Things you need to know before traveling to Kenya:
What you need to carry:
Before you leave home: You will need:
- Passport
- Visa
- Money
- Clothes
- Vaccinations.
- You may need wide beamed hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, flash light, medical kit for emergency situations. Don't worry much though, you can get the basic stuff at a local supermarket.
Electricity:
220/240v if using an electric appliance like a hair dryer, shaver, i-pod or cell-phone use an appliance adapter and a 3 point square available at Walmart, Radio shack and airports, and local supermarkets.
Kenya the country:
A Beautiful country! Independent and sovereign
Kenya is a former British colony. (1920-1963). It has a lot of British influence
Location: Eastern part of Africa, off the coast of Indian Ocean.
Neighboring countries: North- Sudan, South- Tanzania, North East- Somalia , East, Indian Ocean, West Uganda and Lake Victoria.
Size: 586,600km sq.
Population: 30 million
Languages: English and Kiswahili are the official languages.
Religion:Christianity with various denominations. Baptist, Anglican, Protestant, Catholic.
Islam.You will find Churches, Mosques and other religious centers.
Cities:
The major cities are Nairobi, the capital city, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Naivasha
Local airports :Wilson Airport, Eldoret airport and Kisumu Airport
Arrival: International Airports:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport- Nairobi and Moi International Airport- Mombasa
Local airlines provide air services within the country. 45 minute flight from Nairobi to Mombasa or Kisumu
Other transport: taxi/cab, matatu, bus, car/van rentals.
Climate and weather:
Temperate weather mostly comfortable
No winters or summers, just like spring or fall
Rainy season April/May and October/November
Coastal region: warm and humid
Highlands: cool and humid
North/ North East: hot and dry
Dress:
Male: Formal occasions: Shirt, tie, dress suit, belt, shoes and socks. For casual occasions full pants or jeans, casual shirt, casual jacket, sweater, sweatshirt.
Female: Formal occasions: skirt suit or pant suit with blouse, dress with jacket and shoes. Casual occasions: blouse, tee, skirt, dress, pants, jeans, sweater, sweatshirt, jacket.
Church attendance, eating out or going out is considered a formal occasion. People generally dress up. Older people typically dress formal. Younger people however dress casual.
At the coast you find towns like Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu. These areas and the south coast the weather is warmer. Remember that while on the beach and at the hotels/resorts, it is okay to wear shorts, tees, slippers (flip flops) swim suits and tie ups. Cover up if leaving the hotel.
Money
Currency: Kenya Shilling. The exchange rate varies. Check out the yahoo-finance for exchange rate information. Range between $1= Ksh 67-80 (depending on the economy)
Forex Bureaus are available for currency exchange. It is advised that you carry little cash ( small denominations) and the rest of your money in travelers cheques. Forex Bureaus can be found at hotels, shopping areas. Banks also have foreign currency counters.
Public display of money is not advised. Wallets, handbags and valuables should not be in sight.
Accommodation
Depends on your budget and your personal interests
Hotels/Resorts/Safari Lodges Different star ratings and in various locations, full or half board
(breakfast, lunch or dinner included). Hotel rates vary with each hotel or resort.
Camping - private camps offer fully furnished tents and related amenities available
Look out for beautiful traditional art and decor.
Amenities: Rooms with shower, bath tub, toilet, restaurants and pubs, swimming pools, spas, gyms, shuttle service to and from tour sites.
Eating out: Most hotels have restaurants. To experience local tastes, go to the privately owned mom and pops restaurants. Food is served buffet style or a la carte.
Cuisine: Local Kenyan and English
Other: Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian, Italian, German.
Food you will find:
Chips (fries) and sausage or humburger, fruit salad (delicate mix of local fresh fruit), Rice and beef stew, fried fish or fried chicken, mukimo (mashed corn, peas or kale and potatoes), mashed potatoes, soups ( tomatoe, pumpkin, carrot).
Food you must try:- chapati (tortilla like)
- samosa (spicy ground beef bound in pastry)
- meat pie (beef in pastry)
- kidney pie ( kidney in pastry)
- mandazi ( a bit like a donut)
- mutura (local sausage)
- ugali (white corn bread)
- porridge (brown or white malt o meal)
Drinks you must try
fresh orange, passion and pineapple juices
Where to go for a local experience:
- visit a school (the children will sing and dance for you)
- visit a game park (see the animals in the wild),
- beach ( enjoy the ocean and white sand)
- visit local tea and coffee farms (and buy some coffee and tea)
- go to local market ( buy fresh fruits and vegetables)
- maasai Market (buy some gifts for your family)
- attend a wedding
- stay with a family for a night or two
Movies
Major movie theaters show the latest movies and can be found downtown Nairobi at Kenya cinema, Nairobi cinema 20th Century, Sarit Center, Westlands, Village Market, Gigiri, Nairobi cinema,
Shopping and Entertainment
City shops
Nairobi offers great mall experiences at: Village Market- Gigiri has an outdoor food court
Sarit Center-Westlands has an in door food court, The Mall- Westlands
Supermarkets
Nakumatt and Uchumi- carry typical supermarket products
Kiosks can be found in most neighbourhoods (Estates). They sell basic items and in smaller proportions.
Souvenior shopping
Maasai market is very popular. Locally made items known as Curios,(wood and statue carvings), batiks, belts, key rings, art work, sandals and clothing are sold at good prices.
Radio
24 hour radio
Radio shows you might hear: Capital FM,
TV
local channels, cable
News broadcasts in English and Kiswahili
TV shows you might see: 24, Desparate Housewives, Prison Break, Days of our lives, Oprah
Newspapers
Local: Daily Nation, East African Standard, Kenya Leo, Taifa Leo
International newspapers can be found at a local newpaper stall
Local magazines as well as magazines from Europe and America can be found at local magazine stands
Internet
Internet cafes can be found all over the city. It costs about 1 kshs / minute
Hotels offer business centers with internet access.
Telephones
Cell-phones are cheap and can be bought in any supermarket and cell-phone company outlet:
Phone credit can be purchased for as little as Ksh250 (under $4.00)
Calling Kenya: 011254 + your local number cell phone ( 0722-xyz-abc) 011-254-722-xyz-abc
Calling from Kenya remember to put in your international country code
Post Office
You can mail letters, postcards and parcels at any Post Office to any country in the world.
The night scene
Clubs are popular, restaurants open late. Always make sure you have a taxi to get you to your hotel.
Words you might want to know
English words with different meaning
Soda - pop/soda
Boot- trunk
Bonnet-hood
House- apartment, townhouse, bungalow
Chips- Fries
Biscuit- cookie
Petrol- Gas
Petrol station- Gas station
Brolley- Umbrella
Kiswahili words commonly used
Sasa! Hi
Ndiyo! Yes
Hapana! No
Sina pesa! I don’t have money
Jina Langu ni Bob . My Name is Bob
Unaitwa nani? What is your name
Busi- Bus Gari- Car
Numbari - number
Chakula- food
Maji-water
Business:
Employers. Government, Banks, City Council, Insurance companies, Accounting firms, Private law firms, Medical Institutions, Research, Mortgage companies, Universities, Restaurants, Schools, Hospitals, NGO (non for profit),Churches, News, Radio and TV companies etc
Industries: Farming, Tourism, Finance, Education, Medical, Transport, Sport, Retail, Manufacturing, Housing development, Food and Entertainment, Media and Communication
Embassies: Most countries have an embassy or consulate in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya
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