KENYA - TOURIST INFORMATION

VACCINATION CERTIFICATES
No shots are required at this time if you are arriving from the United States. It is suggested you contact your own personal physician and local health department for further medical information. Anti-malarial tablets are strongly recommended for travel to all African countries. If arriving in Kenya from Tanzania you must have a valid cholera and yellow fever immunization certificate.

WHAT TO PACK
Mainly casual and lightweight clothing except at Mt. Kenya Safari Club where a jacket and tie are required for dinner. Some of the better restaurants in Nairobi also require coat and tie in the evenings. We recommend a jacket or sweater year round as it can be quite cool in the mountains and higher elevations.

CURRENCY
The local currency is Kenya Shillings (100 cents=1 Kenya Shilling). There is no restriction on the amount of money a visitor can bring into the country but there are very strict regulations on the exportation of Kenya currency. You may NOT take local money out of Kenya. On arrival in Kenya you will be asked to declare all currencies which you are bringing into the Country. It is very important that you obtain receipts and have your currency form (given to you on arrival) officially stamped each time you convert money into the local Shillings.

BANKING HOURS
Banks are open 9:00AM - 1:00PM, Monday through Friday, and 9:00AM - 11:00AM Saturday. Travelers checks can be changed in hotels as well as banks.

SHOPPING HOURS
In the cities and towns, shops are open between 8.30 am -12.3Opm and 2.00pm - 500pm Mondays to Saturdays.

GOOD BUYS
Batiks, beadwork, baskets, Kanga and Kikoi cloth, gemstones (tsdvorite and tanzanite). You should be careful examining the authenticity of what you buy. Animal skins, ivory, and elephant hair jewelry may not be legally sold in Kenya nor imported to the United States.
For authentic and quality crafts and artifacts, try the Studio 68 on Standard Street or the African Heritage Shop on Kenyatta Avenue.
The City Market, located just off Kenyafta Avenue, makes an interesting shopping excursion.
In addition to a great variety of local crafts, baskets, rugs, carvings etc., the market also sells produce, meat, poultry, flowers, colorful cloth, and household goods. And of course, bargaining is the expected form here.

LANGUAGE
Swahili is the official language, however English is widely spoken and wriften.

VOLTAGE
220 Volts, 50 cycles AC

WATER
Water is safe to drink in Nairobi and tourist facilities.

TIPPING
While on Safari: As a general rule, unless the tour is escorted by a courier, tips to the driver/guide are not included. Money is pooled on a tour and then given to the driver. Average tips range from $2.50 to $5.00 per person per day.
In the City: In restaurants a service charge of 10% is often included in the check, in which case you are not expected to tip. but may leave a liftle extra if you wish. If not included, a 10-15% tip is fine. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. expect a 10% tip. For porters, 5 Kenya Shilling per piece of luggage and 5 Kenya Shillings for hotel porters escorting you to your room. Tribes people in native costume will expect to be paid if you photograph them.

CREDIT CARDS
Most hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards.

EXIT REGULATIONS
Please note there is a departure tax from the international airport in Nairobi payable in US Dollars. The current rate is $20.00 per person and exact change is strongly recommended. On domestic flights within Kenya, there is a 50 Kenya Shilling per person tax.