ARRIVING INTO NAIROBI

JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (JKIA)
Chances are you will arrive in Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport [NBO]. As you walk through the terminal lobby, you will see signs indicating the route for international arrivals.

The first stop will be the Health Desk. Here, you might be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate (usually yellow in colour). Travelers arriving from Europe rarely are required to produce this document, but it is a good idea to have it handy and it will be required if traveling to other East African countries once you have been in Kenya.

Next is Immigrations. It is always recommended that you apply for your visa prior to travel. This can reduce time and risk complications on arrival. If you have your visa, you may proceed to the lines indicating your status (returning resident or visitor). If you do not have your visa, you must get the form from the booth to the left as you enter the Immigration Hall. Completion time is roughly five minutes. You will need a fee in US Dollars* and may be asked to provide 2 passport style photographs. The fee is different for every country, most visitors are required to pay USD $50.00. All persons arriving will be required to complete an arrival card. This may be given to you on the plane. If not they can be found in the Immigrations Hall.

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Tip - If you are going to leave Kenya within 48 hours from another location such as Wilson Airport or by road through Namanga, you qualify for a transit visa which is cheaper than a full visitors visa.

* Though payment may be made in other international currencies, change is often a problem and poor rates of exchange may result in your paying more than the expected amount for your visa. It is always best to keep around $100.00 in tens and twenties on hand.

After Immigrations, you will descend the stairs to the baggage claim area. Here you will find your luggage and proceed to Customs. There are free baggage carts available to assist in transporting your things.

Customs should not be a problem for visiting tourists. Naturally, your bags will be subject to inspection, as would any person's when arriving into any country. Persons traveling with computer equipment or extensive video or photographic equipment may be asked to pay a bond or deposit to ensure you leave with the items. As an alternative, you might ask the officer to note the details of the equipment in your passport to ensure you take them with you when you leave. Posting deposits can be a bit time consuming, especially when leaving and trying to recover the deposit.

Upon leaving the Customs Hall, you enter the Main Arrivals Terminal that is generally packed with people. You will find taxis straight ahead. Guests of the Nairobi hotels can arrange a limousine (not stretch, I'm afraid) pick-up for around $25.00 per car holding up to three passengers and reasonable luggage. This should be arranged in advance.

Our main sponsor, Hertz Rent a Car in Kenya can arrange a vehicle on chauffeur driven or self-drive and has a rental desk at the International Arrivals Hall (look to the right as you exit customs). You can book through this website.

Taxis are a few dollars cheaper, but you should always negotiate the price before starting your trip.

The ride from the airport to town is about 20 minutes.

For persons continuing their trip out of Nairobi by air from the smaller Wilson Airport, the drive is also about 20 minutes. If heading by car to Tanzania, the drive to the Namanga Border is about two hours.

WILSON AIRPORT
Some regional international flights (such as those operated by AirKenya) land at Wilson Airport [WIL].

On arrival, you will be directed to the departure room to scan your carry-on bags for customs purposes. Then you proceed to the arrivals room where you may need to visit the health desk, then proceed to Immigrations. Once you have completed Immigration formalities, you can exit the building where you find your luggage waiting for you (unless there is a question by Customs who will advise you).

Taxis are available from the airport and Hertz can arrange to have a driver meet you on arrival. Depending on traffic, the town is about 15 minutes away.