Travel visas can be sourced at the airport by visitors arriving from Europe, America and Asia. The visa is obtained at a fee whether on arrival or beforehand. Commonwealth country citizens except for those with exceptions do not require visas to enter Kenya. It is advisable to confirm about the travel visas from the Kenyan embassy, consulate or high commissioner in your country.

Visitors should ensure that their passports are valid (at least six months after planned stay) and have adequate blank pages to ensure immigration stamps. Up to date information on visas in additional to any other entry requirements can be sourced from the Embassy of Kenya in the various countries.

Vaccination is a key requirement when traveling. Kenya is no exception to this. Yellow fever vaccination is required to be administered ten days prior to the day of travel. Evidence of the yellow fever vaccination is required on arrival at the airport. Its also wise to have routine inoculations for diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine and measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine.

A prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites insecticide treated nets (in the camps including game parks) at altitudes below 2,500 m (8,202 ft). Chloroquine is not an effective antimalarial drug in Kenya and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.

Several Western countries have travel advisories for their citizens traveling to Kenya. In as much as I do not want to categorize travel advisories as those, ‘park at your own risk’ notices, the decision to visit Kenya remains solely the visitor’s. Kenya experienced turmoil in early January due to the disputed December 2007 elections. But even at that difficult time, the tourist sites and hotels remained safe.

Hotels, lodges and park are relatively safe because it’s to the interest of the management in those locations to ensure security. The Kenya boarder with Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia are risky but this in not a major concern because they are far away from the tourist routes in Kenya.

Driving in Kenya is done on the left side of the road. This could be somewhat disquieting especially for those not accustomed. Traveling outside major cities at night is not advised. This is because of poor road and lighting conditions and some roads especially all weather roads become impassible during the rainy seasons. Once you’ve accustomed to the driving you should get by. Traffic jams are a common occurrence especially in the mornings and evenings.

Major credit cards are accepted as means of payment in hotels, travel agencies and shops. Travelers should be cautious not to walk with a lot of cash, instead use the cards. The major town of Nairobi and Mombasa have ATM machines that are located in well light, secure locations like near shopping malls.

Its good practice to keep in touch with your friends and family back home or even your local embassy in Kenya; just keep them updated on your journey. Phone companies offer reliable services, though mobile phones may be out of range in some camps and lodges in the parks. Most hotels especially in the major towns of Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru have internet cyber cafe or have Wifi hotspot in public areas. For writers, or photographers who blog, or send videos you can at least upload your video to your friends or onto your website while still in Kenya. Your friends or family will share part of your experience!