When visiting a new country, having the right apps on hand and knowing which will benefit them most in a foreign country is a good idea. We’ve compiled a list of apps we used the most during our time in Kenya, which we feel will help you the most during your trip.
Getting Around
Uber or Bolt
Public transport throughout Kenya is pretty much a no-go, even in major cities. There are privately owned minibuses, called “matatus”, which run around town at break-neck speeds, dropping off and picking up people, but I wouldn’t recommend these for visitors. Fortunately, Uber and Bolt are well-established in the major cities and relatively cheap. If you don’t already have an account for either of these services, they are easy to sign up for, and you can set them up to take payment directly from your credit/debit card so that you don’t have to handle any cash when making trips.
InDrive
InDrive is another taxi booking app that is available in Kenya. We have used this service in several countries, and it is an excellent alternative to traditional apps such as Uber or Bolt, especially in places such as Mombasa, where these apps are not yet available.
Instead of a predefined trip fee, you input your destination and how much you want to pay, and drivers bid on your trip. You then pick from the available drivers based on their offers and previous reviews. We have found InDrive to be slightly cheaper than Uber, where both are available but is generally offset by the lack of available drivers.
Google Maps
This one is a no-brainer when going somewhere new, especially when you don’t have a guide. The great thing about Google Maps, which not everyone knows, is that you can download a map of your current area offline. So even if you don’t have roaming turned on or have a local sim, you can still use Google Maps to find your way around. Here’s how:
How To Download Offline Maps On iPhone and Android
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Ensure you’re connected to the Internet and not in Incognito mode.
- Search for a place like “Nairobi”.
- At the bottom, tap the name or address of the place, and scroll the list of buttons to the right until you see the “Download offline map” button.
Food and Drink
UberEats
Uber Eats has dominated food delivery worldwide, and Kenya is no different. What is different, though, is that Kenyan Uber Eats isn’t limited to restaurant food deliveries. You can also get household items from your local supermarket, large bottled water and even alcohol delivered.
Glovo
Glovo is another food delivery app but focuses on groceries rather than restaurant food (even though both are available). We used Glovo often for topping up items in the kitchen or when we didn’t want to go to the supermarket. It was also our sole way of getting our 10L water bottles delivered every couple of days.
Accommodation
Airbnb
Hotels can be expensive, even in Kenya. We used Airbnb extensively throughout our stay and highly recommend it to visitors. Using Airbnb allows you to find your home away from home, with direct access to your host, and gives you the confidence that you’ll get what you expect from past reviews by people such as yourself. We’ve never had a bad experience with a stay when using Airbnb and have always been happy with our experience.
Booking.com
If you prefer to stay in a hotel, Booking.com is our number one option for finding and booking them. Yes, hotels can sometimes be more expensive than Airbnb, but sometimes you just want someone to clean your room daily and give you access to facilities such as a large pool or a gym. We have found that Booking.com has consistently provided us with the best price online, and any problems have been swiftly resolved.
Money
M-Pesa
M-Pesa is a mobile payment app that is widely used throughout Kenya. It allows you to send and receive money, pay bills, and even withdraw cash from ATMs. Most, if not all, shops, bars, restaurants and small business owners accept M-Pesa payments, which locals probably use more than cash or cards. You will need to visit a Safaricom or Vodafone store to set this up on your phone but is highly recommended if you plan to spend longer than a couple of weeks in Kenya.
XE Currency
Knowing how much you pay for things in a new country when using a new currency is always essential. XE Currency will give you up-to-date exchange rates for all currencies and allow you to quickly work out how much you are paying for things when quoted in Kenyan Shillings.
Communication
WhatsApp is, without a doubt, the most popular form of communication in Kenya. Whether you’re communicating with your Airbnb host or chatting with new friends you have just met, you will no doubt end up downloading this app by the end of your trip, so if you don’t already have it, download it before you go.
VPN
NordVPN
NordVPN is one of those apps I recommend to everyone wherever they go. Cybercrime is a real thing, and Kenya is no different. Not only does NordVPN keep you secure, but it also allows you to fake your location online. Meaning you can always catch up with those Netflix shows, which are usually only available back home.