Kenya

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WorldIndian OceanAfricaEast AfricaKenya
Kenya
250
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Kenya
Kenyaflag.png
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Flag
Capital Nairobi
Language Swahili, English
Currency Kenyan shilling
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
Calling code +254

The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border.

Mombasa is not a particularly cruiser-friendly port and it is suggested that you check in at one of the other ports listed below.

Charts

British Admiralty
BA238 — Kilifi creek an approach
BA616 — Approach to Port Mambasa
BA668 — Lamu, Monde and Pate bays approach
BA2951 — Cabo Delgado to Lamu bay
BA3310 — Dar es Salam to Wasin island
BA3361 — Wasin island to Maindi
BA3362 — Maindi to Ras Chiambone
BA4701 — Mapoto to Muqdisho (Mogadiscio)

Weather

The climate on the coast is tropical and hot to very hot and humid. April to June is the heavy rainy season while October to November experiences less rain. The weather is under the influence of the monsoons, which also dictate the direction of the currents (the northbound current can run at up to 4 or 5 knots at times). This must be borne in mind when planning to sail along this coast. The best timing for southbound voyages is during the NW monsoon and for northbound voyages during the SE monsoon.

Weather links

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

Lamu/wiki/Kenya#.5B.5BLamu.5D.5DIsland icon Lamu [[Kenya#Lamu|Lamu]] 02°16.726'S, 040°51.881'E

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets


Navigation

Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply, remove it.

Entrance

Arrival

You must first report to Customs at ALL ports.

A Transit Log (obtained from Customs on arrival) is required for any movement in Kenyan waters. When intending to move, notify local Customs of your intended itinery, departure time and ETA at your nominated next port.

Departure

Details?

Customs and Immigration

Customs

Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival and these will be held in custody until your departure.

PETS: There are no restrictions in place for animals but it is advised that they have up-to-date rabies vaccinations.,

No restrictions are in place on the period a yacht may remain in Kenya (Mar '08)

Immigration

Visas are required for citizens of most countries (including the USA and UK). No visas are required for nationals of :
Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei-Darussalam, Cyprus, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe. It is advised that visas be obtained in advance. Visas and entry permits can be extended if they are applied for in person before the date of expiry.

Fees and Charges

Udate: (quote date)

  • Govt. charges =
  • Harbour fees =
  • Light Dues =
  • Clearance fee =

Restrictions

  • It is a serious offence to purchase ivory, animal skins and stuffed animals.
  • It is forbidden to photograph ports, police, naval buildings, vessels or personnel.

Health and Security

Health

Protect yourself from mosquitoes, as they carry numerous diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever. Get expert advice on malaria preventatives. Guard against mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and long trousers and apply an effective insect repellent, for example, one containing DEET. If travelling to other East African countries, you should have a yellow fever vaccination so as to prevent complications and paying of bribes at the border. These can be administered at an affordable price at most reliable Nairobi clinics and hospitals.

Malaria prophylactics can be highly effective. Consult your physician. If you get flu-like symptoms, including fever, consult a doctor immediately. If no doctor is available, take a treatment dose of an appropriate anti-malarial and go immediately to a hospital. While the public hospitals are slightly cheaper, long waits and poor conditions and care at these facilities may make it worthwhile to go to a private clinic. Costs will vary, but a typical trip to the hospital for malaria testing, doctor's consultation, and medication will cost between $12 to $30USD depending on the clinic. As malaria can become serious, a trip to the hospital is recommended at the first symptoms of malaria. Delayed treatment, even by just a few hours, can lead to permanent brain and liver damage or death.

Do not have unprotected sex as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are a high risk.

Cholera is another danger. When in affected areas, see a doctor immediately and drink plenty of water.

All water should be treated, either by boiling or through purifying tablets or filters. This includes Nairobi as well as rural areas. Typhoid fever is a risk and, like malaria prophylactics, the vaccination is not 100% effective. All fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed. While eating from the roadside kiosks is part of the cultural experience that one should not miss, note that such places do not always have the highest sanitary conditions and stomach illnesses can result.

It is advisable to have traveler's and accident insurance.

Security

Kenya had an uncharacteristic bout of intertribal violence in January 2008 after a disputed presidential election. Things have now quieted down and the country is considered safe for travelers, but the situation remains somewhat on edge, so follow local news carefully.

Stay alert when walking or driving through Mombasa (and Nairobi). You should be careful always to be aware of your surroundings and, if possible, ensure that you have a guide with you. Even daylight muggings on crowded streets are not uncommon. Particularly avoid walking after dark. Take a taxi if you can afford it, or a bus if you can not.

Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth and property, particularly tempting objects such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players, etc. Take special care of your dinghy and motor.

It is advisable for women travelers to avoid traveling alone and to have a male companion so as to present less of a tempting target. Muggings and robbing are a regular occurrence in downtown Mombasa and Nairobi.

Just be careful and enjoy your stay in this wonderful, diverse country.

Berthing

Key to symbols: |Port of entry icon – port of entry |Marina icon – marina |Anchorage icon – anchorage |Needs data icon – needs data ||

Ports, Marinas, Islands, & Anchorages

  • Kilifi CreekKilifi Creek/wiki/Kilifi_Creek Port of entry icon – port of entry |Anchorage icon – anchorage |
  • Lamu Lamu /wiki/Lamu Island icon – island |Port of entry icon – port of entry |Anchorage icon – anchorage |
  • MombasaMombasa/wiki/Mombasa Port of entry icon – port of entry |Marina icon – marina |
  • Mtwapa CreekMtwapa Creek/wiki/Mtwapa_Creek Anchorage icon – anchorage |
  • Shimoni Shimoni /wiki/Shimoni Port of entry icon – port of entry |Anchorage icon – anchorage |Needs data icon – needs data |


Transportation

Tourism

History

The colonial history of Kenya dates from the establishment of a German protectorate over the Sultan of Zanzibar's coastal possessions in 1885, followed by the arrival of the Imperial British East Africa Company in 1888. Imperial rivalry was prevented when Germany handed its coastal holdings to Britain in 1890. This was followed by the building of the Kenya–Uganda railway passing through the country. During the railway construction era, there was a significant inflow of Indian people, who provided the bulk of the skilled manpower required for construction.

From October 1952 to December 1959, Kenya was in a state of emergency arising from the Mau Mau rebellion against British rule. The Mau Mau, also known as the Kenya Land and Freedom Army, were primarily members of the Kikuyu Group. The first direct elections for native Kenyans to the Legislative Council took place in 1957. Despite British hopes of handing power to "moderate" local rivals, it was the Kenya African National Union (KANU) of Jomo Kenyatta that formed a government.

Today Kenya's economy is the largest in eastern and central Africa, with Nairobi serving as a major regional commercial hub.

Places to Visit

Must visit places in Kenya are:

A pair of Lions mating
Hyenas feeding on last night’s kill
Young cheetahs devoured a baby gazelle
An elephant family and birds
A heavily mauled male hippopotamus (most likely wounded by a rival hippo)
A lethal and rare boomslang snake on an acacia tree


Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

References

Books, Guides, etc. Use the Reference template or not at your discretion. For example:

Rod Heikel, Greek Waters Pilot, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718, expands to
Rod Heikell, Greek Waters Pilot Imray, Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718
  • Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
  • Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number

You may want to remove the above entries and use instead a link to the Country or Region that lists the relevant references. If so enter, after removing xx, the following:

See [[Country or Region#References_&_Publications|Coutry or Region]].

If you do not use the above link, please remove it.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Kenya and this page's details validated:


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Names: Lighthouse,Istioploos


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