Kenya is undoubtedly one of the most magical and achingly beautiful countries in the world thanks to its diverse landscapes, a spectacular variety of wild animals, pristine beaches, fantastic hiking trails, friendly people and of course world-class safari opportunities.
Travelling here can be both thrilling and challenging. Therefore, keep these travel tips to Kenya in mind when traveling here.
Be Aware of your Surroundings
Though Kenya is pretty safe for tourists! Even though it is one of the most popular places to visit in Africa and used to tourists, you should always be beware of your surroundings and practice general common-sense safety rules.
you should avoid high poverty places like slums where you could be a target for theft or getting mugged. At any time you should avoid wearing flashy jewellery or showing off expensive electronics while in public. If you’re inside a car keep the windows rolled up except for when you’re on one of those amazing Kenya safaris of course.
Dress Moderately in Kenya
Ensure that you keep your clothing a bit conservative. Wearing hot pants, crop tops, and other clothes that show too much skin is not a good look especially in rural Kenya.
Make sure that the fabric comfortable especially in hot weather. Bring a sweater, jacket, or warm fleece blanket for the chilly morning and evenings.
Also dressing down minimizes attention to yourself, but more about that later in what to wear in Kenya. Due to the high poverty rate in Kenya, tourists can be viewed as targets by opportunistic individuals
Vaccinations and Health Requirements for Kenya
There are several vaccinations that you need to protect your health on your trip to
Kenya. Some are mandatory while others aren’t. The compulsory vaccination is Yellow Fever and you will be required to show a certificate of inoculation on entry. So put your vaccinations book on your Kenya packing list.
There are several diseases that you could be exposed to when you travel to Kenya, so it is strongly recommended that you also get the following vaccines: diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, rabies, polio, and cholera.
Is there malaria in Kenya? Yes there is, but not everywhere. Nairobi and other highlands are low-risk malaria zones, but in the valleys and low lands it is recommended to take anti-malarial medication. The most commonly prescribed anti malaria medication for Kenya is Malarone. Although it is adviced, I did NOT take any malaria pills. It is totally up to you.
Get travel insurance
It’s also highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for evacuation and medical emergencies. This offers you emergency treatment and an air ambulance to a hospital in Nairobi. Since a lot of things to do in Kenya are in fairly remote areas I strongly recommend you to get a good travel insurance.
Carry passport copy All the Time
Always make sure that you carry a copy of your passport with you at all times. This is required by law in Kenya. If the police stop you, you’ll be expected to present it upon request. It happened to me several times, as I recommend you to leave your original passport in the safe in your hotel.
Nowadays a photo on your phone will often do the job, but still I recommend you bring a hard copy. It is a small effort to easily get you out of trouble.
Get a Kenya sim card on arrival
If you want to stay connected to the internet than get yourself a Kenya sim czard on arrival. It is pretty easy and can be done in 5 minutes. You will get them everywhere around the big cities, but the easiest is to buy a Kenya sim card at Nairobi Airport.
Have your passport ready and get your some GB to keep your friends up to date on Instagram about your amazing trip to Kenya.
Safaricom is the leading telecommunication company in Kenya and it offers great call and data packages.
Things to carry for Safari
Packing the right safari clothes is always a good idea, but it’s never essential because you can wear whatever you want.
To take the stress out of packing and to make sure that you bring everything you need on your trip, here’s a list of all the essentials that you need to pack:
Water Bottle
Comfortable clothes (including a swimming costume) and shoes
Toiletries
Passport and a valid driver’s license if you’ll be doing some driving
A camera plus extra batteries ( see my travel gear list for more tips)
A wide-brimmed hat or cap
Sunglasses
Reef SAFE Sunscreen and lip balm
Credit cards and a small amount of cash in low denominations
Malaria pills and other necessary medication
Reading material and an iPod with downloaded music or podcasts
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