Book Flights to Kenya

Kenya is located on the coast of East Africa, with Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the northeast. The equator runs through Kenya as well as the Rift Valley. Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and biggest city and is located at an altitude of 1795m

A Brief history of Kenya

Kenya has been populated by humans for millions of years, some of which are now found as fossils in various locations in the country. The first European presence started in 1498 when the Portuguese arrived on the coast before they were defeated by the locals with the help of the people from Oman. The Omanis ruled the East African coastline until the British established what is now known as Kenya as their colony in 1895. The Kenyan people gained independence in 1963 after the Mau Mau rebellion.

The current population of Kenya is estimated to be nearly 47 million people and expected to almost reach 48 million by the beginning of 2017.

You’ll more than likely need a visa to enter Kenya, very few countries’ citizens do not. Visas can be obtained through any Kenyan Diplomatic mission or Consulate abroad or using the e-visa website from the Kenyan government (http://evisa.go.ke).

All visas have to be obtained prior to arrival. There seems to be an ongoing period where visas can still be bought on arrival, especially at Nairobi’s international airport (JKIA), but assume this is no longer possible.

An e-visa is USD 51 and a copy needs to be printed and carried with you to show on arrival at the airport.

Ensure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity from your arrival date and has at least 2 blank pages.

More than 80% of Kenyans are Christians, most practicing actively. About 11% are Muslim, although some say the percentage of Muslims is much higher. The Muslim population is concentrated on the coast and in the northeast of Kenya.

When photographing people, always ask permission first and agree on payment if required.

Sanitation is not up to first world standards. It is strongly advised that all travellers to the region consult with their doctor and are up to date with their travel vaccines.

Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

The key to good health:

• Get vaccinated
• Eat and drink safely (bottled water as an example)
• Avoid touching live animals
• Avoid exchanging body fluids
• Take anti-malarial meds where required
• Prevent bug bites with lotions and long sleeves / trousers especially in the evenings
• Reduce your exposure to germs by washing your hands

When you go on holiday in Kenya, the trip-of-a-lifetime, you want to take a piece of the magic home with you. Something that will always remind you of your amazing time in Kenya, something that will bring back those fantastic memories. Or maybe you need Christmas gifts or birthday presents, something original and different. Or you might want to take something home for those who looked after the plants, your cat, or your dog, something Kenyan to say ‘thank you’.

There is no shortage of souvenirs to get in Kenya:

• t-shirts with prints
• masks and other carvings, including animals from every material thinkable
• recycled tyre sandals, spears and shields from the Maasai
• traditional musical instruments
• jewellery
• coffee and tea
• locally made handbags
• local fabrics like kikoy, kanga, kitenge and shukas

The choice is huge and there will be something to suit everybody’s taste.

But whatever souvenir you pick up in Kenya, please be aware what you are buying. Do not buy things made of ivory, coral, shells, rhino horn, tortoise shell, rare hardwoods or wild animal hides.

If you are not sure what the souvenir you are buying is made off and if it is legal, then don’t buy it. Not only it is illegal to buy certain items, but it is also illegal to transport those items out of the country and you can get in a lot of trouble.

Instead, try to find out where things are made locally, usually by women’s groups, and buy directly from them. A great way to support the people and show them that tourism brings jobs and money to the communities.