Kenya Travel Guide
Complete 2026 Destination Guide
The Birthplace of Safari — Where It All Began
Kenya is the birthplace of the safari — a land of sweeping savannahs, snow-capped mountains, and some of the most iconic wildlife spectacles on Earth. Witness the Great Migration thundering through the Masai Mara (over 1.5 million wildebeest and 400,000 zebra), marvel at vast elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, explore the flamingo-pink shores of Lake Nakuru, and discover the cultural richness of the Maasai people. From luxury tented camps to thrilling hot-air balloon safaris over the Mara, Kenya delivers world-class wildlife encounters with genuine African warmth. Our expert-curated Kenya safari packages combine the best conservancies, camps, and seasonal timing for unforgettable Big Cat experiences.
Top Things to Do in Kenya
From world-famous wildlife spectacles to hidden gems — these are the experiences that make Kenya unforgettable.
Masai Mara Great Migration
Witness the greatest wildlife show on Earth — 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra crossing the Mara River while crocodiles and big cats await.
Amboseli Elephant Encounters
Photograph massive elephant herds with the perfect backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro — Amboseli is one of Africa's best places to get close to elephants.
Hot-Air Balloon Over the Mara
Float silently over the golden Mara plains at sunrise, watching wildlife from above before a champagne bush breakfast. An utterly magical experience.
Lake Nakuru Flamingos
Millions of flamingos paint Lake Nakuru pink in one of the most visually stunning wildlife spectacles in Africa — also a prime rhino sanctuary.
Lamu Island Heritage
Step back in time on this UNESCO World Heritage island — winding alleyways, ornate Swahili architecture, dhow sailing, and pristine beaches with no cars in sight.
Mount Kenya Trek
Summit Africa's second-highest peak (5,199m) through bamboo forests, alpine meadows, and glacial valleys — a challenging but rewarding alternative to Kilimanjaro.
Maasai Cultural Immersion
Visit an authentic Maasai village and learn traditional customs — the jumping dance, beadwork, warrior training, and ancient cattle-herding traditions.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy Rhino Tracking
Home to the last two northern white rhinos on Earth and a successful black rhino breeding programme — track these magnificent animals on foot with armed rangers.
Kenya Safari Packages
Expert-crafted itineraries combining the best lodges, guides, and seasonal timing. All packages are fully customisable.
Best Lodges & Camps in Kenya
Hand-picked accommodations from ultra-luxury to premium — each one vetted and approved by our safari specialists.
Suspended between heaven and earth
Exclusive Big Cat territory
Riverside luxury in the heart of the Mara
Where rhinos roam free
Kilimanjaro at your doorstep
Iconic Wildlife of Kenya
What you can expect to see — and where to find them.
African Lion
The Masai Mara has one of the highest lion densities in Africa — famous prides like the Marsh Pride have been documented for decades.
Cheetah
Kenya's open plains are perfect cheetah habitat — watch the fastest land animal hunt across the Mara grasslands.
African Elephant
Amboseli's elephants are among the most studied in the world — massive herds against the Kilimanjaro backdrop is an iconic image.
White Rhinoceros
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to the last two northern white rhinos and a successful southern white rhino breeding programme.
African Leopard
The Mara's riverine forests harbour elusive leopards — expert guides know exactly where to find them at dawn and dusk.
Greater Flamingo
Millions of flamingos turn Kenya's Rift Valley lakes into a sea of pink — one of the most stunning sights in all of Africa.
Nile Crocodile
Massive Nile crocodiles lurk in the Mara River, launching ambush attacks on wildebeest during the Great Migration crossings.
Reticulated Giraffe
Kenya is the only place to see the stunning reticulated giraffe — their geometric coat patterns are unlike any other giraffe species.
When to Visit Kenya
Every season offers something unique. Here's what to expect throughout the year.
Great Migration
July – October
Cool & dry, 14–24°C. Clear skies.
- Wildebeest river crossings (peak: Aug–Sep)
- Big cat hunting at its most dramatic
- Hot-air balloon safaris at their best
Short Dry Season
January – February
Warm & dry, 18–30°C. Clear skies.
- Calving season — 8,000 babies born daily
- Big cats hunting vulnerable young
- Excellent birding
Long Rains
March – May
Warm & wet, 18–28°C. Heavy afternoon showers.
- Green season — lush landscapes
- Dramatic skies for photography
- Lowest prices and fewest crowds
Short Rains
November – December
Warm, 16–28°C. Brief afternoon showers.
- Migratory birds arrive (400+ species)
- Nairobi NP calving season
- Shoulder season value
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
More Travel Guides
Ready for Kenya?
Let our Kenya specialists handle every detail — from flights and visas to lodges and game drives.