What You Need to Know About Travelling to Kenya Now

What you need to know about travelling to Kenya now

Exciting news arrived last month when it was announced that Kenya was reopening its doors to international travelers. So, in order to prepare you for planning and booking your Kenya safari experience in the famous Maasai Mara, we have put together a guide to help you choose the type of luxury safari camp or lodge that is the best for you.

The Magical Mara awaits your arrival and in order to get you here safely and smoothly, we are bringing you up to date on what a trip to Kenya and the interior of the country is like right now. The travel process is a little different now, of course, which is why staying informed is more important than ever. We think it's still worth a visit, especially since the herds of wildebeest and other game that make their annual trip across the plains are huge this year. You are going to witness an awesome animal show this year if you come for a great migration safari in the Maasai Mara.

Kenya has been awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travel Stamp in recognition of standardized global health and hygiene protocols that government and the private sector have successfully implemented. To put your mind at ease, we would like to give you an idea of ​​what to expect along your trip when you choose to visit our gem of an East African country. Keep in mind though that some things may have changed depending on when you plan and take your Kenya vacation.

See you soon - get to Kenya safely and smoothly

The list of countries from which Kenya currently allows travelers to enter the country without requiring a quarantine period on arrival includes, among others, the United Kingdom, several European countries, the United States of America (at l (except California, Texas and Florida) and Australia. . For travelers arriving in Kenya from non-exempt countries, you will need to quarantine yourself for 14 days, which is important to consider when planning the length of your trip.

A negative COVID-19 test performed within 96 hours of travel is a requirement of entry to Kenya for all travelers, regardless of which country you are traveling from. You will also need to check your airline's COVID-19-free certification requirements and follow their guidelines for outbound and return flights. All arriving passengers are required to complete an online Travel Health Surveillance form from the Kenya Ministry of Health and present it to the port health officer prior to proceeding with immigration.

To facilitate the Kenyan visa process, you can apply for it using the online eVisa application in advance. You can still get a visa on arrival but be aware that you will be asked about this when you check in. More than ever, travel insurance is a necessary condition for your safari and you should verify that your healthcare provider covers you for any health-related hospitalizations, including COVID-19, while you are in the country. .

In the bush - exploring the Masai Mara safely

Fortunately, being outside already means you are surrounded by the flow of cool air and the hot African sun. There are, of course, some important steps that still need to be taken even when you get out of your camp and get into the safari vehicle.

While on a safari, groups of people traveling together will be granted exclusive use of the vehicle or, if they are people who are not part of the same traveling group, only four guests will be allowed per vehicle. Throughout your stay, each group will explore the bush - and meet its wildest inhabitants - with the same driver, observer, and vehicle, who will be fully disinfected after each use. Each vehicle will be equipped with its own disinfectant and you can choose to have the vehicle fitted with a plexiglass separator between you and the guide or observer.

For your safety and that of the local population living in or near the Masai Mara, all community visits will be suspended. You can still revel in incredible wildlife encounters in the Maasai Mara wilderness and make your dream safari experience, it will be even more private with you and your travel group. This is not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, most people prefer the privacy and exclusivity of having a private safari and safari experience.

Back to Camp - Experience Luxury and Hospitality in Private

As with safaris, your tent or lodge will have the same steward and cleaning staff assigned for the duration of your stay. The room will have a deep cleaning and complete disinfection between each guest, with particular emphasis on 'high touch' areas such as switches, handles and torches. Of course, you can expect sanitizer in your room, which will be topped up between each guest.

The beauty and tranquility of the wilderness has always been the best setting for enjoying a meal on a safari. So, for now, alfresco dining will be the go-to place for all meals, with an emphasis on private dining in outdoor spaces, like verandas, gardens and near swimming pools. Common tables and buffet meals will be replaced by meals served in isolated places in the bush. A magical and romantic safari dining experience awaits you!

Your travel group will have your own dedicated, separate table and dining area, which will be set up at least two meters away from other guests. No matter where you dine, a complete disinfection of the area will be performed before and after each meal, from seats and tables to salt and pepper shakers and menus.

Around the world, the pandemic situation is constantly evolving and we hope that these protocols will soon become less strict, while preserving the health and safety of all. As of now, there are government protocols in place that help keep everyone safe in Kenya, both for you as a visitor and for those who live there. We all have a responsibility to ourselves and to each other to follow these protocols.

Calvin Cottar is director and owner of Cottar's 1920s Safaris. Cottar's 1920s Safaris is an award-winning 1920s luxury safari camp and private bush villa located in the famous 'seventh' natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and owned and managed by the oldest family in established and continuing safaris in Africa. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to enhance your profile, please contact us.