Stay healthy and safe in Kenya
It’s crucial to know what steps to take in order to protect your health and ensure your safety while in a foreign country. When you visit a place with such a different way of life, this is especially important.
In order to help all travelers stay safe, we have put together the following tips:
- Don’t go near protests or political manifestations as they sometimes end in conflict between civilians and the police. Stay updated by reading the local news and check all the travel advisories for Kenya.
- The border areas shared with Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia should be avoided at all costs. Avoid the city center during nighttime and Eastleigh region in Nairobi. The same goes for the Old Town in Mombasa. In fact, all nighttime travel in Kenya is best avoided.
- It’s advised to prefer air travel over land travel for Lamu and Manda islands. Travel to the rest of Lamu County should be avoided at all costs.
- Citizens of endemic countries must show a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate on arrival to Kenya. If you haven’t gotten the vaccine yet, make sure you do it more than 10 days before traveling.
- Pickpocketing can occur in the big cities of Kenya. It’s best to pay attention at all times, avoid displaying valuables and keep all belongings close.
- Purchase travel insurance before traveling. Although it’s not part of the mandatory travel requirements for Kenya, the public health system of Kenya is not available for tourists. Try to include emergency airlifting in your policy if you plan on visiting remote areas.
- Don’t accept food or drinks from strangers.
- Avoid drinking tap water, but bottled water is acceptable as long as the seal is unbroken. Ice, washed salads and washed fruits should also be avoided.
- The recommended vaccines to travel to Kenya according to the CDC are: Chickenpox (Varicella), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Flu, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio (especially important because there’s been an outbreak of the disease), Cholera, Meningitis, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, Typhoid and Shingles. Bringing anti-malaria medicine is also advised.
- Pack mosquito repellent to protect against mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.
- Avoid touching fresh water for the risk of schistosomiasis.
