Kenya Passport and Visa entry requirements

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Kenya Passport and Visa entry requirements
Travel tips for your trip to Kenya Hotel Maps Famous Places in Kenya helps you to make your trip to Kenya in the holiday a Splendid One

Passports:

To enter Kenya, a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry, and with at least one blank page, is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas:

Visas for Kenya are required by the nationals referred to in the chart above, and may be obtained on entry; passport photos are not required.

However, multiple-entry visas cannot be issued at the point of entry, and must be obtained in advance through Kenya’s embassies.

Passport and Visa entry requirements

Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days. For longer stays, a visa can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Kenya. A visa is required, and can be obtained on arrival (see note, below).

Passport/Visa Note: All foreign passengers to Kenya must hold proof of sufficient funds (at least USD 500) to cover their stay in the country, return/onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination. Most foreign nationals require a visa, which can be obtained on arrival in Kenya, provided that (i) their passport is in good condition, and (ii) they have at least one blank page in their passport for the visa endorsement. The visa fee is USD 50, which is also payable in GBP or EUR. On-arrival visas are valid for three months. Note that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Kenya, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Famous Places in Kenya For Your Holiday

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Famous Places in Kenya For Your Holiday
Travel tips for your trip to Kenya Hotel Maps Famous Places in Kenya helps you to make your trip to Kenya in the holiday a Splendid One




Kenya has many landmarks, some of which are natural while others are man-made. Fort Jesus is an impressive old building that was built by the Portuguese at the end of the 16th century when the country was still under the colonialists. This was the trading center in Mombasa for the Portuguese where many Kenyans were sold and taken overseas to become slaves. Today Fort Jesus is a museum where prehistoric trading pots and ceramic are displayed. This fort is open daily, however, there is some fee charged at the entrance.

The Mau Mau Cave situated in Mt Kenya is another interesting site for visitors. These caves were the hideout for the Mau Mau freedom fighters during the Mau Mau rebellion in 1959. A visit to the caves involves a three hour walk which is a bit tiresome especially for first time visitors. This tour will also include climbing the highest peak of the mountain (5,199m) which is the second highest in Africa after Mt Kilimanjaro. It is believed that the peak was over 6,500m about 3 million years ago but, due to heavy glacier erosion it reduced to its current height. Mt Kenya is one of the few places in Africa where you will find permanent glaciers due to the fact being that it lies just near the equator. The outstanding ecology of Mount Kenya has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. some of the activities here include game viewing, mountain climbing and photographing.

Thomson Falls are located near Nyahururu town. They are about 78m high and they are the most impressive waterfalls in Kenya. This waterfalls were discovered in 1883 by a Scottish geologist, Joseph Thomson. The fall is surrounded by a beautiful dense forest which is maintained by the mist created by the waterfalls. Many hippos are seen in the pool which is located up stream of the fall. Nyahururu is the highest town in Kenya. It is situated at 2,360 meters above sea level and if you are planning to visit the town, remember to carry warm clothes. The Fourteen falls is another remarkable site located near Thika town. There are 14 distinct water falls on the broad section of the river making it interesting and very enjoyable to watch.

Lake Victoria is another landmark and its waters are shared by the three East African countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It is the largest fresh water lake in Africa and the second widest fresh water lake in the world. It covers an area of 68,800 square kilometers. In addition, Lake Victoria is the source of both river Nile and White Nile. The surrounding area is the home to the Luo community who depend on the lake for fishing. Other landmarks in Kenya include the Great Rift Valley where the eight lakes are found, game parks, Menengai crater, Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi city and many others.

Free Guide Nairobi City

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Free Guide Nairobi City
Travel tips for your trip to Kenya Hotel Maps Famous Places in Kenya helps you to make your trip to Kenya in the holiday a Splendid One


Nairobi is the largest and the capital city of Kenya which has its origin from the Maasai language phrase Enkare Nyirobi, meaning ‘The place of cool waters’ and it stands very significant and notable amongst the other destinations of Africa. The place is also highly well-known as "Green City in the Sun" because of its indigenous magnificence and grandeur and thousands of tourists are always ready to take cheap flights to Nairobi to experience the most amazing and enticing time of their lives. After 1905 the city flourished as the focal point of tourism and administration and the famous writer EAT Dutton, in 1926 declared about the city,

“Maybe one day Nairobi will be laid out with tarred roads, with avenues of flowering trees, flanked by noble buildings; with open spaces and stately squares; a cathedral worthy of faith and country; museums and galleries of art; theatres and public offices. And it is fair to say that the Government and the Municipality have already bravely tackled the problem and that a town-plan ambitious enough to turn Nairobi into a thing of beauty has been slowly worked out, and much has already been done. But until that plan has borne fruit, Nairobi must remain what she was then, a slatternly creature, unfit to queen it over so lovely a country”

Nairobi has gained lot fame because of its meanly charming and fascinating sites, one such is the Uhuru Park which is very much entertaining and offers extreme fun and excitement to its visitors. It is located in the suburbs of Nairobi and is very popular for the man-made lake and also an assembly enclosure which serves the purpose of meeting ground for various religious and political gatherings. In its close vicinity, lies the central park which comprises Jomo Kenyatta memorial, who was the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya. Other worth-visiting parks are Nairobi Arboretum, City Park and Jeevanjee Gardens.

Another best-loved tourist’s destination is Nairobi National Park which offers you to observe an excellent game and contains an abundant agglomeration of black rhinos, giraffes and lions. Besides, the park also provides shelter to almost 400 breeds of birds. You will be mesmerized to have the most astonishing and thrilling experience of Nairobi Safari Walk, through which you will be able to observe the wild animal life while walking on your foot. The place is also highly regarded as the home of several museums amongst which The Nairobi National Museum is very magnificent and spectacular.

It is the largest one of the city for possessing the wide variety of artefacts that represents Kenya’s original culture, heritage and history. Apart from it, the other wonderful museums are Karen Blixen Museum , Nairobi Railway Museum and Nairobi Gallery. The city also owns Solar Ice Rink which is the greatest ice rink of Africa which is spreaded over the land area of about 15,000 square feet with the capacity of approximately 200 people.

The whole of the metropolis id bordered with a number of luxurious and gleaming restaurants and hotels like Holiday Inn, Hilton, The Stanley Hotel, Laico Regency, Safari Park & Casino and Nairobi Serena. So this time when you plan up your holiday-break, don’t forget the mesmerizing Nairobi City which is an oasis of so many sparkling and shinning areas.

Money Exchange for Kenya -Services - Money

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Money Exchange for Kenya -Services - Money
Travel tips for your trip to Kenya Hotel Maps Famous Places in Kenya helps you to make your trip to Kenya in the holiday a Splendid One




Currency information:

Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KSh20, 10 and 5.
Credit cards:

MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so. Major hotels now also accept payment by credit card, as do major safari companies, travel agencies and restaurants. Almost every bank now has an ATM, and they are increasingly being installed at petrol stations.
ATM:

Almost every bank now has an ATM, and they are increasingly being installed at petrol stations in cities and large towns.
Travellers cheques:

These can be changed at banks, and are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Banking hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat 0900-1100. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier.
Currency restriction:

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent must be declared.
Currency exchange:

Currency can be exchanged at the major banks, bureaux de change or authorised hotels. The banks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport have 24-hour exchange services. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros.

Health and Medical Information for Kenya

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Health and Medical Information for Kenya
Travel tips for your trip to Kenya Hotel Maps Famous Places in Kenya helps you to make your trip to Kenya in the holiday a Splendid One




Health insurance is essential, and should include medical repatriation. Part of the African Medical and Research Foundation, the Flying Doctor Service have introduced a special Tourist Membership, which guarantees that any member injured or ill while on safari can call on a flying doctor for free air transport (www.amref.org). There are excellent medical facilities in Nairobi and Mombasa, but they are of a varying standard in the rest of the country.
Food and drink:

Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. When buying bottled water, check the seal of the bottle is intact. Avoid ice and washed salads and fruit except in top hotels and restaurants. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should be avoided at all times.
Other risks:

Diarrhoeal diseases are common. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic; hepatitis E is widespread. Meningococcal meningitis is a risk, particularly during the dry season. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Avoid insect fly bites and wear shoes to protect against hookworm. Dengue fever and rabies are present. There is a high incidence of HIV/AIDS.

Short History Of Kenya and Culture

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Short History Of Kenya and Culture
Travel tips for your trip to Kenya Hotel Maps Famous Places in Kenya helps you to make your trip to Kenya in the holiday a Splendid One


Excavations in Kenya suggest that the region was the home to Homo habilis, from whom Homo sapiens descended, some 3.25 million years ago. Over millenniums Kenya was settled by a large number of migrating tribes from all over Africa. From the 8th century, the region became prosperous on the profits of trade from across the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese arrived in the early 16th century, but by 1720 had been driven out by the Arabs, and the region was then largely ruled by Omani Dynasties. The British arrived in the middle of the 19th century. By the 1890s they were able to penetrate into the highlands, and the Mombasa to Uganda railway line was constructed. Nairobi grew as a convenient staging point, and became the headquarters of the British administration.

By the early 20th century, the fertile lands to the north were attracting a large number of white settlers led by Lord Delamere who came into conflict with the local population. The movement for territorial, economic and political rights soon found an able leader in Jomo Kenyatta. The fight for independence gathered pace after World War II, but was sometimes a bloody affair, particularly the three-year guerrilla war in the 1950s between the Mau Mau and the British colonial authorities.

Kenya was granted independence in 1963, and the Kenyan African National Union (KANU), led by Kenyatta, took power. Kenyatta died in 1978, and was succeeded by Daniel Arap Moi, who consistently held the upper hand, and opposition parties were banned outright in 1982. In the 1990s, the Moi government was finally forced to concede to a multi-party democracy, but KANU and Moi again won the 1992 and 1997 elections, amid widespread allegations of corruption and malpractice.

With Moi constitutionally barred from contesting, the National Alliance Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which represented 15 opposition parties, won the 2002 election, and Mwai Kibaki was elected President.

At the end of 2007, explosive elections were held, which resulted in widespread violence across the county against disputed election results between the NARC and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) led by Oginga Odinga. With the assistance of international mediators, a power agreement was negotiated placing Kibaki as President and Odinga as Prime Minister.

Kenya Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details

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Kenya Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details
Travel tips for your trip to Kenya Hotel Maps Famous Places in Kenya helps you to make your trip to Kenya in the holiday a Splendid One

Accommodation in Kenya ranging from guest houses, holiday inns, bed and breakfast, restaurants, small residential units, 3 star to 5 star Arusha hotels, lodging options, vacation resorts, travel reservations, motels, hostels and hoteles.

There are many hotels in Kenya, with the most famous one being The Norfolk Hotel. These hotels contain all the amenities that one would expect, for example, room service, carnivores, air-conditioned and a few shops. Norfolk has a unique and quiet wonderful style and presence as it was built in the early part of the century.
Another hotel in Kenya is the Hilton Hotel, which is found in down town Nairobi and it provides all the usual services.

Nairobi Hotels
Mombasa Hotels

The other hotel is the Serena Hotel, which in a few years back, went under renovation and is now attractive and fashionable. Serena has got many goods, nice restaurants and a health club.

Outside Nairobi, there are other two new, good and very big hotels and those are; Safari Park and Windsor Hotels. Safari Park Hotel is larger than Windsor and it has got at least 5 restaurants, a health club, a free form pool, casino and many shops. Windsor Hotel has got a golf course, a swimming pool, lots of land, restaurants and shops.

There are also tented camps, which are normally found in the game parks around Kenya and these camps are not temporary, but rather permanent, with proper electricity, flush toilets, running water and so on. They have got rooms that can hold two beds, though they are normally smaller than lodges. Because of their smaller size, people and vehicles to contend with, are always less and yet their prices also usually vary from one to the next. Some of the examples of the tented camps are; Siana Springs, Larsens, Mara River, Laroi, Lake Baringo Island Camp and Sekenani Camp.

Kenya has also got many lodges, which people use when visiting the game parks, and just like the hotels, lodges too have real rooms, bathrooms ensuite. Some of the examples of these lodges are; Keekorok, Mara Serena, Mara Simba, Shaba, Samburu Intrepids and Outspan Lodge.
With trees growing through the dining room ceiling and thatched roofs, there can be great ambience.

Setting a large compound and having swimming pools around the lodges is suitable because they provide an appropriate environment for the pools. Lodges are much larger than tented camps and are often not as personal, however, accommodations in lodges can vary accordingly. For example, it may b an individual bungalow or even all being within a main building.

A TOURISTIC KENYA Destinations Kenyan safari travel tips

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A TOURISTIC KENYA Destinations Kenyan safari travel tips
Travel tips for your trip to Kenya Hotel Maps Famous Places in Kenya helps you to make your trip to Kenya in the holiday a Splendid One

Kenya has many attractions ranging from the natural beauty of the Kenya Highlands, crowned by Mount Kenya's icy peak, to the golden, sandy beaches on its Eastern shores, and the exotic African wildlife that can't be found on any other continent.

Mount Kenya - The Central Highlands
One of the top attractions of Kenya's natural landscape is this extinct Volcano that rises 5,199 metres high and is located a few hundred kilometres North of the Equator. It is said that the Kikuyu god ngai resides in the mountain. Despite its proximity to the Equator, Africa's second highest mountain has permanent glaciers at its frosty peak. The area around the mountain is the protected Mount Kenya National Park, a popular tourist destination for wildlife watchers.

Hells Gate
Hells Gate is a National Park in a province of Kenya known as the Rift Valley. The park is famous for its natural geysers and hot springs. There is a gorge walk with spectacular views and plenty of wildlife viewing and bird watching opportunities throughout the area. Campsites and picnic trails litter the areas in and around the park and adventurers can take advantage of rock climbing, hiking and biking. In addition to the natural wonders of the Rift Valley, at Hells Gate you can experience another of the attractions in Kenya - the wonderful singing and dancing of the Maasai, and enjoy jewellery making demonstrations as you explore this ancient culture.

Rusinga Island
In Western Kenya, at the Eastern point of Lake Victoria, is an elongated piece of land about 10 miles long known as Rusinga Island, linked to the mainland by a causeway. The ancestors of this small area fled Uganda hundreds of years ago. Today descendents of the Ugandan Suba people are farmers who raise fish, as well as staples like maize and millet. The cool breezes that blow off the waters of Lake Victoria are welcome to swimmers and boaters who enjoy Rusinga's beautiful black sands and calm waters.

Kenyan Coast
Perhaps one of the most overlooked attractions in Kenya to safari seeking tourists is the Kenyan coastline. On Kenya's South Eastern edge, the warm waters of the Indian Ocean gently lap beautiful white sandy beaches. Here you will find the waters teeming with exotic marine life and spectacular coral reefs. Look out over the calm waters and you can almost spell the spices that linger through the centuries old trade routes with Arabia and India. Remnants of the Arab and Portuguese forts capture your imagination and hark back to medieval times when life here was tinged with the exploits of foreigners looking to make their fortunes from exporting spices, silks and exotic wares from foreign lands.