General Information

Ξ 2 August 2007 | → | ∇ Uncategorized |

About Kenya.

Kenya is known as the most important safari destination worldwide. Actually the word safari is a Swahili word which refers to a journey. Kenya is approximately three times bigger than United Kingdom and is favourite to the majority of the world holiday makers coming to Africa for a safari. This country boasts having enormous diversified natural habitats among which are the mountains, the plains, wonderful beaches, and much more. Kenya has practically all that takes to offer it’s visitors the best as they enjoy their holidays.

The coastal area is separated from the interior by a semi-arid region and is known for some of the best and world class beaches. Visitors will come across long extension of white sand beaches, most of them protected areas for being home to important corral reefs. Water sports lovers, will have a chance to practice a variety of activities including wind surfing, deep sea diving and much more. Kenyan coast also has good quality hotels, restaurants and a wide range of activities including possibilities to engage for very interesting day excursions which will unveil the contrast between the modern towns and the bushes, carefully designed to satisfy the modern traveller all year round.

The western part of kenya is an original stretch of high and lowlands that unviels enormus beauty that any vistor’s sight will never resist. The lake region (Lake Victoria), is one of the most fertile areas making it ideal for agricultural practices not forgetting that the lake also serves as a formidable fishing source. This area however is rarely visited by tourists coming in for a safari holiday in Kenya. The most famous region is the southern area of the lake basin. This is perhaps the most important wildlife sanctuary in the whole country and perhaps in the whole african continent. It is perhaps this region that will give all our visitors a true picture of what they have seen in documentaries and thousands of graphics as it is home to millions of animals. The Masai Mara national reserve and the Amboseli with Kilimanjaro in the background are located here.

The central region and the rift valley, comprise the vertebrae of Kenya. The most spectacluar area of the rift valley can actually be seen in Kenya, bieng this region where visitors will find the most diversified tropical vegetation, lakes and geysers not forgetting some dormant vulcanoes.

The eastern region is covered by dense forests of the aberdares mountains, after which we will discover the Mt. Kenya and the Kenyan capital city, Nairobi. The northern region and towards the western part scarce vegetation and mountains form a beautful landscape though a bit dry, wild and as such has experienced very little modern influence.

Passports and visas: Every traveller visiting Kenya requires a return or transit ticket with a valid passport and a valid entrance or transit visa. Visas can be obtained at any of the Kenyans embassies or consulates abroad and also at specific entrance points like ports, inmigration offices at frontiers and airports.

Health requirements: All our visitors coming from other countries or are in transit from areas where deseases like yellow fever, cholera etc are frequent, might require medical certificates that indicate that they have been vaccinated againts such deseases. Visitors are also advised to take medication preventing them from various deseases like the malaria and to use mosquito nets and sprays whenever possible. Other deseases that require immunisation are tetanus, typhoid, polio rabies menengitis among others. Please visit your local doctor for counselling.

Medical services: Nairobi boasts of good quality medical services and all our visitors in need of some medical care, can visit the Nairobi Hospital, Kenyatta Hospital, or the Aga Kahn. Avoid short sleeved garments and short trousers, especially in the parks, and during the night, and whenenver possible, the use of insect repelants is highly recommended not forgetting sprays and the mosquito nets mentioned in the previous paragraph. 

Immunisation centres: We advise you to contact the nearest Kenyan Embassy or consulate for more information regading International vaccination centres.

For visitors from Madrid: C/ Francisco Silvela, 57 1ª planta 28028 - Madrid Tel. 91- 309.56.03 / 91 - 309.56.23 Fax: 91 - 402.09.97

Personal effects such as cameras and films or binoculars, can be introduced into the country for temporary visits with no customs charge. A customs charge may be required for vistors who bring professional equipment like professional video cameras and musical instruments. Weapons require a special license which have to be obtained prior to the visitors arrival. Visitors who purchase local art products, are required to keep the purchasing receipts and any certificates showing posession of animal trophies in Kenya. The receipts and certificates will have to be presented at the customs before departure.

Local currency: The local currency is the Kenyan Shilling (Ksh), which is divided in units of 100 cents. Visitors can carry any amount of any internation curreny, but it is illegal to carry any amount of the Kenyan currecny out of the country upon departture. International currency in cash or travellers cheques can be changed in various offices (bureau de change) or local banks, most visitors carry US dollars or Euros which are all accepted in our country. Banks and bureaus de change can be easily accessed at the airports, around the citites and in the frontiers, your tour guides can become very handy to give you such information too.

Departure: A local tax  of about USD 30 is required for all visitors leaving the country. In other ocasions, this amount is included in the air ticket (consult with your ticket provider), luggage just like in many other countries is weighed during the check in process at the counters. Be advised that luggage may be subject  to inspection by the customs serivices. Please make sure you are at the airport at least 2 hrs prior to departure, as security measures have slowed down the checking in process.. For domestic flights, the local tax is not less than USD 10. All the mentioned figures regardind local taxes are subject to change.

Luggage: Vehicles and the planes used for safaris usually have a very limited luggage space. It is highly recommended to travel with limited luggage given that huge baggage could reslut to overweight and as such can be left on ground. The maximum weight for small aircrafts is 15 kilograms per person.

Climate: The climate is basically tropical. The coastal region is warm and humid with mean temperatures of about 30º centigrades during the day. The interior is a bit dry with arid areas, hot during the day and cold in the night. In the northeastern region and around the Aberdares mountains the climate is somehow moderate, cold in June and September. Long rains come between the months of March and May and short rains are experienced between October and December. The hottest months are January and February.

What to wear: Light garments are perfect for a tropical weather/ climate. In any case do not forget to carry some pullovers or sweaters which will be handy in the mountain areas and in Nairobi during the evening and morning hours. Also do not neglect to bring comfortable shoes since you are bound to walk a lot during the safari

Language: The national language is Swahili and the oficial one is English. Both languages are widely spoken in the country. English is employed in all the sectors and as such communicating  will not be a factor for any english speaking traveller. In any case, most of our travel agents have specialsed guides who speak foreign languages and will always be avialble prior guest’s request.

Flying to Kenya: There are various international companies that fly to Kenya with a daily programmed departure and arrival schedule in our local international airports (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Moi Internationlal Airport in Mombasa). Local flights are operated by a local company called Air Kenya.

Registering with Flying Doctors: A temporary charge, for visitiors who would like to receive evacuation services is highly recommended The corresponding charge is between USD 15  and USD 50 subject to change. Follow this link for more information http://www.amref.org/index.asp?PageID=75