Country Code for Kenya: +254

Visa Global Assistance: Call the US on 000 1 303 967 1090 Operator Assistance: 900 Emergency Services: 999

The emergency services may not always have English speaking staff. In this case, you should have a local call on your behalf or contact the Australian High Commission.

Kenyans are generally friendly and hospitable. Greetings are an important social interaction, and often include inquiries about health and family members. Visitors to a home are usually offered food or tea, and it is considered impolite to decline. Elderly people are treated with a great deal of respect and deference. When greeting someone with whom you have a personal relationship, the handshake is more prolonged than the one given to a casual acquaintance. Close female friends may hug and kiss once on each cheek instead of shaking hands. When greeting an elder or someone of higher status, grasp the right wrist with the left hand while shaking hands to demonstrate respect. Muslim men/women do not always shake hands with women/men. The most common greeting is “Jambo?” (“How are you?”), which is generally said immediately prior to the handshake. After the handshake it is the norm to ask questions about the health, their family, business and anything else you know about the person. To skip or rush this element in the greeting process is the height of poor manners. People are generally addressed by their academic, professional or honorific title followed by their surname. Once a personal relationship has developed, you may be able to address a person by their title and first name, first name alone, or nickname. Wait for the Kenyan to determine that your friendship has reached this level of intimacy. Women over the age of 21 are often addressed as “Mama” and men over the age of 35 are often addressed as “Mzee”. Children generally refer to adults as Aunt or Uncle, even if there is not a familial relationship.

Electrical Socket: British

Voltage: 220-240 volts (same as Australia).

Officially English and Swahili (Kiswahili), but many other languages are spoken by various indigenous groups.

The following information is intended as a guide only and in no way should it be used as a substitute for professional medical advice relative to a travellers individual needs and vaccination history. No guarantee is made as to its accuracy or thoroughness. For further information, please contact The Travel Doctor on 1300 658 844. Vaccination against Hepatitis A is recommended for travellers to Kenya, whilst vaccination against Meningitis should be considered. Vaccination against Typhoid should also be considered, particularly if travelling to areas with poor sanitation. Persons staying in Kenya for extended periods or frequent travellers should consider immunisation against Hepatitis B and Rabies (especially if working with animals). Vaccination against Yellow Fever is recommended, and certification of this may be required, especially at boarder crossings. Cholera is reported in Kenya, but vaccination is usually not recommended, as food and water precautions are more important. Kenya is considered a high risk country for Malaria and Dengue Fever is also present, as such insect avoidance measures and preventative medication may be necessary. Regardless of destination, all travellers should be up-to-date with their routine "background" vaccinations, including for Tetanus and Diphtheria (with a booster within the last 10 years), Whooping Cough, Polio (with a booster in adult life), Measles, Mumps and Rubella (two combination vaccinations through life), Chicken Pox and a recent annual Influenza vaccination. Please consult a medical practitioner or contact The Travel Doctor for your specific risk to these preventable diseases and the appropriate avoidance measures. Australians travelling to Kenya should ensure that they have adequate travel insurance to cover the length of their stay. Medications that are legal in Australia may be illegal in other countries. For further information on insurance, taking medication overseas and other issues please visit www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips.

Kenyan products are as diverse and unique as the country itself. There are traditional artefacts, fantastic jewellrey, beautiful carvings, the world's best coffee, precious stones, furniture, beautiful cloth, excellent local music, wonderful modern art and so much more to be found.Excellent, well stocked gift shops can be found in may hotels, lodges and camps throughout the country. But often real finds can be found a little further off the beaten track. For the dedicated bargain hunter, Kenya's markets are the place to be. Markets selling all kinds of local arts and crafts can be found all over the country. In Nairobi, there are large open air markets held each week.

The Travel Corporation has partnered with the company Sherpa to provide travellers with the latest government and health restrictions. Simply enter the country you want to travel to for information on safety regulations, border closures, quarantine requirements, your travel visa and more using the Sherpa travel tool.

FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR TRIP

Official travel advice is available by visiting the SmartTraveller Website