Kenya - Useful Information

General Info
Population: Over 30 million people from as many as forty-two ethnic communities.
Nairobi population: Approx. 3 million.
Total land area: 582.645 sq. km (including area covered by water).
Nairobi - Maasai for Cold swamp.
Languages: Official languages are English and Kiswahili
Tourist Attractions
Wildlife, scenery, mountains, lakes, The Indian Ocean, flora, bird-life, colourful people and historic monuments.
Total Park area: 25,335 sq. km.
Tsavo national park: 20,500 sq. km. Largest national park in Africa.
Saiwa Swamp: 1.9 sq. km smallest national park in Africa.
Climate
Generally warm days and cooler nights throughout the year. This varies with altitude. Long rains are from March to May while the short rains are from October to November. Nairobi 24 degrees Centigrade (73 degrees Fahrenheit) with coldest month being July. Night temperatures can drop to 10 degrees Centigrade.
Warm clothes i.e. sweater/cardigan advised for late evenings. Mombasa and Coastal Areas 24 degrees Centigrade to 28 degrees Centigrade (75 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit). Extremely humid during the day with cooler night temperatures.
Dressing
Casual, informal is the general rule. Smart Casual wear is required at Mt. Kenya Safari Club. Sturdy shoes are a must for walking or hiking safaris though casual sandals or other comfortable footwear are fine for your minibus safaris. A hat is also essential for the African sun bears down relentlessly.
Sunglasses will make the glare bearable. At the Coast and elsewhere, swimsuits are not allowed in the dining area of hotels at meal times. Suitable attire is also required should you visit any truly Muslim village at the Coast. Lodges and camps at higher altitudes especially around Mt. Kenya get rather cold at night and warm attire is recommended.
Currency
The amount of money in any currency brought into the country is not limited.
Only change your money at the hotel, in official banks and Bureaux de Change.
Travellers cheques, US Dollars, and all major Credit Cards are widely acceptable.
However you should change some small amount into local currency to use for tipping and buying curios.
The currency in Kenya is Kenya Shillings and is divided into 100 cents. Please enquire about the current exchange rates at your hotel or from your driver.
Banking
The currency in Kenya is Kenya Shillings and is divided into 100 cents. Please enquire about the current exchange rates at your hotel or from your driver.
Monday to Friday and 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. on the first and last Saturday of the month. Banks at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are open 24 hours..
Health
Malaria is endemic to certain areas of Kenya notably by the coastal region and Western Kenya. However, visitors to Nairobi and the higher altitudes should also be taking prophylactic treatment. Treatment should start one week before entering the country and continue throughout the duration of the visit and for six weeks thereafter. Anti-malaria tablets and any over the counter drugs can be purchased in chemists and pharmacies in major centres. Other medication should include Panadol (or any other effective pain reliever as headaches can be caused by the glare of the sun and tiredness), anti-diarrhoea Medication such as Imodium (Loperamide), throats lozenges, Band-Aid, insect repellent and antibiotic cream for cuts and scratches. The appropriate tanning or sun-blocking lotion is also essential. Main towns have good hospital care and Nairobi has excellent medical facilities.
Departure Taxes
[in most cases, these are included in the cost of the flight ticket]
International flights: USD 20 per person.
Local flights: KShs 300/- per person.
Food & Water
Standards of hygiene in hotels and lodges are high. Salads are safe at international Hotels and lodges. Fruits you can peel are the safest to eat. Tap water in Nairobi is safe to drink as it has been purified and filtered. Ice too is safe in Nairobi. However, outside Nairobi purchase mineral water or use filtered water found in carries in most hotels and Lodges. The local Kenyan beer is an ideal thirst quencher too. Mineral water is very expensive in Tanzania, so purchase water in Nairobi.
Shopping
Shop hours are from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Saturdays. Tourist shops usually remain open beyond these hours and through lunch hour. Bargaining is particularly used in markets and curio shops. Requesting for the final best price is almost expected and start off knowing you are being charged tourist prices and end up paying what you think the items is worth to you. Do not purchase game skins, trophies or elephant hair bracelets. These items are prohibited as hunting was banned in 1976.
Security
Nairobi is like any major city in the world be it New York, London or Paris. Take care of your valuables concealing jewellery and watches and hold handbags tightly when walking on the streets. Gold neck chains can be snatched with ease and it’s inadvisable to wear them. Keep valuables in the hotel safe. Do not leave money, passport, jewellery or watches in the rooms or tents; carry them with you at all times. Be careful late at night in towns or whilst on a lonely beach.
Baggage
Keep track of all belongings especially when your van is being loaded and unloaded. When going to Treetops/Ark only small overnight bag is allowed while your remaining luggage is stored overnight at the base hotel Outspan Hotel or the Aberdare Country Club. Those flying on domestic flights should be aware of a limited weight allowance, which is 15 Kilograms per person, and these are strictly adhered to.