Kenya – General Information
Area: 582,646 km²
Population: 49.7 million (2017)
Population density: approx. 82 per km²
Capital city: Nairobi – population approx. 4.4 million
Form of government: Presidential republic since 1963. Head of state and government: Uhuru Kenyatta (since 2012). Independent since 1963 (former British colony).
Languages: Swahili and English are the official business languages. In addition, more than 30 African languages are spoken, including Kikuyu, Luo, and Maasai. German is generally only partially understood, while most Kenyans speak English quite well.
Religion: 83% Christian (47% Protestant), 11% Muslim, 1.7% traditional religions, 1% Hindu
Time zone: UTC +3 (MEZ +2). No daylight saving time. The time difference to Central Europe is +2 hours in winter and +1 hour in summer.
Electricity: 220/240 V, 50 Hz. Three-pin plugs are used; an adapter is required. Many hotels offer adapters on deposit. A universal travel adapter is recommended.
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES), 1 KES = 100 cents
Geography
Kenya stretches across the equator between approximately 4° north and 4° south latitude and between 34° and 42° east longitude. It borders the Indian Ocean to the east, Somalia to the northeast, Ethiopia to the north, South Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west, and Tanzania to the southwest.
Geographically, Kenya is divided into four main regions: the arid northern desert areas, where Lake Turkana is located; the western highlands surrounding Lake Victoria, including the Nyanza Basin and the famous Maasai Mara region; the Great Rift Valley running through the country, where a split highland landscape rises to about 3,900 m; and the coastal and southern lowlands with fertile plains along the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria.
The highland region, home to the capital Nairobi, lies in the west. Northwest of Nairobi is the Rift Valley, a dramatic geological trench that includes the city of Nakuru and the Aberdare National Park, not far from Mount Kenya, which also has its own national park. Lake Turkana is located in the far northwest of the country.
Useful Information for your Holidays
Currency Exchange
is possible at all major banks, as well as in most tourist hotels. Many banks also have ATMs where cash withdrawals can be made using credit cards.
Banks at the airport are open daily until midnight.
All signed exchange receipts should be carefully kept.
Credit Cards
Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Diners Club are widely accepted, and many hotels also accept credit card payments.
Import and Export Regulations
Foreign currency, whether local or international, may be imported and exported without restriction. For amounts exceeding USD 5,000, a written declaration regarding the source and purpose of the funds is required.
Duty-free allowances for persons over 16 years of age include: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225 g of tobacco, 1 bottle of wine or spirits, and 568 ml of perfume.
Import bans apply to the following items:
Firearms, ammunition, drugs, pornographic material, fruit, as well as plants and seeds are prohibited from being imported into Kenya.
Video cameras and valuable electronic devices must be declared. They will be recorded in your passport with their declared value.
Export prohibitions apply to the following items:
Skins, ivory, hides, animal trophies, and rhinoceros horn (if acquired without an official licence, which may only be issued by certified dealers) are prohibited for export. Coral, shells, and turtle shells may also not be exported. These souvenirs fall under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Even if sellers claim “no problem,” violations of these regulations can result in severe penalties.
Telephone
The cheapest way to make phone calls in Kenya is to purchase a SIM card from one of the local mobile network providers such as Safaricom or Airtel. Local tariffs from these providers are affordable, including for international calls.
SIM cards are available at mobile operator shops, airports, many supermarkets, pharmacies, and other local stores. A passport is required for the registration of a new SIM card.
Country code: +254
Area codes: Nairobi 2, Mombasa 11, Nakuru 37
Helpful Arrival Information
Upon arrival at the airport in Kenya, you may occasionally encounter individuals offering assistance or services such as baggage handling, transport, or “official fees.” Please note that most of these services are either already included in your travel arrangements or can be obtained directly through official counters, airline staff, or your pre-booked transfer provider. In particular, airport taxis and transfers should always be arranged through authorised desks or trusted partners to ensure fair pricing. If in doubt, we recommend politely declining unsolicited offers and proceeding to official service points inside the terminal. The vast majority of arrivals proceed smoothly, and airport staff and tourism representatives are generally helpful and welcoming.
