Over the last decade Kenya has been the target of a number of terror attacks (in addition to serious crime). Here is a brief summary of the major incidents:

On August 7, 1998 the US Embassy in Kenya was bombed. Seventy-four people were killed in Nairobi, eight of them Americans. Six Americans are still missing. More than 1,600 people were injured.

On November 28, 2002, 3 suicide bombers blew up Kenya's Paradise Hotel killing 13 and injuring 80. Simultaneously, shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles were fired at a Boeing 757 airliner carrying 271 vacationers from Mombasa back to Israel. The missiles missed the aircraft as it took off from Moi International Airport and the plane continued on safely to Tel Aviv. United States intelligence officials reported that six live missiles were found at the scene. One suspect is being held at Guantanamo Bay.

In November 2005 a cruise ship sailing off the Kenya / Somalia coast outran pirates firing automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. The Bahamian-registered ship was carrying 302 passengers and crew, mostly Americans and Britons.

In January 2007, two family members of an U.S. Embassy employee were killed by armed carjackers in Nairobi.

On June 12, 2007 a bomb exploded outside Nairobi's Ambassadeur  Hotel killing 1 and injuring 37. The investigation is continuing. The blast came at a particularly tumultuous time in the Kenyan capital. Gangsters have been blamed for a string of beheadings in recent months. More than 30 people were killed by police last week in raids on a Nairobi slum believed to be a stronghold for the gang.

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On May 16, 2004 the U.S. State Department issued a Travel Warning asking Americans to reconsider non-essential travel to Kenya. The warning stated that terrorists might be targeting resorts, hotels and commercial aircraft. Britain and Australia issued similar warnings and British Airways suspended flights to and from Kenya for a period.

Importantly travel insurance coverage for terrorism is invalidated by the US travel warning. As safaris are not inexpensive we see this as a huge risk.

Ultimate Africa is not saying Kenya is dangerous. There are, however, higher quality destinations in Africa offering more abundant wildlife and a superior wilderness experience without crime and terror warnings.

As of October 18, 2007 the US State Department website reads:

This Travel Warning is being issued to remind American citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to Kenya at this time and updates information on safety and security concerns.  This supersedes the Travel Warning of February 6, 2007.

The Department continues to recommend that private American citizens in Kenya evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing terrorist threats and increasing incidents of violent crime. Terrorist acts may include suicide operations, bombings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. Violent criminal attacks, including armed carjacking, kidnappings, and home invasions/burglary, can occur at any time and in any location, and are becoming increasingly frequent, brazen, vicious, and often fatal. In January 2007, two family members of a U.S. Embassy employee were killed by armed carjackers.  Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate such acts.

U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate and random attacks on civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites and locations where foreigners are known to congregate, as well as commercial operations associated with U.S. or other foreign interests.

American citizens in Kenya should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. Americans should also remain vigilant in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds.

Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.  The U.S. Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254)(20)363-6000; fax (254)(20)363-6410.  In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254)(20)363-6170.  The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov.  U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Kenya. American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or 202-501-4444 from overseas.