About Kenya

Travel Information

More Travel Information:

NOTE: Plastic bags are illegal in Kenya. They will be confiscated, and there may be a fine. This includes Duty-free bags. Do NOT bring plastic bags into Kenya!

Language

The main languages spoken are Swahili and English. Locals appreciate any Swahili you can speak!

Money

The local currency is Kenyan shillings. U.S. dollars, Euros, and credit cards may be accepted by larger stores and hotels, but the exchange rate is better with shillings.

US$100 bills must be 2003 or later, or they will not be accepted. For travelers checks, there is often a $1/check fee, and the exchange rate is better for US$100 checks. It helps to bring smaller bills as change is not always available.

All of the major international credit cards are accepted in Kenya and most ATM’s can accept international Visa and MasterCard credit cards. Your best luck at finding an ATM will be in the larger cities, such as Nairobi and Mombasa. Travelers checks are readily accepted at most hotels and other service providers.

Telephone Calls

Public pay phones are common in most cities, and are drastically less expensive than hotel phones when making international calls.

To dial internationally from Kenya, dial:  000 + area code + telephone number. Hotel receptionists will help you make calls.

When calling Kenya, you must dial the country code of 254.

Only global cell phones will work and only in the bigger towns. You may want to consider renting one or getting a satellite phone.

Electricity

Kenya uses 220 volt current with a U.K. or European plug. On safari, many hotels are on generators or solar power, so electricity may not run all day and all night.

Travel Alerts & Warnings

U.S. Department of State

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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