Kenya FAQs

Whilst you are here, please feel that you are amongst friends. Please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have any problems or queries.
Mini Gidoomal – +254 722-707569

Your driver guide will take care of your safari and will carry your printed itinerary, your vouchers for the lodges and restaurants and any domestic tickets that are included in your safari.

You will find that Kenya has a wealth of fascinating curio shops, clothes stores and shops specializing in Africana. Some shopping areas include Nairobi main streets and arcades in the city centre and within major hotels, City Market and streets around the Market. If you are going to the Rift Valley, then there are some
interesting curio shops there. Nearly every main shop in the city centres and in
hotels/lodges will accept major credit cards.

Usual business hours throughout Kenya are 08:30 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to
17:00 Monday to Friday and 08:30 to 12:30 on Saturday. Apart from Nairobi and
Mombasa airport banks, which are open 24 hours, banks open only up until 16:00.

The unit of currency here is the Kenya shilling. The Shilling is divided into 100
cents. Notes are available in the denominations of Shs. 1000/=, Shs. 500/=, Shs.
200/=, Shs. 100/= and Shs. 50/=. Coins are available in denominations of Shs.
20/=, Shs. 10/=, Shs. 5/= and Shs. 1/=. Most major credit cards are accepted
throughout Kenya. Cash in dollars is also accepted but only notes from the 2000
series and later

Please show respect for local laws and customs, and the sensitivities of your host
country. Remember for religious reasons, many people consider scanty dress a
discourtesy (restrict wearing of swimsuits and beachwear to the swimming pools
and beaches) – this applies particularly to northern and eastern Kenya, as well as
the coastal areas. Do not leave valuables lying around, use the hotel safes. Try not
to make a flagrant display of wealth – your normal holiday spending money
amounts to a small fortune to most Kenyans.

Valuables should be locked up when away from your hotel or lodge. The streets in the cities and towns are not dangerous but it is unwise to walk alone after dark or away from well-lit streets, especially carrying bags or cameras. Please take the same care as you would normally take in any part of Europe, America or elsewhere in the world. When on safari, never get out of your vehicle, unless you are told it is safe to do so. Do not attempt to go for walks by yourself when staying in game lodges.

Please take care, the sun is hot in Kenya, on first exposure, use a protective lotion. You will find that in most safari lodges, there will be a flask of drinking water on your bedside table. There are small field hospitals and clinics in most parts of the country, however, try purchase all your requirements in Nairobi or Mombasa. Please remember to take Malaria preventatives and continue these for the required weeks.

During your safari to Kenya you may cross several weather zones: Mombasa and the Coast – hot and humid, Nairobi – cool and dry, Mt. Kenya – chilly, Samburu and the Masai Mara – pleasant weather but chilly during the early morning game drives, Tsavo and Amboseli – pleasant. If you travel during rainy seasons (November – December and April – June) – expect rains everywhere. Prepare your clothes accordingly.

If using a taxi, first check if the meter is working and make sure that you agree on a price before the journey. Uber is also available in the major cities.

If you are travelling with a group, your tour leader/escort will probably take care of all tipping. However, the following may be useful to the individual traveler. A fixed service charge is normally included in the tariff of most hotels. Restaurant and bar waiters are accustomed to clients leaving 10 percent of the meal bill. The largest tips usually go to your safari driver/guide (and tour escort if applicable). Around $ 10 – 12 per person per day is reasonable. However, please do not hesitate to seek local advice on tipping and remember that tips are generally given only for good, attentive service and paid only on final completion of services.

Please do not photograph the president, police, soldiers, military installations, prisons, prisoners and airports. Please always enlist the co-operation of your subject before photographing strangers as people do not like to be regarded as exhibits and many may not understand that your photos are merely a personal record of your trip. Your driver/guide will be able to advise you on this.

We are not insured for damage to, or loss of, baggage. Whilst your driver/guide will make every effort to assist you with your luggage, we take no responsibility for any loss or damage. If you are travelling by small charter aircraft, only one suitcase or soft bag of not more than 15 kg may be carried. If you are travelling to The Treetops or The Ark, only a small over-night bag is permitted – lock-up storage facilities are available at the Outspan and The Aberdare Country Club, respectively.

State official language and the most popular languages are SWAHILI (a mixture of African, English and Arabic) and English. Your driver/guide and all people in the hotel industry will speak reasonable to good English. Liberty Africa Safaris can provide on request, French, Spanish, German, Italian or Hebrew speaking driver/guides.

In general, the food served in hotels and lodges is European food. Breakfast and lunch will be buffet and dinner is usually a set menu. In Mombasa and Nairobi, you will find a variety of restaurants – European, Indian, Chinese, African, and Seafood. The degree of cleanliness in restaurants is very high as is the quality of food.

• Ethiopian Airlines – 0722 518 532/ Ethiopian Embassy – 0722 207025
• Emirates – 020 7602519
• Embassy of Belgium – 020 7122011/ SN Brussels – 0775 410001
• British High Commission – 020 2873000/ British Airways – 0722 205400
• Embassy of the Netherlands – 020 428800
• Kenya Airways – 0711 02 4747
• Embassy of Germany 020 4262100/ K.L.M. – 0730 138206
• Swiss Embassy – 0730 694000/ Swissair – 020 266 6967
• South African High Commission – 0709 127 000/ South African Airlines – 0722 200007
• American Embassy – 020 3636000
• Fly 540 Aviation -0722 540 540
• Spanish Embassy – 020 2720222
• Safarilink Aviation – 0730 888 000
• Embassy of Austria – 020 4060022