Information

Basic Information for Visitors 

UK FCDO Travel Advice

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya 

Visas

ETA - Electronic Travel Authorisation - online application (30USD) 

http://www.etakenya.go.ke/ 

Currency - Kenya Shilling (bob) 

1 GBP = 173 KES (July 2025) 

1 USD = 129 KES (July 2025) 

Climate - February averages

High 27° C  / Low 16° C 

Average 3 days of rain 

Travel 

Airport - Nairobi NBO - JKIA Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Direct flights from Europe (London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris) 

New York (JFK) 

Flight search site: 

https://www.skyscanner.net 

SIM Card and Data 

Safaricom (or AirTel) available on arrival at the airport - outside arrivals. 

Will be useful fo access apps such as Uber. 

Travel around Nairobi 

Uber App or Bolt App easy to use and cheap (less than £4 / $5 per trip) 

Accommodation 

Large range of hotels and apartments to cover all budgets 

https://www.booking.com 

https://www.AirBnB.com 

I suggest staying in the Westlands area or close by. 

Ibis Styles Hotel $$ 

Park Inn by Radisson $$

Moevenpick Westlands $$$  

Villa Rosa Kempinski  $$$  

Fairmont Norfolk Hotel $$$ 

Sankara  $$$  

Travel Agent / Tours 

A wide range of safari and tour options. A well established local tour company run by a personal friend of mine, Anjali. Please quote the FOC Radio Event and my name. 

https://travel-wild.com/ 

Excursions 

Elephant Orphanage - need to book in advance online. 

Entry fee 2000 KES (Sept 2023)

https://visit.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Giraffe Centre 

Entry fee 1500 KES (Sept 2023)

https://www.giraffecentre.org/

Karen Blixen Museum (Out of Africa) 

Entry fee 1200 KES (Sept 2023) 

https://museums.or.ke/karen-blixen/ 

Nairobi Museum

Entry fee 1200 KES (Sept 2023) 

https://museums.or.ke/nairobi-national-museum/ 

Nairobi National Park 

Entry fee 43 USD  (Sept 2023) 

https://www.kws.go.ke/parks/nairobi-national-park 

Restaurants 

Wide range to suit all tastes and budgets: 

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g294207-Nairobi.html 

Personal favourites: 

Talisman - Karen (International) 

Jiko - Tribe Hotel, Village Market (African/International) 

Open House - Parklands (Indian) 

Bang Bang - Village Market (Thai)

La Salumeria - Lavington (Italian) 

Mambo Italia - Lavington (Italian) 

INTI - Westlands - (Japanese-Peruvian) 

For You - Lavington (Chinese) 

Mercado - Westlands (Mexican) 

Chain restaurants (diners):

Java House 

Artcaffe 

CJ’s 

Basic Swahili 

Hello Jambo or  Mambo!  (Jambo is mainly used by tourists) 

Thank you (very much) Asante (sana) 

How are you? Habari Yako? 

Fine (very) Nzuri (sana)

You’re welcome Karibu

Yes Ndio  

No Hapana 

Please Tafadhali 

I’m sorry Samahani 

Cold Baridi 

Goodbye Kwaheri

Good night Lala Salama 

https://www.swahilipod101.com/key-swahili-phrases/ 

Dinner Venue 

Muthaiga Country Club, Nairobi 

https://www.mcc.co.ke/

https://www.mcc.co.ke/Home/Club_Tour.aspx 

https://www.mcc.co.ke/Club_Dining_Room