Guide to Kenya as a Tourist Destination:

Kenya lies on the Equator on the eastern part of Africa. It does not have any distinct season changes like the winter or fall or summer since the temperature range is relatively small. The only interruption to travel may be the two rainy seasons between March and May and the short rains in October through November. Most of the roads are all seasonal and there are domestic flights between major cities of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret.

There are two main cities in Kenya that tourists can fly in to. Nairobi is the capital city and is located in the heart of the country. The airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the airport code is NBO. Mombasa is at the coast towards the southern part of Kenya. The airport is Moi International airport. There are tourist hotels all over the country and especially in the tourist areas ranging form the Hilton to small motels. At the airports, there are guides that will help locate these hotels.

The currency in Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (KSH). It is an offense to deface the currency in any way. The current exchange rate is about KSH 75 to the USD. Most banks and hotels will have the ability to transact foreign exchange although it is advisable to carry travelers’ checks. Major establishments will accept credit cards. In the US, you will need to notify your bank that you are traveling abroad to make the money accessible. Major Banks are open Monday through Friday between 9am and 3pm.

The Electricity supply in Kenya is 220/240 volts 50HZ. Outlets are usually three pin square and a tourist may want to bring a converter to protect the electrical equipment that they have. Driving is on the left. Travel agents can organize for an international driving license. Gas stations utilize attendants and the gas is in liters. Distance is in kilometers and weight is in kilograms. Telecommunication service is available for faxes, telephone and the internet. Most major cities have cyber cafes with these services for a low fee.

Since it is tropical country, tourists need to find out from their health specialists what preventive measures to take. Most prophylactics are available to prevent malaria. They are mostly useful prior to travel, during and maybe after the visit. Malaria is common in humid areas such as Mombasa. Tap water may not be safe to drink and bottled water is available in supermarkets.

With those tips, here are some great tourist attractions in Kenya:

The Highlands and the Rift Valley: The breathtaking Rift Valley stretches right across the length of Kenya. It’s dotted with lakes, from Lake Turkana to Lake Magadi, as well as the remains of extinct volcanoes.There are at least 11 National Parks and Reserves in Kenya that are a must see. The attractions range from wildlife to hot water geysers, volcanoes and the Great Rift Valley. For wildlife, there is the Nairobi national park, Hells Gate national Park for lion and giraffe viewing, Lake Nakuru Park for beautiful flocks of flamingos, reedbuck and zebras and the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, home of the Big 5 and breathtaking views of the plains. There is the Aberdare Park for mountain forest animals such as elephants and buffalos, the Mt Kenya Park with eleven unique species of wildlife. Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro on the Kenya Tanzania border host mountain sports such as skiing and mountain climbing. The Ol Donyo Sabuk Park is also a necessary see, having hosted President Roosevelt in 1911 during his famous safari. Mwea national reserve is home to Kenya’s hydroelectric pump stations and hosts small mammals such as warthog, bushbuck, waterbuck, hartebeest, lesser kudu, jackal and crocodiles. Most national parks have lodges for overnight stays. Smaller reserves have camp and picnic sites.

The Coast: The Kenyan coast runs for approximately 550 kilometers from the Tanzanian to Somalia borders. The beaches are clean and sandy. Activities include deep-sea fishing for sailfish, marlins and billfish. There are water sports such as surfing, deep sea diving and snorkeling. Dolphin watching is available in places like Shimoni and dhow trips are available to the Spice Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba off the Kenyan Coast. Marine life is abundant and glass bottomed boats while bird and butterfly watching is a great attraction. There are cultural attractions such as the Fort Jesus ruin built in the 1400’s by Portuguese settlers. The golf courses are a sure way to relax during the day while waiting to experience the famous nightlife. There are all kinds of cuisine available and souvenirs to take back home after the trip such as carvings, paintings, apparel and pictures.

Packages can be booked as Safari Tours and maybe done in groups. Many agencies offer tour packages that will cover everything from airfare to hotel, tour guides and all the aspects of the visit. If one is adventurous, it is also worth it going it alone so that the visit is independent of group schedules. Kenya is a wonderful tourist destination with friendly people and plenty to do and see.