First Time Visiting Kenya ? (15 Things You Must Have In Your Travel Pack When Visiting Kenya.)
WRITER: Emily Wekulo
The first time I visited a foreign country, I was met with social, cultural and emotional shocks. I suffered stomach issues from eating some of the local cuisine. I did not have anything appropriate to wear for any function and I could not even ask for basic things like water in a shop due to the language barrier. It was difficult to understand how the forex worked in that country and everyone who helped, expected to be paid. I was utterly dismayed. I enjoyed tiny bits of the stay but the rest was nasty.
So, are you planning on visiting Kenya for the first time? Though you may not have the experiences I had because Kenya is way too sophisticated compared to other many African countries, here are a few things you might want to pack to have an easy and fluid stay. If you got them all, then Hakuna Matata!
- Passport
You definitely need to ensure that your passport is valid for at least the next three months. You might want to visit for a week or so and find Kenya too beautiful to exit. Should you choose to extend the stay then you need to update your passport’s validity. With covid experience, you just don’t want to risk should lockdowns happen – godforbid! If you are traveling with family members, kids or friends ensure that their passports are valid and up to date. confirm the validity of your passport here.
2. VISA
You can always get your Visa Online on the eVisa Kenya Website. There are different types of Visas serving different purposes and you need to get yours right. I suggest you pick a sincere visa. If you are coming for business and choose to take tours, ensure that your visa is registered for both touring and business. If you are a student on tour, ensure to clarify that. This will help easily sort out immigration issues on your part. If you intend to visit more than Kenya in Africa, I suggest you upgrade to a transit visa. This will help you go in and out of the country without problems on the border. You can alway seek professional advice on visa through the Come Travel Kenya agents, your most reliable tour partners. check Visa Links here
3. Covid Vaccination Certificate
The covid- 19 vaccination certificate is still mandatory in kenya. Ensure you are vaccinated and your details updated online. Also have the certified certificate from your country. This is an important item at the airport. Yellow fever vaccine is also important if you plan to visit the rest of East Africa. Be sure to carry your valid certificate. More information on health in Kenya here.
4. Electronics
The following electronics will make your stay easy and memorable. You might want to pack your Laptop, camera, travel adaptor, portable power bank, a torch, your chargers, an extra pair of batteries if your device uses them. If you are traveling with kids, you might want to carry their play toys to keep them occupied on long drives especially if you are coming for a safari. Kenya is very scenic, especially the parks, the mountains and the lakes. The Rift Valley is a memory you might want to carry home. Carry a good camera.
5. Binoculars
Safaris are the number one tourist attraction in Kenya. To have maximum fun, you might need binoculars to see the animals in the parks. Kenyan nights are normally starry. Watching the stars from the balcony of your hotel room or during a camping night is one beautiful thing to do. You need your binoculars on the night safaris as well.
6. Safari Clothes
Forget all the green khaki clothes and pack easy clothes for safaris. You need tshirts, well fitting jeans, sweat pants and comfortable cotton shorts. You are likely to sweat a lot so the fabric should be skin friendly. You can do pocketed trousers to carry snacks along the way.
7. Boots And Comfortable Shoes
Walks, drives, hiking, and excursions require you to be comfortable. Heels in this case won’t do you good for ladies. You need comfortable sporting shoes and thick boots to traverse the terrain and accommodate your feet even when they swell out because of walking too much or sitting for long distances.
8. A Good Book
Some drives can be long. If you read, like I do, pack a nice book to keep you going. You can carry your kindle reader as well. If you are the kind that takes in the drive by staring out of the window, you are good without a book.
9. Decent Clothes
Kenyans are a bit conservative in their dressing. This doesn’t mean that anything will happen to you if you rock your hot pants and shorts but you might feel out of place. Well fitting jeans, tshirts, light knee length skirts will take care of you. Carry something for dinner, you never know, Kenya is a country of romance.
10. Warm Clothing
Kenya is always warm but you need a sweater or jacket in the morning and during night safaris. It gets chilly sometimes. Just pack a jacket and some shoulder shawl to be safe. Some warm socks and gloves if you are planning night outs and bonfire adventures.
11. Sunscreen, Sun Hut And Glasses
It is sunny here most of the time. The coast is hot. The lake sides are hot. The sun is not always abnormally hot but sunscreen will do you good. You want a tan not churred or blistering skin. Carry sun glasses for the swag and your eyes. Also throw in some sun hats and caps if you don’t mind.
12. Swahili Dictionary Or Hand Book
Habari is the common greeting in Kenya, answered Mzuri. Or Niaje answered Poa. A few words in Kiswahili will earn you favors in many places. Water is Maji, Help me is Nisaidie… Carry a handbook to help you understand what people around you are saying. You don’t have to look in it everytime you are talking to someone but pre-checking and throwing in what you remember could be fun. Kiswahili is a beautiful language you know…
13. Soft Easy To Carry Backpack Waterproof Packs
In kenya, plastic bags are illegal. You will need to have your own easy to carry backpack to carry mobile stuff you need during the trips. You can’t carry your suitcase everywhere. A nice back pack will help you throw in souvenirs and snacks.
14. Refillable Water Bottles
You will need drinking water during excursions and safaris. You are safer with your own bottle and it’s cheaper to do refills in hotels. Kenyan tap water is clean and you don’t need to buy bottled water. It’s sweet and cool.
15. Small Medical Kit
Remember my tummy trouble at the beginning of the article? You may want to pack some mosquito repellents, antimalarial tabs, stomach soothers and painkillers. Don’t forget your inhaler if you are asthmatic. Pack your insulin or any other prescription you are taking. You might not get what you use here in kenyan hospital.
Did you find this helpful? Is there something you feel should be added to the travel pack? Contact Come Travel Kenya with your travel pack and we will confirm to you if you packed right for your trip. Share the article to help other first timers!
