Kenya Travel Tips and Information
Situated on the eastern coast of Africa, set astride the Equator and bisected from North to South by the Great Rift Valley, Kenya covers a total area of 580,530 square kilometres, including 13,395 sq. km of inland water. Its Indian Ocean coastline stretches for 480 km. Nairobi, the capital of the country, is a colourful striking city 500 km inland from Mombasa, the major port on the Indian Ocean. Official languages in Kenya are Swahili and English.
Kenya contains almost every known land form from true glacial ice to arid desert, mountain massifs to rich savannas, large lakes and dense forest: Mount Kenya (5,199 m.) with its breathless snow capped peaks stands sentinel above rolling grassland plains and the fascinating semi-deserts are much further to the North; Lake Victoria, the first lake to be discovered and largest in Africa; Lake Turkana now known as the “Cradle of Mankind”; the Indian Ocean coast, a place of white sandy beaches, turquoise seas and archaeological antiquities…
For the traveller, Kenya is an enchanting country as few places in the world can better its varied touristic attractions: the overwhelming appeal of the wildlife sanctuaries, glorious beaches, breathtaking scenery in a vast and unspoilt land, an almost perfect climate, sophisticated accommodation and a hospitable happy people.
Above all are the wildlife sanctuaries: 25 National Parks, devoted to the absolute protection of the indigenous flora and fauna; 29 National Reserves, where wildlife has coexisted, from time immemorial in perfect harmony with the pastoral/nomadic tribes. These wild and lovely places vary in the abundance and variety of their animals, in scenery, in climate and altitude; from the famous savannah of Masai Mara National Reserve, to the ornithological paradise of Lake Nakuru. For Safaris to Kenya, click here.
Variations in altitude and terrain results in contrast in the climate: from the hot and humid coast to the fresh, sometimes frosty mornings of the central highlands and the dry burning heat of the northern desert; however, overall, it is seldom harsh, neither too hot nor too cold with long sun filled days.
Kenya Fast Facts
LAND – Kenya covers an area of 581,309 square kilometers (224,445 square miles), and has a population of approximately 48 million people.
CLIMATE – The climate of Kenya varies by location, from mostly cool every day, to always warm/hot. The climate along the coast is tropical. This means rainfall and temperatures are higher throughout the year. At the coastal cities, Mombasa, Lamu and Malindi, the air changes from cool to hot, almost every day.
TOPOGRAPHY – Kenya has a distinctive topographic profile. The interior is much higher than the rest of the country, and the mountains are roughly in a line running north and south. Its highest mountain, Mount Kenya, is located in approximately the center of the country. The Great Rift Valley runs from north to south through Kenya, separating the Lake Victoria basin to the west from the hills in the east, which slide into the dry grassy lowlands and coastal beaches. Kenya’s topography forms complex ecological zones, including one called the highland zone. This is a region of rolling uplands characterized by cool weather, abundant rainfall, rich volcanic soils, and dense human settlement.
PEOPLE – Kenya’s population was reported as 38.6 million during the 2009 census compared to 28.7 million inhabitants in 1999, 21.4 million in 1989, and 15.3 million in 1979.The population of Kenya is 50,874,503 as of June 2018, based on the latest United Nations estimates.
ECONOMY – Kenya’s economy is market – based with a few state-owned infrastructure enterprises and maintains a liberalized external trade system. The country is generally perceived as Eastern and central Africa’s hub for Financial, Communication and Transportation services. Major industries include: agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and minerals, industrial manufacturing, energy, tourism and financial services.
LANGUAGE – Kenya’s peoples are distinctly African, yet diverse. Only about 1% of the population is of non-African extraction. Of these, most are Asians, Europeans, or Arabs. The African peoples include many ethnic tribes: Kikuyu (22%), Luhya (14%), Kalenjin (12%), Kamba (11%), Kisii (6%), and Meru (6%). Official languages are English and Swahili (a mixture of Bantu and Arabic). In addition, numerous indigenous languages are spoken nationwide. The major faiths in Kenya are; Roman Catholicism (28%), Protestantism (26%), indigenous beliefs (18%), and the Muslim (Islamic) religion (6%).
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY – In Kenya the standard voltage is 240 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Kenya, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa).
TIME – Kenya has only one time zone (GMT +3).
CURRENCY – The Kenyan Shilling is the currency of Kenya. The rankings show that the most popular Kenya Shilling exchange rate is the USD to KES rate. The currency code for Shillings is KES, and the currency symbol is KSh.
BANKING HOURS – Banking hours are usually 8.30 a.m. -4.00p.m.Monday to Friday and 8.30 a.m. – 12 noon.
COURIER & MONEY TRANSFERS – Money transfer can be made through western union, MoneyGram and for courier, TNT Express Trans web delivery and Timeless courier services are available in the city.
COMMUNICATION – Telephones, internets access are available in most hotels in the city and other private internet service centers around the city.
WORKING HOURS – The government working hours are 8.30a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8.30 a.m. – 12noon.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS – Public holiday celebrated in Kenya are as below
January 1- New Year’s Day
Good Friday – date variable
Easter – date variable
Easter Monday – date variable
May 1- Labor Day
June 1- Madaraka Day
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan – date depends on the sighting of the moon
October 20 – Mashujaa Day, formerly Kenyatta Day
December 12- Jamhuri Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – Boxing Day
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS – All travelers are required to have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate in order to gain entry to Kenya. Furthermore for most short-term travelers the usual recommended vaccinations for Kenya include cover against the childhood diseases (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Poliomyelitis) as well as cover against the food and water borne diseases of Hepatitis A and Typhoid.
CUSTOMS – The Customs Services Department under the Kenya Revenue Authority has the primary function of collecting and accounting for import duty and VAT on imports. Other taxes collected by the Customs Services Department on an agency basis include the Petroleum Development Levy, Sugar Levy, Road Maintenance Levy, Import Declaration Fee (IDF), Road Transit Toll, Directorate of Civil Aviation fees, Air Passenger Service Charge, Kenya Airport Authority Concession fees, and various fees associated with motor vehicle permits.
Apart from its strictly fiscal responsibilities, the Customs Services Department has responsibility for the collection of trade statistics, facilitation of trade and protection of society from illegal entry and exit of prohibited goods (e.g. drugs of abuse, hazardous chemicals, pornography, and weapons/explosives).
IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS – Visas are required for all foreign visitors to Kenya
JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – The Airport is located in the Embakasi suburb 15 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Nairobi’s central business district, the airport has scheduled flights to destinations in over 50 countries.
There are two terminals. Terminal 1 is arranged in a semi-circular orientation and is divided into four parts: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E are used for international arrivals and departures while terminal 1D is used for domestic departures and arrivals. Terminal 2 is used by low cost carriers. The original terminal, located on the north side of the runway, is used by the Kenya Air Force and is sometimes referred as Old Embakasi Airport.
SECURITY – The security at the airport is very tight, all passengers terminating their journey in Nairobi or making domestic connections must pass through passport control desks set up at both arrival terminals.