Kenya

Kenya (the Republic of Kenya) is in East Africa.  Clockwise: Kenya is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, Tanzania to the south, Lake Victoria to the southwest, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the northwest. The Equator runs through the central part of Kenya and Mount Kenya.

The official languages of Kenya are Swahili and English. Currency is the Kenyan Shilling. They drive on the left. The capital city is Nairobi.  Mt.Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa (after Mt.Kilimanjaro in Tanzania).

As well as its wildlife parks, Kenya also has a beautiful coastal area, savannah grasslands, mountains, forests, lakes, plains and deserts.

Kenya is a hugely popular destination for visitors seeking a wildlife safari and encounter with big game animals.  Kenya has many wildlife reserves with countless animal species such as lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes and rhinoceros.  A visit to the Masai Mara is bound to be a big thrill for first time visitors who have watched safari programmes on television and longed to be there.

Nairobi , the country’s capital city, is a major hub for tourism and commerce, producing coffee and tea, among other products.  Most visitors to Kenya arrive via the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport  in Nairobi and are heading off on safari. There is a game-reserve park which borders the city (Nairobi National Park) featuring many big game animals as well as hundreds of species of birds. Nairobi has some interesting museums, including the Karen Blixen Museum (the author of ‘Out of Africa’), as well as a huge ice rink and many shopping malls.

Mombassa is a port city and the second largest city in Kenya, lying next to the Indian Ocean.  It has an international airport (Moi International) and serves the tourism industry for those wishing to soak up the sun, warmth and beauty of a beach holiday along Kenya’s gorgeous north and south coasts. Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline is beautiful, with sandy beaches, unspoilt islands and clear waters.  Combining a safari with a relaxing beach holiday in Kenya may just be the ultimate and unforgettable tropical escape! 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Useful travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for travel to Kenya. Click Here

Before your trip to Kenya we recommend a visit to the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for the latest travel advice as part of their ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign.  In particular, check for FCO advisories against travel to any particular areas of Kenya (as travelling to those areas may invalidate any related claims on your travel insurance). The FCO advice is very important and includes advice on many topics, including:

-Visas and passports (update: children holding British passports must now have a visa) 
-Necessity for at least two blank pages in passport
-Passports should have minimum 6 months validity
-Airport departure tax
-Safety issues
-Driving in Kenya
-Playing golf in Kenya
-Game Reserves and safety issues (use reputable tour operators)
-Swimming in National Parks forbidden (diseases/unfriendly critters)
-Using trains and public transportation
-Wilson Airport, Nairobi/security concerns
-Local laws and customs, dress code
-Sea travel and yacht racing
-Ramadan
-Smoking prohibited in public places (except as designated)
-Work permits necessary for paid and voluntary work
-Homosexual activity not legal in Kenya
-Register with the British High Commission
-Access to money and changing money (especially N. Irish and Scottish bank notes)
-Important emergency contact and advice numbers

It is extremely important to check with your doctor well before your intended travel and to arrange for the necessary vaccinations or check that your vaccinations are up to date.  Cholera and Malaria are present in Kenya.  Precautions should be taken to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and other insects. Take care with eating and drinking, use only bottled or boiled water and avoid ice in drinks.

Take out comprehensive travel insurance for your trip – and check that cover includes ambulance services and medical repatriation.  Always check the exclusions in your policy and that all your planned activities are covered. If unsure don’t leave it to chance, always call and ask!

Links
http://www.magicalkenya.com/

The official Kenya Tourist Guide
http://www.seekenya.com/
A huge on-line guide to Kenya

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure this information is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy.
* Inclusion on this guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in this country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries for which the FCO advise against travel to.
** The FCO advised against travel to countries marked thus at the time of writing. Travel Insurance is not available in areas where the FCO advise against travel to.