Nairobi Travel Tips

Banks: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 11:00 on the first and last Saturday of each month
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 12:00 Saturdays
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 19:30, daily
Museums: 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Sunday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Armed robberies, carjacking and violence are common in Nairobi, so visitors need to take extreme caution when venturing out into the city. As a rule, don’t walk anywhere at night and during the daylight avoid the rougher parts of town. Luckily, the situation has improved over the past few years thanks to increased private security. Anywhere west of Moi Avenue should be safe during the day, but the farther east of Moi Avenue you go, the rougher it gets. River Road and everything to the east of it is the most dangerous part of the city, but that being said, it’s also one of the most colourful, lively and interesting parts of Nairobi. If you keep a low profile, don’t wear anything valuable and avoid invitations to come and look at something, you should be fine. Terrorism is also a potential threat in Nairobi, so keep up with the news if you can.

Electricity: 220/240 AC, 50Hz. Plugs are the square three-pin style found in the UK.

It is strongly recommended that you get a full regime of booster shots and inoculations before visiting Nairobi. Yellow Fever is a particular problem here and you may need to show a certificate of inoculation upon arrival. Cholera and typhoid are also still endemic in Kenya, as is malaria; although in Nairobi, malaria isn’t as much of a threat as in the countryside. Tap water in Nairobi is reported to be drinkable, but it’s always better to stick with bottled water. The food in restaurants is generally fine, but avoid eating from any unlicensed street vendor.

Health insurance is essential to have when visiting Nairobi. Many nasty diseases, parasites and wild animals thrive in this country and many people find themselves unwell during a visit. There are decent medical facilities in the capital, so you should be fine.

Nairobi Hospital: +254 20 722160

The national language of Kenya is Swahili, although the official language of government is English so visitors shouldn’t have much trouble communicating with the locals.

The basic unit of currency in Kenya is the Shilling (KES). There are 100 cents in one Kenyan Shilling. Bills come in denominations of 1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 Shillings. Coins come in denominations of 20, 10 and 5 Shillings.

Money can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and major hotels. The bank at Jomo Kenyatta Airport has a 24-hour exchange kiosk. US Dollars, Euros and Pounds Sterling are the easiest to exchange. Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, large shops and nicer restaurants. ATMs can be found in most of the tourist parts of town, making for easy money withdrawal. Traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at banks.

Any visitor to Kenya 16 years and older can bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, one litre of spirits or two bottles of wine, and 0.5 litres of perfume. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign money you can bring to or take out of Kenya.

Thanks to the British colonisation, the social conventions in Nairobi are basically the same as in every Western country. Handshakes are the common form of greeting and dress is informal at all but the most important occasions. Kenyans are generally considered very friendly and welcoming, so you should be able to get to know a few of the locals during your visit.

Dining Etiquette
The dining etiquette in Nairobi is the same as in Western countries. Eating out is a casual, informal affair where everyone sits around the table and eats as they please. You’ll probably be invited to try some of the exotic meats which are part of the Kenyan diet. If eating a crocodile doesn’t sound appealing, just politely refuse and they will understand.

Citizens from most countries can receive a single entry three-month tourist visa upon arrival. Make sure your passport is valid for three months past your entry date. Visas can be extended at the immigration office at the Nyayo House on Uhuru Highway.

For the answers to many of your tourism questions, head over to the Kenya Tourist Development Corporation on the Uhuru Highway. They can be found at: Utalii House, Uhuru Highway, 00100 and can be contacted by calling: +254 20 229751.