Nairobi – Travellers Tips

Below are a few guidelines to assist travellers, tourists or visitors to Nairobi:

1.)  Airports:

• Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) – JKIA is about a 30min drive to the City Centre, it might take longer due to traffic jams. Taxis/cabs are readily available and for the adventurous public buses (City Hoppa & Double M) are available from the airport right into the heart of the Capital.
• Wilson Airport – Located along Langata road and it’s a smaller airport dealing with mainly light aircraft mostly small airlines, cargo and chartered flights.

2.) Currency

Kenya Shillings (Kshs) is the currency in use. Foreign currency can be changed at banks, forex bureaus or major hotels. ATMS offer 24 hour access to your account. These are located in almost all parts of the city and most accept international VISA cards.

3.) Communication

Mobile phones have taken over the communications industry in Kenya. Prepaid SIM cards are cheap and readily available. One only has to choose the network to use i.e. Safaricom, Airtel, Orange or Yu; load up airtime (prepaid scratch cards available from denominations as low as Kshs.5) and in minutes you are connected. Internet cafes are widely available with most hotels having WiFi connectivity.

4.) Transportation

Public buses and ‘matatus’ vans are a cheap form of transport and the best to get a true feel of local life. Thou they are at times overcrowded and might take some time to get used to. Taxis and car hire are other options at higher cost. For those planning to ‘self drive’ note that rule of the road in Kenya is ‘Keep Left’ and most cars are right hand drive.

5.) Safety

Kenya is generally a safe place however, like any other city in the world it has its weaknesses. Generally, avoid walking alone in unfamiliar and deserted areas especially at night. In crowded public areas keep a close eye on your belongings.

6.) Shopping

For shopping fanatics the city has a variety of elegant malls from Sarit Centre and West Gate malls in Westlands, The Junction and Prestige Plaza on Ngong road, Karen Shopping Centre, to Capital Centre on Mombasa road your shopping needs are well satisfied.

7.) Medical

Nairobi has a number of top hospitals providing casualty service including The Nairobi Hospital, The Mater Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital to name a few. Medical expenses have to be paid for and those with insurance cover can claim the cost later.

8.) Electricity

Voltage in Kenya is 240 volts AC, with the three square-pin 13-amp type plug usable countrywide. Electricity is mostly reliable thou blackouts occur once in a while especially in residential areas.