Kenya Travel Tips
A. VISA INFORMATION
IMPORTANT NOTICE: REVISION OF VISA RATES
For those who will be arriving in Kenya on and after July 1st 2011, the new Visa rates will be as follows:
- Single Journey Visa (SJV) - $50.
- Multiple Journey Visa (MJV) - $100.
- Transit Visa (TV) - $20.
- Referral Visa - $20
Or the equivalent amount in Euros, GBP and Swiss Francs
Kenya has three international airports:
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airpor in Nairobi
- Moi International Airport in Mombasa
- Eldoret International Airport in Eldoret
These airports service numerous international carriers including the national airline Kenya Airways.Kenya has good connections to destinations throughout Europe, the Asia- Pacific region, USA and Africa.
Kenya can be accessed by road from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia. Immigration should be processed at land border stations. Entry by sea is possible, and immigration should be processed at a port facility.
Kenya Visa Information
A visa is required prior to entry into Kenya. A single Entry Visa(valid for three months from date of issue) will cost US$ 50. A transit visa will cost US$ 20 (You can also pay using Euros, GBP or SwissFrancs).
Citizens of the following countries need to have a visa prior to arrival in Kenya:
- Afghanistan
- Libya
- Senegal
- Azerbaijan
- Lebanon
- Somali
- Armenia
- Mali
- Syria
- Cameroon
- North Korea
- Tadjikistan
- Iraq
- Eritrea
- Stateless Persons
For those whose country doesn't appear in the list above, visas can be obtained at the Airport upon arrival. It's advisable to obtain the visa from the Kenyan Embassy/High Commission in your country prior to departure.
* Note: The list of countries shown above is subject to change - For more information please check http://www.immigration.go.ke
Click here to download a Kenya Visa Application Form
For more information check out the links shown below:
- Kenya High Commission - UK office
- Kenyan Embassy in the US
- Kenyan Embassy in Germany
- Kenyan Embassy in Italy
B. HOTEL INFORMATION
KAHC is the principal umbrella organization bringing together hotels, lodges, restaurants, membership clubs and prominent airline caterers whose common theme is to render services in the hospitality industry.
For more information and contacts of hoteliers: http://www.kahc.co.ke/kahc-members-directory.php
C. TOUR OPERATOR INFORMATION
The Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) is Kenya's foremost tourism trade association, representing the interests of over 250 of the leading and most experienced professional tour operators in Kenya. Our members are amongst the finest safari operators in the world, and offer a wide range of services that can be broadly divided into the following categories: -
- Air safaris
- Incentive travel group safaris
- Custom safaris for individual travellers
- Camping safaris (luxury & budget)
- Indian Ocean & Coast holidays
- Cultural & Community Safaris
- Golf Safaris
- Agro Safaris
- Special interest safaris (e.g. mountaineering, deep sea fishing, horse riding)
* For more information and contacts of tour operators: http://www.katokenya.org/index.php?option=com_staff&view=list&Itemid=32
D. HEALTH AND CLIMATE TIPS
It is advisable to travel with a small medical kit that includes any basic remedies you may need, such as antacids, painkillers, anti-histamines and cold remedies. You will also need anti-diarrhoeal medication such as Imodium (adults only); and oral rehydration sachets such as Electrolade, especially if travelling with children. Vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Africa include those against:
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Polio
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Yellow fever*
- Rabies
- Meningitis
*Certificate required for entry into, or travel between, some African countries.
Several of these vaccines require more than one dose, or take time to become effective. It is always best to seek advice on immunization well in advance, if possible around 6 weeks before departure.
What to Pack
It is advisable to travel with a small medical kit that includes any basic remedies you may need, such as antacids, painkillers, anti-histamines and cold remedies. You will also need anti-diarrhoeal medication such as Imodium (adults only); and oral rehydration sachets such as Electrolade, especially if travelling with children.Also include first aid items such as Band-Aids, antiseptic and dressings. It may be worth asking your doctor to prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic, suitable for treating dysentery or severe infections. Take along scissors, tweezers, and thermometer, lip salve, sun block, water purification tablets or drops, as well as your preferred brands of toiletries and cosmetics. If you wear spectacles or contact lenses, take spares. Also take a torch and a pocket knife.
Malaria
Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes that bite mainly at dusk and at night. Every traveller to Africa needs reliable, up to date advice on the risks at his or her own destination. Prevention consists of using effective protection against bites, plus taking anti-malarial medication. The most suitable choice of medication depends on many individual factors, and travellers need careful, professional advice about the advantages and disadvantages of each option.Whatever your choice, you must take an anti malarial drug if you are visiting a malarial region, and you must continue taking the drug for the necessary period after your return; you must also take precautions to reduce the number of insect bites. Visitors to malarial areas are at much greater risk than local people and long term expatriates - from malaria as from several other diseases: do not change or discontinue your malaria medication other than on skilled professional advice. Travellers to very remote places should also consider taking stand-by malaria treatment, for use in an emergency.
E. CURRENCY
The official currency is the Kenya Shilling. The written abbreviation is either KSh or using /= after the amount (i.e. 500/=)
Available Notes are 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings. Available coins are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 shillings. Visitors to Kenya should change foreign currency at banks, bureaux de change or authorized hotels. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds sterling and EURO.
Travellers Cheques are widely accepted, and many hotels, travel agencies, safari companies and restaurants accept Credit Cards. Most Banks in Kenya are equipped to advance cash on credit cards. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Kenya.
Before departure, travellers are advised to convert any excess Kenya shillings into foreign currency at a bank or bureau de change before departure. Departure taxes can be paid in local or foreign currency. Anyone wishing to take more than 500,000 Kenya Shillings out of the country will require written authorization from the Central Bank.
F. ELECTRICITY
The electricity supply in Kenya is 220/240 v 50hz. Plugs are 3 point square. If you are planning to bring a video camera charger or any other electrical advice, please bring voltage and plug adaptors where appropriate.