Climate : Generally warm days and cool morning and evenings. January and February hot and dry, March to May cool with tropical rains

Clothing: Informal light weight clothing preferable. Heavy dressing may be necessary for specific areas in the highlands and mountainous regions.

Media: Kenya many media houses and a wide international media presence. International networks available

Holidays: Sunday a general day of Worship, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Idd ul Fitri, New Year January 1, Labour Day May 1,Madaraka Day June 1, Moi Day October 10, Kenyatta Day October 20, Jamuhuri Day December 12, Christmas Day December 25, Boxing Day December 26. Visas Most visitors to Kenya require a visa which can be obtained at a cost in advance from Kenya High Commission, Embassies and Consulates, and also on arrival at points of entry.

Currency: Kenya Shillings (Kshs.) exchanged at an average of US$1 to Kshs 70 - 75 £1 to Kshs 125 - 140, Euro 1 to Kshs 85 - 90. Kenya Shillings 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 in notes and 5, 10, 20 and 40 in coins.

Banking: There are no currency regulations. Foreign Currency can be changed in banks, foreign

currency bureaux and hotels. Banks are open between 9.00 am - 3.00 pm Monday to Friday, and 9.00 am to 11.00 am Saturday. banks and bureaux at airports are open 24 hours seven days a week. ATMs are operational 24 hours a day countrywide, most accepting Visa cards. All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers Cheques are accepted at most banks, bureaux, hotels and major consumer outlets.

Communications: Post Offices are open 8.00 am t0 5.00 pm weekdays and 9.00 am t0 12 pm Saturdays. Stamps are available at Post Offices, Hotels and Souvenir Shops. Public pay phones for cards and coins are automated for direct dialing to any destination. Mobile Phones in use are either Safaricom or Celtel using pay as you go SIM cards which are readily available. Internet cafes are common and e-mails can be sent from hotels.

Taxes: Airport taxes for domestic air travel. V.A.T charged for products and services. 20% catering training levy charged to support the hospitality training colleges

Tipping: Most hotels and restaurants include 10% service charge, tipping is appreciated.

Water: Water in major hotels is safe for drinking, bottled water is readily available everywhere.

Nairobi has witnessing a new trend in shopping centres - the development of planned shopping complexes and their management. Pace setters in this new innovation are The Sarit Centre, Village Market, Yaya Centre, Jamia Shopping Mall, Mobil Plaza, Buru Buru, all in Nairobi and the super market chains, Nakumatt, Uchumi, and Tusky which have countrywide networks. These shopping centres and outlets have become areas of shopping, entertainment, dining, banking - more or less an imitation of the large department stores found in developed countries. They provide the collective ability for comparison of prices, styles and quality while at the same time, involved in socialising, exposure and entertainment. They provide consumers with an endless variety of low-priced quality goods and services, the latest designs, parking at the door and an entertaining environment for shopping and relaxation.

Sarit Centre, located in Nairobi's suburb of Westlands, Kenya's first shopping mall, opened in 1983. It's “City within a City” concept of providing everything under one roof has since changed retailing patterns and spurred shopping mall development throughout East Africa. It offers 250,000 sq.ft. of fully-serviced leased space providing a tenant “mix” of services - an interactive shopping mall offering one-stop access to a complete range of supermarkets, stores, service outlets, entertainment, and professional and medical facilities unrivalled in Kenya.