Top 7 Kenya Travel Tips: Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Kenya

No matter which country you are travelling to if it is your first visit, then it pays to know what to expect to keep unwanted surprises at bay. For Nairobi Kenya travel, there are a few things you need to know before visiting this splendid and awe-inspiring country. Thus, below are a few Kenya travel tips that’ll help make your travel plan to Kenya seem less daunting.

1. Visa, Passport and Currency

While travelling to Kenya you need a visa and a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. You can get an eVisa by applying online (this is valid for 3 months) or you can purchase one on arrival (the long queue, though, may be tiresome).

You can also opt for an East Africa visa if you are planning to travel to other regional areas. This visa allows you to travel between Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. The currency used here is Kenyan shilling (KSh) and 1 USD equals to 101 Kenyan Shilling.

2. Immunization is Important

If you plan to travel to Kenya, then immunization is a must. Some of the mandatory travel vaccinations for Kenya includes Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever, Cholera, Meningitis and Rabies. The airport authorities will ask you for a certificate of these vaccines before allowing you entry into the country. So, immunization is not an option but a prerequisite for Kenya travel plans.

3. Pack Smart and Dress Well

Another important Kenya travel tip is to pack smart and bring along basic essentials suitable for the tropical climate. This includes lightweight and colour-neutral clothes, especially if you are going on a safari trip. Sturdy & comfortable shoes/boots, sunscreen, insect repellent, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, toiletries and medical kit are a few other essential things you should pack.

Don’t forget to carry your camera. Also, ensure that you are dressed well at all times so as to not draw undue attention to yourself. Lastly, depending on the month you are travelling to Kenya, you’d also need warm jackets and windcheaters as during mid-March-June and mid-October-December, Kenya experiences acute rainfalls and cold/wet weather respectively.

4. Personal Safety

Is it safe to go to Kenya? Is it safe to travel to Nairobi? Well, the simple answer is Yes! But, like travelling to any other country, your personal safety is in your hand. Be observant and aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking around at night. Be wary of strangers. Educate yourself on the cultural difference to avoid any faux pas. And, in case you require any help, you can get in touch with the Kenya Tourism Federation Safety & Communication Centre or call on their 24hrs tourist helpline number.

5. Don’t Miss Out On The Big Five

Most people travel to Kenya for a Safari trip. Kenya is home to the world’s most popular reserve - the Masai Mara National Reserve. While here, don’t miss out on the big five - Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and Cape Buffalo. Nairobi National Park is another famous tourist destination for spotting lions, zebras, leopards and giraffes.

Apart from Kenya Safari, if you have opted for an East Africa visa, then you can make the most of it by going on a Gorilla Watching safari tour in Uganda or visiting the Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda which is home to the chimpanzee and other species of native primates.

6.Food and Drink

The ethnic cuisine in Kenya may not be very vast, but all meals are made using fresh produce and are seasoned deliciously. Meals mostly includes steak, fish, rice and other grains. For drinking purposes, bottled water is advised.

7. The Great Wildebeest Migration

If you are travelling to Kenya, specifically for a safari tour, then you can’t miss out on seeing the Great Wildebeest Migration. Starting from July to October, this is one of the EPIC wildlife migrations in the world, where over 2 million animals cross the great Mara River from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya in search of greener pastures.

#Conclusion

This about sums up the Kenya travel tips you should follow. Kenya is an amazing country filled with wildlife, spectacular landscape, natural wonders and has a diverse culture made of different tribes. This makes it a multi-lingual country with the two official languages being - English and Swahili. The Kenyan people are friendly and hospitable. And, being a fairly inexpensive tourist destination there is no reason why Kenya should not be on your travel bucket list!