Travelling to Kenya

Geography                            

Kenya is located in the Eastern part of Africa. It is bordered by Sudan and Ethiopia in the north and Uganda to the west. Somalia lies to the east of the country while Indian Ocean lies in the southeastern part. To the southwest is Tanzania while to the west lies Lake Victoria and Uganda.The biggest feature of Kenya is the Great Rift Valley located in the central and western part of the country which divides the Kenyan highlands into east and west. 

There are four primary regions:
    * The northern deserts, including Lake Turkana and the Laikipia Plateau.
    * The southern savannah, including the Masai Mara and the Great Rift Valley.
    * The coastal lowlands, including Mombasa and the Watamu National Marine Park.
    * The highlands, including Nairobi and Mount Kenya.

Language                               
There is a diversity of languages reflecting on the various ethnic tribes represented.
Kiswahili is the official national language although English is widely spoken in urban areas. A majority of Kenyans speak their native languages in the rural areas.

Getting to Kenya                     

Kenya is well served by major international airlines which fly into and out of  Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi or Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Mombasa is a popular charter destination for most  European cities. Kindly visit the nearest Kenyan Embassy or Tourist Office for visa details. Yellow Fever and Cholera screening is a requirement for visitors arriving from countries where these diseases are endemic.

For more details contact the Kenyan Embassy and/or local heath office near you.

Leaving Kenya                       

An airport departure tax of US$40 per person, or its equivalent, is payable when leaving Kenya. This fee is often included in your international airfare, unless stated otherwise. Please check with your agent when purchasing your international tickets. A local departure tax of Kshs 200 (approx. US$2.50) per person, per flight is payable for internal flights.

Climate                                    

Kenya enjoys a tropical climate, hot and humid at the coast, moderate temperatures in the inland and very dry in the north and northeastern parts. There is plenty of sunshine throughout the year although the nights and early mornings are cool. The long rains occur from April to June and short rains from October to December. The hottest period is between February and March and coldest between July  and August.