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INFORMATION LOCATION: Kenya is located in Eastern Africa on the Equator, bordering the Indian Ocean with Tanzania to the south and Uganda to the east.Timezone is GMT +3.
WEATHER: It's generally sunny, dry and not too hot for most of the year in Kenya despite being situated on the equator with the average temperature in Mombasa at 30 degrees celsius (86F). For the beaches the best time to go is December to March and July to September .The coastal temperatures remain steadily hot for most of the year, but on the beach the humidity is kept at bay by the ocean breeze.The wettest months are April to May and there's also a short rainy season from October to November.
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GETTING THERE: Scheduled airlines fly to Nairobi with a short connection from Jomo Kenyatta International to Mombasa. Charters operate directly into Mombasa (charging a nominal amount for board carriage). Diani Beach is 45kms south of Mombasa Island, involving a short ferry ride (with occasionally lengthy queues) followed by a 30minute drive through plantations of coconut, mango and cashew.
Alternatively Safarilink Aviation operate daily flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the airstrip at Diani Beach.
TOUR OPERATORS: Extreme Safari, a tour operator specializing in sports and adventure travel in Kenya, can arrange accommodation at the Sands at Nomad as well as other hotels and self-catering cottages in Diani. They will also take care of domestic flights and transfers, a range of safaris and other activities (from Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro treks, to white-water rafting). Details at: www.extremesafari.com/SUP.html or email: info@extreme-safari.com Tel: +44 208 874 6712 / +44 7816 764 653
SURF SCHOOLS: H2O Extreme offer windsurf, kitesurf and SUP lessons and rentals out of three locations in Diani Beach, 45 kms south of Mombasa. Details at: www.h2o-extreme.com or email: info@h2o-extreme.com. Tel: +254 721 495 876
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT: Travel by motorcycle or by jeep on dirt roads and tracks. Ride an enduro or self-drive a 4x4 through overland, cross country guided expeditions with full back-up. Enjoy camping in the bush, through tropical and indigenous environments. Meet different cultures, wild animals, extraordinary flora, make photos. An ultimate journey within Africa for bikers and riders. Contact Syd Rasheed, UK Mobile: 07402 479835 and email motosafari@hotmail.co.uk. Details at: www.motorbike-safari.com
TOURISM: Kenya is Africa's most popular safari destination and it's capital Nairobi is East Africa's economic hub. Kenya has a good tourist infrastructure and major credit cards are accepted in all well known hotels and in most shops and restaurants.
VISAS: Visitors from Europe, US, Canada, Australia and South Africa all require visas to enter Kenya. These can be acquired on arrival (currently $50 US or equivalent in Euro, Pounds Sterling and Swiss Francs). Visitors from a number of African countries do not require a visa; likewise the nationals of certain Pacific and Carribean Islands (who benefit from an immigration treaty). Nationals of Iran, North Korea, Lebanon and others will need to apply for a visa from their local embassy before travelling..