Is it safe for Americans to travel to Nairobi, Kenya for holiday?

Question

I live in London with my husband and 9 month old son. We have a holiday planned for next month in Kenya. We are planning on visiting Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara. However, we are Americans and the travel warnings have been intense lately. Not sure what to do?

Answer 1

AND WHY NOT?
go and enjoy yourself.

Answer 2

Check out www.fco.gov.uk (Foreign Office website)

I have just been travelling around Kenya from December to January. on my travels I met a few Americans, and lots of people from all around the world.

You have to remember, if English is their second or third language, they can't tell where your from by listening, I kept getting asked where I was from, although I was speaking in English Kenyans were asking if I was German etc.

Nairobi is like any major city, and you must avoid the trouble areas after dark (River Road area). Details of this are in The Rough Guide (to Kenya). This book was our bible while we were there. I would have been lost without it.

You'll be fine as long as you don't flash any cash (keep jewellery to a minimum - if none at all) and wear plain clothes not branded stuff. Only take enough money for what you planning on doing (like your meal), this way you wont feel threatened or uncomfortable.

I absolutely loved Kenya, you'll love it too! Have a brilliant time!

PS Lake Nakuru is beautiful!

PPS just noticed someone has mentioned Maleria, i know this is not a problem in Nairobi because of its altitude, but i expect you will need some anti maleria drugs for Maasai Mara and if you go to the coast.

Answer 3

You'll be ok, but remember to do exactly as you're told. There's a "safe" strip between the airport and the central part of town that looks and feels just like any other cosmopolitan city (because that's the only part the TV crews ever see), but don't go south of Moi (street) - then you're instantly in poor africa - if you stop at lights, women with small babies throw themselves on your car until you give them money to go away - carry large quantities of local-currency small change and throw it as far AWAY from the car as you can - they'll scramble for it. If you see a hole in the road ahead, it might be a rabbit's ears that are sticking up, but more likely a donkey's. Make sure you hire a 4WD.
Carry american dollars(cash) - it's the only recognised currency.
The Lake and the Maasai, of course, are not in Nairobi - that'll just be the airport you fly into.
Check out immunisation recommendations, esp yellow fever - do it NOW, some if the innoculations "fight" with each other and have to be administered over a period of time. If you don't get them all, DO NOT eat any raw Fruit or Vegetables - you'll get VERY sick (waterborne diseases - the water they wash the food in before they serve it).

Answer 4

Kenya is a beautiful country and should be visited.
Most of the country is at altitude and malaria is less of a problem,really serious only on the coastal strip.
However with a 9month old baby,leave this trip for a year or two
It is stressfull for the child, and you,to undertake a long haul air trip,believe me.They are susceptible to ear problems at that age.
IT IS DIFFERENT IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING HOME TO THE STATES,YOU ARE GOING TO A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT,FAMILY ETC

Why not a road trip through Tuscany,down to Florence,take in Venice,back through Vienna-take your time.RELAX
At least you drive on the right side of the road and you will be surprised how much English is spoken

Or,if you really want to see UK,hire a boat and do the canals or do the Loch Ness/Caledonian Canal trip.The point here is that you control the environment and the time

As I spent many years in Kenya,do go;but not now!!
You will be so tied up looking out for your child,I doubt you will have any recreation time

Answer 5

It's as safe as it is anywhere. Most Kenyans don't really care where you come from as long as you don't look down on them. Lake Nakuru is beautiful, personally I found Nairobi quite intimidating but then I am not used to being in big cities, never mind big cities where men chase you down the street asking you to marry them and take them to America! I've been to Kisumu several times, it is no a standard tourist area but the people are friendly and there seems to be a lot less hassle than in larger cities like Nairobi and Mombassa. There are risks whoever you are and wherever you go. The most important thing is to develop a good relationship with the people in your host country.

I would have thought that the risk of malaria would be more of a problem, particularly with a small baby unless your family has some natural immunity. I am unsure about malaria treatment for babies but I do know that some of the adult medications have been reported to exaccerbate mental health conditions. Also have you considered the heat? I don't know when you plan to travel or which bit of the states you are from, if your baby is used to living in a hot climate you should be fine but if not then there could be a good few sleepless nights and grumpy days while s/he adjusts.

Answer 6

Normally it would be as safe as anywhere else in Africa...for Americans or any other nationality. Of course, there is always a threat of terrorism, but as we have seen in recent years, that can strike anywhere, Madrid, London...

Of course, with a 9 month old baby, you want to be particularly sensible and cautious...even tho I would go anywhere almost on my own or with my girlfriend, I have to say I'd hesitate and be very sure before taking a young child on a vacation like that ...

It's worth checking the Foreign Office website for updated travel information, and perhaps the State Dept website too...also, regarding your insurance, make sure it's comprehensive, and check the exclusions right up to the day you travel.

Also, ask on the Lonely Planet Thorntree, it's the worlds largest travellers forum, and you'll get very good and useful info from people who have been there recently or are there now.

Hope that helps

Philip

Answer 7

Nairobi conjures most of the relationship and experience of their vibrant colonial days and is a great place to spend your vacation, learn more with hotelbye . One of the things worth see could be the Nairobi's wealthy record and tribal lifestyle is produced your in its excellent museums and the Karen Blixen Museum in among the memorial most visited. Also in Nairobi you can visit Nairobi National Park. The park is a rhino refuge and protects more than 50 of those significantly put at risk creatures. Along with the rhinos, readers may see: lions, gazelles, buffaloes, warthogs, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, and more than 400 species of birds have now been recorded in the wetlands and here, the Nairobi Safari Walk is a popular appeal giving pet fans the opportunity to place wildlife on base, and strolling paths place around the location referred to as Hippo Pools. Nairobi is definitely a city where whole the household will enjoy.

Answer 8

what ever people are telling u, just listen to your heart!
even tough 2 American ladies was murdered near Nairobi 3 day ago, it was nothing to do with the fact they were American. they have been to the wrong place in the wrong time.
it has to do with the fact that Kenya became a very Violante place. (as a result of Somalian influence) the police can hardly protect the citizens any longer. if you go, do not flash your passport around, and never... flash bundles of money around.
Tanzania is much safer than Kenya.

Answer 9

hi mum , i am very much happy to hear that u have plan to visit kenya but in the other hand u are fearing the sercurity being in kenya for safari lake nakuru and maasai mara, travel warnings, are just storties to tell but sercurity in the country kenya is up to date and i promise that in kenya we do,nt have man hunting for Americans , otherwise you need to proceed with your coming and i could like also if you have not booked your safaris u can book with my company for safaris in kenya and also tanzania you can visit my website (www.regionalluxuryshuttle.com)

Answer 10

No problem! Don't pack valuables, food or smokes in your luggage, otherwise you can buy the stuff back on the market next to the airport. Besides that Kenya is not that bad, but with anything in Africa it just needs a tiny spark to get the crowds going. Try South Africa, they appreciate your holiday money more and you can see wildlife and get value for your bucks!

Answer 11

There's nothing wrong with going on holiday in Kenya. Westerners go there all the time and the places you want to go to are safe. You should forget the 'Africa myths' you keep reading from all the people that have never even been there. Go and enjoy yourself. Do a safari trip, they are real fun.

No I'm not Kenyan and yes, I'm in London.