Although central Asian countries are not exactly renowned around the world, Kazakhstan is for a few things certainly. One of them is the Baikonur Cosmodrome which is the first and largest space launch facility which is still active. It is from here where the first man in Space, Yuri Gagarin took off. There is another worldwide famous character which is less appreciated in Kazakhstan. Sacha Baron Cohen chose Kazakhstan to be the place of origin of his satirical character named Borat. The movie gained a worldwide recognition being banned in some.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Kazakhstan must have a valid passport. Citizens of certain nations may visit Kazakhstan without the requirement of a visa for a period of 30 or 90 days depending on nationality. Others must obtain a visa before arriving. (List in sources). Tourists who wish to drive a private or a rental vehicle in Kazakhstan may do so using their national driving license. An international driving permit is not required but may be useful when being check by local police.

Traveling hazards

Roads in Kazakhstan are in poor repair, especially in rural areas. Poor signage is common. Street lighting, especially on side streets, may be turned off at night. Drivers often ignore lane markings. Potholes are common and are often dangerously deep. Pedestrians frequently dart out in front of cars. Visitors should drive defensively at all times as many local drivers do not follow traffic laws. Special caution should be taken if driving at night. Road rage can be a problem, especially in and around Almaty, and a non-confrontational response to such behavior is strongly recommended. Accidents involving severe injury or death are common. Traffic police have reportedly stopped cars to extort bribes on main city streets and at periodic checkpoints on major highways. The road between Almaty and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, is especially treacherous at night or during poor weather. Tourists have been killed in traffic accidents on that road, and travel at night or during poor weather should be avoided. Travelers should be particularly careful when using public transportation and taxis. Buses tend to be very crowded and can be unsafe and unreliable. Due to the danger of theft or assault, travelers should be selective regarding which taxi they contract and always avoid entering a cab that already contains persons other than the driver.

Environmental hazards

Kazakhstan is a vast country with the largest steppes in the world. It also has the largest wolf population on earth, estimated reaching up to 100 thousand. Apart from the fact that Kazakhstan, due to the large population of wolves is the place where most attacks happen. Some villages are reported to have domesticated wolves. Brown bears are also present in Kazakhstan however these are much fewer in numbers than wolves. Bears generally avoid people however close confrontations may be very dangerous or even fatal. There are two viper species and moccasin snakes which are venomous. Although bites are very rarely fatal, the distance from the nearest hospital can be crucial. Although Kazakhstan has the Caspian sea coast, it is considered the largest landlocked country due to the fact that the Caspian Sea is an inland sea.
Kazakhstan is highly prone to droughts, earthquakes, river floods, and landslides. Earthquakes are a dominant risk. Flood hazards pose a significant and more frequent risk and have resulted in widespread displacement and secondary impacts such as mudflows. In 2008, unusually warm weather and heavy rains resulted in the inundation of 48 settlements in the South, displacing 13,000 people.

Health hazards

There is no risk of yellow fever in Kazakhstan. The government of Kazakhstan requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. There are other vaccinations however these are not required and only recommended. These are the routine vaccines also known as MMR vaccines, typhoid, hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccines. Healthcare services vary across the country. Public healthcare facilities will generally deliver a good quality of care however this applies to facilities located in large urban areas. Quality of care can get much poorer in rural regions. The vast majority of private clinics are located in Astana. These generally provide a much better quality of service and most western tourist choose these over the public facilities.
In case of an emergency dial 103.

Crime

While the majority of reported crime is nonviolent, the country does experience a full range of criminal activity. The reported number of incidents in all categories of crime is statistically on par or lower than an average, major city in the U.S. The most common crimes foreign tourists encounter are purse snatching, pickpocketing, assaults, and robberies. Pickpocketing occurs most frequently in the vicinity of Western hotels, shopping malls, public transportation sites, and open-air markets. Very few tourists have become victims of violent crimes. Most crime takes place in urban areas. There is no risk of terrorism in Kazakhstan. Drugs are illegal in Kazakhstan. Mere possession of narcotics may lead to a prison sentence. The new law increases penalties to life imprisonment for most serious drug-related crimes.

Summary

Kazakhstan offers the rare sight of landscapes utterly untouched by human hands, no roads, houses, agriculture or electricity pylons. But it’s not just the landscape that is in a time warp. Camels graze by the roadside as old men ride by on donkeys, women in headscarves pray in centuries-old mosques; what few cars there are often delayed while farmers on horseback herd cows along the road. 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)
https://airastana.com/uae/Information/Travel-to-Kazakhstan/Visa-and-Passport-Information
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kazakhstan