Kenya Travel FAQs

The population of Kenya is nearly 50 million people consisting of 42 tribes in Kenya with different languages and cultures that all merge to become the unique mix of Kenyan culture. The biggest six tribes comprises about half the Kenya population and hence there is a higher influence to Kenyan culture from the people of these big tribes in terms of language mix, food, art, craft among others integration factors.

The standard time zone in Kenya is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Abbreviation commonly used is EST (East Africa Standard Time)

In Kenya distances are measured in kilometres and weight is measured in kilograms.

Kenya Airways fly a daily overnight service into and out of Nairobi with a huge network of onward flights to the Kenyan coast, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and further afield to the Seychelles. British Airways fly a daily day service to and from London. In addition to a number of services from the rest of UK via Europe and the Middle East.

Kenya Airways now flies direct flights to New York since October 2018.

Kenyans who work in cities and especially in the tourism industry do speak good English, but the most widely spoken language is Kiswahili. Learning a few words helps

you make a lot of friends.

Kenya lies directly on the equator and has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid in the coastal areas and temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast

parts of the country.

Kenya’s climate varies from tropical along the coast to temperate inland to arid in the north and northeast parts of the country. The area receives a great deal of

sunshine every month. It is usually cool at night and early in the morning inland at higher elevations.

The “long rains” season occurs from March/April to May/June. The “short rains” season occurs from October to November/December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and

often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The temperature remains high throughout these months of tropical rain. The hottest period is February and March, leading

into the season of the long rains, and the coldest is in July, until mid-August

What is the best time of the year to visit Kenya?

Kenya is a great year round destination, with the main tourist season being in January and February, During this period the weather is hot and dry and is generally considered quite pleasant. July to October is the tourist peak season. The great annual wildebeest migration that happens in Masai Mara is one of the greatest attraction during this season. The months of June and July are the coldest.

This is also a time when flocks of birds arrive in the Rift Valley, offering a kaleidoscope of colour and sound. Between June and September the weather is still dry, with the rains coming from March to May. During the rainy months things are quiet, with hotels and lodges having many rooms available and prices tend to decrease.

The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES), comprising of 100 cents. Coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 shillings. Banks notes are in

denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 shillings. One USD dollar mean exchange ratio is about 1:100

Foreign currency being imported into the country is unlimited and does not have to be declared on arrival.

What are the Bank Opening Hours?

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 09:00am to 14:00pm (16:30 in bigger cities). Banks at the airport stay open until midnight

+254 is the country’s dialing code. Safaricom is the largest cellular service providers and offers a international calls bundle that is very affordable to the countries of USA, Canada, China and India.

Can I use my Cell/mobile phone in Kenya?

In Kenya you will be able to buy prepaid (pay-as-you-go) SIM cards that are cheap and easy to use right from the Airport. Our office can be of great assistance too if you wish to engage us and get instructed on how to Top-up or refill calling vouchers. You can buy these calling vouchers at every door step.

If you prefer to use your own international SIM Card, set to roaming or otherwise.

Is there internet connectivity?

Kenya leads Africa in cell phone usage especially for internet connections. You simply subscribe to a data bundle (very easily) from your phone and go. Nearly all safari lodges, camps, beach resorts and hotels will have high availability internet access that is free for customers.

The local electricity supply is 220/240 volts AC, 50HZ and plugs are 3 point square. Please bring along voltage and plug adaptors if you intend bringing electrical devices. Major hotels usually provide hairdryers, irons and other electrical equipment on request.

Health Issues & Travel Insurance

It is recommended that you obtain a suitable travel insurance or use our affiliate partner links to purchase one. Topcats Safaris provides an Emergency Evacuation cover to EACH of our travellers.

Can I drink the tap water?

No I wouldn’t recommend drinking the tap water. Whilst on safari I suggest people drink the bottled water that will be available in your tent or lodge and if you need extra at any point you’ll be able to purchase it.

Do I need to get any vaccinations ahead of travel and/or malaria tablets?

Yes you will. The best thing to do is to visit your doctor at least six weeks in advance of travel as they can give you the most up to date advice. An insect repellant can do a lot of good too.

Always stay alert when walking or driving through the major cities, especially Nairobi. If possible, always ensure that you have a guide with you when exploring these areas.

Avoid walking after dark and displaying your wealth, including carrying expensive cell phones, MP3’s, laptops and camera’s in full view. Nearly every ‘Nairobian’ has a cell phone today, unlike years ago when phone mugging was a common vice. The bus from the airport to downtown is a well known target for pickpockets. Women travelers should avoid traveling alone.

The far North of Kenya has a reputation for lawlessness, becoming more dangerous the closer you get to the Sudanese, Ethiopian and Somali borders. Topcats Safaris does not venture into these areas on road. There are very awesome tourism features beyond our road-travel limit and some very welcoming tribes. We partner with Tropic Air to visit some of these areas by helicopter.

Please check with your local Kenya embassies regarding visas and passports as they could change without prior notice.