Travel Guide
The KenyanAdventure Travel Guide is designed to help prepare you for your time in Africa. It is recommended that you read through each of the sections to ensure you are aware of some key information, which will help save you time and money whilst you are away.
If you would like more information or if you would like us to give you a call, please get in touch - a member of the team will be happy to assist you.
Contents
Section 6: What Should I Take?
Travelling alone or even with friends to a new environment can be an overwhelming experience.
Your day-to-day requirements may change in Africa so, to make life easier, we have created a handy checklist or items we feel are worth taking.
It is recommended that you take a conventional 'traveller's' backpack as opposed to suitcase, mainly for practicality and particularly if you are travelling for a long period of time.
Some websites go overboard with recommendations - from compasses and foot creams to ties and shoelaces. You are unlikely to need a tie in Kenya and you do not need a compass unless you intend to walk from the airport!
So we've tried to omit the inessentials - particularly those that can be purchased locally if required.
Paperwork Essentials
- Passport (You won't get far without it!)
- Travel insurance documents
- Emergency phone numbers.
- All travel & airline tickets.
- Any relevant medical documents.
- Immunisation record & Yellow Fever certificate.
Medical/Hygiene Essentials
- Anti-malarial tablets.
- Anti-diarrhoea tablets.
- Adhesive bandages.
- Basic medical kit with plasters.
- Anti-bacterial hygiene gel.
Personal Hygiene Items
- Toothpaste & toothbrush.
- Shaving kit.
- Sanitary Towels/Tampons.
- Shower gel.
- Shampoo.
- Wet wipes (definitely worth taking!).
- Flannel.
- Sun-cream / After-sun.
- Deodorant.
Clothes
The clothes you take will obviously be down to personal preference. The weather is warm-to-hot during the day time even in the rainy season - you will probably feel comfortable enough in just a t-shirt/top and shorts. The temperature can drop in the evenings, particularly in the wet months, and so you will probably be thankful to take a jacket/hoody. A light waterproof would be ideal for any showers.
Football coaches should take extra football socks, shorts and t-shirts. If you have old football shirts that are no longer of use to you, players from the football teams adore English strips - so don't bin your Grimbsy Town 1986 away kit! They would be extremely grateful if you were able to give your old shirts away.
It should be noted that Kenyans dress conservatively. Women should cover shoulders and avoid 'strappy', revealing tops. Thighs should also be covered and 'short shorts' should not be worn. Male dress code is less strict but whilst working at your project, you should always ensure you are wearing at least a vest and shorts.
Gadgets/Personal items you may want
- iPod/MP3 Player
- Diary/Journal - You are likely to experience many new things in Kenya, particularly if this is your first time in Africa and it's great to look back on a personal record of your time away.
- Mobile phone
- List of addresses/contact numbers/email addresses for friends/relatives.
- Handy tips you might not know.
- Mobile phones - you can purchase local SIM cards for as little as 20p and texting home is so much cheaper using Kenyan networks in comparison with the English ones. For example, Vodafone's Kenyan sister company is Safaricom. A text to the UK from Kenya using Vodafone will cost around £1.50 to you and possibly a fee for the recipient. However, by using Safaricom, the text will cost you around 8p and free to your recipient!
- Phone cards - avoid international phone cards purchased in the UK but intended for use in Kenya. They are normally rip offs and cheaper alternatives can be sourced in Kenya.
- Universal adaptors - Kenya uses the same power sockets as the UK, so don't waste money on adaptors!
