Kenya is renowned for being the safari central of Africa and one of the last remaining African nations where you can witness the big 5 in a single country. The extensive nature conservation programs allow Kenyan flora and fauna to flourish and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to witness some of the largest land roaming creatures. Kenya is a country where no culture is dominant with over 40 languages being spokes and a variety of ethnicities inhabiting different parts of the country. Although Kenya boasts many incredible attractions, there are certain hazards and information which will come in very helpful for a safe and trouble-free trip.

Travelling info

All tourists are required to have a valid passport when traveling to Kenya. Certain nationals will be required to obtain a visa whilst others are exempt. This document can be obtained depending on the tourist’s nationality either electronically through the official Kenyan website (link in sources) or through the Kenyan embassy. Tourists who decide to drive in Kenya must have their valid domestic driving permit with them at all times whilst driving. No other documents are legally required however it is helpful to have the vehicle registration document, the certificate of insurance and a passport or a copy of it. An international driving permit is not required however it might come in handy if the domestic permit is not written with a Roman alphabet. The left-hand side of the road is used for driving.

Travelling hazards

Road conditions vary across Kenya. Routes between major cities are generally paved however these may be poorly maintained resulting in many potholes along the way. Rural roads and roads of lesser importance are generally in worse conditions than major roads and often might require a 4×4 to drive on. During the rainy season, certain roads will be impossible even with a solid 4×4 with high clearance. It is best to contact local authorities on road conditions when planning a to drive on a long journey. Local drivers will often contribute to the dangers on the road as the vehicles are often badly maintained, lack proper illumination and frequently break down in the middle of the road. Reckless driving is also common. Local bus fares known as Matutusa are very often involved in traffic accidents and are known for many fatalities. It is advised to generally avoid public transport altogether due to crime as well as generally poor maintenance and high risk of a traffic accident. Same applies for railway transport which is dangerous not only due to the crime but particularly because of poor rail maintenance.

Environmental hazards

Kenya is home to a variety of many endangered species around the world. It is also one of the last countries where big 5 can be witnessed. Three of the big five are among the responsible for most deaths animals. The cape buffalo known as the black death is responsible for a couple of hundred deaths every year across Africa. These large animals can easily trample humans to death and are among the most commonly seen on safaris. Lions are another member of the big five and one of the most dangerous creatures to roam Africa, these large cats are apex predators meaning these are not afraid to catch any prey. The only exception to this is the elephant. Adult elephants have no predators to go after them and although these creatures are docile in nature, young males are known to burst in anger when their testosterone reaches high levels trampling everything in sight and killing estimated 200 people each year in Africa. Kenya boasts the largest population of the African elephant. Most murky waters, lakes, and rivers of Kenya are inhabited by the most notorious maneater also known as the Nile crocodile. This large reptilian is responsible for almost a thousand fatalities in Africa each year. These animals are extremely territorial and will attack any intruders. Hippopotamus although docile looking is one of the most fierce African animals. This river giant and are responsible for more deaths than even crocodiles. Hippopotamuses kill 3 thousand people every year, this is more than elephants, lions and Nile crocodiles taken together. This animal is wrongly thought to be calm and cute however going anywhere near it may have terrible consequences. Although Kenya has a fair share of dangerous reptiles the puff adder takes the cake. This animal kills over 30 thousand people every year. The venom of this deadly creature causes necrosis and if medical help isn’t available, a bite usually results in death. Just like the Kenyan plains have its dangerous variety of creatures so does the coast. Kenyan coastal waters are inhabited by the stone and lionfish which may sting if coming into contact with humans. Although the sting isn’t deadly, it may cause temporary paralysis which is very dangerous if being alone in the water. Sea urchins are common and only pose a threat if being stepped. Their spikes easily pierce the skin and may shatter into pieces if attempting to remove the spike unskillfully. Medical help should be sought in case of a sting. Not removing the spike may cause serious infections. Although sharks are rarely seen and shark attacks are even rarer, for safety it is advised to avoid swimming after dusk especially with an injury which may be bleeding.
Kenya suffers from a number of natural disasters. Droughts are common during the summer season often resulting in wildfires that have a disastrous effect on the local agriculture and environment whereas during the rainy season floods may occur sometimes making certain areas impassible or often cause landslides in the mountainous areas.

Health hazards

Kenya is currently one of the countries where yellow fever is a risk. To enter Kenya visitors from all other areas with a risk of yellow fever must provide proof of vaccinations. Those tourists who come from outside of such areas and thus are not required to obtain such proof are strongly recommended to be vaccinated against yellow fever anyway. There are several other vaccinations which are not required but strongly recommended. These are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B, cholera, typhoid, meningitis and rabies vaccine. Zika and malaria are also a risk in Kenya and there is currently no vaccine against either. To protect yourself against Zika and malaria use bug repellants as the disease is mostly passed on by infected mosquitoes. There is also medicine on prescription against malaria. Pregnant women are advised to avoid travel as the virus causes severe birth defects. Because Kenya is still a developing nation the public healthcare sector is quite poor. Only 30 % of Kenyans have access to improved sanitation and only 60% have access to fresh water. Although the public sector is quite poor, the private hospitals and clinics in Nairobi and Mombasa can provide a good quality service continuously improving. To facilitate a safe trip it is best to purchase any prescribed medication prior to departure as it may not be available on the spot. Health insurance is also indispensable for a safe trip. To minimize the risk make sure the insurance plan covers repatriation to South Africa to ensure the best quality care in case of a serious emergency or prolonged medical stay.
In case of an emergency dial 999.

Crime

Crime is one of the major concerns in Kenya, all regions of the country experience a high level of crime but particularly Nairobi, Mombasa, and most coastal settlements. Violent crime is common and concerns both locals and tourists. There have been many reports of a group of armed assailants robbing tourists along with the coastal provinces. Carjacking is also quite common. Although popular tourist areas in Nairobi and Mombasa are generally safe during the day, it may drastically change during the night. Most suburbs of major towns should be avoided at both day and night time. Normal safety precautions may not be enough, staying low key is difficult as western tourists outright stand out from the crowd. When planning a trip make sure the hotel has proper security as home break-ins are also quite common. It is best to store valuables in the hotel safe however if the hotel does not have sufficient security the safety of the valuables cannot be guaranteed. To stay safe it is advised to hire a tour guide who will help to avoid dangerous areas. Kenyan drug laws are very strict, mere possession of narcotics may lead up to 10 years in prison. Trafficking of greater amounts may result in much more lengthy sentences.

Summary

Although Kenya has many wonderful attractions to offer, it isn’t a place to be free roam. Most of the exploring done by visitors should be assisted by a tour guide to reduce the risk of danger. Kenya is definitely a place to go for experienced travelers. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://evisa.go.ke/eligibility.html
http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya