Kenya
Capital:
Nairobi
Official Language: Swahili
Religions: 66%
Christian, 26% Traditional Beliefs and 8% Other
Currency:
Shiling = 100 cents
Placements:
Masai Mara
Lodge, Kenyan Volunteering Services, Rural
Community Centre
Map
Background
Revered by anthropologists as the 'cradle of humanity', Kenya is wild and a
little dangerous. If you're adventurous - and sensible - it promises the globe's
most magnificent wildlife parks, unsullied beaches, thriving coral reefs,
memorable mountainscapes and ancient Swahili cities.
The Swahili word safari (literally, journey) wouldn't mean much to most
people if it wasn't for this East African adventure land. No matter how many
Tarzan movies you've seen, nothing will prepare you for the annual mass
migration of wildebeests in the Maasai Mara.
Special Events
Kenya's most spectacular annual event is organised by an unlikely group -
wildebeests. Literally millions of these ungainly antelopes move en masse in
July and August from the Serengeti in search of lush grass. They head south
again around October. The best place to see this phenomenon is at the Maasai
Mara National Reserve. Kenya's more orthodox annual events include public
holidays such as Kenyatta Day (20 October) and Independence Day (12
December).
Climate
With pleasant overall conditions all year round, Kenya's southern highlands
and coastal lowlands see little variation in conditions; each has a wet season
between March and May and a second one in November and December. Temperatures
are consistent throughout the year and cool for an equatorial region, ranging
mostly in the high 20°Cs to low 30°Cs (80°Fs to low 90°Fs) on the coast,
dropping slightly inland and then raising again closer to Lake
Victoria.
Travel Info
Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the hub of East African air
transport, and it has connections to many European and US cities. It's from
these places that you're most likely to get a relatively cheap ticket, but it's
worth checking out cheap charter flights to Mombasa from Europe too. Airport
departure tax for international flights is
20.00 but is
usually included in the cost of your ticket.
You can travel by bus or minibus shuttle between Kenya and Tanzania. The main
routes are from Mombasa or Nairobi to Dar es Salaam and from Nairobi to Arusha
and Moshi. There's also a once-weekly train connection between Voi in Kenya with
Taveta (on the border), from which you can take local transport to Moshi. The
ferry service that connected Mombasa with Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam is no
longer running.
The main border crossing into Uganda is at Malaba, though Busia is an
alternative if you're coming from Kisumu. Nairobi and the Ugandan capital
Kampala are connected by road (the train no longer operates). There's a border
crossing to Ethiopia frequently used by travellers and overland trucks run
to/from Moyale. There's no safe way you can enter or exit Kenya overland from
Somalia or Sudan at present.
Visas
Visas are now required by almost all visitors to Kenya, including Europeans,
Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians, although citizens from a
few smaller Commonwealth countries are exempt. Visas are valid for three months
from the date of entry and can be obtained upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport in Nairobi for
50.00 for a
single-entry visa, double for multiple entries. Tourist visas can be extended
for a further three month period, but not seven-day transit visas.
It's also possible to get visas from Kenyan diplomatic missions overseas, but
you should apply well in advance, especially if you're doing it by mail.
Safety
Terrorism
Kenya shares with neighbouring countries a high
threat from terrorism. Previous attacks have been against civilian or visibly
Western targets, normally where foreigners have been present. There was a
suicide car bomb attack on a hotel near Mombasa on 28 November 2002, in which at
least 15 people died. There was an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Israeli
charter plane on the same day. Raids in Mombasa in 2003 recovered anti-tank
weapons. There was a terrorist attack on the US Embassy in Nairobi in August
1998, in which 232 people were killed. These incidents highlight the threat
posed by terrorism in Kenya and neighbouring countries and the capacity of
terrorist groups to carry out attacks. This threat
remains.
Crime
There have been a number of violent
attacks and murders of non-indigenous residents in recent years. Muggings and
armed attacks by gangs can occur at any time, particularly in Nairobi and
Mombasa. Be alert at all times. Do not accept food or drink from strangers as it
may be drugged. Only stay in tourist camps with good perimeter security. If in
doubt, seek advice from your tour operator or the Kenya Tourist Federation (Tel:
+ 254 20 604730). Avoid travelling after dark in isolated places particularly
empty beaches. Do not carry valuables or wear jewellery in public places. Do not
carry credit cards or cash cards unless you must: people have been forced by
thieves to withdraw cash. Beware of thieves posing as police officers; always
ask to see identification.
Britons in remote areas or border regions
could also be targets of attacks or kidnappings. Incidents of armed
car-hijackings are more prevalent in Nairobi and Mombasa but can occur in any
area of the country. Do not attempt to escape from hijackers or resist their
demands.
You should take sensible precautions for your personal and
vehicle safety, travelling in convoy in remote areas.
Political
Situation
Police raids on local media institutions on 2 March 2006,
have caused widespread condemnation. Protest rallies were held on 7 March 2006
in Nairobi and more may be planned. You should avoid all political rallies and
demonstrations, exercise caution and continue to monitor this Travel Advice. If
you are involved in any security incident you should insist with both the Kenyan
authorities and your tour operator that the British High Commission be informed
straight away.
Local Travel
Most visits to game reserves
and other tourist areas are trouble-free, but if you wish to visit reserves you
should use reputable tour operators and arrive at your destination in daylight
hours. You are strongly advised not to buy safari tours from touts but only
through reputable agencies or from your hotel. There have been a number of
accidental deaths when people have gone on foot in game parks and you should
follow closely park regulations and wardens’ advice. Bathing in rivers and lakes
is forbidden in National Parks and is best avoided elsewhere due to the dangers
from both wildlife and from water-borne disease.
Rural areas, and in
particular the north and north eastern parts of Kenya, experience sporadic
cattle rustling, counter-raids, ethnic conflict and tribal or clan rivalry. An
incident, on 12 July 2005, involved the massacre of more than 50 people,
including 20 children, at a school in Turbi, on the main A2 Moyale-Marsabit road
(the main overland route between Ethiopia and Kenya). There have been a number
of serious incidents involving armed bandits around Songa forest near to the
town of Marsabit in Eastern Province and repeated skirmishes and inter-clan
fighting in Mandera District in the North Eastern Province bordering Somalia, in
which a number of people have been killed. Whilst foreigners are not usually the
targets of this type of violence and banditry, travel in the north and north
east should only be undertaken with care and after seeking the advice of the
police and in convoy with at least two vehicles to ensure back-up. You should be
alert and avoid demonstrations and gatherings of people in these areas, which
could turn violent.
In addition landmines have in the past been used in
attacks around Moyale, close to the main A2 road south. Vehicles crossing the
border at this point should stay on the A2, avoid staying at the rest house at
Sololo, and travel directly to Marsabit Town before breaking the journey (but
see warning above on Songa forest).
If visiting Lamu Island you should if
possible travel by air for security reasons and also because of the bad road
conditions. Buses and other vehicles on the road to Lamu have been attacked by
armed robbers in the past and overland travel from Lamu to Malindi should only
be undertaken in an armed police in convoy.
Road
Safety
Take care if driving, especially at night, as road conditions
and driving standards are often poor.
There have been a number of serious
accidents involving Kenyan long-distance bus services. Vehicles are often poorly
maintained, and driven at excessive speed even on poorly maintained roads. Check
with any bus operator on the standards they observe before using this form of
transport. Another common form of public transport is the matatu, usually a
minibus plying a specific route. Though very cheap to use, matatus are notorious
for being poorly maintained, badly driven and in some instances do not have
proper insurance cover. There are frequent reports of matatus being hijacked, or
of passengers being robbed. You are advised to think carefully before using
matatus.
A UK driving licence is sufficient in Kenya. Only hire vehicles
from reputable companies.
Rail Safety
First and second
class sleeping compartments area available on the Nairobi-Mombasa train. Doors
can only be locked from the inside. If you are leaving your compartment, it is
advisable to take your valuables with you.
Air Safety
If
you plan to charter a private aircraft, you are advised to check with the
company's Safety Pilot about the condition of the aircraft and runways to be
used. If the company has no Safety Pilot, seek another that does.
In
October 2004, a series of explosions caused serious damage to buildings at
Wilson Airport in Nairobi, heavily used for domestic flights, including
charters. We would urge travellers to remain vigilant at all times.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
The use and trafficking of illegal Class A drugs in Kenya carries heavy
fines and jail sentences. The penalty for possession is ten years
imprisonment.
Visitors must obtain a valid work permit before taking up
any paid or volunteer work in Kenya; the penalties for not doing so can be a
fine, jail or deportation depending on the nature of the offence.
The
taking of photographs of official buildings, including Embassies, is not
recommended and can lead to detention. If in any doubt about what a
building is used for, do not photograph it or film around it.
Although
there are no strict dress codes, you should note that the coastal areas are
predominantly Muslim in tradition. You should dress conservatively away from the
tourist resorts and hotels, especially in Mombasa town, to avoid offending local
sensitivities.
Permission to carry any kind of firearm must be obtained
from the local authorities prior to entry
It is illegal to destroy Kenyan
currency whatever denomination.
Homosexual activity is illegal in
Kenya.
Health
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical
insurance before travelling. Medical facilities, including ambulance services,
outside major cities are very limited, and your insurance should cover you for
the possibility of medical repatriation. You should check also any exclusions,
and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to
undertake.
Malaria is endemic outside of Nairobi and in areas below
1,800 metres above sea level. Before travelling you should take medical advice
on suitable anti-malarial prophylaxis, and during your stay in Kenya ensure that
you take adequate precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.
HIV or AIDS is also widespread and transmission may also occur through
sub-standard medical facilities. Water is of variable quality and you are
advised to drink bottled water wherever possible.
Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should be avoided at any time.
Injections required
Immunisations advised
Diptheria/Tetanus,
Poliomyelitis,
Hepatitis A,
Typhoid,
Yellow fever
Immunisations that maybe required
Tuberculosis,
Hepatitis B,
Rabies,
Meningococcal
Malaria Yes
Reciprocal Health Care None
