4 Things You Learn When You Spend A Month In Kenya

Kenya is one of the most alluring destinations on the map. This relatively secluded east African country is a place of legends, thanks to its wild jungles, savannahs and thriving capital Nairobi. 

Kenya is an interesting place for travellers because of how its people manage to live the good life with limited incomes. The average person lives on around $1,000 a year - which isn’t much by Western standards. But they have an approach to life that makes that limited income go a long way. People you meet are full of the joy of life. They’ve found ways to make it work. 

When you spend a month in Kenya, you learn about all aspects of the country - what makes it tick. And it can be surprising. People living here have radically different lives from what we experience in the West. Everything somehow feels more “real” when you get out here. 

THE HOSPITALITY IS SECOND TO NONE

The first thing you’ll notice when you get there is the quality of the hospitality. Kenya has a distinct service culture, which means that wherever you go as a traveller, people want to meet your needs. It doesn’t feel like it does in regular tourist hotspots where local business reps are going through the motions. There’s a great deal of authenticity here. 

THE SAFETY IS EXCELLENT

Kenya has also done a great job of making the country safe. It’s an incredibly stable place to live, even while its neighbours go through politically troublesome times. 

The country also relies heavily on tourists to support its income. Kenya safari holidays are a massive export - and one of the main reasons so many people have the country on their bucket list. For that reason, people roll out the red carpet. It’s in their interest to look after you as best they can.

DOMESTIC BUDGET AIRLINES ARE GREAT

Kenya isn’t a particularly huge country. But the roads can be poor sometimes, which makes flying from one side to the other a better option in many cases. Trying to make your way across the country by land is an adventure in itself, but it can also take a lot of time. 

Flights are cheap - as you might expect. The Nairobi to Mombasa route can cost as little as 40 USD. 

THE LOCAL FOOD TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO

In the West, we enjoy heavily flavored food. Many of us would turn our noses up at a plain bowl of porridge. We want something packed with sensations at every meal. 

However, in Kenya, the food is much simpler for the palate. Most locals eat around a pound of maize mash, called Ugali, every day. They then supplement their diet with fruits and vegetables available at local markets. The Western diet is making inroads into the country, but it’s by no means everywhere. 

Eating simple has its benefits. After a month on a traditional Kenyan diet, you’ll feel lighter and have more energy. Plus, you’ll be getting a bunch of super nutrients that support your health. It makes you feel refreshed.