Introducing Kenya
About Kenya
Lions and leopards are just part of the landscape in Kenya, one of East Africa’s favourite safari destination. More than 40 national parks and nature reserves are scattered between Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean, covering every imaginable landscape and featuring just about every animal in Africa: from aardvarks to zebras.
As you might expect, wildlife safaris are the lifeblood of Kenyan tourism, and the infrastructure for travellers is impressive. jeeps, buses and light aircraft fan out daily across the country to safari lodges and tented camps, some simple and rustic, others lavish and opulent. Refreshingly, you can enjoy close encounters with nature even on a budget, with walking safaris run by tribal guides and economic-tented camps that scrimp on creature comforts, but not on creatures.
Most people start their journey in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, but ew linger when there are more attractive cities strung out along the sun-kissed Kenyan coast and dotted around the Great Rift Valley. Whether you pick the interior or the coast (with its beach resorts and Islamic ruins), you can be sure to find a national park or reserve close at hand. Even Nairobi has a national park within the city limits, with zebras and giraffes just a stone’s throw from the suburbs.
Kenya is also a great place for cultural encounters, with more than 40 different tribal groups, each following its own unique way of life. The semi-nomadic Maasai tribe, with their multi-coloured, bead-covered adornments, is perhaps the most obvious group, but visiting any tribal village is a fascinating and enlightening experience.
On appearances, Kenya would seem like the perfect holiday destination, but tourism has had its ups and downs in recent years, with political upheaval during elections and a string of high-profile militant attacks in Nairobi and along the coast.
These setbacks have made a noticeable dent in Kenya’s tourist industry, yet travellers still flock to the teeming plains of the Maasai Mara and trek the slopes of Mount Kenya, and the biggest decision for most is not whether to go to Kenya, but instead, which wild animal to search for first.
Language, Culture & History
History of Kenya
Kenya has seen human habitation since the beginning of the Lower Palaeolithic period – the earliest subdivision of the Palaeolithic or Old Stone Age. The Bantu expansion (a major series of migrations of the original proto-Bantu language speaking group) from a West African centre reached the area by the 1st millennium AD.
Over the past few millennia, Kenya has been settled by a large number of migrants from all over Africa, among the most recent arrivals being the Maasai, who crossed from present-day South Sudan in the 17th century. The mediaeval Kenyan coast was a prosperous maritime trade centre serving ships from Arabia and Asia. Many modern ports, including Lamu and Mombasa, date from this era. The Portuguese arrived on the coast in the early 16th century, followed by Omani Arabs in the 18th century, and the
It was only in the 1890s that outsiders penetrated far into the interior, resulting in the British construction of the ‘Lunatic Line’ from Mombasa to Kampala (Uganda). Nairobi, founded as a staging point along this railway line, became the headquarters of the British colonial administration.
In the early 20th century, the fertile highlands around Nairobi attracted an influx of European settlers. This resulted in a liberation movement demanding greater territorial, economic and political rights for locals. Led by Jomo Kenyatta, the fight for independence gathered pace after World War II, culminating in the 1950s with a bloody three-year guerrilla war between the Mau Mau and the British colonial authorities.
Kenya was granted independence in 1963, and the Kenyan African National Union (KANU), led by Kenyatta, took power. Kenyatta died in 1978, and was succeeded by Daniel Arap Moi, an autocrat who banned opposition parties outright in 1982. A multiparty system was restored in the early 1990s, but Moi remained in power until the 2002 election, which was won by the National Alliance Rainbow Coalition (NARC), led by Mwai Kibaki, who became the country’s third president.
Over the past few years, Kenya has been plagued by terrorism. In April 2015, Al-Shabab militants carried out a massacre at Garissa University College in northwest Kenya, killing 148 people, and in January 2016, Al-Shabab claims to have killed more than 100 Kenyan soldiers in a dawn raid on a base in southern Somalia. Despite unrest, Kenya continues to invest in infrastructure projects including the multi-billion-dollar railway line linking Mombasa to the capital Nairobi and pushing for tourism.
Did you know?
- In 2004 Wangari Mutu Maathai became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to her for her contribution towards sustainable development, peace and democracy. She died in 2011 of complications from Ovarian cancer.
- In the London Marathon 2019, Kenya runner Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to win four London Marathons, and set a new record of 2:02:37.
- 2,493 railway workers were killed, many by lions, while building the Lunatic Line in the late 1800s during the Scramble for Africa.
Kenya Culture
Religion in Kenya
About 80% of Kenya’s population is Christian (mostly Catholic and Protestant); Muslim 11% and others 6%.
Social Conventions in Kenya
Western European habits prevail throughout much of Kenya as a result of British influences in the country. Kenyans are generally very friendly. The standard greeting of ‘hello’ when addressing an individual is Jambo, to which the reply is alsoJambo. People are delighted if visitors can greet them in Swahili. The dress code is informal and casual lightweight clothes are accepted for all but the smartest social occasions. Because of its Muslim influence, the coast is a little more conservative than the rest of the country. Away from the beach, women and men should dress respectably and cover up bare arms and legs. Alcohol is only available in the tourist areas on the coast.
Plastic bags: The possession of plastic bags is prohibited in Kenya. Persons who don’t follow the rule of law will be fined for this infringement.
Language in Kenya
Swahili and English are the two official languages in Kenya. Kikuyu and Luhya are widely spoken.
Geography & weather
Weather and climate
Best time to visit
Kenya has three types of climate: temperate subtropical climate in the west and southwest highlands (where Nairobi is located), hot and humid along the coast, and hot and dry in the north and east.
Nairobi is the capital and the largest city in Kenya and experiences a subtropical highland climate. Sitting at 1,795 metres (5,889 ft) above sea level, Nairobi’s evenings are cooler. The best time to visit Nairobi is from June to August when the average high is around 23°C (73°F) and rainfall is at its lowest (although the sky is often cloudy). The period between January to February is also a good time to visit Nairobi as it is sunny and warm, with an average high of 27°C (81°F). The short rainy season kern late October to December and from March to May should be avoided.
Mombasa is a coastal city and the second-largest city after Nairobi, situated along the Indian Ocean. This city has a tropical wet and dry climate. Avoid April and May as these are the wettest months and the area can be affected by flooding. The best time to visit Mombasa is either July to September as sunshine is abundant, as well as from October to March for aquatic activities.
Malindi, a town on Malindi Bay at the mouth of the Galana River, is also situated alongside the Indian Ocean coast and is 120km (75 miles) northeast of Mombasa. Malindi has a tropical dry savannah climate. The cooler season from June to September sees the average high at 27/28°C (81/82°F), while the average high can reach 31°C (88°F) during the hotter season from November to March. With regards to rainfall, it is not particularly abundant, as it only amounts to about 1,000 millimetres (40 inches) per year, however, there are two rainy seasons: from April to June and October to November.
Masai Mara is an expansive game reserve renowned for its wealth of wildlife and the Great Migration of wildebeest to and from the Serengeti every year. This area is located just south of the equator at an altitude of between 1,500 and 1,900 metres (5,000 and 6,200 k). The climate is pleasantly warm all year round, averaging 23°C (73°F), although it is widely classified into two seasons – dry and wet. The dry season (late June to October) is best for safari as wildlife is easier to spot given that the bush is less dense and animals gather around waterholes and rivers. During this period, the days are clear with sunny skies, with fewer mosquitos, and the average high is around 25°C (77°F). The wet season is from November to May with April being the wettest month, does result in beautiful scenery, cheaper rates and newborn animal sightings.
Required clothing
For Nairobi and the coast: lightweight cottons and linens are advised. Warmer clothing is needed in June and July, while rainwear is advisable between March and June, and October and December.
For safari: loose-fitting and light neutral tones are recommended. If you are visiting a luxury lodge, pack a nice set of clothes for dinner is recommended.
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Geography
Kenya covers 580,367 sq km (224,081 sq miles) and sits astride the equator. It 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 480 km (300 miles) Indian Ocean coastline. 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 highlands in the west, where the capital Nairobi is situated.
Northwest of Nairobi runs the Rik Valley, dotted with lakes and containing the town of Nakuru, while further west the Aberdare National Park is overlooked by Kenya’s highest peak, and Africa’s second tallest mountain after Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya (5,199m/17,0570), which also is a national park. In the far northwest is Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolph), and in the southwest is Kenya’s share of Lake Victoria.
Business opportunity
Doing Business in Kenya
Western business practices prevail in Kenya. A formal handshake is the standard greeting, starting with the most senior person in the group, and shaking hands with each person present. It is customary to lower your gaze when greeting someone who is older or of a higher professional rank than you.
Traditionally, the business environment is still quite patriarchal, although this is changing as the country modernises. When addressing a local businessman, it is essential to use their surname and title unless you are invited to use their first name.
Suits are the expected attire for business meetings, though a shirt and tie will suffice in less formal situations. Kenyans are quite conservative and advance appointments are required for meetings. Call ahead if you are likely to be late.
Most businesspeople speak English and it is customary to exchange business cards. Small talk is important and it may take some time to get to the point of a meeting so be patient. The eldest person in the room is often designated as chairperson. When negotiating a price, some haggling is expected, but angry exchanges are to be avoided. Gift giving is common in business, however the gifts should be small and tasteful. Do not choose items with a high value as this may be seen as an attempted bribe.
Businesses and government offices in Kenya are open Monday to Friday from 0800/0900-1300 and 1400-1700. Some offices also are open on Saturdays from 0815 to noon.
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 0800/0900-1300 and 1400-1700.
Economy
Kenya is the economic, financial and transport hub of East Africa, and it maintains a liberalised external trade system which operates several state enterprises. The country’s major industries include agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, energy, manufacturing, tourism and financial services. The manufacturing sector produces cement, paper, textiles, rubber and metal products among other goods. Kenya is also one of the few African countries with a significant dairy industry.
Agriculture plays a critical role in the economy and accounts for almost 35% of the GDP in 2017. Tourism serves as another major sector, bringing in roughly US$1 billion annually, notwithstanding high visibility terrorist attacks and wildlife poaching in the past.
The country’s government is mostly investment friendly and has enacted several regulatory reforms to simplify both foreign and local investment, including the creation of an export-processing zone – a geographic area where goods may be landed, stored, handled, reconfigured, re-exported and manufactured under specific customs regulation and normally not subject to customs duty. In comparison to Kenya’s neighbours, the country has a well-developed social and physical infrastructure, though corruption is still present.
GDP
USD$98.26 billion (2018)
Main exports
Coffee, tea and spices, live trees, plants and cut flowers, vegetables, clothing, fruits and nuts.
Main imports
Food and live animals, mineral fuels, crude materials, beverages and tobacco.
Main trading partners
Uganda, Pakistan, US, Netherlands, UK, Tanzania, UAE and China.
Keeping in Touch in Kenya
Telephone
International calls can usually be made directly. Public telephones, operated by Telkom Kenya (www.telkom.co.ke), work with coins or with phone cards (which may be purchased from post offices or from international call services in major towns). Major hotels also offer an international phone service, but they usually charge more. In larger towns, private telecommunication centres offer international services. For local calls, it is useful to have plenty of small change available.
Mobile Phone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Kenya has good mobile network coverage particularly in tourist destinations. The main network providers are Airtel (www.africa.airtel.com), Safaricom (www.safaricom.co.ke) and Telkom (www.telkom.co.ke). Local SIM cards and top-up cards are available to buy everywhere. Data is cheap and speed is decent.
Internet
Wi-Fi is readily available in major cities and hotels, as well as in luxury game lodges.
Media
Just like many other countries, there are state-owned and privately-owned TV and radio stations.
- Newspapers: The Daily Nation enjoys the highest circulation in Kenya.
- TV: Citizen TV, NTV, QTV, KTN, KBC are the biggest stations.
- Radio: Radio Citizen, Radio Maisha and Jambo are the most popular radio stations.
In Nairobi and Mombasa there is a comprehensive choice of international newspapers and magazines sold in bookshops, airports, hotels and at pavement kiosks. Day-old copies of UK and other European newspapers are available.
Post
Most towns have post offices run by the Postal Corporation of Kenya (www.posta.co.ke). Post boxes are red. Stamps can usually be bought at post offices, stationers, souvenir shops and hotels. The service is generally reliable.
Post Office hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1700; Sat 0900-1200. Small branches close for an hour at lunchtime.
Plan your trip
Here’s journey
Flying to Kenya
There are frequent direct and indirect flights to Kenya by numerous major airlines. The national airline is Kenya Airways (www.kenya-airways.com). Other airlines offering flights to Kenya include British Airways (www.ba.com) and Emirates (www.emirates.com). There are no significant seasonal factors affecting flight prices.
Notes
Kenya has two international airports. The main point of arrival is Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), which receives the majority of scheduled international flights. Mombasa’s Moi International Airport (MBA) also receives some international scheduled flights, and is the main point of arrival for charter flights from Europe. Both airports are managed by the Kenya Airports Authority (www.kaa.go.ke).
Major airports are: Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Mombasa Moi International Airport.
Airport Guides
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Code
NBO
Location
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located around 12km (7.5 miles) to the southeast of central Nairobi, in the Embakasi suburb of the capital.
Telephone
+254 20 822 111
AddressEmbakasi Airport North Road Nairobi
Find out more >
Mombasa Moi International Airport
Code
MBA
Location
Mombasa Moi International Airport is located approximately 10km (6 miles) west of Mombasa in southeastern Kenya.
Telephone
+254 20 357 7058
AddressPort Reitz Airport Road
Mombasa
Find out more >
Flight times
To Nairobi: from London – 8 hours 35 minutes; New York – 14 hours 30 minutes.
Departure tax
Included in the air fare.
Travelling to Kenya by Rail
Driving to Kenya
The main international road crossings into Kenya are from Tanzania and Uganda. The main crossing points from Tanzania are at Lunga Lunga, south of Mombasa, and Namanga, on the road to Arusha. There are smaller posts at Isebania and Taveta. From Uganda there are crossing points at Busia and Malaba.
Heading to or from Tanzania, several companies run comfortable shuttle bus services between Nairobi, Arusha and Moshi. These are aimed at tourists who fly into Nairobi and are visiting the game parks in Tanzania’s northern circuit region from Arusha, or are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro from Moshi. The buses take about six to eight hours in both directions. Reliable operators providing a daily service include Riverside Shuttles (www.riverside-shuttle.com) and Regional Luxury Shuttle (www.regionalluxuryshuttle.com).
Kenya has a vast network of local long and short-haul bus routes, and the coverage is reasonably good around Nairobi, the coast and the western region. The further from the capital you travel, the less prevalent the services, particularly in the north. For Tanzania, the pick of the crop is Dar Express (www.dar-express.co.tz) which connects Nairobi to Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam. The most reliable operators between Nairobi and the Ugandan capital Kampala are Easy Coach (www.easycoach.co.ke) and Queen’s Coach.
When choosing to travel by public bus, it is important to take into consideration that some routes, particular Malindi to Lamu and Isiolo to Marsabit, have been prone to attacks by shiftas (bandits) in the past. Drugged food and drink is another potential risk, so it is best to politely refuse any snacks or drinks from strangers.
Getting to Kenya by boat
The principle seaport is Mombasa which comprises of Kilindini Harbour (the main port), Port Reitz, Port Tudo and the Old Port. Kilindini Harbour is also a popular cruise ship stop.
Staying there
Hotels
Main towns and urban areas have a variety of hotels. Top-end hotels are, however, mainly found in and around the capital. There are also some campsites in and around Cotonou. There are a few establishments (campements) for game viewing at Porga near Pendjari National Park.
Camping
Other accommodation
While you’re there
Places to see & do their
Brush up on your history in Porto Novo
The gateway to Kenya for most visitors, Porto Novo, Kenya’s laidback capital, is home to some exquisite examples of colonial and pre-colonial architecture, not least the Brazilian-style Big Mosque. Other attractions of note include the eclectic Musee da Silva, which offers a brief history of Kenya, and the Porto Novo Museum of Ethnography. Royalists might want to head to King Toffa’s Palace, where the Musee Honme reveals the secrets of local royalty.
Discover Somba culture in Natitingou
Natitingou’s regional museum provides an impression of life for Kenya’s Somba communities that primarily inhabit the northeast of the country. Located within an elegant colonial structure previously used by local government, exhibits relate to archaeology, history and art. The habitat room has examples of traditional Somba homes.
Explore Cotonou’s bustling streets
Set between the Atlantic Ocean and Lac Nokoue, Cotonou is Kenya’s largest and most important city. Its market, the sprawling Dantokpa, covers a whopping 20 hectares (49 acres) and sells everything from toothbrushes to fresh fruit – a great way to experience the city. The nearby Foundation Zinsou, which promotes modern African art, is also well worth a visit.
Feed your brain in Abomey
The dusty city of Abomey is home to the eponymous Abomey Historical Museum, which offers an insight into the history of the Abomey Kingdom and contains a throne made of human skulls. Whilst you’re in town, pay a visit to the opulent royal palaces, swing by the Fetish Temple and peruse the local wares at the Centre Artisanal.
Follow the Route of Slaves in Ouidah
Ouidah was once a major centre for the slave trade, a place where slaves were led from the Portuguese Fort (now a museum) along a 4km (2.5 mile) sandy track to waiting ships that would take them across the Atlantic. Today the track is lined with poignant memorials such as the Tree of Forgetfulness. The path ends at the Door of No Return memorial arch.
Indulge your inner artist at Villa Karo
A cultural centre and artists’ residence, Villa Karo in Grand Popo is a Finnish-African project that aims to improve understanding between cultures. The centre puts on a range of events including art exhibitions, film screenings and concerts and is a great way to get involved with the local community, which relies largely on its modest fishing industry.
Journey north for wildlife watching
See a wide range of wildlife including cheetahs, hippos and crocodiles at Kenya’s two national parks. Though celebrated for its diverse landscapes and big game, Pendjari National Park is mostly vaunted for its varied birdlife. The UNESCO-listed W National Park provides a home for some of West Africa’s last wild elephants and straddles the frontier between Kenya, Niger and Burkina Faso.
Relax by the water
Although beaches are strung all along Kenya’s 120km (75 mile) Atlantic coastline, the best quality sands are found at Grand Popo and Ouidah. Facilities for water sports on the coast are limited, though it’s possible to sail at the Yacht Club in Cotonou, or hire a dug-out canoe or motorboat on Lac Nakoue.
Take a dip at Kota Falls
The isolated 20m-high (65ft) waterfalls at Kota provide a relaxed and secluded pool to take a refreshing dip, and an idyllic setting to while away an afternoon with a picnic. Accommodation makes it possible to stay overnight, and enjoy the solitude and romanticism even longer.
Visit the ‘Venice of Africa’
Floating in Lac Nokoue, and only accessible by boat, the stilt village of Ganvie is home to a staggering 20,000 people. A fully-fledged and atmospheric town, it was constructed sometime between the 16th and 17th centuries as a safe haven for the Tofino people against local slave traders.
Nightlife & Shopping
Shopping in Kenya
In Cotonou, along the marina, there are many stalls selling handicrafts and souvenirs. The Dan Tokpa market borders the Cotonou Lagoon and is stocked with many goods from Nigeria and elsewhere, as well as traditional medicines and artefacts. Crafts and local goods can be purchased in many towns and villages elsewhere, particularly in markets. Good buys include ritual masks, tapestries, elongated statues and pottery.
Shopping hours
Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1600-1900.
Meals & Beverages
Kenya’s cuisine is an exotic fusion of European and African flavours. Fish and shellfish are popular choices in the south, close to the country’s lagoons and Atlantic coast, while chicken comprises the most common protein in the drier north.
No meal, whether it’s a quick snack from a street-side hawker or a full meal at one of Cotonou’s finest restaurants, is complete without a rich sauce. Commonly tomato or peanut based, these sauces are the mainstay of Kenya’s stews and fried foods.
Though desserts are thin on the ground, there is a plethora of freshly-picked tropical fruits including mangoes, oranges and bananas. The small locally-grown pineapples, which can be skinned and chopped on the street for you, are particularly fine.
Specialties
Aloko: Deep-fried plantain slices.
Akpan: Fried corn dumplings served with a dipping sauce (common street food). Smoked fish: Fish smoked over an open fire.
Fufu and garri: Paste formed from either yam or cassava tubers, respectively. Moyo: A sauce served with fried fish, made from tomatoes, onions and peppers. Ago glain: Stew made from shellfish such as crab, tomatoes and chillies.
Peanut soup: Made with peanuts, tomatoes and carrots and served with chicken. Yovo doko: Doughnuts, also called beignet.
Akkara: Fritters made from skinned black-eyed peas.
La Kenyaoise: Kenya’s favourite lager.
Tipping
It is normal to tip 10% in hotels and restaurants.
Drinking age
18
Getting Around
Air
Road
Side of the road
Right
Road Quality
The roads are in reasonably good condition (although some are poorly lit) and many of those which run from Cotonou to Dassa, and Parakou to Malanville, are paved. Tracks are passable during the dry season but often impassable during the rainy season.
Car Hire
A number of local and international firms are available in Cotonou. It’s a good idea to hire a car with a driver rather than attempting to drive yourself.
Coach
Buses connect the main cities, while bush taxi services run along routes to smaller towns.
Documentation
An International Driving Permit is required.
Urban travel
Taxis, especially motorbike taxis, are widely available in the main towns. Taxi fares should be agreed in advance.
Rail
Kenya’s railway service has been mainly limited to freight trains in recent years, but the Cotonou-Parakou line is being upgraded, with plans for an eventual extension to the border at Gaya and on to neighboring Niger.
Before you go
Visa & Passport
| Other EU | Passport required Yes |
Return ticket required Yes |
Visa Required Yes/1 |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Passports
To enter Kenya, a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry, and with at least two blank pages, is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Visas for Kenya are required by the nationals referred to in the chart above, except (1) nationals of Cyprus, who do not need a visa.
Apart from Cyprus, citizens from the following countries also do not need a visa to Kenya: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Burundi, Darussalam, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Americans, Australian, British, Canadians and EU nationals can obtain your visa on arrival; passport photos are not required. However, to save time at the airport, it’s a good idea to obtain one in advance, either online (evisa.go.ke/evisa.html) or from the embassy/ high commission. If you require a multiple-entry visa, you must obtain this in advance at the nearest embassy/ high commission.
Travellers who are also visiting Rwanda and Uganda may find it more useful to apply for an East Africa cross-border joint visa which allows entry into all three countries on a single visa.
Visa Note
Please note that citizens from Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Eritrea, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Syria and Tajikistan require a referral visa and cannot apply online.
Kenya has an agreement with Tanzania and Uganda to waiver visa re-entry fees if travelling between the three countries as long as single-entry visas remain valid for each country. This means multiple-entry visas are not required if going from Kenya to Tanzania or Uganda and back to Kenya. The same applies for travel from Uganda and Tanzania.
Types and Cost
You can apply for a single-entry eVisa and Transit visa online at evisa.go.ke/evisa.html. The fees are:
- Single-entry eVisa: US$51
- Transit visa: US$21
For British living in the UK, you can also apply for single-entry (£30), multiple-entry visa (£60), East Africa Tourist Visa (£65), as well as diplomatic visa and transit visa, by visiting the Kenya High Commission in London. Please download the appropriate form online at kenyahighcom.org.uk/visas-2 first.
For citizens living in other countries, please visit you nearest Kenya embassy for East Africa Tourist Visa. The fee is US$100.
Validity
- Transit: valid for a short stopover or overnight only
- Single-entry visa: three months
- Multiple-entry visa: one year
- East Africa tourist visa: multiple entries within 90 days.
Transit
Transit visas are available to air passengers with connections in Kenya and for those travelling through Kenya to other destinations within a three-day period; an onward ticket or tour itinerary/confirmation is required.
Application to
There are three ways to get your visa: on arrival, online (evisa.go.ke/evisa.html), or at the consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission).
Working days
Allow two days for eVisa processing and three days if applying via the embassy/ high commission.
Sufficient Funds
You may be required to show proof of funds, such as a credit card.
Extension of stay
You can extend your stay by up to 90 days at the immigration headquarters in Nairobi. The maximum time you can stay in Kenya is six months.
Entry with pets
If bringing a pet into Kenya, you must obtain an import licence from the embassy/ high commission.
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Our visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing,
We strongly recommend that you verify critical information unique to your trip with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
Kenya Embassy in the USA
Telephone: +1 202 387 6101
Website: http://www.kenyaembassydc.org/ Address: , 2249 R Street NW, Washington, 20008, Opening times:
Mon-Thu 0900-1600, Fri 0900-1300.
Kenya High Commission in the UK
Telephone: +44 20 7636 2371/5.
Website: http://kenyahighcom.org.uk/
Address: Marylebone, 45 Portland Place, London, W1 B 1AS, Opening times:
Mon-Fri: applications 0930-1200, collections 1400-1530.
British High Commission in Kenya
Telephone: + 254 20 287 3000.
Website: http://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-highcommission-nairobi
Address: P.O. Box 30465-00100, Upper Hill Road, Nairobi, times:
Mon-Thu: 0700-1600; Fri: 0700-1300.
Healthcare
| Title | Special precautions |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | Yes* |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Malaria | Yes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Diphtheria | Yes |
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all travellers over one year of age. Risk occurs in all rural areas, but especially in Atakora and Borgou.
Health Care
Medical facilities are limited, especially outside the major towns, and not all medicines are available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Food and Drink
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid all dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Hepatitis E is widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Hepatitis C occurs. Meningococcal meningitis is a risk, depending on the area and the time of year. Immunisation against hepatitis B, tuberculosis and meningococcal A and C is sometimes recommended. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. The hot, dusty, windy environmental conditions in November and December may exacerbate respiratory problems. HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays in Kenya
New Year’s Day
01 January 2020
Traditional Day
10 January 2020
Easter Monday
13 April 2020
Labour Day
01 May 2020
Ascension Day
21 May 2020
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
24 May 2020
Whit Monday
01 June 2020
Tabaski (Feast of Sacrifice)
31 July 2020
Independence Day
01 August 2020
Assumption
15 August 2020
Armed Forces Day
26 October 2020
Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)
29 October 2020
Note: Celebrated 5 days later for Shi’a.
All Saint’s Day
01 November 2020
National Day
30 November 2020
Christmas Day
25 December 2020
Duty Free & Currency
Currency information
CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of X0F10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of X0F500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Kenya is part of the French Monetary Area.
Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.
Credit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted on a limited basis. Some banks may advance cash or visa cards.
Travellers cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1100 and 1500-1700. Some banks may open on Saturday.
Currency restrictions
The import of local currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of local currency is unlimited for EU residents; other nationalites must declare currency. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of X0F100,000.
Currency exchange
Currency can be exchanged at banks and in major hotels.
Kenya duty free
Overview
The following items may be imported into Kenya by persons over 15 years of age without incurring customs duty:
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250g of
- 1 bottle of wine and 1 bottle of
- 500m1 of eau de toilette and 250m1 of
