Currency:

The Kenyan Shilling is the Kenyan currency and is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes come in 1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 Ksh notes. Coins come in denominations of 40, 20, 10, 5 and 1 Ksh. 

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at large banks, exchange offices or authorized hotels. The banks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport have 24-hour exchange offices. The easiest currencies to trade are US dollars, pounds sterling, Swiss francs or euros. 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts of USD 5,000 or more must be declared.

Banks and payment transactions

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays until 12:00 p.m. The banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas usually open half an hour earlier. 

Credit cards are widely accepted in all large hotels and upscale establishments, with Mastercard and Visa being the best known. American Express and Diners Club cards are occasionally accepted. Nevertheless, you also need cash on site, as smaller shops only accept cash. 

Almost every bank now has an ATM and new ones are constantly being installed at gas stations in cities and large settlements. 

Travelers checks are no longer accepted in Kenya.

Nairobi has two airports for domestic and regional flights: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport (www.kaa.go.ke). Kenya has over 150 domestic airports and airstrips, and daily flights to popular destinations are offered. In addition to the scheduled airlines, several private charter companies operate Wilson Airport in Nairobi. 

Kenia Airways (www.kenya-airways.com), Air Kenia (www.airkenya.com), Fly 540 (www.fly540.com), Mombasa Air Safari (www.mombasaairsafari.com) and Safarilink (www.flysafarilink.com ) serve the most popular safari destinations, but also many others, such as Lake Victoria. 

On smaller, domestic flights, baggage is limited to 10-15 kg (22-33 pounds). Africa220 can safely deposit your excess luggage during a safari. 

Main roads between big cities and small towns are usually in good condition and can be used with a normal car. The motorways are paved in the south, but this is not the case in the north. Left-hand traffic applies. 

Most of the smaller gravel roads have deep potholes that worsen during the rainy season. In the parks, the paths are pristine, often bumpy and never paved. 

Nairobi and Mombasa have efficient local bus systems as well as many matatus (minibuses). However, reckless driving and minor thefts make it a rather tricky option for tourists. The newer taxi fleets (mostly painted white with a yellow ribbon) are reliable and have taximeters.

The health system in Kenya is advanced. Each district has both public and private hospitals and clinics. Visitors with yellow fever and cholera must have a valid vaccination certificate. Please remember to have an appropriate vaccination if you travel to several places in Africa. Malaria is rare in the highlands, but is widespread in the hot and humid high areas around the coast, lakes and meadows. Appropriate use of malaria prophylaxis is recommended, most of which have to be taken weeks in advance, during your stay and even after your return. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this. 

We recommend using an insect repellent. 

While swimming in the ocean and in swimming pools is safe, lakes, rivers, and open reservoirs can be infested with schistosomal parasites. The water in these places should not be drunk. Bottled water is recommended. We recommend that you take out evacuation protection and comprehensive travel insurance.

Take normal precautions as you would in other countries around the world. Keep a close eye on your handbags, wallets and cameras at all times. Avoid walking at night and use hotel-recommended, reliable taxis. Use the safe boxes of the hotels or lodges for your valuables and only carry as much cash with you as is necessary. Wear as little jewelry as possible, if at all, and never leave valuables in hotel rooms or in an unattended vehicle. Overall, Kenya is a safe African country.

Nairobi has some of the best restaurants in Africa. From fast food to upscale modern cuisine, there are many different cuisines and restaurants on offer. Many five star hotels have excellent restaurants. Restaurants are called “hotels” and there are plenty of them in Nairobi. 

It is well worth trying the local dishes, such as pilau, a chicken and rice dish, cabbage and rice, as well as the staple food Kenya Ugali, which is made from cornmeal. 

Many restaurants can be found in the city center and in the Westlands and Hurlingham areas, which areas are highly frequented by tourists. Among the many cuisines there are Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants. Fast food restaurants, especially those from the South African chains (Steers or Nandos), are widespread in the larger urban areas. 

Bottled water is advisable for the first few weeks of your stay. When buying bottled water, make sure that the bottle is sealed. Never drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected (e.g. with iodine tablets). Never drink from streams, rivers and lakes, and avoid drinking from pumps or fountains. Some offer pure water, but it can be contaminated by animals. Except in upscale hotels and restaurants, you should avoid ice cubes, washed vegetables or fruit. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Food from unlicensed suppliers should be avoided at all times.

Kenya is located on the equator and has a pleasant tropical climate, whereby there are location-dependent temperature fluctuations that are triggered by several factors, such as altitude. The temperatures fluctuate around 6 ° C per 1000m altitude. Kenya’s daytime temperatures range between 20 ° C and 28 ° C, with the coast being warmer. The coast is hot and humid all year round, the heat is pleasant and is tempered by the monsoon winds. Kenya is too close to the equator to have a real winter and summer.

Comfortable, light and casual clothing is the best choice for a safari. It can get quite cool in the early morning hours, so you should wear warmer clothing until the air warms up in the sun. “Kenya Convertibles” are khaki pants with zip-off legs and are perfect for cool early morning game drives. Walking shorts, long pants, cotton shirts and T-shirts are just the thing. A cotton bush jacket or windbreaker, as well as a warm sweater or fleece jacket, is useful on cool nights. Headgear should also be part of the standard. 

Most safaris don’t have many hiking or walking routes, so a comfortable pair of hiking or tennis shoes and a pair of sandals should be sufficient. 

In Kenya’s major cities, the dress code is conservative but not overly formal. Jeans and appropriate tops for women are fine. Bathing suits are acceptable on the beach, but keep a low profile in public places.

The mains voltage in Kenya is 240 volts alternating current at 50 hertz. An adapter is necessary. Some camps and lodges switch off the electricity overnight