I'm after some advice from you African stars. My parents are flying out to Mombasa from the UK on Wednesday with KLM via Amsterdam and Nairobi. I know that their bags are going to be checked in and boarding passes issued all the way from the UK to Mombasa, but what happens immigration-wise? Do they need to enter Kenya in Nairobi, or Mombasa?

Any advice on this question, or information on either of these Kenyan airports would be appreciated as I know they have a 3-4 hour layover in Nairobi.

I think they'd have to enter in Nairobi; that's the big international airport and customarily you do customs at your first landfall within the country.

Cheers for the quick response DanTravels,

So therefore they'll have to go through immigration and customs, and then straight back through security, as they'll already have their bags checked through and boarding cards issued?

What are Nairobi and Mombasa airports like, facilities-wise?

From Amsterdam your parents will have their bags tagged through to Mombasa, as well as have their boarding cards issued (try and ask them to get a seat on the right hand side of the aircraft, as on the morning flights they get a fantastic view of Mt. Kilimanjaro).

On arrival in Nairobi, they clear immigration, collect their bags and then clear customs. When they exit customs, turn left, and walk through the car park to terminal 3, where they go through a light security check, and hand in their bags for the Mombasa flight.

Then it is one more security check, and a wait on a plastic seats. Nairobi airport is not great, especially domestic terminal, and there is no lounge. There is a coffee shop which serves good coffee, cold drinks and snacks.

Mombasa airport is not that much better either.

But they will enjoy Momabsa. I got back from there yesterday, the weather is warm, a bit of rain, but sunshine too.

roadwarriorafrica, thanks for that. No-one had actually mentioned to us so far that the flights operate from two separate terminals!! So guess that means they will have to go through immigration after all. But will they really have to collect their bags, if they are tagged all the way from the UK to Mombassa?

Yes, they need collect their bags and go through customs. It's similar to the arrival procedure in the US in that you go through both immigration and customs at your first point of entry and recheck your bags to your final destination.

They may also need a visa. (I dunno about UK subjects; US citizens do need one.) If they do need a visa, they can get one at the airport (US$50), but they can also get the visa from the Kenyan embassy or consulate before they leave the UK (which would make the airport bit a lot simpler).

Pretty sure they'll need one if they're going for more than 30 days; if it's less than 30 days and they're UK subjects, they may not, for largely historical reasons.

Oh, and I believe the cost is the same whether you get it at the airport or in advance.

My passport has quite a lot of Kenya stamps from last November, and I'm hoping to double the quantity this November.

Cheers for the advice guys. They got away this morning, so ive text them this info for them to receive in Amsterdam.

They decided to just get the visas from the Airport when they arrive. Quite funnily, the only people excempt from visas are the Irish and most members of the British Commonwealth... except of course Britain!!

I recommend they complete and print visa application forms online at the KQ website. That will speed up things on arrival.

Johan

Absolutely! If you're flying somewhere and can get your visa at the airport, having the paperwork already completed, with any supporting documents you'll need (photos, etc) is a must.

Well thanks for all the advice. They filled their visa in in the UK before they left. I'd seen that Kenya Airways form, but couldn't seem to get it to work

I hope all goes well for them at Nairobi airport. We flew 1-1/2 years ago from US via LHR to Nairobi on BA. We were in First and the purser asked us if we needed forms to fill out upon entry to Kenya. We already had them and printed them out, but it was mentioned that they only take US currency.

I'm not sure if that's still true.