Kenya Travel Advice
To many, Africa as a continent is still quite a mystery, as many people don’t know what to expect when traveling here. We put together some advice for first-timers as well as experienced travellers. This way, we make sure you step into the plane with a peaceful mind and need only think about the beautiful wildlife and views you are about to see!
Take your shots
Kenya is a tropical country and some vaccinations are recommended when visiting, Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever being the common ones. Malaria used to be a problem in Kenya, but has been mostly eradicated in recent years. However, most visitors take malaria medication to be sure and protect themselves at night with mosquito repellent. Make sure to pack some long-sleeved tops and trousers in case you want to be outdoors at night. All lodges are equipped with mosquito nets for you to avoid contact with mosquitos.
We are no doctors, however, and at all times recommend you ask your physician or local health center for up-to-date advice before travelling to Kenya.
For Kenyan Covid-19 policies we kindly refer you to the Kenyan Ministry of Health.
Get your visa/ eTA
You need an approved eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Kenya. You need to apply for this online BEFORE traveling, via this link of the official government eTA website.
The eTA costs 34,09 USD and is valid for three months. An official travel document is required, which has to be valid for at least six months after the last day of travel.
Money in hand
The Kenyan Shilling is the official currency of Kenya. It is the common currency to use, even though hotels usually also accept US dollars. 1 US Dollar is approximately 110,- Kenyan Shilling.
Also payments with credit cards are possible in most places. However, we advise to have at least some Kenyan Shillings at hand.
Dive into the language…
Kenya is a multilingual country, with Swahili and English being the two official languages. Almost all Kenyans speak both languages, many times mixed with each other (English with Swahili or vice versa) and with tribal languages.
…and the culture
Kenyans are a very welcoming people, who are known for their hospitality. In general, people will easily start up conversations with travellers. Sharing food is an important cultural custom, and people usually invite you for dinner or to share their meal. Street sellers will never miss the opportunity to sell you something, but in general, are not too pushy.
Greetings is also an important custom, with many different varieties and usually a response that differs from the initial greeting. Here are the most basic greetings :
” -Habari! ” -Mambo! “-Jambo!
– Nzuri.” -Poa!” -Jambo.”
Stay safe
Many people traveling to the African continent have questions about safety. Is Kenya safe to travel to? Our answer is clear: YES!
Kenya is definitely a safe country to visit, especially for people going on organised game drives with private guides as you will do with us. There are definitely some places to avoid in big cities like Nairobi or Mombasa, but – as with all big cities – by taking some precautions, you will be fine. We advise, for example, to leave the hotel at night with a driver and not to go strolling around alone. Also be aware not to wear big and visible jewellery, and keep an eye on your valuables.
Know the time difference
Los Angeles: – 10 hours
New York: – 7 hours
London: – 2 hours
Berlin: – 2 hours
Hong Kong: +5 hours
Sydney: + 7 hours
Fun Fact!
Traditionally, Kenyans have their own way of telling time in Swahili. The day starts at 6am, after which they start counting up to twelve. That’s why 7am in Swahili is saa mmoja (1 o’clock) and 1pm is saa saba (7 o’clock). 6pm is saa kumi na mbili (12 o’clock) and 7pm again saa mmoja!
Still have questions? For more information you can always contact us.
