Anyone visited Kenya?

doe moe

Rising Star
Platinum Member
If you've visited Kenya please share any advice and/or suggestions.

Much appreciated!
 

Tom Slick

The Black HHH
BGOL Investor
I've been a couple of times. It's extremely easy to navigate, English speaking. Get Mpesa, their mobile payment system. There's a couple of ride-sharing and food delivery services, I forget the names now. Go on a safari at the national park in Nairobi, it was surprisingly awesome. Go to the giraffe center, elephant sanctuary, massai village. And that's just Nairobi.
 

doe moe

Rising Star
Platinum Member
I've been a couple of times. It's extremely easy to navigate, English speaking. Get Mpesa, their mobile payment system. There's a couple of ride-sharing and food delivery services, I forget the names now. Go on a safari at the national park in Nairobi, it was surprisingly awesome. Go to the giraffe center, elephant sanctuary, massai village. And that's just Nairobi.
My cell carrier is T-Mobile, should I get a eSIM to work with my iPhone so I can use M-Pesa?

Or, should I get an unlocked global burner phone to put a physical SIM in and use that with M-Pesa?

Final question, to reload M-Pesa is it a matter of going to a location and giving them american money to reload or should I reload through a credit card?

Much appreciated, I'm sure there will be more questions.
 

Tom Slick

The Black HHH
BGOL Investor
My cell carrier is T-Mobile, should I get a eSIM to work with my iPhone so I can use M-Pesa?

Or, should I get an unlocked global burner phone to put a physical SIM in and use that with M-Pesa?

Final question, to reload M-Pesa is it a matter of going to a location and giving them american money to reload or should I reload through a credit card?

Much appreciated, I'm sure there will be more questions.
Bolt is the name of ride and food app.
Unfortunately I can't advise you on the ESIM, I've only been with a physical SIM, removed and replaced at the airport. Maybe you'll find answers on Safaricom's website.

I can say that I've only used kiosks (located everywhere) to load cash (shillings not USD) to Mpesa. Because I only used it as payment for person to person or for smaller shops or restaurants, I like knowing that I'm putting in x of my disposable money in shillings. I'm sure they take credit, but you might get hit with foreign transfer, or even cash advance fees in those transactions.
 

doe moe

Rising Star
Platinum Member
Bolt is the name of ride and food app.
Unfortunately I can't advise you on the ESIM, I've only been with a physical SIM, removed and replaced at the airport. Maybe you'll find answers on Safaricom's website.

I can say that I've only used kiosks (located everywhere) to load cash (shillings not USD) to Mpesa. Because I only used it as payment for person to person or for smaller shops or restaurants, I like knowing that I'm putting in x of my disposable money in shillings. I'm sure they take credit, but you might get hit with foreign transfer, or even cash advance fees in those transactions.
Thank you Fam!
 

Tom Slick

The Black HHH
BGOL Investor
Man, have a blast. The people are super friendly and it's very safe (although there are petty crimes like phone snatching).
 

fourthstbully

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
I've been a couple of times. It's extremely easy to navigate, English speaking. Get Mpesa, their mobile payment system. There's a couple of ride-sharing and food delivery services, I forget the names now. Go on a safari at the national park in Nairobi, it was surprisingly awesome. Go to the giraffe center, elephant sanctuary, massai village. And that's just Nairobi.

peace. i think i am about to go. did you visit any surrounding countries? i am thinking of maybe starting in kenya then making my way to uganda. havent planned it out yet, but i think i am out in a month or two. any info is helpful.
 

Tom Slick

The Black HHH
BGOL Investor
peace. i think i am about to go. did you visit any surrounding countries? i am thinking of maybe starting in kenya then making my way to uganda. havent planned it out yet, but i think i am out in a month or two. any info is helpful.
I have not, but now I regret being so limited. There is (or was) an East Africa visa that allows you entry into Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. I wouldn't travel to the region again without expanding at least there and Tanzania.

I can put you in contact with a driver/guide in Nairobi. Go to the national parks, go to the villages. Go to Mombasa. If you haven't done African travel before, it's life changing. Kenya is English speaking and safe everywhere, except for regular petty crime and theft. The roads between cities are safe (unlike a place like Nigeria) so you can go where you want as you meet people.
 

fourthstbully

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
I have not, but now I regret being so limited. There is (or was) an East Africa visa that allows you entry into Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. I wouldn't travel to the region again without expanding at least there and Tanzania.

I can put you in contact with a driver/guide in Nairobi. Go to the national parks, go to the villages. Go to Mombasa. If you haven't done African travel before, it's life changing. Kenya is English speaking and safe everywhere, except for regular petty crime and theft. The roads between cities are safe (unlike a place like Nigeria) so you can go where you want as you meet people.
thanks you for that input. i have only been to accra ghana. i;ll send you a private message. thanks again.
 
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