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Travel Tips 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 Adventurous 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 Useful Tips 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. Tanzania Health Requirements Recommended Vaccinations for all travelers: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow fever (arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area), Polio, Meningococcus, Hepatitis B, Rabies, All travelers should be up-to-date on tetanus-diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella, and varicella immunizations 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 Pooterage 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. Business and Banking Hours Most banks in the major urban centers have a Bureau de Change. Banks are open between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. on the first and last Saturday of the month. Branches of banks at the Jomo Kenyatta and Moi International Airports extend their opening hours beyond those specified above but differ from bank to bank. Forex bureaus from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00p.m. on Saturdays and do not charge commission. Hotels are also authorized to transact in foreign currency. Offices in Kenya are generally open between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00p.m. Monday to Friday. Public Holidays 1st January (New year’s Day), February/March (Idd Ill Fitr)*, March/April (Good Friday/Easter Monday)**, 1st May (Labour Day), 1st June (Madaraka Day), 10th October (Moi Day), 20th October (Kenyatta Day), 12th December (Jamhuri Day), 25th December (Christmas Day, 26th December (Boxing Day). *The Muslim Festival Idd Ul Fitr is also a public holiday which is declared according to the sighting of the moon. ** The dates for Easter holidays vary from year to year. Train Kenya Railways operates a train service between Nairobi and Mombasa. Nairobi to Mombasa departures are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while Mombasa to Nairobi is on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Trains are also available between Nairobi and Kisumu. The journeys are generally overnight. Security In keeping with the acceptable practice worldwide, visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in their hotel rooms but to make use of hotel safe deposit boxes or safes. Visitors should not carry large sums of money on their person while walking on the streets. Lady visitors are advised to be careful with their handbags in crowded places and busy streets. Necklaces and jewellery should be left at home or kept in the hotel custody. As in all major cities walking at night alone should be avoided. Never leave valuables on show in unattended car or tour bus. Kenya has an efficient police force as well as special tourist police unit with highly trained officers. Most hotels also employ experienced security personnel but you must take the precautions you would anywhere else in the world. Currency These are no restrictions on the foreign exchange you may bring into the country. You are also allowed to take a limited amount of Kenya. For large amounts, however, you require written authorization from the Central Bank of Kenya. Defacement of the Kenyan currency is an indictable offence. The unit of the currency is the Kenya shilling. It is recommended that you change your foreign currency in banks, forex bureaus or authorized hotels. Surplus Kenya currency should be changed into foreign currency prior to departure. Credit cards are accepted in many establishments. Electricity Electricity in Kenya is 220/240 volts. Sockets are usually 3 pins square. For appliances operating on another voltage please bring an adaptor. Departure Formalities On departure, an International Airport departure tax is payable for both domestic and international flights but is usually added to the fare when purchasing your air ticket unless otherwise specified. There are duty free shops at International airports but purchases are made only in convertible currencies. Customs officials may require the inspection of outgoing baggage. All baggage is weighed and subjected to x-ray inspection before loading. Language English is the official language and is mainly spoken in the urban centers while Kiswahili is the national language and is spoken countrywide |
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9 Days Amboseli Lake Manyara Serengeti Ngorongoro Tarangire 12 Days Masai Mara Lake Nakuru Amboseli Lake Manyara Serengeti Ngoro ngoro 12 days Amboseli Lake Manyara Serengeti Ngoro Ngoro Crater Tarangire Safari 5 Days lake Manyara Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater 6 Days lake Manyara serengeti Ngorongoro Crater Tararangire
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Visit Mount Kenya Tours Mageso Chambers, Moi Avenue 1st Floor
Room No 5 ,P. O. Box 29886 00202 Nairobi, Kenya |
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