Teen flying to Nairobi alone?

Not overly, I don't think. Its a fairly modern terminal for an African airport. There were a lot of red jacketed Kenya Air information staff around who could answer questions, point you in the right direction etc. Everyone speaks English. You will get hassled by taxi touts etc once you get outside. If your friend is meeting you at arrivals, you should be okay.

If you're parents are really worried they can always request that the airline 'accompanies' you. I frequently see this on both Kenya Airways and British Airways (the latter partner with American Airlines). It means that you are not on your own at the airport or during transfers but are met at each stop and accompanied by a rep from the airline who will help you through all the check ins, finding gates, visa queues, finding luggage etc and will only hand you over to the person who is supposed to meet you.

The service is used all the time by expats sending their children back and forth to school in Europe. It may not be exactly what you are looking for, but if it provides your parents with the comfort they need to allow you on the trip then I would think a little embarrassment at being treated like a 'child' might be worth it.

I totally agree with Sarah here. She gives good advice.
As a 16 year old it will be an eye opening experience to arrive in Kenya. Try to find a plan ''B'' if your friend doesn't front.
Good Luck.

also as you are 16 I am sure you are mature enough to fly on your own...

There is no more problem flying to Kenya than flying to London. The airport is modern and as securized as any European airport. Everyone working in the airport speaks perfect english. This is not your usual African airport, but a major hub for East Africa. Your parents have no reason to worry. Your friends will wait at the arrival hall, so you won't even put a foot out of the airport alone.

hi

u should be alrite as u coming out of the plane try to stay in a group when u are collecting ur luggage and in customs .if you are on your own the porters will try to hassle you and try to help u with ur luggage hence they will want a extrodinary tip!!. iv had a bad experience when i was there the porter even threatened me to give me problems with customs!! but lukilly my cousin knew the main man and he got me out .i had nothing to hide but the hassle of opening my luggage!!.hope iv not put u off but stay in a group.

thanks
sag

I can certainly understand why your parents are concerned about their 16 year old daughter flying halfway around the world to a place that has had, shall we say, some unfortunate incidents and publicity during the past several months. I was there during the election and subsequent riots. I was not discouraged, but I'm an adult with a lot of international travel experience. What is the heart of your parents fears? The flights? Umm, they do know air travel is exceedingly safe, don't they? The airports? Transiting at Schipol or Heathrow? Both of those airports have websites with maps and all sorts of info. Perhaps looking at them will allay their concerns. I prefer to change planes at Schipol over Heathrow (that's just personal - I've had a couple of near misses traipsing across Heathrow to my connecting flight). Schipol is a manageable size, there's a food court, youcan even point out the mini branch of the Rijksmusem. Everybody (people working at the airport you will come in contact with) speaks English there and you can pay for snacks etc with plastic. Landing in Nairobi can be chaotic. It's not the landing, or going through immigration, or picking up your luggage, but when you walk out of the terminal there will be numerous touts and taxi drivers. I don't think twice about ignoring these people, but it may be a shock to you if it is something you haven't encountered. It is best to have transport arranged, either with your friend or by a hotel that will have taxi driver holding your name up on a sign. You will also likely be disoriented due to the length of the combined flights, being tired, the time difference, and it will likely be nighttime when you arrive.

Are your parents concerned about your friend? Is this someone you met online? If so then your parents are justifiably concerned. Have your parents met this person? What is the nature of this volunteer work? Is it through a school, church, or other charity? Will you have access to resources, other chaperones, etc if staying with your friend doesn't work out? That is an issue you should be able to address for your parents. What will be the process if you have a medical emergency?

Also, you may want to check if you need any additional documentation, i.e. notarized letters from your parents authorizing you to travel abroad, as you are a minor.

I am not trying to be negative. I think going to Kenya is an excellent idea (I was just there) and I would have killed to do so when I was 16. But I can certainly understand why your parents would be concerned (especially if they've never been there) and think your best chance of getting them to agree to your going (and probably paying for it) is if you have a plan that can allay their concerns. Good luck.

The service folks are talking about is called "unaccompanied minor." Airlines usually mandate this for minors under the age of 16 or so, but will generally provide the service to anyone under 18. You would be assisted to get on the plane and to make a transfer at whatever European airport you go through. In Nairobi, you would be escorted through immigration and customs and would only be released to the person your parents designated as the one to pick you up. You would not be allowed to take a taxi on your own, for instance, or to go with someone who said the designated person sent them to pick you up. This might provide peace of mind to your parents.

There are limitations and considerations. The airline charges a fee and you may not be able to use the most heavily discounted fare. You probably would have to fly on the same airline or on designated partner airlines, whihc might limit your ability to find good fares.

You have not said anything about your friend or the volunteer program so it is hard to judge, but I think catfriend may have a point. Are your parents fully comfortable with your friend and withthe volunteer program. You say "his home." You are a 16-year old girl planning to stay at a man's home in another country. That might freak out a lot of parents. Does he have a wife or mother who will be staying there also and who will be an acceptable chaperone? Can your parents verify this?

Edited by: nutraxfornerves