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Kenya

Quick Info for Kenya

Location: East Africa – Kenya (officially The Republic of Kenya) is bordered by the Indian Ocean in the West, South Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, and Ethiopia to the north.
Language: There are two official languages in Kenya: Swahili and English, although there are estimated to be over 70 tribal dialects spoken throughout the country.
Get Here: via Plane with Momondo or on an Overland Tour booked through Tour Radar
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES) – check the latest exchange rate here
Electrical Plug Fixture: Type G (Grab yourself a universal adapter and you’ll never have to worry about having the right plug again!)
Capital City: Nairobi – Time Zone: GMT+3
Other Major Cities: Mombassa, Kisumu, Eldoret
Famous For: Mount Kenya, Maasai Mara National Reserve (and it’s great migration), Amboseli National Reserve, Lake Nakuru & Hells Gate National Park.

When To Visit: Kenya can be visited any time of the year, however if you are hoping for the ultimate safari experience the two dry seasons, from January to March or July to October is the best time to visit as they provide for the most optimum conditions for wildlife spotting.

If you are particularly interested in viewing the Great Wildebeest Migration, the best time to be in the Maasai Mara is between July and November, as this is when the animals usually begin their journey north from the Serengeti. (Although there are no guarantees, as the migration is a completely natural process which is affected by the weather).

Visa Requirements: Visitors coming from the USA, UK, Australia and most of Europe require a visa to enter Kenya. Single entry visas can be applied for and paid for online at a cost of around $50USD, or are available on arrival (with the same fee). Those planning to visit multiple East African countries can also apply for the East Africa Visa on arrival (and was $101USD when I visited, but check with your consulate for up to date rates dependent on where your passport is from). This visa will allow the holder to enter Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda on the one visa.

Travel Within Kenya: There are flights, trains, and buses linking between major Kenyan tourist destinations, although private transfers or taxis tend to be the most common way for tourists to travel around.

Travel Vaccinations: As always, check your own government recommendations prior to traveling, however, these are a list of immunizations that are generally required for travel in East Africa: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), and it may be worth discussing with your travel doctor chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza inoculations alongside anything else they recommend at the consultation.

 

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