Wide Wild Africa Travel Advice Money

Banks and Currency | General | Visa and Entry Requirements | Language | Medical |

The Kenya currency unit is the shilling (Ksh), divided in 100 cents.

Banks

There are a number of internationally-based banks with branches in Nairobi and Mombasa, out of the cities you are likely to have only national banks.
You can change your money and travelers checks at any bank, however you will need to take your passport. Avoid the early morning rush 9am to about 10:30, try and avoid 12-2pm as this is the time locals take their lunch. Banks shut at 3pm Monday to Friday, Saturday most are open 9am-11am. There are 'Forex Buero' found in many towns, here you are not charged any commission or Bank charges but rates should be negotiated. If you are bringing US currency, check your bills to make sure that the bills were printed after 2000 as prior to this they may not be accepted or your exchange rate may be lower.

ATM

ATM's are normally found at the larger more modern shopping centers, and High St banks. Most 4 star + hotels and resorts have money changing facilities, but are unlikely to have ATM's.

Credit Cards

Visa and MasterCard credit cards are widely accepted. However, many shops will not have automatic dial-up systems. While there are no reports of massive credit card fraud in Kenya, it may be wise to use your a low limit credit card for these transactions, and don't let the card out of your sight.

And Finally

Many Safari tour operators, up market hotels and resorts prefer payment in US dollars or Euros if you don't book though us please check.

In the airports as you arrive and leave USD,Euro,UKP and Ksh are all accepted. However it is always wise to have a small amount of low denomination Ksh coins and notes on you.

On your return many UK Banks will not accept Kenya shilling notes if they are written on, old, or torn (even though they are happy to supply them like that) so when you come back to the UK only bring back good quality notes.