Why Nairobi
Kenya is the economic and technological hub of East Africa. Nairobi is a rapidly growing city where prosperity expands for only a section of the population. Yet the two largest slums in Africa are located here. The country is predominantly Christian. With the emergence of a middle class, the art scene is developing considerably. It is however an independent sector without any significant government stimulation or funding. There are a number of art centers and increasingly more galleries. The artists are mostly young and socially involved. You will certainly meet creative minds in Nairobi.
Visa Kenya
If you are traveling to Kenya in 2020 it is necessary to apply for a visa before departure. The Kenya visa is an electronic travel authorization (e-visa) that is granted by the government of Kenya. This travel authorization is mandatory. Travelers without a valid visa will not be allowed into the country. The visa is available for either business or tourist travel. Your visa entitles you to stay in the country for up to 90 days.
Visa conditions
• Each person is required to have their own passport. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival and must contain at least one blank page
• Prior to applying for the visa the date of arrival and departure must be confirmed as well as at least one night´s accommodation booked in Kenya
• One of the documents below must be supplied online:
- A booking confirmation for the return flight or
- A booking confirmation for an overnight stay
The visa for Kenya can be applied for online via this website: https://www.evisa-kenya.com/
You may do this up to 4 days before departure. To be on the safe side we recommend that you apply for the visa at least two weeks before departure. The procedure consists of three simple steps. First fill in the Kenya visa application form. Then pay for the visa online with either iDeal, Bancontact, PayPal or a credit card. The costs are € 99 per person. Finally, you will be asked to upload a passport photo, a copy of your passport and a booking confirmation. After the application has been submitted in full, it is checked for mistakes as well as to ensure everything required has been submitted. If any input errors or omissions are found, you will be contacted immediately so that you can correct the application. Once your visa has been granted it will be sent to you by e-mail.
Vaccinations
For vaccinations, it is always good to first visit the doctor or the local Travel Clinic
Tour Guide
Rosalie van Deursen
Transport
All travel is with air-conditioned buses. Depending on the size of the group, we will travel with either one or two mini buses. We will use these buses for the excursions as well.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a 4-star hotel located in a good neighbourhood in Nairobi. Breakfast is included. An additional cost of € 595 will be charged if you require a single room.
Currency
1 Euro is 112 Kenyan Shilling (KES) depending of course on the rate of exchange at the time
Money
We recommend converting part of this amount into cash (euros or dollars). You are able to use an ATM in Nairobi but sometimes the ATMs do not work. That is why it is handy to take at least half your money with you in cash. A credit card is useful as a backup although it is not accepted everywhere.
Tipping
It is customary to give tips in Kenya. In restaurants a tip of 10% is usual. Although the tipping for the local guides and bus drivers have already been included in the payment for this tour the tour leader will still arrange a separate tipping box. All other tipping is not included in the price of the tour.
Insurances
You are obliged to ensure that you are properly insured when traveling. Consider travel, health and cancellation insurance.
Flexibility
Kenya is a country where 53% of the population lives below the poverty line. This means that the facilities are sometimes good, sometimes simple and that things sometimes do not go as they were planned. Or they may take much more time than expected. This requires some flexibility from the traveller. A flexible attitude makes it a lot easier to enjoy all the special experiences in Kenya.
Climate
Kenya is located on the equator. The climate does not have a summer or winter but an extended as well as a short rainy season. The long rainy season, with heavy rainfall, runs from mid-March to May. From June to October the weather is cooler with occasional short rain showers. From mid-October to mid-December it is a short rainy season, with lots of rain especially during the night. The rest of the day is alternately cloudy and sunny weather. After the short rains it is dry and hot until mid-March. In the event of heavy rainfall, the unpaved roads are difficult to access. However, in the highlands – like in Nairobi – it can cool down considerably at night. The best times to travel are the relatively cool and dry period from June to mid-October and the hot dry period from the end of December to February, the latter having an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
Clothing
Nairobi can be pleasantly warm in January. However, given that Nairobi is 1,795 meters above the sea level it can cool down considerably in the evening. It is advisable to take a sweater and a jacket with you. Men in Nairobi do not wear short pants and we recommend that our travellers do the same. Also consider taking comfortable walking shoes for the often-unpaved streets in Nairobi. Closed shoes are advisable. Keep your feet clean with closed shoes.
Electricity
In Kenya there is a voltage of 220-240 Volts. A universal adapter (world plug) is therefore required. Regarding photo and film equipment, it should be taken into account that there are sometimes power cuts. It is therefore advisable to make sure you bring sufficient batteries or batteries that are rechargeable.
Internet and telephony
Many hotels offer WIFI. Keep in mind that internet connections are often very slow. You can make phone calls from the hotels. Some mobile phone companies have roaming agreements. We recommend that you check with your own provider about the options and costs.
Photography
Nairobi is very photogenic, both in terms of street scenes and people. With the latter, we ask our participants to be cautious. Do not photograph people without asking them for permission. Everything that has to do with the police and the army may not be photographed.
General Travel Conditions Urban Africans CLICK HERE
Cancellation Policy Urban Africans
Reimbursement upon cancellation:
• 56 days before departure, 25% of the travel fee
• 56 to 28 days before departure, 50% of the travel fee
• Cancellation from the 28th day (inclusive) up to the 14th day before departure, 75% of the travel fee
• Cancellation from the 14th day (inclusive) until the day of departure or later, no reimbursement
Payment Conditions Urban Africans
You are required to make a down payment of 25% of the total travel fee on booking with a minimum of €250 per person. The remaining amount must be received by us 8 weeks prior to departure.
Cancelled Tour by Urban Africans
If a group tour does not reach the required minimum number of participants, the trip will be cancelled no later than four weeks before departure. Urban Africans will return the already paid travel fee to your account right away.
Prices 2020
A large part of the costs and tour arrangements in each country are calculated in US dollars. Given the economic climate, we cannot estimate the rates of exchange in 2020. Urban Africans reserves the right to adjust their prices due to changes in currency conversion. You will be notified in this case.
In Conclusion
Urban Africans strives to ensure good organization and that all aspects of traveling with us provide a good experience for the traveller. It must be said, however, that some journeys have a pioneering character in certain countries where art and cultural tourism are still in their infancy. Occasionally, a certain area or city cannot be reached due to political circumstances or otherwise. In all cases the tour leader is the person responsible for solving problems that arise in consultation with the group. If this does not happen satisfactorily the traveller is please to inform the tour leader. At the conclusion of the tour participants will receive a questionnaire by e-mail wherein their opinions of the tour can be expressed. Problems that have not been satisfactorily resolved must be notified in writing to Urban Africans within two weeks of returning home.
To book or for any questions, please contact rosalie@urbanafricans.com