks are now equipped with 24 hour ATM machines.

Emergency Numbers

999