GETTING AROUND:
BY AIR:
Most international visitors will arrive through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(JKIA) Nairobi(NBO). If you are already in Nairobi and need to get to the Airport, please make sure that you spare at least 2 hours to get there as the main road to the airport has heavy traffic jams and security checks are tedious. Kenya Airways(KQ) offers the most scheduled connections from JKIA and regular daily flights to the following destinations Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu and Kisumu are on offer. A return flight from Nairobi to Mombasa will cost about Ksh 11,000 (~$160). Online booking is available. Check in is 45 minutes before departure. Pay attention to the announcements while in Unit 3 of JKIA as passengers on different flights are put in the same waiting area. If you are flying from another destination to Nairobi using Kenya Airways in the tourist high season (July-September, December-February), note that KQ flights are frequently delayed and preference is given to international connecting passengers, Platinum frequent flier card holders and First class passengers. A low cost no frills Airlines, Fly540 also flies from JKIA and offers scheduled connections to Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Kisumu and Masaai Mara. Plans are there to extend the service to the East African region. A return flight to Mombasa from Nairobi will cost about $99 (without tax!) Online booking is possible. Another airline Airkenya flies from Wilson Airport Nairobi to: Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Meru, Nanyuki and Samburu. The lounge features a Dormans cafe and is mostly hustle free. Check in can be done up to 15 minutes before departure. Wilson Airport was once the busiest airport in Africa outside South Africa but still remains a major hub for local flights to the nature reserves in Kenya and to cities in neighbouring countries. The East African Safari Air also flies from Nairobi to Malindi, Kisumu and Lokichogio. Most charter tourist fly directly to either of the coastal airports of Mombasa or Malindi.
BY BUS:
Kenya has a network of long distance bus lines. Speed is limited to 80km/h and the highways can be very bumpy and dusty so ensure you pick a comfortable and reputable coach company for the long journeys. Travelling during the day is preferable to travelling at night due to the threat of carjackings and road traffic accidents. Local Buses in town comprise of private companies such as the green and yellow Citi Hoppa, which provide, all seating, comfortable transportation for an inexpensive fee (usually around US$ 0.66). They have regular services in and out of the Nairobi city suburbs. the usually seat 20-35 passengers (no standing passengers allowed by law) and are a cleaner and less hectic mode of transport than matatus, while still plying much of the same routes.
BY MATUTU:
Matatus are privately operated minibuses, typically for 14 or 25 passengers and operating over short and medium distances. Travel by matatu can be somehwat as the vehicles are sometimes extremely badly driven, with matatu drivers swerving in and out of traffic and stopping at a moment's notice by the side of the road for passengers. Some are poorly maintained but many are to be found in fascinating and colourful decor, which is a major ensemble of Kenyan urban culture. Previously matatus were usually packed to well over capacity – up to 25 people in a 14-seater vehicle – but in recent years there has been increased government regulation and policing of matatus especially in the larger cities, such that most matatus now provide seatbelts and do not exceed the vehicle's stated capacity. An unfortunate side-effect of better regulation has been a loss of individuality and character of some of the vehicles, and drivers and conductors are now obliged to wear set uniforms. Tourists should be careful to ensure that they are wearing the seatbelts provided, unless they wish to find themselves taken on an inconvenient unscheduled trip from a road checkpoint to the police station. Although most matatus ply their trade along set routes, it is often possible outside of major towns to charter a matatu on the spot as a taxi to your your desired destination – make sure you have categorically confirmed your negotiated price and exact destination before the vehicle goes anywhere, or you may find yourself in the shadier areas of Nairobi at night at the mercy of an indignant matatu driver. Matatus provide a very cheap and quick method of transport in all the major towns and many rural areas. The name matatu hails from the Kiswahili word for the number three – tatu – because some time ago the standard fare was three ten cent coins.
BY TRAIN:
The Kenya-Uganda railway starts from Mombasa via Nairobi to Kampala, Uganda. This is the famous "Lunatic Express" & was also featured in the Michael Douglas film "The Ghost and the Darkness".
BY JEEP:
You can hire a jeep and drive through Kenya, though one needs to be proficient at traveling, since there is very little signage along the roads and one can easily get lost.
BY RENTAL CAR:
Most worldwide rental agencies have offices in Nairobi and Mombasa, and these offer expensive but reliable cars with a full back-up network. One can also rent cheaper cars from local distributors who are mostly reliable. Getting around in Kenya,especially for out of the city roads is difficult. Though Kenya does have a lovely country side,the roads are often in a dilapidated state due to neglect.Advice rent a heavy duty car/jeep to get you there.

TALK:
English is the official language, and is spoken in the major cities as well as by those connected to the tourist industry. Outside of the large cities, Kiswahili (otherwise known as Swahili) is the major language, and a few words of this language will go a long way. There's also Sheng (a corruption of English, Kiswahili and local languages) mostly spoken by urban youths. Tribal languages, such as Maa spoken by the Maasai, are commonplace in more remote areas, however you will usually be able to find a local who can speak at least broken Kiswahili – although in such areas a guide will be indispensable.

Common Kiswahili Phrases:

• Jambo – Hello (this is pidgin Kiswahili – expect to be greeted with this if you look like a tourist; except occasionally in Nairobi, Kenyans never say Jambo to each other, although may sometimes use the more grammatically pure "Hujambo?", to which the correct response is "Sijambo.")
• Habari gani? – How are you? (lit. "Have you any news?")
• Mzuri sana – Fine, thank you (lit. "[I am] very good" – strictly speaking this should be Nzuri sana which would literally mean "[I have] very good [news]"; however the Mzuri form is probably more common now)
• Tafadhali – Please
• Asante sana – Thank you very much
• Asante hapana - No thank you
• Watcha - Stop it!
• Karibu – You're welcome / Welcome to ...
• Jina langu ni Nancy – My name is Nancy
• Shilingi ngapi? – How much does it cost? (lit. "How many Shillings?")
• Kwa heri – Goodbye
• Pole pole (pronounced pol-ay pol-ay) – Slowly, slowly
• Hakuna matata – No problem (lit. "There are no problems" – expect to hear this phrase most frequently in the easygoing coastal towns, along with pole pole)

STAY SAFE:

• Stay alert when walking or driving through Nairobi. You should be careful to always be aware of your surroundings and if possible ensure that you have a guide with you. Nairobi is not nicknamed 'Nairobbery' for nothing and even daylight muggings on crowded streets are not uncommon. Particularly avoid walking after dark (take a taxi if you can afford it, at least a bus if you can not). Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth and property, particularly tempting objects such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players etc. The bus from the airport to downtown is a notorious target for pickpockets. It is advisable for women travellers to avoid travelling alone and to have a male companion so as to present less of a tempting target. Muggings and robbing are a regular occurrence in downtown Narobi but are less prevalent in the uptown areas of Nairobi like Westlands which have very good security due to the well off individuals who live and work there.
• If you are unlucky and get mugged, a good tactic is to wave your arms and start screaming at the would-be mugger. Confrontations with armed robbers, however, should be avoided – in this instance remember that your possessions are far less important than your life. Most criminals in Nairobi are more interested in a quick grab and dash than they are in a prolonged encounter. Since robbery is frequently punished by lengthy prison terms or even death, most muggers can be dissuaded by a good show of force. It is perfectly possible to see much of Nairobi without incident if you take sensible precautions.
• The North of the country has a reputation for lawlessness, becoming more dangerous the closer you get to the Sudanese, Ethiopian and Somali borders – armed robberies and abductions by shiftas (bandits) on the roads in these areas are frequent. Avoid travelling to this part of the country if possible, and take special precautions if travelling by road – armed convoys are normal for this part of the country. Visitors to Lake Turkana (indicated on the map as Lake Rudolf) in the Northwest and Lamu in the Northern end of the coast are advised to travel there by air. Lodwar, Lokichokio ('Loki') and Moyale are towns best avoided by the casual traveller, unless you have business with the humanitarian organisations based there.

STAY HEALTHY:

• Protect yourself from mosquitoes, as they carry numerous diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever. Get expert advice on malaria preventatives. Guard against mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and long trousers and apply an effective insect repellent, for example one containing DEET. If travelling to other East African countries a yellow fever vaccination would be advisable so as to prevent complications and paying of bribes at the border. These can be administered at an affordable price at most reliable Nairobi clinics and hospitals.
• Malaria prophylactics can be highly effective - consult your physician.
• If you get flu-like symptoms including fever, consult a doctor immediately. If no doctor is available, take a treatment dose of an appropriate anti-malarial and go immediately to a hospital. While the public hospitals are slightly cheaper, long waits and poor conditions and care at these facilities may make it worthwhile to go to a private clinic. Costs will vary, but a typical trip to the hospital for malaria testing, doctor's consultation, and medication will cost between $12 to $30USD depending on the clinic. As malaria can become serious, a trip to the hospital is recommended at the first symptoms of malaria.
• If you get such symptoms within 12 months of returning home, seek a doctor's advice very quickly and immediately tell him where you have been in the last year. Delayed treatment, even by just a few hours, can lead to permanent brain and liver damage or death.
• Do not have unprotected sex as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are a risk. Voluntary Testing and Counseling (VCT) clinics offer free testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS.
• Cholera is another danger. When in effected areas, see a doctor immediately and drink plenty of water.
• All water should be treated, either by boiling or through purifying tablets or filters. This includes Nairobi as well as rural areas. Typhoid fever is a risk and like malaria prophylactics, the vaccination is not 100% effective. All fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed. While eating from the roadside kiosks is part of the cultural experience that one should not miss out on, note that such places do not always have the highest sanitary conditions and stomach illnesses can result.
• It is advisable to have traveller's and accident insurance.  

RESPECT:

• Although Kenya is predominantly Christian and somewhat liberal, there are areas with major Muslim influence, such at the Coastal regions, where it is considered indecent to wear short dresses.
• Beachwear is acceptable on the beach but not while strolling around town. Even though some hotels allow topless or nude sunbathing, these are in restricted areas & not in public areas.
• Kissing or heavy petting is frowned upon in public, even though Kenyan youth engage in both liberally in Nightclubs.

Powered by:Integrated Travel Services © 2007