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Here are some Kenya travel tips to help make your preparation and stay in Kenya a wonderful experience.
Before you buy your airline ticket to Kenya, you want to be sure you have everything you need or will be able to get it once you arrive in Kenya. Depending on your nationality or country of origin, you may need to apply for and get a visa before visiting Kenya. It is important that you do so immediately upon making the decision to travel, and that you make sure your visa does not expire during your travel. You can apply for and get a Kenya visa from your nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate. You can also get visa at the airport upon arrival but be ready to contend with the long queue
Not everyone needs a Kenya visa. You can view a full list of countries and nationals who need and do not need a Kenya visa. If you are an American or European citizen, you will need a visa to enter Kenya.
Also, make sure you have a current and valid passport, that it is not about to expire. Expect that your passport could take up to six weeks to arrive, so make sure you plan well in advance for your passport needs. As a rule, your passport should expire no sooner than six months before the end your travel.
When making preparations for your passport, it is advisable to make several copies of the actual passport or visa (in addition to the original). This is for your own safety because the last thing you want to do is to be out of your home country without any way to provide proof of your identity, should you lose your passport. You should leave one of the copies at home before you travel, just in case. When you travel with the original passport, always keep it locked up safely, in a hotel safe or other secure location.
Before you travel to Kenya, make sure that you are up to date on all immunizations. Although there are currently no inoculations that you must have when traveling to Kenya, if you intend to visit other countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Egypt, or other such areas that may be deemed infected, you will need inoculations. In such cases, you should make sure you have the following immunizations (depending on the specific area you intend to visit):
Other health advice when traveling to Kenya is to make sure you protect yourself from mosquito bites, which could lead to malaria. Some protective measures against mosquito bites include wearing long sleeved shirts/blouses and long pants, using mosquito repellent with a minimum of 30 percent DEET, and using mosquito nets. If you will be traveling to the Kenyan coast or Western Kenya, it is advisable to take anti-malaria pills.
Proper planning and packing is the key to a safe and comfortable trip to Kenya. Make sure you keep the following in mind when packing for your trip.
Remember that Kenya has a tropical climate. You should prepare yourself for a wide variety of conditions that may include dust, and wet, hot and/or cool weather. Put careful thought into your preparations and pack accordingly depending on your reason for traveling to Kenya and the activities you intend to participate in. Furthermore, make certain that your luggage can withstand harsh conditions as well, particularly if you intend to travel to different parts of the country. You also need to keep the requirements of the airline you will be flying with in mind. And don’t forget to leave some space to bring back gifts! Here are some basics to have when packing for your trip to Kenya:
When it comes to clothing, you need to take extra caution as Kenya often exhibits unpredictable weather patterns. Here’s a basic guide of the kind of weather to expect at certain times of the month.
January- mid March: Most parts of the country are hot and dry. Light dressing would be appropriate. You can however carry moderate clothing for the cold nights.
Mid-march-June: Most parts of the country are experiencing the long rains, but the weather is warm. Carry warm clothing.
June-mid October: Fairly hot. The plains are green and it is a good time to explore. Carry a mix of light and warm clothing as the temperatures drop drastically in the evening and nights.
Mid-October-December: Short rains. Most parts of the country are fairly cold and wet. It would be in order to carry warm and light clothes.
A point to observe is that in the major Kenya cities, most people appreciate contemporary culture and don’t place too much emphasis on dressing. In the rural areas however, because of the reserved African culture, there still exist prejudice towards women dressing in excessively short skirts, short dresses or shorts and pants. Business suits and business casual for men and ladies is the accepted wear if travelling to Kenya on business.
If you’re going on a tour, it would be advisable to consult with your tour guide, if you have one, as curio and gift shops often extend varying prices, depending on the customer. Some allow for a customer to bargain the offered price.
You always want to be aware of your surroundings when traveling away from home. Traveling to Kenya is no different. Be vigilant when in public places and even more when venturing out at night. In case of robbery, report the incident at the nearest police station. Kenya has a Tourist Safety and Communication Center that is always on call. They offer a 24hr tourist helpline (02-604767) where you can seek assistance if needed.
We understand that you want to take as many pictures of the beautiful country as possible, but before you begin to take pictures of houses or people, ask for their permission. In some cases, you may be required to offer a tip for those pictures.
Watch your money. Make sure that, when switching currency you do so in a reputable hotel, foreign exchange bureau or bank.
We hope these Kenya travel tips have been helpful and will prepare you for a wonderful visit to Kenya.
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