Destination

Foreign visitors entering Kenya must possess a passport valid for at least six months after their date of entry into Kenya, with at least two blank pages.

To make hotel reservations at the Radisson Blu and to receive the group rate of USD 190/night for single occupancy rooms, please click the link under “Location” (above the map). Please note the payment link only accepts Visa or Mastercard.

Please see below for approximate accommodation rates (bed and breakfast) at nearby hotels:

Crown Plaza: From USD 170/night. (The hotel is located 1.3 km from the Forum venue)

Town Lodge by City Lodge: From Kes. 13,200 (The hotel exchange rate is currently USD 96. The hotel is located 2.2 km from the Forum venue.)

Fair View: From Kes. 19,900/night (The hotel exchange rate is currently USD 96. The hotel is located 2.7 km from the Forum venue.)

Sarova Panafric: From USD 125 (The hotel is located 3.1 km from the Forum venue.)

Sarova Stanley: From USD 135 (The hotel is located 3.4 km from the Forum venue.)

Serena: From USD 225 (The hotel is located 3.4 km from the Forum venue.)

Yellow Fever Vaccination
The government of Kenya requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever. Please be sure to travel with your vaccination booklet, if required.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these countries present a high risk of yellow fever virus transmission:

Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda

Central and South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

For the latest information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Drinking Water
Drinking bottled water at all times is strongly recommended.

The shilling is the official currency of Kenya.

Changing money in Kenya is very simple. Upon arrival in Kenya, foreign currencies can be converted into shillings at foreign exchange counters at the airport. These outlets are open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You can also find foreign exchange desks at star-rated hotels. Travelers’ cheques may not be accepted at all banks or hotels.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) dispense cash throughout the city. Although these machines are linked to a specific local bank, all major credit and debit cards, both domestic and international, should be accepted. Kindly note that certain credit cards may not be accepted at certain ATMs.

In Kenya the standard voltage is 240 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Kenya if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 V (as it is in the UK, Europe, Australia, and most of Asia and Africa). Wall sockets accept “type G” plugs with three rectangular pins.

Taxis
Taxis are available at the Nairobi airport’s prepaid taxi counters. Taxi apps such as Uber, Little Cab, and Bolt are also available across Nairobi. We advise that hiring private cars and unlicensed taxis must be done with caution and is not recommended for participants.

Hotel front desks will normally be able to arrange reliable transport by taxi but they will require 15-30 mins notice in order to do so. Taxis are usually willing to wait for you during your intermediate stops at reduced charges. It is simplest to inform the front desk about the places you wish to visit, the total time you wish to spend, and the number of people travelling. They would then be able to book the taxi for you at a fixed rate.

The Forum organizers do not take responsibility for any individual, medical, travel, or personal insurance. Participants are advised to secure their own insurance policies before departure from their countries, as required.

East Africa Time (EAT) is three hours ahead of GMT.

The country code for Kenya is “254.” The city code for Nairobi is “20.” All mobile numbers contain 10 digits, starting with “0” if calling locally.

In Kenya, mobile carriers use GSM systems. Please contact your mobile service provider to check their roaming partners and tariffs in Kenya. Local SIM cards may be purchased for unlocked mobile phones, but this requires visiting a mobile phone provider in person and providing passport information to officially register a SIM card.

Tipping in Kenya is not expected but is appreciated. A suggested rate for tipping is 10%. Tipping should always be done in Kenya shillings.

In early November, the weather in Nairobi is likely to be transitioning from the cooler dry season to the slightly warmer period of “short rains,” during which the rain is sometimes heavy but mostly falls in the late afternoon or evening. Daytime maximum temperatures may average around 25°C (77°F), while at night 14°C (57°F) is normal.

Nairobi can generally be regarded as a safe city. However, participants are advised to observe normal safety precautions when moving around the city. In particular:

• Stay alert: watch your luggage and other belongings.
• Please inquire at your hotel reception desk about the use of safe deposit boxes.
• Avoid walking around after dark, especially in isolated areas.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and don’t wear expensive watches, jewelry, or items of sentimental value.
• It is advisable to carry a form of ID with you at all times. A copy of your passport is normally acceptable.

For more information about tourism opportunities, please visit the Kenya Board of Tourism website: http://www.magicalkenya.com/.