INFORMATION - ON KENYA

Revered by anthropologists as the 'cradle of humanity', Kenya is also the heart of African safari country, boasting the most diverse collection of wild animals on the continent. ________________________________________________________________
Name: Republic of Kenya
Area: 582,645 sq km Capital: Nairobi
Population: 29.3 mn, 51 per sq. km, 47% growth
Life Expectancy: 51 Infant Mortality: 76 per thousands
Doctors per mn: 15
Currency: Kenya Shilling (KSh)
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GDP: $11549 mn, $350 per capita, 3.8% growth
ODA: $459 mn
Exports: Tea, Coffee, Horticulture
Dev. Index: 0.396
Time: GMT+3 Dial Code: 254
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The Government
Head of State: President Mwai Emillio Kibaki Head of Gov't: President Mwai E. Kibaki
Gov't Party: PNU parliament:
Election Type: National Assembly Period: 5 yrs Next: 2012
Gov't System: Republic Unicameral, directly elected National Assembly holds legislative Power: Executive power held by president, also directly elected for 5years.
Legal System: Based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic laws judicial review in High court accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
Colonized by: British
Independence: 12 Dec 1963
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The Geography and Climate
Coastline: 536km Geo Coordinates: 1 00N, 38 00E
Health Risks: Malaria exists all year throughout the country. There is normally little risk
in Nairobi and in the highlands (above 2500 metres) of Central, Rift Valley, Eastern
Nyanza and Western Provinces. Rabies.
Rivers: , Galana, Tana Lakes: Lake Turkana
Highest Pts: Mount Kenya 5199 feet
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National Parks
Aberdares, Amboseli, Arawale, Chyulu Hills, Dodori, Gedi, Hells Gate, Lake Bogoria, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Marsabit, Meru, Mount Elgon, Mount Kenya, Mount Longonot, Nairobi, Ol Donyo Sapuk, Saiwa Swamp, Shimba Hills, Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Ruma,
Ndere, Ndere, Kora, Marine
Game Reserves: Kakamega Forest, Masai Mara, Samburu Springs
Climate: Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior.
Rain Season: April - May and October - November
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The Culture and Society
Ethnic Groups: Luhya 21%, Kalenjin 17%, Kisii 6%, Non-African(Asian,European and
Arab) 2%, Kikuyu 28%, Luo 20%, Kamba 10%, Meru 10%
Religion: Christian 66%, Indigenous Beliefs 26%, Muslim 7%, Other 1%
No. of Households: 3 Languages: English (Primary Education) Swahili (Primary
Education)

The Education
Male Youth Illiteracy:15%, Primary Education: 8yrs Pupil per Teacher: 30

The Economy
Current Account: $ 50.5 mn
Foreign Debt: $6562 mn
GDP 5 yr growth: 3.8% pa

Kenya is the most popular destination for safaris in the world! Roughly the size of Texas, it is famous for its 'Out of Africa' scenic beauty, diverse cultures and abundant wildlife. The coastline and tropical beaches are equally inviting. The wildlife is the prime attraction of Kenya safaris that take place in some of Africa's most well known national parks including the Maasai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru.

A Kenya safari contains a mosaic of different cultures and traditions. The people have the natural ability to make every traveler feel at home - 'Karibu' a Swahili word meaning welcome is often heard! KENYA is an Independent Republic .it covers 585,000 square kilometers and lays a stride the Equator bordering Somalia to the northern Est. Uganda to the west and Tanzania to the south .the population is about 33 million. The capital Nairobi with a population to the south. The population is about 1 million .other major towns include Mombasa (pop: about 900000) Kisumu (about 650000), Nakuru, Meru and Eldoret.

ENTRY FORMALITIES

Valid passports and visas are required for every one, with the exception of citizens of most British Commonwealth and certain other countries with which Kenya has reciprocal waiver arrangements.

CUSTOMS

A reasonable volume of personal effects can be freely imported together with cameras and any amount of film. These are normally under strict scrutiny of the custom officials.

CURRENCY/CURRENCY REGULATIONS

Any amount of foreign currency may be brought in but we recommend you use a bank or licensed exchange facility. Visitors should avoid "street changers" and transact all currency dealings through official dealers. Any surplus Kenya notes can be changed for foreign currency at banks at the two International Airports which maintain a 24 hrs service or at any bank in the city.

CREDIT CARDS

American Express, Visa card and other well known cards are widely accepted in Nairobi and throughout Kenya.

HEALTH

Certificates of inoculation against yellow fever and cholera are advised though not mandatory. Malaria is endemic to certain areas of Kenya and all visitors should begin taking anti malarial prophylactics two weeks before leaving Kenya throughout their stay and for six weeks after returning.
Main towns have good hospital care and Nairobi has excellent specialist facilities. There are chemists (drug stores) in all major centers but any visitors required special and continuing medication should bring enough to cover the duration of their visits. All major cities have Red Cross Blood Donor Center. All blood is screened for the AIDS virus.

NAIROBI HOTELS

Check -out at Nairobi hotels is 12 noon .check-in times are after 1 pm .if you require your room for immediate check-in. we suggest you make reservations for the night before to guarantee immediate access.

LANGUAGE

Kiswahili is a lingua franca, a phonetic language formed out of Bantu and Arabic and spoken nationwide. English is the official language.

SECURITY

Kenya is a friendly country and well policed. Walking at night alone, however, is inadvisable.Preferably use taxis which are found outside most hotels. Do not leave valuables unattended, use a safe deposit box.

TELEPHONE CALLS

International calls from hotels in Nairobi are very expensive. We suggest you use fax or email facilities.

TIPPING

Most hotels and restaurants include a service charge and tipping inspires a desire to show appreciation .However it is customary to tip for bar service (10%) and to room porters at a restaurant without a service charge is fair too. Drivers and guides are tipped as per desire per day in the local currency or in dollars

CLIMATE

The temperature rarely falls below 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Warm clothing's are advised for late evenings. Kenya has two rainy seasons-the short rains usually fall between October and December and the long rains from March to early June.

LAUNDRY

Laundry valet service is available at most hotels and lodges .self washing facilities are not available except for hand washing in your bathroom. Most hotels and lodges require 24 hrs to process your laundry.

TIME

Kenya is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time .Two hours ahead in the summer Safari essentials
Although you can, buy just about anything in Africa .it's generally cheaper and easier to bring what you need from home. The exception to this rule is a safari gear, bush clothes, hats and sari boots. Unless you are traveling on the blue train, or Rovos Rail, which require a jacket and tie, men don't need a suit on safari. The general dinning areas of the Mount Kenya Safari Club requires that men wear a jacket and tie and ladies to wear smart casual wear. Clothing should be loose-fitting and very comfortable, cool for daytime wear, while evenings require a sweater or wrap of some kind. Don't bring too much on safari: it will get in the way. We recommend each passenger take suitcase (soft-sided), one carry-on bag, and one camera bag. If you are flying between game parks the weight limit on these light aircraft is 30 pounds per person in soft-side carry - on bag. We suggest you check your large suitcase with the concierge at the city hotel. Laundry service is available at all hotels and lodges. If you are visiting the ARK or TREETOPS you will need to pack a small overnight bag for your stay there. Be sure to pack any essentials like medications, contact lenses supplies, etc that you will need for your overnight here.

CHECK LIST

-2 pair of shorts
-2 pair of slacks or jeans
-2-3 tee shirts or short
-1 long-sleeved shirt
-bush jacket or sweater
-swim wear
-night wear, including a bathrobe for lodges
-1 pair strong walking shoes or tennis shoes
-5-6 pairs of socks
-underwear
-deep brimmed hat, sun glasses
-sunblock,tanning lotion, sunburn cream
-basic first air kit should include:
-Dramamine, lomotil, antibiotic cream for cuts and scratches, Aspirin throat lozenges, band-aids,eye drops and insect repellent, basic cosmetics,soap,shampoo and shaving supplies flashlight, extra batteries
-Plug adaptors (3 square pin -220 v) for hair dryer, shave, curler, etc.
-Needle and thread, safety pins
-Fold away carry all
-Moistened towellettes address book alarm clock, diary
-Luggage tags
-Passport/visa/air tickets
-Fanny pack.