KENYA: A FACT FILE

Kenya is named after Mount Kenya, the mountain of whiteness. Kenya is part of East Africa, divided by the equator and is on the Indian Ocean.It covers an area of 582 646 squared kilometers,13 600 of which is inland water. Kenya is borderd by Ethiopia and Sudan to the north, Somali to the north east, Uganda and Tanzania to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east.has a population of about 30 million people. It comprises of around 42 ethnic groups and having Nairobi as it’s capital city.
Kenyan people- Nowhere in Africa can you observe and meet so many ancient cultures all alive and well and in no hurry to change.
The discovery of hominid fossils nearly four million years old shows that East Africa is indeed the cradle of mankind birth place of the most ancient people on earth.
From the nomadic Samburu pastoralists to the postcard community- the Maasai (morans striding through the Mara wearing a red shuka over a shoulder carrying a stick and a spear Kenya is indeed a pot of dynamic and various cultures.

History

Kenya a former British colony has a history which goes back a long time during the Arab and Portuguese period. It gained her independence in 1963 and has gradually grown to it’s current population and level of development. Overtime shifting from a One single state party to a Multi-party country.

Climate

It has two rainy seasons the long rainy season runs in the months of April and May and the short rains in September to November.
Days are warm with cool early mornings and evenings in most of the country.
Tropical and often humid at the coast.

Security

In keeping with the acceptable practice elsewhere in the world visitors are advised not to leave cash and valuables in the hotel rooms but to make use of the hotel’s safe deposit boxes or safes. Visitors should not carry large sums of in cash on their persons while walking on the streets. They should be careful with their bags, necklaces and jewellery, which should be kept at the hotel safe. As is in all major cities walking at night alone should be avoided.

Health

As a precaution anti-malarial proplylatics should be taken before, during and after a visit to Kenya. Good hospitals and medical care facilities are available. Precautions against over-exposure to the sun are advised.
Tap water should be considered unreliable for drinking and visitors are advised to buy bottled mineral water.

Photography

Please avoid photographing the local people you meet without their consent. Also avoid taking photos of military officers in uniform and Government officers.

Local Time – GMT plus three hours. (GMT + 3)

Visas - On entry, every visitor is required to pay USD 50 for their visas.

Banking hours : 09.00 - 16.00 Mon - Fri

Currency : Kenya Shillings

Major Credit cards : MasterCard, visa, American express

SAFARI TIPS

Major Supplies

- Prescription drugs (also bring the generic names for these drugs), Toiletries, Sunscreen (rated SPF 15 or higher) Sunglasses, Insect repellant, Flashlight, Batteries (for electronic equipment)

- Gifts for children or a school if you like (pens or pencils, t-shirts, baseball caps)

- Binoculars (very important)

- Favourite road snacks

Key Documents and Cash
- Passports (with visa entries)

- Health cards (vaccination certificate)

- Credit cards (VISA and/or American Express), traveler’s checks & some US

- Cash

Other Equipment

Video Camera if you have one

A 35mm Camera with interchangeable lenses is recommended. Bring a long lens (an 80mm-200mm zoom lens is fine) for wildlife photography. A 35mm-70mm zoom is also nice to have.

Bring camera and lens cleaning equipment for the dust (a blower brush and a soft chamois cloth work well).

Please contact us for more information.