Kenya Flights and Travel Guide

Language

English is the official language but Swahili is the national language, with 42 ethnic languages spoken.

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Money

The unit of currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES), divided into 100 cents. It is not advisable to take Kenyan Shillings out of the country as they are difficult to exchange elsewhere. Travelers checks in Sterling or U.S. dollars are recommended for your trip to Kenya. U.S. dollars in particular have become commonly used in many of the country's main hotels and safari lodges. Foreign currency can be changed at banks, bureau de change and hotels; easiest to exchange are U.S. dollars, pounds sterling or Euros. Street exchange merchants should be avoided as they are operating illegally. Banks open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and on the first and last Saturday of the month. Banks and bureau de change at the international airport stay open 24 hours. Credit Cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in the larger hotels and stores, and some camps and lodges. ATMs are widely available in Nairobi and the major towns.

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Communications

The international access code for Kenya is +254. The outgoing code is 000 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0001 for the U.S.), unless dialing Tanzania or Uganda when the outgoing codes are 007 or 006 respectively. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)41 for Mombasa and (0)20 for Nairobi. International Direct Dial is available throughout most of the country, but the service is expensive and inefficient. Hotels usually add a hefty surcharge totheir telephone bills; it is less expensive to either call from one of the international phone services, which are available in larger towns or buy a pre-paid calling card for use in the public telephone booths. For international operator-assisted calls call0196. All major urban areas are covered by the cell phone network; the local cell phone operators use GSM networks that have roaming agreements with most international cell phone operators. Internet cafes are widely available in most towns and tourist areas.

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Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Kenya, however, a 10 percent service charge may be added to bill in more upmarket restaurants. Otherwise small change in local currency may be offered to taxi drivers, porters and waiters. On safari, however, drivers, guides and cooks often rely heavily on tips to get by, but these are discretionary.

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Safety

Nairobi is notorious for robberies and muggings and visitors should be alert at all times, but particularly at night. Recent armed attacks on golf courses have occurred and players should be cautious while playing in remote areas away from the club house.

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Health

The Kenyan Director of Medical Services confirmed in June 2005 an outbreak of cholera in the densely populated Eastleigh area of Nairobi, following five deaths. Although the Provincial Commissioner has banned the sale of food from road-side outlets in the city, it is still widely available. Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should be avoided. Travelers should get the latest medical advice on inoculations and malaria prevention at least three weeks prior to departure. Immunization against yellow fever, Hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are usually recommended. A malaria risk exists all year round, but more around Mombasa and the lower coastal areas than in Nairobi and on the high central plateau. Other risks include diarrheal diseases, hepatitis A, B and E and dengue fever. Protection against bites from sandflies, mosquitoes and tsetse flies is the best prevention against dengue fever and other insect-borne diseases. AIDS is a serious problem in Kenya and the necessary precautions should be taken. Water is of variable quality and visitors are advised to drink bottled water wherever possible. There are good medical facilities in Nairobi and Mombasa but health insurance is essential. A yellow fever certificate is required by anyone arriving from an infected area.

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Electricity

240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style square three-pin plugs are used.

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