The official languages of Kenya are Swahili and English.

The currency used throughout the country is the Kenyan shilling. Mastercard and Visa are accepted in most major tourist destinations. ATMs are common in the cities for dispensing local currency but are not available in the wildlife parks.

Tourists to Kenya require valid passports, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Kenya. A tourist visa is required for Nigeria passport holders and this must be obtained prior to your arrival in Kenya. Visitors are advised to register well in advance as there may be a 10 day processing period.

The best time to visit Kenya can vary by region. However, if travelling to view wildlife, the best months are between July to September. This is also the dry season in the country. However, wildlife viewing can be good year-round depending on which national parks you visit. The other dry season runs from late December to mid-March. Wildlife is easier to spot at these times because the bush is less dense and animals gather around waterholes and rivers.

Mombasa, a historic coastal town in Kenya known for its beautiful beaches and white-blue colonial architecture, is the oldest city in Kenya and a great place for a beach vacation with a perfect mix of activities you can choose to do from beach days to history to safaris.

Kenya is a wonderful destination for families who are on the adventurous side. It welcomes all travelers and has a special affection for family travel with children. Multi-generational family travelers are very welcome in Kenya.

The main avenues of transportation within the country include matatus, tuk-tuks, buses, and taxis for shorter distance trips. If looking to travel further distances across the country, there is a railway system as well as local flights. Most visitors opt for private or shared transfers, including in Nairobi, since the public transit system can be unpredictable.

KENYA enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country.

The average annual temperature for the coastal town of Mombasa is 70F minimum and 86F maximum.

The capital city, Nairobi is 55F minimum and 78F maximum.
There is plenty of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. However, it is usually cool at night and early in the morning.

The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October to December.

Coolest months? June through September.

Warmest months? December through March

RULE OF THUMB – DON’T PACK TOO MUCH

The other most frequently asked question. As a general guideline, comfortable casual wash and wear clothes are recommended. The less you take the better as most lodges and hotels do offer laundry service if you are staying at least two days. Muted colors such as stone, khaki, beige or brown are recommended when you are on safari. Game drives in the early morning and evenings can BE VERY COLD especially in winter so you must pack accordingly. “BUT WE ARE GOING TO AFRICA- WHY WOULD IT BE COLD?” Trust us, we know! The key is to dress in layers in the early morning and strip down layer by layer as it gets warmer as the sun rises. Vice versa for evening game drives.

Clothing
Light weight shirts/blouses with long sleeves as protection from the sun and mosquitos T-shirts Shorts Jeans or safari trousers A light weight water-proof jacket Comfortable walking shoes/sneakers Comfortable walking sandals or flip flops for warmer days A wide brimmed hat with under-chin tie to prevent it from flying away Swimsuit A WARM WINDPROOF jacket (winter) A fleece jacket that will go under the warm jacket (winter) A warm polo neck shirt (winter) A beanie (winter) Gloves (winter) A warm scarf (winter)

Equipment & Other
Sunglasses Spare prescription eye glasses/contact lenses Binoculars Cameras and related paraphernalia like lenses etc and plenty of memory cards and spare batteries Chargers for cell phones, iPads, cameras, computers and you may want to invest in a mini travel charger surge protector with dual USB ports and five charging outlets. A small powerful flashlight and extra batteries Sunscreen with high SPF factor Small purse size umbrella can come in handy A supply of Ziploc bags in different sizes may come in handy for dust or water proofing cameras , wet bathing suits etc. Chargers for cell phones, iPads, cameras, computers and you may want to invest in a mini travel charger surge protector with dual USB ports and five charging outlets.

Personal First Aid Kit
Band aids Antiseptic cream Pain tablets Heartburn relief Eye drops Insect repellant Itch spray for bug bites Sunscreen Hand sanitizer Purse size kleenex packets “make you go ” pills “make you not go” pills as well as any prescription medications that you reply on on a daily basis.

We always follow Foreign Office advice and currently don’t advise travel in the far north but the main game reserves and southern beaches are hundreds of kilometers south of Kenya's northern border. As with travel in most countries, don’t leave your valuables unattended or on show. On safari always listen carefully to your guide and follow instructions. Whilst you are on holiday we’ll look after all the transfers to and from your hotel or lodge and our expert team on the ground are fabulous hosts who know the country well, so you’ll feel well looked after.

Nairobi (pronounced /naɪˈrəʊbɪ/) is the capital and largest city in Kenya, and popularly known as the 'Green City in the Sun'. Nairobi is also the capital of the Nairobi Province and of the Nairobi District.

Nairobi is located on the Nairobi River in the south of Kenya and is the most populous city in East Africa, with an estimated population of 4 million. Nairobi is also the fourth largest city in Africa

In Kenya you will be able to buy prepaid (pay-as-you-go) SIM cards that are cheap and easy to use. Top-up or refill vouchers are widely available in all hotels, newsagents, supermarkets and shops.

Most of the lodges, resorts and hotels will have internet access.

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 09:00am to 14:00pm (16:30 in bigger cities). Banks at the airport stay open until midnight.

There is a full variety of shopping from fine art and jewelry to wonderful handicrafts such as
textiles, stone and wood carvings, batiks and basketry to name a few. There are books on the people, landscapes and wildlife of Kenya as well as field guides to assist identification of species and enhance your knowledge on safari.