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Africa Travel Information, Kenya Travel
Information
Kenya Travel Advisories, Visa Requirements for Kenya,
Kenya Climate
Kenya Travel Information
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 (30) days prior to the date of departure.
On arrival in Kenya passports are stamped with a visitors pass for a specified
period, extendable (if there is not 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 Commissioner.
Business and Banking
Hours
Most banks in the major urban centres have a bureau de change. Banks are
open between 0900hrs. and 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 open on Saturdays and do not charge commission.
Hotels are also authorized to transact in foreign currency. Offices in
Kenya are generally open between 0800hrs. and 1700hrs. Monday to Friday.
Public Holidays
1st January (New Years Day), February / March (Idd il fitr), *March /
April (Good Friday / Easter Monday),**1st May (Labour Day), 1st June (Madaraka
Day), 12th December (Jamhuri Day), 25th December (Christmas Day), 26th
December (Boxing Day). The Muslim festival Idd il 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 acceptance 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 persons while walking on the streets. Lady visitors
are advised to be careful with their handbags in crowded places and busy
streets. Necklaces and jewels 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 a 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 Kenya shillings
out of the country but you must obtain written permission from the central
Bank of Kenya for large amounts. Defacement of the Kenyan currency is
an indictable offence. The unit of currency is the Kenya Shillings. 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 pin squire.
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 centres
while Kiswahili is the national language and is spoken countrywide.
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