Sightseeing Kenya’s wilderness areas are famous worldwide. The name Kenya has become synonymous with the great wilds of Africa but they represent far more than you would ever expect, protecting and showcasing a broad range of habitats and species. Millions of wildebeest on their annual migration and equally large numbers of pink flamingos massing on the shores of the Rift Valley soda lakes are breathtaking sights.
Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National Park is well-known for its great migration. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. The ancient instinct to move is so strong that no drought or crocodile infested river can hold them back.
Today, the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Masai Mara Game Reserve protect the greatest and most varied collection of terrestrial wildlife on earth, one of the last great migratory systems.
Masai Mara’s open plains are renowned for the Big Five; Amboseli, with snow-capped Kilimanjaro as a magnificent backdrop, is home to huge herds of elephant. The Great Rift Valley’s Lake Nakuru offers habitat for tens of thousands of flamingos whilst Lake Naivasha is home of the hippopotamus; Ngorongoro Crater, a spectacular natural amphitheatre, teems with animals; Lake Manyara abounds with elephant, hippopotamus and buffalo; Tanzania’s largest national park – Serengeti is a perfect backdrop to the wildebeest migration; and the marine parks’ coral reefs host prolific aquatic life.
Accommodation
Ambient game lodges and tented camps during safaris; relaxing beach resorts in Mombasa and comfortable city hotels in Nairobi.
Family activities
Unforgettable safaris including a cultural visit to a Masai village.
Shopping
What you can buy – Wood and stone carvings, paintings, handicrafts, hand-woven fabrics, masks, drums, jewellery and ceramics.
Where you can buy – Safari lodges and city bazaars. Also at markets and malls in Nairobi.
Entertainment
While on safari, most lodges feature African dancers and other traditional entertainment; Nairobi and Mombasa offer a good choice of bars, restaurants and discothèques.
Sports and leisure
Hotels in Mombasa offer excellent water sports including sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and deep sea fishing.
Visas:
Kenya - Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days: Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji Islands, Gambia, Grenada, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Nationals of all other countries will be issued visas on application either on arrival at a port of entry or at any Kenyan Consulate/Embassy in their country of residence.
Tanzania - Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa for a stay of up to three months (they are issued with a visitors pass on arrival): Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon lslands, Swaziland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Nationals of all other countries require a visa prior to arrival.
If you cannot acquire a visa because your country of residence does not have any Tanzanian representation to issue a visa or if you cannot obtain a visa from the nearest visa office in your region, you can proceed to Tanzania and obtain a visa at one of the following four points of entry in Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro international airports or at the Namanga border crossing point between Tanzania and Kenya.
Ethiopia - Visas are required for all visitors to Ethiopia (except nationals of Djibouti and Kenya).
Nationals or resident permit holders of the following countries may be issued with a tourist visa on arrival: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States of America (except those who are of Eritrean origin).
Passengers must hold two passport size photos and USD100 for processing the visa on arrival.
Health requirements:
For Kenya, a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for passengers who have travelled or transited from infected areas. The vaccination is recommended for visitors travelling outside the urban areas. Please check with your local Kenyan Consulate/Embassy prior to departure. For Tanzania, the yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for all visitors over one year of age.
A valid yellow fever certificate is also required for persons (above one year of age) who have travelled from or transited via infected areas. Health risks include malaria (except in Nairobi and high-altitude areas), cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid, polio and yellow fever. Malaria exists throughout the year - the falciparum variety is present and high resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Travellers to Ethiopia are recommended to have vaccines for polio, yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and cholera. Health risks include malaria (except high-altitude areas). Please check with your doctor for current vaccination requirements.
Travel insurance:
Adequate holiday and travel insurance is vital. Emirates Holidays offers a comprehensive insurance package to enable you and your family to travel with peace of mind. Please contact your nearest Emirates Holidays office or your travel agent for details of our HolidayGuard Travel Insurance cover.
Currency:
Kenya - Kenya Shilling (KES) divided into 100 cents.
Notes in denominations of KES1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.
Coins in denominations of KES20, 10, 5 and 1 shilling and 50, 10 and 5 cents.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = KES19.46
EUR1 = KES85.11
USD1 = KES71.50
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Banking hours -
0900 to 1500 hours, Monday - Friday,
0900 to 1100 hours, Saturday (first and last Saturday of every month). Banks at international airports are open 24 hours a day.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency but it is illegal to import or export local currency. Payment in US Dollars is accepted in Kenya.
Currency exchange is offered in all banks, foreign exchange bureaus and most hotels. Foreign exchange bureaus are recommended as they do not charge commission. All major credit and charge cards are accepted in most large shops and major hotels but not outside the main cities. Automated teller machines (ATMs) are easily accessible to withdraw money using a major credit card. Travellers cheques are accepted and exchanged in all banks. Travellers cheques in Pound Sterling (GBP), US Dollars (USD) and South African Rand (ZAR) are recommended.
Tanzania - Tanzania Shilling
(TSH) divided into 100 cents.
Notes in denominations of TSH10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 200.
Coins in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = TSH322
EUR1 = TSH1,411
USD1 = TSH1,186
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Banking hours -
0830 to 1600 hours, Monday - Friday,
0830 to 1300 hours, Saturday. A few branches in the major towns are open until 1600 hours.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency but it is illegal to import or export local currency. Payment in foreign currency, particularly US Dollars, is accepted in Tanzania. Currency exchange is offered in all banks and foreign exchange bureaus in the main towns and tourist areas. We do not recommend changing money with unauthorised persons, however favourable the exchange rate may appear.
Credit cards are not widely accepted and fetch poor exchange rates. While travellers cheques can be exchanged in cities and towns, banking facilities in remote areas are limited. We therefore advise you to carry sufficient cash for your requirements.
Ethiopia - Ethiopian Birr (ETB) divided into 100 cents.
Notes in denominations of ETB100, 50, 10, 5, and 1.
Coins in denominations of
ETB50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = ETB2.38
EUR1 = ETB10.58
USD1 = ETB8.77
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Banking hours -
0800 to 1600 hours, Monday - Friday,
0800 to 1200 hours, Saturday.
There are no restrictions on import and export of foreign currency but it is illegal to import or export local currency. The permitted limit on import as well as export of local currency is ETB100.
Currency exchange may only be done at authorised banks and hotels. Credit cards are not widely accepted. Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted however on a very limited scale. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers are advised to carry travellers cheques in US Dollars or Sterling Pounds.
Clothing:
Lightweight clothing is generally required in Kenya and Tanzania, although warmer clothing may be necessary for the evenings and the higher areas of the region. Rainwear is advisable during the rainy season. Lightest possible clothing for lowlands, medium or lightweight clothing for highlands and rainwear during summer is recommended in Ethiopia. Warm clothing is advisable at night.
Airport information:
Kenya
Nairobi - Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is approximately 16 kilometres south-east of the city centre. The airport telephone number is 020 82 2111.
Mombasa - Moi International Airport (MBA) is approximately 13 kilometres west of the city centre. The airport telephone number is 041 43 3211.
Tanzania
Dar es Salaam - Dar es Salaam International Airport (DAR) is approximately 13 kilometres south-west of the city centre. The airport telephone number is 022 284 4324/4212.
Zanzibar - Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) is approximately 10 kilometres south of Stone Town. The airport telephone number is 024 223 1819.
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa - Bole International Airport (ADD) is approximately eight kilometres south-east of the city centre. The airport telephone number is 01 18 0455.
Customs:
Kenya - Duty free allowance for persons of 17 years of age and above: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225 grams of tobacco (not exceeding 250 grams in all); one bottle of wine or one bottle of spirits; and 568 millilitres of perfume.
Tanzania - Duty free allowance for persons of 16 years of age and above: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; half litre of wine or half litre of spirits; and 570 millilitres of perfume.
Ethiopia - Duty Free allowance for persons of 16 years of age and above: 100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225 grams of tobacco; one bottle of wine or 500 millilitres of perfume. Gifts up to the value of ETB100.
Export certificates are required for skins, hides and antiques. The import of firearms, agricultural or horticultural produce and pets is prohibited.
Driving licence:
Kenya - Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. International Driving Permit is recommended.
Tanzania - Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. International Driving Permit is recommended, it must be endorsed by the Traffic Police on arrival. Temporary licence is avaliable from the Police on presentation of National licence.
Ethiopia - Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. A UK licence is required, otherwise a temporary Ethiopian licence needs to be obtained.
Emergency telephone numbers in Kenya and Tanzania:
Ambulance, fire and police - 999
For all enquiries - 900
Directory enquries - 991
Emergency Telephone numbers in Ethiopia:
Police - 911
Fire - 912
Hours of work:
Kenya
Business : 0830 to 1700 hours, (Closed for lunch from 1300 to 1400 hours) Monday - Friday.
Shopping: 0830 to 1230 hours, and 1400 to 1730 hours, Monday - Saturday.
Tanzania
Business: 0830 to 1530 hours, Monday - Friday.
Shopping: 0830 to 1530 hours, Monday - Saturday. Shops are closed on Sunday.
Ethiopia
Business : 0830 to 1230 and 1330 to 1730 hours, Monday - Thursday.
0830 to 1130 and 1330 to 1730 hours, Friday.
Shopping: 0800 to 1300 and 1400 to 2000 hours, Monday - Saturday.
Public holidays (fixed):
Kenya
01 January - New Year’s Day
01 May - Labour Day
01 June - Madaraka Day
10 October - Moi Day
20 October - Kenyatta Day
12 December - Independence Day
25 - 26 December - Christmas
Tanzania
01 January - New Year’s Day
12 January - Zanzibar Revolution Day
26 April - Union Day
01 May - International Workers’ Day
07 July - Saba Saba (Industry Day)
08 August - Nane Nane (Farmers’ Day)
09 December - Independence and Republic Day
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Boxing Day
Ethiopia
07 January - Ethiopian Christmas
02 March - Victory Adha
01 May - May Day
05 May - Patriots Victory Day
28 May - Overthrow of Dergue Regime
11 September - Ethiopian New Year
27 September - Meskel
Public holidays (moveable):
Kenya
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Adha
Prophet’s Birthday
Tanzania
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Adha
Maulid Day - Prophet birthday
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Ethiopia
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Adha
Ethiopian Epiphany
Birth of Prophet Mohammed -
Prophet birthday
Ethiopian Good Friday
Ethiopian Easter
These are based on the Islamic calendar (holidays move forward by 10 to 11 days each year).
Time zone:
Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia -
GMT + 3 hours.
Language:
Kenya - Kiswahili is the national language and English is the official language.
Tanzania - Kiswahili and English are the official languages but there are more than 120 dialects.
Ethiopia - Amharic is the official language, although about 80 other native dialects are spoken. English is widely used and some Arabic, Italian and French are also spoken.
Tipping:
Kenya and Tanzania - In most restaurants and hotels, a service charge is included in the bill. Extra tipping is optional. On safari, we recommend that drivers and guides are given tips on a daily basis.
Ethiopia - Tourist hotels and restaurants usually add a 10 per cent service charge to the bill. Otherwise tipping is fairly common, but only small amounts are customary.
Dress code:
Kenya and Tanzania - While on safari - Neutral coloured clothing is recommended. A sweater may be required as it can get chilly early in the morning and in the evening. As revealing clothes may cause offence in the towns or villages in Zanzibar and Lamu, women should carry a wrap to cover their legs.
Ethiopia - Casual wear is suitable for most places, but Ethiopians tend to be fairly formal and conservative in their dress.
Electricity:
Kenya and Tanzania - 240 volts, 50 cycles AC.
Ethiopia - 220 volts, 50 cycles AC.
Safety tips:
Kenya and Tanzania - Avoid walking alone on the streets after sunset. Do not leave valuables in hotel rooms and do not carry large sums of money. It is advisable to keep your valuables in the hotel’s safety deposit box. Keep a photocopy of your identity papers handy.
Ethiopia - There were demonstrations in Addis Ababa as well as other towns across the country in the recent past. Visitors are therefore cautioned to avoid all public demonstrations and large crowds and to keep a low profile in public places as the situation is still tense. Road travel to neighbouring countries is not advisable due to security reasons.