Kenya Tourist Health & Safety Travel Tips
The information on this page is just a brief, general guide and should not be used in replacement of a consultation with your travel doctor. Your respective government and travel clinics are trusted resources for complete and up-to-date info about travelers’ health in Kenya.
Again, as with travelling anywhere in the world, travellers need to be vigilant to avoid any unnecessary hassles. Below are some general health and safety tips for travelling around Kenya and Africa:
Tourist Health & Safety Travel Tips In Africa
Before you leave for Kenya, you’ll need to see your doctor for a prescription of malaria pills because some regions in Kenya are high-risk malaria zones. When you take your own medication, you eliminate the risk of not being able to find them at local pharmacies.
Be sure to pack plenty of insect repellent.
In some of the tourist-traffic towns like Nairobi and Mombasa, pickpocketing is sometimes an issue, it’s a good idea to be alert in busy places like markets.
Make copies of all your travel documents and keep them in your luggage.
For a deeper look at African safari safety, explore more areas of our blog where we cover safety tips for game drives, walking safaris, time in camp, and more.
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Food Hygiene In Kenya
One thing for sure is that when you are on safari at Kenya’s top lodges and safari camps, you can rest assured that food quality will be of the highest standard.
If you’re planning to check out some street food stands, you’ll want to be cautious about eating meat, as it’s uncertain how long it’s been sitting out. Also, it’s advisable to be more aware of what food you eat and where – like meat, unpasteurised dairy products, always proceed with more caution when it comes to raw foods such as fruits and vegetables that aren’t peeled or cooked. Be more selective with where you eat them.
Avoid any restaurants or food vendors that appear unclean or don’t have many customers.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink In Kenya?
Don’t drink tap water unless it has been boiled or purified. We advise all our travellers to always drink bottled water, which is cheap and readily available. Carry a reusable water bottle and purification tablets or a water filter bottle, such as the Grayl water bottle, and keep it topped up with purified water to avoid buying bottled water. If you’re out of water, most restaurants sell bottled water. Many safari lodges, camps and hotels will provide complimentary bottled water, ready for you in your room, safari tent, or when you are setting off on game drives.
Additionally, we recommend that you use bottled water to brush your teeth, particularly in cities and towns.
Ready to Plan Your Kenya Safari Holiday?
Early preparations play a significant role in successful Kenya safari tours. Understanding safari rhythms, seasonal patterns, and daily wildlife activity improves both photography opportunities and overall enjoyment.
