Coming to Kenya

Kenya has three major international airports; Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) located in the capital city Nairobi, Moi International Airport (MIA) in Mombasa and Eldoret International Airport (EIA) in Eldoret.

The Wilson Airport in Nairobi handles light aircrafts and quite a number of scheduled and chartered domestic flights make use of the aerodromes here.

There are about 250 airstrips located strategically country wide connecting all parts of Kenya to Nairobi.
JKIA is a hub for major airlines such as Kenya Airways, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Emirates, Swiss Air, South African Airlines, Egypt Air, KLM Royal Dutch and Saudi Airlines among others.

APPROXIMATE FLIGHT TIMES.

Nairobi - London 8 hours
Nairobi - New York 18hours
Nairobi - Los Angeles 20hours
Nairobi - Singapore 21hours
Nairobi - Sydney 25hours
Nairobi - Johannesburg 4hours 30minutes

Kenya is well served by major international airlines, which fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) or Moi International Airport (Mombasa). Mombasa is a popular charter destination from most major European cities. We strongly recommend you check with the nearest Kenya Embassy or Tourist Office to ensure you have the most up to date visa information.

Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccinations are required only for visitors arriving from countries where these diseases are endemic. Check with your Embassy and/or local heath office for more details.


VISA REQUIREMENTS

A. PASSPORTS
Valid passports or other travel documents including Seaman's Discharge Book, acceptable to the Government of Kenya are required for all persons wishing to enter Kenya.
•Passports issued by the Governments of Taiwan (Nationalist China) are not recognized as valid travel documents and no official endorsements should be made therein:

B. PERMITS OR PASSES
Subject to the exemptions mentioned below, an immigration pass or permit is required by all persons, other than Kenya citizens wishing to enter Kenya .

C. EXEMPTIONS
All persons who are entitled to privileges and immunities under the Privileges and Immunities Act (Cap. 179) and who are covered under section 4(3) (a) to (g) of the Immigration Act (Cap. 172) Laws of Kenya.

D. VISITORS
A bona fide visitor may be issued with a visitor's pass on arrival at a port of entry into Kenya valid for a period not exceeding three months in the first instance provided that he is in possession of a valid passport or other travel document acceptable to the Government of Kenya, has a valid visa where required, is in possession of sufficient funds for subsistence while in Kenya and a return, or onward ticket to his country of origin, domicile or destination.
Travellers entering Kenya by road from Sudan , Somalia or Ethiopia should be advised to pass through the gazetted entry points and report immediately to an Immigration Officer.

E. PROHIBITED IMMIGRANTS
There are certain categories of persons who are classified as prohibited Immigrants in Kenya and accordingly shall not be issued with visas or permitted to enter Kenya


TYPES OF VISA AND COST

1. Ordinary/Singe Entry Visa
Required by all persons intending to enter Kenya for visits or residency. The current standard visa fee for an ordinary or a Single Journey entry visa is US $ 50.

2. Transit Visa
Required by all person intending to transit trough Kenya for periods not exceeding seven days. The transit visa fee shall be US $20.

3. Diplomatic Visa
Issued gratis to holder of a Diplomatic Passport on official business.

NOTE:Diplomats and governing officials on private visits to Kenya and who are nationals of countries that require referred visas shall have their visa applications referred to the Principal Immigration Officer, Nairobi, for approval.

4. Official/Service Visa
Official, Service, Ordinary/Transit Visas are issued gratis to holders of Official or Service passport on official visits

5. Multiple Journey Visa
All persons who are nationals of countries which require visas for Kenya and who by nature of their business or circumstances require to make frequent visits to Kenya may be issued with Multiple Journey Visa for Kenya within six (6) or twelve (12) months as the case may be. Multiple Journey Visas are referred to the Principal Immigration Office for processing and approval, ad are valid for six (6) or twelve (12) months as the case may be. The standard fee for a multiple journey visa is US $100 for all nationalities.

6. Courtesy Visas
Courtesy, Transit and Ordinary Visas may be issued gratis in accordance with the Provisions of categories 1, 2 and 3 of the Visa Regulations, where the applicant is not entitled to a Diplomatic Visa, but where it is considered by the issuing officer to be desirable on the grounds of international courtesy.

For more information on visa requirements please log on to the Department of immigration website: www.immigration.go.ke


COMMUNICATION
The country has a well established communication system. Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation provides international direct dialing and subscriber trunk dialing, mobile telephones, telex, facsimile, data communication and related services. Substantial investment for the expansion of these facilities is under way.

Telephone Services
Kenya has a fixed line telephone operator Telkom Kenya limited two mobile phone operators, safaricom and Celtel and local loop operators in Nairobi Popote Wireless and Flashcom which cover most of Kenya.
Excellent roaming services are available (kindly refer to your provider).
Customer care numbers for the three operators are:

Telkom -900
Safaricom -100
Celtel – 700
Flashcom – 3000150
Popote – 4760100

Emergency Numbers

Ambulance - 999
Nearest police station - 122
Police Headquarters - 0721 228999, 020 240000, 020 240800
Flying Doctors Service - 020 506521, 020 600090, 020 600602
AAR Emergency Ambulance - 020 2717374, 020 2717375
St John Ambulance Nairobi – 020 210000, Kisumu – 057 2022860, Mombasa – 041 490 625


Internet
Internet connectivity and email services are available at most lodges and hotels. These services can also be accessed in cyber cafes countrywide and in all local post offices. The cost of surfing the net varies from area to area Various Internet Service Providers have very recently started up in Kenya

Radio & TV
Kenya has numerous television and FM radio stations. Television stations all broadcast in English but carry local programmes. There are four daily newspapers, The Nation, The East African Standard, The People and Kenya Times, which carry local and international news.
A wide selection of international newspapers can be found in the three major cities.

TRANSPORTATION

• Railways - 2,778
• Roads - 63,800 of which 8,868km paved
• Ports and harbours - Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa
• Waterways - part of Lake Victoria is within the boundaries of Kenya

There are 21 Airports with paved runways in Kenya.
Kenya has only one state owned train service run by Kenya Railways. The Railways service is the slowest means of travel. There are three classes in the train. First class and second class are self contained sleepers and come with a restaurant offering meals, alcohol and beverages. Prior reservation is required for both classes. The third class is a seater and has a shared washroom per coach. No prior reservation is required. The train travels from Nairobi to Mombasa every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7pm and travels back from Mombasa to Nairobi every Tuesday, Thursday and sunday at 7pm.

In Kenya water transport is restricted to the coast and the lake regions. In the coastal region ferry services are available at the likoni, mtomgwe Ferry to and from the North coast and the south coast. This service is free for commuters but vehicles are charged a fee.

Kenya has an extensive and advanced road network making road the most used mode of transport. Matatus (small vans and minibuses) are the most common public form of transport servicing all major cities and most upcountry routes. The matatus are 14-seater while the minibuses are 25-seater. Kenya has a number of bus services including, Akamba, Busscar, scandinavian and Mash among others which serve upcountry routes. Kenya Bus service, CitiHoppa and Double M, only service the capital Nairobi. Fares are generally low and most matatus and buses have route numbers. For long distance safaris to other major cities and outside Nairobi, there are many bus companies which provide transport. The buses leave early morning, late afternoon and in the evening. For long distance buses you need an advance booking.
You can bring your own car to Kenya and you will receive a three months free passage at the border.

Renting a vehicle is pretty easy in Kenya. It is a good and convenient way of getting around the country at your own pace. There are many car hire services in all major cities and towns, including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

ACCOMMODATION

There are accommodation options to suit every pocket, from 5-star luxury hotels and exclusive boutique hotels, to more budget-friendly hotels. Camping and picnic sites can all be found in and around the country When deciding where to stay, consider factors such as the duration and purpose of your visit and of course, your budget.

Kenya offers visitors a wide range of accommodation options.

From youth hostels to five star luxury suites, from pitching your own tent in the wilderness to relaxing in a private beachside villa, the possibilities are endless.

Your choice of accommodation for your stay in Kenya should be dictated by your personal travel budget, but also by your own interests. For some people, sleeping under canvas in the Kenyan bush, by an open fire and surrounded by the spectacular night noises of wild animals, is a once in a life time experience that has greater value than the most costly hotel or lodge.

For others, the experience of enjoying unparalleled luxury, fine cuisine and world class service while surrounded by the wonders of the wild makes Kenya the ultimate destination.

Whether you're looking to rough it or relax in style, Kenya can cater for every taste, budget and personal interest.

Here are some accommodation facts:

Camping
A camping safari in Kenya is one of the world's great travel adventures. Pitching your tent in the bush gives you the feeling of really living in the wild. The romance of an open campfire under a magnificent sky full of stars is undeniable, and night in the wild is a magical time, when the air rings with the whooping calls of hyenas and the dawn is heralded by the unforgettable sound of a lions roar.

This is truly a great adventure, and most of Kenya's Game Reserves and National Parks have campgrounds and some basic facilities. Clear tent space and long drop latrines are often available. In some campsites, water and rudimentary shelters are also provided.

Many safari operators offer camping safaris through one or more of the Parks and Reserves.Vehicles, guides, tents and equipment, as well as food and a cook are all provided.

If you are travelling independently with your own vehicle and camping equipment, then you should carry adequate supplies of fresh water, food, fuel and emergency supplies. Do not rely on local water supplies or rivers and streams for potable water. Any water taken from a stream should be filtered or boiled for several minutes before drinking.

If you are trekking and planning to wild camp outside of official or designated campsites, seek local advice in advance. The land on which you are planning to camp may be privately owned or be traditional lands under the control of a nearby village or tribe. In some instances, advance permission and/or payment is required. If camping in the vicinity of a village, as you may be asked to do, remember to practice culturally sensitive behaviour.

Camping should always have minimal impact on the environment. All rubbish and waste matter should be buried, burnt, or take away with you. Do not leave food scraps or containers where they may attract and harm animals.

Campers should also take care of wildlife. Do not leave fruit or other food inside tents, it can attract monkeys, baboons, and even in some areas elephants, resulting in destruction of tents and equipment

Tented Camps

For those looking for the Camping experience without the possible discomfort, then a Tented Camp is an ideal option.

Tented Camps provide the visitor with large walk in tents, complete with beds and furniture. The tent often has its own private bathroom with supplied water, showers and flush toilets.

In some cases these camps are established on a mobile basis and fully stocked and equipped by a safari company.

In other permanent tented camps, tents are on large raised wooden platforms with private balconies and excellent views.

Most Tented camps have a central mess tent, or a fully stocked restaurant and bar.

Levels of luxury in tented camps vary from the functional through to five star, with tents offering the standard of accommodation one would expect from a top end international resort.

Tented camps can be found in many of Kenya's National Parks and Reserves, as well as on private game ranches and sanctuaries.

Lodges

Safari lodges in Kenya offer hotel-style comforts and accommodation in the wilderness.

Standards vary from the rustic to the modern, from the simply appointed to the last word in luxury.

Efforts is usually made to design lodges that blend into their environment, with an emphasis on all natural local building materials and use of traditional art and decoration.

Most lodges serve meals and have lounges and bars, often with excellent views or overlooking waterholes or salt licks that attract game. Many have resident naturalists, as well as guides for organized walks or game drives.

Lodges are found throughout Kenya's National Parks and Reserves and other wilderness areas.

Hotels

Kenya has a great variety of hotel accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes.

For backpackers and those looking for cheap lodgings, Nairobi has a YMCA, youth hostel and many budget hotels. Almost every town in the country offers basic budget hotels and lodgings. In many tourist areas, private campsites and small hotels offer budget rates for backpackers.

Nairobi has an excellent range of hotels, including many well appointed hotels of international standards with full facilities for tourists and business travellers.

Other Cities and large towns all have a good range of hotel accommodation.

Small boutique hotels are also becoming increasingly popular, in Nairobi, on the Coast, and in Wilderness areas.

Rental Homes, Apartments and Cottages
Throughout Kenya, it is possible to find excellent rental properties for short or long term lets.

These vary from rustic cottages in the bush to historic Swahili Mansions on the coast, from serviced city apartments to houses fronted by beautiful deserted beaches.

Renting a private property is a good way to gain a new perspective on Kenya and to get away from lodges, camps and hotels and relax on your own.

Most rental properties come fully equipped, and often staff and a cook are provided to help out with meals and cleaning.

Such properties can either be booked privately or through a travel agent or safari operator.

Home stays
Home stays are an ideal way to experience Kenyan life.

In some areas, home stays with Kenyan families can be arranged that allow visitors to spend time in a local home and to discover the way of life in a typical household.

This kind of 'cultural exchange' tourism is popular with visiting student groups, and those with an interest in Kenyan culture.

At the other end of the spectrum, Luxury home stays on Private Game Ranches, Sanctuaries and Farms are also possible. These beautiful homes let the visitor enjoy Kenya in total luxury and privacy, with their own timetables and interests catered for by skilled an knowledgeable local guides.

The real advantage of a Kenyan home stay is the opportunity to spend time with Kenyans and their families, and to share the benefit of their many years of local experience and intimate knowledge of the country, its people and wildlife.

For more information log on to www.magicalkenya.com