Tag: Kenya

Does Kenya Have a Digital Nomad Visa?

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So many freelancers and remote workers in different parts of the world are opting to travel while working, as part of a global community known as digital nomads.  

But does Kenya have a digital nomad visa? How do you enter Kenya legally to work as a remote worker? Read on to find out everything you need to know about whether Kenya has a digital nomad visa in 2023.  

So, does Kenya have a digital nomad visa?

No, Kenya does not have a digital nomad visa. If you wish to enter Kenya for work, you are legally required to apply for the relevant work permit. For short-term stays of up to ninety days, you can apply for a tourist visa. Read on to learn more about how to legally enter Kenya if you’re planning to live and work in the country as a digital nomad. 

How can you legally enter Kenya for remote work?

As is the case with many countries around the world, if you want to legally work in Kenya, you must obtain the relevant work permit. Currently, Kenya offers Class A – Class K work permits, ranging from prospecting & mining to approved religious or charitable activities. You can find a detailed breakdown of all of the available work permits, as well as details of how to apply for them, here, via the Kenyan Directorate of Immigration Services. 

Basically, to legally work in Kenya, you need to be sponsored by a Kenyan-registered company, as one of the main requirements is to provide an invitation letter. As most digital nomads are freelancers or self-employed business owners, this rules out the work permit option for the vast majority of remote workers looking to settle in Kenya. 

What about a Kenyan tourist visa?

A Kenyan tourist visa is extremely easy to apply for and you can do so online, via the government’s electronic visa portal. When I visited Diani Beach for a family holiday last year, I obtained my e-visa in less than two days, and it was an extremely easy and effortless process.  

Now, can you enter Kenya as a digital nomad on a tourist visa? Legally, no, you can’t, as the tourist visa clearly stipulates that any type of work is prohibited during your stay in the country. I’m a member of several online communities and I know of people who enter various countries around the world as digital nomads on tourist visas. However, it’s not legally permitted in Kenya, and I wouldn’t advise you to do so. 

If you’re planning to visit multiple East African countries on an upcoming trip, starting in Kenya, check out my complete guide to obtaining the East African Tourist Visa. 

Alternatives to Kenya for digital nomads?

Unfortunately, Kenya doesn’t currently offer a visa for digital nomads. This is also the case with most East African countries, as I explained in my guide to Uganda for digital nomads.  

Right now, the best country in East Africa for digital nomads is undoubtedly Mauritius – a stunning island off the East coast of the continent that has one of the easiest digital nomad visas to apply for.  

You can apply for a Mauritius digital nomad visa if you earn more than $1,500 per month and meet some other pretty basic requirements. Find out more about becoming a digital nomad in Mauritius here, if you have your heart set on working remotely in Africa. 

The verdict: Does Kenya have a digital nomad visa?

Right now, Kenya does not have a specific visa for digital nomads. If you wish to legally enter Kenya for work, you must apply for the relevant work permit, depending on the industry that you’re employed in. As more and more countries open their doors to digital nomads, I will update this article if Kenya decides to launch a digital nomad visa in the near future. 

A Complete Guide to Applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa (Uganda)

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Before I moved to Uganda permanently, I applied for the East Africa Tourist Visa several times. I found the process to be exceptionally straightforward and hassle free. 

However, if you’re relatively new to this part of the world, it’s helpful to know how the visa application process works ahead of time.  

To help you, I’ve put together this complete guide to applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa (Uganda).  

What is the East Africa Tourist Visa?

The East Africa Tourist Visa is a visa specifically designed for tourists who wish to enter Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya during the same trip. The visa allows multiple entries between the three countries for a period of up to three months. 

Who can apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa?

Citizens of more than 100 countries can apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa online, making it a super accessible visa. If you’re visiting Uganda from the UK or other parts of Europe and the US, you can easily apply for the visa online.  

Crucially, you must apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa from the country that you plan to visit first. So, for instance, if you’re flying into Entebbe Airport in Uganda, you need to apply for the visa from Ugandan immigration.  

This guide is specifically for people traveling to Uganda, although the application requirements are similar for each of the three countries. 

What you need to apply

The visa is available to anyone (from specific countries) who wishes to visit Uganda, Kenya, or Rwanda for tourism purposes only for a period of no more than three months. As a result, you need the following details before completing the application process:  

  • Copy of the bio-page of your passport. Your passport should be valid for a period of at least six months.  
  • A recent passport-sized photograph.  
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination.  
  • A return airline ticket showing that you won’t exceed a stay of ninety days.  
  • Your travel itinerary. This can be directly from a tour company or you can put one together yourself in a Word doc. Just include things like your flight details, any internal transport, where you’re staying, what activities you’re doing, etc. 
  • A debit or credit card to pay the visa fee, which is currently $100. 

Applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa Uganda (Step-by-Step)

As visa applications go, the East Africa Tourist Visa (Uganda) is super simple. Here are the straightforward steps that you need to follow to get this visa ahead of your trip to East Africa:  

  • Step 1: Prepare your documentation as listed above. You will need to upload these to your computer to submit them as part of your application.  
  • Step 2: Go directly to Uganda’s immigration portal here. Please be careful – you don’t need to go through a third party website! (My Mum and Dad accidentally did this when applying to come and visit me last year – it cost them an extra $50!). 
  • Step 3: Select the visa type that you’re applying for. In your case, it is the East African Tourist Visa.  
  • Step 4: Complete the application form accurately and carefully.  
  • Step 5: Upload your documents.  
  • Step 6: Submit the application. Please note – a six-digit number will be generated at this stage. Write this down as you might need it to access your application!  
  • Step 7: Continue to the payment portal and make the non-refundable payment of $100 via debit or credit card.  
  • Step 8: Await your approval. Once processed the invitation letter will be sent directly to the email address that you have provided. 

Recap

The East Africa Tourist Visa (Uganda) is extremely easy to apply for and is perfect if you’re planning to visit Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya during the same vacation. I hope you have found the step-by-step guide above helpful. I’ve also included some FAQs below that you can refer to for more information about this visa.  

If you have any questions that I haven’t covered here, drop me a comment below and I will get back to you. 

East Africa Tourist Visa FAQs

How much does the East Africa Tourist visa cost?  

The East Africa Tourist Visa costs $100.  

How long does it take to get the East Africa Tourist visa? 

Approval depends on how busy the immigration office is. In my experience, it takes between 2-3 working days to receive your approval letter. However, give yourself as much time as possible before departing on your vacation.  

How do I know which country to apply to?  

You must apply for an East Africa Tourist Visa from the country you visit first, be it Uganda, Kenya, or Rwanda. You can then move in and out of the other countries throughout the duration of your visa.  

Is the East Africa Tourist Visa multiple entry?  

Yes, you can travel through Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda as many times as you like for the duration of the visa.  

How long is the East Africa Tourist Visa valid for?  

The East Africa Tourist visa is valid for a period of three months.  

Can I renew the East Africa Tourist Visa?  

You can apply for another East Africa Tourist Visa when your current visa expires. Contact the immigration office in Uganda/Kenya/Rwanda for more information about visa extensions. 

Can I apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa online?  

Yes, you can only apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa online. You can follow the link I have shared to go directly to the Ugandan immigration website. 

What happens if my East Africa Tourist Visa application is rejected?  

There are several reasons why your visa application might be rejected. You should email the immigration office directly to ask for some feedback before submitting a second application. 

Five of the Best Restaurants in Diani Beach, Kenya (Reviewed!)

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If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Diani Beach, Kenya, you’ve come to the right place!

You’ve seen the photos – Diani Beach is one of East Africa’s most stunning destinations and is perfect for a relaxing beach vacation with your family. I spent a week in Diani Beach in September 2022 with my family and loved every minute of it. We were also keen to find out information about the best restaurants in Diani Beach so that we could eat out for the duration of our stay.

Although we had arranged a full-board deal at the hotel we stayed at, we ate out every day, as it’s one of our favorite things to do while on vacation! As a result, we ended up sampling a decent amount of restaurants in Diani Beach, the vast majority of which we thoroughly enjoyed. 

So, in this article, I introduce you to five of the best restaurants in Diani Beach, Kenya, which I would absolutely encourage you to try during an upcoming vacation in this gorgeous part of the world.

Five of the best restaurants in Diani Beach, Kenya

I loved my experience of dining out in Diani Beach, and the restaurants that I visited were all excellent. So, here are five of the best restaurants in Diani Beach for you to try during your vacation:

Nomad Beach Bar and Grill

My wife at Nomad – we had a lovely evening here!

Connected to the award-winning Sands at Nomad Boutique Hotel is the Nomad Beach Bar and Grill – Diani Beach’s best restaurant (at least, in my opinion!). The open-air restaurant is directly adjacent to the beach, providing wonderful views out to the Indian Ocean. 

We ate at Nomad twice, and both experiences were memorable for all the right reasons. The food was delicious, and the wine and beer menu was extensive – I’d highly recommend 254’s Niaji Kenyan lager – a delicious alternative to Tusker and some of the other generic beers served up in most resorts in Diani. 

254 Brewing Co’s Niaje? – A delicious Kenyan beer to try

On our second visit to Nomad, we reserved a table at 6 pm, just in time to watch the sunset. We enjoyed delicious sushi and craft beer while listening to the live in-house band play some relaxing tunes – it was a truly special evening.

Ultimately, eating at Nomad Beach Bar and Grill was one of our favorite things about our vacation in Diani Beach, and when we return on vacation, we will undoubtedly eat here again! 

Find out more about Nomad Beach Bar and Restaurant here.

Leonardo’s Restaurant

When we asked the folks at our hotel reception for a recommendation, they immediately told us to go to Leonardo’s, and we certainly weren’t disappointed!

Few things are as delicious during a family vacation as authentic Italian food, and the fayre served up at Leonardo’s is precisely that. The pizzas are to die for, as is the seafood, and the service is particularly friendly. 

The biggest challenge you will face when eating at Leonardo’s is what meal to pick, given the hugely impressive menu and the fact that it covers all bases! There’s even a kids’ menu if you’re on holiday with a little one. 

We ate at Leonardo’s at lunchtime, and it was pretty quiet, but it apparently gets super busy in the evenings, particularly during the peak summer months when tourists abound. So, it makes sense to book a table before heading out for a meal.

Find out more about Leonardo’s here.

Apero Bar and Restaurant

At the edge of one of Diani’s shopping malls is Apero Bar and Restaurant, a relatively small venue that offers a great selection of food, beers, and cocktails. Although it won’t win any awards for its view (it’s perched on the edge of a car park), the food served up at Apero is to die for.

I ordered the prawns and washed them down with a mojito – it was easily one of the tastiest meals I had during my time in Diani Beach. When my wife went shopping at the adjacent shops, I popped back to Apero for a flat white, and the coffee was just as delicious as the food. 

I would say that Apero is the perfect place to head for brunch while in Diani Beach, but it’s also a great place to go in the evening to enjoy some of their signature cocktails.

Whenever you decide to visit, I’m sure you will be impressed by the delicious food and varied menu served up at Apero, and it’s undoubtedly one of the nicest places to enjoy a meal when on vacation in Diani Beach.

Find out more about Apero Bar here.

Sizzlers Steakhouse and Pub

Sizzlers Steakhouse is very much a pub first and a restaurant second. It’s a tad rough around the edges, and the service wasn’t the friendliest we encountered during our vacation in Diani Beach. 

But the food was absolutely stunning! Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our steaks, which were served on a sizzling platter and cooked to perfection. We washed our steaks down with a couple of beers, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. 

We ate at around 6 pm, and as we were leaving around 8 pm, Sizzlers started getting busy. There was a live band on that evening, and it looked like it would have been a great place to enjoy a lively night out! 

However, as parents to a tired one-year-old, we decided to head back to the hotel for an early night after thoroughly enjoying our steaks!

Find out more about Sizzlers Steakhouse here.

The Spice Route

My wife and I love Indian food, and when we sat down for our meal at The Spice Route in the Swahili Beach Hotel, we immediately knew that we had made a good decision! 

The food at The Spice Route is delicious, plentiful, and extremely tasty, and we appreciated the friendly and attentive service from the staff.

One thing to note is that The Spice Route was practically empty when we visited, and we were the only table for the duration of our meal! It didn’t matter to us, but I know that some people like a bit of atmosphere when heading out for a meal. 

But if you’re like me and you’re a fan of Indian food, The Spice Route is the place to be when you head to Diani Beach on your upcoming vacation. 

Find out more about The Spice Route at Swahili Beach here.

Recap: The best restaurants in Diani Beach

So, if you’re looking to experience the best restaurants in Diani Beach during your upcoming vacation, the above five places are undoubtedly worth trying out. They all offer great food and decent service, and my wife and I will definitely eat at all of them again when we plan our next vacation to this stunning part of East Africa.

Be sure to check out my other reviews and recommendations in the staying & eating section of EA Travel Hub, to visit the best spots in the region!