Kenya visa requirements and travel medical insurance

January 03, 2019

Kenya is located on the beautiful coast of East Africa. During your Kenyan adventure, you can tick wondrous experiences off your bucket list such as seeing some of the world’s most amazing animals in their natural habitat. The capital city of Kenya, Nairobi is overflowing with skyscraper buildings, local markets and lush forests.

There’s a lot to get excited about when organising your visit. To fully enjoy your adventure, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy as soon as possible, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
 
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:

Visa Information for Kenya

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Kenya?

Yes

U.S. Citizens traveling to Kenya will need a Visa. You can get the visa online.

To obtain the visa you will need the following:

• U.S. Passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of departure.
• Two blank pages in your passport for the visa.
• Proof of the yellow fever vaccination.

Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Kenya. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Kenya?

All individuals travelling to Kenya are required to have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate to gain entry into Kenya. We would also highly recommend that you get protected against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Cholera, Meningitis and Rabies as well as getting your routine vaccinations updated. The standard vaccines are:

-    MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
-    Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
-    Influenza
-    Polio
-    Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.


Emergency Contact Information in Kenya

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately, accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

Fire and ambulance emergency number: 999
Police hotlines: 999 / 112 / 911

Kenya Local Laws and Customs

• Smoking in all public places is prohibited (unless stated otherwise). Smoking in areas such as the street and lounges is not banned, however, you should check the local policy before lighting a cigarette.
• Class A drugs are illegal and could result in imprisonment
• Taking photos of official buildings such as embassies could lead to detention. If you are unsure if photography is allowed refrain from taking any.
• Homosexual activity is illegal in Kenya. Displays of homosexuality in public are banned and can lead to arrest/imprisonment
• A form of ID must be carried at all times

Religion

• Always check when Ramadan is before you travel as local customs may differ during this religious period
• People in the coastal areas are mainly of Muslim faith – whilst there is no strict way to dress, individuals should dress respectfully.

Safety and Security

Crime

• Theft such as bag snatching is common especially in transport areas such as bus stations, railway stations and airports. Make sure to take care of your belongings, and don’t flash any valuables that you may have. While on public transport, if you leave to go to the toilet – take your belongings with you.
• Beware of scams. Always ask to see identification from police officers or private security guards in order to make sure they are not frauds.

U.S. Embassy
U.S. Embassy Nairobi
United Nations Avenue Nairobi
P.O. Box 606 Village Market
00621 Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: 254 20 363-6000
Fax: 254 20 363-6157


Useful Tips for Kenya

Official Languages: Swahili
The official language spoken in Kenya is Swahili.

Currency: Kenyan Shilling
Before your trip make sure to exchange enough Kenyan Shilling for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Plug Sockets: Types G
Kenya uses Types C and I plug sockets. The standard voltage and frequency is 240V and 50 Hz. We would recommend that you buy a plug adapter if you don’t have one already.

You can determine if you need a converter or a transformer by looking at the appliance rating plate. A dual voltage rated appliance will display for example ‘INPUT: 110-240 V’ on the appliance body. In this case, you wouldn’t need a converter or transformer.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.