Kenya: Travelling

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi)	18 km, 20 to 25 min from the city centre	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Moi International Airport (Mombasa)	8 km	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Train reservation services

Kenya Railways Corporation

Major airlines

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical

Most historical sites and monuments are to be found on the coast. Fort Jesus is one of the most impressive historical sites of the 16th century and was built by Giovanni Battista Cairati to protect the port of Mombasa from foreign invasion.

Kenya has numerous archaeological sites. The fossils of Koobi Fora, near Lake Turkana, made a greater contribution to paleontology than any other African site.

Cultural

Kenya has a rich cultural heritage. Six sites are classified as part of the World Heritage: the Fort Jesus in Mombasa; the ancient Swahili town of Lamu; the Mijikenda Kaya Sacred Forest; the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley; the Lake Turkana National Park and the Mount Kenya Natural Forest.

Kenya also has a rich musical tradition: each ethnic group has a particular style, while their musical traditions share the use of ngoma drum. Maasai warrior dances are particularly spectacular. There is also modern music inherited from the musical cultures of the Great Lakes (benga) and the coasts, influenced by the Swahili culture and using Indian percussions, polyphonic singing, string instruments and taarab.

Nature

Kenya is a true paradise for nature lovers. The term "safari", now commonly used, means "journey" in Swahili. The landscapes are very diverse, ranging from deserts to snow-capped mountains, from forests to plains, and from freshwater lakes to the coral reef. The Masai Mara National Reserve has recently been declared the eighth wonder of the world. There are 19 national parks and reserves, competing with each other in terms of wildlife and beautiful scenery. The Mount Kenya National Park and the Forest Reserve have been put on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Amboseli National Park is one of the best spots in the world for observing wildlife, while Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its flamingos, giraffes and black rhinos. The Kenya Lake System, which consists of Lakes Bogoria, Nakuru and Elementaita, also has unmissable, spectacular scenery.

Religious

The spiritual life of Kenyans is rich and diverse. The country has many temples, mosques, churches, cathedrals and synagogues. Examples include the Mandhry and Basheikh mosques in Mombasa, the 14th-century Pwani Mosque in Lamu and the magnificent Riyadha Mosque, the 16th-century Portuguese chapel in Malindi, the Cistercian monastery of Our Lady of Victoria Abbey in Kipkelion, the All Saints Cathedral located behind the Uhuru Park and the Jain temple in Mombasa.

Thermal

Kenya has many hot springs and geysers. The hot springs of Lake Bogoria, located in the Bogoria National Reserve, are the best known and most impressive. This site has more than 200 sources and geysers. There are about sixty springs and six geysers in Loburu. Further south, Chemerkeu has forty springs and four geysers. The sources of Lake Magadi are found in the Rift Valley region.

Beach

The coast of Kenya is lined with beaches with white sand and turquoise waters. Among them, the Malindi National Park is ideal for snorkeling, surfing and other water activities, or the Diani, Nyali, Bamburi beaches around Mombasa. Gazi Beach, Lamu island and Vipingo beach are ideal destinations for travelers seeking privacy.

Winter Sports

No

Outdoor Activities

In addition to safaris, Kenya offers a wide range of outdoor activities. For lovers of rafting and kayaking, Kenya has beautiful rivers, including Tana, Mathioya and Athi. Two fishing areas are particularly renowned: the Pemba Channel for marlin and Malindipour for swordfish. Trout fishing is practiced on the heights of the Aberdares and on Mount Kenya. There are opportunities for hiking and mountaineering on the mountain ranges: Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Matthews Range, Cherangani Hills, Hells Gate and Chyulu Hills. There is fowl, partridge, quail and duck hunting or horseback riding in the highlands as well as in Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi. The coast has many spots for water sports (water boarding, surfing, wind surfing, snorkeling), especially in Malindi. Football and walking are particularly popular and golf, cricket, tennis, squash etc. are also available.

Shopping

In addition to the modern shopping centers in Nairobi, markets offer a wide selection of local handicrafts: almost anywhere you can find Massai pearl bracelets and necklaces, Swahili silver jewelry, Pokot decorated gourds, Akamba wood carvings, Kisii soapstone sculptures, the kiondos (tote bags made of sisal fiber), batiks, kikois and kangas (East African sarongs), cotton fabrics, Arabic handicrafts and gems.

Tourism Organisations

Kenya Office of Tourism
Kenya Tourism Federation
Kenya Association of Tour Operators

Health and Safety

Health Precautions

A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever may be required. In coastal areas and near lakes, precautions must be taken against malaria. Measles, polio and rabies are common. The country has also been hit by epidemics of cholera, dengue and chikungunya fevers. It is strongly advised to wash or peel fruits and vegetables before consumption. Finally, it is recommended to drink water from a capped bottle or boiled water.

International Hospitals

There are adequate medical services in Nairobi, and to a lesser extent in Mombasa. It is advisable to bring treatment for malaria.

For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions

Kenya Profile, World Health Organisation
Info on Kenya, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States.
Ministry of Health

For Further Information on Safety Conditions

Canadian Foreign Office
Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State of the United States

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference

It is %T:%M %A In Nairobi (GMT+3)

Summer Time Period

None