Plan Your Travel To Kenya
Kenya Travel Essentials
Ideal Duration: 7 - 10 days
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Best Time: Late-June to October Read More
Budget: Slightly Expensive
"The Country That'll Leave You With Memories For a Lifetime"
Kenya Tourism
In East Africa, Kenya is a prominent tourist destination renowned for its wildlife safaris, heritage sites, highlands and valleys. From witnessing the renowned Great Wildebeest Migration in Maasai Mara to encountering the Big Five against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, the country offers remarkable wildlife experiences. Nairobi combines history and modern life, and the appeal of Mount Kenya adds to its charm.
Kenya's charm goes beyond its famous attractions. Meeting local cultures, enjoying traditional and modern food, and exploring places like Diani Beach and the Great Rift Valley's lakes show how diverse Kenya is. Kenya's commitment to conservation is evident in private conservancies like Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Visitors to Kenya can expect to engage with diverse cultures, explore wildlife and stunning landscapes, embark on thrilling adventures, relax on serene beaches, and participate in conservation-focused experiences.
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Must Know Before You Travel to Kenya
- Safety: While Kenya is generally safe for tourists, it's essential to be aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying valuable items.
- Health Precautions: Consult a doctor for vaccinations and take anti-malarial medication if needed.
- Packing Tip: Pack appropriate clothing for varying climates, including warm days and cooler nights.
- Currency: Use Kenyan Shillings (KES) for small expenses; major establishments accept credit cards.
- Cultural Etiquette: Dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sites or rural areas. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, as some may prefer not to be photographed.
- Plug Points: In Kenya, the standard voltage is 240V, and the plug type is Type G.
- Language: English and Swahili are the official languages in Kenya. English is widely spoken, particularly in tourist areas. Greet people with "Jambo" (hello).
- Smoking: Kenya has stringent anti-smoking laws in place. Smoking is prohibited in public areas, including restaurants, bars, and indoor spaces. Some establishments may have designated smoking areas available.
- Tap Water: Drinking bottled water or using filtered water in Kenya is generally recommended. Ensure the seals on bottled water are intact before consuming.
- Scams: While Kenya is a safe destination, it's always important to be cautious and aware of potential scams. Be particularly cautious of individuals posing as "tourist police" or officials requesting to see your identification or travel documents. Additionally, verify the legitimacy of tour operators before booking any tours or safaris by researching online reviews and considering booking through reputable travel agencies or recommended guides.
- Pollution: In congested areas, Nairobi experiences high air pollution; check air quality indices.
- Travel Insurance: Get comprehensive coverage, including for adventure activities or safaris.
- Bargaining: Common in markets; negotiate prices respectfully.
- Tipping: Customary to tip around 10% for good service in hotels, restaurants, and from guides.
Tourist Places to Visit In Kenya
Best time to visit Kenya
The best time to experience Kenya is during the dry season, which typically spans from June to October. This period is marked by minimal rain and comfortably warm daytime temperatures, creating ideal (Read More) conditions for safaris and outdoor activities.
Nevertheless, Kenya's diverse geography and moderate climate make it a year-round destination for both safaris and beach holidays.
Nevertheless, Kenya's diverse geography and moderate climate make it a year-round destination for both safaris and beach holidays.
Holidify's opinion on Travel to Kenya
What's Great?
Beautiful landscape. Plenty of wildlife safaris. Helpful locals. Great tropical weather.
What's Not So Great?
Traffic jams on the roads. Beggars on streets. Electricity blackouts at times.
For Whom?
Animal lovers. Adventure lovers. Photographers. Large family groups.
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Exchanging Money in Kenya
There are various currency exchange agencies in Kenya such as the Sky Forex Bureau, which is the most popular one. You will also find several banks here. ATMs also exist, so it is not very difficult to get your currency exchanged. In terms of exchange, the KES to USD conversion rate is the most popular and most frequently used one.
Nightlife in Kenya
Kenyan nightlife is pretty good. Mombasa and Nairobi are the areas to visit if you'd like to dance the night away. Clubs remain open for a decent amount of time, with some shutting down just as the sun rises. However, small neighbourhood bars are also quite popular and a must-visit if you'd like to interact with the locals. Beer is usually the drink of choice, although other types of alcohol are available.
Shopping in Kenya
Kenya is a lovely shopping destination. If you love art and craft, beautiful textiles, prints, and beads, you will fall in love with this country's markets. Masai beadwork is very popular here, with designs ranging from the traditional to the modern. Apart from that, you can also purchase wooden carvings, footwear, utensils and more souvenirs. Maasai Market, KCB Village Market, and Makola Market are some of the popular ones.
Festivals of Kenya
There are a couple of cultural events that are celebrated in Kenya. Some of them are Lamu Cultural Festival, the Mombasa Carnival which is always great fun, the International Camel Derby Festival and the Safari Rally. The communities come together as one during this period, and there is a lot of merriment and celebration. Henna painting activities, races, dance performances and more are put up during this time.
Hygiene in Kenya
Kenya does have public toilets. Some of them are clean while others are not. The practice of using toilet or tissue paper is slowly being pushed in here. There are also improvements being made to water facilities, as Kenya does face a water scarcity problem. Significant changes are being made regarding the improvement of water supply and potable water.
Customs of Kenya
Greetings should always be warm and cordial in Kenya, as the people here are friendly, boisterous and outgoing. They are very group oriented. Keeping close physical contact with your spouse or partner is common here and not really frowned upon. Pointing at people is considered rude and you and your actions may be taken in the wrong spirit if you point at someone.
Tips for visiting Kenya
Do not walk around Nairobi in the night, as it is dangerous. Don't just visit the national parks and safaris, but also the pristine beaches. Carry warm clothes with you, as it gets chilly during the night. Prepare to test your bargaining skills, as sellers start off with really high prices.
Food of Kenya
Kenyan cuisine is diverse and often elaborate. Meat is used on a large scale in all their preparations. Sea food, mainly comprising of fish, is also consumed a lot, because of the nearby water bodies. Ugali, which is made using cornmeal, is a staple in Kenya. Pilao, a lovely mixture of rice and spices, is one of the more popular dishes, followed by biryani. Along the coastal areas of the country, coconut rice is consumed to a great extent. Kenyan tea and coffee are both extremely popular. Tea here is generally had dark, with lots of sugar.
Photos of Kenya
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FAQs on Kenya
How to reach Kenya from India?
Jet Airways, Air India, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways are some of the carriers flying from India's metro cities to Kenya's cities. Kenya Airways has a non-stop flight from Mumbai to Nairobi.
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