Important Travel Tips to Kenya

Published by: Rono K Lenny

Going on a safari calls for prior and adequate planning. Here are some important travel tips to Kenya that will help you prepare adequately prior to visiting Kenya. It will also make your stay in Kenya a wonderful experience. 

Travel Tip 1: Visa and Passport Information

When travelling to Kenya, you might be required to apply for a Kenya visa. Whether you will need to have one depends entirely on your nationality. Some citizens will need to have a Kenya visa while others will be exempted.

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You can review a list of nationals who need to have a Kenya visa and those who are exempted. You can also look at your nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate where you can apply for a Kenya visa if it’s a necessity for you. 

Another important travel tip is to ensure your passport is current, valid and not about to expire. When applying for your passport it may take up to one and a half months before it arrives. This means you have to plan well in advance so as to avoid any inconveniences.

In case you already have a visa, then make sure its expiry period is not less than six months before the end of your safari. Ensure that if you safari is going to take one month, your visa still has got a minimum of seven months before it expires. 

After you get your passport, it is advisable that you make several copies of the actual passport for your own safety. This ensures that in case you lose your original passport, you have its copy as a backup. 

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 Imagine a situation whereby you are in a foreign country and your passport gets lost. If you had not photocopy of your passport, you will not have any document to proof your nationality or identity. That’s why it is very important to have a copy. 

You can even leave one of the copies at home just in case. Once you set out for the journey, ensure to keep your passport in a safe place. In a nutshell, you should ensure that you have the following before leaving for Kenya:

            A valid passport

            An arrival ticket

            A return ticket

            Adequate funds

            A visa (if it is required)

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 Note: There are only 7 Northern White Rhinos remaining in the entire world, and it is in this spectacular site where you can find 4 of them. 

Travel Tip 2: Health Tips for Kenya

Another set of important travel tips to Kenya concerns your health. Prior to visiting Kenya, ensure that you are up to date on all immunizations. Although inoculations prior to visiting Kenya are not a must, it will be safe to be inoculated if you intend to visit its neighboring countries. 

Depending on the place you intend to visit in Kenya, make sure you have the following immunizations:

·         Yellow Fever

·         Hepatitis

·         Tetanus

·         Typhoid

·         Malaria prescriptions 

Malaria is one of the most prevalent diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. This should however not bother you since there are ways to ensure that you stay safe.Protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved shirts or blouses and pants, using mosquito repellant and using a mosquito net. In case you will be travelling to coastal area of Kenya, it is advisable to use anti-malaria pills. 

Here are the best beaches in Kenya which you can visit when you travel to Kenya. 

Another important tip regarding your health is to purchase short-term travel and medical insurance in your home country. These services could however be part of your credit cards. You can confirm this with your credit card company. 

In case of health or emergency situation, you can call 999 for help. This can help you when you need an ambulance or police aid. 020-604767 is a 24hr Tourist Safety Hotline that will come in handy anytime you need help. For more information on this, have a look at this tourism site.

Travel Tip 3: Packing Tips for Kenya

Kenya is a sub-Saharan country with tropical climate characterized by hot and/or cool climate, periods of high rainfall, dry spells etc. Depending on the time you visit Kenya and the tourist attraction sites you going to visit, you should prepare adequately and pack accordingly. 

In case you will visit different parts and engage in different activities such as mountain trekking or camping, then ensure the clothes you pack can withstand harsh conditions. In case you may not be in a good position to visit Kenya every summer, you should pack keeping in mind that on your way back home you might take a few gifts with you.

Among the things you can pack on your journey to Kenya include:

·         Basic essentials

·         Camera

·         Video camera

·         Binoculars

·         Lightweight casual clothes

·         A few formal wear

·         Comfortable strong shoes or boots

·         Sandals or flip-flops

·         Brimmed hat

·         Insect repellant

·         Sunscreen

·         Sunglasses

·         Flashlight

·         Medical kit

·         Travel documents (passport, visa, etc.)

·         Insurance documents

·         Vaccination certificates

·         Credit/debit cards

·         Travelers’ cheque

·         Portable electronic gadgets (phones/tablets etc.)

Travel Tip 4: Clothing & Dress Code Tips

Kenya is a country that is characterized by unpredictable weather patterns. For this reason, you need to be extra cautious and dress appropriately. Weather patterns throughout the year ia usually like this: 

January – Mid March:         Most parts of the country experience hot and dry weather. You can opt to use light dressing during the day and moderate clothing for the cold nights

Mid-March – June:               Most parts experience long rains. You should carry warm clothing.

June – Mid October:             Most parts of the country experience fairly hot weather. You should carry warm & light clothing. During this time of the year, temperatures can get very low especially at night.

Mid Oct’ – December:           Most parts of the country are fairly cold and wet. This period is characterized by short rains. Carry both warm & light clothing. 

Travel Tip 5: Safety & Security Tips

Being away from home calls for extra caution since you do not know much of your destination in terms of how secure it is. When you travel to Kenya, be vigilant when in public places. Going out at night is not very safe unless you know the place you are going very well. 

In case of robbery, you should report the incident immediately to the nearest police station. You can call Tourist Safety Hotline number 020-604767 if you need assistance. The Tourist Safety and Communication Center will help you with travel advisories, updates, health issues, road conditions and security. 

Kenya Travel Tips Dos and Don’ts

·         Do not take pictures of people or houses before asking for permission. Some tribes are very sensitive when it comes to this matter.

·         Only switch currencies in foreign exchange bureau or banks

·         Only carry the amount of money you need for the day instead of carrying all your money everywhere you go.

·         Do not display your valuables such as jewelries to everyone or in public.

·         Avoid wearing brightly colored clothes when you go on a safari. Bright clothes attract wild animals. Some parks restrict wearing of brightly colored clothes.

·         Only drink bottled or mineral water on your safari. Avoid drinking water you get anywhere because it is not a guarantee that the water is clean for drinking.

·         Never approach wild animals even if they appear friendly and harmless. Only do so if your travel guide tells you that it is allowed.

For financial guide when planning to visit Kenya, this article might be exactly what you need. These travel tips to Kenya will be very important if pocket is quite limited. 

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