Traveling to Kenya: All You Need to Know

Kenya Travel Guide: All You Need to Know

January 28, 2024

Last Updated on September 20, 2024

Having been to Kenya 3 times, I’m sharing a detailed Kenya travel guide, from safety to vaccination requirements and how to arrange a safari.

If you’re looking for a diverse travel destination that packs in all the best of Africa, Kenya is probably the best choice. For first-timers, I always recommend Kenya as a place to get an introduction to this spectacular continent because of its diversity.

As one of the best wildlife destinations in the world, Kenya also offers pristine Indian Ocean beaches, world-class mountain trekking, unique tribal culture, and eclectic Swahili heritage. One thing’s for sure: there’s so much to do in Kenya it’s impossible to see it all in one trip.

Having traveled to Kenya three times, I’ve come to know the diverse African nation pretty well. Here are some of my tips for traveling Kenya based on my first hand experience. I hope they help you plan your Kenya adventure!

Things to Know Before Traveling to Kenya

Travel Visa for Kenya

Most nationalities including US, UK, EU and Canada citizens need a visa to travel to Kenya. Remember to apply for a Kenya evisa online before your trip. Single-entry visas cost $51 and allow you to stay for 3 months.

Some nationalities (including mine!) do not a need a visa to travel Kenya. These include nationals from Singapore, Malaysia, San Marino, South Africa. Here is the full list.

If you’re planning to travel to a few countries in the region, I recommend getting the East Africa tourist visa, which grants multi-country country access (Rwanda, Uganda & Kenya) and works out much cheaper than buying individual visas for these 3 nations.

Traveling to Kenya: All You Need to Know

Safety in Kenya

Many people are inevitably concerned about safety in Kenya. After all, Nairobi has a high crime rate (the city is nicknamed “Nai-robbery”) and it has experienced several bombings in recent years. What I would advise is to avoid the city centre of Nairobi (stay in Nairobi National Park instead) and focus more on the national parks and beaches like we usually do.

If you are worried about safety on safari after seeing videos of cheetahs jumping onto safari jeeps, please know that such incidents are extremely rare. Animals usually prefer to keep their distance from human beings and will not attack for no reason.

Beyond the big city, it is generally very safe in the national parks. On our last trip, we traveled Kenya with our 4.5-year-old daughter and found it safe everywhere we went. For those traveling Kenya with kids, the bigger issue is health and hygiene due to malaria risks and food contamination.

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Kenya with Kids: My Kenya Family Safari Guide

Travel Insurance for Kenya

It’s important to buy travel insurance, whether you’re traveling Kenya for 2 weeks or a few months. It’ll cover you in case of mishaps or emergencies.

Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan, which covers COVID-19 as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.

Health and Vaccination in Kenya

It is mandatory to have the yellow fever vaccination to travel to Kenya – airport authorities will ask for your vaccine booklet. Now, the yellow fever shot lasts a lifetime (previously it only lasted 10 years).

Suggested vaccinations for Kenya include meningitis, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and cholera. Check the CDC website for more details. We don’t usually get these shots for ourselves, but we did get the hep B shot for our daughter.

Most parts of Kenya are malaria infected zones. You can take malaria preventative medication (the most popular being Malarone), but they do have side effects like hallucination. In some countries, you need a prescription for Malarone so be sure to check with your doctor.

Hygiene in Kenya

Tap water in Kenya is not safe to drink. Bring a Steripen and sterilize tap water or just buy water there. We bought a big 5L drum of water at our first day, and it lasted the whole trip.

Kenya’s infrastructure has improved since 10 years ago (when I first visited) — now you can easily find clean diners at petrol kiosks and in towns serving ugali with meat dishes.

Be careful about eating street food especially in Lamu, as hygiene can be an issue. Remember to pack anti-diarrhea medicine and rehydration pills in case of food poisoning (see my detailed Safari Packing List).

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What to Pack for Safari: A Detailed Packing List

When to Travel Kenya

The best time to travel Kenya is from July to October, which are the best wildlife viewing months. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in July and remains until October. Note that this is high season and certain parks can get crowded.

Rainy season runs from March to May, during which some lodges close down. During high rainfall, it can be hard to see animals as they won’t need to go in search of water.

November to February are good times to travel in Kenya, as prices are lower and showers don’t last long. On our last trip, we visited Kenya in December and had great weather. But we didn’t see as many animals as I did the last time, because there were torrential rains right before we arrived.

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Kenya Itinerary: 2 Weeks in Kenya

How Long to Travel in Kenya?

There’s a lot to do in Kenya: from wildlife watching in the national parks, to meeting the Maasai people in Maasai Mara, and relaxing on the beach in Diani and learning history in Lamu. I recommend spending at least two weeks in Kenya so you can explore at a comfortable pace. Check out my 2-week Kenya itinerary for a detailed breakdown.

2 Weeks in Kenya

Days 1 – 3: Nairobi
Days 3 – 5: Lake Nakuru
Days 5 – 7: Maasai Mara National Reserve*
Days 7 – 10: Relax on Diani Beach
Days 10 – 13: Explore Lamu Island
Day 14: Fly Home!

How to Get Around Kenya

By Plane

If you’re tight on time, the best way to get from Nairobi to the coast is on the domestic airline, Kenyan Airways. It is affordable and fast. Return flights from Nairobi to Mombasa are around US$100. Direct flights from Nairobi to Lamu Island are around US$200.

It IS also possible to fly from Nairobi to Maasai Mara and other reserves on Safarilink. But it is expensive, with flights costing around US$350 return per person. Flying cuts down the travel time from 6 hours by road to just 40 minutes.

By Car Rental/Driver

Roads in Kenya aren’t in the best condition and traffic around Nairobi is a nightmare. You would need a 4WD to drive into the national parks. Renting a Toyota Land Cruiser usually costs around $200-300/day.

I wouldn’t advise driving in Kenya on your own. Instead, book a safari lodge/camp and arrange a “road package” through them. The package includes a driver, 2 game drives per day during your stay at the lodge as well as pick-up and drop-off from any hotel in Nairobi.

Most lodges quoted us $150/day for a Toyota van and $250/day for a Land Cruiser safari jeep. We paid for the cheaper option and were fine with it. But for both options, you’ll only get a driver — not a wildlife guide who’s experienced in spotting animals! If you want a wildlife guide, book an all-inclusive safari tour. (More on that in the ‘tour’ section)

By Public Transport

For those on a budget, you can also catch a matatu, local minivan, for short distances. It’s a fun ride, and you’ll definitely be entertained by loud African music and squashing in with locals (and maybe a chicken or two!). In smaller towns, you’ll find tuk-tuks and boda bodas (motorbike taxis).

For long distance like Nairobi to Mombasa, you can catch big coaches (buses) from the bus station. There are buses that offer power outlets and WiFi, such as Dreamline.

Travel Kenya Independently or on Guided Tour?

If it’s your first time in Africa or you’re traveling solo, I recommend booking a guided tour that will take care of all the logistics.

On my first trip to Kenya, I joined this Kenya and Tanzania camping safari with G Adventures and had an awesome time overlanding East Africa with a fun group! I’ve traveled many times with G Adventures (to Brazil, Mongolia, Antarctica and many more) and always had a great time. Another trip worth checking out is this 8-day National Geographic Kenya safari trip.

On my most recent trip to Kenya, my family and I stayed at safari lodges mostly, and organized game drives through each lodge. For me, that was an ideal way to get around as we were traveling Kenya with kids.

READ NOW

On Safari in Kenya: The Annual Migration at the Masai Mara Reserve

Budget Kenya Safari

Unfortunately for independent travelers, you’ll need to book a tour to go on safari. You can still explore Nairobi and Diani independently. Most budget safari tours depart and return to Nairobi and most of them are 3/4 days.

Note that budget tours are usually camping safari. That means you’ll actually be camping and sleeping in small 2-person tents. They include a driver and cook who prepare simple meals (don’t expect top class food). Here are some recommended budget tours:

What to Know Before Going on an African Safari

If this is your first time on African safari, there are some things you need to know. You need to have patience when it comes to wildlife watching. Animals roam freely and sightings are not always guaranteed. You might also come across predators hunting or feeding on their catch — be warned, it can get graphic.

Game drives usually take place around dawn and sunset, as animals are the most active during these times. That means early wake-up calls at 5am. Because of the game drive schedule, you will have lots of free time during the day. Bring cards or reading materials.

Best Places to Go on Safari in Kenya

Masai Mara National Park – Undoubted the most famous national park in Kenya
Amboseli National Park – Famed for being backdropped by Mount Kilimanjaro and excellent for elephant spotting
Lake Nakuru – Best place to go for rhinos and flamingoes
Lake Naivasha – Sip wine and see hippos on sunset cruises
Hell’s Gate – See bizarre landscapes on bike
Nairobi National Park – Surprisingly good chances to see rhinos right in the city

What to Eat in Kenya

The traditional food of Kenya, is as mixed and diverse as its tribes, history and landscapes. Each tribal area has its own specialities, but below are some of the most common Kenyan dishes. If your kids are fussy eaters, they’ll be happy to know that most safari lodges serve western classics like spaghetti and pizzas.

Ugali — This cornmeal is the main staple of Kenyan food. The texture is similar to that of a dough. It is eaten at every meal (in a similar way you eat rice) and usually with stews and vegetables.

Irio — Another popular dish in Kenya, this mash peas and potato mix is hearty and heavy. It’s usually eaten with roasted meat (nyama choma).

Kenyan pilau rice — This is a flavorful spicy rice dish cooked with spices like cumin, cardamon, cinnamon, and cloves.

Kenyan stew — Kenyans love all kinds of stews: beef stew, goat stew, chicken stew or any other animal stew. The sauce usually has a tomato base and accented with the essential mchuzi mix!

Nyama Choma — The unofficial national dish of Kenya, nyama choma is roasted meat cooked on the barbecue. Goat and beef are the most common forms of nyama choma, but chicken (kuku choma) and fish (samaki choma) are also valid choices.

Fried fish — Along the coast, you’ll find fried tilapia fish everywhere, often served with tomato gravy and ugali or rice.

Money in Kenya

Kenya uses the Kenyan Shilling as its currency (KSh). The current exchange rate is around 1 USD to 110 KSh. You can exchange money in banks or withdraw KSh out of ATMs.

ATM’s are common across Kenya. In most machines both Mastercard and Visa cards are accepted. The maximum you can withdraw from an ATM at any one time is normally 40,000 KSh, although it varies bank to bank and can be as low as 20,000 KSh.

Note: Make sure to bring some cash in USD as you might need a big sum to pay for your safari and ATMs do not give USD.

Cost of Travel in Kenya

In general, Kenya is cheap to travel if you’re traveling independently on public transport and hostels. African safari in Kenya are generally expensive, but keep in mind that all your meals, lodging and game drives are included. Accommodation on the coast is cheaper, at around $60 per night for a midrange hotel and $100 and above for an upscale hotel.

The cheapest 4-day budget camping safari you can find in Kenya is $450 per person. The average nightly rate for a budget safari lodge is $100 and midrange safari lodge is $250. We spent around $150/day on transport provided by the lodges (that includes game drives).

Internet/Data in Kenya

Getting a SIM card in Kenya is simple these days. Safaricom is the largest telecom operator in Kenya and said to have the best coverage. Safaricom offers a weekly plan for data: 1GB of data for 250 KES ($2.50).

Airtel is the second largest provider, with 4G/LTE service in Kenya’s major cities. Its plans are cheaper than Safaricom. Both Airtel and Safaricom have outlets at the arrivals hall in Jomo Kenyetta airport.

To get a SIM card, all you need to do to take your passport along to any shop. But make sure your data works before you leave the shop.

Languages in Kenya

The official languages in Kenya are Swahili and English, with many locals speaking both fluently. You won’t find any problems communicating with people in most parts of the country, especially in the tourist hotspots.

Swahili is a super fun language and it’s actually quite easy to learn. I picked up quite a lot of it while living in Tanzania for 2 months. Here are some basic Swahili words you should learn before your trip to Kenya. Locals will definitely appreciate it.

Hello: Jambo/ Hujambo!
How are you?: Habari gani?
Fine (response): Nzuri.
Goodbye: Kwa heri.
Nice to meet you: Nafurahi kukuona.
Goodnight: Lala salama.

How to Deal with Hassles in Kenya

While traveling in Kenya, it is common to encounter tourist touts. Rest stops along the tourist trails are often lined with curio shops selling jewelry or wooden craftwork. The vendors can be quite pushy and persistent.

Even if you stay in your car, they will approach you and try to sell you stuff through the window. Just be polite and say no firmly. Some people will not give up, so be patient and keep calm.

In Nairobi and some hotspots, strangers might approach you and try to be friends. Some will bestow some kind of gift to you, and expect some kind of payment in return. It’s OK to talk to these people if they’re not actively hassling you, but you should ignore any requests for money.

Final Tips on Kenya Travel

If it’s your first time on the African continent, manage your expectations. Infrastructure in Kenya has improved a lot since the first time I was there 10 years ago, but there are still certain things you’ll need to get used to, like hole-in-the-ground toilets and insects in the tents. It’s all part of the adventure!

Many curio shops along the highways have sparkling clean toilets (that’s how they try to draw in the tourists), and drivers tend to bring you here. You’re not obliged to buy anything if you don’t want to.

Lastly, roads in Kenya are not the best. Prepare for bumpy rides and long, dusty drives. Also bring dramamine for motion sickness.

Never travel major intercity roads at night due to the heightened risk of road accidents.

To avoid being a target of petty crime, do not carry anything valuable with you when you’re walking around cities. That includes your laptop, big SLR camera, and expensive jewelry.

Pack a sense of adventure and a dollop of patience as things move slowly in Kenya. Adopt the ‘hakuna matata” (no troubles) attitude and everything is going to be alright.

Planning Your Trip to Kenya

Are you looking for more info on travel to Kenya? I have written quite a few articles about Kenya and you’ll find the links below. I hope they will help you plan your trip and make the most out of your Kenya adventure.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions about Kenya!

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Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. As an accomplished travel writer, she has written for BBC Travel, CNN and Rough Guides. She is also the author of five travel books, including the latest Lonely Planet's Mexico guidebook. Read more about her here and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Wild Junket

Wild Junket

Kenya Travel Guide: All You Need to Know