The South Coast is especially recommended for diving enthusiasts and the small islands off Mombasa will delight lovers of nature, authenticity and calm.
Mombasa was first a vast Arab-Swahili city that was at the height of its power in the fifteenth century. Today and after many European, African and oman assaults, Mombasa is rich in history but curiously offers few vestiges.
Due to a long interaction between Africa, India and Arabia, the coast contrasts with the rest of Kenya. Its inhabitants, the Swahilis, have created a unique society focused on the Indian Ocean and trade with distant shores. This story gives a romantic side to the pristine beaches and the city sung by poets since the beginning of the ivory trade, today replaced by that of iron.
The Kenyan coast stretches north and south of the city of Mombasa over some 300 km of white sandy beaches lined with coconut trees and protected by a coral reef. There is no ideal season to visit the coast where it is hot and humid all year round but during the rainy season (October and November), the wetness increases again and can be poorly supported.
Advices:
- Between January and March, dolphins, and sometimes even whale sharks, visit the coast. It's the best season for divers.
- The month of September marks the end of the school holidays, the beaches regain their calm and hotel rates fall. It's the right moment to enjoy it !!!
Going to Kenya is to travel 8 million years back, at a time when nature was sovereign and where the great upheavals of humanity were operating.
Undisputed master of photo safaris, Kenya is a country offering at every moment a testimony of our origins. The key to all of this is the Rift Valley, a large natural fault that crosses the country and shapes the landscape little by little. First, a string of large lakes on which the largest population of birds on the continent is concentrated; then comes the savannah concealed in the bottom of the fault and sheltering a multitude of wild animals and game. Whether it is tall grass dried by the sun's rays, acacia trees, palm doums or baobabs, the wonder is there. It is against the backdrop of the old volcanic mountains, Mount Kenya, 5,199 meters high, is proud to compete with his big brother Tanzanian. Finally arrive kilometers of white sand bordering the Indian Ocean, In this great diversity live together more than 40 ethnic groups with ancestral traditions of origin often Bantu. It is certain, Africa is there.
When to go?
Equatorial, the climate is however subject to important general variations. Kenya enjoys a sunny climate most of the year. The rainy season is in April and May where heavy short-term rainfall may surprise.
Thus, the best time to visit Kenya is summer, from June to September, during which you will enjoy the dry season and reasonable temperatures.
Formalities
French nationals must hold a visa ("tourism" or "business" depending on the purpose of the visit) to enter Kenya. The passport must have a validity of at least six months on the date of entry into the territory.
Since September 1st 2015, an electronic visa, issued online and within one week, should be obtained from the site https://account.ecitizen.go.ke/visitor-registrationprior to arrival in Kenya.
Health
Antimalarial treatment and yellow fever vaccination is recommended (contact your doctor)
Currency
The national currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES).
International credit cards can be used in major cities and tourist areas (hotels, lodges, reserves, etc.). It is advisable to bring cash (US dollars or euros). Travel checks are to be avoided. There are ATMs (Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard) in Nairobi and Mombasa. For foreign exchange transactions, attention should be paid to the proposed rate. US dollars are better accepted than euros.
Attention: Old dollars aren’t accepted: in general, those dating from before 2006, although sometimes those after 2000 or 2003 are accepted - all depends on the interlocutor.