Armed with just a smartphone, you can plan a trip to any destination, keep in touch with family and friends, capture fantastic travel experiences, share them on social media, and make your trip more enjoyable and educative. Simply put, technology has changed the way we work, travel, and explore the world. In 2020, it is impossible to imagine traveling without a phone in our hand.
The best mobile applications such as Google Maps, Google Translate, and currency have made traveling to a new country less of a venture into the “Dark Continent.” But which are the best apps to download for a great holiday experience in Kenya? In this article, James Gatheru, the safari director for Ajkenyasafaris.com, highlights the five mobile apps that you need to download to make the most of your Kenyan safari. Let’s start the countdown.
- Google Translate
Perhaps one of the most frustrating parts of traveling to a foreign country is the language barrier. Think about when you get lost and you need to ask for directions or confirm anything in an environment where the locals don’t speak your local language. It would be frustrating, right?
It is in such a situation that a language translation app saves the day. With over 100 different languages, Google translate effortlessly converts your native language to Swahili so you can interact with the locals smoothly. Even better, it has an auto-detect feature that allows you to just type the text and get the Swahili word equivalent.
For example, if you are a Hindi language speaker in Kenya, you can just key in Hindi words on Google translate without setting the source language, and the app will immediately auto-detect that you are typing Hindi. How awesome is that? The app also syncs with the location feature on your phone to autodetect your location and set the right target language. For instance, while in Kenya, the target language will automatically be set to Swahili. So, every time you type Hindi, the app will translate to Swahili. You can also manually set the source and target language on Google Translate.
Google Translate also ‘listens‘ to translations, translates dictation, and even converts your own handwriting on the screen. You can also download languages to use when offline. Even better, you can hold text over the phone’s camera for translation.
Undoubtedly, Google Translate and other Language Translation Apps are lifesavers that will prove to be incredibly useful in your Kenyan safari.
- Currency Conversion Apps
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One of the best Currency Conversion Apps out there for tourists is the XE Currency converter. Available for both iOS and Android, XE Currency offers live and fast exchange rates for nearly every world currency.
It’s user-friendly and features constant currency updates to ensure you’re conveniently equipped with the latest exchange rates at any time. Impressively, XE Currency doesn’t require an internet connection to work. It stores records of the most recent rates so you can access them if your device goes offline. Other apps you can use include CalConvert, My Currency Converter, and Valuta+.
- Google Maps
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Google Maps is a free navigation app whose popularity speaks for itself. The versatile app offers tons of features that include road directions, several transit routes using any transport option, town tours with 360-degree street views, voice-guided GPS navigation assistance, plus many more.
Moreover, Google Maps is quite reliable in offering local public transportation options. Its Explore Nearby functionality allows you to look up nearby shops, restaurants, travel attractions, and more. And given its link with Google Search, you can search and check out reviews and features of such places from the app. Besides, you can use the Inside Maps option to navigate huge buildings.
Further, you can download specific areas for offline use and view or manage all your favorite places from the Your Places page. Google Maps is easy to use with highly detailed information to help you to discover and explore various Kenyan Safari destinations.
- Airbnb
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Popularly known for renting or sharing homes with travelers, the Airbnb app also includes much more exciting features.
Airbnb easily beats hotels by offering low accommodation prices and a more authentic safari experience via connecting with locals who rent out their homes for accommodation.
Besides, the app’s Airbnb Experiences feature comes with various curated activities and events that you can partake in with locals during your stay. The app also allows you to make restaurant reservations.
The app is projected to become an all-in-one travel app that lets you plan your day, book cars, etc. Airbnb mobile app is worth the download for a worthwhile safari experience.
- Skyscanner App
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The award-winning Skyscanner App has got you covered for cheap flights, cheap hotels, and affordable rental car deals and discounts.
It’s specially designed to make your travel smart and super comfortable in that it allows you to search, compare, and book cheap flights, hotels, and cars from anywhere, at any time.
That means it allows you to see the cheapest dates to fly in your favorite route, hotel, and car prices and sends you alerts when prices change. Best of all, the Skyscanner App lets you book your whole trip in a quick and easy process.
Suppose you’re unsure where to go or plan for when it comes to exciting safari destinations across Kenya, Skyscanner sports a Top Deals feature. The functionality showcases budget-friendly flights to various destinations right from your nearest airport.
Available in more than 31 languages, the Skyscanner app also lets you monitor your bookings with status updates and allows trip modifications for booked flights, if any, without losing your saved details.
To Sum Up
So, there you have it! The list of 5 best mobile apps that are of great help when traveling to Kenya. Visit masaimarasafari.in and start planning your safari.
