Kenya

All in one destination: Kenya

People, Culture, Food, Wildlife and Scenery

Kenya, country in East Africa famed for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves. Its Indian Ocean coast provided historically important ports by which goods from Arabian and Asian traders have entered the continent for many centuries. Along that coast, which holds some of the finest beaches in Africa, are predominantly Muslim Swahili cities such as Mombasa, a historic centre that has contributed much to the musical and culinary heritage of the country. Inland are populous highlands famed for both their tea plantations, an economic staple during the British colonial era, and their variety of animal species, including lions, elephants, cheetahs, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses. Kenya’s western provinces, marked by lakes and rivers, are forested, while a small portion of the north is desert and semidesert. The country’s diverse wildlife and panoramic geography draw large numbers of European and North American visitors, and tourism is an important contributor to Kenya’s economy.

Credit: Britannica

Kenya

Travel Tips & Information

Dear Nature, cultural, travelers, adventure and wildlife lovers, as one of our obligations, we care to worry for you and therefore, we have summarized some information and tips for you that are interesting and important to know when preparing your trip. We are of course happy to answer any questions you may have.

Air Flight

Baggage

Vaccinations

Insurance

Visa

Money & Payment

Clothing

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our e-mail or telephone number (in English or German) during booking, before and after arrival at the airport.

Since our guests come from many different countries, the flight booking is done mostly on your own unless stated in our packages as an option.

We can recommend Turkish, KLM and Brussels in terms of price-performance ratio. So far, our guests have also been satisfied with Kenya Airways (National Carrier), Qatar, Emirates, EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines from areas where they fly.

The easiest way to compare prices is via an online travel portal such as Expedia or Opodo and fare compare as the prices also depend on the departure airport in Europe. With most providers, it is worth making a comparison directly on their website. Advice from a travel sight can also be helpful. We can pick you up at the airport at any time of the day or night. When arriving and departing at night, the journey from the airport to the hotel or accommodation is significantly shorter (30 minutes, up to 2 hours compared to 3 to 5 hours during the day) depending on location of accommodation. Please inform us of your arrival and departure dates early after your booking so that we can plan your pick-up and return journey accordingly. At the airport, one of our drivers will be waiting for you at the terminal exit with a “Jeruz Team ” sign.

If you cannot find the driver or are held up, we recommend you to call or use all our numbers

The baggage regulations of the various airlines are quite different and range from 20 to 46 kg per person. The information should be included on your online ticket or on request from the respective airline. Endeavor to check your flight details before setting off to the airport

Unfortunately, it is exceedingly difficult to make vaccination recommendations, in general there is currently only one mandatory vaccination for yellow fever . The German Foreign Office and other state Governments recommends the following vaccinations: “Yellow fever (strongly recommended), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (polio), mumps, measles, rubella (MMR), pneumococci and influenza. As travel vaccinations are hepatitis A, at Long-term stay or special exposure, vaccinations against hepatitis B, meningococcal disease (ACWY), typhoid and rabies recommended “As the German Foreign Office writes, meningococcal, hepatitis B, typus and rabies are only recommended for long-term stays. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that there will never be an exception. Every traveler should decide for themselves which vaccinations they think are necessary so that they feel safe and comfortable here. This also applies to any malaria prophylaxis; Malarone is usually recommended as a drug. Many guests also drink Artemisia tea (annual mugwort) as an alternative to drug prophylaxis. There is currently no medical study on the effectiveness of the tea, but we have had good experiences with it here on site. The tea can usually also be purchased cheaply in our community medical centres on site. In Europe it is often available through online pharmacies. If you follow the “normal” rules, i.e. sleep very practically under a mosquito net (which is available in hotels and all lodges) and in the evening long sleeves and mosquito spray (e.g. Nobite or anti-hum), you are already very well looked after.

In the meantime, the costs for drug prophylaxis are covered by some health insurance companies! If someone does get infected, the doctors in Kenya know how to deal with it very well and you are back on your feet after three days. You can get information from your family doctor or the Tropical Institute. Please take your vaccination certificate with you, in case of emergencies and as proof of the yellow fever vaccination. Otherwise, please carry a yellow fever vaccination card or letter from the tropical doctor (in English) about the non-tolerability of the vaccination in your hand luggage. These documents must be presented at the counter upon entry.

We recommend that you take out international health insurance (including repatriation). In case of illness there are good doctors in Kenya that you can visit, and the doctor’s visits are unbelievably cheap. See also the following links:

Travel health insurance
Travel Insurance
Documents

No more queues at the airport, get your evisa online. Apply for your eVisa online fast and safely – anywhere and anytime and get it within 48 hours. You can find the application under the link below, as well as a small instruction for filling it out.

Kenya – Visa-Eligibility

The visa must be paid online in advance after completing the application. The application will not be processed without payment. After a few days you will receive a response by e-mail, which you must print out and show on arrival. If you do not receive any feedback, you can call up the status or the approved visa directly on the application page under check status (at the bottom of the page). If you are considering another trip to Kenya,Uganda, Tanzania, or Rwanda, the EAC visa is a good alternative. This can also be applied for on the application link above. The passport must be valid for six months after the planned end of the trip. You should carry your passport (and your vaccination card / yellow fever vaccination certificate) with you. Here on site, we can keep the documents in the safe. It is helpful to make copies of all important papers and documents and to keep them separately. They can be extremely helpful if the originals are lost.

Entry with Children:

Minor children from Germany, Austria and Switzerland need their own passport.

The Kenyan currency is the Kenya Shilling (KES). Cash can be withdrawn at ATMs with credit cards and Bankcards from European banks with the “Cirrus” and / or “Maestro” logo. Power supply You need a type G adapter to be able to use electrical devices from Germany everywhere.

You can pay your bills with us in Kenyan Shillings, EURO or US dollars. Payment by credit card (VISA / MASTER / American Express etc.) is also possible. There is a five percent fee for credit card payments in Kenya. The applicable fees vary depending on the bank.

For the relevant account connection, please contact us:

For purchases or activities outside of our program, you can exchange EURO or US dollars for Kenyan shillings at the airport or in the surrounding cities. An advance exchange in Europe is unfortunately not offered. Credit cards can also be used to withdraw local currency from many ATMs. The fees also vary depending on the bank and some banks have a tight withdrawal limit. Therefore, please clarify the regulations of your bank in advance and increase your credit limit if necessary.

In general, light, light summer clothing is suitable, special tropical clothing is not necessary.

Light jacket and long trousers for the evening or for cool days are recommended, sunglasses and a hat if the sun is shining.

The following could also be potential necessities:

A flashlight, in case of any load shade which is also unusual.
Rain protection, sun protection and mosquito spray
Adapter (an English three-point plug, please ensure that it is not an African French three-point plug), the voltage is 230V alternating current
Contact lens supplies if needed
Small first-aid kit, although Kenyan clinics and medical centers are well equipped.
Orophax for those who are sensitive to noise, unfortunately there is no mandatory night’s sleep in Kenya, so you can sometimes hear the neighborhood at night
Sufficient hygiene articles, as these are rather expensive or not available in Kenya
For Artemisia tea, a tea infuser or tea bags If you would like to donate to our other art, culture, and community projects, please contact us for suggestions and recommendations: We hope this overview will help you further and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time. Greetings from Kenya and hopefully see you soon,

Relevant Links
www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/keniasicherheit/208058

You’re Jeruz Team

10 Reasons to Visit Kenya

Visit Kenya

Masai Mara

The Masai Mara forms the direct extension of the Serengeti and forms with it a harmonious ecological area, in which the migration of millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of antelopes and zebras takes place every year. During this animal migration, you will witness huge herds of wildebeest and zebras plunge into the waters of the rivers to be crossed and climb the banks again on the opposite side. They are intoxicating images that you will never forget. In the hilly savannah landscape of the Mara, which is known for its rich population of lions, leopards and cheetahs, there is hardly a species of African fauna that does not exist here. Elephants, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, gazelles, antelopes are at home here, as the buffalos that roam the savannah in large herds. You can also discover nature here in the Conservancy together with some Maasai. These Maasai know where and how you can find and observe animals of the African wilderness in this wonderful landscape. You will learn a lot about the traditions and life of their people from their Maasai guides.

Home to Barrack Obama Snr & Lupita Nyongo

Remember America’s 44th president, Barrack Obama? His father, Barrack Obama Snr, was Kenyan. He hailed from Rachuonyo district in what was previously known as Luo Nyanza. The former president’s grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Obama, and most of the Obama family still live there up to date.

Kenya is also known as home to Black Panther’s actress Lupita Nyong’o. The actress’ father, Professor Anyang Nyong’o, is the current senator of Kisumu County, in what was previously called Nyanza province in Kenya. He has acted in different capacities for the Kenyan government.

Kenyan Coastline

Kenya’s coast has three popular towns. Diani has the most popular beach resorts, Mombasa for its active nightlife and Nyali which is a residential part of Mombasa. The entire coast has beaches, both private and public ones. Diani has the best private beach, the Diani beach, while Mombasa has the most famous public beach, Kenyatta beach.

The coastal beach cities – steeped in Arabic, Swahili, Asian and European culture – are the perfect hotspot to watch culture-vultures enjoying the Swahili street food and wafts of nyama choma (grilled meats) floating from the barbeque accompanied by traditional Taarab music. Explore the architecture of the Old Town, before retreating to enjoy the powdery sands, snorkel or simply relax with a sundowner or two.

Common Phrase Origins

“Hakuna Matata”:

Brought to prominence by the movie Lion King in 1994, this phrase aptly describes the Kenyan people. Loosely translated, the phrase means “No trouble,” ‘‘Dont worry’’ ‘‘Take it easy’’, a philosophy held very dearly by most Kenyans. Kenyans do not stress too much about things they cannot change and will be found on social media platforms making fun of their plight

“Nyama Choma”:

Kenyan barbecue, popularly known as Nyama Choma, is the unofficial official meal of Kenya. In most circles, no official function is complete without a few barbecued goat ribs or steak. Nyama choma can be made from beef, mutton, or pork. Barbecued chicken is called Kuku Choma and is also a national delicacy. Nyama choma is usually accompanied by kachumbari, a fresh tomato and onion salad dish, and a few beers to complete the meal.

“Kitenge Culture”:

Dowry negotiations, engagements, and weddings are big deal in Kenya. Kenyans will flock to the tailor’s, called a fundi, to get their African print fashioned into their catchy Kitenge attires. One picture taken of a man and a woman in their matching Kitenge wear is enough to tell who is dating who, or is engaged or married to whom.

Luxury safari lodges

The enchantment of a luxury safari camp after the thrill and excitement of a dusty, hot game drive is one never to forget. Equipped with all the creature comforts awaiting you like a scene from a Hollywood movie, you’ll dine out – under the wide night sky – with the camp fire crackling and be transfixed by the sounds of the wildlife that surround you. Nestled on the banks of the Mara River, Governors Camp offers exceptional accommodation in a prime position for game viewing and witnessing the magnificent wildebeest migration.

Owing to the world class varieties of exhotic accomodations, Kenya has won the world’s leading safari destination five years in a row, from 2015 to 2019.

Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana is located far north on the Ethiopian border in Kenya and is the largest desert lake in the world. In the north, the Omo River, coming from Ethiopia, flows into this lake, which is also home to the strongest crocodile population in all of Africa. For this reason, bathing in the lake is strongly discouraged. The Turkana Lake was discovered for the first time by a European by the Austrian Count Teleki, who named the lake “Rudolf see” after the Crown Prince Rudolf. The Turkana Lake was first known under this and under the “Jade Sea”. If you come from the east of the Chalbi Desert and let your hike over the lake for the first time, you will understand why the lake was known as the “Jade Sea”. This lake in the north of Kenya also became famous because Stone Age finds were made on its banks. During boat tours on the lake you can observe both the crocodiles living here and the various bird species.

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Experience the real nature documentary of Kenya’s Great Migration! As you traverse the vast landscape of Masai Mara National Reserve from July to October, you are drawn to a dust cloud billowing on the horizon. Suddenly, the immense shapes of wildebeests begin to emerge from the dust. A chaotic mix of hoofs, gray-black fur, white beards, tails and short manes thunder across the plains.

These magnificent mammals do this every year, crossing from the neighboring Serengeti into the Maasai Mara and back. The crossing is one spectacular and awe-inspiring event where you watch nature at its best.

The Big Five

Kenya is home to the big game. The Big Five are the Lion, the Elephant, the Leopard, the Buffalo, and the Rhino.

Most game parks and game reserves in the country have either two or three of the five, but the Tsavo, Maasai Mara, and Amboseli national parks have four. Nairobi National Park has all five of them.

Other conservancies, ranches, and game reserves in Kenya have one or two animals and birds they are famous for. While traveling across this country’s vast landscapes, your African dreams unfold before your eyes. Experience the grassy plains and swamplands of Amboseli National Park to see an iconic scene – elephants silhouetted against the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro on the border of northern Tanzania. Along these elegant animals are graceful giraffes, energetic antelopes, buffalos, zebras, hippos, warthogs and many other herbivores. High concentration of predators abounds in Masai Mara National Reserve! Lions, leopards, cheetahs and other powerful hunters thrive on resident prey animals year-round, and the wildebeest migration brings a greater bounty to the plains.

National parks of Kenya

Kenya offers some of the finest scenery in East Africa, including Samburu National Park, the spectacular setting for the film Born Free; Amboseli National Park, 160 miles from Nairobi, offering iconic safaris and cultural encounters with local Masai tribespeople, in a region teeming with elephants, zebra, giraffe, plus pelicans, flamingoes and ostrich; you could spend days exploring the birdlife paradise of Meru National Park, or the mountain peaks and extinct volcanoes of Tsavo National Park. Then there is Malindi Marine National Park & Reserve, its lagoons, reefs and coral gardens inviting you to aquatic adventures to see turtles and dolphins.

The People

If there’s one thing all visitors agree on, it’s that the Kenyans themselves are one of its greatest assets. There are over 40 different types of tribal people here, including the Kikuyu, Kamba, Somali, Meru, Mijikenda and Masai people to name but a few. English is widely spoken throughout Kenya, but the phrase you’ll hear constantly is ‘hakuna matata’ meaning ‘no worries.’ Swahili, by the way, means ‘coast’ and is a mix of Arabic and African Bantu. Bordered by Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Sudan, the culture of Kenya is rarely referenced and yet it’s a memorable feature of any holiday here.

Sources:

https://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/travel-guide/kenya/why-visit-for-vacations-holidays
https://www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk/blog/9-reasons-why-kenya-should-top-your-travel-wish-list (text & images)
https://heyexplorer.com/what-is-kenya-known-for/

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