5 Ways to Plan for the Unexpected while on a Kenya Safari

As per the research done by Statista, in 2019 over two million tourists are said to have visited Kenya. In 2020 we had a 72% drop due to the life-threatening Nobel Corona Virus. This was yet the biggest scare to the tourism industry, but thankfully we are recovering from it.

Like Corona Virus, many more unexpected events happen while on Safari- accidents, illnesses, floods, wildfires, etc. Though we may not always prevent unforeseen circumstances, we all can play a part in mitigating their adverse effects. Below, find the five ways to prepare yourself for such unpredictable calamities.

1.    Insurance.

Travel insurance, health insurance, motor insurance, third-party liability cover, you name it, are extremely important. Your first tourist responsibility is to get the best travel insurance there is. This is because they will be the first respondents to your needs, such as; processing emergency passports for you and catering for your hotel extension expenses and medical bills.

On the other hand, using insured motor vehicles is equally important. In case of an accident, you are sure of compensation from the motor insurance (car, boat insurance). Most motor insurances provide cover for third-party bodily injury and property damage. Note that different insurances have different principles that govern them. Something you should familiarize yourself with.

2.    Research

Do a thorough background check on the travel company you are booking with, the places you will be visiting and the hotels you will be staying in. Check out the reviews on their website or other review platforms, such as Trustpilot or SafariBookings. Reviews never lie!

Secondly, get firsthand information from your experienced travel buddies. Ask them about their experience in a specific hotel, the national parks and reserves they visited, and the travel company they used. (Trust me, there is nothing as sweet as referrals.)

Thirdly, utilize the resources of your travel company of choice. Ask questions. Regardless of how silly you think your questions are, your travel company will always be willing to answer them, and if they don’t know the answers, they will go that extra mile to get them for you: that’s how we do it at Morningstar Safaris.

3.    Prepare for any season.

It is always a big assumption that Kenya, or Africa, is a hot continent. This is not further from the truth; however, we also experience our form of ‘winter’. Kenya has distinct dry and rainy seasons because of its location along the equator. It has two main dry seasons; the first lies between December and March, and the second between July and October. The latter months are cold and quite unbearable. The two rainy seasons come in between. When packing a bag, have the seasons of your destinations in mind.

4.    Pack your medicine

Apart from accidents, illnesses are the second most unwanted while on Safari. You are to relax and create ‘good’ memories while on Safari, and falling ill is never part of the good. So, how do you prepare yourself for illness? You must update your Yellow Fever Vaccine and the Corona Virus Vaccine as part of Kenya visa requirements. Take the vaccines!

Secondly, Kenya is Malaria prone region because of the heat; ensure you pack antibiotics and a mosquito repellant gel. If you have any allergies, be it food allergy, pollen allergy, or drug allergy, remember to communicate them to your Travel company and all the hotels you will be staying in.

5.    Add an extra one to two weeks to your Visa.

One thing about unexpected circumstances is that they don’t notify you when they will strike or end. For this reason, add at least a week to your stay from when your Safari is expected to end. This allows you a smooth time to reschedule your flight, process your emergency passport or receive appropriate medical attention before you are ‘safe to fly’.

When making you Kenya Tourist Visa application, add at least a week to your stay from when your Safari is expected to end

Apart from the five ways I have shared above, there are other tiny little things you can do to prepare yourself;

·      Memorize your emergency contacts

·      Pay attention to every detail on your itineraries.

·      Follow instructions as stipulated. (Sometimes. At least to retain some fun!)

·      Carry extra cash or valid credit cards for emergencies

·      Print everything printable; your flight itinerary, booking invoices, etc.

In conclusion, come with an open mind. Expecting anything to happen is the best way to prepare for the worst. Calamities happen not only to bad people but also to good people like you. And who knows, something good can come out of the bad. Let this not scare your adventurous heart but allow you to calculate your risk and prepare for it accordingly. Lastly, have our agency’s contacts on speed dial.

Remember, ‘The reward is in the risk.’ – Rachel Cohn.