Are you a luxury tourist looking to travel to Kenya but unsure whether it is safe? Are you hesitant to travel because you know nothing about the country? If the answer is yes, you have come to the right place. We will write a comprehensive review about Kenya to help you answer the question, “Is Kenya Safe?”
Is Kenya Safe to Visit?
We must look at the country’s security situation to answer this question. First, Kenya attained independence on December 12, 1963, after a brutal fight with British colonialists. After 1953, the country was forced to mobilize its soldiers to defend its territorial integrity.
During this time, the government of Somalia financed a proxy War in Northern Kenya to increase its landmass. This was known as the Shifter War, which Kenya won. After years of stability, Kenya was once again dragged into War. This time, Al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization in Somalia, began to kidnap tourists and locals in Lamu.
In 2011, the Kenyan government launched operation Linda inchi to defend its territorial integrity. Thousands of Kenya defense forces were mobilized to fight Al-Shabaab.
Currently, Kenya is safe to visit, as the al-Shabaab threat has been neutralized. However, tourists are advised to avoid visiting areas near the Somali border, such as the Boni forest and Wajir.
How can Tourists in Kenya Stay Safe?
There are several ways that tourists in Kenya can stay safe. The first is to use a reputable travel agency in Kenya. A reputable travel agency should be licensed. Licenses ensure that travel companies operate within the law.
Other ways that tourists can stay safe while visiting Kenya are:
Avoid walking with fancy jewelry
Use fancy jewelry when the travel agency has assigned you, security guards. Otherwise, walking in public with fancy jewelry is dangerous because you will attract muggers. In addition, avoid walking while displaying your phone or gadgets in public places.
You can walk freely in malls because guards are around to ensure you are not mugged.
Avoid late-night walks
Tourists in Kenya are advised to avoid late-night walks, especially when alone. Tourists walking alone at night are prime targets for muggers and robbers. If you want to walk alone, you should do it during the day and near people.
On the contrary, luxury tourists do not have to worry about this because the tour agency must provide a driver and a luxury vehicle to drive them around.
Identify and avoid hotspots
Hotspots are areas the government has identified as risky for tourists to visit. One of Nairobi’s hot spots is low-income neighborhoods such as Kibra and Eastleigh. Other hotspot areas include Laikipia North and Laikipia West sub-counties because of cattle rustlers. Hotspots in the coastal areas include Kilifi and Lamu, which borders Somalia.
Before traveling with Luxury Escape Tours, our tour guide will advise on the best areas to traverse. If you prefer to travel to risky places, The company will make security arrangements, including a luxury 4×4 SUV and protection.
Avoid driving yourself
Use a dedicated driver when you want to drive around the country; the driver has local knowledge of the terrain. If you prefer to drive, we advise driving within the city center and avoiding abandoned roads. In addition, it is advisable to use a 4 X 4 SUV when compared to a sedan.
Also, tourists are advised to have a spare tire, a first aid kit, and a bucket of soil in the car. The soil is essential, especially when the vehicle catches fire while driving. The fire is usually caused by excessive heat and the filling of the fuel tank to capacity.
Stay in reputable hotels
Lastly, tourists should stay in reputable hotels. The hotels should have adequate security, a three-star rating, and Wi-Fi. Budget hotels are prone to theft, especially by night nurses who enter and leave at will.
Is Nairobi safe?
Yes, Nairobi Kenya is safe for tourists. Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya, and it has been taunted as the gateway to Africa. Due to all these factors, Nairobi has a large police force that maintains Law and Order. Nairobi is also home to universally recognized bodies such as the United Nations Environmental Programme {UNEP}, the United National Human Settlements Programme {UN-Habitat}, and the United Nations Office at Nairobi {UNON}.
Other recognized bodies include the Food and Agriculture Organisation for the United Nations {FAO} and the United Nations Children’s Fund {UNICEF}.
It is also safe to travel to Nairobi because it has several 5-star hotels where you can stay. Examples of these hotels are:
Movenpick Hotel & Residence
Movenpick is a luxurious African-themed upscale hotel with panoramic views of the city. It has a 360 -degree revolving restaurant: high-speed internet, modern meeting rooms, and a swimming pool for leisure.
The hotel offers exotic dishes prepared by internationally recognized chefs.
Palacina
Palacina is located in Nairobi, and tourists can either stay in the Palacina suites, Executive apartments, Studio Kitchenettes, or Business residences. The business residence has three bedrooms and is best for tourists looking to stay in Nairobi for an extended period.
The hotel has amenities such as an indoor heated swimming pool, a fitness room with anaerobic equipment, guest laundry room.
PrideInn Azure Hotel
PrideInn Azure Hotel is a safe Hotel that offers maximum security for tourists. It has excellent food, free Wi-Fi, and is only located 4 kilometers from the city center. The hotel can be used for romantic dinners, events, and banquets.
Sankara Hotel
Sankara is a luxury 5-star hotel located in Westlands, Nairobi. It has more than 168 spacious rooms, with a magnificent rooftop swimming pool. In addition, Sankara has six world-class bars and restaurants that serve exotic dishes. The hotel provides maximum security to tourists by providing executive-level accreditation.
The hotel markets itself as a honeymoon hotel offering an unmatched experience for newlyweds. It is also suitable for business travel because of its fancy meeting rooms and high-speed internet.
Is food and drinking water in Nairobi safe?
Yes, tap water in Nairobi is safe to drink. However, enquire about the source of the water. Some hotels may drill a borehole and tap it without testing the water’s suitability. This mostly happens in low-end hotels that are trying to cut costs. If you are not confident with the quality of water you are getting, buy bottled water from reputable brands.
Food in Nairobi is safe to eat. While in Kenya, most tourists will be introduced to foods such as Nyama Choma, {marinated beef, pork, or goat meat/ribs}. Nyama Choma is mainly eaten with Ugali { cooked maize flour}.
Other popular Kenyan foods include
- Mukimo {Mashed green peas with potatoes}.
- Githeri {A mixture of cooked maize and beans}.
- Tilapia and ugali.
- Ugali and Sukuma {Kales or traditional vegetables such as nightshade and Amarantha}
- Ugali and Cabbages and meat
There are plenty of foods in Kenya, and you should speak with your tour specialist to get an authentic feel of Kenyan Food.
Is Mombasa Safe?
Yes, Mombasa is safe for tourists. It has a large population of Europeans, Americans, and Canadians. Mombasa is adjacent to Malindi, known as “Little Italy” because of the many Italians who have settled there. Malindi has numerous Italian restaurants, pizzerias, and liquors such as Amaro and Limoncello.
Mombasa is a coastal city in southeast Kenya, located along the Indian ocean. It is a rich historical city, first occupied by Bantu-speaking people who practiced fishing and farming. In addition, it has historically been a trading city, having traded with Indians, Persians, and the Portuguese. There is a famous museum in Mombasa known as Fort Jesus.
The Portuguese used Fort Jesus to protect themselves against invasion by the Omani Arabs.
Security Situation in Mombasa
Mombasa is safe to travel for tourists. This is because, as a tourist destination, the government has invested heavily in infrastructure and security to attract tourists. However, tourists should exercise caution when in Mombasa. For starters, you should only stay in reputable hotels that protect tourists.
Also, when walking at night, walk in groups and avoid visiting low-income areas because there is a high risk of mugging. When using the LIkoni ferry, tourists are advised to take extra precautions because pickpocketers may take advantage of the crowd to rob you.
Other pickpocketing areas
Other areas where pickpocketing is common are Moi Avenue, areas surrounding Fort Jesus, and the junction between Mwembe Tayari road and Jomo Kenyatta Avenue.
Areas in Mombasa with low crime rates {Tourists can walk alone at night} include:
- Tudor: It is close to the CBD hence plenty of security officers on patrol
- Nyali: Safe to walk at night and during the day
Areas in Mombasa that tourists in Kenya should avoid:
- Kisauni: Kisauni is affected by radicalized youth fighting to control territory.
- Kibokoni: Youth in Kibokoni are affected by drug addiction, resulting in crime. Tourists in Kibokoni should only travel in groups and with a resident or security personnel.
- Majengo: Majengo is a low-income area affected by political unrest due to numerous riots. Majengo should be avoided.
In conclusion, it is safe for tourists in Kenya to travel to Nairobi and Mombasa. However, you should take precautions by ensuring you work with a reputable travel agency. Also, when visiting Nairobi or Mombasa, have a local tour guide. This is because the local tour guide understands the political and security situation on the ground. Lastly, tourists should make a copy of their passports in case their luggage is lost or stolen. Are you ready to plan your trip to Kenya? Reach out to us, and we will customize your trip for an experience of a life a time.
