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Kenya Practical Travel Tips

Getting There

By Air
Daily international and regional flights service Nairobi and Mombassa. Kenya Airways is the national carrier. Kenya has three international airports.
 

Fly-in safaris are an excellent way to explore the remote areas of Kenya, introducing the visitor to an African animal wonderland, nomadic African cultures, and awe inspiring landscape that included the Equator and Mount Kenya. Fly-in safaris are a favourite amongst visitors who have a limited number of days to explore East Africa, or those returning to Kenya for a repeat visit.
 

By Road
Scheduled escorted tours and private tailor made tours are highly recommended. The prime benefit is being accompanied by a qualified wilderness guide, enhancing your tour with a personal touch.
 

Contact a Journeys2Africa specialist for recommended self-drive safaris, routes and planning.
 

Public transport suitable for tourists is almost non-existent and Journeys2Africa recommends that first time visitors book a packaged escorted Kenya safari, which includes tours with a qualified guide, good quality safari hotels, airport transfers and charter flights where necessary.
 

When travelling from outside Kenya there are a number of border access points which are from the following countries; Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and Uganda.

Climate
Although Kenya has a temperate climate it is wise to take into consideration that the African sun can be intense and it travellers should allow themselves time to adjust to the temperatures. Kenya is generally regarded to be a dry country and climate varies according to regional classification. The coast is generally warm and humid, in the central highlands it is cool and humid and hot and dry in the north and east.
 

Language
The official language is English, Swahili is the national language of Kenya, with Kikuyu, Luo and many local dialects spoken throughout Kenya. Swahili is a mixture of various indigenous languages with an Arabic influence making up one common African language.
 

Currency
The currency used in Kenya is the shilling
The US Dollar and British Sterling or Pound is widely accepted as payment for safaris, tours, excursions and at safari hotels.
Travellers cheques are widely accepted and often times are a safer alternative to carrying money which can easily be stolen.
 

Credit Cards
International Visa, Diners Club, American Express and MasterCard credit cards are generally accepted at luxury safari hotels and lodges. Many of the city banks and certain hotels exchange foreign currency.
 

When shopping at markets, credit card facilities are not available and cash is recommended for informal shopping and bargaining. Cash in small denominations is essential when bargaining for deals at markets or bazaars because small change is often not readily available.
 

Local time
Throughout the year Standard Time in Kenya is two hours ahead of Greenwich MeanTime (GMT+2), one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time in the USA.
 

General Opening Times
Most businesses open from Monday to Friday and some on Sundays and generally business operating hours are between 9H00 am and 17H00 pm. Banks are equipped with ATM machines and open between 9H00 am and 15H00 pm weekdays and 9H00 am and 11H00 am Saturdays.
 

Electricity
Appliances operate on 220/240 Volts AC. Power supply outlets are designed for three-pin plugs.
 

Photo Tips
Kenya in its dramamtic scenic beauty is infinitely photogenic as any avid photographer will testify and it is thus imperative that travellers are well prepared to capture this beauty. This ranges from the scenic Masai Mara plains to the lion prides that reign over the African savannah and the Tawny eagle gliding through the African sky.
 

While on safari drives travellers need not worry about where to put their cameras because some safari vehicles provide rooftop mounts and bean bag camera rests. Also important not to be forgotten are binoculars particularly for bird watching enthusiasts.