General Travel Information

Flights from UK
Book you flight with BA / Virgin / Kenya Airways or via your travel agent (we recommend in the UK Trailfinders Tel 020 7368 1200). Book your out-bound leg for the exact date and your return leg for perhaps 9 months later. Always ensure that the homeward bound date can be changed in Nairobi (at a travel agent or your airline) for the exact date you require.

Flights from other countries
Book through a travel agent or direct with airlines flying from your departure country to Nairobi.

Passport
Should be valid for at least 12 months from date of travel. Also take a photocopy of the photo page to be carried in Kenya as ID (also leave a copy at home).

Insurance
Travel Insurance absolutely is essential. We recommend Trailfinders or Amex.

Visa
From 1st September 2015, Visa’s can no longer be purchased on arrival at Nairobi Airport and can only be applied for on-line via Kenya’s secure Department of Immigration Services ‘eCitizen‘ facility .

Vaccinations
We recommend: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hep A&B, Yellow Fever and Malaria pills – you can read more about Malaria at World-Med-Assist.com. But please see your own doctor for up to date advice.

Money
We recommend taking about £100 cash to be changed on arrival at one of the banks in Nairobi airport. The exchange rate is about: KES 155=£1.00. Also take an ATM card and use this to withdraw cash in Nairobi from your UK account where we recommend you have access to a minimum of £1,200 to last you 3 months.

Climate
The Nairobi climate is very pleasant, usually warm. Due to the altitude be careful of too much exposure to the sun. April, May and November are wet months, June /July can be cool.

Packing

  • You will need a sensible good-sized rucksack.
    Passport, Visa (must obtain on-line before departure), tickets, money plus……
  • Comfortable walking boots (Kibera paths are quite rough).
  • Loose, light, easily washed clothing.
  • Swahili phrase book, your Kibera UK notes, malaria pills and medicines, mobile phone (you will need to buy a Kenyan pay-as-you go SIM card on arrival e.g. Safaricom).
  • A hat and good sun protection are very important.

Heathrow Terminal 5
If travelling in a group, liaise with each other and arrange to meet before the trip. If this is not possible then meet up at Heathrow. There are many bars to meet up in, Wetherspoons is always popular.

Nairobi Airport
Having cleared customs, collect your rucksack and change some money. Go to the airport taxi desk and book a taxi to your hostel. Cost to one of our recommended Hostels (see Living & Working) is approx. KES 1,100.