Capital
Nairobi
Current President
Mwai Kibaki
Climate/Location
Location: Latitude 4° North to 4° South and Longitude 34° East to 41° East
North to South Longest Distance: 1,025 kms
Flying Time to Nairobi
• From Europe: 8-10 hours
• From N. America: 16 hours
• From The Gulf: 4 hours
• From Far East, Australia: 16 hours
Kenya weather
Summer: December - March
Winter: July - August
Temperatures over much of Kenya are subtropical or temperate, because of the reduction of temperature with altitude, and are similar to those in California, summer in France or southern Britain rather than those elsewhere in equatorial Africa.
Only the coastal lowlands experience the constant high temperatures and humidity associated with equatorial latitudes. Even here they are less oppressive than one might expect, because of the regular daytime sea breezes and longer hours of sunshine.
It is not surprising that with such a favorable weather pattern - sunny, only moderately wet, and not too hot - and a great variety of scenery, wild life, game parks, and good communications, Kenya has many attractions for the tourist.
The country can be divided broadly into four climatic regions, each with certain features of equatorial weather climates.
There is a double rainy season between March and May and between November and December, with two intervening dry seasons.
Attractions
There are more than twenty national parks and reserves across the country These are Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Aberdares, Mt. Kenya, Samburu, Shaba, Meru, Tsavo West, Tsavo East, Hell's Gate, Saiwa Swamp, Nairobi, Shimba Hills, Watamu Marine Park, Mt. Elgon, Buffalo Springs and Tana River Primate Reserve.
Other Attractions: There are also other attractions ranging from museums, theatres, culture, scenic monuments, buildings, geographical features, mountains, hotels e.t.c.
Airports
There are three major international airports in Kenya, ie. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (in Nairobi City), Moi International Airport (Mombasa) and Eldoret International Airport (in Eldoret business town) .Kisumu city is served by light aircraft which operate from another domestic airport in Nairobi, The Wilson Airport .
Most of the touristic circuit is served by flights on request. There are small airports in Lamu, Malindi and Lokichoggio. Most of the parks are served by airstrips.
Currency
The official currency is the Kenya Shilling. The written abbreviation is either KSh or using /= after the amount (ie 500/=)
Available Notes are 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings. Available coins are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 shillings.
Visitors to Kenya should change foreign currency at banks, bureaux de change or authorized hotels. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds sterling and EURO.
Travellers Cheques are widely accepted, and many hotels, travel agencies, safari companies and restaurants accept Credit Cards. Most Banks in Kenya are equipped to advance cash on credit cards.
There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Kenya.
Before departure, travellers are advised to convert any excess Kenya shillings into foreign currency at a bank or bureau de change before departure. Departure taxes can be paid in local or foreign currency.
Anyone wishing to take more than 500,000 Kenya Shillings out of the country will require written authorization from the Central Bank.
