PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day 1 January
Good Friday (varies)
Easter Monday (varies)
Labour Day 1 May
Madaraka Day 1 June
Moi Day 10 October
Kenyatta Day 20 October
Independence Day 12 December
Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day 26 December
Republic of Kenya (formerly British East Africa)
CAPITAL
Nairobi
INDEPENDENCE
12 December 1963
TIME
GMT +3 hours
POPULATION
28,808,658 (estimated July 1999)
AREA
582,650 km2 (569,25 km2 land; 13,400 km2 water)
CURRENCY
Kenyan Shilling (KSh)
PRESIDENT
Mwai Kibaki
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE OF KENYA
The national language is Swahili (Kiswahili) although English is spoken throughout. Kenyans involved in the tourist trade speak English; however it is good to have a working knowledge of Swahili. In total there are 42 ethnic languages in Kenya.
USEFUL KISWAHILI PHRASES
Welcome = Karibu
Goodbye = Kwaheri
Thank you = Asante
You're welcome = Karibu
Yes = Ndiyo
No = Hapana
How are you? = Habari?
I'm fine, thanks? = Nzuri
Is this the way to . . .? – Hii njia ya . . .?
CULTURE
There are more than 70 tribal groups among the Africans in Kenya. Differences between many of them are blurred – western cultural values are becoming more deep-seated and traditional values are disintegrating. There are many other tribes in Kenya; these include Kikuyu, Luhia, Luo and Kikamba as well as a plethora of minor tribal tongues
WEATHER
Because the weather in Africa is often upredictable – the rains can sometimes be heavy one season, sometimes they can fail altogether – this information is a rough guideline only
SEASONS AND CLIMATE
Summer from December to March and winter from July to September, with long rains from March to May and short rains between November and December. Kenya is divided by the equator and enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and north-eastern parts of the country. The hottest time is in February and March and the coldest in July and August.
THE AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURES IN THE MAIN AREAS ARE
Mombasa (along the coastal strip) Max 30ºC, Min 22ºC
Nairobi: Max 25ºC, Min 13ºC
North Plainlands: Max 34ºC, Min 23ºC
The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October to December. Rainfall is sometimes heavy and tends to fall in the afternoon and evenings.
WHEN TO EXPLORE
Kenya is a year-round destination with excellent game viewing throughout the year. Visitors coming solely for the migration will need to plan carefully as the migration varies from year to year. People wanting less crowds will want to visit in the rainy season.
When to travel to Kenya
The traditional answer for when to go to Kenya is from January to March as this is when the weather is hot and dry and most comfortable for travelling. This is the best time to visit Kenya for bird viewing on the Rift Valley lakes. Game viewing at perennial water holes is also good at this time.
April to June and October to December are less popular times for experiencing a Kenya safari as these are the rainy seasons and flooding often occurs. However, it is usually possible to get around easily during these times and the rains do not hinder visibility and is the best time to go to Kenya if you want less of a crowd.
Best time to visit Kenya for the Migration
One of Kenya's greatest attractions is the annual wildebeest migration between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This takes place between June and September, but can vary from year to year and is a must see for visitors on a Kenya safari.
WATER
While water in major towns is chlorinated and relatively safe to drink, there are frequent breakdowns and this can lead to mild to serious abdominal upsets for first time African travellers. Rather stick to sealed bottled water, which is available from most hotels and lodges, and which is highly advised for the first few weeks of your stay. Do not use ice cubes or eat rare meat, raw seafood or dairy products. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors and only eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling (KSH), which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are in KSHS 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are KSHS 40, 20, 10, 5, 1, and cents 50, 10, 5 cents.
BASIC COSTS
The exchange rate is in your favour. Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world. The price of a beer starts at KSHS 40. A traditional meal will cost about KSh150, while you can expect to pay about KSHS 500-1000 for a more classy meal. Petrol costs about KSHS 70 per litre. A roll of 36-exposure print film will cost about KSHS 300.
BANKS
Banking hours: Monday to Friday from 0900 hours to 1500 hours
First Saturday of each month from 0900 hours to 1100 hours. National and international banks have branches in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Thika, Eldoret, Kericho and Nyeri and in most other major towns. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier. Banks and bureaux de change at international airports are open 24 hours a day
CREDIT CARDS
All major credit cards widely accepted are MasterCard, Euro card, Visa and American Express
TIPPING
This is not required but, unlike in some other African countries, is not forbidden either. Most hotels include a 10% service charge on the bill. If the service charge has not been included a USD KSH 10.00 tip is usual, although the amount is entirely at the visitor's discretion. Bear in mind that salaries in East Africa tend to be very low, and that people working in service industries rely on tips to supplement their wages. On safari you should tip your driver, cook and guide. These people do not earn very much so you should tip as much as you feel you can, about UDS 10.00 per employee per day is about right, but of course this depends on you and how happy you were with your service.
SOUVENIRS
As in most African countries, there is a huge range of cheap souvenirs to be purchased along the roadside. These are handmade, but mass produced so always check the quality before buying. Materials include ebony, soapstone and ivory. Note that it is illegal to export products that contain any elements of elephant, rhino or sea turtle. Tribal souvenirs are available, including Maasai beaded jewellery, chondos (woven sisal baskets) and natural or decorated calabashes (dried gourds). Bright sarongs (kangas or kikois) make good wearable souvenirs. If you are after quality artwork, it is probably wisest to look in galleries and shops that deal in it, rather than buying on the black market.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage in Kenya is 220 to 240AC. An adaptor will be necessary which operate on 110 to 12-AC
PHOTOGRAPHY Films are available at most game lodges in the country including the remote areas but stocks are usually small and of the common sizes brands. You are advised therefore to purchase enough films from your nearby centre before you start the tour. Cities of Nairobi and Mombasa have supplies of the normal types of films. Visitors are kindly advised that it is an offence to photograph Kenya's head of state, military installations, policemen in uniforms extra as a general rule elsewhere, visitors are strongly advised to seek permission before taking anyone's photograph.
