Kenya
Last edited on May 5, 2024
Last edited on May 5, 2024
To be honest, I was not sure I would ever visit Kenya or fall in love with it…till I accidentally did! I didn’t plan the trip – it was pure coincidence that made me change my plans to visit Iceland and go to Kenya instead. And I will never regret that!
Kenya, a massive country that has a diversity of cultures, religions, tribes, and nature, is located on the east African coast. Its history is full of invasions by Arabs, Portuguese, and British settlers for hundreds of years, which has greatly influenced their languages, cultures, and religions as they stand today.
The Kenyan main language is Swahili, which is influenced by the Arab language (Swahili in Arabic means coastal). Also, most Kenyans speak the English language which makes communication with visitors much easier, especially since tourism is one of the country’s main sources of income.
Kenya is not only Masai Mara and Nairobi. From Lamu’s beautiful beaches to hiking in Naivasha, and from the Giraffe’s sanctuary in Nairobi to the view of Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli, this massive country has much to offer to every visitor.
During my trip from Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru, the face of the earth changed completely as the climate transitioned from the dry summer heat of Masai Mara to the wet and much cooler climate in Narok, which felt like a European country.
Kenya has 24 national parks and 15 national reserves. Some are more popular than others, however, each is unique in its nature and the kind of wildlife that it hosts. It can sometimes get overwhelming to choose which one to visit given the diversity of available options.
To me, there are two ways to get the experience of feeding the giraffes, and both are not far from Nairobi. For luxury lovers, The Giraffe Manor is a very premium experience. Imagine waking up or having breakfast with the giraffe peeking from the window. How cool is that?! But not everybody can afford to pay thousands of dollars per night for such an experience! However, there is an alternative! The Giraffe Center can cost you as little as $15 to have an affordable and beautiful interaction with the animals.
Any time of the year is good depending on your destination and itinerary in Kenya.
For example, the best time to visit Masai Marais is from July to early October every year, especially if you would like to see the great migration of animals crossing the River Mara from Serengeti in Tanzania. You can still visit in June and October, as well as in February. However, it tends to be rainy in November, and from March to May which makes it hard to enjoy the safari.
Lake Eliminate, on the other hand, is a beautiful destination any time of the year. It is known for its beautiful flamingos, and you can also walk around and hike if you like.
June to October is another perfect timeframe to visit Amboseli National Park due to the dry season. However, to be able to see Kilimanjaro, it is best to visit after the rainy season is over and when the air is clear.
The main currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling (KES/KSh). Every USD 1 is equal to around 110 KSh. Both currencies (USD and KSh) are accepted for transactions in Kenya. Of course, it is good to have both currencies with you. Just keep in mind that small banknotes (like the one-dollar bill) are not usually accepted. Conversion rates for amounts less than $10 tend to be higher (for example if you have multiple USD5, they will be converted for a higher price than USD 10 or USD20).
During safaris, you would not need to spend much money as your transportation and meals are already taken care of during your stay. However, the custom is to give tips for the offered service.
You can choose from several telecom service providers in Kenya, but the one that works best in both urban and rural areas is Safaricom. You can buy a Safaricom SIM card from the airport (except on Sundays when the shop will be closed). Your safari vehicle driver can also help you find a shop on the way and stay connected during the trip. A new SIM card with a data package will not cost you more than $10.
Many people have wrong assumptions about countries they have never visited. Kenyan people are very welcoming and friendly to deal with. To be honest, I have never met a Kenyan who would prove me otherwise (inside or outside Kenya). But in any case, it is important to be in the company of a secure safari trip organizer who knows the roads well and is able to transport you safely when you visit the country.
However, there are things you should keep in mind to avoid upsetting the locals in the places you visit across Kenya:
– Do not take pictures of people without their permission. Most Kenyan children tend to hide their faces when they see a camera aimed at them.
– Do not offer food or money. This will cause some chaos that is not needed.
– Maasai mamas (Masai women) can be very persistent to sell various items and souvenirs at the entrance of Masai Mara National Reserve. Decline politely if you do not want to buy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many new rules have been introduced. It is a must to carry a negative PCR test on arrival and departure from Kenya. There is a list of approved labs which you can find through this link.
Most labs provide results in 24 hours, although it can take slightly longer as well. They can also process in less than 24 hours at an extra cost. The cost for a single PCR test is around USD 75.
Make sure that the laboratory provides you a TT certificate along with your PCR test result. Failure to do so means that the lab is not approved by the government.
It is important to keep your self up to date with recent information. Emirates website is a great source.
I am Iman. A travel lover and a photographer with so much passion to learn new things and meet people! On this website, I will be writing about my travel and photography experience, and add what I learn here to be a useful guide to whoever needs it!
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