To help you in planning a successful trip, we have some of the basic travel tips to Kenya.
Travel tips on
- Visa and Passport
- Best time to visit Kenya
- Health requirements
- Safety precautions
- Currency and Business
- What to do and not to do.
Travel Tips on Visa and Passport
The Passport is the single most important travel document for international travel. So before you make any final preparations make sure you have a valid passport in hand. Travelers from most of the commonwealth countries do not need a visa to enter Kenya all you need is a valid passport. For travelers from other countries, a visa is a requirement and you can get one before you travel, from a Kenyan Embassy in your country or you can get one at the airport or at any border entry point. A single entry visa is only USD50 and it’s valid for thirty days, but you can always get an extension.
TIP – people from the following countries are required to have a visa prior to arrival in Kenya, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria (residing outside Nigeria), North Korea, Senegal, Somali, Syria, Tajikistan (this list is subject to change for more information visit Immigration website.
Health Requirements.
One of the most important travel tip to Kenya is one on Immunization, even though it’s not mandated is advisable to have inoculations for the following diseases especially if you are traveling from or through a country where Yellow fever is prevalent, you will need proof of inoculation.
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Polio
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Yellow fever*
- Rabies
- Meningitis
While planning your visit to Kenya keep in mind that it’s a tropical country, where the Malaria-carrying mosquitoes thrive, and Prevention consists of using effective protection against bites, plus taking anti-malarial medication. But Kenya is known for a chloroquine-resistant strain of malaria, which makes important to mention to your doctor that you are traveling to Kenya in particular so that they can prescribe effective medication. Travelers to very remote places should bring mosquito repellants and also consider purchasing stand-by malaria treatment, for use in an emergency.
Best Time to Visit
There is no one particular time that you cannot visit Kenya and have a blast, so the best time is determined by what you intend to do; if you want to experience the great spectacle of wildebeest migration the best time will be between July and September, and for animal safari the dry season is the ideal one, But if you are looking for a bargain the rains season is relatively cheaper, but the animals are hard to spot due to the overgrown savannah grasslands.
Safety Tips.
Kenyans are quite hospitable and very friendly to foreigners, but that does not mean there are no goons and crooks amongst them. Do not give up the opportunity to mix with the locals, but be careful of who you interact with especially in the big cities; some simple precautions will ensure that you have a great experience while staying safe, one- do not wear jewelry, money belt, or carry a lot of camera equipment, avoid venturing out at night unless accompanied by someone, a person that you trust; and always be aware of your surroundings.
Travel tips on Local Currency and Business
The official currency is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh /=). Available in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings, and coins starting from 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 shillings. Travelers’ checks and credit cards are widely accepted, plus one can always get cash advance from your credit card, from the local banks. Travelers are always advised to convert foreign currency into local currency at banks, bureaux de change and authorized hotels.
The do’s and don’ts
While on safari do not wear bright colors they tend to attract wild animals.
Do not take pictures of people without their consent.
It’s advisable to drink bottled water
It is advisable to travel with a small medical kit.
