5 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Kenya
- Be Mindful of the Season You’re Traveling In
As always, it is important to do research on the season that you’ll be traveling in when visiting Kenya. Kenya is a large country with diverse geographical terrains, so weather can vary significantly depending on where you are in the country. Having a crisp understanding of where you will be traveling within Kenya will help you with packing the right clothes.
For example, I traveled to Kenya during its winter season in June. In Nairobi and Masai Mara the temperature ranged between the high 50s F to mid 70 degrees F. I packed long-sleeved shirts, pants, and had a light sweater to carry for early morning activities. Alternatively, Kenya’s coastal city of Lamu was hot and humid, with temperatures in the mid 80 degrees F. Lightweight clothing and fewer layers were key for Lamu’s climate.
- Stay Aware of Political Events
Political and civic unrest can seriously affect a trip. In the past, I mistakenly assumed that tourist-friendly destinations were automatically safe. This is the wrong assumption to make since it isn’t always true.
In June 2024, Kenya experienced a wave of political protests and demonstrations that briefly impacted my visit. In Nairobi, demonstrators were met with tear gas which lingered in the air for days afterward. During my walking tour in the city center, I experienced frequent sneezing and watering of my eyes despite the demonstrations occurring in the days prior. Despite the protests occurring, I was able to remain safe throughout the entirety of my trip, but matters could have escalated without warning. As a rule of thumb, bookmark your home countries travel advisory website, US Travel Advisory, to stay updated on travel warnings. Also, make note of the major election dates for the destination you’re traveling to.
- Respect the Local Culture
Kenyans dress conservatively regardless of the weather. Especially in Rural areas like Masai Mara or majority Islamic areas like Lamu, locals are typically fully clothed. Women and men often wear full-length jeans and tops that don’t expose their midriff. Some women were fully covered by a hijab or niqab, clothing that only leaves a woman’s eyes exposed.
While in Lamu, I didn’t feel comfortable wearing clothing that exposed even a sliver of my stomach or the outline on my figure. Most of the women and even some men wore clothing that was loose fitted, covering their hair, arms, and legs. Wearing skirts above the knee, clothing with a split in the side, or sleeveless tops would receive a lot of stares as a woman traveling in Lamu. To avoid unwanted attention, I recommend wearing modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers your legs, shoulders, and stomach.
- Don’t Skip Nairobi
While Kenya is famous for its safari parks, Nairobi deserves at least3 days on your itinerary. Nairobi, unlike Masai Mara or Amboseli, is a bustling metropolis with a multitude of restaurants, museums and galleries, local parks, shopping centres, and leisure activities to partake in.
During my stay in Nairobi I ate out at restaurants at the Social House Hotel, CJs Kilimani, and Raddison Blu Hotel, visited the Masai shopping market, indulged in a spa service at Serenity Spa Karen, and booked a city walking tour with Nai Nami to learn more about the area. I was thrilled to learn about the cultural differences and similarities between Kenyan people in Nairobi, Masai Mara, and Lamu!
- Download mPesa for Mobile Payments
I wish I could scream this from the rooftop for any first-time traveler to Kenya— download mPesa! mPesa is a service that allows Kenyans to conduct electronic money transfers to other people and businesses. Similar to Venmo, Zelle, or Cashapp in the US, mPesa is linked to a user’s sim card and relies on SMS technology for transactions.
During my stay I ran out of cash and was reluctant to use an ATM. ATM’s, especially when located in secluded areas, can run out of cash, steal card information, or generally be out of reach. In instances where a foreign credit card isn’t accepted, and cash is unavailable, mPesa is a great alternative for contactless, secure payments. I advise attempting to connect your bank details to mPesa before landing in the country. My phone carrier wasn’t able to verify my request while I was attempting my download aboard.
