Information about Kenya

Visa to Kenya for Danes

Investigate well in advance of your journey what rules apply to passports and visas. It is your own responsibility to comply with entry and exit rules in the countries you are traveling to. The local authorities in each country establish the rules and determine whether you are in compliance.

The authorities in Kenya have stated that the rules below apply to the entry and exit of Danish citizens. However, you should always double-check with the Kenyan embassy to confirm whether the rules still apply. Rules may be changed with short notice.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot be held responsible for any issues with entry and exit, regardless of the information provided on this page.

Visa

• Visa-free. However, it is required to apply for and obtain approval for an ETA (electronic travel authorization) before departing to Kenya. ETA can be applied for at: Apply for your eTA to Kenya only on this Official Government website. (etakenya.go.ke) . An exception to this is for travelers in transit.

Passport

• Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the duration of stay.

• Extended Danish passports are recognized upon entry and exit.
• Provisional Danish passports (emergency passports) are only recognized upon exit. An official police report for the lost passport and an exit stamp from local immigration authorities are required. The exit stamp can be applied for online. The application must be printed, signed, and brought to immigration authorities in Nairobi: Nyayo House, 20th floor, at the corner of Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway in Nairobi. Note that it is only open on weekdays, and you can expect a processing time of 24 hours.
• EU emergency passports are only recognized upon exit. The same rules as for Danish emergency passports apply.
• Check in advance whether a potential transit country on your journey recognizes a Danish emergency passport or an EU emergency passport. Contact the embassy of the transit country.
• Certain visas and stamps in your passport may result in denial of entry.
• If you have a Danish refugee or alien passport, different rules may apply to entry and exit. Before traveling, contact the Kenyan embassy.

Other requirements

• If you are traveling alone with your child or with children who are not your own, we recommend that you obtain a power of attorney from the holders of parental authority. The same applies if you are under 18 and traveling alone. Read more here: Børn og unge på rejse.
• When travelling, it is advisable to follow the Travel Advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark (only available in Danish).

Questions
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Danish embassies, and consulates have no further information than this. If you have questions, please contact the Kenyan Immigration Service or the Embassy of Kenya in Stockholm. 

Nairobi Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport - Nairobi is only 18 kilometres from the city. Transport to and from the airport is available using the government owned Kenatco Taxi Service, the Voda taxis and those locally driven. Kenatco and Voda are safer and more reliable. Kenatco state fixed rates while Voda charge per kilometer. Most hotels and touring companies provide transport inclusive of the holiday package. Airport Tax: International flights - the charge is $20. Internal flights - the charge is KShs. 100.
 
Mombasa Airport
Moi International Airport - Mombasa is in the Kenya coast and near to the city. Transport to and from the airport is available using the government owned Kenatco Taxi Service, the Voda taxis and those locally driven. Kenatco and Voda are safer and more reliable. Kenatco state fixed rates while Voda charge per kilometer. Most hotels and touring companies provide transport inclusive of the holiday package. Airport Tax: International flights - the charge is $20. Internal flights - the charge is KShs. 100.
 
Wilson Airport
Wilson Airport in Nairobi, one of the busiest airport in Africa, is a popular base for many small aircraft in Kenya. From this airport local charter companies operate scheduled flights to different destinations like Masai Mara, Amboseli, coral coast etc. For those wishing to fly anywhere in the republic or to the neighbouring countries, there are private charter companies which offer such services from this airport.
 
Trains
Rail services are available from Mombasa to Kisumu via Nairobi and to other major towns. Services are efficient, meals and bedding are provided. Coaches are divided into first and second class.
 
Security
Like travelling anywhere in the world, one must ensure personal safety. Excess money, travel documents and other valuables can be deposited at the hotel reception security box. It is always safe to remain in groups and never walk alone in isolated areas or on beaches.
 
Post & Telecommunications
Post Offices and the red-colored mailboxes are identified as KP&TC. Stamps can be bought from the hotel, bookshops and souvenir shops, or the Post Office. Post Offices operate from 8a.m. to 1p.m. and 2p.m. to 5p.m. during the week and 8a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays. Hotel services provide telephone, fax and telex facilities at an extra cost. It is cheaper to use public telephone booths but safety precautions must be taken.
 
Currency
Kenya's local currency is the Shilling and is made up of coins for smaller units and notes for larger denominations.
 
Currency Restrictions
Currency movement into or out Kenya for currency transactions is not restricted. Currency notes of up to the equivalent of US $5,000 and Kshs. 100,000 can be brought into or out of Kenya without making customs declaration. For any currency notes excess of this amount a custom declaration is necessary.
 
Public Holidays
 
Fixed dates
January 1st - New Year's Day
May 1st - Labour Day
June 1st - Madaraka Day
October 20th - Kenyatta Day
October 10th - Moi Day
December 12th - Jamhuri Day
December 25th - Christmas Day
December 26th - Boxing Day

Varying dates
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Idd-ul Fitr
Public holidays falling on Sunday are observed on the following Monday.
 
Credit Cards
Most international credit cards and travellers cheques are recognized and accepted in most places in Kenya.
 
Tipping
Tipping is not a must but it is not forbidden in Kenya. It is totally at your discretion although some hotels include service charge to the bill.
 
Banks, Banking & Banking Hours
Most hotels and airports have a Bureau de Change for converting international currencies and travellers cheques to local and liquid cash. Banks in Nairobi operate from 9a.m. to 3p.m. while in Mombasa open and close half an hour earlier. Payments using credit cards is accepted in Kenya and valid cards are indicated by most organization.
 
Public Transport
Bus services are available within towns and their services are supplemented by the privately owned and run mini buses. There are country bus services between Nairobi and all other towns. It is advisable to organize for private transport through hotel reception services. Fares are made to the conductor or at the booking office for most of the country buses.
 
Car Rental
Both International and local car hire companies rent out vehicles on daily or weekly basis at varying rates. Most vehicles are right-hand drive and move along the left lane of the road. A valid driving licence with an attached photograph is necessary.
 
Hotel bill payment
In most hotels visitors to Kenya are expected to pay in convertible currency, although in some places payment in Kenyan Shillings is also accepted.

Health & Precautions against Malaria
Malaria is a common illness in Kenya and as a precaution anti-malarial medication should be taken. Mosquito nets are provided in almost all hotel rooms. For headaches, colds and similar body ailments medication can be bought from anywhere within the country. When travelling to remote areas medication must be carried. To prevent a sunstroke spoiling a trekking expedition or beach fun have a sunscreen lotion and protective headgear handy. Protective clothing and footwear is also important.All hotels provide safe drinking water but bottled water must be carried especially for drinking during safari.

For further information on health please go to www.ssi.dk.