About Kenya

Effective 28 August 2017 plastic bags are no longer allowed in Kenya.  Please do not bring plastic bags into the country. Even bags carrying duty free items will be confiscated.​

Home to a culturally diverse population of some 45 million people, Kenya sits astride the equator bordering Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan. The country covers an area over 569,000 sq.kms.

CAPITAL Nairobi

TEL COUNTRY CODE +254

CURRENCY The unit of currency is the Kenyan shilling (Ksh). See today's exchange rate. Euros and US dollars are also accepted in many places. Note that US dollars older than the year 2000 are not accepted. Local currency can be bought at Forex Bureaux, from banks and with an international credit card. ATMs will also give you local currency.

CULTURE Kenya is home to 42 ethnic groups and languages. The majority of Kenyans are Christian (Catholic and Protestant). 11.1% of the population is Muslim. A small number are Sikhs and Hindus or follow traditional religions. The official national languages are Kiswahili and English. English is predominantly used in commerce, the media and government.  

CLIMATE Kenya enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the arid north and north-eastern parts of the country. The hottest periods are February, March and October with the coldest in June, July.   The long rains last from April through to late May, and the short rains last a few weeks around November and December.​

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 

• 1 Jan              New Years Day
• Varies             Good Friday
• Varies             Easter Monday
• 1 May             Labour Day
• 1 June            Madaraka Day (anniversary of self-government)
• 20 Oct            Mashujaa Day (honouring those who struggled for independence)
• 12 Dec           Jamhuri Day (anniversary of independence)
• 25 Dec           Christmas Day
• 26 Dec           Boxing Day
• Varies             Eid Al Fitr (End of Ramadan)

VISAS
All visitors require return air tickets and passports valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Kenya. Visas can be obtained online, in advance, or on arrival at the airport. For more information about visa requirements see http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html

AIRPORTS
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is located 15 kms from the Nairobi Central Business District.  Official taxis are available outside the arrivals hall. The journey time to the city centre is at least 30 minutes, but can take much longer during rush hour and heavy traffic. Domestic and regional flights also operate from Wilson Airport which is 4 km from the CBD. There are also international airports in Mombasa and Eldoret. 

TRAVEL TIPS

• Smoking in all public places (except in designated areas) is prohibited throughout Kenya.
• You should carry a photocopy of your passport for identification at all times.
• The coastal region is predominantly Muslim and dress codes are more conservative than in other parts of the country.
• A customs bond may be requested from visitors bringing in excessive video, film equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments. Firearms are forbidden except under special circumstances.
• Matatus (public mini buses) and boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) are a cheap way of getting around. Note that the operators rarely follow the traffic rules and vehicles are not always well maintained. Be careful if you opt for this mode of transport.
• UBER operates within Nairobi and takes cash. LITTLE CAB was launched in 2016, in conjunction with mobile operator Safaricom and accepts the local mobile money system, MPESA.
• Security checks are carried out at shopping malls, recreational centres and hotels.  Taking photographs at airports, military installations and of policemen is  prohibited. 
• Try not to walk alone at night and avoid carrying valuables or large sums of cash with you.