Getting visas and carrying cash

Information from Eden Grace:

Re getting visas -- the best and simplest way to do this is to buy the visa upon arrival at the airport in Nairobi. You don't need to do anything in advance. They will give you the application form on the airplane. You don't need to attach passport photos when you are applying in person. The cost is $25.

Which leads me to the question of what money to carry -- The visa has to be paid in US cash. You should also have some cash for emergencies, but you probably won't need to use it. Any US cash you bring should be crisp new bills, dated 2006 or later. Ask the bank teller for new bills. In Kenya they will reject anything old or tattered. Other than visa money and emergency money, you don't need to carry cash. And definitely don't bother with travelers cheques!! If you can even find a place that will take them, the exchange rate will be horrible. Our recommendation is to use your ATM card to draw Kenya shillings directly from your bank account. This gives by far the best exchange rate. You'll need to advise your bank in advance that you are planning to use your card in Kenya, so they don't trigger a suspected theft/fraud and block your card.

Definitely, you can send money in advance. I can take care of paying for all the bookings, and you can cover the cost by sending a check to the FUM office in Richmond IN. No need to wire anything -- FUM has good systems in place for that.