Kenya Travel Entry requirements
Kenya Travel Entry requirements : For entry into Kenya after May 9, 2023, the Kenyan government will no longer require documentation of COVID-19 immunisation or a negative COVID-19 PCR test.
Travellers suffering flu-like symptoms will be forced to pay $30 USD for a quick antigen test. Those who receive a positive antigen RDT result must pay $50 for a PCR test and self-isolate in accordance with Ministry of Health isolation recommendations. Those who exhibit severe symptoms will subsequently be permitted to isolate in accordance with the standards in place for mild, moderate, and severe disease.
Anyone arriving in Kenya with symptoms resembling the flu will need to complete the passenger locator form on the “jitenge” platform.
Drone
Drone import and export into and out of Kenya are subject to stringent regulations set forth by the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Without the KCAA’s prior consent, you won’t be permitted to carry a drone into Kenya. You should get in touch with the KCAA well before your trip if you intend to carry a drone into Kenya.
Passport and Travel Documents
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date if you are travelling to Kenya. On arrival, your passport should have at least two blank pages. Make sure your passport and other travel documents satisfy their requirements by checking with your travel company.
A Visa
To enter Kenya, you need a visa. All entrance visas for Kenya are issued online, and travellers must have their e-visas before departing. On the Kenya e-visa website, you may apply for transit and single entry visas. Kenya’s e-visa system is not yet fully functional. However, if tourists are unable to access the e-visa programme, Kenyan authorities have informed airlines and assured they will grant visas on arrival.
The Kenya eVisa is a Single Entry document with a 90-day total validity period following issuance. This visa may be extended locally for an extra 90 days. The best part is that you may submit the necessary documents from anywhere in the world because the visa application is entirely online.
You may obtain the paperwork in as little as two days, depending on the processing time you select.
East Africa Tourist Visa
With the multiple-entry East Africa Tourist Visa, travellers can visit Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda without obtaining additional visas. After being issued, the travel document is valid for 90 days Per Entry.
The entire application procedure is done online, so it only takes a few minutes to upload the necessary paperwork. After that, your email will be the recipient of the visa. You can get the East Africa tourist visa in two days if you choose the quicker processing time.
How to Travel around Kenya
The greatest way to make the most of your time and see the country is by flying. Nairobi, Mombasa, coastal communities like Malindi and the Lamu Archipelago, as well as smaller airports close to national parks, are all connected by a number of domestic carriers.
Be informed that unvaccinated visitors travelling in Kenya are still required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. The traveller must show confirmation of immunisation or a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure.
Kenya has fantastic public transportation hubs that connect bigger and smaller towns, in particular in the west of the country, with frequent connections to the city centre and the seaside. Consequently, using a bus is an additional option. Train travel is another affordable choice; you can visit the major cities while taking advantage of night time travel, saving you from losing your daytime while travelling. Driving, though, may also be a terrific adventure and an opportunity to see Kenya at your own leisure. You will require an international driving permit for the road journey in accordance with local regulations. It is recommended that you inspect the car before hiring it to avoid getting one that is not in good condition. You can also locate a lift with Uber or Bolt if you don’t want to drive yourself or rely on city transport hubs.
Weather in Kenya
Kenya has a tropical climate, making it comfortable for visitors to see the country’s natural wonders. But don’t be deceived; there are climatic fluctuations that are impacted by a number of variables, including altitude.
June through October are considered the dry months. At higher heights, temperatures are approximately 23°C (73°F) while at lower altitudes, like the shore, they are around 28°C (82°F). Since there are frequently sunny days with clear skies, it’s a great time of year for the journey.
The hotter wet season lasts from November to May. At higher altitudes, daytime temperatures range from 24°C (75°F) to 27°C (81°F), whereas they are closer to 30°C (86°F) in the lower zone.
Although it is normally warm, the best advice is to bring warm clothing for early morning game drives.
Kenya Safari tours
Kenya was named the top safari destination in the world for 2021 by the World Travel Awards, a title it has maintained for seven years. This is so that visitors may easily get up close and personal with lionesses, leopards, and elephants in their natural habitat.
Kenya’s most popular location for safaris is the Maasai Mara National Reserve. There are public parks and conservation areas, so you can encounter magnificent wildlife. Maasai Mara National Reserve is the ideal location for anyone seeking great safari adventure. But you can also see wildlife in Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National park, Hell’s Gate National Park, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Parks and Lake Naivasha among others; just keep in mind to always abide by park rules.
Avoiding bright colours and wearing simple T-shirts are the best for safaris. Bring a warm jacket and a jersey as well for the chilly mornings. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also necessary items.
Kenyan Cuisine to try
Ugali
Ugali is a sort of maize meal produced from maize or corn flour in numerous African nations. It is also known by the names posho, sima, and other names. It is heated through in milk or boiling water until it resembles stiff or firm dough. One of the few dishes on the list, the dish was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017.
Sukuma wiki
East African cuisine known as sukuma wiki is produced with sukuma, or collard greens, which are then cooked with onions and spices. It is frequently provided and consumed with ugali, a maize-based dish.
In Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and other countries in East Africa, colewort is more frequently referred to as collard greens and is known by its Swahili name, sukuma. It is frequently confused for kale.
“Push the week” or “stretch the week” is how the phrase “sukuma wiki” is literally translated. It is a vegetable that is typically inexpensive and offered all year round in this area. Along with ugali or sima, it is a component of the local staple food.
Pilau dish
Kenyan pilau rice is a straightforward dish made of rice that has been cooked with spices, beef stock, and occasionally vegetables. At events and gatherings, this flavourful rice dish is frequently served, typically with kachumbari (tomato & cucumber salad). On holidays like Eid, Christmas, and other special events, it is always served, much like jollify rice in West Africa. Swahili pilau rice and East African pilau rice are additional names for Kenyan pilau rice.
The Pilau meal is popular in India and the Middle Eastern nations, each of which has its own unique preparation method. Swahili pilau is another name for the East African pilau rice, which is popular in nations near the Swahili coast like Kenya and Tanzania.
