Day Trip Excursions
Camping Safaris
Lodge Safaris
Flying Safaris
Climbing Safaris
Beach Extensions

Camping Safaris
Lodge Safaris
Climbing Safaris
Zanzibar Safaris

Gorilla Safaris
Murchison Falls
Queen Elizabeth

General Information

TIME

Kenya has only one time zone. Local time is three hours ahead of GMT.

Nairobi = 12 noon Dubai = 1300

GMT = 0900 Vancouver = 0200

London = 1000 Johannesburg = 1100

Lisbon = 0900 Bombay = 0230

Entebbe = 1200

Customs Export

Your are permitted to leave the country with a reasonable amount of tobacco

and alcoholic products. Export of gold and diamonds is prohibited, as is the export of game

trophies and skins, unless acquired from personnel of the Government of Kenya .

Currency

Kenya currency is based on the decimal system, the unit of currency being the shilling,

which is divided into 100 cents. You are allowed to leave the country with a limited

amount of Kenyan shillings. It is recommended that foreign currency is exchanged at

recognized foreign exchange bureaus and banks.

Clothing and Accessories

Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 27 degrees centigrade (80 degrees Fahrenheit) with

low humidity, and the nights are cool. Coast temperatures are slightly and more humid.

June and July is the rainy season in Kenya .

Clothing should be generally informal. Lightweight cotton slacks, shirts, skirts or

cullotes are recommended. A light jacket/sweater is useful. A hat or scarf for protection

against the sun and the dust is advisable, as are sunglasses.

Electricity

Voltage in Kenya is 220-240 AC. An adapter is necessary for appliances

which operate on 110 - 120 AC.

Security

Do not carry large sums of money around. Keep close watch on handbags, luggage,

wallets, especially in crowded areas. Lock valuables in hotel/lodge safety deposit boxes

and never leave valuables on show in an unattended car or tour bus. Avoid walking at

night, especially alone. Avoid dark streets.

Photography

Film is available at most lodges, even in remote areas, but stocks are usually small,

expensive and only common sizes are available. Spare batteries are also recommended

as these are also only in regular sizes. Binoculars are invaluable on safari. It is not

recommended to take pictures of people without first obtaining their permission.

Banks

All major towns in Kenya have banks with a Bureau de Exchange. Banking hours are

between 0900 and 1500 hrs, and 0900 and 1100 hrs on the first and last Saturday of the

month. Banks at Jomo Kenyatta Airport are open 24 hours. Forex Bureaus are open

from 0830 hrs to 1730 hrs, and usually do not charge commissions.

Tipping

Most hotels, game lodges and tented camps include a service charge in their tariff as do

most restaurants, and in such cased tipping is not necessary unless exceptional service

inspires you to express extra appreciation. This usually 10 %. Tours drivers expect

US $5 - 10 per person per day.

Public Holidays

January 1 st (News Years Day), Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1 st ( Labour Day),

June !st ( Madaraka Day), October 10 th ( Moi Day), October 20 th ( Kenyatta Day),

December 12 th (Jamhuri Day), December 25 th (Chiistmas Day ), December 26 th (Boxing

Day), and also Idd-Ul-Fitr which depends on the sighting of the moon. Whenever a

Designated date falls on a Sunday, then the next day is normally declared a public

Holiday .

Language

English is widely spoken

The "Lingua Franca" of the country is Swahili

Charity

It is recommended that instead of giving money to street urchins, you donate it to

Charitable organizations since giving money to them only aggravates the situation. It is

Also recommended that you avoid street salesmen and beach hawkers since some of them

May be unreliable.

Water

We advise you to carry bottles of mineral water with you as it is very expensive to buy the same from the lodges and hotels.

  Should you have any queries while on safari, our drivers are well versed in the traditions and local habits and can be asked for advice.

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