Do You Tip in Kenya?

Do you tip in Kenya?

Tipping in Kenya is appreciated and, in the tourism sector, customary. In restaurants, a tip of around 10 percent is common for good service, though check whether a service charge has been added. Tipping is especially important on safari: guides and drivers, who greatly shape your experience, are customarily tipped a daily amount, and lodge and camp staff are often tipped through a communal box or individually. Hotel porters and helpers are also tipped small amounts. Carry sufficient cash, often in a mix of shillings and US dollars, for these tips, since they are expected and meaningful. So plan to tip around 10 percent in restaurants and to budget customary tips for safari guides and staff, which are an important part of travel in Kenya.

What currency is used in Kenya?

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling, abbreviated KES. Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, and shops in cities, but cash is important for markets, small vendors, tips, and rural areas, so carry shillings in useful denominations. Kenya is also notable for its widespread mobile money system, used for many local payments. ATMs are available in cities and towns for withdrawing shillings. When paying by card, choose to be charged in shillings rather than your home currency, and use a card with no foreign transaction fees. For a safari or trip beyond the cities, carrying enough cash for tips and purchases is important, as card acceptance is limited in remote areas.

What power plugs are used in Kenya?

Kenya uses the type G electrical plug, the three rectangular-pin style used in the United Kingdom, a legacy of British colonial history, and the supply is 240 volts at 50 hertz. Travelers from countries with different sockets, such as the US or continental Europe, will need a UK-style plug adapter to fit Kenyan outlets, while UK visitors can plug in directly. Since Kenya runs on 240 volts, also confirm your devices are dual voltage, marked around 100 to 240 volts on the charger, which most modern electronics are, or bring a voltage converter for any single-voltage appliance. On safari, note that power may be limited or generator-based, so charge devices when you can and consider a power bank.

Can you drink the tap water in Kenya?

The tap water in Kenya is not considered safe for tourists to drink, so you should stick to bottled or properly filtered and treated water throughout your trip. Tap water quality varies and can carry bacteria or parasites that cause illness in visitors, so drink sealed bottled water, check the seal, and use it for brushing teeth to be cautious. Avoid ice unless you are sure it is from purified water, and be careful with raw foods washed in tap water. On safari, lodges and camps usually provide safe drinking water. Bottled water is widely available in towns and cities. Relying on bottled or treated water is the sensible and standard choice for travelers in Kenya.