Kenya History, Travel Requirements and Safety

Kenya is Located in Eastern Africa, a beautiful and wonderfully diverse country. Famous for her breathtaking mountain ranges, tropical rainforests, the Great Rift Valley with its soda and fresh water lakes, mighty rivers, endless savannah grasslands filled with game and a stunning Indian Ocean coastline, Kenya is a popular choice for tourists basically due to its Wildlife and white Sandy Beaches not forgeting its Sporting legends ranging from Marathoners to Athletic Chapions and rugby.

There is much for you to see and do: You have the opportunity to view magnificent wildlife (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, leopard ( Big Five Safari) and many many more, diverse cultures unchanged by the modern world like Masai , Samburu,Turkana, pristine beaches and coral reef, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped Mount Kenya, exotic historical sites and fascinating modern culture. You will also find endless prospects for adventure, discovery, and relaxation.

The wildlife is the prime attraction of Kenya safaris, and can be sighted in some of Africa’s best-known national parks, including the Masai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru. Other exciting activities for you to choose from include balloon safaris, scuba diving and snorkelling, mountain climbing, hiking, and camping.

Best Seasons to Visit Kenya
Kenya is a year-round destination with excellent game viewing throughout the twelve months. However, if you are coming primarily for the wildebeest migration Safari you will need to plan carefully as the migration varies from year to year but can usually be seen in Kenya’s Maasai Mara from July to October.

The peak tourist seasons correspond with international vacation times, i.e. December-January and July-August.
If you are looking for a beach holiday, October-January is the best time. It may be important for you to note that the rainy seasons are around April-May and October-early December.

Accommodation
You will have the choice of different types of accommodation in Kenya – everything from mobile safari tented camps and fine old lodges in the bush, to modern hotels designed to blend in with their natural surroundings.

Visas and travel documentation
All visitors to Kenya are required to have valid passports and visas. It is advisable for you to check visa requirements at the Kenya tourist offices, Kenyan Embassies or High Commissions in your country before coming. You can also visit Kenya Visa Application.

Geography of Kenya
Kenya occupies a total area of 582,650 square kilometres on the Eastern Africa and straddles the Equator. Of this area, the lakes occupy a total area of 16,600 square kilometres.

Currency
The unit of exchange is the Kenya Shilling (KShs). Coins are found in denominations of 50 cents and of KShs 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 while notes are in denominations of KShs 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. There are no restrictions on the movement of currency into or out of Kenya for day to day transactions.

Banking services
You will find several local and international banks in major towns. Most operate from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. However, a few banks open earlier and close later. The banks are also open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You have easy access to Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for cash withdrawals.

Foreign Exchange
There are several foreign exchange bureaus in major towns where you can buy or sell the major international currencies.

Kenyan climate and weather conditions
Kenya is right on the equator and enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the Coast (daytime temperatures of 27-31°C), temperate inland and very hot and dry in the north and north-eastern parts of the country. Daytime temperatures in Nairobi range between 21-26°C
Summer is from December to March with the hottest months being February and March. The coldest months are July and August.
The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October to December. Rain is sometimes very heavy and tends to fall in the afternoon and evenings.

Kenyan culture, religion and society
Kenya is made up of 42 different tribes, each with a different mother tongue, distinctive customs and way of life. People from many other countries have also chosen to live and work in Kenya. Christianity is the dominant religion, and there are large Muslim and Hindu communities.
It is advisable not walk in towns or public areas in your swim-wear, as this is offensive to majority of the community. Nude bathing is not allowed. You are advised to respect the local people, their culture and traditions.

Languages spoken in Kenya
English is the official language while Kiswahili is widely spoken, as it is the national language. For this reason, most Kenyans speak 2-3 languages, including their mother tongue.

Safety Rules within Cities:
The central areas of the larger cities (e.g. Nairobi, Mombasa) have a criminal element that preys on unwary tourists! Do not walk alone in apparently deserted places especially at night; wherever possible walk with a group. Be on the look out for pickpockets and bag snatchers. Do not carry more cash than required. Do not wear jewellery. Wear a money belt that fits under your clothes. Don't carry a lot of camera equipment especially in the major cities. Keep a photocopy of the first few pages of your passport, visas and air tickets, separately from the original documents. Beware of thieves posing as police officers.

Safety on Roads:
When driving in Africa there are a few simple rules, drive carefully and slowly (speed kills), remember animals and humans can cross the road at any time (quite often just in front of you), try never to drive at night, stay alert as roads are often poorly maintained and pot holes are to be found. Another fairly common occurrence are vehicles with missing headlights. Always wear you seat belts. If you are renting a car, keep the doors and windows locked while driving in the major cities. Car-jacking occurs fairly regularly but may not end in violence as long as you comply with demands made.

Safety on Safari:
-Always listen to your guide!
-When visiting wildlife areas do not walk into the bush without your guide!
-Do not approach any wild animals too closely: It is dangerous!
-Do not swim in any rivers (presence of crocodiles and hippo's)!
-Never feed any animals, however inquisitive they may appear to be!