INTERNATIONAL AIR SERVICES
Quite a number of international airlines fly into Kenya frequently.The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi is the hub of our local and international airline, Kenya Airways in partnership with KLM Royal Dutch have connections to and from all over the world.Moi International Airport Mombasa has both regular and charter flights arriving from most European capital. Air Kenya Aviation also operates flights out of both Nairobi and Mombasa to Zanzibar 4times a week, they have also direct flights out of Mombasa to Kilimanjaro International Airport Arusha, Tanzania.
TIME ZONE
Kenya is +3 hours GMT, and +2 hours central Europe in winter time, and +1 hour in summer time.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
An international air departure is taxed $20 or the equivalent in any other foreign currency. Since September 1998, this tax should be collected by the International Airline as part of the airfare. A service charge of ksh200 is due on domestic flights which could be included in your flight ticket or may be payable direct at the counter.
CUSTOMS
Visitors may import duty free, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars and one Litre of Spirit.
COST OF LIVING
The average cost of eating out is equivalent to that in most developed countries. Lunch costs around $15 per head and an “a la carte” dinner is between $30 and $40 per person. The dinner is served from that of Kenyan to European and Asian cuisine. There are also fast food outlets and fish and chip shops. The Kenyan beer is constantly popular and it costs around $2 a bottle. The wine is locally produced in the region of Naivasha.
TANZANIA
The convenient way to enter into Tanzania is through overland from Kenya.
INTERNATIONAL AIR TO ZANZIBAR
Kenya Airways operates two daily flight to Zanzibar with ample connections to Dar-es-salaam.Regional Air operates a daily service between Nairobi and Arusha. Airport tax is charged $30,-out of Dar-es-salaam and Arusha Airport levies $20,-out of Zanzibar. There is also a war insurance being levied and depends on the airline used.
PASSPORT AND VISA
A valid passport is required. The visa application varies.However, it’s standard to have 2 passport sized photographs must accompany your application.
HEALTH AND IMMUNIZATION
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all visitors to Tanzania. Malaria exists below 1800m in malignant falciparum form. It’s a must to buy bottled water. Private health insurance is recommended.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
Airport tax is $30-out of Dar-es-salaam and Arusha.Airport tax is $20-out of Zanzibar. Domestic airport departure taxes are still payable in some airports, but in most cases it’s included in the airfare quoted by the agent or airline.
IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS
An onward ticket and sufficient funds are required when entering Tanzania.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1st January – new year,
12th January – Zanzibar revolution,
5th February – formation of revolutionary party “Chama Cha Mapinduzi” (CCM),
26th April – Union day,
1st May – labour day,
8th August – farmers’ day,
19th August – prophet Anniversary,
9th December – independent,
25th December – Christmas,
26th December-Boxing day.
CURRENCY
1$ is equivalent to 800 Tanzanian shilling. Bureau de change offers favorable exchange rates. Credit cards, visa, MasterCard and Diners are accepted at the larger hotels around the country. There is no limit on the importation of foreign currency.
SHOPPING/SOUVENIRS
The visitor is offered several varieties of souvenirs, like; of handicrafts, furniture, soap stones etc.One can always bargain for the price.
THE CLOTHING
As Tanzania and Kenya share the same climate and time zone as well as culture and customs, the hints given for Kenya are also applicable here in Tanzania.
