Kenya Money

The unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling (KSh), which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are in KSh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are KSH1, and 50, 10 and 5 cents.

The exchange rate is in your favour. Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world.

The price of a beer starts at KSh35. A traditional meal will cost about KSh150, while you can expect to pay about KSh500-1000 for a more classy meal. Petrol costs about KSh35 per litre. A roll of 36-exposure print film will cost about KSh200.

Banking hours are as follows:

Monday to Friday: 09h00 - 14h00 First Saturday of the month: 09h00 - 11h00

Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier while banks and bureaux de change at international airports are open 24 hours a day.

National and international banks have branches in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Thika, Eldoret, Kericho and Nyeri and in most other major towns.

All major credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express) are widely accepted.

Tipping is not required but, unlike in some other African countries, is not forbidden either. Most hotels include a 10% service charge on the bill. If the service charge has not been included a KSh100 tip is usual, although the amount is entirely at the visitor's discretion.

Bear in mind that salaries in East Africa tend to be very low, and that people working in service industries rely on tips to supplement their wages.

On safari you should tip your driver, cook and guide. These people do not earn very much so you should tip as much as you feel you can. KSh150 per employee per day is about right, but of course this depends on you and how happy you were with the service.

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