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 capital
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.
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.
