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United Nations Climate Change Conference - Nairobi 2006 |
VISA AND GENERAL INFORMATION (KENYA)
The following information is aimed to assist you with the preparations for your travel to and stay (or safari) in Kenya. This section will be amended as and when relevant information becomes available.
Accommodation
Nairobi is an international city, which is well served with a network of good quality hotels. The hotel bookings for the conference participants as well as pre and post conference excursions and tours will be arranged through Maniago Safaris, Official Tour Operator.
Tel Nos. 254 (0) 20 4449461/2,4443169 or Fax Nos. 254 (0) 20 4449463, 4443170.
Accommodation on pre and post conference tours and safaris is in lodges or luxury tented camps.
- Lodges are small by normal hotel standards (50-120 beds), with most of the facilities you would find in a good quality hotel such as lounge, bar, dining room, swimming pool and shop. Bedrooms are usually twin-bedded (doubles are limited and must be specifically requested) with en-suite bathroom facilities (except Shimba).
- Luxury Tented Camps are smaller (20-50 beds), tend to be privately owned and offer a more intimate atmosphere with personalized service. Public rooms are also under canvas, while meals are often taken outside around the campfire. They may not have a swimming pool or shop and are often situated in more remote locations.
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Accreditation Policy for Journalists
to be advised.
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Airline Bookings & Flight Reconfirmation
Please contact your Airline or the hospitality staff to assist you with reconfirmation of your return flight. In case you may wish to purchase a flight ticket, please contact Maniago Safaries at the following telephone numbers:
254 (0) 20 4449461/2,4443169 or Fax Nos. 254 (0) 20 4449463, 4443170.
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Airport Departure Tax and Service Charge
Airport departure taxes are now included in price of the international flight ticket for all three East African countries. It is also the policy of Maniago Safaris to quote domestic fares inclusive of airport taxes.
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Baggage On Safari
Clients on our scheduled safaris are asked to restrict baggage to one medium size suitcase (or better still, two smaller, flexible hold-ails), plus hand baggage, per person. An overnight bag only may be taken to Tree hotels (Treetops and the Ark). There is a baggage weight restriction of 15kg per person on all scheduled domestic flights in Kenya and Tanzania. Excess baggage charges are usually nominal, but if the aircraft is full the excess baggage may be refused. When you are on safari your Nairobi hotel will be happy to store excess baggage until your return.
 Pre/post tours
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Banks
Banks are open from 09:00 to 15.00 from Monday to Friday except at the airport where the services are available 24 hrs.
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Cell Phones
Cell phones rental may be facilitated through Maniago Safaris. Please note that you may be able to use your GSM phone in Kenya under roaming arrangements but this may be very expensive. We advise you check applicable tariffs first.
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Clothing and Kit on Safari
Clothing should be practical, comfortable and informal. Lightweight cotton shirts, shorts, trousers or skirts are ideal on safari, while a warm sweater, jacket (and socks!) may be needed for early morning game drives and cool highland evenings. It is unlikely that Jacket and Tie will be needed except at one or two of the Nairobi restaurants or for visitors on business. Bring your swimwear; sunhat, sun cream, sunglasses, a small flashlight (torch), alarm clock and comfortable dustproof shoes. Lip balm, insect repellent, and reading material are also useful. Leave valuable jewellery at home.
Pre/post tours
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Climate
Usually, the climate in Nairobi is pleasant in September. Temperatures range between 15-25.
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Currency and Credit Cards
The local currency is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh), with 100 Cents to one shilling. There are coins of 50 Cents, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 Kshs and notes of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 Kshs. Exchanging at approximately KShs. 75/- to US Dollar as at May 2006. Take travellers cheques in USD, EUR, GBP or other major currency. These can be changed into the local currency as required. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Most hotels accept major credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa and American Express.
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Drinking Water
Never drink tap water in Kenya. Bottled (mineral) water is available readily at shops and supermarkets. Hotels will provide a flask with purified water in your room to brush your teeth.
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Electricity
The electrical supply in Kenya and Tanzania is 24Ov/50 Hz. Sockets are usually 3 pins square (British type). Those coming from North America with IIOv/60hz appliances should be sure to use an appropriate transformer. In tented camps and lodges it is usually possible to re-charge video camera batteries at reception on request.
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Flying Doctor Society
When on safari, membership with the Flying Doctor Society (FDS) is recommended and available from Maniago Safaris. In the event of serious accident or illness patients will receive emergency treatment and an air ambulance to hospital. The current cost for a 14-day cover is US$15 (max 500km from Nairobi) or US$30 (max 1000km). Cover for 2 months is US$25 and US$50 respectively.
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Health
Yellow fever and Cholera vaccination certificates are required for visitors arriving from infected areas. There are a number of other inoculations recommended to visitors. Clients are advised to contact their own doctor or local medical advisory centre for up to date information. Malaria is endemic in East Africa and visitors should follow a course of Malaria prophylactics according to doctor's advice.
In Kenya, excellent medical facilities are available in Nairobi (please note is at a fee and NO free health care is provided). Hotels will contact doctors and dentists, or they can be found listed in the telephone directory.
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Hotel Check-in and Check-out
Normal checkout time is 10am. Rooms may not therefore be available for early check-in unless booked from the night before. Day rooms can usually be reserved up to 6pm for departures in the evening.
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Language
English and Kiswahili are the official languages spoken in Kenya. English and French are the official languages of the conference.
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Liability and Insurance
The Conference organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries, or damage to property belonging to Conference participants (or accompanying persons), either during or as a result of the Conference. Please check the validity of your own insurance.
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Meals
Dining is an integral part of the safari experience. High standards of cuisine and a welcoming choice of mouth-watering dishes will usually greet the hungry guest just in from safari. Full board is normally provided and inclusive of early morning tea, full breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and a four-course dinner. Tea and coffee is served with all meals. Standards of cuisine in Tanzania and Uganda hotels do not reach those of Kenya but meals are entirely adequate and nutritious.
Please note that while in Nairobi hotels are booked on bed and breakfast basis.
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Metric System
Kenya uses the metric system. Visitors will find weather temperature reports given in degrees Celsius, petrol is sold by the litre, as is milk and water, and grocery items are sold in grams and kilograms. Distances and road speeds, posted in kilometres and kilometres per hour.
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Nairobi and Personal Safety
The Conference Organizers wish all delegates an enjoyable stay in Kenya. However, we advise delegates to be especially attentive to personal belongings. Nairobi, like most large cities around the world, has seen an increase in street crime, predominately pick pocketing and handbag snatching. You are advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions at all public areas.
To ensure that you have a trouble-free stay at the Nairobi Conference, the Conference recommends the following personal safety measures:
- Kenyan Law requires that you carry official identification documents at all times. Photocopy your passport, travel documents, prescriptions e before leaving home.
- Keep your passport, important documents and the majority of your money in your hotel safety deposit box, not in your room. Carry a photocopy of your passport or Identity documentation and only a limited amount of cash while you are out.
- Only use certified metered taxis from the airport and in Nairobi.
- Kenya Shilling notes bearing the portrait of the two former presidents of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi are valid currencies. Be cautious of scams to exchange one for the other.
If you have any questions or concerns while at the conference, please contact the information desk. For further information please visit Maniago Safaris’ website - www.maniagosafaris.com
See also: About Kenya
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Photography
Bring plenty of film with you. It is available locally but rather expensive and outlying lodges may be out of date. Telephoto lenses (minimum 200 mm recommended) are a must for wildlife photography. Other useful items include filters, dust-proof bags and, of course, spare batteries. Home video cameras may be brought in but professional filming is subject to government permits and levies. Binoculars are an invaluable aid to spotting distant animals or birds.
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Shopping
There are many shopping malls in Nairobi (such as the Sarit Centre, The Yaya Centre). Normal trading hours are Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 17.00. Supermarkets generally stay open until 20.30, including Sundays). Maniago Safaris has however arranged special shopping tours to ease your shopping due to the distance of the shopping areas as well as providing guide to advise based on your shopping requirements.
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Visa Information
To get updated information, and to fill out the necessary visa application form (to print), please click here to go to the Kenya Airways website (will open in a new window).
A visa is required by all the nationalities.
Citizens of the following countries need to have a visa prior to arrival in Kenya:
(1) Afghanistan
(2) Somali
(3) Iran
(4) Lebanon
(5) Iraq
(6) Syria
(7) Libya
(8) Mali
(9) Sudan
(10) Nigeria
(11) Yemen
(12) Cameroon
(13) Pakistan
(14) North Korea
(15) Stateless Persons
(16) Armenia
(17) Georgia
(18) Tajikistan
(19) Azerbaijan
(20) Senegal
The following require visas and may obtain visas upon Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
1. Malta
2. Ireland
3. Malaysia
4. Canada
5. Mozambique
Where applicable, visa fees are as follows:
- Transit Visa = US$20 per person;
- Reference Fee = US$10;
- Single Entry Visa = US$50 for three months (extendable for a similar period);
- Multiple Journey Visa= US$100 - valid for one year;
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Conference venue and on-site services
Conference Venues
Official venue of the Conference is at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC). Scheduled Shuttle buses will be provided between the respective hotels and the KICC between 07:00am and 08:00pm for the whole duration of the conference.
On-Site Services
Accommodation and Travel Desk; Maniago Safaris will handle all queries regarding hotel accommodation, travel and tours.
Audio Visual Equipment
For meetings outside of the main conference programme (such as satellite meetings) single and dual slide projection, overhead projector, video, and LCD projector will be available on request, but at a fee.
Banking
Kenya Commercial Bank situated in the entrance hall of the Conference Centre allows convenient changing of cash and travellers' cheques and provides a full range of banking services.
Business Centre
The small Business Centre of KICC will provide fax and photocopying services for participants on a pay-per-service use basis. Additional business services are available in most hotels.
Conference Safety
The Conference organizers have developed a coordinated security plan in conjunction with venue managers, private security firms and local and National police services to provide a safe and secure environment for all participants.
At registration, each Conference Participant and exhibitor will receive his or her own credential, which must be displayed to enter and be worn at all times while at the Conference venues. This credential may only be used by the person to whom it is issued. The Conference reserves the right to withdraw the credential from any person not conforming to Conference Policy.
First Aid Station
A first aid station wll be available on site. This emergency facility is available to all Conference participants and is staffed by experienced people.
The Conference will facilitate medical care for emergencies. Emergencies are defined as problems that following the criteria of the doctors in charge of the emergency service need to be addressed during the week of the conference. For medical information or emergencies (both for national and private health services, please call the emergency number in the programme supplement or consult directly with the First Aid Station at the Conference Venue.
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Hotlines
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
| Contact |
Telephone |
| Maniago Safaris Ltd |
020-4449461/2 or 4444858/9 |
| Aga Khan Hospital |
020-3740000 |
| Mater Hospital |
020-531199 |
| Nairobi Hospital |
020 374263/7 020 2722160 |
Meals and Snacks
Many luncheon and fast food outlets are located within and around the Conference Centre as well as outdoors on KICC grounds. These food outlets open all day and offer a wide range of options from inexpensive snacks and fast foods to leisurely dining.
Media Centre
Located on the first floor of the Conference Centre, the Media Centre serves the needs of journalists covering the Conference. This enclosed area will be open 12 hours a day for accredited journalists in their coverage. These will be staffed daily from 0800hrs to 2000hrs. Available services include individual work stations, telephone, fax and modem connections, as well as networked computers. Special booths will be available for the broadcast media. Interview rooms can also be requested. Access to the Media Centre is granted only to Conference-accredited journalists.
Services for People with Disabilities
Nairobi has international standard facilities for the physically challenged, including access ramps and toilets for people in Wheelchairs. The Conference will provide a scheduled shuttle service to and from hotels to the Conference centre.
Simultaneous Interpretation
English and French are the official languages of the Conference. However, simultaneous interpretation into French and English will only be available for the plenary sessions and for the opening and closing ceremonies.
Smoking
Smoking in the Conference Venue is not permitted.
Web Services
Web facilities are available where delegates can browse the Internet and visit the official conference website.
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