My husband, 19 year old daughter and I put a deposit on a trip to Kenya with safaris for June 2012. The balance is due in february and I am concerned for our safety. The state department has issued travel warnings about possible terrorist attacks. Is Kenya safe for us? Would you travel to Kenya, if it were your family? Please advise!

Yes it is as safe as most places you'd travel in my opinion and I have gone several times with the same US State Dept travel warning that was recently updated in Nov. These warnings have been in effect and updated about every 6 months since the embassy bombings in 1998.

There is also a Worldwide Caution in effect per the US State Dept.

Use common sense and you'll have a great time.

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1151.html
A few isolated issues in the north WAY far away from where you will be register for STEP program and insuremytrip.com but I would GO by all means.

As atravelynn, Kenya is safe for safari travel, and as qwovadis mentions, do be sure you've purchased Trip Insurance, which would be needed for any travel that you've prepaid. Anything can happen, having nothing to do with travel warnings to Kenya - delay getting to airport before departing, jury duty, family illness/accident, someone takes ill while in-country, etc.

However, what caught my attention is that while you've paid your deposit for June travel, you have to pay the balance in February which is 4/months prior arrival. Most tour operators request balances 60/days prior, some even 30/days and yes, even 90/days... but 120/days?

With whom are you traveling and what does the itinerary look like? How many days in-country, where visiting, accommodations at each, whether driving or flying between areas.

Hi i am a english lady and when came to kenya about 12 years ago i was nervous,but i have been coming back every years since and have had no problems in fact i am now living in kenya with husband who is kenyan.

Just like you need to take care in any busy city so is it in Nairobi,Kenya. There has been several security threats,the Kenyan security organs have maintained vigilance and the threats have not materialized.A travel insurance is recommended for any travel and this should not be an exception.
The election date has been pushed forward such that your travel plans to Kenya will not be affected in any way.

It is recommended you finalize your payments for reservation earlier as June/July -October is peak season,however, 4 months is too questionable.
If I were the one, I would proceed with the trip as planned ready to enjoy.
Cheers

NBO has its dark side, that is for sure. And some stuff does happen from time to time to tourists in the bush regions. But I have safari'd in Kenya so many times I can't even count any more with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Life in most American large cities is about the same level of danger if not considerably more than NBO. So when folks ask me if it is dangerous to go to (fill in the blank), I usually respond, "no more so than leaving your front porch in the good ol' USA"... And usually it is even less so..