Important information to know while preparing for your trip.

Your Passport
As a travel document, your passport is the only evidence of your Canadian citizenship
and identity that is accepted in all countries. You and all family members should have a
valid passport if you plan to travel outside Canada. Passport applications are available at
the Passport Canada website, Passport Canada offices, postal outlets in Canada and
Canadian government offices abroad.

Processing Time
Passport Canada is currently experiencing a sharp volume increase in
passport applications. The normal processing period for in-person
applications in Canada is 10 working days. The processing of mail-in applications takes a
minimum of 20 working days. So, plan to apply well before departure.

Make photocopies of your passport’s identification page and of your identification cards.
Keep the copies separate from the originals when travelling. For added security, leave a
copy with a friend or relative at home. We also recommend that you carry a birth or
citizenship certificate in addition to your Canadian passport. These simple steps may
speed the replacement process if you lose your passport.

If your passport is due to expire within six months of your scheduled return to Canada,
check with the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Canada for its rules and
restrictions regarding passport validity and expiration. Some countries will not let you
enter if your passport is due to expire within six months of entry.

Emergency Contact numbers.

Consular Affairs Bureau

www.voyage.gc.ca

General
Tel.: 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788
TTY: 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-1310
E-mail: voyage@international.gc.ca

Emergencies
Tel.: 613-996-8885
(call collect from abroad where available)
E-mail: sos@international.gc.ca
Visa Requirements.

Currently, Canadian citizens require a visa issued by the Kenyan immigration authorities
to enter the country. You may obtain a visa prior to departure from Canada at the Kenyan
High Commission in Ottawa. If going this route it is advisable to go to the embassy
yourself. Do not mail your passport because they may delay the process. Most visa
applications take one afternoon to obtain.

Kenyan High Commission in Ottawa Tel # 1(613) 563-1773.

Alternatively, you may obtain a visa upon entry to Kenya at the Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport immigration counter in Nairobi for a fee of $50USD cash (please
note that the Kenyan authorities do not accept other forms of payment ONLY
AMERICAN DOLLARS).

Make photocopies of your passport’s identification pages and of your identification

cards. Keep the copies separate from the originals when travelling. For added security,
leave a copy with a friend or relative at home. We also recommend that you carry a birth
or citizenship certificate in addition to your Canadian passport. These simple steps may
speed the replacement process if you lose your passport.

Supplemental Health Insurance

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured
while abroad. At best, your health plan will cover only a portion of the bill. It is your
responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your supplementary travel insurance
policy.

Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not
assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate
coverage. Some companies charge an additional premium for travel coverage. Others
require that you pay for your travel arrangements using that card. Verify the conditions,
limitations and requirements before departure.

You may also be eligible for coverage via the health plan at 1800 GOT JUNK. Inquire
with management to see if you qualify.

Be sure to ask whether your policy:

• Has an in-house, worldwide emergency hotline you can call if you are in trouble.
Find out whether it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week; if the operators
are multilingual; and whether nurses or physicians are on staff.
• Pays foreign hospital and related medical costs and, if so, whether it pays up front
or expects you to pay and be reimbursed later.
• Provides for medical evacuation to Canada or the nearest location with
appropriate medical care.
 • Covers pre-existing medical conditions. Notify your insurance company and get
an agreement in writing that you are covered for such conditions. Otherwise, you
could find your claim “null and void” under a pre-existing condition clause.
• Allows for cash advances if a doctor or hospital requires immediate payment.

Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or a
relative at home and a travelling companion how to contact your insurer.

One must visit a travel clinic before travelling. It is strongly advised to do this at least
4 - 6 weeks before you plan on travelling. Certain vaccinations and immunizations are
required before travelling to sub-sahara Africa. The following are mandatory:

• Malaria - This is taken as a pill one full week before the trip, throughout the
entire trip and a few weeks after the trip. The pills can be taken once a week and
remember the pills are available in Kenya for a fraction of the cost. You can opt
to but the first weeks worth of RX in Canada and the rest in Kenya to save $$.
• Yellow Fever – This is a shot and must be taken prior to the trip. Usually a
certificate is given after receiving this vaccine. It is advisable to carry this
certificate when you travel.

Strongly recommended:

• Hepatitis A & B

A brief list of available travel clinics in Toronto or visit http://www.travelhealth.gc.ca

and at http://www.csih.org

• MEDISYS Health Group , 95 St. Clair Avenue West 12th Floor, Toronto, ON
M4V 1N6. Tel. (416) 926-2698. Dr. Dominique Tessier.
• Medisys Travel Health Clinic, 123 Edward Street Suite 505, Toronto, ON
M5G 1E2. Tel (416) 730-5700. Dr. Kevin Kain
• Travel Medicine Centre, 700 Bay Street Suite 609. Toronto, ON M5G 1Z6.
Tel (416) 340-8222, Dr. Philip Scappatura.
• Infectious Tropical & Parasitic Diseases, 75 The Donway West Unit 507,
Toronto, ON
M3C 2E9. Tel (416) 447-3324, Dr. Philip F. Stuart.
• Traveller's Medical Service & Geographic Medicine, Sterling Tower 372 Bay
Street Suite 401. Toronto, ON M5H 2W9. Tel (416) 350-3555 Dr. John Hii.
Finance

Kenyan currency is in Kenyan shillings (Kshs). US dollars are the most widely accepted
form of foreign currency in Kenya. Canadian dollars are also accepted at banks and
foreign exchange bureaus. Currently the Canadian dollar is .Kshs 66.97 and the USD is
Kshs 72.91.

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted forms of credit card. American
Express is not that widely accepted in Kenya.
Travellers cheques are only accepted in banks (and in some hotels however the exchange
rate is not good) and you will need to take your passport and the purchase receipt with
you to cash them. Royal Bank and TD debit cards are accepted in some of the major
ATM’s in Nairobi.

Remember NOT to carry all your money in one place. A mixture of cash, travellers
cheques and credit/debit cards stored in separate places is the safest way to travel.

Recommended Equipment List.

Everything required for day to day living will be provided for you at your residence.
These include food, beds, amenities & first aid equipment. The following is a list of
things you may require for your trip:

Luggage

Backpack…… When flying into the country you may use a suitcase however having a
large backpack/rucksack is essential. This will be a good way to carry clothes on short
road trips around the country. In the event we go on safari, backpacks are much more
portable than suitcases. A good back pack can double as hand luggage as well.

Clothes & Footwear

T-shirts & shorts (at least x2)……. Kenya sits on the equator meaning that it can get
quite hot in the afternoon.

Workpants & old t-shirts (x2)……. We will be spending 5 days a week at the work site
doing hands on construction work. You will get dirty.

Work gloves…… A standard pair of Got junk gloves should do the trick.

Work boots…. You will be working at a construction site.

Good pair of Jeans and shirts (at least x3)….. We may go out for dinner or attend
certain functions. You don’t have to dress GQ but it is advisable to look presentable.
Good pair of sneakers…. For walking around the city, going on safaris and nights on the
town.

Flip-flops….. Essential everywhere

Long sleeved tops (x2)….. In the evenings it can get chilly. Also advisable to protect
against mosquitoes.

Spring Jacket….. November in Kenya is the short rains season. It’s advisable to have
something that can keep you dry.

Sweater/ fleece…. It can get chilly in the evenings.

Socks & underwear (at least x5)…. Self explanatory, unless you plan on going
commando a clean pair of undies is vital. Socks are essential for preventing blisters and
protection against mosquitoes in the evenings.

Sleeping bag…… This is not essential however it is recommended, just incase we go

camping.

Personal Kit

Sunscreen…. You will be on the equator & sun rays are very intense in the afternoon.

Sunglasses…. See above.

Lip balm & moisturizer…. The sun can take a toll on your skin

Sun Hat…. Coz they make you look cool

Passport photo copies (x2 copies)

Insurance details (x2 copies)

Water bottle…. Safe drinking water will be provided at the home, you will need to take
water into the field with you everyday.

Anti bacterial hand gel and wipes…. Quick way to disinfect your hands while in the
field.

Money belt/ bum bag… Useful for keeping money, cards and important documents.

Body spray/ deodorant…. Hot sun + sweaty dudes = …. Yeah! You guessed it.

Flannel/ wash cloth

Towel…. For personal use when travelling. While at residence clean towels will be
provided.

Travel pillow….. Not essential but recommended for comfort on long car trips and in the
event of camping.

Any snacks you think you may crave when on the trip.

Things you should know

• On arrival at the airport, when at the immigration counter mention that you are here
as a tourist. DO NOT mention that you are here to work/ volunteer. There are some
corrupt officials at immigration who may take this opportunity to try and get you to
pay for a work permit and/or bribe them. This process is long, complicated and
expensive. Keep it simple by saying you are on vacation and you’ll be fine.
• Do NOT bring any alcohol or cigarettes with you into the country. Alcohol and
cigarettes are heavily taxed and you will pay an arm and a leg on duties for either.
Furthermore there’s plenty of both in the country so no need to bring any.
• Do NOT bring any illicit drugs into the country. Recreational drugs are highly illegal
in Kenya and you will be thrown in prison if caught with any drugs.
• If you have prescription drugs it is advisable that you bring the prescription with you.
• Do NOT store all your money/ credit/ debit cards all in one place. It is good to have
them stored in several places incase you lose a piece of luggage.
• Have all your suitcases marked with your name and destination address. The
following is the information on your residence and contact info in Kenya: P.O BOX
57588-00200 Nairobi, Kenya. Tel 011 (254) 0721 970 633 or 011 (254) 722 791 283
• Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least another 6 months from your date
of departure.
• Always arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure time.
• Make sure you know the luggage limitations of the airline you are travelling with.
These days most airlines only accept about 23kgs per luggage and only 2 pieces of
luggage are allowed. They also allow only one piece of hand luggage. Furthermore
they do NOT allow any liquids in your hand luggage. Be sure to check the airlines
restrictions online before departure.
• Be sure to check your airline reservation 48 hours prior to departure.
• Please read this information package several times before you go on the trip. It is
advisable to make a check list for yourself.