Kenya Travel Guide
The Birthplace of Safari — Where It All Began
Kenya is where the word "safari" was born — Swahili for "journey." Home to the Masai Mara, Amboseli's Kilimanjaro views, Lake Nakuru's flamingos, and Samburu's rare species, Kenya delivers the quintessential African safari experience. Add in the warmth of the Maasai people, Nairobi's vibrant food scene, and the stunning Kenyan coast — and you have one of the world's greatest travel destinations.
Visa Requirements
eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) required for most nationalities
Kenya replaced its traditional visa with the eTA system in 2024. All visitors (except East African Community citizens) must apply online before travel. The process is straightforward.
💡 Tips
- •Apply at etakenya.go.ke — the ONLY official site
- •You need a passport photo and passport scan to apply
- •eTA is valid for 90 days from issue date
- •Print a copy and save digitally on your phone
Vaccinations & Health
⚠️ Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever (certificate required for entry)
💡 Recommended Vaccinations
🦟 Malaria Information
Malaria risk throughout Kenya including the Masai Mara. Prophylaxis strongly recommended. Risk is lower above 2,500m (Nairobi is at 1,700m so risk is low but not zero).
💡 Tips
- •Yellow Fever vaccination is MANDATORY — you will be refused entry without it
- •Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel
- •Take malaria prophylaxis — Malarone or Doxycycline are most common
- •Long sleeves and DEET repellent for dawn and dusk in the bush
Currency & Money
🏧 ATMs
Widely available in Nairobi and major towns. Equity Bank, KCB, and Standard Chartered are common.
💳 Cards
Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, lodges, and restaurants in Nairobi. Cash preferred in rural areas and markets.
💡 Tips
- •USD is widely accepted at safari lodges and national parks
- •Carry small denomination USD ($1, $5, $10) — must be post-2006 notes
- •M-Pesa mobile money is ubiquitous — even small shops use it
- •Change money at banks or forex bureaux, not at the airport
Tipping Guide
Tipping is appreciated but not as ingrained as South Africa. It shows gratitude for good service.
🦁 Safari Guide & Staff
$10–20 per person per day for your guide, $5–10 for camp staff. Tips are usually pooled.
🍽️ Restaurants
10% is generous. Many restaurants add a service charge.
🚗 Transfers & Porters
$2–5 for drivers. $1–2 for porters per bag.
💡 Tips
- •USD is preferred for tipping at safari camps
- •Ask lodge management about tipping protocol on arrival
- •Tip Maasai guides separately if they do a village visit
- •Small tips mean a lot — even $5 is significant
Safety
Kenya is safe for tourists visiting standard safari and beach destinations. Safari areas and coastal resorts are well-secured. Nairobi requires normal city precautions. Avoid the Somali border region.
💡 Tips
- •Safari areas are very safe — lodges have 24-hour security
- •Use reputable tour operators (like us!) for all game drives
- •Nairobi: use Uber, avoid walking at night in unfamiliar areas
- •The Kenyan coast (Diani, Watamu) is safe and tourist-friendly
- •Avoid the north-eastern border region near Somalia
- •Keep valuables in your lodge safe
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for Kenya. Medical evacuation from the Mara to Nairobi is expensive and essential cover.
Must-Have Coverage:
- ✓Medical evacuation by air ambulance (critical for safari areas)
- ✓Emergency medical treatment
- ✓Trip cancellation coverage
- ✓Lost luggage (internal flights use small aircraft)
- ✓Wildlife encounter/adventure activity coverage
💡 Tips
- •AMREF Flying Doctors offers evacuation cover for $25 — highly recommended
- •Medical evacuation from the Mara costs $3,000–5,000 without cover
- •Ensure your policy covers light aircraft transfers
Language
Official Languages
English is universal in tourism. Learning basic Swahili will delight your guide and earn huge respect.
Useful Phrases
Getting There
✈️ Airlines Serving Kenya
💡 Tips
- •Wilson Airport (Nairobi) handles domestic/charter flights to the Mara
- •Flying to the Masai Mara from Nairobi takes just 45 minutes
- •Road transfers from Nairobi to the Mara take 5–6 hours
- •Mombasa (MBA) has direct flights from Europe for beach holidays
Packing List
Safari Essentials
- ☐Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown)
- ☐Binoculars
- ☐Camera with telephoto lens
- ☐Sunhat and UV-protection sunglasses
- ☐Sunscreen SPF50+
Clothing
- ☐Light layers — warm mornings and cool evenings
- ☐Warm fleece for early morning game drives
- ☐Comfortable closed-toe shoes
- ☐Long-sleeved shirts for mosquito protection
- ☐Swimsuit for lodge pools
Health & Safety
- ☐Malaria prophylaxis (prescription)
- ☐Insect repellent with DEET
- ☐Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
- ☐Prescription medications
- ☐Rehydration salts
Documents
- ☐Passport (valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages)
- ☐Printed eTA confirmation
- ☐Yellow Fever certificate (MANDATORY)
- ☐Travel insurance documents
- ☐USD cash (small denominations, post-2006)
Emergency Contacts
Kenya FAQs
Kenya Safari Packages
More Travel Guides
Ready for Kenya?
Let our Kenya specialists handle every detail — from flights and visas to lodges and game drives.