Africa Family Wildlife Safari Vacation- Kenya-Africa: FAQs Guide

Airport NairobiCurrency restrictions
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) isThere are no restrictions on the movement of
approximately half an hour's drive from Nairobi Citycurrency into or out of Kenya for currency
centre. Taxis are readily available but establish the faretransactions.
before getting into the vehicle as there are manyBanking Hours
drivers who will approach you for business. The JKIBanks in Nairobi and other large towns open from
Airport is a busy hub for both the Kenyan tour and9am-3pm Monday to Friday and 9am-11a on the first
vacation travel and the East and horn of Africa region.and last Saturday of each month. 24 hr access to
your account can be facilitated by ATMs country
Mombasa Airportwide.
The new Moi International Airport on the Kenya coastBanks in Mombasa and the coastal areas, open and
is approximately 10 minutes from the city centre,close half an hour earlier. Some banks at the
although most of the Kenya tourist hotels are situatedinternational airports open round the clock every day
to the north and south coastal regions. Allow an extraas do the new foreign exchange bureaux. This is to
half-an-hour to your journey to the south coastensure that the Kenya Traveler accesses currency at
because of the Likoni ferry crossing. The traffic Jampoint of arrival.
at the ferry has been a pain to many travelers on theirCredit cards accepted in Kenya
Kenyan tour, especially during departures. Most visitorsAll the major international credit cards are accepted in
on their Kenyan beach vacation prefer to arrive andKenya and most ATMs can accept any international
depart from Moi International airport.VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards.
Important airport feesStandard chartered bank's computer network allows
For international departures there is an airport tax toaccess to over 60 'Moneylink' ATMs situated at all its
pay of $20 and Kshs 200 for internal flights which isbranches, major shopping malls, gas stations and other
normally included in the price of your ticket. This isstrategic locations countrywide. Holders of VISA cards
mandatory for either Kenya vacation and businesscan also link up to their home bank or credit card
travelers.account through money link ATMs around the clock.
Kenya Car hire companyKCB have 55 visa and visa electron compliant ATMs
Most international car hire companies are representedavailable 24 hrs nationwide accepting international
in Kenya in addition to some of the enterprising locals.credit cards.
Some rates may vary on a daily or weekly basisTravelers' cheques in Kenya are also readily
depending on type of vehicle ranging from four wheelrecognizable and accepted at most places.
drives to small saloons. Vehicles travel on the left-handVoltage
side of the road-and most cars are right-hand drive. AAll regions in Kenya are supplied with 240 volts AC.
current driving license with photograph is accepted forSome safari, wildlife and beach lodges have
up to three month's stay. Self-driven Four wheel carsindependent power generators which may carry. The
are also on hire for the do-it -yourselfer Kenyan beach,plug in use through out Kenya is of the three square
wildlife or safari vacationer.pin, 13amp type.
Public transport in KenyaSecurity in Kenya
City buses operate in Nairobi and Mombasa atAs in other countries, it is always advisable for a
reasonably low rates. However, avoid peak hours astraveler to hand in their passport, traveler's cheques,
most transport is crammed full. Fares are paid to theexcess money and any other valuables at hotel
conductor.reception desks for placing in their safe for security.
Trains transport in KenyaAlternatively, where available, you will find a safety
There is a rail service from Nairobi to Mombasa anddeposit box in your hotel room.
Kisumu where first and second class accommodationIt is a sensible precaution not to walk alone in isolated
is available. The train is especially a favourite of thetowns or beach areas, particularly after dark. Ask for
6-14 day Kenyan vacationer who wants to sample aadvice from your hotel manager or tour representative
lot of the country offering.if you are with a package holiday company.
Kenya Communications and Postal ServicesKenya Hotels Bill payment
Post offices are identified by the words posta KenyaMost Kenyan hotels expect vacation and business
and mail posting boxes are red. Usually you can buytravelers to pay in convertible foreign currency such
stamps at post offices, stationers, souvenir shops andas US dollars. However, in some Kenyan tour lodges
hotels. Post office hours of business are from 8am toand hotels, tourists may have the option to pay in
5pm Monday to Friday and from 9am until 12noon onKenya Shillings or credit card if this method is
Saturday at main post offices.preferred.
Telephone services in KenyaTipping
Telkom Kenya provides advanced telecommunicationTipping is not mandatory but not forbidden as in some
services that include voice data, internet,and multiother African countries. Tipping is entirely at your
media, whilst cellular mobile services are provided bydiscretion and most hotels and restaurants include a
Safaricom (0720/0721/0722/0723) and Kencell10% service charge to the bill.
communications (0733,0734).Clean safe Water
Faxes, telexes and emails can be sent from your hotelNairobi and Mombasa hotels are virtually 100% safe
via the operator. International calls can sometimes befor drinking water for Kenyan vacationers. However, if
dialed direct or operator assisted by dialing 0195 orin doubt, a variety of bottled water is available in most
0196. Telkom Kenya also runs a few international publicplaces. Most isolated lodges keep filtered water in jars
assisted call offices in selected areas in major towns.or flasks which is a direct warning that tap water is
Public payphones are fully automated. Simply pick upnot safe, even for brushing teeth.
the handset and follow the digitalized prompts on theWater Conservation
screen to make your call. Card and coin phones areShortage of water due to inadequate rainfall means
available. Phone cards of different denominations maythat you should ensure that you try and conserve
be bought from Post Offices or international callwater as much as possible. Responsible travel calls for
offices in major town. You can also make use of hotelsustainable and conservative use of water and energy
phones but the charges are usually 100% more. Localresources in your Kenyan tour.
dialed calls cost a minimum of Kshs 5, so have plentyKenyan Visa requirements
of change on your Kenyan vacation travel.Most incoming Kenya tourists whether for business or
As from 4th July 2003, all Nairobi area codes changedpleasure, now require a visa irrespective of nationality.
so check if the number you are calling is stillMultiple and single entry visas are available. The single
operational.entry fee is US$ 50 (Correct at time of writing this
Kenyan Currencyarticle) or the equivalent in local currency and can be
Kenya's unit of currency is the shilling (Sh/s) (slang:obtained upon arrival at the airport.
Bob), written 1/-, 2/50 etc. Divided into 100 cents (c).Visa applications can be made at any Kenya High
There are copper coins of 50 c and 1/- and silver andCommission or Embassy prior to traveling. For more
copper coins of 5/-, 10/-, 20/- and 40/-. Bank notes areinformation contact your nearest Kenya High
available in denominations of 5/-, 10/-, 20/-, 50/-, 100/-,Commission or Kenya Embassy.
200/-, and 1000/-.