About Kenya

Kenya’s biggest attraction is the natural movement of mega-herds – wildebeest, zebra and gazelle – following the summer rains and sweet grasses in an annual pilgrimage called the Great Migration. Depending on when your Kenya safari takes place, you may witness the life-anddeath struggles of the Mara River crossings or dramatic encounters with Africa’s top predators on the open plains.

Kenya combines easily with Tanzania and Rwanda, which means you can add gorilla trekking to your Kenyan safari. You’ll also find a wide range of safari and beach combination tours to make the most of Kenya's Out of Africa scenic beauty and wildlife, rounded off with R&R on a tropical island.

Kenya offers a holiday for every traveller. From unforgettable Kenya family safaris that offer child-friendly activities and services, to exclusive hideaways for romantics, from When to Go Travel Guide About Things to Do Tours & Safaris Accommodation Kenya Travel Articles adventurous honeymoons to small groups of friends and family celebrating a milestone anniversary. Whatever type of traveller you are, there’s not much that beats a Kenya holiday – the standards of service are high and Kenya’s top destinations offer luxury accommodation ranging from lavish, colonial-style lodges to funky boutique hotels and amenity-packed resorts.

General Information

• Capital: Nairobi
• Time Zone: GMT + 3 all year round.
• Population: Approximately 40 million by 2009
• Area: 582,000 sq km
• Language: English is the official language and Kiswahili the national.
• Religion: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and traditional beliefs.
• Local Currency: Kenyan Shilling

Getting There:

• Numerous international carriers serve Kenya, and Nairobi is the hub of the East African region. Kenya has three international airports; Jomo Kenyatta International Airport; Nairobi, Moi International Airport; Mombasa and Moi International Airport, Eldoret.

Internal flights:

• Frequent flights for both scheduled and charter flights operate from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and from Mombasa and Malindi to the main national parks and towns.

Climate

Average daytime temperature in Nairobi is 21-26 ̊ centigrade and the coast has a higher daytime average temperature of 27-31 ̊ centigrade.

• January – February is dry
• March – May is wet
• June – September is dry
• October – December is wet

Temperatures elsewhere depend on altitude.

Visa Requirements

• Prior to departing for Kenya, it is essential that you check with the Kenyan embassy or consulate what the visa requirements are for entry. It is advisable that should a visa be required it is purchased prior to departure for Kenya in order to avoid any delays on arrival in Kenya. It is possible to purchase a visa on arrival in Kenya, but it could mean standing in a queue for a long time after an international flight. Only US dollar or UK pound sterling cash are accepted when purchasing a visa on arrival in the country. A valid passport not expiring for at least six months is required for entry into Kenya.
• Yellow Fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required ONLY if you are arriving in Kenya from an infected area.
• Malaria: Malaria does occur in Kenya and it is essential that guests consult their doctor prior to travel and it is always a good idea to carry insect repellant at all times.
• Inoculations against hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended.

Safety:

• As with any country anywhere in the world, petty theft takes place. Ensure your valuables are safe and don’t exchange cash or wave your cash around in the streets; you might be the victim of a pickpocket.

Water:

• It is not advisable to drink the tap water. Although sometimes not cheap, bottled water is readily available for purchase in the majority of hotels and at roadside and garage cafes. It is recommended that guests carry bottled water with them throughout their trip as it can get very hot and dusty while on safari. On the drive-through safari, a constant supply of bottled mineral water is kept in the vehicle cooler box for guest consumption

Electricity:

• Voltage in Kenya is 220-240 volts. The plugs are the same square 3-pin plugs as those used in Britain. Adaptors are available for purchase, but they are expensive and if in short supply at the tourist shops, hunting around for an electrical supply shop could take some time. It is therefore recommended that guests bring adaptors with them.

Money:

• Hard currency travelers cheques is the safest way to carry money. It is advisable when changing them for cash that you request small denominations. When paying for merchandise with large denomination hard currency cash you are more than likely going to get the change in Kenyan Shillings, which can be cumbersome as it tends to convert into a wad of notes and coins.
• Guests should always check what the rate and commission is when changing hard currency travelers cheques and cash as it varies greatly from place to place. Hotels tend to give the worst rates and it is often worth a trip to the forex bureau or bank to change money at a reasonable rate. It is advisable to carry a small amount of small denomination hard currency in cash at all times (US dollars are the most usable). Most restaurants and hotels take credit cards but there is usually a 2%-5% commission charged.

Photography:

• Photographing of people, in particular the popular people can be a sensitive issue and usually requires permission and / or payment.
• It is inadvisable to randomly try and take photographs of people along the roadside as many people now use it as an income and can get fairly upset and unpleasant if a deal isn't negotiated.
• Government buildings such as police stations, border posts, military bases, airports, prisons etc. are considered to be strategic installations and the taking of photographs is illegal.

Best time to visit Kenya

• Kenya can be all year round but the best time is during the dry seasons, from January to March and July through October. If you want to see the great migration at Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, wish to climb Mount Kenya, or visit the beaches along Kenya's coast.
  
  
• The best wildlife viewing months in Kenya are during the dry season from late June to October. The wildebeest migration reaches the Masai Mara in July and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks.