Read more about vaccinations, transport, price levels and more in connection with your trip to Kenya. Visit sunglasseswill for Kenya Arts and Literature.

• Language: Swahili
• Capital: Nairobi
• Population: 44 mill.
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Currency: Kenya shilling
• Surface: 582,646 km2

Worth knowing

Time difference

The time difference between Sweden and Kenya can vary depending on whether it is summer or winter time in Sweden.

Summer: +1 hour
Winter: +2 hours

Tip

On our travels, you come into contact with everyday life in Kenya, including conditions that may not appeal to you, or that you are not used to. Take for example the system of tips. In many countries, tips are a more organized phenomenon than we Swedes are used to, and you are expected to leave some tips to local guides, drivers and safari guides / rangers during the trip, as the salary in the service industry is usually based on that. We enter an amount in our travel program so that you can count on this when you make up your travel budget at home. The price of the trip does not include the cost of tips as you decide how much you want to give during the trip. The tip system is part of the culture you visit and something you should therefore respect. We want to emphasize that everyone decides for themselves how much they want to give in tips.

Currency and credit cards

In Kenya, the 100 cent Kenyan shilling (KES) is used. Most currencies can be exchanged anywhere in Kenya, but many places offer poor exchange rates for Swedish kronor. It is therefore better to exchange money at home or bring currency in US dollars (note that US dollar banknotes from before the year 2000 are not accepted in Kenya).

We know from experience that it can be difficult to withdraw cash with a credit card, but conditions are constantly changing and credit cards are becoming more common. There are ATMs in Nairobi, but unfortunately not all of them work. Credit cards are accepted at most major “lodges” and souvenir shops.

Electricity

In Kenya, 240 volts are used and the sockets have three square legs (as in the UK). You must therefore bring an adapter if you want to use chargers or electrical appliances with Swedish connectors. Adapters are available for purchase in major Kenyan cities and can often be borrowed / rented at hotels and lodges.

At safari lodges and camps (tent camps) you usually have access to electricity between certain times of the day, usually between kl. 5-10 in the morning and at 18-23 in the evening.

Telephone and internet

Kenya’s international country code is 254. To make an international call from Kenya, press 000, followed by the country code and the number you are calling. Mobile phone coverage may vary depending on your location in Kenya. Check with your mobile operator about their coverage and prices in Kenya.

Internet access is available at most hotels in major cities and at some major safari lodges / camps. At lodges and camps, however, the connection can be unreliable and relatively expensive.

Hygiene

Hotels, lodges and larger restaurants are of a modern / western standard. Out in the city and in the country, you can count on going to so-called pedal toilets, and that there is a lack of toilet paper. The standard of public toilets or in the countryside can thus be relatively primitive. Bring your own toilet paper, wet wipes and perhaps hand sanitizer (available at Swedish pharmacies, for example), so you will not be as dependent on access to water.

Food and drinks

The food is well cooked in both lodges and hotels, and stomach problems are therefore rare. You should not drink tap water, but instead buy bottled drinking water.

Dress

On all trips that include safaris, the day starts early in the animal reserves. The first safari of the day begins immediately after sunrise as it is often chilly outside – especially on an open car safari. Therefore, it is a good idea to bring a warm sweater or jacket. On safari on foot, however, it gets all the hotter. You should always wear full / covering shoes on hiking safaris.

We recommend that you wear khaki, sand-colored or dark clothing. White clothes can scare the animals, and blue clothes attract flies. Feel free to avoid strong colors and bring sunscreen, hat / cap and binoculars.

Feel free to bring the following: • Light shoes and / or sandals for safari excursions (by car) and good hiking shoes for hiking safaris
• Light cotton garments, with long sleeves / legs (as protection from the sun), preferably in “safari-friendly” colors
• Cap or sun hat
• Wool sweater or fleece jacket to use morning and evening
• Wind and rainproof jacket
• Swimwear (there is a swimming pool at many safari lodges)
• Binoculars
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent

Smoking

According to Kenya’s smoking laws, smoking in public places is prohibited, with the exception of particularly marked “smoking zones”. Anyone who breaks the law risks a severe punishment.