Kenya in cash.
The Masai Mara and its great wildebeest crossings, Nakuru's flamingos, coral-fringed Diani. The shilling changes well locally — but arriving equipped means arriving like a lord.
Helvetica Exchange prepares your KES travel envelope at Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, 1204 Geneva (Rive district) — the posted rate, no separate commission, Monday–Friday 08:30–18:30 and Saturday 09:00–17:00. Reserve and your rate is held for 3 hours during opening hours; ID from the LBA thresholds.
The cities, chosen.
Masai Mara
The savannah of the documentaries — the Great Migration crosses the Mara from July to October.
Game drives & river crossings — Reserve entry ~US$70–80/day inside packages; guide tips US$15–25/day.
A Maasai village — Warrior dances and homestead visits — negotiate craftwork in shillings.
Nairobi
The only capital on Earth with a lion park inside the city.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — The orphan elephants' hour — 11 am sharp.
Giraffe Centre — Feed Rothschild giraffes at eye level.
Diani & the coast
White sand, coral reef and dhows — the Indian Ocean, Kenyan style.
A dhow & snorkelling trip — Kisite reef, frequent dolphins, crab lunch.
Diani Beach — 17 km of powder — a sunset cocktail for a few hundred shillings.
Getting around.
Safarilink bush flights reach the Mara in 45 min; the modern SGR train links Nairobi–Mombasa (5 h). On safari everything is arranged; in town M-Pesa rules, yet the visitor pays better in ringing shillings.
Cash & banknotes.
Travel with a mix: shillings for markets, tuk-tuks and small restaurants; recent dollars for lodges and safari tips. July to October for the river crossings — book early, it is absolute high season.
| Rate reservation | held 3 hours, during opening hours |
| Counter hours | Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 · Sat 09:00–17:00 |
| Commission | none — the margin lives in the posted rate |
Before you go.
Shillings or dollars?
Both travel well: shillings for markets, tuk-tuks and small tables; recent dollars for lodges and safari tips — a mix means never being caught short.
When to see the Great Migration?
July to October for the Mara river crossings — book early, it is the absolute high season.
Indicative amounts — rate reservable for 3 hours · Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, Geneva · Guide complet en français