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

Airport Nairobi

The JKI Airport is a busy hub for both the Kenyan tour and vacation travel and the East and horn of Africa region. Taxis are readily available but establish the fare before getting into the vehicle as there are many drivers who will approach you for business. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is approximately half an hour's drive from Nairobi City centre.

Which can be arranged through reception, most Kenya tourist hotels have their own minibus transport for your Kenyan tour. Always check first. You may find they are not insured, other taxis tend to vary: some appear to be old wrecks and as they do not come under the control of the municipal councils. The state-controlled Kenatco taxis work on a fixed rate using reliable and clean vehicles.

Mombasa Airport

Most visitors on their Kenyan beach vacation prefer to arrive and depart from Moi International airport. Especially during departures, the traffic Jam at the ferry has been a pain to many travelers on their Kenyan tour. Allow an extra half-an-hour to your journey to the south coast because of the Likoni ferry crossing. Although most of the Kenya tourist hotels are situated to the north and south coastal regions, the new Moi International Airport on the Kenya coast is approximately 10 minutes from the city centre.

Important airport fees

This is mandatory for either Kenya vacation and business travelers. For international departures there is an airport tax to pay of $20 and Kshs 200 for internal flights which is normally included in the price of your ticket.

Kenya Car hire company

Wildlife or safari vacationer, self-driven Four wheel cars are also on hire for the do-it -yourselfer Kenyan beach. A current driving license with photograph is accepted for up to three month's stay. Vehicles travel on the left-hand side of the road-and most cars are right-hand drive. Some rates may vary on a daily or weekly basis depending on type of vehicle ranging from four wheel drives to small saloons. Most international car hire companies are represented in Kenya in addition to some of the enterprising locals.

Public transport in Kenya

Fares are paid to the conductor. Avoid peak hours as most transport is crammed full, however. City buses operate in Nairobi and Mombasa at reasonably low rates.

Trains transport in Kenya

The train is especially a favourite of the 6-14 day Kenyan vacationer who wants to sample a lot of the country offering. There is a rail service from Nairobi to Mombasa and Kisumu where first and second class accommodation is available.

Kenya Communications and Postal Services

Post office hours of business are from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and from 9am until 12noon on Saturday at main post offices. Souvenir shops and hotels, stationers, usually you can buy stamps at post offices. Post offices are identified by the words posta Kenya and mail posting boxes are red.

Telephone services in Kenya

0734), whilst cellular mobile services are provided by Safaricom (0720/0721/0722/0723) and Kencell communications (0733, and multi media, internet, telkom Kenya provides advanced telecommunication services that include voice data.

Telkom Kenya also runs a few international public assisted call offices in selected areas in major towns. International calls can sometimes be dialed direct or operator assisted by dialing 0195 or 0196. Telexes and emails can be sent from your hotel via the operator, faxes.

So have plenty of change on your Kenyan vacation travel, local dialed calls cost a minimum of Kshs 5. You can also make use of hotel phones but the charges are usually 100% more. Phone cards of different denominations may be bought from Post Offices or international call offices in major town. Card and coin phones are available. Simply pick up the handset and follow the digitalized prompts on the screen to make your call. Public payphones are fully automated.

All Nairobi area codes changed so check if the number you are calling is still operational, as from 4th July 2003.

Kenyan Currency

And 1000/-, 200/-, 100/-, 50/-, 20/-, 10/-, bank notes are available in denominations of 5/-. 20/- and 40/-, 10/-, there are copper coins of 50 c and 1/- and silver and copper coins of 5/-. Divided into 100 cents (c). 2/50 etc, written 1/-, kenya's unit of currency is the shilling (Sh/s) (slang: Bob).

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the movement of currency into or out of Kenya for currency transactions.

Banking Hours

24 hr access to your account can be facilitated by ATMs country wide. Banks in Nairobi and other large towns open from 9am-3pm Monday to Friday and 9am-11a on the first and last Saturday of each month.

This is to ensure that the Kenya Traveler accesses currency at point of arrival. Some banks at the international airports open round the clock every day as do the new foreign exchange bureaux. Open and close half an hour earlier, banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas.

Credit cards accepted in Kenya

All the major international credit cards are accepted in Kenya and most ATMs can accept any international VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards.

Holders of VISA cards can also link up to their home bank or credit card account through money link ATMs around the clock. Gas stations and other strategic locations countrywide, major shopping malls, standard chartered bank's computer network allows access to over 60 'Moneylink' ATMs situated at all its branches.

KCB have 55 visa and visa electron compliant ATMs available 24 hrs nationwide accepting international credit cards.

Travelers' cheques in Kenya are also readily recognizable and accepted at most places.

Voltage

13amp type, the plug in use through out Kenya is of the three square pin. Wildlife and beach lodges have independent power generators which may carry, some safari. All regions in Kenya are supplied with 240 volts AC.

Security in Kenya

You will find a safety deposit box in your hotel room, where available, alternatively. Excess money and any other valuables at hotel reception desks for placing in their safe for security, traveler's cheques, it is always advisable for a traveler to hand in their passport, as in other countries.

Ask for advice from your hotel manager or tour representative if you are with a package holiday company. Particularly after dark, it is a sensible precaution not to walk alone in isolated towns or beach areas.

Kenya Hotels Bill payment

Tourists may have the option to pay in Kenya Shillings or credit card if this method is preferred, in some Kenyan tour lodges and hotels, however. Most Kenyan hotels expect vacation and business travelers to pay in convertible foreign currency such as US dollars.

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion and most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge to the bill. Tipping is not mandatory but not forbidden as in some other African countries.

Clean safe Water

Even for brushing teeth, most isolated lodges keep filtered water in jars or flasks which is a direct warning that tap water is not safe. A variety of bottled water is available in most places, if in doubt, however. Nairobi and Mombasa hotels are virtually 100% safe for drinking water for Kenyan vacationers.

Water Conservation

Responsible travel calls for sustainable and conservative use of water and energy resources in your Kenyan tour. Shortage of water due to inadequate rainfall means that you should ensure that you try and conserve water as much as possible.

Kenyan Visa requirements

The single entry fee is US$ 50 (Correct at time of writing this article) or the equivalent in local currency and can be obtained upon arrival at the airport. Multiple and single entry visas are available. Now require a visa irrespective of nationality, most incoming Kenya tourists whether for business or pleasure.

Alternatively Visit Landmark Safaris website: For more information contact your nearest Kenya High Commission or Kenya Embassy. Visa applications can be made at any Kenya High Commission or Embassy prior to traveling.