10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO KENYA
10 Things to Know Before Travelling to Kenya : Kenya is a wonder destination to visit for your travels in Africa, however to ensure that you have a wonderful and memorable experience. There are some of the things you have to know which will help you get the most of your Kenya tour.
Here are the 10 things to know before travelling to Kenya.
THERE ARE TWO RAINY SEASONS
Climate and weather are one of the is one of the most important aspects to know before traveling to Kenya, Kenya has incredible climatic conditions including two rainy seasons that is the long rainy season and the short rainy season. The long rainy season is experienced from March – November while the short rainy season is experienced in November.
Travelers are not recommended to travel to Kenya during the rainy seasons, however the rainy season is perfect for birding tours in Kenya and the rates are relatively low thus being a perfect time for low budget travelers to travel to Kenya. In this rainy season, some roads can be damaged and impossible to navigate due to large amounts of rainfall.
The best recommended time to visit Kenya is during the dry season perfect for spotting animals on game viewing experiences, mountain climbing and relaxing on the white sands of the Kenyan coast.
BE SURE TO GO ON SAFARI
Going on a safari is one thing you should lookout for while traveling to Kenya, safari in Kenya is a thrilling and once in a life time experience. Kenya is listed among the best countries on the continent of Africa to do a safari, one of the most popular safari destinations not to miss in Kenya is Maasai Mara national reserve. The reserve is famous known for hosting a variety of wildlife and is the second place to witness the Great wildebeest Migration involving movement of millions of wildebeests and hundred thousands of gazelles and zebras on their annual movement in the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem.
YOU WILL PROBABLY NEED A VISA
To visit Kenya as a tourist you will need a visa specifically a Tourist Visa, a tourist Visa generally lasts for 30 days. One can apply for a Kenya Tourist Visa at the official website of Kenyan Embassy www.ecitizen.go.ke
The following documents are required when applying for Kenya Tourist Visa
- Your tentative travel itinerary
- Your place of residence in Kenya
- Proof of sufficient funds to sustain your Kenya travel
If you are a citizen of a Commonwealth country you do not need a Visa to travel to Kenya, Commonwealth countries include Canada, the UK, and Australia.
YOU’LL NEED TO GET YOUR INJECTIONS
In Kenya, some of the vaccines are mandatory, some vaccines are recommended to keep you the traveler safe and other people around safe during your travel to Kenya. Before leaving for Kenya, it is best to follow and the vaccination in Kenya and you are up to date on your immunizations and medications.
Recommended vaccinations and immunizations before visiting Kenya include
- Malaria
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Diphtheria
- Yellow Fever
- Cholera
DON’T DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELF (Keep a low profile)
While traveling to Kenya, it is always good to try not to draw attention to yourself, Kenya experiences a wide spread of poverty so as a tourist you should exercise a high level of self-awareness. While traveling in Kenya restrain from carrying expensive items such as phones, cameras, flashy jewelry unless you are on a safari. Do not expose your expensive items as they attract thieves and you might become the target.
THE FOOD MIGHT AFFECT YOUR STOMACH
While traveling to Kenya, always keep in mind that food might affect your stomach, some meals served in Kenya are different meals in many western countries. However most prominent lodges and hotel in Kenya serve intercontinental meals to fit the preferences of travelers.
Street foods and Kenyan Cuisines are delicious, however they should be avoided most especially meat, this is due to low quality and poor hygiene might upset your stomach.
WATCH OUT FOR INSECTS
In Kenya, the chances of encountering insects are really slim, however the few insects you might encounter are more dangerous than you may look. Some of the insects too look out for in Kenya include Tsetse flies, mosquitoes and others.
To protect yourself from the insect bites, you are advised to carry insect repellents, sleeping under a treated mosquito net while in Kenya, wear long-sleeved clothing . Before you sleep, it is important to spray your room.
Note: in case you see a gecko in your room during your Kenya Tour, keep in mind that they are harmless and actually help in reducing the number of insects.
DON’T MISS OUT ON NAIROBI
Many travelers know, Nairobi as the capital of Kenya and the largest city of Kenya. Many travelers perceive Nairobi as an unsafe city due to its reputation thus ending up missing on exploring this amazing city. Nairobi city is filled with various tourist attraction attractions and sites which will enjoy visiting such as
- Nairobi national park
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Giraffe Centre
- Karura Forest Reserve
- Karen Blixen Museum
- Nairobi National Museum
- Bomas of Kenya
- Kazuri Beads Factory among others
KEEP IN MIND THAT THE ROADS AREN’T LIKE THOSE IN THE FIRST WORLD COUNTRIES
As you are planning a road trip while visiting Kenya, you should keep in mind that the roads in Kenya are not like those roads in developed countries such as United States, United Kingdom or other countries. The roads in Kenya often have potholes, find animals crossing or other obstacles such as people. These roads are also not well lit during night which makes driving at night a bit hard.
Note: while driving in Kenya, always lock your doors and windows most especially in major cities where car theft is very common.
