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Travel Information
| General Information
Kenya is located on the eastern coast of Africa,
right on the equator. It is a land of striking landscapes, ranging
from snow-capped Mount Kenya to rich farmlands, barren deserts and
tropical beaches. It borders Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan in the
north, Uganda in the west, Tanzania in the south, and the Indian
Ocean in the east. Kenya's capital city is Nairobi. Other major
cities are Mombasa, the main port on the Indian Ocean and Kisumu
on Lake Victoria. The eight provinces of Kenya range in geographical
size from the small Nairobi Province to the much larger eastern
and Rift Valley provinces. Kenya's national parks are wildlife,
marine and botanical sanctuaries set aside to conserve their unique
species and for educational and recreational enjoyment by Kenyans
and tourists.
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| Time Zone
Kenya is GMT + 0200 hours and standard time +0300
UTC.
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| Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory
for travelers over one year of age coming from countries where yellow
fever may occur. Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea,
Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Democratic Republic
of Congo, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru have been
indicated as countries where yellow fever may occur, but no guarantees
can be given that no certificates are required from other countries.
Malaria risk exists throughout the year in Kenya, though there is
little risk in Nairobi and the highlands.
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| Weather
Although Kenya lies astride the Equator, the Nairobi
area and many other parts of the country enjoy a very pleasant and
temperate climate throughout the year. Nairobi’s altitude
is some 1,700 metres (5,450 feet) above sea level. The period of
early May falls in the so-called “long rains” season
in Nairobi. Rainfall is, however, generally confined to the evening
hours, and the month average for May is approximately 200 mm (8
inches). It is pleasantly warm by day with sunny periods. Nights
are cool. In May the average maximum temperature is 24°C and
the average minimum temperature 16°C.
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| Electricity
240 Volts.
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| Official Language
The official languages of the Republic of Kenya are
English and Kiswahili.
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| Currency
The official currency of the Republic of Kenya is
the Kenya Shillings (Ksh). The current exchange rate vis-à-vis
the US dollar stands at approximately Kshs.77.00 for one US dollar
and Kshs. 82.00 for one Euro. |
| Credit cards
Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels
and restaurants in the city.
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| Passport and Visas
All travellers arriving in Kenya should have a valid passport.
Kenyan entry visas are required and participants are encouraged
to apply for them at the Kenyan Embassies or High Commissions
in their home countries as soon as possible. In countries where
there is no Kenyan Embassy or High Commission, the British Embassy
or High Commission will generally represent Kenya, and be in a
position to issue visas or give advice.
 Download
visa application form.
Any participant who experiences difficulties in obtaining
a visa in the manner described above should immediately inform:
Mr. Joseph Mungai
Secretary to the Governing Council
and Chief, External Relations and Inter-Agency Affairs
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel No: (254 20) 623133/623132/623131
Fax No: (254 20) 624175/624250
Email: Joseph.Mungai@unhabitat.org
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