TRAVELLERS
Traveling with children:
Visitors to Kenya should inform the Airlines in advance incase they are travelling with a baby or toddler. Facilities should also be checked when booking Airlines because these vary in each Aircraft.
There is plenty to interest children in Kenya. Several activities will keep children entertained like wildlife spotting in Wildlife parks, Ballet and Modern Music schools, Horse riding lessons, Jumping jacks and squad Biking.
Attention should be given to the risks of Malaria, Dysentery, heat exhaustion, and also
Women Travelers:
Normal caution is required by female travelers while visiting Kenya. Be cautious of unsolicited male company. Women travelers should dress modestly and decently since Kenya has a wide range of cultural differences. Day time temperatures are generally warm to hot so bring light clothes. Evenings are cooler especially at high altitudes so carry a couple of light sweaters. Do not move alone were possible especially at night.
Student Travelers:
The rates advertised for Parks or Museums as student prices only apply to Locals.
Student travelers get no special discounts except students from international Air travel.
Disabled Travelers:
Kenya, like other African countries has few special facilities for disabled travelers.
Wheelchairs are difficult to accommodate on public road transport, and private hires will normally need to be made. Several places have special facilities for the disabled like some hospitals and Hotels.
Gay and Lesbian travelers:
Extreme discretion is advocated for Homosexuals, since the act is illegal in Kenya and gay clubs and bars are absent. There is general toleration by ordinary people of discrete behaviour.
USEFUL TIPS FOR VISITORS TO KENYA
Tourist offices- Nairobi
Kenya Tourist Board
Kenya Re Towers Ragati Road
Upper Hill P O Box 30630 Nairobi
Tel: +254 (0) 20 2711262
Fax: +254 (0) 20 2719925
Email: info@kenyatourism.org
Website: www.magicalkenya.com
Tourist Office – Mombasa
Moi International Airport Mombasa
Tel: +254 (0) 41 433211/434250
(Request tourism section)
Kenya Association of Tour operators
Longonot Road Upper Hill
P O Box 48461 Nairobi
Tel: +254 (0) 20 2713348/2713386/2722401/2726517
Mobile: 0722 434845/0733 226932
Fax: +254 (0) 20 2719226
Email:info@katokenya.org
Webmail: www. katokenya.org
Safety and communication center
Kenya Tourism Federation
KWS Complex Langata Road
P O Box 15013 Nairobi
Tel: +254 (0) 20 604767/604729
Tel/Fax: +254 (0) 20 604730
Mobile: 0733 617499 / 0722745645
Tourist 24 hour Helpline
Tel: +254 (0) 20 604767/605485
Currency Restrictions:
There are no restrictions on the movement of currency in and out of Kenya for currency transactions.
Hotel Bill payment:
Payments can be made by cash or credit cards. Different currencies like Kenya shillings or US Dollars are accepted in Hotels.
Tipping:
Tipping is not mandatory, but not forbidden as in most African countries.
Most Hotels and restaurants include a 10% for service charge on the Total bill
SAFETY TIPS:
Theft:
Safety tips are applicable anywhere in Africa.
Crime is high in Nairobi and Kenya in general with snatch theft, carjacking, bag snatching and armed muggings. Most casual thieves operate in busy streets, Bus stations and Markets. Keep a close watch on your possessions, and avoid having large amounts of money or valuables loose in your daypack or pocket.
Leave any jewellery of financial or sentimental value at home.
Keep all your valuables and money in a hidden money belt. Never show your money belt in public. It is advisable to keep a small amount of cash hidden away in your luggage, so that should you loose your money belt, you have something to fall back on.
Try to travel during Daylight hours and do not be driven by anyone drunk.
In the event of crime, please report to the police. You will need a police letter incase you need to make an insurance claim.
Incase of Big Game: If you are venturing into the Bush, remember that it is inhabited by some threatening wildlife. The most threatening species are the big primates and wild buffalo; hippos are dangerous if you happen to frighten them.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1st January New Years' Day
1st May Labour Day
1st June Madaraka Day
11th June Kanu Day
10th October Moi Day
20th October Kenyatta Day
12th December Independence Day
25th December Christmas Day
26th December Boxing Day
Movable Dates:
Good Friday, Easter Monday, Idd-ul-ftr
POST & COMMUNICATION
The post office provides services like Receiving mail and deliveries. With parcels, surface mail takes about six months to reach Europe, while Airmail takes about a week.
Main post office is located at Kenyatta Avenue near Uhuru park. And other post offices are located at Haille sellasie Avenue
Phone systems are functional all through Kenya. Several services are available like Mobile phones, payphones and prepaid mobile phones with cards sold all over the country. Both International and local/long distance calls can be made. Phone Cards come in denominations of Ksh 200, Ksh 500, Ksh 1000 and Ksh 2000.
NB: The country code of Kenya is +254
Other Area codes:
Nairobi: 020, Mombasa: 041, Lamu: 042, Diani: 040, Maralal: 065
LIBRARIES:
Kenya National Library
Tel: 272550, Ngong Road
The Kenya National Library is Kenya’s main Library located in Nairobi in the far end of Uhuru Park. This is open starting 8am-6:30 pm.
McMillan memorial Library
Tel: 221844, Banda Street
Open 9:00am-6pm.
LITERATURE:
Literature is wide spread in Kenya, with several bookshops and outlets which sell reading material. Kenya has arrange of Authors who have gained international recognition like Meja Mwangi who write about social issues, Nguji Wathiongo who is radical and a critic, Marjorie Oludhe Magiye with life stories, Wainana Binyavanga and many more.
INTERNET ACCESS & DIGITAL RESOURSES
There are several internet cafes, Email bureaus and computer schools were one can use the internet.
Booking hotels and arranging travel can be done online as several companies and travel agencies have website and can be contacted online.
LAUNDRY:
Lavage launderette and drycleaners
Mpaka Road, Westlands
White Rose Drycleaners
Kenyatta Avenue
DRIVING, LICENCE AND PERMITS
Driving is on the left hand side. For foreigners, driving in Kenya is accepted incase one has an international driving permit.
There are several car hiring services in Kenya; however, it is convenient for foreigners to have an International Driving License. Remember to get your own valid license endorsed at the Road Transport Office in Nairobi before hiring a car for self drive.