Kenya

Kenya is the 'Land of the Lion King' and sits at the centre of the African safari experience, with an outstanding variety of wild animals and Big Five viewing opportunities. Although safaris are its greatest attraction, it is a country of great diversity with much more to offer than splendid wildlife. Essentially it is a place for outdoor living - the coast offers beaches and water-based activities, the mountains present a challenge to hikers and climbers, and the rolling savannahs are a game-viewers paradise.

The country sits astride the equator and offers fabulous scenery and a variety of tribal cultures. From its central location, the sacred peaks of Mt Kenya reign over a landscape primarily covered by grasslands and thorn trees, much of it enclosed within its many parks and reserves. To the west the spectacular Great Rift Valley is sprinkled with lakes teeming with a variety of birdlife, whose shores and surrounds are traversed by agricultural farmlands. To the east lies the promise of an idyllic beach holiday with the requisite white palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs. Inhabiting the highlands and Rift Valley are two of the most well known of the numerous tribal cultures, the Kikuyu farmers and the tall, red-clad Masai cattle herders. The coast is home to ancient Swahili civilisations and old port towns that are rich in a history of exotic spice trading and fighting.

Kenya has a sophisticated tourism infrastructure, with two major cities controlling the majority of the tourism trade. Nairobi, the capital, is the safari and hiking hub, situated in the cool Central Highlands, while on the east coast the hot and humid trading port of Mombasa functions as the gateway to the resorts and pristine beaches of the area. Sadly the heavy influence of tourism has meant excessive prices for safaris, souvenirs and most activities of interest to foreigners, as well as the constant hassle by touts, guides and sellers to part with as much money as they can dupe the guilty traveller into spending.

Despite this, the people are friendly and visitors can choose to do as little or as much as they like, and the combination of wildlife, together with its beaches and mountains, make Kenya a fantastic holiday destination.

Climate

The best time to visit Kenya is probably during the dry season from January to March, and July to October. The rainy seasons in Kenya are April to June and October to early December. The dry season is the best time for safaris in Kenya when it is easier to see the animals as the grass is shorter and they congregate around the water holes. The annual migration in the Masai Mara is best seen from July to October although the precise timing of this natural phenomenon varies each year.

The weather on the coast is pleasant year round but generally hot and humid conditions prevail, tempered by strong onshore breezes. The best time to holiday on the coast is from December to March, while April to May are the wettest months; there is also a short rainy season from October to November.

The lowlands are hot and dry and the highlands (including Nairobi) are more temperate and cool at night.

Money

The unit of currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES), divided into 100 cents. It is not advisable to take Kenyan Shillings out of the country, as they are difficult to exchange elsewhere. Travellers cheques in Sterling or US Dollars are recommended for your trip to Kenya. US Dollars in particular have become commonly used in many of the country's main hotels and safari lodges. Foreign currency can be changed at banks, bureaux de change and hotels; easiest to exchange are US dollars, pounds sterling or Euros. Street exchange merchants should be avoided as they are operating illegally. Banks open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and on the first and last Saturday of the month. Banks and bureaux de change at the international airport stay open 24 hours. Credit Cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in the larger hotels and stores, and some camps and lodges. ATMs are widely available in Nairobi and the major towns.

Passport Visa

All foreign passengers to Kenya must hold proof of sufficient funds (at least USD 500) to cover their stay in the country, return/onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination. Most foreign nationals require a visa, which can be obtained on arrival in Kenya, provided that (i) their passport is in good condition, and (ii) they have at least one blank page in their passport for the visa endorsement. The visa fee is USD 50, which is also payable in GBP or EUR. On-arrival visas are valid for three months. Note that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Kenya, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).
• British citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).
• Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).
• Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).
• South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days. For longer stays, a visa can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).
• Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).
• New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

Health

Travellers should get the latest medical advice on inoculations and malaria prevention at least three weeks prior to departure. A malaria risk exists all year round, but more around Mombasa and the lower coastal areas than in Nairobi and on the high central plateau. Immunisation against yellow fever, polio and typhoid are usually recommended. A yellow fever certificate is required by anyone arriving from an infected area. Other risks include diarrhoeal diseases. Protection against bites from sandflies, mosquitoes and tsetse flies is the best prevention against malaria and dengue fever, as well as other insect-borne diseases, including Rift Valley fever, sleeping sickness, leishmaniasis and Chikungunya fever. AIDS is a serious problem in Kenya and the necessary precautions should be taken. Water is of variable quality and visitors are advised to drink bottled water. Cholera outbreaks occur frequently, and travellers should take care not to drink contaminated water and be cautious of food prepared by unlicensed roadside vendors. There are good medical facilities in Nairobi and Mombasa but health insurance is essential.

Embassy Consulates

• Kenyan Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 387 6101.
• Kenyan High Commission, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7636 2371.
• Kenyan High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 563 1773.
• Kenyan High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6247 4788.
• Kenyan High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 362 2249.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Nairobi: +254 (0)20 363 6000.
• British High Commission, Nairobi: +254 (0)20 284 4000.
• Canadian High Commission, Nairobi: +254 (0)20 366 3000.
• Australian High Commission, Nairobi: +254 (0)20 427 7100.
• South African High Commission, Nairobi: +254 (0)20 282 7100.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Nairobi: +254 (0)20 235 7242.
• New Zealand Consulate, Nairobi: +254 (20) 6001 0746.