Travel Information in Kenya

If you plan a vacation to Kenya, you should first find out about visas, health, safety, weather, currency and how to get about the country. In Kenya demonstrations and public rallies take place very often and however peaceful they look, it is better to avoid them as they can become violent. In the rural areas, ethnic clashes, banditry and cattle rustling takes place often and they end up in killings. If you want to travel to the north and north east, care should be taken and it is better to consult the police and always travel in convoys.

In game parks, robberies takes place and it is better to go with a reliable tour operator. Park regulations should be followed and avoid travelling in the night. There is a danger in walking tours and never bathe in rivers. Some rest houses are dangerous and always go to a reliable rest house. Lamu Island is always safe by air because of bad road conditions and for security.

You can drive a car with you own license for three months but if you want to stay for a long time, a Kenyan driving license is required.

Between Nairobi and Kisumu, and Nairobi and Mombasa trains travel. Different classes are available and the doors can be locked from inside the compartments for safety. There is a domestic Airport known as Wilson Airport in Nairobi and this is mainly used for domestic flights. There are companies that give planes on charter for tourists.

Sea travel is good but you have to be safe, because there is a piracy threat in the Gulf of Aden. These attacks take place on the seas of the coast of Somalia.

The coastal areas are mainly Muslims and the tourists should dress conservatively. Always remember to respect their customs and traditions and at all times remember not to offend their religious beliefs especially during the month of Ramadan. Remember to refrain from smoking as it is prohibited in Kenya. If you want to smoke in your room, please obtain the hotel managers permission whether it is allowed. Very large fines are attracted for smoking. It ranges from 50,000 to 3.0 Million Kenya Shillings or six months to three years imprisonment.

You cannot work without a work permit and taking of photographs of official buildings and embassies are not allowed.

These are some of the information that you will have to abide by, if you intend doing to Kenya.