Planning a trip abroad? 10 things you need to know

Any trip outside of one’s home country is always an exciting affair. But before you get lost in your thoughts, consider the following ‘house rules.’

1.     Is your passport valid?

The government has declared that no Kenyan will travel outside the country as of September this year using the old passport. Therefore, do not be discouraged by the snaking queues outside Nyayo House. The new digital passport will make it easier to navigate through the diverse immigration offices around the world. However, if you are a Kenyan citizen intending to travel to either Uganda, Tanzania or Rwanda, then an East African passport or a temporary travel document can be issued at short notice. Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda can also issue a temporary travel document at the airport’s immigration offices of the three countries by producing just your national identity card.

2.      Visa or no visa?

If you thought getting a Kenyan passport is hard enough, getting a visa for a number of countries is perhaps the hardest thing you will ever do. Determine in advance if the country you intend to visit requires a visa for Kenyan citizens. There are 36 countries that do not require visas from Kenyans while 27 others can issue a visa on arrival. If unsure, always check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than regret later.

3.      Which airline?

If you intend to fly, choosing the right airline will be another headache. While the fare is a key determinant, other considerations can prove costly if ignored. For example, did you know there is a difference between a nonstop and a direct flight? Non-stop flights are just that; hop from one airport and alight at the next. A direct flight however may mean that the plane could make a stop or two before getting to your destination. Some airlines try to make the layover period (if more than six hours) count. For example, Ethiopian Airlines just introduced a complimentary Addis Ababa city tour package for passengers with a six to eight-hour layover in the capital.

4.      If driving…

Some Kenyans like to drive for holiday to Uganda and Rwanda. East Africans can drive their cars without extra charges for visits of less than seven days. For the uninitiated however, even such seemingly “easy” trips can be laden with some unknowns. Therefore, check what other documentation you might need for longer visits. Some of these would include a vehicle’s log book and a COMESA insurance certificate. These rules do change if you intend to drive to South Africa.

5.      Research on your destination’s social policies

Don’t travel first and find out later. Dig in for some useful information about the country you are visiting. For example, what are the dress codes or alcohol policy? Some Middle Eastern countries are very strict on their dress codes and frown at anyone deviating from the norm. The same goes for alcohol. Legal drinking ages as well public consumption of alcohol vary in different countries. Finding out in advance about such sensitive subjects will help you avoid needlessly offending locals.

6.      Travel insurance

Travel insurance provides a cover should something go wrong while in a foreign country. For example, one is covered against a medical emergency within the dates of travel. In addition, some travel insurance covers the loss of personal documents. Discuss with your local agent as to the type of travel insurance needed before you travel.

7.      Yellow fever certificate

Talking about health matters, always carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate even if you are traveling to a yellow fever free zone. Some immigration officials are known to cause unnecessary commotion to those without the card. Make sure that the card is still valid (usually for 10 years)

8.      Foreign mission contacts

They say anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Okay, it might be a bit pessimistic, however, it pays to have the contacts of the nearest Kenya’s foreign mission in the country you are visiting. This would especially be crucial should you lose your travel documents. Let us hope you never get to use such contacts.

9.      Local currency

While you might be excited about the new Kenyan currency, not many countries in the world give a hoot about your ‘beautiful’ notes. It will spare you much headache if you convert your cash into the currency of your destination. Better still, have the cash in dollars as these are acceptable in most countries. Don’t want to carry cash? Have your credit or debit cards ready and be prepared to pay some extra charges for their use.

10.  No ‘contraband’

We all know about banned animal trophies – ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales… However, many countries do not allow food products into their territories. Some species can cause biological damage or become uncontrollable weeds. They might also compete with native species and drive them to extinction. So, do not alight from an aircraft with that half-eaten apple from Limuru.