How to travel responsibly in Kenya?

Tourists visit Kenya for one or more of the following reasons: wildlife, culture, or landscapes (including pristine beaches). As a result, it is critical that these same reasons are protected through responsible travel and Kizo Safaris takes great care to ensure that our Kenya holidays provide our guests with a one-of-a-kind, authentic, and sustainable travel experience. We strongly encourage all visitors to Kenya to travel responsibly and respectfully in order to ensure that tourism has a positive impact on the economy, the environment, and local communities.

Here are ten ways you can help practice responsible travel in Kenya:

1. Always respect local etiquette and be mindful of local culture, customs, and religion, especially when visiting remote rural areas and the conservative Muslim coast and islands.
2. When entering towns or cities, dress modestly and respectfully, and women should always cover their legs and upper arms when not in beach resorts. When entering places of worship, shoulders and knees should be covered. Our top recommendation is to purchase a kanga, a local sarong that can be used to cover shoulders as well as a towel, blanket, or scarf at other times.
3. If possible, stay at a camp or lodge within a community-owned conservancy while on safari to help generate a sustainable income for indigenous locals.
4. Interact with locals and try to learn about Maasai, Samburu, Turkana, and Swahili cultures and customs. Visiting rural villages and markets, or going on bushwalks with a local guide on community-owned land, are excellent ways to learn about the local way of life.
5. Always obtain permission before photographing anyone, including children, and respect others’ privacy. Rather than just taking pictures, we recommend that you interact with the locals. Cultural exchange is a two-way street, and you are a source of fascination as well.
6. A visit to a school can be a fascinating experience, but keep in mind that tourists taking photos in classrooms on a daily basis can be disruptive to children’s education. If you do visit a school, make sure it is planned and coordinated by a responsible tour guide and authorized by the school’s principal. Gifts and donations should be given to the principal rather than the students, who may begin to view foreigners as a source of gifts and money.
7. Never buy anything made from an endangered species, such as coral, turtle shells or eggs, ivory, fur, or bone.
8. Rather than hotel tourist shops, buy locally made items such as jewelry, wooden carvings, and Maasai blankets at markets, villages, and small-scale souvenir shops.
9. Eat at local restaurants and cafés to broaden your horizons. Not only will this help the local economy, but it will also provide you with a more authentic holiday experience.
10. Carry a Swahili phrasebook with you and make an effort to learn a few key words and phrases. The ability to communicate in basic Swahili will undoubtedly earn you many smiles from the friendly locals you will meet during your stay in Kenya. Swahili is simple for native English speakers to learn because the words are pronounced exactly as they appear to an English speaker.

Additional Practices

On 5th June 2020 Kenya banned the use of single use plastic bottles in protected areas, which include the parks and reserves visited by tourists. This occurred three years after the ban on plastic carrier bags was effectively implemented. These rules must be strictly followed by anyone visiting Kenya.

However, we help to alleviate any inconveniences that you may face by providing you with our branded refillable bottles. You can also to bring your own refillable water bottle if you want too.

For any further information on the topic or request for your bespoke holiday in Kenya, please contact our Travel Specialists or submit an online enquiry to get started.