Here is a selection of Kenya Travel Information 2021 resources that you could find useful when planning your Kenya safari or business trip. Please contact the Nairobi Help staff if you require any additional information or have any questions about anything not addressed on this list.
VISAS
A valid visa is required for visitors to Kenya. In addition, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your entry date in the nation.
All travellers traveling to Kenya from countries that require visas will be required to apply for and get an E-visa before boarding an airplane beginning January 1, 2021, since no visas would be provided on arrival as this was done previously.
Electronic visa application for Kenya (E-Visa):
Uploading your passport photo, as well as your passport photo, is part of the visa application procedure.
After you register, your visa will be issued in around five to ten days. You must print a copy of your electronic visa and bring it with you to Kenya to present with your passport when you arrive.
Please contact the Kenyan Embassy in your country / region or email evisa@immigration.go.ke if you have any problems or questions about applying for an electronic visa.
Procedure to apply Kenya E-visa:
- Go to evisa.go.ke and register. (There are no other official portals; all others are scams.)
- Select Register as a Visitor from the drop-down menu.
- Select Department of Immigration services once you’ve logged in.
- Select Submit Application from the drop-down menu.
- Select Kenyan Visa from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Visa type and carefully read the instructions.
- Fill out the application form completely.
- Pay using a Visa, Mastercard, or other debit card.
- Wait for email approval before downloading and printing the E-Visa from your eCitizen account.
- Two business days are required for processing.
- At the port of entry, show your printed E-Visa to the immigration officer.
- Present your printed E-Visa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.
kenya Visa Fees as of 5th January 2021:
- Single entry visa + service charge: USD$51.00
- Transit entry visa + service charge: USD$21.00
- Courtesy entry visa + service charge: USD$0.00
- East African tourist visa + service charge: USD$101.00
- Multiple entry visa + service charge: USD$101.00
- 5yr multiple entry visa + service charge: USD$201.00
Other Useful Links:
- Eligibility & Exempted States: http://evisa.go.ke/eligibility.html
- Book Private Taxi Cab past curfew hours: https://nairobiairporthelp.com/nairobi-airport-jkia-transfers-private-taxi-cabs-from-20usd/
- Visa Types & requirements: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa-types.html
- E-visa FAQs: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa-faqs.html
- MINISTRY OF HEALTH International Travelers Health Surveillance Form
- https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/
- Arrival Meet Assist https://nairobiairporthelp.com/nairobi-airport-jkia-meet-asisst-fast-track/
- Departure Meet Assist https://nairobiairporthelp.com/departure-meet-and-assist-jkia/
- Flight Transit/Transfer/Connection Meet assist
- https://nairobiairporthelp.com/how-to-transit-at-jomo-kenyatta-international-airport/
Visa Validity:
An E-visa to Kenya once issued is valid for 3 months before you travel. Once you present yourself to immigration control at the port of entry, you may be issued with a stay period not exceeding 90 days, which may be renewed for a further 90 days at the immigration headquarters. The maximum number of days a visitor may stay in Kenya is 6 months.
E-visa application related information
- Approval period:
The approval time for an e-Visa is up to 48 hours, but it can be issued in much less time.
The availability of multiple languages will be investigated, although it will be a difficulty for local Immigration Officers who may not be fluent in all of them.
- AutomaticSave:
The system now provides the option to save apps automatically. If the system “hangs,” you can reload the page and then go to the “history” tab to see what information has been stored.Payments:
Currently, the system only accepts Visa and Mastercard, but plans are in the works to include American Express, Union Pay, PayPal, and Mpesa.
It’s important to note that while processing payments, the system sends a One Time Password (OTP) to the credit card owner for confirmation. Failure to enter this OTP has resulted in card payments being declined.
- .Downtime of the system :
Although there is usually little downtime with the E-visa system, it is occasionally taken offline for system upgrades.
During the downtime, a message will be displayed stating that the system is down for an upgrade and how long it will take..
Other things you need to bear in mind with regard to your visa:
- You shall be required to complete a landing card that will be issued to you on the plane, or at the visa desk when you enter Kenya.
- You shall be required to complete an exit card, which will be provided to you in the departure terminal when leaving Kenya.
Book your arrival asisstance meet and assist service Nairobi JKIA Airport today with Nairobi Airport Help Meet Asisst Services.
Feel free to contact us via our website, call +254 737 470 276 /+254 722 324 421 or WhatsApp on +254 737 470 276 /+254 722 324 421
Important Addtional Arrival Information Covid 19 Protocals
All passengers should have a negative covid-19 PCR test which is valid 96hours from date of test results.
Passengers should register at the MINISTRY OF HEALTH International Travelers Health Surveillance Form and print out the QR codes generated, present them on arrival
https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/
Passengers on transit dont need to show PCR test or QR codes since kenya is not their final destination.
Validation or verificationof the test results is done via a TT code issued with the test on departure from kenya
CREDIT CARDS :
Credit cards Kenya: Most of the main credit cards are generally accepted (MasterCard, Visa and American Express). It is also important to carry convertible money accessible in cash in addition to credit cards. USD cash can conveniently be swapped for Kenya shillings at various forex bureaus .ATM’s at the airport can withdraw USD or Local Kenya Shillings.
NECCESARRY VACCINATIONS:
At the moment as of September 2021 all passenegers need to be vacinated against covid-19 ,have a negative covid-19 and wear face maks at all times in the airport and in all public places.
We advise you to contact a medical specialist or family doctor or even a licensed vaccination clinic well before travelling to Kenya and also your airline.
Dependong with the contry you willa arrive from, you may need to produce a yellow fever vaccination card.
LOCAL SIM CARD
Passengers can buy a local sim card at all arrival terminals and have it laoded with talk time,internet data all at once
CURRENCY:
Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan shilling (KSH). Check online for the current rate. You can exchange your convertible foreign currency in to shillings in a forex bureau and shall find the best rates at the airport. Small cash denominations are handy for tipping and minor expenses. You can also withdraw Kenya shillings at the ATM (VISA & MasterCard). Cash USD, Euro, British pounds are readily accepted in many outlets. We recommend that you exchange money only as needed. You will find it easiest to make small purchases in local currencies, and will usually receive a better price and also change when required You may conveniently exchange money at all lodges and hotels at close to the bank rate, but the best exchange rates you get from the Forex Bureaus at the airport or Nairobi city.
ELECTRICITY:
The voltage is 220 ; however, the plugs are different from those in North America or even of Europe. Due to the variations of the outlets, we suggest you travel with a variety of international adapter plugs as well as a voltage converter, which may be purchased as a set. The most commonly used adapter plug has 3 square prongs.
GRATUITIES/TIPPING:
Individual waiters ,porters and other service providers may provide exemplary service and it is your discretion to decide to tip It is however customary to tip the porter/greeter/driver / guide at the end of the tour. The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service rendered. An average of 10 per guest per day is suggested The amount is however at your discretion, you are welcome to provide additional compensation to any staff who have provided special services.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Travelers should have medical insurance, as they will be responsible for all medical expenses they may incur. We provide as part of our service an offer of a temporary evacuation cover on the flying doctors service
LANGUAGES :
Kenya has many different dialects and local languages. English is the official language while Kiswahili is the national language, these provides a common identity in the vast country. English is the instructional language in all schools A few Swahili phrases learnt in advance shall enhance your local interactions.
TAXI CAB TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
We provide separate airport hotel transfers on arriva and departure to all hotels in Nairobi to and from Wilson Airport. At your time of departure, we shall again transfer you to the Nairobi airport. We shall request that you share with us your arrival & departure flight details for the airport to hotel to airport transfer purposes
LUGGAGE STORAGE
Safe reliable Short and long term luggage storage services at the airport for passengers on arrival,departure and transit.
Storage service now available 24/7 and ideal for passengers in transit or arriving and want to leave some excess bags stored safely at the airport, to be collected on a later date on departure or have the bags transported to another location at an extra fee.
Our office representative will meet you outside arrival terminal with a sign printed your name,escort passenger to our office and issue storage tags against bags left.
Short term luggage storage service will have your bags stored safe at our airport storage facility or less for standard ans irregular size luggage’s
WEATHER IN KENYA:
January, February and March (High Season)
The three months are good for safari, the period is just after the short rain season, you may catch some bird species that are winter visitors from Europe. The grass is not so high enough to hinders your view of the animals. There shall be great opportunities to encounter large elephant herds.
April and May (low season)
This is the long rainy season. Tropical rain comes in bursts and lasts a few hours, mostly in the mornings and afternoons. The rains freshens up the nature and often enhance the safari experience.
June
The month of June is a good time to experience safari after the long rainy season. The large zebra herds cross from Tanzania to the Masai Mara game reserve ahead of the migration which happens from mid july.
July to October (peak season)
Huge herds of wildebeest enter the Masai Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania. Due to evolving climatic situations it may be a little difficult to give specific time for the start of migration. It is however safe to state that the great wildebeest migration is active at the Masai mara by the middle of July. Wildebeest start their return journey to Tanzania around September / October. The return process is devoid of drama.
November and December (shoulder season)
This is the short rainy season in Kenya. The short rain freshen the pastures and grass start to grow. The national parks and game reserves regain their vegetation.
Statistics | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
Rain (mm) | 58 | 50 | 92 | 242 | 190 | 39 | 18 | 24 | 31 | 61 | 150 | 108 |
Rain days | 4 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 9 |
Day Temp | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 |
Night Temp | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
Sunshine hours | 288 | 266 | 267 | 204 | 189 | 159 | 130 | 127 | 180 | 226 | 198 | 257 |
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