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What do I need to Know before my Travel to Kenya

 Transport options to/within the destination:

How to Come to Kenya?

By Air:

There are many international Flights, from all over the World, fling to Kenya’s main Airports Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi and to the Moi Airport in Mombasa.

By Sea:

Mombasa has one of the biggest Ports in Africa, and a good number Cruise Ships and Cargo Ships stopping here.

Also you can come with your Sailing Yacht, there are many smaller Ports where you can visit, within the Kenyan Coastline

By Road:

You can come by Road from all neighbouring Countries with your own Transport or with public Transport. There are many options

What Transport while in Kenya?

  • Private Car Hire
  • SGR Train from Nairobi to Mombasa
  • Small trains from Nairobi to close by cities
  • Matatu is the local Transport system within Town centres and around
  • Tuk Tuk are the three-wheeler, found in many places in Kenya
  • Piki Piki Motorbikes Taxi which take you around
  • Boda Boda are Bicycles which takes you around
  • Flight, there are many local Airlines which take to all around Kenya

Private Safaris in:

  • Modern 4×4 Land Cruisers for your Safari and Kenya Travels
  • Historical Toyota Landcruiser 50 year old with wooden Body works
  • Recommended (Very sustainable as the car is been used for long Time)

     Historical Landcruiser 40 year old Landcruiser

Recommended (Very sustainable as the car is been used for long Time)

  • Safari Bus

All Safari vehicles have a Pop-up Roof or fold up Roof

Sustainable,  as it carries up to 8 Passengers on Safari.

Transfers in: (use the type of Vehicle as per number of Pax and amount of Luggage)

  • Small private Car
  • AC Noah
  • Safari Mini Bus 8 Seater
  • Rosa 18 Seater
  • Bus 33 Seater
  • Bus 45 Seater

Cultural and historical information about the destination and its people

  1. Christianity:

Christianity was introduced to Kenya when missionaries settled near Mombasa in 1844. In the early 20th century, many Kikuyu left the mission churches and schools to start their own, free from the control of missionaries

Prior to the advent of Christianity in Kenya, the nation’s native people    practiced a number of traditional tribal beliefs. Each tribe typically practised monotheism – the belief that there was a single God, known as ‘Ngai’ or ‘Were’ among other names.

2. Hinduism:

Hinduism in Kenya mainly comes from coastal trade routes between primarily between Gujarat, Marwar, Odisha and the Chola empire in India and East Africa. The influence of Hinduism in Kenya began in early 1st millennium AD when there was trade between East Africa and Indian subcontinent.

Hinduism infiltrated Africa around the 19th century with the colonization of   African countries by the British. The religion was introduced by Indians who migrated as casual laborers from British India, some of who chose to remain in Africa.

3. Islam:

Africa and the Muslim world Arab and Persian Muslims had settled in the Coastal towns of Kenya by mid 8th century. Gradually an Islamic – Swahili culture was developed. By the time the Portuguese arrived in the 15th century IX the coastal belt was predominantly Muslim in population and culture.

Jamia Mosque is the oldest Mosque in Kenya. It was founded and first built by Syed Maulana Abdullah Shah between 1902 and 1906. The Mosque has been extended since its original construction.

Geography, weather of Kenya:

Kenya has three types of climates:

  1. temperate subtropical climate in the west and southwest highlands (where Nairobi is located),
  2. hot and humid along the coast, and
  3. hot and dry in the north and east.

 

Nairobi is the capital and the largest city in Kenya and experiences a subtropical highland climate.

What is a natural feature of Kenya?

Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya has several summits, including its three highest peaks: Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana. Visitors to the mountain can enjoy a variety of jaw-dropping scenery and treks through vast and varied ecosystems.

Currency in Kenya

The local Currency is the Kenyan Shilling. When you arrive to Kenya

There are Change Buero’s, Banks where you can change your money to Kenya Shilling, or if you leave you can change it back into your currency.

Ensure you carry clean, uncut or unmarked notes, as they may be refuse to be accepted for exchange.

Also there are many ATM all over, like in Shopping Malls, Petrol Stations were you can draw from your Credit or Debit Cards

 

What are cultural values in Kenya?

Traditional cultures of Kenya valued

marriage,

respect for human life,  

morality,

respect for people’s property, and

good leadership.

These values provided the moral code for the people to follow.

 

Health and safety advise

Emergency Number in Kenya is 999

Ask your Doc before travel what you need to take on medicines while in Kenya.

Ensure you have all your vaccination up to date

If you visit Malaria affected area ensure you take a recommended Prophylaxes

Do not take to many cold Drinks in a short time.

Check the hygiene and food standard of a restaurant before eating in a unknow place

Dos and don’ts 

    1. Never refuse hospitality.
    2. Do not buy items derived from endangered species.
    3. Refrain from using foreign currency. Use local money
    4. Do not ask people’s tribe
    5. Do not take people’s picture without their consent.
    6. Watch what you wear. Leave at Home
    7. Do not carry valuables around.
    8. Do not give a bribe

 

Local food and restaurant recommendations (featuring locally owned, sustainable options)

In Mombasa:

  • Forodhani Restaurant, next to Old Port
  • Mombasa Dishes, Makadara Road
  • Barka Restaurant, Makadara Road
  • Marina Seaside Restaurant, Mtwapa nice Seafood Restaurant
  • Yul’s Restaurant, Bamburi
  • Information on languages/ dialects

Besides Swahili, there are other indigenous African languages spoken more regionally that have more speakers than English has! In fact, Ethnologue estimates that there are roughly 70 languages spoken in Kenya

Local souvenirs to buy and information on illegal souvenirs

  • Shanzu Girl Guides Gift Shop, Kikoy Bags and nice Items
  • Zinji Leather Bag Factory in Takaungu
  • Kisii Soapstone Carvings at all Masai Markets available
  • Kazuri Beads from the Kazuri Beads Factory
  • Wood carvings from Akama Woodcarvers or
  • Kitengela Glass from Kitengela Glass Factory or their outlet stores in Mall
  • Maasai Blankets. Art Gallery. Facebook. …
  • Sweet Traditional Wine. Wine Seller, African, $$$ …
  • Masks. Art Gallery. …
  • Kenyan Art. Art Gallery.

Do not buy or try to carry out of Kenya:

  • Endangered animal
  • Marine life and shells
  • Plants and seeds
  • Soil
  • Unlicenced Weapons and Knifes
  • Drugs
  • 32
  • Stolen Goods
  • Hazardous materials
  • any illegal Items

Holidays in Kenya

  • January New Year’s Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • May Labour Day
  • Eid al-Fitr
  • June Madraka Day
  • Eid al-Adha
  • October Huduma Day
  • October Mashuja Day
  • December Jamhuri Day
  • December Christmas Day
  • December Christmas Day
  • December Utaduni Day