Travellers with upcoming trips to Kenya must be watching the outbreak of violence and unrest in Kenya with worry, shock and dismay. Norie Quintos, Senior Editor at National Geographic Traveler, has shared some excellent expert advice on the Intelligent Travel Blog about what to do if you've got a safari booked and paid for.
Don’t cancel just yet. At this writing, the unrest has been focused mostly in the outskirts of Nairobi and tourist venues and tourists have not been targeted. According to the Kenya Tourism Board, "scheduled international carriers continue to operate daily services," and regional airlines have had few changes in schedule. Tour operators in the country have reported little disruption in their itineraries and only minor changes. Last week, Micato Safaris provided additional security and reduced travelers’ time in Nairobi as a precaution, though interestingly, "several travelers felt Nairobi was safe and insisted on continuing with their city tour," noted spokeswoman Emily Baldwin. Some travelers with East Africa itineraries are choosing to extend their time in Tanzania and reduce or eliminate time in Kenya.
Contact your outfitter, if it hasn't already contacted you. Most operators, including African Travel, Inc., will happily work with any clients who decide to cancel or reschedule bookings this month. Ask detailed questions such as: At what point will you cancel a trip? Are you providing additional security? Do you have contingency plans if I am in the bush and the situation worsens in Nairobi? Will you waive change fees?
Keep abreast of the situation. Log on to the State Department website. Check also the travel advisories of other countries such as the U.K. and Australia for a more complete perspective on the situation.
Check into the fine print of your trip insurance regarding cancellation, rescheduling, and other unexpected events. Some policies may restrict payouts in places with civil unrest. If you don't have travel insurance, consider getting a policy and make sure it offers the kind of coverage you need. A good place to start is www.insuremytrip.com.
And finally, don't worry too much, particularly if your trip is scheduled for a month or more from now. As unfortunate as the bloodshed has been, Kenya has been considered one of the more stable countries in the region and its tourism infrastructure solid. Experts predict the current unrest will be short-lived.
