 Kenya
Travel Information, Travel in Kenya, Travel Advisories
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 days prior to the date of departure. On
arrival in Kenya passports are stamped with a visitor’s
pass for a specified period, extendable (if there is no 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 Commission.
Business and Banking Hours
Most banks in the major urban centers have a Bureau de Change. Banks
are open between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. Monday through Friday
and between 9.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. 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 from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on weekdays
and from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00p.m. on Saturdays and do not charge
commission. Hotels are also authorized to transact in
foreign currency. Offices in Kenya are generally open between
8.00 a.m. and 5.00p.m. Monday to Friday.
Public Holidays
1st January (New year’s Day), February/March (Idd Ill
Fitr)*, March/April (Good Friday/Easter Monday)**, 1st May
(Labour Day), 1st June (Madaraka Day), 10th October (Moi Day),
20th October (Kenyatta Day), 12th December (Jamhuri Day),
25th December (Christmas Day, 26th December (Boxing Day).
*The Muslim Festival Idd Ul 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 acceptable 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 person while
walking on the streets. Lady visitors are advised to
be careful with their handbags in crowded places and busy
streets. Necklaces and jewellery 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 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
These are no restrictions on the foreign exchange you may
bring into the country. You are also allowed to take
a limited amount of Kenya. For large amounts, however, you
require written authorization from the Central Bank of Kenya. Defacement
of the Kenyan currency is an indictable offence. The
unit of the currency is the Kenya shilling. It is recommended
that you change your foreign currency in banks, forex bureaus
or authorized hotels. 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 pins square. 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 centers while Kiswahili is the national language and
is spoken countrywide.
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