Kenya

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Overview

Excavations in Kenya suggest that the region is the cradle of humanity, the home some 3.25 million years ago of Homo habilis, from whom Homo sapiens descended. What is certain is that, in more recent times, Kenya was the settling place of a huge number of tribes from all over Africa, with a long history of migration, settlement and conflict. During the following centuries, the region became prosperous on the profits of trade, and also as an entrepôt for commerce from the Indian Ocean.
Today, Kenya, regarded by many as the 'jewel of East Africa', has some of the continent's finest beaches, most magnificent wildlife and scenery and an incredibly sophisticated tourism infrastructure. It is a startlingly beautiful land, from the coral reefs and white sand beaches of the coast to the summit of Mount Kenya, crowned with clouds and bejewelled by strange giant alpine plants. Above all, Kenya is a place for safaris.
Between these two extremes is the rolling savannah that is home to game parks such as Amboseli, the Masai Mara, Samburu and Tsavo; the lush, agricultural highlands with their sleek green coat of coffee and tea plantations; and the most spectacular stretch of the Great Rift Valley, the giant scar across the face of Africa.
One-tenth of all land in Kenya is designated as national parks and reserves. Over 50 parks and reserves cover all habitats from desert to mountain forest, and there are even six marine parks in the Indian Ocean.
Kenya also has a fascinatingly diverse population with around 40 different tribes, all with their own (often related) languages and cultures. The major tribes include the Kikuyu from the central highlands, the Luyia in the northwest, and the Luo around Lake Victoria. Of them all, however, the most famous are the tall, proud, beautiful red-clad Masai, who still lead a traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle of cattle-herding along the southern border.
Kenya does have its downside as a tourist destination. Rampant corruption means that many of the roads are in poor condition and driving can be a chore. Urban crime is high and continuing inter-tribal skirmishes and banditry are a threat in some areas of the North. More prosaically, the tourist trade has taught people there to think of foreigners as open wallets. Prices for everything from park fees to hotel rooms are set way above the local level.
There is enormous pressure to buy anything and everything, often at ridiculously inflated prices, and even taking a photograph in the local market is likely to incur a cost. But despite this, the people are friendly, and the tourist trade is supremely well organised and professional. For those in search of a little adventure, this can be an ideal holiday destination.

Area - 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles).
Population - 32.8 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density - 56.3 per sq km.
Capital -Nairobi. Population: 2.5 million (UN estimate 2003).
Government - Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1963.
Language - Swahili is the national language and English is the official language. There are over 42 ethnic languages spoken, including Kikuyu and Luo.
Religion - Mostly traditional but there is a sizeable Christian population (both Catholic and Protestant) and a small Muslim community.
Time - GMT + 3.
Social Conventions
Western European habits prevail throughout Kenya as a result of British influences in the country. Kenyans are generally very friendly. Dress is informal, and casual lightweight clothes are accepted for all but the smartest social occasions.
Electricity - 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are UK-type square three-pin. Bayonet-type light sockets exist in Kenya.
Head of State - President Emilio Mwai Kibaki since 2002.

Culture

Food and Drink
Kenya's national dishes appear on most hotel menus. The country's beef, chicken, lamb and pork are outstandingly good, as is the wide variety of tropical fruits. Local trout, Nile perch and lobster, shrimps and Mombasa oysters are included on menus in season. Indian and Middle Eastern food is available in most areas. There is a wide range of restaurants in Nairobi and Mombasa, otherwise hotels in smaller towns offer restaurant service.

National specialities:
o Some game-park lodges serve game, including buffalo steaks marinated in local liqueurs and berries, often garnished with wild honey and cream.
o Nyma Choma literally means roasted meat, and is one of Kenya's best known specialities.
o Most Kenyans eat maize, beans and maize meal.
o At the small 'hotelis', chai (tea boiled with milk and sugar) and mandazi (doughnuts) are popular.
National drinks:
o Locally brewed beer (Tusker and White Cap) and bottled sodas may be found throughout the country.
o Kenya Cane (spirit distilled from sugar cane).
o Kenya Gold (a coffee liqueur).
o Traditional beer made with honey (uki).
o Locally made spirit distilled from maize (changaa) may sometimes be found.

Tipping: This is not required. Most hotels include a 10% service charge in the bill. If the service charge has not been included, a KES20 tip is usual, although the amount is entirely at the visitor's discretion.
Nightlife
Most of the major hotels in Nairobi and the tourist resorts have dancing with live bands or discos each evening. There are also a few nightclubs. There is a large selection of cinemas in Nairobi which show mainly British, European and USA films. Theatre is popular in Nairobi. There is a National Theatre and several small groups of dramatic companies; probably the best known are the Phoenix Players.

Shopping
Khanga, kitenge and kikoi cloths may be bought in markets. The Masai market is held in Nairobi city centre on Tuesdays. There is a particularly good cooperative shop in Machakos which sells kiondos, bags stained with natural dyes and with strong leather straps. Makonde woodcarvings are sold throughout the country, and young Kamba and Masai men sell carvings and necklaces on the beaches of the south coast.
Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0830-1230 and 1400-1730.
Note: The sale of souvenirs made of wildlife skins (this includes reptiles) and shells is forbidden.

Environment

Climate
The coastal areas are tropical, but tempered by monsoon winds. The lowlands are hot but mainly dry, while the highlands are more temperate with four seasons. Nairobi has a very pleasant climate throughout the year due to its altitude. Near Lake Victoria, the temperatures are much higher and rainfall can be heavy.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens with rainwear are advised for the coast and lakeside. Warmer clothing is needed in June and July and for the cooler mornings on the coast. Lightweights are needed for much of the year in the highlands. Rainwear is advisable between March and June and October and December.

Kenya shares borders with Ethiopia in the north, Sudan in the northwest, Uganda in the west, Tanzania in the south and Somalia in the northeast. To the east lies the Indian Ocean. The country is divided into four regions: the arid deserts of the north; the savannah lands of the south; the fertile lowlands along the coast and around the shores of Lake Victoria; and highlands in the west, where the capital Nairobi is situated. Northwest of Nairobi runs the Rift Valley, containing the town of Nakuru and Aberdare National Park, overlooked by Mount Kenya (5,200m/17,000ft), which also has a national park. In the far northwest is Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolph).Kenya is a multicultural society; in the north live Somalis and the nomadic Hamitic peoples (Rendille, Samburu and Turkana), in the south and eastern lowlands are Kamba and Masai and the Luo live around Lake Victoria. The largest group is the Kikuyu who live in the central highlands and have traditionally been dominant in commerce and politics, although this is now changing. There are many other smaller groups and, although Kenya emphasises nationalism, tribal and cultural identity is a factor. A small European settler population remains in the highlands, involved in farming and commerce.

Money

Currency - Kenyan Shilling (KES) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KES1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KES20, 10 and 5.

Currency Exchange - Currency can be exchanged at the major banks, bureaux de change or authorised hotels. The bank at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport have 24-hour exchange services. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs - American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. Major hotels now also accept payment by credit card, as do major safari companies, travel agencies and restaurants. There are over 140 ATMs.

Traveller's Cheques - These can be changed at banks, and are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours - Mon-Fri 0900-1500; 0900-1100 on the first and last Saturday of each month. National and international banks have branches in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Thika, Eldoret, Kericho, Nyeri and in most other major towns. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier. Many of the banks and bureaux de change at the international airports open 24 hours every day.

Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Kenya by passengers over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty:
o 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
o 1l of spirits or 2l of wine.
o Perfume and toilet water not exceeding in all 0.5l of which not more than a quarter may be perfume.
Note: Firearms and ammunition require a police permit. Pets require a good health certificate, a rabies certificate and an import permit.

Prohibited Imports - The import of fruit, plants, seeds, children's toys and imitation firearms.
Prohibited Exports - The export of gold, diamonds and wildlife skins or game trophies not obtained from the authorised Kenyan government department is also prohibited.

Traveller's Guide

Passports - Passport valid for three months from date of entry required.

Visas - Required by all except the following:
(a) all holders of a re-entry pass to Kenya.

Visa Note - (a) All travellers may obtain a visa on entry in Kenya.
Multiple-entry visas may only be issued to nationals of the United Kingdom.

Types of Visa and Cost - Entry: £30 (single-entry); £60 (multiple-entry). Transit: £10. Note: If the application is referred to Immigration in Nairobi, an additional £7 will be payable.

Validity - Single-entry: up to three months from date of issue; Multiple-entry: up to 12 months from date of issue. Renewals (up to six months) or extensions can be made at Immigration in Nyayo House, Uhuru Highway, Nairobi or at Kisumu and Mombasa. The period of stay in Kenya can be given at the port of entry (maximum three months).

Applications to: Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses.
Working Days Required - Three (applying in person) or one week from date of receipt (postal applications). If the visa has to be referred to Nairobi it will take at least eight weeks.

Contact Addresses

Kenya Wildlife Service
PO Box 40241-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (020) 600 800.
Website: www.kws.org

Kenya High Commission in the UK
45 Portland Place, London W1B 1AS, UK
Tel: (020) 7636 2371/5.
Website: www.kenyahighcommission.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: applications 0930-1200, collections 1400-1530.

Kenya Tourist Board in the UK
c/o Hills Balfour, Notcutt House, 36 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9EU, UK
Tel: (020) 7202 6362.
Website: www.magicalkenya.com

Kenya Embassy in the USA
2249 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 387 6101.
Website: www.kenyaembassy.com

Health Care
Health insurance is essential. East African Flying Doctor Services have introduced a special Tourist Membership which guarantees that any member injured or ill while on safari can call on a flying doctor for free air transport. There are good medical facilities in Mombasa and Nairobi. The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) safety communication centre (24-hour) help tourists in difficulty (tel: (020) 604 767 in emergencies or 604 729 or 601 343 or 604 730; e-mail: safetour@wananchi.com).
Note * A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas; those countries formerly classified as endemic zones are considered to be still infected by the Kenyan authorities. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.

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