Kenya

Language:Kiswahili, otherwise known as Swahili, is the ‘lingua franca’ of Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Uganda. English is very widely spoken in Kenya & Tanzania, particularly in tourist centers, hotels, lodges and main cities. Knowing a few words of Swahili will really help you out while on safari.National Emergency Numbers:Ambulance 999Police 2240000Fire Service 999Safaricom is the leading mobile company in Kenya, with arguably the broadest network coverage in the country. Since their internet signal follows their network, even in remote parts of the country, you can access the internet because of their broad strong network all over the country.Public Holidays:The dates of certain public holidays change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday.Jan 01 New Year’s DayVaries Good FridayVaries Easter MondayMay 01 Labor DayJun 1 Madaraka DaySept 10 Eid al-Firt (End of Ramadan)Oct 10 Moi DayOct 20 Kenyatta DayNov 16 Feast of SacraficeDec 12 Independence DayDec 25 Christmas DayDec 26 Boxing DayTime Zone:Kenya is GMT + 3 hours in the winter, and GMT + 2 in the summer.US EmbassyAddress: United Nations Avenue NairobiP. O. Box 606 Village Market00621 Nairobi, KenyaTel: 254 20 363-6000Fax: 254 20 363-6157Website: nairobi.usembassy.gov

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Kenya supply electricity at 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adapter plug should be brought for your electrical appliances. Such adapters are also available at major airports.Travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. If you need to use appliances that are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical input, you will need a voltage converter.

BankingBanking hours: Monday-Friday 09h00-16h00, Saturday 09h00-12h00. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas typically open and close half an hour earlier.Credits Cards are widely accepted in all major hotels and more upmarket establishments, with the most recognized being Master Card and Visa. American Express and Diners Club cards are occasionally accepted. However, you will need some cash handy because smaller shops will only accept cash.Almost every bank now has an ATM, and they are increasingly being installed at petrol stations in cities and large towns.Travellers cheques are no longer accepted in Kenya.Credit CardsAll major credit cards are accepted in Kenya at hotels, restaurants and shops. Visa MasterCard are more prevalent.CurrencyCurrency is Kenya shillings and cents. You will be able to change foreign exchange at the bank at the airport and also at any other banks in the major towns. US dollars are often favoured, and most excursions, tips, drinks and curios can be paid for in dollars. We advise clients to take spending money in the form of US dollars cash. Please be advised that US Dollar notes older than 2004 are no longer accepted in East Africa. Credit cards are widely accepted, although many locations no longer accept travellers’ cheques. To find out current exchange rates visit www.xe.com.

Bottled water is advisable for the first few weeks of your stay. When buying bottled water, check the seal of the bottle is intact. Never drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected (such as with iodine tablets). Never drink from streams, rivers and lakes. It’s also best to avoid drinking from pumps and wells – some do bring pure water to the surface, but the presence of animals can still contaminate supplies. Avoid ice and washed salads and fruit except in upmarket hotels and restaurants. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should be avoided at all times.Nairobi has some of the finest eating establishments in Africa. Many different cuisines and types of restaurants are available, from fast food to fancy. Many five-star hotels have excellent restaurants. Restaurants are called "hotels" and there are many in Nairobi. The local cuisine is also worth trying out, particullarly Pilau-a chicken and rice dish, cabbage and rice; and the staple food in Kenya-Ugali, made from maze flour.Many restaurants can be found downtown and in the areas of Westlands and Hurlingham but these areas are filled with tourists and places like Ayani, Olympic, Kibera, and other places have more authentic food. Among the many cuisines available are Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants. Fast food restaurants, mostly by South African chains (Steers, Nandos), are common in the larger urban areas.

Annual rainfall: 680 mm Average temperature: 25°C – 29°C  Summer: December-MarchAverage in highs: 26°C Average in lows: 16°C  Winter: July-OctoberAverage in highs: 21°C Average in lows: 12°C * Kenya, due to its equatorial location, does not experience traditional summer and winter seasons. Instead, it has periods that are cooler and drier. The climate is generally characterized by wet and dry seasons.Best time to visit: Visiting between June and September, during the long dry season, will allow you to experience a milder climate and witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. The short dry season, from January to March, provides excellent opportunities for beach visits and outdoor activities. During the rainy seasons, you’ll find fewer tourists and stunning, lush landscapes. The long rainy season runs from March to May, and the short rainy season runs from October to December.

Nairobi has two airports for domestic and regional flights: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport (www.kaa.go.ke). Kenya has over 150 domestic airports and airstrips and there are daily flights to the most popular destinations. In addition to the scheduled airlines, several private charter companies operate out of Wilson Airport.Kenya Airways (www.kenya-airways.com), Air Kenya (www.airkenya.com), Fly 540 (www.fly540.com), Mombasa Air Safari (www.mombasaairsafari.com) and Safarilink (www.flysafarilink.com) serve the most popular safari destinations, plus many others such as Lake Victoria.On smaller, domestic planes the baggage allowance is restricted to 10-15 kg (22-33 lbs). Arrangements can be made to leave excess luggage with hotels or airlines.Main roads between the major cities and towns are generally in good condition, and easily navigable in a normal saloon car. Most highways in the south are paved, but that’s not the case in the north.Vehicles are driven on the left side of the road.While major roads are generally in a good condition, most minor gravel roads have deep potholes which deteriorate further in the rainy season. Dirt roads, including those in the parks and reserves, are extremely rough, and some are only passable with a 4-wheel drive.You can hire self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars from travel agents and international hire companies. Drivers must be at least 23 years of age. Budget (www.budget.com) and Europcar (www.europcar.com) have outlets at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Budget also has a desk at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, while Europcar has an office in town. Car hire can be expensive and rates vary significantly.A driving licence from a home country (and a translation if this is not in English) or an International Driving Permit is required. Third-party insurance is mandatory when hiring a car and it’s recommended to take out the additional collision damage waiver. A valid credit card is also needed.Matatus (shared minibus taxis) hop from town to town, starting and finishing at bus stations. Fares are paid to the conductor. Private taxis can also be hired for long-distance journeys.It is not possible to rent motorbikes or mopeds but some of the beach resorts hire out bicycles.Numerous private bus companies operate in Kenya. Most vehicles are old and tend to depart when full, which means there are no set timetables. Petty theft on the vehicles and at bus stations can be a problem. Nevertheless, buses are cheap and link all long-distance destinations. Plus, seatbelts are now mandatory, so buses are relatively safe.Nairobi and Mombasa have efficient local bus systems and there are also frequent matatus, but reckless driving and petty theft makes them a dodgy option for tourists. Three-wheeled auto rickshaws are popular in town centres and carry up to three passengers.The newer fleets of taxis (usually painted white with a yellow band) are reliable and have meters. The older yellow taxis do not have meters, so fares should be agreed in advance. In Nairobi, there is a fleet of London-style black cabs. A 10% tip is expected. Cabs cannot be hailed in the street, but can be found parked in taxi ranks.

Lightweight casual clothes can be worn all year round, with a warm jacket for early winter mornings and evenings. It can be very chilly in the early morning and late evening, no matter how warm it has been during the day! Bring a warm jacket to wear for the morning. It is best to dress in layers of clothing so that you can peel off as the sun comes up. By 9:00am it could be quite hot againIn the CitiesWe suggest ladies do not wear shorts in the cities, particularly in the Muslim areas.At Coastal ResortsOne piece or bikini swimsuits are fine on the beach or around your hotel pool, but not appropriate in town. Topless sunbathing is prohibited. Jackets or ties are NOT required when dining in hotels or out at restaurants.

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations and that the medication has enough time to take effect. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations. Required Immunizations/Vaccinations: Yellow Fever – all travelers ≥9 months of age coming from a yellow fever infected country will be required to show a valid Yellow Fever certificate on arrival. It is otherwise not required or recommended. You should be vaccinated at least 10 days before you travel, as this will allow enough time for your body to develop protection against the yellow fever infection. Your proof of vaccination certificate will only become valid after this time. Recommended Immunizations/Vaccinations: Malaria prophylaxis – highly recommended for all travelers Malaria Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Both chloroquine-resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa.  Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are mainly active in the early evening and throughout the night. Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months. We strongly recommend you take the following preventative measures: Use plenty of mosquito repellent. Some camps provide a locally made repellent but please bring your own as there may be skin sensitivity. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings. Please use the mosquito net over your bed where supplied/available. If staying in a bungalow or tent, spray with a suitable insecticide to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room. Mosquito coils are also effective. There is a six to seven day minimum incubation period before symptoms present themselves. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that your doctor does everything to establish that your illness is not malaria. Please remember the best precaution is the preventative kind.  It is inadvisable for pregnant women to visit malarial areas as malaria infection during pregnancy can be detrimental to both mother and child. Stomach Upsets It is advisable to carry medication supplied by your physician for simple stomach upsets.  In the first few days of your trip you may suffer from mild upsets attributable to a change in food and water. Ticks Ticks exist all over the world and are well known carriers of diseases that affect both animals and humans. Symptoms of this disease present after a 5-7 day incubation period and include fevers, headaches, malaise and even a skin rash, but effects can vary dramatically from person to person. A dark black mark usually results at the site of the infected bite and is a helpful diagnostic. The disease is easily treated with antibiotics although this is not always necessary.  After walking in the bush it is best to brush your clothes down and to examine your body for ticks. If a tick is found, remove it entirely without leaving the biting mouth parts in your skin. Anti-tick sprays such as Bayticol can be very effective against ticks and wearing long pants will prevent many bites. Tsetse Flies Tsetse flies exist in large areas of sub-Saharan Africa including parts of Kenya. They are best known as the carrier of trypanosomiases – causing sleeping sickness in humans which can be fatal but is easily treated and cured. In the unlikely event that symptoms are recorded after a visit to an area containing tsetse flies, we recommend that a doctor be consulted. These symptoms can present a few weeks to months after a visit and begin with fever, headaches and pains in the joints followed by dramatic swelling of the lymph nodes. If left untreated these symptoms can evolve to cause anaemia, cardiac and kidney disorders; alternate bouts of fatigue and insomnia can disrupt the sleep cycle.

VISA REQUIREMENTS:U.S. citizens are required to obtain a visa for entry into Kenya prior to arrival. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.