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TRAVEL INFORMATION AND TRAVEL ADVISORIES
Visas
Most visitors do require visas to enter Kenya. Visas should be obtained from a Kenyan embassy or
consulate in your country or from a British embassy where there
is no Kenyan diplomatic representation. Visa applications
should be made at least thirty days prior to the date of departure.
On arrival in Kenya passports are stamped with a visitor's pass for a specified period, extendable
(if there is no objection) from the Immigration Department in Nairobi or Mombasa respectively. Visas for Tanzania can be obtained at crossings along our common border but
please confirm details with their High Commission.
Business and Banking Hours
Most banks in the major urban centers
have a Bureau de Change. Banks are open between 0900 hrs.
and 1500 hrs. Monday through Friday and between 0900 hrs. and 1100
hrs. on the first and last Saturday of the month. Branches
of banks at the Jomo Kenyatta and Moi International Airports extend
their opening hours beyond those specified above but differ from
bank to bank. Forex bureaus from 0830 hrs. to 1700 hrs. on
weekdays and from 0900 hrs. to 1300 hrs. on Saturdays and do not
charge commission. Hotels are also authorized to transact
in foreign currency.
Offices in Kenya
are generally open between 0800 hrs. and 1700 hrs. Monday
to Friday.
Public Holidays
1st January (New year's Day),
February/March (Idd Ill Fitr)*, March/April (Good Friday/Easter Monday)**,
1st May (Labour Day), 1st June (Madaraka Day),
20th October (Kenyatta
Day), 12th December (Jamhuri Day), 25th December
(Christmas Day, 26th December (Boxing Day).
*The Muslim Festival Idd Ul Fitr is also a public
holiday which is declared according to the sighting of the moon.
** The dates for Easter holidays vary from year
to year.
Train
Kenya Railways operates a train service between Nairobi and Mombasa. Nairobi to Mombasa departures are scheduled
on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while Mombasa to Nairobi is on Tuesday,
Thursday and Sunday. Trains are also available between Nairobi
and Kisumu. The journeys are generally overnight.
Security
In keeping with the acceptable practice
worldwide, visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in
their hotel rooms but to make use of hotel safe deposit boxes or safes.
Visitors should not carry large sums of money on their person while
walking on the streets. Lady visitors are advised to be careful
with their handbags in crowded places and busy streets. Necklaces
and jewellery should be left at home or kept in the hotel custody.
As in all major cities walking at night alone should be avoided.
Never leave valuables on show in unattended car or tour bus.
Kenya has an efficient police force as well as special tourist
police unit with highly trained officers. Most hotels also
employ experienced security personnel but you must take the precautions
you would anywhere else in the world.
Currency
There are no restrictions on the foreign exchange you may
bring into the country. You are also allowed to take a limited
amount of
Kenyan currency. For large amounts, however, you require written authorization
from the Central Bank of Kenya. Defacement of the Kenyan currency is an indictable
offence. The unit of the currency is the Kenya shilling. It is recommended that you change your foreign
currency in banks, forex bureaus or authorized hotels. Surplus
Kenya currency should be changed into foreign currency prior to
departure. Credit cards are accepted in many establishments.
Electricity
Electricity in Kenya is 220/240 volts. Sockets are usually 3 pins square.
For appliances operating on another voltage please bring an adaptor.
Departure Formalities
On departure, an International Airport
departure tax is payable for both domestic and international flights
but is usually added to the fare when purchasing your air ticket unless
otherwise specified. There are duty free shops at International
airports but purchases are made only in convertible currencies.
Customs officials may require the inspection of outgoing baggage.
All baggage is weighed and subjected to x-ray inspection before loading.
Language
English is the official language and
is mainly spoken in the urban centers while Kiswahili is the national
language and is spoken countrywide.
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