Traveling Advice for Visiting Kenya

So you decided to come?? I've gathered some of my advice & info about traveling to Kenya here to answer your many questions. Take a read through and don't worry - I've survived for over a year and I love it here... it's not THAT different!


Shots

You can go to the travel health clinic in Burnside on Brownlow Drive to get all of these, and they can advise you further.

 Required:

 Advisable:

 Others I got before I moved here but you probably don’t need for a short trip:

Malaria

My advice is to not take malaria prophylaxis (preventatives) because it can make you sick on its own, has potential to cause psychotic/hallucinogenic episodes, and is only 80% effective at best. Further, we will not be in any major malarial zones (Nairobi’s altitude is too high for malaria-carrying mosquitoes – believe me, I get bitten all the time!!). Finally, I am well versed in the diagnosis of malaria and carry the treatment with me (not to mention it’s very widely available). Don’t worry about malaria.

Entry Visa

You don’t need to get your passport stamped before you leave – but make sure you have USD$50 with you for when you land at the airport. This will give you a 3-month Holiday Visa, and it’s absolutely no problem to get – just make sure you have 50 US Dollars!! They don’t even accept Kenyan shillings! It’s a real pain to have to get escorted to the bank machine, withdraw Kenyan shillings, go to the exchange booth, get your USD, and then go back and pay. Trust me… been there, done that!!!

Clothes

Kenya is more conservative than North America – no-one wears shorts, and skimpy/tight attire is really not acceptable. This goes double at the coast (Mombasa) – they are mostly conservative, head-scarf-wearing Muslims there! Generally, Kenyans dress quite nicely, wearing suits and (long) skirts to the office, and dress pants and collared shirts for the men. Of course you’ll see filthy rags being worn too, but I don’t think any of you will want to dress like a street kid!!

Also remember that Nairobi, though warm, is not HOT – so you will also need pants and a fairly warm sweater.

My packing advice for women on a 2 week holiday, including a safari and the beach, plus a trip upcountry:

Plan to buy here:

For men, I think it’ll be pretty straightforward. T-shorts, shirts, pants, shorts, swimming trunks, sweater, sneakers, etc.

A note to “oversize” ladies: wear loose tops & skirts, Kenyans do not wear anything tight especially if plus-size. Lots of cheap funky outfits to buy here!

Also keep in mind that your clothes will have to be hand-washed! I will try and line up a house girl to do our laundry, but I’ve learned some tricks that make it easier if you want to attempt it yourself! (There is a full service laundromat pretty close to my apartment, so as long as we have a vehicle, we can get laundry done at about $9/load)

Toiletries etc.

Most everything is available here if you forget anything, though none of the same brands. The only thing I miss is my deodorant – Soft n Dri Baby Powder (hint hint!). If you’re coming in a group, just bring one set of toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc… In fact, why bother, I have all that stuff! I also have a hair-dryer (if you bring yours, or an electric razor, make sure it can work on 220 amp power). I don’t have a tonne of towels, but I’m sure we can make do – I should buy more anyway.

Other potential essentials

Gifts (if you want… not required!)

Some people have asked me what kinds of things they might bring for the kids, so I will endeavor to make a list – though please do not feel obligated! Pencils and erasers always go over well, as do scribblers, notebooks, etc. We are planning on sending them to a boarding school in January, and they need new bookbags and various school supplies. (Not to mention we have to buy mattresses, 2 sets of sheets each, trunks, locks, uniforms… the list goes on!)

They also love story books, though their English is at kindergarten level. I never did get any Canada T-shirts for them – but if you do that, go for the cheap ones! They are ages 6 (Leah) & 7 (Kevin). Clothes (even second hand), shoes, underwear, etc. would all be appreciated, though remember Leah cannot wear pants/shorts – dresses and skirts only for little Kenyan girls! She also really wants me to give her a dolly – but I refuse to buy white-skinned one! Imagine – I can’t find an African dolly in Africa. Kevin is a typical little boy, but anything battery operated is useless… very hard to get replacements. And remember they don’t have power. By the way, they really loved those sun-visors!

As for the others – Mum (Susanna), Dad (Josephat), sister (Nafula), 3 brothers (Ken, Geoffrey, and Joshua plus their wives and babies) – just keep in mind that they have a hard time getting the essentials – no need for luxuries. As an example – out of all the things we brought from Canada, they were most impressed with the rope that my Dad used to tie up the box we took with us! Clothes (like T-shirts, skirts, maybe a sweater) would likely be the most appropriate – if you should so want to give them anything. Most likely, we’ll just bring them a tonne of sugar and tea when we visit, and your mere presence will be present enough! (They can hardly wait to meet everyone :)

Items I will reimburse you for

Things that are impossible to get or just to expensive to buy here!

Mum & Dad must remember to bring

Anything else?

If you have any other questions about traveling to Kenya, just drop me an email and I’ll add it to this document. Just be assured that it’s not THAT different – pack like you do for any trip.


Karibuni Kenya!!

 

Copyright Johanna Voerman Khisa, 2002-03. Reprinting or reposting without permission is prohibited.