Kenya Travel Guide: Useful Tips For
Visitors To Kenya, Safety Tips,Kenya
Travel guide and directory with
Travel and safety tips for kenya
travellers
Travel Information
CLIMATE
If there is a perfect climate in the
world, surely it is in East Africa
with cool mornings and warm middays.
Although it can be hot and sticky
by the sea, inland the air is dry
and even at midday the temperatures
are equitable. Due to the proximity
to the equator, sunrise occurs daily
between 06.00hrs and 06.30hrs while
sunset takes place 12 hours later.
It can get quite chilly in the
early morning and evening hence
visitors should pack a sweater.
Each time of year has its special
attractions. There are two main
rainy seasons - usually mid-April to
the end of May and November to
mid-December. Even during the
rains, the weather can be pleasant
with rain occurring in the early
morning and late in the afternoon or
evening.
VISA REGULATIONS
Visitors must be in possession
of valid visa on arrival. The
regulations vary dependent on
nationality and country of origin
and should be checked with the
nearest tourist office or diplomatic
mission.
HEALTH REGULATIONS AND MEDICAL
ADVICE
Inoculation centres in the
country of origin will provide
updated information and advice on
health regulations and
recommendations.
As Kenya & Tanzania enjoy a healthy,
invigorating climate, visitors need
feel no concern for their general
health during their stay. However,
malaria is endemic in certain areas
and anti-malaria medication should
be taken according to prescription
recommendations. Visitor requiring
special medication should pack
sufficient supplies in their hand
luggage. Chemist shops are well
stocked, but the same generic
medication may not be readily
available. Tap water is considered
safe in Nairobi. On safari, rooms
are provided with flasks of filtered
and purified water. Mineral water
is readily available.
CUSTOMS AND EXIT REGULATIONS
Personal effects, film and cameras
may be imported temporarily free of
duty. However professional video
equipment, tape recorders, radios,
musical instruments and souvenirs
from other countries may require a
customs bond to ensure
re-exportation. Firearms need a
special permit which must be
obtained in advance.
Baggage is normally inspected by
customs officials on arrival and
departure.
Please strictly adhere to baggage
limitations as advised by the
airline as excess baggage charges
can be quite expensive.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
A local airport service charge
is payable on departure for domestic
flights.
CURRENCY
There is no restriction to the
amount of foreign currency a visitor
may import provided that it is
exchanged through authorized dealers
only. It is essential to retain a
receipt for each transaction in
order to re-exchange the local
currency on departure. Foreign
currency as the U.S. dollar or
British pound (in cash or travellers
cheque) are the most widely
accepted. Well known credit cards
are also widely accepted in Kenya &
Tanzania It is a legal offence to
deface local currency.
BANKS
Banking hours are from 09.00hrs to
14.00hrs Monday to Friday. Most
Hotels and Lodges change money
outside these hours.
SECURITY
Normal precautions as in any
other destination worldwide should
be taken. Keep a close watch on
handbags, wallets and cameras when
walking in crowded places and avoid
walking at night (take a taxi).
Place all valuables in safety
deposit boxes at hotels and lodges
and only carry small amounts of
cash. Wear as little jewellery as
possible, if any, and never leave
valuables on show in an unattended
car or tour bus. Taking photographs
at airports, near military
installations, of policemen, 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.
DRIVING
Driving is on the left for all
countries.
CLOTHING
Safari clothing should be casual
and comfortable. Cotton slacks and
shirts, with skirts and culottes for
ladies and a light sweater or
jacket, during the day. Evening
wear in game lodges and safari camps
can be very casual. In the more
sophisticated clubs and hotels
gentlemen will be required to wear a
jacket, while ladies should dress
rather more formally. At high
altitudes, where early mornings and
evenings can be very chilly, warm
sweaters, socks and comfortable
shoes are recommended. Pack suntan
lotion, swimwear (to be reserved for
the beach and pool only) and a small
first aid kit. Local customs and
modesty should be respected.
LAUNDRY
Most hotels, game lodges and safari
camps offer a 24-hour inexpensive
laundry service.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage in East Africa is
240volts/50 cycles AC, British
standard generally through three-pin
square plugs. Some lodges and camps
have power only in the early
mornings and evenings and, in some,
video charging facilities are
centralized.
LUGGAGE
We strongly recommend that
luggage is limited to one piece per
person. A small overnight bag is
essential. All city hotels provide
secure storage for left luggage. On
all itineraries where journeys by
light aircraft are involved the
baggage allowance is 15kgs per
person. At Treetops and The Ark only
one small overnight bag per person
is permitted, secure storage is
provided at the Outspan Hotel and
Aberdare Country Club.
PHOTOGRAPHY
There is no shortage of the more
usual film throughout Kenya, however
it is expensive and visitors are
advised to bring plentiful supplies,
especially where specialist film is
concerned. As a general guide,
double the amount of film normally
needed in other areas. In Tanzania
films may not be available. For
wildlife photography a 35mm single
reflex camera, with telephoto lens
of 200mm to 300mm is recommended.
Larger lenses which require a
tripod, or double reflex cameras are
generally impractical. An ultra
violet filter, waterproof dust cover
and spare batteries are essential.
A pair of good quality binoculars
for each person will be a great
asset.
HOTEL CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
The standard check-out time is
10.00hrs hence rooms may not
normally be ready for occupancy
until 12.00hrs. Should an early
arrival be anticipated, please
reserve rooms from the preceding
night. Day rooms up to 18.00hrs are
usually available.
MOUNT KENYA AND KILIMANJARO
No special mountaineering skills
are necessary for climbing either
mountain but due to the high
altitudes attained, the climbs
should not be undertaken unless
climbers are fit and well-exercised.
Climbers should have a physical
check-up and start a fitness
training programme at least a month
before the safari. In Kenya and
Tanzania a limited amount of
equipment is available from the base
hotels. Recommended kit lists can
be provided on request. |
