All you need to know about Kenya safari tours : The Kenyan government will no longer require evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test or proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry into Kenya as of May 9, 2023.
Passengers who exhibit flu-like symptoms will have to pay $30 USD for a rapid antigen test. If an antigen RDT test is positive, the individual must pay for a PCR test and self-isolate according to the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health. Following that, those with severe symptoms will be permitted to isolate in accordance with the current guidelines for mild, moderate, and severe disease. It will be necessary for any visitor entering Kenya who exhibits flu-like symptoms to complete the passenger locator form available on the “jitenge” platform at https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/. And, regardless of age or immunisation status, may be required to submit to an at-cost quick antigen test.
You can find comprehensive information about the Kenyan government’s entry requirements concerning coronavirus on the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority website at https://www.kcaa.or.ke/covid-19. Continue reading this article to find out All you need to know about Kenya safari tours
Entering and Departing kenya
You will have to prove that you have complied with the entry requirements of both your destination and any transit countries before you can leave Kenya. If you are asked to show your vaccination record when departing Kenya, UK citizens can use the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record.
All international visitors to Kenya, with the exception of those from certain nations, must have an eVisa. You can find a comprehensive list of the exempt nations at evisa.go.ke/eligibility. A visa is no longer available upon arrival.
The eVisa portal at https://evisa.go.ke is where you can apply for an eVisa online. Please make sure you give yourself enough time before your trip, as the eVisa approval process can take up to 7–10 working days to complete. The eVisa has a three-month validity period after it is issued. At the point of entry, you have to print a copy of your visa to show the immigration officer.
As soon as the Kenyan government decides it is safe to do so, it is anticipated that these restrictions will be removed and the entry requirements will return to their previous state.
The traveller is responsible for checking their account at the eVisa portal as they might not receive notification when the visa is issued. Once issued, the visa can be downloaded from your account.
The following eVisa categories are offered (please note that children under the age of 16 do not need to pay for a visa); prices are subject to vary:
Single Entry: At present, it costs USD 51 and permits one entry into Kenya.
Transit: At present, it costs USD 21 and permits a brief stopover in Kenya for up to 72 hours or three days. This is perfect if you need to spend less than 72 hours outside of the airport’s secure area, like an overnight stay in between flights. For a direct transit (i.e., staying “airside,” or inside the airport terminal, without leaving the secure area) between two flights, no visa is needed.
As long as one or both parents are travelling with them, children under the age of sixteen do not require an eVisa to enter Kenya (but they do need to have a valid passport). The children’s information (name, birthdate, etc.) must be included by one parent on their eVisa application.
Please be aware that Isebania is the border entry/exit point if you are flying or Migori between Kenya and Tanzania. An East Africa Tourist Visa, which is currently available for USD 101 per person (subject to change) and is valid for 90 days, can also be obtained online. It grants the bearer the ability to travel to and within Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
It is also required that your passport remain valid for at least six months after the date of your entry into Kenya. Make sure your passport has two blank pages when you arrive.
Medicinal factors
It is recommended that you get in touch with your physician or clinic four to eight weeks prior to your departure in order to find out if you require any vaccinations and to obtain their expert medical advice on travelling to Kenya safari.
Avoid drinking tap water, brushing your teeth with bottled water, avoiding ice made from tap water, and limit your intake of fruit and vegetables to those that are cooked or peel able in order to help prevent diarrhoea.
Malaria poses a risk throughout Kenya, with the exception of Nairobi and the highlands. Consult your physician about appropriate antimalarial medication. The disease dengue fever can also spread through mosquito bites. When at all possible, try to stay away from mosquito bites by wearing loose, long-sleeved clothes and pants, applying repellent to exposed skin and clothing. Africa’s yellow fever zone includes Kenya. In Nairobi, Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi, and Shimba Hills National Park, the risk of contracting yellow fever is very low; however, throughout the rest of the nation, the risk is higher. Therefore, it is advised that all travellers, regardless of age, who are 9 months or older, receive a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before their trip; however, this vaccination is not required, depending on the rest of their itinerary and their country of origin.
At present, vaccination certificates are not needed for British citizens travelling directly to and from Kenya; however, this could change at any time, so please consult your doctor and heed their advice.
A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever will be needed upon entry into Kenya if you are travelling from a nation where there is a possibility of the disease spreading. If you are travelling from Kenya without the necessary vaccination, some nations, such as South Africa and Tanzania, will not allow you entry. Travellers must verify that they adhere to these rules by looking through this comprehensive list of nations: This page provides yellow fever maps: https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/60/yellow-fever-maps
You should get a medical waiver and bring it with you if your doctor tells you that getting the vaccination is not safe for you.
All you need to know about Kenya safari tours : Time zones
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+3) is three hours ahead of Kenya Standard Time. There is no Daylight Saving Time in Kenya.
All you need to know about Kenya safari tours : Kenyan languages
Since English is the most widely used language for business, it is spoken in all major cities, lodges, and hotels. Kenya is home to 52 distinct tribes, each with its own language. Swahili is the official language of Kenya. We kindly request that all visitors show the following respect for the native way of life:
Anger is not appropriate; Kenyans take great satisfaction in their ability to control their emotions and expect others to do the same. Even if the situation is extremely frustrating, try to maintain your composure and be courteous and kind. It is regarded as extremely impolite and obscene to point your finger at someone.
Since the majority of people living along the coast are Muslims, it is crucial to respect their culture by dressing conservatively. Normal swimwear is permitted on beaches and inside hotels; topless sunbathing and nudity are not. Women should refrain from walking around in public areas exposing their upper arms and shoulders, especially when visiting religious areas or beach resorts (particularly in Mombasa during the holy month of Ramadan). Items such as “short” shorts, mini skirts, vests, and tank tops may be viewed as disrespectful. Ladies may want to wear a headscarf or tie their hair back to avoid drawing unwelcome attention to themselves because long, loose hair is also viewed as highly provocative.
In Kenya, homosexuality is forbidden. Although everyone has the right to pursue their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise clients who identify as LGBT+ to avoid making public displays of affection (such as holding hands or kissing) and to keep their relationship as private as possible. Wearing full military gear (i.e., clothing made of camouflage material) by civilians is illegal.
Always get permission before snapping someone’s picture. Taking pictures of Embassies and other official buildings may result in detention. If in doubt, stay away from them when taking pictures or videos. Airports also prohibit photography.
It is not permitted to smoke in any public area, with the exception of those that are designated. Offenders risk jail time or a fine. You have to always have some sort of identification on you. Although a copy of your passport is usually acceptable, some police officers have started requesting to see the original.
All you need to know about Kenya safari tours : Mode of currency
The Kenyan shilling serves as the unit of currency. You are allowed to enter the country with an unlimited amount of cash or traveller’s checks. Although US dollars are also widely accepted, high denomination notes might not be, as well as notes dated prior to 2001 are no longer accepted.
Every major While credit cards are commonly accepted in urban settings such as hotels, restaurants, and retail stores, they might not be accepted in rural areas or during safari travel. Any credit card transaction usually carries an additional commission fee.
Traveller’s checks and credit cards may not be accepted by all smaller safari lodges, camps, or rural hotels; if they do, they may charge a surcharge or offer an unfavourable exchange rate. Therefore, it is advised that you obtain any local currency you may need ahead of time by using an ATM at a bank in Nairobi or by using the bank at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is located in the far corner of the baggage hall, to make purchases while you wait for your luggage to be processed.
It’s simple to convert your Kenyan shillings into US dollars at airports, hotels, and banks. Banks, foreign exchange bureaus, and hotels all have different exchange rates. It is against the law to destroy Kenyan currency or exchange money on the black market.
