As of August 2022, the inflation rate in Kenya was at 8.5%, way above the Central Bank’s target range. Inflation erodes the power of purchasing as it is characterized by a general increase in the price of goods and services. The level of inflation has a significant effect on daily business activities and the tour and travel industry has been no exception.
Shortage of employment, slowdowns in supply chains and increases in fares have hit the travel industry hard. This situation forces many people to cut back on travelling and unwillingly shelve their travel dreams. However, what if there was a way for you to travel even with the inflation? When travelling gets expensive, a thrifty traveller only needs to get smarter. Here’s how you can still travel affordably amid the brunt of inflation:
Plan your travel carefully
If you plan your trip carefully, you will save a couple of dollars as it will ensure that you stick to the budget. Tourist destinations are spread out across the countries in East Africa. Therefore, unless you have plenty of money to spare, trying to move from Tanzania to Kenya to Uganda all in one trip, is not a viable plan. Planning carefully will save you the agony of paying for activities that were not within your budget.
If you plan on taking a domestic or international flight, planning earlier in advance will help you get flight tickets at a lower price. You can score a deal if you book your international flight four months in advance and your domestic flight at least six weeks in advance.
Taking a domestic flight during the week may be cheaper than taking a flight during the weekend. On the other hand, it will be cheaper if you take international flights between 5.00 am and 10.00 am.
Travel during the off-peak season
Schedule your travel for the off-peak season when hotels and airline prices have been slashed. Off-season travel saves you money, and as an added advantage, you can avoid large crowds during your journey. In Kenya, the peak seasons are between July to October and the Christmas holidays. This is when the cost of travel is very high.
If you travel during the off-peak season, you stand to save up to 15 per cent on the costs of your vacation. You can travel without breaking the bank and still get an upgrade of rooms to superior suites. Travelling during the off-peak season will also allow you to take photos and videos without interference.
Use Public Transport
Do you intend to travel amid the inflation? Do not shy away from using local means of transportation such as matatus and buses. Uber prices have shot up with the rise in fuel charges; therefore, using buses, matatus and tuk-tuks will be cheaper. In Nairobi, you can use matatus to get anywhere. While public transportation can be chaotic, it can also be a new and enjoyable experience for you.
If you intend to visit Maasai Mara, you can travel by matatu to Narok Town and then pick a shared taxi to the national park. This will, not only save you money but also allow you to interact with the locals and get to know their culture. Travelling to Mombasa from Nairobi would cost around Ksh.900 by bus compared to Ksh.5,000 by air.
Eat in a Kibandaski (Local Kiosks)
Eating in fancy hotels can be very expensive during these tough economic times. Consider eating in the local kiosks, commonly known as vibandas. People from all walks of life eat in vibandas. Eating from the local kibanda in the place you are travelling to will allow you to experience the local delicacies of the area and get a glimpse of their culture. It will also help you travel affordably as a decent meal in a kibandaski would cost you between Kshs.100and Kshs.250. You can also opt to prepare your meals which will be cheaper than hiring a chef.
Stay outside the national parks
While sleeping inside the hotels found in national parks can be blissful and amazing, during these tough economic times, you’d be better off sleeping outside the national park. Accommodation inside national parks can be very pricey. If you want to travel affordably, book a safari lodge or hostel located outside the national park’s boundaries. If you must stay within the national park, opt for camping as it tends to be cheaper than hotels. Sleeping under the stars can also be a magical experience for you.
Take affordable volunteer abroad trips
If you consider yourself a philanthropist, you can take volunteer trips abroad that will allow you to explore while also serving the community that you are living with. From going to Sri Lanka to take care of elephants to joining a medical program in Peru and aiding Buddhist Monks in Nepal, there are many volunteer programs for a frugal philanthropic traveler. To cut your costs, locate a host that needs your support, as this will cater for your accommodation and food. Typically, volunteers have the weekend off, allowing them to explore the area.
Finally, do not underestimate the power of bargaining
When in markets or stores, smile and haggle a little bit. Every market stall owner expects this, so they set the buying price a little higher to give you room to bargain. However, do not push the price too low as there is a price that many sellers are not willing to sell at.
Conclusion
The harsh economic situation should not derail your passion for travelling; it should only make you thriftier and smarter. There is an endless number of affordable ways which you can utilize to enable you to travel. The methods discussed above give you the strategies that you can use to ensure that you get to travel even when you are on a tight budget.