Kenya Travel Information
TRAVELING TO KENYA - HELPFUL INFORMATION
The following information on Immunications and Malaria, are provided by the website About.com and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Immunizations:
Please be sure and see your travel doctor if you haven't already as you need 4-6 weeks to complete shots. None are mandatory but some are recommended. You should do that soon. For a list of Canadian Travel Clinincs, click here.
No immunizations are required by law to enter Kenya if you are travelling directly from Europe, Canada or the US. If you are travelling from a country where Yellow Fever is present you will need to prove you have had the innoculation.
Several vaccinations are highly recommended, they include:
* Yellow Fever
* Typhoid
* Hepatitis A
* Diptheria
It is also recommended that you are up to date with your polio and tetanus vaccinations.
Malaria
There's a risk of catching malaria pretty much everywhere you travel in Kenya. The highlands used to be a low-risk area, but even there you have to be careful and take precautions. Kenya is home to the chloroquine-resistant strain of malaria as well as several others. Make sure your doctor or travel clinic knows you are traveling to Kenya (don't just say Africa) so s/he can prescribe the right anti-malarial medication. Tips on how to avoid malaria will also help.
The following information was supplied by our YouFeedThem team member and frequent traveler to Kenya, Kimberley Odour, and will be quite helpful to those who are traveling to Kenya on any upcoming missions trips:
Visa Information:
You will need to apply for your Visa to enter Kenya. A single entry tourist/visitor/business visa is currently $32. CAD For more information, including application forms and requirements, please visit www.kenyahighcommission.ca On their main menu, to the left, you can click visa. You can bring the completed forms and your passport and any other needed documents right to their office here in Ottawa. It's usually quite quick, approximately 1 week or so.
General Information:
You can ask your bank before hand if you can use your debit card in Kenya. We were able to set our debit card up for that but it does incur extra cost for transactions so check with your bank. A visa card is also handy or good for emergencies
$1.00 Canadian is about 60 Kenyan shillings
Wear very little jewelry and keep it simple.
Wear your important documents in a safety belt under your clothes. (Walmart sells them-It's not necessary to get a waterproof one)
Be ready with a word, song or to preach when visiting churches.
If someone tells you that you are fat or so fat, they are giving you a compliment. Having extra weight according to their culture means you are being well cared for and they see it as a blessing and that you are healthy. Just graciously thank them.
Only eat fresh veggies or fruit if you can peel them. No salads. Only drink bottled water.
Be prepared for many people asking you for money or help, the need is so great. Many people find this difficult to deal with. My best advice is to pray and ask God where He wants you to give. You will see needs everywhere. When in the downtown streets we often will buy food for those begging for money.
When visiting someone's home it is very much part of their tradition and culture to invite you in both to drink and to eat with them. It is considered a bit of an insult if you don't receive the offering. They will even cook for you their last meal if you arrive at their home. They believe visitors are a blessing to their home and family and you will be treated like royal guests.
It is common place that when we arrive anywhere that we first pray and thank God for His traveling mercies and pray a blessing over the family's home that is hosting us. We do the same before we leave.
Most people will greet you with praise the Lord! My name is.......... and the Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
Don't travel off the beaten path. Don't travel alone. If in the bush make some noise as you walk so you don't surprise any snakes or wild animals.
Most people associate white people as being wealthy and will commonly approach you for help.
Kenyan people usually do not show outward affection to their spouses. Also culturally you don't typically see adults playing with children. They believe children should play with children. Oh and don't ever call anyone silly. Even a child would be offended by that but even more so an adult would be greatly offended.
When traveling by a private car you don't have to wear a seat belt but when traveling by a public means you must wear a seat belt in the vehicle. It is not uncommon for people to bring livestock on the bus or to even see someone driving a bike with a goat on their back. Animals do not have the same place of respect and care that we have for them here. Do not approach a loose dog to pet it. Most dangerous ones are tied but you will see some others foraging for food and scraps as they aren't well fed. Most dogs are used for security purposes and are not friendly.
Packing your Luggage:
IMPORTANT: Make 2 copies of your travel documents (plane tickets, passport, and visa). Bring one copy with you in your carry on bag, and leave one copy with a friend or relative here. You never know what may be lost and it would be rather difficult to verify your identification, etc. without these copies. If your copy that you are taking with you is also lost, you can have your relative or friend fax to you in Kenya if need be.
When packing be sure and put any liquid items in individual baggies and then all in one big baggies and then put them in the center of you luggage with clothes around to insulate them. The luggage on the airplane goes down below and it gets very cold there. Some items have been known to burst. I find I can fit more in my luggage if I roll my clothing, plus it doesn't wrinkle as much.
It's handy to pack a change of clothes or two in your carry on because the flight is long and you could loose your luggage. Also be sure and carry all your medications in your carry on, toothbrush and toothpaste and anything really important to you for the same reasons.
Also I would not recommend buying new or fancy luggage. International travel is very rough with you luggage. Most get ripped, dented or damaged. The best thing I have found is using a large hockey bag with wheels. Walmart use to carry them. I have never had my hockey bag damaged. Usually our luggage will go right through and we don't have to transfer it but I will have to check and see. So I would highly advise something with wheels.
I would keep soaps and shampoos mild and without a lot of fragrance just because it attacks mosquitoes and bugs in general.
Mosquito nettings we can buy there in Nairobi. It is a lot cheaper. I would recommend a treated net. About 5 years ago my treated net cost me $75.00 here. It will cost you a fraction of that in Kenya. Nairobi is not a big malaria region but I use it anyway.
Please remember the voltage is higher over there so items like a hair blow dryer will require a converter or if it's just something like that, you can buy one cheaply over there. However when we are at home in the bush there is no power
It is helpful to tie a scarf or something unusual to your luggage this helps to identify it quickly and easily. (so much can look the same)
THINGS TO PACK FOR KENYA:
I thought this might be helpful. I tried to think of everything but if you notice anything important don't hesitate to let me know and we can add it. There are everyday items I left out. I am a planner and tend to take things others wouldn't think of or simply don't care, so just adjust to suit your needs. Most items can be bought in Nairobi if you prefer to pack light and buy there. We will be going into a 24hr store in Nairobi to pick up treated mosquitoes nets, as they are much cheaper there.
- camera
- extra batteries for camera
- sunscreen
- bug repellent with deet
- hat
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- floss
- comb/brush
- water canteen( great with a strap over the shoulder to carry)walmart has nice big ones
- meal bars( great to hold you over if meals are late-necessity for me)
- fanny packs are great for keeping things light.
- first aid kit (small basic)
- light weight clothing-(light color ideal as dark colors attract mosquitoes
- women in Kenya typically wear skirts and dresses( also much cooler)
- men commonly wear dress pants and dress-shirt, sometimes with ties but feel free to wear shorts and shirts but it would be good to bring something a little more fancy for church..
- best to have a couple of long sleeve shirts and pants for evening as it gets cool and help prevent mosquito bites
- sweater
- good to have some immodium, gravel, polysporin, Advil or Tylenol and band aids
- after sun product- in case of sunburn
- any medications needed * don't forget anti malaria medicine*
- you might want a journal to record special moments
- bible
- good book
- toiletries
- feminine products for the women
- small Kleenex packets are handy
- purel (very handy for moments when there is no clean water to use)
- wipes or little mini towelettes
- a travel belt to hide important documents like your passport. I prefer the waist ones as they don't move around as much and aren't easily seen.
- Wear very little jewelry-leave valuables at home.
- Plane tickets
- passport with visa
- immunization records
- good pair of running shoes or hiking shoes
- sandals-never bear foot!
- Sunglasses
- cotton clothing or wicking clothing are idea-polyester will make you more hot. Average temps around 35 C
- Socks
- mild soaps
- mild shampoos with little fragrance
- gum especially for the plane ride
- small travel alarm clock- battery operated
- converter for electricity if you need one.
- Flash light with extra batteries
- rain coat or water proof jacket
- neck pillow for plane
- one roll of toilet paper(just in case)
- towel
- face cloth
- bathing suit
- tying a scarf or something unusual to your luggage helps you to quickly identify yours.
- Snacky items or favorite treats if you can't do without-ha ha
GIFT IDEAS
- Yoyo's
- hair ribbons, hair clips
- stickers
- jacks
- any small games that are easy to learn and play
- desperately need resources for teaching classes (kindergarten) books that are simple and appropriate for them.
- Stencils
- there are great school room decor that you can get in the dollar store.
- Fun pencils
- erasers
- glue sticks
- banners for worship
- book markers
- nail polish is great for some one on one time if you will paint their nails or toe nails. Don't forget the polish remover.( the ones I found there never worked very well)
- Candies or treats like that can be bought more cheaply over there.
- Sticker books
- playing cards
- clothes
- shoes
- felt board with biblical scenes or animal, numbers.. the imagination is the limit.
- Try to find light items
