TRAVEL INFORMATION ABOUT KENYA

About the People

They speak the Swahili as the national language and English as the official language. English is widely spoken and understood across East Africa

About Safety
It is advisable not to walk alone in apparently deserted areas especially in the cities. Tropic Tours and Travel prefers advising its clients to walk with company or in groups and not to carry large sums of cash in your purse or pocket, nor display expensive jewelry. Like in any other country, please be aware of the possibility of pick-pockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas.
Before arriving or immediately after arriving in Kenya, TROPIC SAFARIS usually recommends that you make a photocopy of your most valuable documents, like your passport, air ticket and other important travel documents. In case of the loss of the original documents, its easier to get assistance for the departure purposes.
Since most hotels offer safe deposit boxes, please never leave money or valuables in your hotel room. It’s advisable that you acquire adequate insurance cover upon booking your holiday  

About Wildlife Areas
Animals are always animals. Please keep a distance. Under the Kenya Wildlife Services laws, its illegal to feed any animal, make excessive noise to attract their attention, or deviate from designated roads for that closer photograph. Never get out of your vehicle except at designated points. Close al windows and Zippers when you leave your room or tent and spray it with insect repellant
Tropic Tours and Travel recommends that you take an active interest in everything going on around you. Its does not matter the number of different species that you can see in the shortest possible time, our driver-guides are all very conversant with every species of animal and you should feel free to ask them as many questions as you may have, and every of our safari van is equipped with a reference book on all wildlife, trees and Birds

About Health
Please ensure that you obtain an emergency medical insurance before leaving your country. We always advise our clients to obtain vaccinations for Cholera, tetanus, and yellow fever. Since Malaria is very common in Kenya, please ensure that you take some prophylactics at least 2 weeks before arriving in Kenya, as well as 2 weeks after leaving Kenya.
There is a bilharzia parasite that is found in many lakes, streams and rivers on the continent, hence the need to avoid swimming in these water sources. Who knows, please buy yourself a travel insurance covering accidents, illness, delays (by flights) or hospitalization for the period of your holiday in Kenya. You may also obtain a temporary membership of Flying Doctors' Service if you are a safari fan.
Once you become a member and you require emergency medical attention while on safari, you are flown to Nairobi for the best medical attention available in the country – please note that the flying doctors does not cater for hospital bills incurred

 About Accommodation
Standards and services range from up-market to tourist. Deluxe and first class hotels are found in the main cities and the resorts on the coastline of the country. Luxurious lodges are set in exotic locations, while comfortable tented camps are found in the main game parks 

About Water
We always recommend bottled water which is available in all lodges and hotels. Avoid tap water, although in the major towns, its, purified and perfectly safe to drink. In the more remote areas where bottled water may not be available, please ensure that you always boil the tap water first. Drink only bottled water or from flasks of filtered and bottled water provided by most hotels and lodges 

About Banks
There are many banks in the major towns as well as many bureaus de change. The hours of business vary from bank to bank, but most are open from 9h00 to 14h30, Mondays to Fridays, and 9h00 - 11h30 on Saturdays. Hotels and lodges change money outside these hours. Banking services are also available at all major international airports

About Chemists and Pharmacies
Although chemists and phamarcies are all over in the world, Tropic Tours and Travel always recommends that you carry an adequate supply of medicines and first aid accessories. Most chemists in the major towns are open as follows:
Monday to Fridays
- 08h30 to 12h30 and from 14h00 to 17h00
Saturdays
 – 08h30 to 13h00
There are no chemists that open on Sundays

About Electricity
Power supply is 220 / 240 volt 50 cycle. Plugs are 13-amp pin square which is British type 

About Currency
The currency unit in Kenya is the shilling that comprises of 100 cents. There are coins that are in denominations of 50 cents, 1 Shilling, 5 shillings, 10 Shillings, 20 Shillings and 40 Shillings. Bank notes are in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 shillings. The importation of foreign currency is not limited and one does not have to declare upon arrival.
However, the importation and exportation of Kenyan currency is illegal. For ease of your transaction, please carry Travellers checks, Pounds, Euro, or dollars which can be exchanged at any of the many banks and Bureau de Change in the Towns.
Please be warned that there are notorious money changers who may cheat you with an enticing exchange rate on the black market.

About Tipping
Tropic Tours and Travel, like any other organization in the world believes that a good service cannot go unnoticed and rewarded. At your liberty, you may give a reasonable tip of 10% for good service.
We recommend that you tip a driver-guide between Usd 7 and Usd 10 per person per day  

About Seasons
Between December and mid-March, the days are sunny, hot and dry and the nights are cool. If you are a deep sea fishing and scuba diving fan, the best time is between August and March when the ocean is calm and water is clear. Rains fall mainly from mid-march to May and again in November 

About Credit Cards, Cash and Traveller’s Checks
Major International cards are accepted by most restaurants, hotels, hotels, camps, stores, lodges, car rental firms, but may be strange cards to people in rural areas

 
About Communications
You may wish to let your relatives and friends back home know that you have found a second home in Kenya. Internet cafes are all over in major towns and a reasonable fee. Postal services are also well organized in Kenya. International calls can also be made in towns, more cheaply rather than in hotels. All major hotels have fax machines at the disposal of their guests as well as telex services. Telephone directories will list all the international dialing codes. The local and long distance calls are metered on a time basis

About Climate
Kenya lies in the tropics and its coastal region is hot and humid. The climate and temperature is determined by the proximity to the ocean 

About Clothing
All year round, you can wear lightweight casual clothes while you may wear a jacket or sweater for early winter mornings and evenings. While on safari keep clothes to a minimum and mostly of neutral coloring i.e khakis, browns and greens. Don’t forget a sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellant. Bring a hat, good walking shoes and sunscreen.
In order to bring animals near you for close viewing, please do not forget a pair of binoculars. Some city restaurants and clubs have dress codes i.e casual jacket and tie for men, informal dresses for women 

About Laundry
Look smart always with Tropic Safaris since most hotels and lodges will offer you a laundry service at a fee 

About Photography
Due to the Kenya’s magnificent scenery, birds, people, and wildlife, this makes it the ideal destination for lovers of photographs. How would you personally feel if someone took your photograph without your consent­? Please exercise a little courtesy of asking people of their permission to photograph them, and you will find yourself with numerous friends around you with true smiles on their faces Masais and Samburus will expect a small payment for the photograph.  
Your safari may not be complete without some films and batteries for your video camera as these items may be very difficult to find here in some towns. Due to the dusty roads, please keep your camera in a dust resistant, padded case and out of the midday sun. A 200mm (or longer) telephoto lens will prove very useful on safari and an ultra violet filter and lens cap are strongly recommended. Please note that taking pictures of government and military personnel and installations is prohibited 

About Driving
Kenya is a British colony and the driving is done on the left-hand side of the road. If you plan to drive in Kenya, please bring your valid driving license with your photo on it and the Road Transport office in Nairobi will endorse it

About Customs / Immigration
At any point of entry, the customs people are in wait. You must have a valid passport. In addition, all non-Commonwealth citizens require a visa, to be obtained from Kenyan Missions abroad or at
The point of entry. Personal effects including cameras, binoculars and film are allowed into the country duty free

 About Airport Departure Tax
All taxes are included in the air ticket when purchasing.  

Where to rent a car
Tropic Safaris offers car rental services in all major towns, Airports, and Hotels. Please talk to us. 

Time Differences
All year round, we have a standard Time in Kenya which is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, two hours ahead of Central European Winter Time, and eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time in the U.S 

Air Transport
There are two main airports in Kenya. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa. There are other small airstrips from where charter flights are Operated