KENYA: Extention Of International Travel Restrictions

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta announced (06-Jun-2020) the following updates in the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic:

International travel restrictions were extended. The Ministry of Transport will engage all key stakeholders and develop protocols within seven days to guide the resumption of local air travel;
The cessation of movement into and out of the Nairobi metropolitan area, Mombasa and Mandera was extended by 30 days;
The cessation of movement into and out of Kilifi and Kwale counties shall lapse on 07-Jun-2020;
The government will develop time bound protocols within 14 days for the progressive reopening of the economy.
Mr Kenyatta commented: "I want to open up at the earliest opportunity and get the economy going".

The Eighth [8th] Presidential Address on the Coronavirus Pandemic State House Saturday, June 6th, 2020

Fellow Kenyans,

On the 27th March, 2020 we announced a nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew. Then on the 5th of April, 2020 we augmented it by announcing the Cessation of Movement into and out of a number of areas. Later on, more measures were announced to contain the havoc visited upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given this trajectory, and the fact that this crisis requires a long term strategy, I took time to reflect on “…What must be Done”. If we lift the cessation of movement ban, how will this help us fight the Pandemic? And if we do NOT, how will the ban affect our economy, especially, the micro business enterprises and those who derive their livelihoods from them?

To answer these questions, I turned to our Brain Trust, made up of the finest doctors, research scientists, and public practitioners for counsel. And I must admit that opinion was divided on how we are to advance against this VIRUS.

Some, including myself, wanted to open up NOW. That was, and is still my desire. I want to OPEN UP at the earliest opportunity and get the economy going. More so, as Kenya was ranked the third largest economy in Sub-Sahara Africa this week.

Others held a contrary opinion. They borrowed from history, scientific models and current experiences the world-over to argue against opening up.

With these two viewpoints on the table, I was not dealing with a RIGHT and a WRONG: I was caught in-between two RIGHTS. Those who want to open up are RIGHT, and those opposed to opening up are also RIGHT. And this clash of two RIGHTS placed me on the ‘Horns of a DILEMMA’.

In the absence of a scientific consensus amongst experts in the medical, research and public sectors, I asked for scenarios. I wanted to know the worst case scenario and the best options available for us to contain the spread of the disease without affecting the economy irreversibly. And I wanted these scenarios built around raw facts because we have decided to combat this pandemic in an open and transparent manner.

Fellow Kenyans,

Truth be told, if we had not taken the STRINGENT measures we did in March 2020, the rate of infections would have peaked to 800,000 people by July 30th 2020. And if one infected person has potential to infect two people, this number would have hit 2.4 million people in 21 days. By the end of august, 75,000 Kenyans would have died from this virus. But because of the early interventions we took, we have recorded only 2,600 infections and 83 deaths.

If this is the worst case scenario, I wanted to know what the other scenarios looked like. If we put in place all the necessary interventions and relaxed them by only 20%, what would this look like?

According to the experts standing behind me, relaxing the interventions by 20% would lead to 200,000 infections and 30,000 deaths by December 2020.

Further, if we relax the interventions by 40%, the infections will peak in November 2020 with 300,000 infected and 40,000 deaths. And if we relax them by 60%, the pandemic will peak in October with 450,000 infections and 45,000 deaths.

Although these projections are generated by a model, there is hard evidence suggesting that countries which opened up without proper protocols also experienced serious waves of infections. Spikes of infections were for instance experienced after re-opening religious gatherings in South Korea, Pakistan and Malaysia.

If this is our new reality, and we face the dilemma of easing restrictions or continuing with them, what must we do as a country? What is the irreducible minimum for re-opening the country? What is the threshold below which we cannot go?

According to the professionals standing behind me, the irreducible minimum for lifting the restrictions has three thresholds. One, to open up, the infections must have been contained and headed downwards.

Two, our health care system must be prepared sufficiently to take on a surge in infections. It must not be overwhelmed at any one point during the pandemic. Access to testing, isolation and quarantine must be a bare minimum. Three, capacity for surveillance and contact tracing must be in place.

The question we must ponder is whether we have met this threshold in order to lift the restrictions. Have the cases of infections taken a down turn, for instance? And the answer is NO. Nairobi and Mombasa are taking the lead with new infections.

Have we met the second minimum of a prepared health system with isolation facilities? I will answer that question by giving you two examples. Siaya County has a ten (10) bed isolation facility and they have already admitted nine (9) Covid-19 patients from only one incident.

Similarly, Busia County has a thirty-four (34) bed isolation facility. And by two days ago, it was full.

If there is a surge in infections in these two counties, the health care system will be overwhelmed. The hard question to pose here, therefore, is whether Kenyans are prepared to nurse COVID-19 patients in their homes if our health care system cannot handle the numbers.

Are they prepared to expose their children and the elderly to COVID-19 patients in the close proximity of home?

And yes, we have disbursed Ksh 5 billion to the counties to increase their health care capacity in view of this pandemic. But to build the necessary health infrastructure for such undertakings requires time. We must get ahead of this pandemic by creating lead time.

Therefore, while I consider the possibility of de-escalating the containment measures in place and conscious that Health is a shared function - between the National and County Governments, I, have convened an Extra-Ordinary session of the National and County Government Co-ordinating Summit on Wednesday the 10th day of June, 2020, to consider the following salient matters:

(i) First, to review the effectiveness of the containment measures we have so far rolled out to break the chain of transmission of the Coronavirus Disease;

(ii) Second, to secure the undertaking of every County Government to deliver isolation facilities with at least 300 bed-capacity.

(iii) And thirdly, within 14 days, to develop time bound protocols for progressive re-opening of the economy.

Fellow Kenyans,

I have applied my mind to the different scenarios presented by our experts. And I have reconciled myself to the fact that to ‘open’ or not to ‘open’ up is not a dilemma between a right and a wrong. It is a dilemma between two rights.

Because of this, and fully cognizant of the irreducible minimum given by our experts, and in keeping with the advice of the National Security Council; I hereby DIRECT and ORDER as follows:

I. That the cessation of movement into and out of the Eastleigh Area of Nairobi and the specific limitations in force with respect to the Mombasa Old Town Area that is currently in force, shall lapse at 4:00 a.m. on 7th of June, 2020.

II. That in view of the successful containment of the disease in the Counties of Kilifi and Kwale, the cessation of movement into and out of the two Counties that is currently in force, shall lapse at 4:00 a.m. on 7th of June, 2020.

III. That following stakeholder’s consultations in the education sector - the Ministry of Education jointly with the Ministry of Health issues and publicizes guidelines on a gradual and progressive return to normalcy in the education sector by the Third Term, from 1st September, 2020. Further, that the ministry announces the new school calendar by mid -August.

IV. That following consultations with interfaith and religious organizations, the Ministries of Interior and Health within seven days, constitutes an Inter-Faith Council, to work out modalities and protocols of re-opening of the places of worship.

V. That in the meantime, the ban on all forms of gatherings, including but not limited to political gatherings, social gatherings, including bars be and is hereby extended for a further 30 days.

VI. That due to the evolving nature of the disease globally, international travel restrictions are hereby extended. In the meantime, the Ministry of Transport is directed within seven days from the date hereof, to engage all Key Stakeholders and develop protocols to guide resumption of local air travel.

VII. That due to the increase in patterns of infections, the cessation of movement into and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Mombasa and Mandera be further extended by 30 days.

VIII. To accord all Kenyans the opportunity to enjoy a full-day’s work, the nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew currently in force until today the 6th June, 2020, be and is extended for a further 30 days. However, the commencement time for the same is varied from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; with the end time for the same being varied from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Therefore, effective 7th June, 2020 the national wide dusk-to-dawn Curfew will run from 9:00 O’clock in the evening to 4:00 O’clock in the morning.

Fellow Kenyans,

Recognizing that the negative impact of COVID-19 is not limited to health care, my Administration has made targeted interventions to protect our economy.

At the outset of this pandemic, my administration injected KSh. 216 Billion back into the Economy through tax refunds, rebates and waivers. In the second phase we have further rolled-out Ksh. 53.7 Billion under the 8-point stimulus package to reinvigorate our Economy.

And on Madaraka day, I announced that a total of Ksh 2 billion would be injected into the hotel industry to cushion them from the effects of this pandemic. Modalities of how these resources will be shared are to be released next week.

Finally, I wish to assure each and every Kenyan that I shall do all that is necessary to limit the negative effects of COVID-19 on our People, Economy and Way of Life. Rest assured, my Administration will restore our lost livelihoods, our lost opportunities and our lost wealth.

I call on all Kenyans, particularly landlords and employers, to put people before profits during these testing times.

Permit me to close by saying that this Disease is beatable if we work together; listen to and apply the regulations, guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health; and keep our eyes on slaying the enemy.

(i) First, to review the effectiveness of the containment measures we have so far rolled out to break the chain of transmission of the Coronavirus Disease;

(ii) Second, to secure the undertaking of every County Government to deliver isolation facilities with at least 300 bed-capacity.

(iii) And thirdly, within 14 days, to develop time bound protocols for progressive re-opening of the economy.

Fellow Kenyans,

I have applied my mind to the different scenarios presented by our experts. And I have reconciled myself to the fact that to ‘open’ or not to ‘open’ up is not a dilemma between a right and a wrong. It is a dilemma between two rights.

Because of this, and fully cognizant of the irreducible minimum given by our experts, and in keeping with the advice of the National Security Council; I hereby DIRECT and ORDER as follows:

That the cessation of movement into and out of the Eastleigh Area of Nairobi and the specific limitations in force with respect to the Mombasa Old Town Area that is currently in force, shall lapse at 4:00 a.m. on 7th of June, 2020.

That in view of the successful containment of the disease in the Counties of Kilifi and Kwale, the cessation of movement into and out of the two Counties that is currently in force, shall lapse at 4:00 a.m. on 7th of June, 2020.

III. That following stakeholder’s consultations in the education sector - the Ministry of Education jointly with the Ministry of Health issues and publicizes guidelines on a gradual and progressive return to normalcy in the education sector by the Third Term, from 1st September, 2020. Further, that the ministry announces the new school calendar by mid -August.

That following consultations with interfaith and religious organizations, the Ministries of Interior and Health within seven days, constitutes an Inter-Faith Council, to work out modalities and protocols of re-opening of the places of worship.

That in the meantime, the ban on all forms of gatherings, including but not limited to political gatherings, social gatherings, including bars be and is hereby extended for a further 30 days.

That due to the evolving nature of the disease globally, international travel restrictions are hereby extended. In the meantime, the Ministry of Transport is directed within seven days from the date hereof, to engage all Key Stakeholders and develop protocols to guide resumption of local air travel.

That due to the increase in patterns of infections, the cessation of movement into and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Mombasa and Mandera be further extended by 30 days.

To accord all Kenyans the opportunity to enjoy a full-day’s work, the nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew currently in force until today the 6th June, 2020, be and is extended for a further 30 days. However, the commencement time for the same is varied from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; with the end time for the same being varied from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Therefore, effective 7th June, 2020 the national wide dusk-to-dawn Curfew will run from 9:00 O’clock in the evening to 4:00 O’clock in the morning.

Fellow Kenyans,

Recognizing that the negative impact of COVID-19 is not limited to health care, my Administration has made targeted interventions to protect our economy.

At the outset of this pandemic, my administration injected KSh. 216 Billion back into the Economy through tax refunds, rebates and waivers. In the second phase we have further rolled-out Ksh. 53.7 Billion under the 8-point stimulus package to reinvigorate our Economy.

And on Madaraka day, I announced that a total of Ksh 2 billion would be injected into the hotel industry to cushion them from the effects of this pandemic. Modalities of how these resources will be shared are to be released next week.

Finally, I wish to assure each and every Kenyan that I shall do all that is necessary to limit the negative effects of COVID-19 on our People, Economy and Way of Life. Rest assured, my Administration will restore our lost livelihoods, our lost opportunities and our lost wealth.

I call on all Kenyans, particularly landlords and employers, to put people before profits during these testing times.

Permit me to close by saying that this Disease is beatable if we work together; listen to and apply the regulations, guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health; and keep our eyes on slaying the enemy.

Press release from Kenya Presidency on 05-Jun-2020.

KENYA: International Tourist Arrivals To Shoot Upwards

Kenya’s international tourists arrivals are projected to jump by about five percent in 2019, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, told journalists in Nairobi that the tourism sector will not experience the 37 percent year on year growth witnessed in 2018 due to a number of challenges.

We are projecting only a slight growth in the number of international arrivals by the end of 2019 fueled by intensified marketing efforts in key source markets, Balala said during the launch of the partnership between Express Travel Group and Travel Leaders Group to form Travel Leaders Kenya.

Balala noted that in 2018 Kenya experienced a rate of growth of the tourism sector that is faster than the global average of 3.9 percent and the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 3.3 percent.

This makes Kenya the third largest tourism economy in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa and Nigeria, both of which grew substantially less than Kenya in 2018, he added.

Kenya’s international tourists arrivals stood at 2.03 million in 2018.

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has set a target of attracting 2.5 million international tourists annually by the end of 2024 and 3 million by 2030.

According to Balala, Kenya is a long haul destination for international travelers in the main tourist source countries in Europe and North America.

As such we cannot achieve in the short term high tourists number like Egypt and Morocco that are close to Europe, he added.

Kenya Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway promoting beach tourism.

Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is promoting beach tourism along the Indian Ocean shores, a senior government said on Wednesday.

Najib Balala, cabinet secretary, ministry of tourism and wildlife told journalists in Nairobi that the Mombasa to Nairobi railway line has reduced the cost of travel to the port of Mombasa.

Since the completion of the SGR, we have seen a surge of local and international tourists visiting the coastal beach of Mombasa, Balala said during the launch of the partnership between Express Travel Group and Travel Leaders Group to form Travel Leaders Kenya.

Balala revealed that the SGR has increased the travel options for visitors seeking to tour the coastal region.

Previously tourists had to contend with high cost of air travel or the unreliable road transport network, he added.

The 480 km SGR line built by Chinese from Nairobi to Mombasa was launched in 2017 while the construction of the 120 km Nairobi to Naivasha section which is also funded by the Chinese is almost complete.

Balala said that once the SGR is complete, it will open up the western tourism circuit which is largely unexploited due to high cost of transport and lack of public awareness of the rich cultural heritage in the region.

Through the use of SGR, we hope to expand the tourism sector by making all parts of the country accessible to both domestic and foreign tourists, he added.

The government official noted that Kenya’s main tourism products are the beach tourism and the safari product which largely attract high-end clientele.

Kenya plans to promote the green tourism sector in order to enhance its sustainability, the tourism regulator said on Thursday.

Kipkorir Lagat, director general of Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), told a forum in Nairobi that tourism is a very fragile industry that depends on nature to provide services to its clients.

We will work closely with tourism stakeholders to enable the sector adopt measures to conserve natural resources and reduce their green house gas emissions, Lagat said during the stakeholders forum of the retail industry and the Tourism Fund.

He said that the government already offers tax incentives for hotels that have green buildings and use renewable sources of energy.

Solar equipment for heating is also exempt from Value Added Tax, he said.

TRA noted that environmental sustainability is now a key pillar of the tourism sector given the growing number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the country.

Government data indicates that approximately 2 million visitors entered Kenya in 2018, up from 1.4 million the previous year.

Lagat added that Kenya also hopes to cash in on the growing number of tourists who seek eco-friendly destinations.

Last week, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a ban on single use plastics in national parks and beaches beginning in June 2020.

The tourism regulator noted that environmentally friendly policies such as use of biodegradable products and recycling could help make the tourism sector more sustainable.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Fatuma Hirsi Tourism PS Sacked

Fatuma Hirsi, Tourism Principal Secretary
President Uhuru Kenyatta has sacked Tourism Principal Secretary Fatuma Hirsi.

In a letter dated May 30, Hirsi was informed that her contract was not renewed following Uhuru's election for his second and final term.

Your employment contract has been terminated forthwith, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua told her.

You will be paid your salary up to June 30, which will be your last working day.

Kinyua asked Hirsi to hand over to the Wildlife Principal Secretary.

He thanked her for her services and wished well, in the letter copied to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Kenya Airways To Fly 10 Times A Week On Non-stop Flights To Cape Town And Commence Daily Flights To New York In October

Kenya Airways (KQ) will fly to Cape Town 10 times weekly following the introduction of direct flights to the South African city on Wednesday.

The three non-stop flights will depart Nairobi every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday as the carrier stretches its wings to capture the African market.

We are indeed very proud to increase our frequencies to South Africa to cater for the growing number of our customers who travel between Nairobi and Cape Town.

In addition to enhancing Africa integration, this new route will be beneficial to the tourism industry as it establishes vital links with our global network, said Kenya Airways Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Coste.

The national carrier began flying the Cape Town route via Livingstone in 2016, with seven weekly flights to the South African capital. This in addition to the three non-stop flights brings the tally to 10.

The carrier is set to have its maiden flights to New York as well as introduction of direct flights to Mauritius.

The carrier already has a pre-existing code sharing agreement with Air Mauritius, which flies between Port Louis and Nairobi.

This will mean that passengers from Kenya will from June have the option of flying daily to Mauritius.

KQ flies to 42 African destinations out of a total 51 globally.

Kenya Airways is set to commence daily flights between Nairobi and New York in October, marking a milestone for the national carrier that will cut the flight time between the two cities by more than seven hours.

Travellers have begun booking advance tickets for the airline’s maiden flight to the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Kenya Airways has already secured a landing slot at JFK.

The trans-Atlantic flights, scheduled to depart Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 10:30pm every day, will last 15 hours.

This is a reduction from the current flight time of over 22 hours, including lengthy layovers.

We are currently loading the flights onto our system. We shall go live and ready for bookings on Thursday, says Kenya Airways chairman Michael Joseph in a telephone interview.

The launch of direct flights between Kenya and the United States will mark a significant milestone for the business and for the country.

Passengers travelling to JFK will arrive at 6.30 a.m., in time for morning meetings, while the return flight from JKF will depart at 1.30 p.m. and arrive in Nairobi at 10.30 a.m. the next day.

Each trip will have a maximum of 234 passengers, 204 in Economy and the rest in Business Class of the national carrier’s Dreamliner aircraft.

Kenya Airways, known in short as KQ, had announced its preference to operate the flights through a code-share partnership with US carrier Delta Airlines, its SkyTeam partner.

Delta, Virgin Atlantic and KLM Air France are KQ joint venture partner and shareholder are, however, currently working out a time-consuming merger, which has seen KQ opt to go it alone for now.

When this merger is over, we may add another flight to the US with a connecting flight through West Africa, said Mr Joseph.

The government, KQ’s top shareholder, has recently stepped up its campaign to actualise direct flights to America, with the Uhuru Kenyatta administration anticipating it will boost exports to the US and help jumpstart the tourism sector.

With about 100,000 tourists visiting Kenya every year for leisure and business, the US remains the top source of visitors into Kenya from the Americas, according to Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) data

Imports from the US stood at Sh47.8 billion in 2016, mostly consisting of machinery and equipment while exports, mostly garments and apparels, stood at Sh43.4 billion.

Kenya has recently implemented a raft of recommendations by the US government to enhance security, among them separation of passenger arrival and departure terminals, clearing the flight path and fencing off the airport.

As a result, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last February gave Kenya the Category One rating, paving the way for direct flights subject to other permits being received by the airport and KQ.

Mr Joseph now says the airline has secured all but two permits required for it to fly to the US, a position the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) director-general, Gilbert Kibe, confirmed.

JFK is yet to be cleared as the last point of departure, a security-based permit to be issued by the US Transportation Security Administration, said Mr Kibe.

The other outstanding permit is the technical authority to operate from the FAA. I am confident that KQ will receive the two in time.

Mr Joseph, who also exuded optimism about securing the twin clearances, said it was standard airline practice to put ticket up for sale at the closing preparatory stages of entering a new market.

JKIA’s longstanding second-class status forced passengers flying from Kenya to the US to transit through Europe, the Middle East or the four African countries, South Africa, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, and Nigeria whose airports have the designation.

Airlines plying the JKIA and JFK route include Turkish Airlines (through Istanbul), Qatar Airways (through Doha) and British Airways (through Heathrow), KLM (through Amsterdam) and Emirates (through Dubai and/or Italy).

Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways also have flights to the US while RwandAir hopes to commence such flights later this year.

KQ’s foray into the US comes at a time when the airline is facing an uphill task to turnaround its fortunes, with a recent restructuring of its balance sheet seen as the last chance.

The airline’s management, which recently announced a Sh3.8 billion half-year net loss for the business, hopes that the new route will help boost the their flat revenues.

Imports from the US stood at Sh47.8 billion in 2016, mostly consisting of machinery and equipment while exports, mostly garments and apparels, stood at Sh43.4 billion.

Kenya has recently implemented a raft of recommendations by the US government to enhance security, among them separation of passenger arrival and departure terminals, clearing the flight path and fencing off the airport.

As a result, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last February gave Kenya the Category One rating, paving the way for direct flights subject to other permits being received by the airport and KQ.

Mr Joseph now says the airline has secured all but two permits required for it to fly to the US, a position the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) director-general, Gilbert Kibe, confirmed.

JFK is yet to be cleared as the last point of departure, a security-based permit to be issued by the US Transportation Security Administration, said Mr Kibe.

“The other outstanding permit is the technical authority to operate from the FAA. I am confident that KQ will receive the two in time.”

Optimistic

Mr Joseph, who also exuded optimism about securing the twin clearances, said it was standard airline practice to put ticket up for sale at the closing preparatory stages of entering a new market.

JKIA’s longstanding second-class status forced passengers flying from Kenya to the US to transit through Europe, the Middle East or the four African countries — South Africa, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, and Nigeria — whose airports have the designation.

Airlines plying the JKIA and JFK route include Turkish Airlines (through Istanbul), Qatar Airways (through Doha) and British Airways (through Heathrow), KLM (through Amsterdam) and Emirates (through Dubai and/or Italy).

Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways also have flights to the US while RwandAir hopes to commence such flights later this year.

KQ’s foray into the US comes at a time when the airline is facing an uphill task to turnaround its fortunes, with a recent restructuring of its balance sheet seen as the last chance.

The airline’s management, which recently announced a Sh3.8 billion half-year net loss for the business, hopes that the new route will help boost the their flat revenues.

Kenya Airways' destinations outside Africa are:

- Guangzhou, China

- Paris, France

- Hong Kong, China

- Mumbai, India

- Amsterdam, Netherlands

- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

- Bangkok, Thailand

- London, United Kingdom

- Hanoi, Vietnam

- Dubai, UAE

Kenya Airways (KQ) has been feted as Africa’s leading airline at the 24th Annual World Travel Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda.

This is the second consecutive year the national carrier has won the coveted title, beating other nominees including South African Airways, RwandAir, EgyptAir and Royal Air Maroc.

KQ was also named the winner in the Business Class category for the fifth consecutive year, while Ethiopian Airlines bagged the award in the Economy Class category - winning it for the fifth year in a row.

Winning these awards would not have been possible without the passion and dedication of the Kenya Airways team and the strong support from our guests.

Our guests are at the heart of everything we do at the airline and these two awards confirm our undeterred commitment to them, said KQ boss Sebastian Mikosz in a statement Wednesday.

Ethiopian Airlines was feted as Africa's leading airline brand, coming out tops in the category against Kenya Airways, South African Airways, RwandAir, EgyptAir, Tunisair and Royal Air Maroc.

Cape Town International Airport in South Africa was named the region's leading hub while Diani Beach in Kenya was named as Africa's leading beach destination.

The World Travel Awards serve to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry within each key geographical region.

Last year's ceremony was held in Zanzibar, Tanzania.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Emirates May Start Third Flight To Nairobi, No More Subject to Government Approval'

Emirates seems now set in earnest for their third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi as the airline has now removed the precautionary notice 'Subject to Government Approval' from its flight schedule website.

Despite the current Bilateral Air Services Agreement clearly showing an open skies agreement had Kenya's former Transport Principal Secretary Mr. Irungu Nyakera vehemently opposed the third flight, speaking of the need to protect Kenyan airlines from competition, something which did not go down well in the United Arab Emirates.

He added more confusion at the time when he said that some 30 other airlines' applications for more frequencies or the use of larger aircraft had also been deferred, causing those affected to star on with a degree of perplexity, given the need to Kenya to bring in more tourists, conference participants and visitors in general.

Regular sources close to the Kenyan administration subsequently confirmed that the UAE and Dubai were digging in their heels insisting on Kenya respecting signed and ratified agreements with a big fat 'or else' hanging like an angry cloud over the bilateral relations.

President Uhuru Kenyatta in a reshuffle last week of Principal Secretaries then moved the cantankerous Nyakera into a less profiled PS position at the Ministry of Devolution and Planning, following which Emirates promptly deleted the precautionary warning.

As of the 01st of June will Dubai's award winning airline therefore fly three times a day from DXB to NBO using a Boeing B777 aircraft in a three class configuration of First, Business and Economy on all three services.

Kenya's tourism industry according to feedback received overnight, while in Nairobi, in fact expressed their delight of the added numbers of visitors the country will now receive as a result of upping the frequencies which makes Nairobi reachable from around the globe with just one convenient stop and short transit times in Dubai.

Elsewhere in the region does Emirates serve Entebbe and Dar es Salaam with one flight a day, also using Boeing B777 aircraft.

KENYA: Herders Stone Vehicles In Laikipia, Dutch Tourists Escape Unhurt

Dutch holidaymakers was attacked by a mob of Pokot invaders at the Laikipia Nature Conservancy on Friday night.

Harm Duiker, head of Dutch development organisation SNV, together with six others, were confronted in their Safari vehicle by more than 10 Pokot youths armed with crude weapons, who blocked their way with boulders.

The youths threw stones at the tourists, smashing the vehicle’s windscreen and windows. The visitors escaped unhurt after an AP officer escorting them fired twice in the air, forcing the attackers to flee.

This is the latest in a string of incidents targetting foreign tourists in Laikipia, where private conservancies and farms are being invaded by thousands of Pokot and Samburu herders and their livestock.

Residents say politicians are inciting the violence.

A number of people were killed in 2016, many displaced and property destroyed.

Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe as mediator in the problems affecting the area.

Leaders have, however, said the situation does not need mediation or peace caravans, but total eviction of the herders.

Led by Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, the leaders met security officers and NCIC chairperson Francis ole Kaparo in Nanyuki last month to seek the way forward in restoring security.

During the meeting, Laikipia East MP Antony Mutahi blamed armed herders from Samburu, Baringo and Isiolo for the increased criminal activities.

“This is not a standoff that requires a mediator, all we want is for the government to flush out all these herders. They are grazing on privately owned ranches with total disregard to the owners.”

KENYA: Nairobi Strives To Become African Aviation Hub

Kenya Airways' Chairman Michael Joseph went to State House in Nairobi to brief President Uhuru Kenyatta on progress made to restructure the national airline and return it to profitability.

Mr. Joseph updated the President on the current process of recruiting a new Chief Executive of the airline as well as other initiatives aimed at strengthening the national carrier. Current CEO Mr. Mbuvi Ngunze had last year indicated that he was going to leave the airline at the end of Q1 of 2017 but would remain available until a new substantive CEO has been found and taken up his position.

President Kenyatta as expected pledged to support the board’s initiatives noting that Kenya Airways is key to Government’s efforts of making Nairobi an African aviation hub.Earlier in the day was it learned that Kenya Airways had signed a codeshare deal with Hong Kong Airlines aimed to further penetrate the Chinese market which has grown in leaps and bounds over the past years.

Hands Off Our Elephants

Had former President Daniel arap Moi set ivory alight on 19th July 1989, notably a whole year before a global ivory trade ban came into effect. Former President Mwai Kibaki then did the same during a ceremony in Tsavo National Park on 20th of July 2011 while current President Uhuru Kenyatta on 03rd of March last year, at which time he promised to put the country's entire ivory stock beyond economic use.

Kenya's unprecedented step sets the country apart from many other elephant range countries where the governments are still hanging on to the notion that their stocks may eventually be sold, forgetting that it was the loosening of sales regulations by CITES in the first place which saw the blood ivory trade and poaching reach industrial levels and which, in neighbouring Tanzania, wiped out tens of thousands of elephant over the last several years of the regime of former President Jakaya Kikwete.

While that administration stood by almost idle in the face of the onslaught did they lobby hard to sell ivory on the world market, a notion which after the Nairobi burn on Saturday will be put firmly to rest.

African governments will find themselves under increased scrutiny and pressure now that Kenya is putting over 105 tons of ivory beyond use, to follow suit and either burn it or crush it.

The presence of Chinese officials on Saturday will be greeted by many with incredulity, as that country is seen as the main global driver for blood ivory and most customs seizures have taken place enroute or on arrival in China. Sadly are also more than 90 percent of all arrests made by airport security in Nairobi for illegal ivory trafficking of Chinese origin, so officials present on Saturday ought to take a stark message back home to Beijing to finally ban all trade,craft and possession of ivory, to pull the rug from underneath the demand side.

While poaching in Kenya is thankfully well contained, inspite of periodic reports of dead elephant being found, mostly courtesy of a renewed effort to fight poaching since Dr. Richard Leakey was appointed to chair the organization's Board of Trustees, has poaching of elephant for ivory flared up in Southern Africa.

Uganda and Rwanda have very few reported cases of poaching though Uganda is being used by smugglers in Eastern Congo and from South Sudan to traffic blood ivory through, and the new administration of Tanzanian President John Magufuli has cracked down hard on the syndicates with of late massive fines and decades long jail terms handed down to culprits.

In South Africa though, after a relentless onslaught on the country's rhinos which saw several thousand killed over the past few years, again with the Zuma regime doing very little to stop the menace until more recently, elephant poaching is on the upswing, including Mozambique and other range countries.

Kenya has invited political leaders and global opinion leaders from high finance to the show business to drive home the message of what the country is doing, once again claiming the moral high ground in conservation and in the process of course sending out the signals that visiting Kenya for big game safaris is once again an en vogue must see destination.

Pressure after the event will be massive on CITES and ivory consumer countries like China to put a complete stop to any form of trade and include other species for good measure too, to preserve wildlife for future generations at a time when debate rages across the world over growing human - wildlife conflict, including by the way in Kenya itself.

Expect a live report from onsite on Saturday as this correspondent will cut short a visit to Seychelles to be in Nairobi for the event and share pictures and impressions from the burn site at Nairobi National Park.

KENYA: PassengerTrain For Nairobi CBD To the Surburbs

The project, co-financed by Kenya and Hungary, will ease traffic congestion in the city besides transferring technology to Kenyans

An ambitious urban passenger train connecting Nairobi suburbs to the city centre is set to be launched by June.
The project, co-financed by Kenya and Hungary, will ease traffic congestion in the city besides transferring technology to Kenyans.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday welcomed the city tram project, saying no “development-conscious Kenyan” would oppose such a programme.

President Kenyatta spoke when he held talks with the Hungary Ambassador to Kenya, Eduard Laszlo Mathe, who had paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi.

The President said phase one of the project will connect the Standard Gauge Railway end point in Nairobi to the railway station in the city centre. Other branches are planned to connect the suburbs with the station. The proposed branches of the tram project will include Thika Road, Ngong Road, Ongata Rongai and Limuru Road, among others, all connecting to the city centre.

The Hungarian envoy said the proposed tram service will transform the way people in the capital city get to work.

“It is expected to transport about 300,000 passengers a day and even more when all the branches are fully operational,” he said.

The President directed the Ministry of Infrastructure to ensure the project is completed on schedule.

The ambassador said the project will cost $150 million (Sh15 billion). He explained that Hungarian engineers will train their Kenyan counterparts to make materials and transfer the skills to manage the project.

“In line with Hungary’s new foreign policy for Africa to reinforce economic relations, we will train and equip Kenyans with skills to develop the project and own it. This project will be made in Kenya,” the ambassador said.

The envoy disclosed that his country has implemented a similar project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

On education, the ambassador pointed out that his country will provide 50 postgraduate scholarships to Kenyans.

Infrastructure and Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia and senior officials of the ministry were at the meeting.

KENYA: Dr Richard Leakey At War With Poachers, Again

Richard Leakey supervising the burning of ivory in Kenya. As many as 40,000 elephants are being killed across the continent of Africa every year

‘I had lunch with Angelina a few days ago in New York,” says Richard Leakey with a roguish smile, enjoying the thought. Yes, he is talking about Angelina Jolie, the Hollywood star, director and activist who wants to make a movie of his extraordinary life as the man who went to war with elephant poachers in Africa and won – and is now doing it all over again at the age of 70.

“It was a working lunch,” says this large, formidable fellow with eye-watering confidence, as if there was any suggestion that they might have been flirting instead. “The plan to make a film based on protecting elephants in Kenya is very much on.”

The Kenyan government has reportedly stepped in with financial incentives to make it happen, although Dr Leakey is also said to have asked Angelina to tone down the sex and violence. “I have a reputation for having had a fairly full life, but not nearly as full as that.”

The truth is, though, that his real life has been as remarkable as any Hollywood script.
Read more
Fingerprint test for ivory developed to help identify poachers

Born in colonial Kenya to a pair of famous palaeontologists, he preferred digging in the dirt with them to school. Family games included trying to drive lions away from a kill, as our ancestors did.

Dr Leakey made the cover of Time magazine in the 1970s, and became world famous after a series of remarkable fossil finds that proved human life evolved on the plains of Africa. Next he became known as a fearless conservationist, one of the first to highlight the scandal of elephant poaching.

He dared to burn a huge pile of ivory worth a fortune to assert that it should only be valuable on a live elephant. Ivory prices fell as governments were shamed into cracking down on the poachers.

Dr Leakey was the first chairman of the Kenya Wildlife Service; he armed its rangers with the latest weapons and vehicles and sent them into battle. He made enemies as a result, some of whom may have sabotaged the light aircraft in which he crashed in 1993. He now walks on artificial legs, which he stretches out after sinking heavily down into a deep chair at the Gore Hotel in Kensington, London.

Despite his injuries and his age, Dr Leakey has recently returned to the wildlife service, picking up the fight once more. His admirers include presidents, prime ministers, Prince Charles and Prince William. So he is really, truly remarkable.

But to be honest, in terms of looks, he’s no Brad Pitt. That’s who will play Dr Richard Leakey in the film of his life. “I never knew who he was until all this happened,” he says of Angelina’s absurdly handsome husband. “I don’t ever watch movies.” Of course, being himself, he told Brad this. “He was very amused.”

Today, Dr Leakey looks battered and bruised, with a black eye from a fall. His face has filled out and his Superman-style cowlick has gone grey, but looks matter little compared to courage and brains. He has not left his wife Maeve and their 100-acre farm outside Nairobi and come all this way just to talk about the movies.

As many as 40,000 elephants are being killed across the continent of Africa every year, he says. A single tusk can sell for as much as $30,000 (£20,000) on the black market in the United States or China.

As a white African who thinks, dreams and prefers to talk in Swahili and has become a major political player on that continent, he takes this personally.

“Elephants are a major part of our heritage. They are an enormously important ecological, iconic species. We would like our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have the extraordinary thrill of going into the wild and seeing wild animals, including elephants,” he says.

“We see no reason why a few people should destroy that now, simply because we are not prepared to pick up the fight and say: ‘No. This is not for America. This is for us. Don’t take it from us.’”

He first took over the Kenya Wildlife Service in 1989. “I said to my fellows: ‘Where there is a poaching incident, don’t turn your back on it and run away because you know you are going to get killed. Go in and engage. If somebody shoots at you then shoot back, but shoot better!’ ”

Did he tell them to shoot to kill, as was reported? “My instructions were always to try to get them alive, because poachers talk. So it wasn’t this slaughterhouse that the popular media got hold of at all. It was very controlled.”

His book about those years was Wildlife Wars: My Fight to Save Africa’s Natural Treasures. “It was a battle to prevent the total decimation of elephants and rhino. It was a relentless thing that involved security patrols, arrests, shoot-outs, a lot of intelligence.”

And it worked. The number of elephants being killed dropped dramatically. More than 4,000 a year were dying in Kenya when he first took over, now it is down to the hundreds. “That’s sustainable, although it’s not pretty and not necessary.” He plans to burn ivory again next year, only this time hundreds of tonnes of it.

Dr Leakey resigned from the wildlife service the year after his plane crash. He fought political battles, survived assassination attempts, and even tried to reform the Kenyan civil service. He became a professor of anthropology at Stony Brook University in New York and a Fellow of the Royal Society in London, which marked his 70th birthday with a symposium. But now he’s back in charge of the rangers, and has told the British government that his men and women have a part to play in the fight against terrorism, working as they do in a part of the world where groups such as al-Shabaab are suspected of hiding.

Elephants are a major part of our heritage. They are an enormously important ecological, iconic species says dr Leakey.

“I think they are very cognisant of the role the Kenya Wildlife Service could play in an aspect of anti-terrorism, while interacting with wildlife in areas where terrorists might otherwise be doing other things.”

What does he mean by that? “I think they recognise that a wildlife intelligence service operating at that level, talking to nomads and so on, might pick up a lot of intel that could be very valuable, both to the Kenyan government and their allies.”

At the same time, Dr Leakey is part of a campaign to increase wildlife tourism, called Make It Kenya. The Foreign Office advises British citizens to stay away from some parts of the country because of the high risk of terrorism – but crucially, that does not include the national parks and wildlife reserves where big animals can still be seen living freely in spectacular settings. Some of us will probably never have the chance to go, of course.

When there is so much human suffering in the world, why should we care about protecting elephants? His eyes narrow.

“Why don’t people like to see dogs eaten? Because they know dogs are caring, dogs are intelligent, dogs are loving, dogs are animals we identify with. Elephants are more so.”

He is grateful for outside support but says: “We are developing a strong constituency for wildlife ourselves, as Africans. There needs to be an African solution.”

One example of this happening is a Kenyan charity called Space for Giants, which specialises in securing land for elephants to roam safe from poachers. The killing has dropped by up to 80 per cent in these areas.

The Independent on Sunday supported Space for Giants with its 2014 Christmas Appeal.

Presidents who want the charity to help to protect elephants in their country are asked to sign up to a set of defining principles. So far, the leaders of Kenya, Gabon, Uganda and Botswana have done so, with six more preparing to join what is now called the Giants Club.

Those leaders plan to meet in Kenya next year, hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Together they will form a new alliance across borders, to provide safe spaces for these majestic creatures.

It was the Kenyan government which asked Leakey to return to head up the Kenya Wildlife Service earlier this year, but if the fight was won last time, why on earth did he need to?

“They got really lax,” he says, acknowledging that poaching had been pushed out to neighbouring countries but was also on the rise again in Kenya as rangers turned a blind eye.

“I don’t think we have gone deep enough yet to have cured it, but there was clearly a lot of corruption at a lot of levels. Up through the chain of command to quite senior wardens and deputy directors, people were on the take.”

$30,000, is the price a single elephant tusk can fetch on the black market

He is trying to change the culture by introducing fines and prison sentences.

“It’s like school,” he says. “Walk on the grass and you get beaten.”

That tells you something about his schooling in Kenya in the 1950s. Leakey went to work instead of going to university, although he now has “at least” 16 honorary degrees from around the world.

“I’m not exactly sure how many it is.”

His team found the fossilised full skeleton of a young hominid male from 1.6 million years ago near Lake Turkana in northern Kenya.

Dr Leakey has fought political battles, survived assassination attempts, and even tried to reform the Kenyan civil service

“For the first time, you had embedded in consolidated rock that could be accurately dated to 1.6 million years, something that even a lay person could have said was a human skeleton.”

This proof of evolution was a blow landed against his grandfather and other Leakey family members who had been missionaries, bishops and archbishops.

“I thought: ‘Got ’em!’ God did not create us in His image, we created Him in ours. It is us that we should worship, as a species.”

He stops and looks down at his coffee, smiling. “Was that laced?”

Dr Leakey wrote a best-selling book called Origins and presented his own BBC television series on how all modern humans evolved out of Africa.

All this came from digging for fossils that might not have been there. He is currently recruiting backers for a massive science park in Turkana, so that such speculative research can continue.

“I hope it has already done good in that people now realise that racial segregation and the idea that we have different origins and different IQs has gone out of the window. It wouldn’t have done without this type of research.”

He will have no shortage of attention for his projects once the movie – with the working title Africa – gets made, but can he really be that uncomfortable at being portrayed as an all-action hero?

He glances across at his publicist, who knows what he is like, and says in a voice rich with irony, “I’m hoping that it will be a gentle, wise, charming, persuasive leadership that can break the back of this international problem of crime.”

KENYA: International Campaign Supporting Tourism Drive

The President of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, today officially launched Make it Kenya, a new international brand campaign that has been introduced to promote the scale and variety of tourist and investment opportunities the country has to offer.

Tourism is a vital pillar of Kenya's economy, environment, identity and well-being; the industry is responsible for 1 in 10 jobs and over 12% of GDP. Kenya is renowned for its amazing beaches and world-class safari offering that provides visitors with 'once in a lifetime' experiences. The country is also focusing on the promotion of business (MICE), sports, adventure and cultural tourism, helping to take the diversity of the country's offering to new audiences.

The timing for the launch of the Make It Kenya campaign builds on the success and positive feedback that Kenya has experienced following President Obama's visit, to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit and the recent endorsement for Kenya by UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai who led the UNWTO conference in Mombasa last month.

The brand launch included the unveiling of MakeItKenya.com, a new digital portal that has been specifically designed as a source of rich sharable content, which will help connect Kenya to the world, through people's computers, smart phones and digital devices.
President Kenyatta, who is in Milan to lead the celebrations for Expo Milano's dedicated Kenya week, launched the new campaign at a VIP event at Kenya House, an extension of Kenya's Expo pavilion that is located in the centre of Milan and is being used to showcase Kenya's cultural, tourism and economic assets.

During the VIP launch, President Kenyatta called on people around the world to consider the country's rich tourism offer: "Kenya has a wonderful story to tell, as the original home of the safari, home to the big five, snow-capped mountains, vast deserts and miles of beautiful Indian Ocean beaches.

"Through Make It Kenya we aim to communicate this, as the campaign will allow us to engage people around the world. Through this bold and innovative approach to drive Kenya's story, we will show people the scale and quality of Kenya's tourism offer from adventure, health and therapeutic tourism to our massive investment in tourist infrastructure.

"Kenya's global profile has never been stronger – we have successfully hosted President Obama, our athletes have taken on and beaten the world and people from around the world are joining us in celebration of Kenya week at the World Expo - the Make It Kenya campaign is being introduced to help secure our country's economic prosperity for today and for future generations. In this globalized world, we must have a nation brand that can compete internationally and also resonate with our citizens and I believe Make It Kenya achieves this," His Excellency concluded.

The Cabinet Secretary of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Mrs. Phyllis Kandie, said: "The Make It Kenya campaign and digital portal will allow us to tell Kenya's story with one voice. It is not intended to replace our Magical Kenya tourism campaign driven by Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) but rather enhance it and make it stronger.
"Our aim is to use Make It Kenya to raise our country's profile to a new level by directly engaging new audiences, allowing us to compete globally and to a level that is reflective of the strong and attractive brand that our country is," she concluded.

Muriithi Ndegwa, Managing Director of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said: "Make It Kenya is a new and fresh platform, which will support the work that we do with Magical Kenya to promote Kenya's tourism opportunities to the world. Kenya is a modern and vibrant country that is open and ready for them to visit, and we call on the friends of Kenya and people around the world to join us by visiting MakeItKenya.com to explore the diverse tourism offer of Kenya"

KENYA: City Of Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and the largest city in the country.

Nairobi has a population of three million plus. Situated on the Nairobi River, the city is not only the largest and fastest growing city in Kenya, but one of the largest in Africa.

The word Nairobi derives from a water hole known in Maasai (an Eastern Nilotic language) as Enkare Nyirobi, which means "cool waters." Nairobi, which was a swamp area, was founded in 1899 and was first a railway camp for the Uganda Railway. The city became Kenya’s capital, which was Mombasa initially, and it also became the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate in 1905. With the spread of plagues in the early 1900s, the town was burnt down and had to be rebuilt. Having a railroad system in the system helped it to have drastic growth, becoming the second largest city in Kenya behind Mombasa.

The city of Nairobi also grew due to administration and tourism businesses (mostly big game hunting). The British, who were one of Kenya’s colonizers, set up shop in Nairobi, leading to the creation of big hotels primarily for the British hunters. Also, Nairobi has an East Indian community from those who are the descendents of original colonial railway laborers and merchants.

Get in
Citizens from most countries will have to obtain a visa upon arrival. Currently, this costs US$50 for a single-entry visa and $100 for a multiple-entry visa (Euros, British Pounds and Swiss Francs are accepted as well). However, some countries require a visa before arrival, and some don't require one at all.

If you are only traveling through the country via a connecting flight and will not leave the secure area of the airport you will not need a visa.

The yellow fever vaccination is no longer required if you're coming from EU, Asia or North America. However, a vaccination certificate might be required if you're coming from a country where yellow flu is endemic.

By plane
Regular flights to Nairobi are operated by Ethiopian, Air France,Air Kenya, British Airways, Egypt Air, Etihad Airways, Fly Emirates, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Swiss International Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Kenya Airways is the national airline and travels throughout Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. Nairobi’s main airport is JKIA Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA: NBO), southeast of the city centre.

If taking a taxi from JKIA, use a reputable taxi; many are waiting outside to give you conveyance, and the cost should be very near 1,500KSh to the city center; Westlands (car with chauffeur KES2,000 - Sept 2014) or such places more west or north will be more. When taking a taxi to your accommodation, avoid being talked into taking their recommendation for accommodation, although this is very at your own risk. There is also Wilson Airport, south of the city's center, for domestic flights. Lighter, Cessna-type aircraft can be seen there. The military/government airport is in Eastleigh district (pron: "East-Lee"), a very large residential area of housing in the east/north-east of Nairobi, but the government airport is fenced around and does not handle civilian traffic. From the center, you can take Bus #34 for 50KSH to the international airport from the Ambassador Hotel.

By train
The city is also accessible by train, with daily arrivals and departures at the Nairobi Railway station. The trains go east to Mombasa and west to Kisumu. There are 3 classes: First, Second and General. First and Second are sleepers. First have 2 seats in a cabin, Second have 4. In Second Class genders are separated unless you purchase the entire compartment of 4 seats. First-class includes bedding, breakfast, and dinner all-inclusive for around $50; Second is $35 all-inclusive. Both can be purchased without bedding or food. Tickets have to be booked through the office on Station Road in south-central Nairobi, or online.

By bus
Kenya’s bus system is mostly reliable. There are many bus companies that have routes going to and from the country’s different cities, including Nairobi, the center of the bus network.

By matatu
Matatus (14-18 seater minibuses) and shuttles (6-seater cars) are convenient, inexpensive (and often the only) modes of public transport connecting Nairobi to towns and tourist destinations in the Rift Valley and Central Highlands such as Naivasha, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Isiolo, and Thika. Matatus can be obtained from the River Road area.

Exercise extreme caution in this area: petty theft is a major concern, and valuables such as mobile phones and wallets should not be prominently displayed here, particularly after dark and even while in the matatu . The best method of connecting to a matatu is to arrange for a taxi to drop you off and pick you up directly at the location of the matatu that you are boarding or alighting from. If you're boarding a matatu from Nairobi, tell the taxi driver your destination and they will drop you off at the correct location. If you are being picked up, then tell the taxi driver the location you're coming from as well as the matatu company that you are using,your ticket should have the operator's name. It is best to arrange for a taxi from the hotel you're staying at. Matatu prices can cost anything from 200 KSh (matatu to Naivasha) to 450 Ksh (shuttle to Nanyuki). The price is dependent on the distance of travel.

By boat
Entry into Nairobi by boat is not possible, but one could certainly arrive in Kenya by boat via Mombasa or Lamu, and proceed by road, air, or rail to Nairobi.

Get around
Nairobi has notoriously bad traffic and at rush hours (7-9am, 4.30-6.30pm) much of the city grinds to a halt. Just about every bad driving habit is practiced, in particular by matatus and buses. Be careful getting around Nairobi if you have an appointment to make, traffic is very bad like any other major city, but if you use common sense and a local or guide, you should be able to get where you want.

If self-driving a GPS is a good idea, essential even, given the lack of road signs. However GPS's can tempt you to take backroad shortcuts when stuck in traffic that turn out to be dead-ends. As a general rule don't take a short cut if no one else is trying the same thing.

By taxi
Taxis are not very cheap, but will make city life easier and safer, at least at night. Always set and agree on prices before the trip, and pay afterwards. You can find taxis parked around hotels and tourist areas. The taxis tend to be marked with a yellow line on each side. You can also hire a taxi for the full day if you are making multiple stops either for business or tourism. Your best bet is to ask a local or at your hotel.

Because of traffic jams, it's just best to walk if the destination is less than 5km away at some times. On average, it can take you one whole hour to reach a destination that's 4km away during congested periods.

By bus (matatu)
A matatu (public minibuses/commuter buses) is typically used for traveling between downtown Nairobi and the suburbs. Matatus vary in size, between the van sized 14 seat Matatus and the larger 50-seat buses. While generally safe, you should be aware that matatus are involved in a high number of accidents every year. Matatus are often overcrowded, with more people than seatbelts and therefore can be dangerous if involved in accidents. Because there are no licensing requirements, matatus are often poorly driven, with drivers passing on curbs, speeding, or passing in oncoming lanes while cars are oncoming.

On each bus is a conductor who will hang out of the matatu and call out a price (usually between 10ksh and 40ksh) and location the matatu is driving. Recently, the government has decided to ban the 14-seat matatus inside Nairobi, effective January 2011 in hopes of reducing traffic and accidents in town (which is actually not in effect since 2011-2013, that is until now). The best choice is probably the Double M Commuter Buses or the City Hoppa bus service and of late, the revived Kenya Bus Service. Beware of traffic jams on the large motorways, not only in the rush hours.

By foot
Walking around Nairobi is fairly easy since the city is small and places are easy to get to. However, there are some areas within the city where tourists should not go; minimise walking around at night. Thugs are rampant in many areas.

By Rental Car
Car hire from the airport is possible, and fairly painless with prices in line with other African countries. In the recent past, Nairobi had a severe car-jacking problem, but because of increased police check-points, it has become marginally safer. Travelling during the day reduces your chances of getting car-jacked, as most car-jacking occur after dark.

Many of the usual car hire chains have franchises in the city and several rental options are available, with the cheapest rentals starting from Kshs4,000 per day. You can hire cars with a driver(chauffeur-driven) or on self-drive basis. Most car hire companies offer saloon cars, 4x4s, Vans, Buses and Safari Vans and Jeeps. Local car hire firms are available often on a cash-in-advance basis. These operators are cheaper and more flexible than the international brands, but you risk greater levels of hassle in the event of an accident, theft or breakdown. Rates for local car hire start at around Khs3,500 per day for a saloon car.

Central car hire is a reliable, trustworthy, and helpful rental company based in Nairobi. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles are available and are well-maintained.

Cyrus Car Hire, based at the Fairview Hotel, offers Corollas at Khs4,000 per day and a Rav4 at Khs5,000. Happy to pick up and drop off the car anywhere in town. 0722 705071.

Hire N' Drive Kenya Ltd.+254722417475 has a variety of vehicles and they can bring and pickup the car at your hotel, airport or at any shopping mall within the city.

Nairobi Car Hire offers good services for 4x4 and other categories of cars. Starting at USD100 according to their website.

Offroad Car Hire specializes in off-road 4X4 vehicles and has prices for volunteers, missionaries and NGOs which are below the average car rental rates.

Nairobi is known as the safari capital of Africa, however the city has still managed to keep up with modernization. Unlike other cities, Nairobi is surrounded by 113 km² (70 mi²) of plains, cliffs and forest that makes up the city’s Nairobi National Park. The city is filled with many things to do during the day and the night. Tourists can have their pick from numerous safaris (wildlife, cultural, sport, adventure, scenic and specialist), ecotourism tours, restaurants, culture, shopping and entertainment. While in Nairobi, tourists can also engage in numerous sports from golf, rugby, athletics, polo, horse-racing, cricket and football (soccer).

Nairobi National Park, just outside Nairobi. This is home to large herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah, Hippo, Rhino and even birdlife (over 400 species). Here you can also go on the Nairobi Safari Walk, an educational centre to make people aware of wildlife and habitat conservation. Also in the park is the Nairobi Animal Orphanage.

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, close to the Nairobi National Park. This Orphanage takes in elephant calves and rhinos from all over Kenya which were orphaned by poaching. Showing is only once per day from 11am-12pm (admission 500Ksh) and gives you a great opportunity to interact directly with baby elephants.

Giraffe Centre, in Lang'ata right outside of Nairobi. The Centre breeds the endangered Rothschild Giraffe and has conservation/education programmes for Kenyan children. It also has many warthogs. Here you can feed giraffes by hand and even get a kiss (their tongues can get up to 20" long and are antiseptic).

Mamba Village. Typically the 3rd stop for most tourists after the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center, this pleasant park is home to ostriches and crocodiles. Surprisingly quite interesting as you get the chance to interact directly with crocodiles and even hold a baby, with very knowledgable employees serving as guides.

Lake Naivasha. About 1.5hrs outside of central Nairobi, this area is a haven away from the chaos of the city where many 3rd and 4th generation British colonialists continue to reside. Crescent Island is a particularly nice place to visit, even if you have already done a safari. Unique because it gives you the opportunity to walk around the grounds literally alongside giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, etc.

Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, 65 km from Nairobi, is centred around a 2,146-m (7,141 ft) mountain. This is a mountain forest and plain land, with a large population of Buffalo. It also serves as a refuge for Colobus monkeys, bushbuck, duiker, leopard, and a large variety of bird species.

14 Falls, a waterfall at Thika.

Kenyatta International Conference Center (K.I.C.C), (Central District). The best place to get that far ranging view over the sprawling, congested metropolis that is Nairobi. You can go up to the saucer-shaped top of the conference centre's round viewing tower and depending on smog and fog, you might be able to see as far as the slums and the national park. 400KSH / 200KSH reduced.

US Embassy Memorial Site, (Central District). In 1998 a blast rocked downtown Nairobi. A truck had exploded next to the US Embassy building, reducing it to rubble and killing 212 people some on staff, most bystanders. On the same day, August 7, the US embassy in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, was also subject to a similar terrorist attack. 21 people have been charged with the crime, including Osama Bin Laden. The former embassy site today contains a memorial that can be visited. edit

Tana River, is an hour's drive from the city. White water rafting throughout cataracts, which leads to the 14 falls can be done here. The rafting trip also includes a full BBQ lunch.

Nairobi National Museum. 8:30AM-5:30PM. Where visitors can learn about Kenya, its history and culture. The museum celebrated 100 years in 2010. A live snake compound is adjacent but not for the timid.

National Railway Museum, visitors can learn more about the history of Kenya’s railroads and the Kenya/Uganda railway. It also houses, some of the engines and rolling stock from the country’s colonial period.

Nairobi Gallery, P.O.Box 40658-00100, ☎ +25420216566. This is a museum housing only special exhibits, so the featured artwork is always changing.

Karen Blixen Museum, P.O Box 40658-00100, ☎ +254208002139 (karenblixen@museums.or.ke). is based on the Karen Blixen’s book "Out of Africa". Her house is now the home of the museum. It is on the outskirts of Nairobi and a taxi or bus can get you to the museum.

Bomas of Kenya, portrays Kenya’s culture. Visitors can see exhibits of traditional Kenyan homes, artifacts, dances, music, and song.

Uhuru Gardens, built in remembrance of the struggle for independence, which Kenya was granted in 1963. The monument is a 24-m (79 ft) high triumphal column supporting a pair of clasped hands and the dove of peace, high over a statue of freedom fighter raising the flag. The monument is surround by fountains and lush-landscaped gardens.

Westlands by night, Visit the bustling and hip Westlands district, which has turned into the new nightlife center of Nairobi. Many restaurants and bars line the busy Woodvale Grove and Mpaka Road. A visit to 'Treehouse' club is good for those not willing to stray too far from their comfort zone, with an expat crowd rather than often overcrowded local clubs. Traffic can become hectic, well into the early hours. Security is generally tight and the action spills out from packed clubs into the street.

Jamia Mosque, (Central District). While Jamia Mosque is tucked away in between other buildings their are striking views to be glimpsed of its intricate structure from many different angles. Easily the most impressive religious structure in the capital, the interior is off-limits to non believers edit

Do

Safari in central Nairobi park.
Try the many excellent restaurants in Nairobi.
Go dancing and be a part of Nairobi's excellent nightlife
Go ice skating at Panari
Visit Village Market and Sherlocks with your friends
Go to Maasai market and buy keepsakes for yourself and friends: On Saturday it is at Nairobi High Court parking lot, Village Market on Friday, The Junction on Thursday, Capital Centre on Wednesday. Prepare to haggle and as a guide, pay about half to two thirds of the asking price.
Do something different: visit Kibera, the slums of Nairobi. Guided walks are arranged by Kiberatours.
Go-Down Arts Centre, (South of Center), ☎ +254 (0)20 555770, . A former warehouse turned arts centre - this has also happened in Nairobi and this spot allows you to get a glimpse of what contemporary Kenyan artists are up to, including exhibitions, performances and discussions.
Kazuri Beads shop - Started in 1977 the workshop of beads is adjacent to Karen Blixen's Museum. Was started by an English women to provide sustainable income to the poor Kenyan women. Has beautiful jewelry created of clay brought from the areas surrounding Mt. Kenya.
It Started in Africa (It Started in Africa), PO BOX 9006 - Market Lane, Nairobi, ☎ +254 714 135 086 (info@itstartedinafricakenya.com). 8AM-8PM. A Safari with It Started in Africa. This travel agency, for long established in Tanzania and Kenya, offers probably the best prices while not sacrificing quality. Part of their profits go to education for local children who have no access to it.
Visit Oloo’s Children Center (OCC) in Kibera: Lend a hand at the volunteer operated school, take a tour of Kibera, and have a cup of tea with the OCC Founder. The founder of the school lives in Kibera and works to provide children in need with education and meals. 616-987-1106

Buy

There are quite a number of networked banking machines in major shopping areas of Nairobi as well as the arrivals area of the airport. A Barclays ATM can be found near Gate 9 within the security area, easily accessible when arriving, and another one on the left side immediately after leaving the security area. Most transactions are cash only, so it is best to have enough cash on hand to pay for purchases and transport. Major banks such as Barclays, Kenya Commercial Bank, and Standard Bank give better exchange rates than any of the FOREX bureaus. Independent machines such as Pesa-point have lower cash limits and may have a higher fee. For example, in 2007, Barclays did not charge any additional fee for a cash withdrawal but gave a lower exchange rate than Kenya Commercial Bank. KCB charges a CDN$5 fee for a withdrawal with a maximum of 40,000/= per day.

Cash is dispensed in units of 1000/=. Note: Many smaller businesses do not have much change, so be sure to have a good selection of smaller notes before going shopping for curios.

Forex Bureaus are located in many parts of the city where tourists are common. They will exchange cash of different currencies, and may also accept a personal cheque for Kenyan cash. They will want a photocopy of your passport before they exchange money. Rates are not bad, but will be worse than a banking machine will offer. Be aware that many exchange bureaus and hotels will NOT accept or exchange American currency printed before 2000. When the exchange bureaus do accept pre-2000 notes, they typically offer substantially lower exchange rates than for curreny printed after 2000. Exchange rates are also typically lower for small denomination currency than for $100 and $50 bills.

Credit Cards Many specialty stores accept international credit cards, however they normally tell you up front that they will charge you bank fees, typically 5% of the purchase. The Nakumat and Uchumi supermarket chains would accept credit cards without a surcharge.

This may also be a good place to repeat the warning about safety: Pickpockets are rampant in Nairobi and have been known to keep an eye on people getting cash from a machine. It is best to carry cash in a hidden pouch rather than a wallet. Men: do not carry your wallet in your back pocket, and women: do not carry your purse to your side or behind you, particularly in busy locations.

The four primary supermarkets in Nairobi are Tusky's, Uchumi, Naivas and Nakumatt. For goods beyond supermarket fare, try Yaya Centre on Argwings Kodhek Road in the Kilimani area, The Junction on Ngong Road, or the Sarit Centre and Nakumatt Westgate which are both located in the Westlands suburb.

The Sarit Centre will be recognizable to any Western traveller as a shopping mall, with an Uchumi supermarket inside. Clothing, shipping, and Internet are all available here. In addition, there is a small movie theater. Other malls in Nairobi include Yaya Centre near Hurlingham and The Mall in Westlands.

Nakumatt Westgate is a just finished competitor to Sarit Centre. It is a large building with many spaces for stores to move in to (they have yet to move in at the time of this writing, however the building is still unfinished). Currently, the primary occupant is the Nakumatt itself, which has modeled itself to emulate a Super Wal-Mart type experience. Any taxi driver will know these two shopping centers by name, so getting there is not a problem.

From the 21st to the 24th of September 2013, the Westgate Shopping Mall was held under siege by gunmen (later identified as members of al-Shabaab), during which over 2000 persons were injured and at least 72 were killed (including both civilians and militia).

An additional smaller supermarket, catering more to expatriates, is in ABC Plaza, along Waiyaki Way. Chandarana supermarket carries a wide variety of imported goods, Zucchini greengrocer is a highly dependable spot for clean and varied veggies, and Gilani's is a well stocked western style butchery.

For local curios and souvenirs, the most easily accessible and tourist-friendly is the Maasai Market, held on Fridays at the Village Market, an upscale, open concept shopping center near the United Nations and American Embassy complexes. Bargaining is necessary, and one should probably not spend more than 1000KSh on one item, except in extraordinary circumstances. The Masai Market is also held on Thursdays at the parking lot of the Junction Shopping Center and Tuesdays at the parking lot of the Westgate shopping center. Bargain hard, and do not let that deter you from speaking with many of the friendly shopkeepers who are apt to offer gifts with no other incentives.

For slightly better prices, visit the Tuesday market in town, just down from the Norfolk hotel. This market is less secure, but is larger and offers more variety and opportunity for bargaining.

Another Nakumatt is located at Nakumatt Junction, past Lavington towards the Ngong Racecourse (Horse Flat-Racing takes place 3 Sundays a month, and is a great way to spend an afternoon). The Nakumatt Junction shopping complex features a few more boutiques - one of note being Zebu, a store highlighting local Designer Annabelle Thom's leather bags and more, where you will find higher quality and higher prices for beautiful designs.

Biashara Street, located downtown, is the spot for textiles. Make sure you pick up at least one kikoi or kikoy (a traditional wrap for Swahili men, predominantly at the coast). Haria's Stamp Shop (been around for more than 70 years!) (www.hariastamp.com) has one of the best selections of kikoy as well as other african fabrics and souvenirs.

Eat
Budget

Roast House in the city centre facing the matatu station on Tom Mboya Rd. Regular local prices with more selection, excellent food, friendly service. Very busy at lunchtime.

Habesha near Ya Ya center- great Ethipian food for around 5-6 USD

Mid-range
Nairobi has a fantastic array of mid-range eateries.

Open House is an excellent Indian restaurant nearby Westlands area of Nairobi. With such a high predominance of Indians in the country, this is one of the best places to get authentic cuisine in an upscale environment at a reasonable price. Do not miss the ginger chicken wings - very unique!

Mesob is an authentic Ethiopian restaurant located at the China Centre on Ngong Road near the Chinese embassy. Meals cost around Ksh 500 and the food is excellent.

Java House, with quite a few locations, including The Junction, ABC Place, and close to the United Nations, features a western coffee house menu, from bagels to burritos, with excellent coffees and milkshakes, and a full breakfast menu. 500KSh-750 for a complete meal. Another popular coffeehouse is Dormans

Trattoria is an Italian restaurant. Do not expect anything decent when it comes to the mains (all around 700KSh). However, there is a fabulous and extensive dessert menu, including crepes, tiramisu, souffle, and a coffee granita with fresh cream (250KSh-500).

Motherland, is an authentic Ethiopian restaurant with great and affordable food (typical of Ethiopian restaurants in Nairobi!).

Havana Bar, Woodvale Grove, Westlands. Popular bar and restaurant with a laid-back Latin theme. Renowned for their sizzling Fajitas, steaks and seafood dishes. Reasonably priced. The kitchen is open daily from noon til late. Tel: 020-4450653

Village Market Food Court, Has an array of different ethnic cuisines, including Thai, Italian, Chinese and German, as well as a Mongolian Barbeque. Good prices as well. Venture further into Village Market to find a good Japanese restaurant as well, though with slightly steeper prices. There are also food courts at other malls in the city.

Nairobi has a wide range of Indian restaurants that speaks to the significant South Asian community in Kenya. The city also offers other restaurants specializing in different European and Asian cuisine.

Common fast food restaurants include Steers, Debonairs, Wimpy, Galito's, local favourite, Kenchic among others.

In addition, there are several local restaurants that cater to local cuisine like sukuma wiki (green spinach-like vegetable, 'Kale' in English), ugali (corn bread, ground maize flour and made to a tasty white bread/porridge form), nyama choma (lit: meat roast), chapati, and other specialties.

Splurge
The Carnivore, located just outside the city, close to the Uhuru Gardens, is a luxury restaurant famous for its meats. In 2006, the restaurant was listed as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. Once seated, different masai grilled meats will be carried around on sticks and carved to your plate at request. Very expensive by Kenyan standards, beware of additional taxes and catering levys. Reservations might be a good idea, ask at your hotel.

Furusato, located in Westlands, has fantastic Japanese food. For a price.

The Rusty Nail, in Karen, has been super in the past, but mediocre of late. No reason not to give it another chance.This restaurant has now closed.

The Lord Errol, past Village Market and into Runda, is said to have very good food, and is popular with the expat crowd.

"Moonflower," on State House hill at the Palacina hotel, is a very upscale bistro / fusion / grill restaurant in a lovely outdoor setting. Fantastic food.

"Pango Brasserie" at the Fairview Hotel features upscale french and continental dishes. Dinner begins in an underground stone wine cellar where the chef will send out complimentary tasters while you sip a bottle of wine of your choice.

"Alan Bobbe's Bistro" is a venerable, legendary restaurant now located on Rhapta Road (near St. Marys School). Founded in 1962, the restaurant features French haute cuisine at about a third of what you would pay in Paris!

Drink

Club Soundd, junction of Kaunda and Wabera St, +254 722 571 382

Gipsy:, Opp,Barclays,Bank Westland, Box 40322, Nairobi, Tel: 020 4440964,4440836, Mob: 0733 730529, Email:gipsy@nbi.ispkenya.com

Klub House 1 (K1):, is located along Ojijo Road in Parklands, Box 33003 - 00600 Nairobi, Tel: +254 20 374 9870, Fax: 254 20 374 7099, Mob:+254 733 77 22 33, Email.info@klubhouse.co.ke.

Klub House 2 (K2):, Baricho Road, Industrial Area is home to K2 Klubhouse

Choices:, Majestic House, Moi Avenue, Box 53319, Nairobi, Tel: +254 20 550 629, Mob: +254 722 521, Email: mmuchami@yahoo.com, Leobag Investment Ltd, Baricho Road

Chillers:, Anniv Towers

Black Diamond:, many expats and travelers and has a cover band that plays very good music.

Havana: Its an expats favorite on Thursdays nights. The live band on Saturdays attracts a good cosmopolitan crowd. Bar snacks available throughout the night. Tel: 020-4450653

Apple Bees: (Strip club) located downtown and recently opened a branch in Parklands, next to the local Police Station.

Annie Oakley's:Next to Milimani Backpackers, has pool tables, a descent menu, and a big screen with cable TV. another expats favorite hangout.

Cockpit: Langata Road opposite Uchumi Langata Hyper, not just popular with Wilson Airport pilots

Barrels: Stripclub. Watch out for police raids

Red Tape:, Westlands, Mpaka Road, Bishan Plaza, e-mail redtapewesty@gmail.com

Florida 2000 (F2):, Located at Commerce House, Moi Avenue.

New Florida Clubs (F1):, The New Florida, locally known as Madhouse or Madi, is in the heart of Nairobi on Koinange Street.

Pango (F3):, Commerce House, 1st Floor, P.O.Box 55381 - 00200 Nairobi, Tel:+254-20-229036/217269, Email:info@floridaclubskenya.com. The Latest addition to the Florida Group

Double Inn: Also out in Karen, they show rugby/cricket games and it's always full of expats and white Kenyans. The place to get hammered.
Seven Seafood & Grill, ABC Place (ABC Place Waiyaki Way), ☎ 0737776677. 24. Amazing seafood and spectacular decor a must visit 2000.
Klub Zinc Thika (Zinc Club Thika), Kenyatta Hwy (Opp. Total Filling Station Thika), ☎ +254202621500. We pride ourselves as masters of all tastes and genres of music and also the ability to cut across generations as music is 'Food for All'. The music ranges widely from the latest to the golden oldies and in styles such as Rock, Rhumba, Reggae, R n B, Hip Hop, Lingala and Salsa to mention but a few. Patrons are also encouraged to place their requests and dedications to the DJs. The atmosphere is further enhanced by the latest disco lights and effects.

Shooters & Dips Cocktail Lounge, 4372-00506 (Panari Sky Centre,Mombasa Road opp Simba Colt Offices,5km from JKIA), ☎ +254 787 637948 OR 254 725 694 000/1/2, . 5PM. Chill out, relax and unwind at the dazzling Shooters & Dips where the decor transports you to an international surrounding. Listen to handpicked music by the DJ and let yourself go to the rhythm. The bar also offers a varied food menu along with a long list of signature cocktails, fine wines and liquors. Shooters and Dips is the perfect place to meet friends, meet new people and experience Nairobi's nightlife right in the safety of the hotel. 250/=.

Mercury Lounge ABC, ABC Place (Off Waiyaki Way), ☎ 0722309947. 4pm. Mercury ABC, ABC Place (Off Waiyaki Way), ☎ 0722309947. checkin: 4:00pm. Mercury ABC is an upscale modern cocktail and tapas bar. Open from 4pm to late. Recently put under new management, Mercury is definitely the place to be seen, with a delicious tapas and bitings menu, and the best cocktails and high end spirits array in Nairobi.All major imported and local wine and beers are available chilled to perfection. A popular hangout for expats, well to do locals and local business leaders. A must for any Nairobi traveller. Shooters and cocktails range from $3 to $6 with shooters and high end globally popular wines and spirits from $6-$15. All major credit cards accepted. Ample parking and good security make this one of Nairobi's more popular spots.

Mercury Irish Pub (The Last Drop), Junction Mall (Corner of Ngong Road and Kingara Rds), ☎ 0722309947. 11:00am. Mercury Pub at the new Junction Mall is the latest and most authentic Irish Pub in Nairobi. The most recent addition to the Mercury Group, the pub specializes in the best steaks in town, a wide range of cocktails, local and imported beers, high end spirits and shooters and a superb wine list. Furnished in beautiful woodwork, leather seating, and with images of colonial Nairobi, it is located in the secure Junction Mall which has ample parking, good security and central location. Doubles up as a popular sports bar on the weekends with multiple screens. A popular expat hangout. A great balcony from which one can sip a cocktail while watching life pass by. Food prices from$10-$15, and all major credit cards are accepted.

Sleep

Upper Hill Campsite and Backpackers, Hospital Road – Upper Hill (off Hospital Road, on a cul de sac), ☎ +254 (0)20 2500218, . Provides a range of budget accommodation. Bringing your own tent is the cheapest way. If you are two people, try to go for a big hire tent which is the better deal than a dorm 500 - 3500 KSh.

Budget

The area around the main bus station has a ton of budget hotels and you can save on a taxi.

Terminal Hotel, Moktar Dadah Street opposite Nakumatt. Spacious rooms with faded simple, decor are on offer here. And at very reasonable prices. Like any place in the city centre it can get loud - but then you are in a prime location just opposite from the Nakumatt shopping centre. If you store you luggage there - consider that you will only get your luggage at the aggreed date because the hotel cleark does not have the key to the "safe room". from 2000KSH (single) / 2300 Double, 2600 Tripple.

consider furnished apartments, it will be like being in your own home costs are from 4000KSH and above. seigoinvestments has a great listing. you will preapprove via communication before arrival. pickup can be arranged for you from the airport.

Wildebeest Camp, 151 Mokoyeti Road West, Langata. You can get a bed in a dorm here or camp (they provide the tent and bedding) for Ksh 1000 per night per person. They also have larger permanent tents and rooms available at a higher price. The place is clean, secure and popular with backpackers. from 1000 KSh per person for dorm and camping (tent provided).

Hotel Downtown, Moktar Dadah Street opposite Nakumatt. checkout: 10AM. In the same league as the Terminal hotel next door or the Parkside across the road, the Downtown hotel has clean rooms and is as the name says: downtown - with all its advantages (shopping centre nearby, etc.) and disadvantages: noise. Note that leaving valuables and especially credit cards in the safe at the front desk for safekeeping is not a good idea. from 1900KSh for singles.

International Guest House, UpperHill, Matumbato Road (Next to Don Bosco Church, 10 min walk from Kenyatta National Hospital), ☎ +254 020 2726966. With 30 years in the tourism business, owner Tom J. Kamau is happy to custom arrange any additional travel or safari needs. Located on a quite street in Upperhill, this family owned and operated guest house is conveniently located just a few minutes from downtown. Airport pickup and transportation is available for a small fee. Single rooms available from from 600KSh-2000.

Milimani Backpackers & Safari Centre, PO Box 21005 - 00500. A little further out of the downtown core, about 15 minutes walk down a major, safe road, is Milimani Backpackers which has moved from Milimani Road. It has free WI-FI internet, cable TV, hot showers, 24hr self-service bar, affordable restaurant, fireplace, and a parking area. They offer dorms (15$), doubles (40$ for 2 persons), singles, twins and camping space (10$). Milimani also offers good-value safaris and other trips from 1000KSh for dorms.

Mid-range

Olive Gardens Hotel, Argwings Kodhek Rd, Hurlingham (Opposite Nairobi Womens Hospital) (30-min drive from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.), ☎ +254 20 2737854, 2727777. Olive Gardens Hotel has 62 rooms.
Ole-Sereni Hotel (Sarovar Hotels & Resorts), Mombasa Rd (5 km from Jomo Kenyatta international airport off Mombasa Rd opposite Zain offices), ☎ +254 20 390 1000 (geetika@sarovarhotels.com). checkin: noon; checkout: noon. Wildlife resort overlooking the Nairobi National Game Park.

Country Lodge. On upper hill, the Country Lodge is aimed at the budget business traveler. Probably the best deal in town.

Fairview Inn. Also on upper hill, the Fairview is a lovely old historic hotel, with beautiful grounds and several restaurants. It is quiet at night, a real respite from the city. Rates are relatively low, compared to many of the other hotels listed here. They also rent apartments.

Holiday Inn Nairobi. Built in the 1940s as the Mayfair Court Hotel, this historic hotel has retained its charm even as it has joined the Holiday Inn family.

The Ndemi Place (www.ndemiplace.com), Ndemi Close, Ndemi Road Off Ngong Road; a minute's drive from Adam's Arcade (Connect to Ngong Road from town a minute's drive from Adam's Arcade), ☎ 0720226760. checkin: 12pm; checkout: 11am. Tucked away in the suburbs of Kilimani, The Ndemi Place a serene natural resort and the ideal stop over for those seeking peace and vintage charm in the city of Nairobi. 4,800. edit The Ndemi Place Bed & Breakfast is a quaint, 10-room oasis.

InterContinental Hotel. Located only 5 minutes from the city center and 15 min from the airport with views of the city.

Nairobi Hilton. Part of the Hilton family of hotels and located near the city center. Several different restaurants, open air pool but some rooms need refurbishment

Nairobi Safari Club. Kenya's only all-suite hotel.

Panafric Hotel. Located in the city centre and only 20 minutes from the airport.

Karen Blixen Cottages. Located in the suburb of Karen, 32 km (20 mi) from downtown, the cottages offer a unique change from the normal hotel fare.

Nairobi Serena Hotel. Found in the middle of Nairobi's Central Park this hotel offers great convenience as well as a quiet place to stay.

Norfolk Hotel. Opened on Christmas Day over 100 years ago, this hotel that has served many special guests is located only 30 min from the airport, and a short distance from the shopping district.

Safari Park Hotel. Started as a retreat for British Army officers more than 50 years ago, this hotel is only 15 min from downtown.

The Stanley Hotel. This over 100 year old hotel has recently be renovated back to its days of Victorian perfection. Lcoated in the city's shopping and business district.

Windsor Golf and Country Club. Located 15 min from the city center, 45 min from the airport. Features a 18 hole golf course on site.

Splurge

The King Post . Rhapta Road, Westlands, Nairobi. The King Post brings about a unique architectural synthesis between the East African coast and the lands across the Indian Ocean. it reflects the social and cultural interaction between the regions over more than 2000 years.Accommodation is in 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments available on daily basis and long-term.The apartments are secluded but not isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and the main roads being sorrounded by peace, tranquility and security.

Giraffe Manor. The converted home of the founders of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, located a few kilometres from the city center, sitting on 57 ha (140 a) of land. The giraffes can be fed at the front door or even from the second floor bedroom window!

Ngong House . 30-min drive from the city center and airport, the Ngong House is on a land that was originally part of a vast coffee estate. Located on the grounds are five traditional looking, yet elegantly decorated tree houses.

Stay safe

Nairobi has a reputation for thievery. Beware of snatch and grab, con artists, or groups of people following you. Scams are elaborate and can involve up to 10 or more people working together. The best advice for a tourist is to stay in the city centre, know where you are at all times, and pretend you know where you're going (even if you don't). If you find yourself in an unfamiliar area your best bet is to find a taxi (although you will probably pay dearly if the driver suspects a panicked westerner!). Don't carry large quantities of money or passports on the street, and assume that anyone trying to engage you is up to no good or trying to sell you something. In recent years, crime has significantly reduced, though one should still be wary. If one stays smart and plays safe, without going around much after dark, Nairobi is a safe place to stay. Most locals are honest people who will happily help you if you approach them.

Kenyans are proud people and there is not a lot of begging like you find in some other countries. Some opportunistic people will hang around shopping centres and beg, but they will generally accept a simple 'sorry' and leave you alone if you do not give. Many of these 'beggars' are middle class kids or adults who have realised they can profit from exploiting foreigners, and should not be encouraged. If you are ever lucky enough to visit a slum as a local (not on some perverse tourist safari) you will discover the poorest of the poor do not even beg.

Outside of tourist and expat communities, young children will become excited at the sight of foreigners. If you are fair-skinned, children may run towards you to try to shake your hand, or yell "mzungu" (white person) or "how are you?". Older kids are more reserved, and you should be wary of kids who are older than 9 or 10 who are trying to distract or get close to you.

Slums should be avoided by tourists as you will attract a lot of attention which can quickly turn into a dangerous situation.

Apart from the inner city centre, Nairobi dies out at night. Streets are mostly empty. Do not walk alone after nightfall. Always use taxis. The areas north and east of River Road should be avoided, especially if you're not a local!

Biashara Street is a safe shopping street due to the presence of 10-15 Maasai guards. A place to avoid as a tourist is the City Market; you could end up paying a much higher price than on Biashara Street.

If you are in a matatu and moving slowly through traffic, particularly after dark, you should keep your window closed if your valuables are in reach to prevent people snatching them from the outside (there are thieves who walk through traffic looking for such opportunities). Mobile phones and wallets should be securely kept and not displayed prominently during calls or cash transactions in the River Road area, particularly after dark.

Eastleigh (known as 'little Mogadishu') is an area near the city centre that is decaying due to years of neglect by the government (including the police). It is predominantly populated by Somalian migrants and refugees, and most Kenyans will not go there for fear of their safety. Tourists would be wise to avoid it day and night.

There have been several grenade attacks in the city for which Al-Shabaab have claimed responsibility. These are likely to be ongoing while the Kenyan army has a presence in Somalia. They are random and often fatal, and one should be weary and report any suspicious behaviour.

Stay healthy
It is recommended that before tourists come to Nairobi, that they should be vaccinated well in advance (6 weeks) of their trip. The most common recommended vaccines for people traveling to Africa are Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever, Rabies and Meningitis.

Food and beverages
Be careful with the food that you eat outside the more upscale establishments. Before eating, make sure that the food is freshly and thoroughly cooked and served hot. Also avoid seafood,apart from the upmarket restaurants and hotels, and make sure that your fruits and vegetables have been properly sterilized in clean water. The safest fruits to eat are bananas and papayas. Do not drink tap water or brush your teeth with it. Only use bottled or canned drinks (especially popular brands). Also, do not use ice as it may also be contaminated water, and remember that alcohol does not sterilize a drink. The general rule of thumb is, the more high end an establishment is, the greater the safety of the food and drink within.

Insects
In Africa you are going to be exposed to yellow fever, dengue fever, other viral diseases, sleeping sickness, filariasis and malaria, although none of these diseases are a concern in Nairobi itself. When insects are biting you should cover up and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, socks and pyjamas especially when night falls. It is best to use an insect repellent that contains DEET on your exposed skin and clothing. As for mosquito nets, it is best to use a permethrin-impregnated net along with an insecticide such a pyrethrum coils or an electric mosquito killer during the night. And remember to spray your hotel room every evening.

Heat & Sun
Make sure to drink plenty of fluids (not coffee, alcohol or strong tea) to avoid dehydration. The average temperature is around 25 C (maximum might reach 30 C) throughout the year. Try to avoid plenty of physical exertion and try to stay in the shade and keep cool as much as possible. Increase the amount of salt intake in your food and water. Also, apply a lot of high factor sunscreen, avoid direct sunlight, and try to wear a hat and shady clothing.

Contact
There are very many internet cafés around Nairobi, but connection speeds and computers are not always super fast, but still you will manage to open your email, probably even use a webcam or watch YouTube. Prices are usually at ranges from 0.5KSh/minute to 1KSh/minute, usually with a minimum fee of 5-20KSh. The more expensive internet cafés are rarely better and the best ones charge 1KSh/minute with discounts for using the internet for longer. Most of the good cafés are found in Norwich Union which has quite a number just opposite Hilton Hotel next to Nandos while the expensive ones are found in malls in Westlands. Although it may be more appropriate for tourists to use the ones in Westlands since they are usually less crowded and are more exclusive but not necessarily faster or better in terms of equipment.

Free wireless internet is available at Java House restaurants and Doorman's coffee shops in the city and malls. Some bars like Havana in Westlands also offer free wifi. The internet cafe in Sarit Centre also has wireless internet available at a good speed and a reasonable price.

Mobile Phones are ubiquitous in Kenya with fairly good coverage from all providers (Safaricom, Orange and Airtel) that extends to most populated parts of the country. Safaricom has the best national coverage especially if you are using 3G data. The phone system is GSM 900 and 3G 2100 (Asian and European standard). Phones and SIM cards are available at many locations throughout Nairobi and the country including at the airport. Phone prices are very competitive and priced for average income Kenyans. A basic phone may be obtained new from an independent dealer for ~2000/=. A vast majority of people use pre-paid phones with scratch-card top-ups available at a huge number of merchants across the country. All phones are sold "unlocked" for use on any network. Much business is conducted via mobile phone, so possession of one for even a relatively short stay in the country can be beneficial. Rates are extremely affordable with in-country calls at around 3/= per minute. Overseas calls cost around 5/= per minute to the United States (~USD$0.06/minute) and 3/= per minute to India (~INR 1.80, USD 0.04) on the Airtel network.

3G data service is available in most coverage areas on Safaricom and is of a fairly high standard. The other networks have 3G in major population areas and EDGE/GPRS everywhere else. If you have a smart phone you should buy a data pack (200mb, 500mb or 1.5gb) or your credit will go down very fast! Orange has the second best coverage and started to provide unlimited Internet bundles for 0,50$ per 24 hours (monthly pay as you go is also available).

Cope
Smoking is against the law out on the streets in the city center (the downtown grid area with numerous skyscrapers). There are certain smoking zones, and outside of the city center it becomes much easier to find locations where it is acceptable. However, a general rule would be to not smoke along the side of any roads or streets with pedestrians and/or vehicles. Be observant and take your cues from other smokers - if there are no smokers or cigarette butts on the ground, it is likely a non-smoking location.

Embassies & High Commissions

Australia, Riverside Drive (400 meters off Chiromo Road), ☎ +254 20 4277100 (fax: +254 20 4277139,

Austria, Off Limuru Road, Opposite Muthaiga Mini Market, ☎ +254 20 406 00 22 (nairobi-ob@bmeia.gv.at, fax: +254 20 406 00 25),

China, Woodlands Rd, ☎ +254 20 2726851 (chinaemb_ken@mfa.gov.cn, fax: +254 20 2726402),

Cyprus, International House 6th Floor Mama Ngina Street, ☎ +254 20 2220881 (cyprusnairobi@gmail.com, fax: +254 20 312202).

Djibouti, Mama Ngina St, ☎ +254 20 2122859 (fax: +254 20 313120),

Egypt, Othaya Road off Gitanga Road, Kileleshwa, ☎ +254 20 4441248 (eg.emb_nairobi@mfa.gov.eg, fax: +254 20 3870383). 9:00 AM - 16:00 PM.

Eritrea, 2nd Floor, New Rehema House Raphta Road, Westlands, ☎ +254-20-4443164 and +254-20-4448174 for Ambassador, +254-20-4443163 for Councellor (fax: +254 20 3870383 for Ambassador and +254-20-4443165 for Councellor).

Ethiopia, State House Ave, ☎ +254 20 2732054 (executive@ethiopianembassy.or.ke, fax: +254 20 2216044),

France, Barclays Plaza building 9th floor, ☎ +254 20 2778000 (ambafrance.nairobi@diplomatie.gouv.fr, fax: +254 20 2778180),

Greece, 13F Nation Tower, Kimathi St, ☎ +254 20 340722 (gremb.nai@mfa.gr, fax: +254 20 2216044),

Indonesia, Menengai Road, Upper Hill P.O.Box 48868 Nairobi, ☎ (+254) (20) 714-196 to 198 (indonbi@arcc.or.ke, fax: +254 20 713-475),

Israel, Bishop Roda, ☎ +254 20 2710381 (info@nairobi.mfa.gov.il, fax: +254 20 2715966),

Japan, Mara Rd, Upper Hill, ☎ +254 20 2898000 (fax: +254 20 2898220),

Republic of Korea, 15F Anniversary Towers, University Way, ☎ +254 20 2220000.

Nigeria, Lenana Rd, Kilimani, ☎ +254 20 3864116 (ng@nigeriahighcom.org, fax: +254 20 3875871),

Serbia, State House Ave, ☎ +254 20 2710076 (nairobi@embassyofserbia.or.ke, fax: +254 20 2714126),

Spain, CBA Building, 3rd floor, Mara & Ragati Road, Upper Hill, ☎ +254 20 2720222 (emb.nairobi@maec.es, fax: +254 20 2720226).

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Upper Hill Road, ☎ +254 20 2844000 (DLNairobi-CommerialSectionprotect@fco.gov.uk, fax: +254 20 2844-088),

United States of America, UN Avenue, ☎ +254 20 363-6000 (fax: +254 20 363-3410),
Get out

Lake Naivasha is worth at least a day's visit and has enough to keep you occupied for two or three days. Lakeshore country clubs are a good place for lunch. You can take a boat ride on the lake to see hippos, go for a walk among zebra and giraffes on Crescent Island, ride thoroughbred horses among zebra, giraffes and wildebeest at the Sanctuary Farm, and ride bicycles among wildlife and dramatic scenery at Hell's Gate National Park.

Further afield, Nakuru National Park deservedly warrants a 1-night stay for a late-afternoon and early-morning game drive.