Travel

All passengers travelling from countries that require a visa to enter Kenya must obtain an e-visa prior to entry into Kenya. The Republic of Sudan, the Republic of South Sudan and the Islamic Republic of Iran are exempted from the requirements of online visas. Residents in these three countries can apply for a manual visa at the Kenya Embassies in Khartoum, Juba and Tehran. However, a visa must be obtained before travelling to Kenya.

How to apply for the e-visa:

1. Go to http://evisa.go.ke/ and create an account
2. Fill out the application form and pay the required fee
3. Once the application is approved, you can download your e-visa PDF file.

Processing visa applications by the government of Kenya takes up to 72 hours. However, we recommend that you make an application at least 7 working days before travel to give plenty of time for the application process to be completed.

Note: Single Entry Visas are valid only for 90 days from the date of issue.

For further information on immigration requirements in Kenya, visit www.immigration.ecitizen.go.ke/ or contact evisa@immigration.go.ke.

Any traveller from a country requiring a visa to enter Tanzania is required to obtain an e-visa before entry. Although Visas are still being issued upon arrival, we recommend that you obtain the visa in advance to avoid any inconvenience.

How to apply for the e-visa:

1. Go to https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/ and start the new visa application
2. Fill in all required details and attach the required documents for the Visa (*You will get an email with the User Identification Number)
3. Pay the required fee
4. Upon approval, download the e-visa

The Tanzanian authority allows you to make a visa application six months in advance before the date of your trip.

Note: Tourist visas allow you to stay in the country for 30 days.

For further information on immigration requirements in Tanzania, please visit www.immigration.go.tz or contact info@visatanzania.go.tz

Any traveller from a country requiring a visa to enter Uganda may obtain their visas online or from the embassies of their home countries. We recommend that you apply for the visa well in advance to avoid inconvenience.

How to apply for the e-visa:

1. Go to visas.immigration.go.ug and choose application type
2. Fill out the application form, attach any required documents and pay the applicable fee
3. Pay the required fee
4. Upon approval, download the e-visa.

For further information on immigration requirements in Uganda, visit www.immigration.go.ug or contact info@immigration.go.ug.

This is a single-entry visa for travellers visiting Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda simultaneously. It is multi-entry within the three countries valid for 90 days, which expires automatically if the traveller ventures outside of the three countries. It is accessible online through the respective immigration sites or embassies abroad.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Parents travelling with children without a passport are required to provide a birth certificate or a waiting notice.

All travellers to Tanzania are expected to fill out an entry declaration form (paste this link on a new tab to download the form: http://www.immigration.go.tz/index.php/application-and-declaration-forms?download=13:entry-declaration-form) prior to their arrival.

Kenya: The Republic of Kenya requires travellers from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission to have a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. This applies to travellers 1 year of age and older coming from – or who are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within.

Tanzania: Yellow fever immunization is mandatory for travellers arriving from countries with the risk of yellow fever transmission. These travellers must provide proof of yellow fever vaccination.

For more information on this, please visit https://moh.go.tz/en/yellow-fever-entry

Uganda: All travellers to the Republic of Uganda MUST have a valid Yellow Fever Immunization card.

Exemption: Any traveller less than 9 months or older than 60years who cannot undertake the yellow fever vaccination needs to consult a medical practitioner before travel and carry with them a medical letter of exemption.

Valuables should be kept in the hotel/lodge safety deposit.

The local currency is the Kenya Shilling(KSH) and is freely exchangeable within the country and neighbouring countries but not elsewhere. Varying exchange rates apply to different currencies. Make sure you use or exchange any local currency before departure. Most major establishments accept major credit cards but may charge a premium compared to costs abroad. Cash dispensers (ATMs) and Forex Bureau are infrequent outside of the main city centers; make sure you have sufficient local currency before leaving on Safari.

Food in Kenya is of high quality and includes a fantastic game meat, seafood, tropical fruits, freshwater and river fish and other local delicacies. Resturants are in abundance and the standard price is excellent. Indian and Arab food is also widely available. Kenya produces its own tea, coffee and an excellent beer – Tusker.

Owing to its position on the equator, weather in Kenya is not extreme. The rainy season is in April, May and in November. The hottest months are February and March though high temperatures are also common in December and January. The coldest months are June and July with temperatures of about 11 degrees centigrade. (confirm and convert to fareinheight)

Lightweight clothing is recommended especially for the Coastal areas. Mornings and evenings can be considerably cooler so include a cardigan or lightweight jacket. A hat is also advisable to protect against the equatorial sun. Insect repellant cream is also advisable to carry. Nude or topless bathing is not approved by Kenyans or the Government.

The English language is widely spoken, though Kiswahili is the national language. It is strongly recommended to request for permission before taking any photographs of the locals. Possession and trafficking of drugs is a serious crime in Kenya and jail sentences for this can be expected.

Hunting is banned in Kenya. It is therefore considered a very serious offence to buy and attempt to export ivory, animal skins or stuffed animals.

230/240 volts 50Hz. Sockets are usually 3 pin square (British type). It is advisable to check that any appliances eg video battery charger) on other voltages have a built-in adaptor or bring one with you.

Kenya’s population hit 38.61 million, an increase of 35 percent over the last decade, according to the 2009 population census results released on Aug. 31, 2010. The report shows the distribution of the population across the country, with Rift Valley Province being the most populous with 10.1 million people. Nairobi, the capital, has 3.1 million people, according to the report released by the Ministry of Planning and National Development.