Kenya is a land of many contrasts and wonderful attractions. It's people are warm-hearted and are from diverse cultures. Kenya is a peaceful country and has enjoyed stability since 1963 when it got its independence. There are many things to see while in Kenya ranging from the world renowned game parks that are home to the most magnificent wildlife to great geographical features such as the Great Rift Valley, the snow-peaked Mount Kenya(the second highest mountain in Africa), the clean white sandy beaches at the coast, nice museums, as well as great culture.

Visa Requirements

Residents of most countries require visas to enter Kenya. For residents of most countries, visas can be obtained on arrival at the airport for a small fee of about $50. However, it is prudent to check on visa details at the Kenyan Embass/High commission in your country before travelling.

Currency

The Kenyan currency is Kenya Shilling, denoted as Ksh. The Kenya shilling is available in denominations of 50, 100, 200,500, 1000 as notes and 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 as coincs. There is also a 50 cents coin. It is pretty easy to change your currency on arrival at the airport and there are also many forex bureaux in Nairobi and major towns. The most accepted foreign currencies are US Dollar, Sterling Pound and the Euro. It would be wise to convert your currency to any of these as it makes it easier to change your money into Kenya Shillings. These currencies are also accepted as means of payment in quite a substantial number of businesses. Visa, MasterCard and American Express Travellers cheques and credit cards are widely accepted in major hotels and travel agencies.

Tipping

Tipping is accepted in Kenya. However, it is not mandatory and is only at the discretion of the customer.

Official Working Hours

Most offices in Kenya operate between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m between Monday and Friday. There is a 1 hour lunch break between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Some offices also open half day on Saturday. For most government offices, however, Saturday is not a working day. Kenya has a single time zone which is GMT+3.

Moving Around

There is a fairly developed transport system in Kenya. Within Nairobi and major towns, there are taxis, buses and small vans known as "matatus". For most of the residents, "matatus" are the most preferred mode of transport. Most taxis in Kenya are not metered and the fair should be negotiated before starting the journey. Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is served by many international airlines. It is also the hub of Kenya Airways, one of the best airlines.

Telecommunication

Telecommunication is quite developed in Kenya with most regions served by mobile phone network. In Nairobi and major towns there are many cyber cafes where one can access the Internet or send a fax. Many hotels also offer Internet access and fax services. The calling country code for kenya is +254.

Language

English is the official language in Kenya. Most people in hotels, businesses and offices can speak English. The national language is Kiswahili. Some of the hoteliers and tour guides can also speak other languages such as French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Italian.

Electricity 

Electricity supply in East Africa is 220/240 v 50 Hz. Plugs are 3 point square.

Security

Kenya is a stable democracy and has a strong government. There is an effective police force charged with ensuring security. It is, therefore safe to travel to Kenya. However, like in any other country, it is important to have some discretion before venturing into some areas. Before going to some place, it is important to get some information from your hotel staff. It is also advisable to have your valuables such as cash, jewellery and travel documents stored for you safely in the hotel. Most hotels have safes for storing clients' valuables.

When to travel to Kenya

Kenya has a moderate weather throughout the year. May, June and November are generally wet months. July to October and December to March are great months for tour activities. The famous wildebeest migration at the Maasai Mara takes place between July and September.