Kenya Safari: Health advice and safety when traveling to Kenya
Kenya is a tropical country and therefore warmer than most European and Northern Caribbean countries. This weather comes with vulnerability to certain diseases which are common to the region; some of them not so prevalent in your home country. The medical system in the country may as well not be as sophisticated as it is in Europe or Americas. Importantly, most destinations in Kenya are in remote areas where it’s hard to access specialized treatments. To remain healthy and secure you ought to have a clear plan right from the beginning. In this guide we will cover some of the steps and precautions you must check for a healthy travel to Kenya.
When you have a pending health condition
When you have an already existing health problem, we recommend that you go for a checkup prior your Kenya safari. Ensure that you get all medication prescribed and that is enough to cover the entire period you will be on safari. In case you are worried that you may fall sick in between your safari period, we recommend that you take an AMREF flying doctor insurance cover. This organization offers a 24 hrs medical emergency helpline and evacuation services to Nairobi through both air and road depending on the location. Nairobi is home to several top-end private and public hospital with properly trained specialists.
AMREF covers starts as low as 29 USD for a 2 weeks cover.
Vaccination and precautionary measures you should consider
Most of the vaccinations are not a requirement for entry to Kenya. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to travelers from countries where the disease is more prevalent mostly African and Asian countries. Covid 19 vaccination certificate is a requirement for all travelers entering Kenya territories.
Caution to take against insects transmitted diseases: Malaria and yellow fever
Malaria is the most prevalent disease in Kenya. It is common in low altitude areas and in wildernesses where there are floodplains. We therefore recommend you take anti-malaria medication when you are coming to the country for a beach holiday or bush safaris in the rainy season. Places like Nairobi and Aberdares in the central highlands are not risk zones.
For destinations in the southern circuit- Masai Mara and Amboseli- we recommend the anti-malaria medication especially when you are traveling during the rain period- March, April, May, October and November. Ensure that the camp you book in have mosquito nets in their rooms and where possible a mosquito coil. Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and closed shoes whenever you are outside during the evening. Carry an insect repellant to apply on your face and other exposed parts of the body.
Though yellow fever isn’t as prevalent as Malaria, it’s still a risk for travelers travelling to places where mosquitos are common – swampy and low altitude areas. We still recommend you take inoculation at least two weeks before your scheduled travel dates. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is valid for 10 years.
Precaution against diseases caused by unsafe food
Kenya as it is with many developing countries scores below average in food and water safety as well as sanitation management. Though not a high risk there have been several incidences of typhoid, cholera and other diseases caused by poor hygiene. It is only good to be cautious. We recommend that you:
- Avoid raw foods
- Only drink bottled or boiled water
- Ensure the lodge/ camp you book in has proper sanitation
- Seek medical attention, locally, whenever you experience symptoms common to any of the diseases.
- Go for a checkup once you return from your trip.
How safe is Kenya
Security in Kenya would be a matter of great concern especially if it’s your first visit and you have heard of the many travel advisories and alerts made by the united states and the west on terrorism. In as much as these advisories are alarming, it is generally agreeable that terrorism is a global crisis and a challenge to all societies in the world. Again, for all the years Kenya have had terror attacks, most of them occurred in the North Eastern region which has no major attractions. The highlight of the security situation in the country is the heavy surveillance that you find immediately you land at the airport. The security system here is indistinguishable with what you find in Europe or Northern Caribbean countries.
How safe are Kenyan roads?
Most safaris in Kenya are road-based owing to their cost effectiveness. Most of Kenya’s main roads that leads to major destinations from the two main airports are major highways with security officers managing road blocks in different locations. So far there are no cases of robbery, banditry, carjacking or aggression against tourist have been reported on the roads. Save on Northeastern and parts of Northern Kenya. The rest of the country is secure to even consider making stopovers for photo shoots or viewing the natural scenes on the floor of the great rift valley. Your tour guide will be in a better position to advice you accordingly.
How safe is my booking?
The safety and value of money is one thing you must consider when booking your safari. The advancement in online booking and payments has promoted fraud in equal measures as it has led to growth in the tourism sector. The biggest problem is the emergence of reseller operators who will charge you more than the value of the services you are seeking. Some of these company have developed tactics like giving low quality services and not revealing hidden charges to keep their cost down and trick you into making purchases. There have been reports where independent tour guides contracted by such rogue companies has turned aggressive against their client in an altercation. In some instances, abandoning them in the “middle of nowhere”. A few cases of fraud where travelers book online only to be meet by surprise when contracted agent driver fails to show up has been reported in the recent past.
To avoid such awkward situations, carry a serious background research on the travel company you are booking with. Ensure the company owns at least one safari vehicle with a tour guide driver. Companies that are members of Kenya Association of Tour Operator(KATO) are more dependable as your safari is guarantee through a bonding scheme that cover you from loss if the company ceases operation.
How is Nairobi safe?
Although Nairobi isn’t one of the most secure countries in the world the country ranks higher than major towns like Cape town in safety index. This give an insight Nairobi won’t be the worst city you have visited. All you need is to take a few precautionary actions just like any other city in an emerging economy.
Notably, if you are seeking to visit popular sights like Nairobi National park, Karen Blixen museum, giraffe center and the animal orphanage, there is completely nothing to worry in terms of security. However, if you are seeking to go for a city walk, we would recommend that you take precaution when visiting congested areas and slum settlements.
Though there has been no major crime reported, Nairobi transport system is not very dependable as most of the operators are quite unruly. We recommend that you seek private transport preferably from a tour operator when you are moving around.
