Kenya - What currency

[RLK500]

Off to kebya in a short while. There seems to be no definitive guidance on what currency is best to take. Travel operator says KES and USD. Web Queries/Googling suggests that pretty much anything goes (USD, GBP, EURO, KES). I am leaning towards a small amount of KES and GBP + credit cards, anyone been recently and have some wisdom to add. Areas that we will be travelling to are Nairobi, Samburu, Masai & Mombassa.

TIA.

[The jiffle king]

I was there last year and I found USD to be very welcome. They did also take GBP and €, but USD was much easier in most cases. Don´t forget to barter, it´s expected. If you do need a few shillings, you can get them at most hotels

[LuS1fer]

I can only comment on Tanzania when we went to Zanzibar and all they wanted was US dollars not Tanzanian currency. You won't go wrong with dollars.

[Mermaid]

US $'s, and convert some to Kenyan shillings at a "local" exchange where you will get a get a better rate.

Security is an issue in Nairobi & Mombasa, so beware and do not flaunt your shiny watch/jewellery.

Zanzibar & Dar -es Salaam worthy of a visit.

[anonymous-user]

Spent 7 months there last year and going again for 6 months shortly. If you are going to Nairobi make sure you are in a group and don't get seperated. Because I spent so long there I always used KES and as had already been said - always haggle for everything.

If you are interested in getting some carvings (some of them are amazing) take some things to barter with. They like pens, old mobile phones and white socks. (I'm not joking). To be fair, any item of clothing is welcomed by the locals.

You will need to be mindful of personal security at all times. Some of them will happily kill for a few quid so never flaunt your cash or belongings. Very nice down in Mombassa but Diani beach is better.

[LuS1fer]

Watch out for people offering a go on a motorbike down the beach as you tend to get robbed further down... doesn't always happen of course but you do need to be aware that poverty is rife and certain individuals feel entitled to take a share of your relative wealth.

[Mermaid]

bmw535i said:

. Some of them will happily kill for a few quid so never flaunt your cash or belongings. ..

This ^ - be sensible, be safe.

[anonymous-user]

If you are unfortunate enough to be robbed - don't go to the local police. I will be careful what I say in a public forum, but corruption is rife at every level of their society.

If you are going to venture outside the well beaten tourist sites, make sure you are streetwise at all times. The poverty is unbelievable and Nairobi isn't called Nairobbery for no reason.

£50 a month is considered to be a good wage over there and they are fully aware that tourists are vastly wealthier than this and can carry a lot of cash on them.

Hope you're not put off!!

[RLK500]

Thanks for the tips. Our batterd old G-shocks are being wheeled out for the trip. Will get some USD and KES.

TVM.

[RLK500]

Actually, one final question. I was considering taking the USD on a Travelex Cash Passport, have used these in the states and they work very well. However, I guess using one in Kenya may not be quite as straight forward. So would I best of with good old cash ?

[anonymous-user]

RLK500 said:

Actually, one final question. I was considering taking the USD on a Travelex Cash Passport, have used these in the states and they work very well. However, I guess using one in Kenya may not be quite as straight forward. So would I best of with good old cash ?

Not really sure. I would recommend cash out there. You can use cash machines with your debit/bank card, but I would inform your bank first if you plan to do this as a lot of bank fraud is instigated from African countries and they may stop your card if it is used there without their knowledge. I never had any problems with using cash machines and the exchange rate was just as good, if not better than travel agencies.

The interent fraud situation is so bad that it wasn't possible for me to use my credit card on a lot of UK websites to buy things from a Kenyan IP address.......