ACCOMMODATION
Most
safari lodges vary in size and style and are built to blend in with the
local environment. All have rondavel or banda type accommodation,
with a lounge, central dining and bar area in single unit hotels. Most rooms
have twin beds with private
facilities. Tented accommodations vary from super deluxe to proper tents.
These are very popular and give the visitor the true experience of being
close to nature without the inconvenience and discomfort of camping in the
outdoors. The spacious insect-proof tents are usually permanently
‘pitched’ on concrete bases, with private facilities including flush
toilets.
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BANKS
/ FOREX
There are
more than enough foreign exchange bureaus (FOREX) that don’t charge commission; their rates are published in the Daily Nation
newspaper every day. Banks will also change money, but they do ask a fee,
which can be high. It also takes longer.
Banks
are open from Monday to Friday, from 09h00 – 14h00 and on the first and
last Saturday of the month from 09h00 – 11h00. Banks at the
International Airport operate on a 24-hour basis.
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BORDER
POSTS
AIRPORTS:
Departure
Tax: for local flights the passenger service charge on departure is Ksh.100
and for International Departure it is US $20 or its equivalent (freely
convertible foreign currency). Kenya
has about 250 airports (of immensely varying quality) and plenty of airlines
connecting Nairobi with Mombasa, Kisumu, Nanyuki, Malindi, Lamu and the
national parks/reserves of Amboseli, Masai Mara and Samburu. Jomo Kenyatta
is the international airport.
ROAD : Zimbabwe /
Botswana
The
overland route to and from Ethiopia through Moyale is becoming dangerous
because of the fighting between the Ethiopian army and the Oromo Liberation
Front (OLF). The border was closed for a while but has now been reopened.
For those with 4x4 vehicles, a more adventurous route to the west near Lake
Turkana is quite popular. To get there, cross the border close to the
north-eastern tip of Lake Turkana, then follow the shoreline of the lake
south through Ileret (where there is an army base) and Sibiloi National Park
to Loyangalani. Then go down to Nairobi via Maralal. Ask the locals for
advice before trying this route. There is no border post on either side of
the border crossing so you'll have to get your visa stamped in Nairobi.
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BEST TIME TO GO
Kenya
is a year-round destination, the only months to look out for are April and
May, which are usually quite wet, although the rains may be late. There is
generally less rain in October-January, but take a sweater or jacket. The
main tourist season is January - February, since the hot, dry weather at
this time of year is more pleasant.
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CLIMATE
Tropical
coastal regions with hot and dry lowland areas. Warmest from December-March.
Although the equator runs through Kenya, most of the
country is situated at 1,200 m or more, which tends to alleviate the heat.
In the higher areas, it can be about 10 ˚C cooler. On top of Mt. Kenya, temperatures often fall below freezing.
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CLOTHING
Waterproof
gear between March and June, and October to December.
Light weights for coast and highlands. Warm
clothes for the evenings in June and July. The highlands are in general
cool and there is the possibility of snow.
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COMMUNICATION
The availability of international
long-distance calling cards is very limited in Kenya. International,
long-distance costs from Kenya are significantly higher than long-distance
rates in the United States. Several local companies offer computer Internet
access and charge by the hour. Many hotels have facsimile machines, but
often limit their access to guests; some fax services are also available at
office supply shops.
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MONEY
CREDIT CARDS
Most
of the popular international credit cards such as American Express and Visa
are widely accepted throughout Kenya
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CURRENCY
Kenyan
Shilling, Up to 100,000 Kenyan shillings may be taken out
of the country. Destruction of Kenyan currency, even in small amounts, is
illegal and almost always results in arrest and a fine.
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ELECTRICITY
The
power supply of 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz is usually quite reliable. The plug sockets are square-three-prong
although some of the older buildings may still have round-pin sockets
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ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
A passport is essential. United States citizens
visiting Kenya for less than one month are exempt from obtaining visas.
Other visas should be acquired in advance, although airport visas are
available, these will just delay you. There is a fee for both the airport
visa and the “normal” visa. Evidence of yellow fever immunization may be
requested. Contact your local travel agent or the nearest Kenyan embassy
or
consulate for more information.
GENERAL
Kenya
is bounded on the north by Ethiopia and Sudan, on the west by Uganda, on the
south by Tanzania, and on the east by Somalia and the Indian Ocean. The
northern and eastern three-fifths of the country is arid. The southern
two-fifths are low-lying coastal areas and a plateau varying in altitude
from 3,000 to 10,000 feet (900-3,000 meters). Nairobi has four seasons, but
the overall temperature changes are moderate: mid-December throughout March
is mainly sunny and warm by day, cool at night and generally dry; April-May
is the main rainy season with lower daytime temperatures; June through
September is mainly dry, but often cloudy and cool, with cool nights; and
October-November is the short rainy season with long sunny periods, warm
days and cool nights. Average daily temperature range is great. Average
rainfall in Nairobi is about 39 inches (100 cm).
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ETHNIC
GROUPS
There are
more than 70 tribal groups among the Africans in Kenya, including the
Kikuyu, Luhia, Luo and Kikamba. There is also an abundance of minor tribal
tongues.
Differences between many of the tribes are blurred - Western
cultural values are becoming more deep-seated and traditional values are
disintegrating.
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HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS
Many diseases,
including yellow fever, are endemic, with only scattered cases being
reported and, from time to time, more extensive outbreaks. Yellow fever
certificate if you are coming from an endemic area and or travelling
through non-urban areas.
The
risk of malaria is prevalent and you should consult your doctor well in
advance.
Hepatitis A
and B, as well as tetanus injections are recommended, as are cholera vaccinations.
Standards of hygiene in Nairobi are good,
although people travelling to other areas may face some problems.
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LANGUAGES
English
and Swahili are the official languages and are the ones taught in schools,
but there are many other tribes in Kenya. Most Kenyans involved in the
tourist trade speak English, however it is good to have a working knowledge
of Swahili.
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MEDICAL
SERVICES
Adequate medical services are available in
Nairobi. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for their
services. Tourists are recommended to take out health insurance because
these policies are relatively inexpensive, compared to the cost of a medical
evacuation. There are also frequent outbreaks of cholera and malaria is
endemic in Kenya outside Nairobi.
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NATIONAL
PARKS AND WILDLIFE AREAS
Kenya’s national parks
and game reserves have long been famous for their variety and wealth of
flora and fauna. Whilst drought and overgrazing have destroyed some
regions and there is still some conflict between tribal interests and
wildlife preservation, the government fully recognises that Kenya’s
future prosperity may depend on maintaining its remarkable natural
heritage.
One tenth of all land in Kenya is designated as national parkland. Over 50
parks and reserves cover all habitats from desert to mountain forest.
Tourist facilities are extremely good.
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK: Covering 766km², the Aberdares are a
densely wooded mountain range rising to over 4000m with magnificent views
over nearby Mount Kenya to the north, and the Rift Valley to the south.
The mountain slopes are covered in dense stands of rare Afro-montane
forest, while the high grasslands feature Afro-Alpine and sub-Alpine heath
and groundsels. The vistas are often more like those of Scotland than of
Africa. A number of crystal clear streams and rivers, all stocked with
rainbow trout, criss-cross the plateau, with some spectacular waterfalls
as the rivers tumble off the escarpment. The plateau is rich in game, with
elephant, leopard, lion, giant forest hog, bushbuck, blue monkey, colobus
monkey, black rhino, buffalo and suni some of the characteristic species.
Lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of the rare melanistic (pitch black)
strain of leopard. This is one of the last strongholds of the critically
endangered bongo. Walking is allowed, but only with an armed guard, as the
lions here are aggressive and there have been several attacks in the past.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK: A small park by Kenyan standards, covering
just under 400 km² at the center of the border with Tanzania, 220 km from
Nairobi. The view of the Amboseli plains, with elephant moving below the
snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, is one of the most photographed
vistas in Africa. A network of swamps and wetlands ensure excellent game
viewing year-round. There are 425 recorded bird and 56 mammal species in
the park, including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, black rhino,
Maasai giraffe, gerenuk, and zebra.
MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE: 390 km from Nairobi in the southwest
corner of the country, lies a vast rolling plain beneath the Mara
escarpment striped black once a year by millions of wildebeest and zebra
migrating north from the Serengeti plains. During the migration season
(July/August) the reserve’s resident lions lounge prominently in the
sun, fat and seemingly placid. There are 13 tented camps and two lodges in
the reserve. Maasai tribes people live on the reserve’s fringes and are
co-owners of the reserve, sharing in revenues from tourism. This 1 672 km²
reserve is one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, and boasts all
the big game species. Besides the normal safari activities, it is also
possible to go hot- air ballooning across the plains, one of the finest
ways to see Africa’s wildlife.
MERU NATIONAL PARK: 400 km from Nairobi, this 870 km² park is one
of Kenya’s most remote and unspoilt, being way off the beaten, package
tourism track. The park was made famous by George and Joy Adamson as the
place to which they brought Boy, son of the lioness, Elsa (“Born
Free”), to set him free. Here too, Joy trained the cheetah, Pippa, in
how to re-adapt to the wild (as told in “The Spotted Sphinx”). The
Tana River, the largest in Kenya, abuts a small section of the park in the
east, and Adamson’s Falls, at the tip of the park, are a spectacular
sight after rain. Besides all the usual big game species (rhino excluded)
this is an excellent place to see two relatively unusual animals,
reticulated giraffe and gerenuk, also known as giraffe-necked gazelle.
White rhino were reintroduced here, but fell prey to the guns of poachers
in 1988. Since then, security has been considerably tightened up, and
poaching has all but ceased.
TSAVO NATIONAL PARK: At 21,000 km², this is Kenya’s largest park
by far, but much of the eastern section is closed to the public. Most of
the land is open savannah and bush woodlands inhabited by buffalo, lion,
antelope, gazelles, giraffe and zebra. Despite a drastic fall in the
elephant population in the 1970’s there are still many large herds.
Tsavo is a combination of dramatic escarpment landscapes combined with the
raw, untamed flavour of one of Africa’s great wilderness areas. Mzima
Springs, in Tsavo East, is one of the best places to watch crocodile and
hippo. Here, crystal clear water bubbles out of the ground at a rate of
500 million litres (110-million gallons) a day. The spring is fed by snow
melting off Mount Kilimanjaro, and a pipeline from the springs provides
Mombasa with a large portion of its drinking water. A distinctive feature
of Mzima is an underwater glass cage built by a wildlife film crew. Here
you can descend a set of stairs, and encased in a glass hide, watch shoals
of tilapia, and the occasional crocodile or hippo glide by.
THE COAST
MOMBASA:
The island city of Mombasa is the headquarters for Kenya’s coastal
tourist trade, but has none of the fine beaches to be found to the north
and south. Instead, this is a place to savour the history of the East
Coast of Africa, a history of slavery, pirates, war and adventure. The Old
Town, Fort Jesus and the Old Harbour are fascinating places to while away
a few hours, especially the Old Harbour, where you can watch majestic
dhows, still sporting ancient rigs, plying their trade as far afield as
Yemen and the Persian Gulf.
Shopping is a delight in Mombasa, whether it be from vendors for locals
crafts, or from the merchants in Biashara Street for Kenya’s almost
obligatory beach wear, kikoi and kanga cloths. But do be careful of
pickpockets.
MALINDI: 125 km north of Mombasa, is the Miami Beach of East
Africa; with its stretch of beautiful hotels and vibrant night life.
Offshore are the Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks, home to some of
the finest scuba diving and snorkelling in Africa. The coral reefs here
are strictly protected, and for non-divers, glass-bottomed boats provide a
window on an incredible marine heritage. This is one of the few places in
the world where it is possible to snorkel in water less than three metres
deep, and experience the kind of fish life usually reserved for scuba
divers. Malindi is where Ernest Hemingway came to pursue marlin, sailfish
and wahoo, and anglers can hire state of the art boats and equipment for
what is rated as the best game fishing in Africa.
THE SOUTH COAST: Protected by an offshore barrier coral reef, the
south coast is famous for beautiful and safe beaches, and spectacular
diving, fishing and surfing. Resorts include Likoni, Tiwi, Diani Beach and
Shimoni. Shimoni is Kenya’s southern angling headquarters, with boats
heading out into the Pemba Channel in search of the denizens of the deep.
Offshore are another two magnificent marine reserves, Kisite Marine
National Park and Mpunguti Marine National Reserve, both with superb
diving. And just a bit south, is Wasini Island and the Wasini Marine
National Park, with arguably the best snorkelling in Africa. Inland is the
little-known Shimba Hills National Reserve, a 192 km², heavily forested
plateau which home to, among others, elephant, sable antelope, leopard,
buffalo and hyena.
THE NORTH COAST: Stretching from Mombasa to Malindi, the north
coast features a number of resort areas hidden away down deceptive tracks.
Bamburi Beach, Kenya Beach, Watamu Beach and Casuarina Beach are some of
the better-known resorts, but there are also hidden gems like Kilifi
Creek, Kikambala, Kanamai and Takaunga.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Fuji/Kodak 400/ 200/ 100/ 64 ASA slide is available
in Nairobi and Mombassa, 800 ASA is more difficult to find, and the same
applies for colour negative film.
A
single lens reflex is best for wildlife shots, zoom lenses are the best
for good wildlife photography, don’t bother with the little point and
snap cameras, you will lose all the effect.
Binoculars
are good to have along as well.
Photographing people: ask before taking photos of
people, they may charge you. If you have a zoom lens then no one is going
to know, but it is always polite to ask first.
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ROAD
CONDITIONS
In
Kenya, drive on the left side of the road. High speed, unpredictable local
driving habits, poor vehicle maintenance and the lack of basic safety
equipment on many vehicles are daily hazards on Kenyan roads. It is
recommended that tourists do not drive outside the major cities at night due
to the condition of the roads and the threat of thieves and highjackers.
During the rainy season, many roads are only navigable by 4x4 vehicles.
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TIPPING
There
is no active tourist industry in Kenya, so tipping is expected. There is
no need to tip the basic hotels or on the public transport, but in the
better restaurants you should tip five to ten percent.
On
safari you should tip your driver, cook and guide. These people do not
earn very much so you should tip as much as you feel you can, about KSh
150 per employee per day is about right, but of course this depends on you
and how happy you were with your service.
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TOURISM
SEASONS
See BEST TIME TO GO.
TRAVEL
INSURANCE
Travel
insurance is always a good idea; you never know what might happen to you.
Insurance covering theft, health and loss of property is a good idea;
your travel agent will be able to advise you. The
most important is health insurance in case of hospitalization or evacuation.
VISAS
No
visas are required for South African nationals unless they are planning to
stay longer than 30 days, and then they must apply for a visitors pass.
Also
see ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
WATER
Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or
drinks made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes, rare meat / eat raw
seafood or dairy products. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors and only
eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled
without contamination.
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