General Information

Kenya is located on the eastern coast of Africa, right on the equator. It is a land of striking landscapes, ranging from snow-capped Mount Kenya to rich farmlands, barren deserts and tropical beaches. It borders Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan in the north, Uganda in the west, Tanzania in the south, and the Indian Ocean in the east. Kenya's capital city is Nairobi. Other major cities are Mombasa, the main port on the Indian Ocean, and Kisumu, on Lake Victoria. The eight provinces of Kenya range in geographical size from the small Nairobi Province to the much larger Eastern and Rift Valley provinces. Kenya's national parks are wildlife, marine and botanical sanctuaries set aside to conserve their unique species and for educational and recreational enjoyment by Kenyans and tourists.

VISAS

All travellers arriving in Kenya should have a valid passport. Kenya entry visas are not required for nationals of a number of countries. Participants are therefore advised to ascertain whether or not they are exempt from the Kenyan entry visa requirement. Those who are not exempt should apply for visas well in advance from Kenyan Embassies or High Commissions, which will issue them upon presentation of documentation showing that the applicants are designated representatives to a particular UNEP meeting held in Nairobi.

In countries where there is no Kenyan Embassy or High Commission, the British Embassy will generally represent Kenya, and be in a position to issue visas. Participants who experience difficulties in obtaining a visa in the manner described above should immediately forward their particulars to the Liaison Officer, UNEP/UN-HABITAT, Nairobi (Cable address: UNITERRA, NAIROBI; Telex 22068, Fax (254 2) 623931).

Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for travelers over one year of age coming from countries where yellow fever may occur. Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Peru, Sierra Leone and Sudan have been designated as countries where yellow fever may occur, but no guarantees can be given that no certificates are required from other countries. Malaria risk exists throughout the year in Kenya, though there is little risk in Nairobi and the highlands.

Weather

A lthough Kenya lies astride the Equator, many of its climatic zones are a typical of the tropics, with the country?s geographical features exerting considerable influence on weather patterns. Kenya?s climate is best described as monsoonal, being affected as it is by both the northeast and southeast monsoons. While in Nairobi (altitude of 1700 m or 5,500 ft) you will be less subject to the risk of tropical diseases that are commonly found in the rest of the country. In general, there are four distinct seasons:

• Warm -dry season - from January to late March. This season is not devoid of rainfall, with Nairobi averaging some 80 mm per month with extremes of up to 250 mm. However the average number of rain days in January and February, however, average only five days of rain each . Nairobi is generally cool and dry during this period, with minimum and maximum temperatures of 120C and 250C respectively, and a mid-day relative humidity of only 46 per cent.
• Long rainy season - Late March to early June. During this season, rainfall amounts are relatively high, but it is frequently warm and sunny for part of the day, and often, it may not rain at all for two or three days at a time. Nairobi?s average rainfall peaks at 211 mm in April, although more than double this has been recorded with maximum 24 hr falls around 76 mm.
• Cool dry season - Mid June to early October. As the southeast monsoon sets in, the rains give way to the driest season. Low-level moisture, however, ensures there is a lot of cloud and, the sun may not be seen for days at a time in Nairobi.. In contrast, the nights are clear. Nairobi?s mean maximum temperature is reduced to 210C and its minimum temperature to 100C during this season.
• Short rainy season - Mid-October to mid-December. Nairobi's average, November's rainfall of 167 mm is exceeded only by that of April and May, although sunshine averages 7 hours a day compared with the 4 hours that accompany the dry months of June, July and August. Prior to the short rains, in September and early October, there is an abrupt change to warmer sunnier weather.

Time Zone

Kenya is GMT + 0300 hours.

Electricity

240 Volts.

Official Language

The official languages of the Republic of Kenya are Kiswahili and English.

Currency

The official currency of the Republic of Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh). The current exchange rate vis-`-vis the US dollar stands at approximately KShs.78 for one US dollar and KShs. 82 for one Euro.

Credit cards

Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants in the city.

Hotel reservations, airport transfers and transport for delegates

Participants are kindly requested to make their own hotel reservations. A list of recommended hotels in Nairobi, including rates and an indication of some complementary services (such as transfers from the airport to the hotels) is available on the UNON website at CLICK HERE. Bunson Travel has an office at the arrival hall at the airport and offers transfers from the airport to the hotels. Check with Bunson for the cost of this service. Delegates can book, at cost, transport from their hotel to the United Nations conference center in Gigiri from a special transport desk located in the lobby of the conference center.