Africa
Kenya
Safari capital of the world — the Great Migration and beyond
Capital
Nairobi
Language
Swahili, English
Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Best Time
Kenya's diverse climate zones offer excellent travel opportunities year-round, but timing can significantly enhance your experience. July through October represents the peak safari season, coinciding with the Great Migration when millions of animals cross from Tanzania's Serengeti into Kenya's Masai Mara, creating dramatic river crossings and predator-prey interactions. During this period, expect dry conditions, excellent game viewing, and clear skies, though accommodation prices peak and advance booking becomes essential. January and February offer another exceptional window with warm, dry weather perfect
Safety
Increased caution
per live govt advisories
Photo by Luis Martinez on Unsplash
UK FCDO: Avoid all travel to parts
Reviewed September 4, 2026 · Read full advisory on GOV.UK ↗
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
What 3 governments say
- United States
- Level 2 of 4
- United Kingdom
- Regional advisories only (parts at Level 4)
- Canada
- Level 2 of 4
- Australia
- No data
Low divergence — the 3 government sources covering this destination broadly agree.
Sources retrieved September 18, 2026
Compare advisories for all countries
United Kingdom: Contains public sector information from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (gov.uk) licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Canada: Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada, published by Global Affairs Canada.
Australia: Contains material from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website – www.smartraveller.gov.au, provided under the Creative Commons Attribution licence.
Reviewed by Moise Ouoba, Founder
Last reviewed: August 25, 2026
Sources: government travel advisories and health authorities · How we verify
Quick answers about Kenya
Direct answers to what travelers actually ask, reviewed before publication.
✦ opens the travel assistant, where you can ask a follow-up.
Entry and visas
Your passport
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
ETA required on a French passport — apply before you fly
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
ETA required on a French passport — apply before you fly
Kenya's ETA system replaced the old visa in January 2024 and applies broadly — including EU passports. Apply at the official government portal, not a third-party service. Print your approval; airline staff check it at boarding.
- ETA required — apply online before departure
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Confirm current requirements on the official portal
Visa facts reviewed August 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
ETA required on a US passport — apply before you fly
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
ETA required on a US passport — apply before you fly
Kenya replaced the old visa with an Electronic Travel Authorization in January 2024. Apply at the official government portal before travel — don't skip it or pay a third-party site to do it for you. Print your approval and carry it to the gate.
- ETA required — apply online before departure
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Confirm current requirements on the official portal
Visa facts reviewed August 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
No eTA needed on a Nigerian passport — up to 60 days
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
No eTA needed on a Nigerian passport — up to 60 days
Kenya exempted most African nationals from the eTA in 2025 — Nigerian passport holders enter without any authorization for stays up to 60 days. Ignore any site selling you an eTA for this trip. Carry your yellow fever certificate: it is checked when arriving from Nigeria.
- eTA-exempt — up to 60 days, nothing to apply for
- Yellow fever certificate required from Nigeria
- Passport valid 6+ months — confirm on the official portal
Visa facts reviewed August 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
How do I apply?
Online, through Kenya's official ETA portal
How do I apply?
Online, through Kenya's official ETA portal
The ETA replaced Kenya's old visa system in January 2024. Apply at etakenya.go.ke — upload your passport bio page, a photo, and travel documents, then pay online. Don't book non-refundable flights until approval arrives.
- Apply online: passport scan + photo + travel docs
- Pay the fee through the official portal
- Print approval — needed at check-in
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
How long does it take?
About 3 business days — apply at least a week out
How long does it take?
About 3 business days — apply at least a week out
The ETA typically clears in roughly 3 business days, but apply at least a week before departure to absorb any delays. Don't cut it close — no approval means no boarding.
- Typical: ~3 business days
- Apply 1 week minimum before travel
- Delays possible — don't leave it last-minute
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
How much does it cost?
$30 for most nationalities
How much does it cost?
$30 for most nationalities
The ETA fee is $30 USD for most passports, paid through the official portal. Any site charging more is adding a markup for nothing — go direct. Confirm the current fee at the official portal before you apply.
- ETA: $30 USD most nationalities
- Pay official portal only
- Confirm current fee before applying
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
Safety
Is Kenya safe right now?
Safe for safaris — Nairobi needs serious street smarts
Is Kenya safe right now?
Safe for safaris — Nairobi needs serious street smarts
Safari areas and beach resorts are genuinely safe with normal precautions. Nairobi is a different story: don't walk alone at night, use Uber or Bolt instead of hailing cabs, and keep valuables out of sight. The northeast border with Somalia is off-limits — no itinerary reason to go there anyway.
- Safari areas and resorts: safe with precautions
- Nairobi: no walking alone at night, use ride apps
- Avoid northeastern border areas entirely
US · UK · CA · AU advisories · live feed above
What scams should I watch for?
4 scams that will actually find you
What scams should I watch for?
4 scams that will actually find you
The safari price scam is the costly one: suspiciously cheap operators mean bad vehicles and zero recourse. Book only with established, reviewed companies. In Nairobi, don't engage with unsolicited helpers near the CBD or bus stations — distraction theft is the move. At the coast, beach boys are persistent but rarely dangerous; a firm no and walking away works.
- Cheap safari operators — always check reviews and licenses
- Nairobi street distractions — keep bags closed, use ride apps
- Beach boy pressure in Diani/Mombasa — book through your hotel
Traveler reports + curated intel
Are there any active travel warnings?
Active regional warnings — northeast is a hard no
Are there any active travel warnings?
Active regional warnings — northeast is a hard no
The northeastern border with Somalia carries a genuine terrorism and kidnapping risk — all major advisories flag it. For a standard Nairobi–Masai Mara–coast trip this is irrelevant, but know the line exists. Nairobi's Eastleigh area is also flagged. Check your government's advisory before you fly.
- Northeast Somalia border: avoid entirely
- Nairobi Eastleigh area: avoid
- Tourist circuits are not in the warning zones
Live advisory feed · official government advisories · updated regularly
Health
What vaccinations do I need?
Malaria prophylaxis is non-negotiable — plus 3 others
What vaccinations do I need?
Malaria prophylaxis is non-negotiable — plus 3 others
Start malaria prophylaxis before you arrive — it covers most of Kenya and the risk is real. Yellow Fever is required if you're arriving from an endemic country, and recommended regardless. Add Hepatitis A and typhoid at the same clinic visit. Book a travel clinic appointment at least two weeks before departure.
- Malaria prophylaxis: essential for most areas
- Yellow Fever: required from endemic countries, recommended broadly
- Hep A + typhoid: both strongly recommended
CDC health notices · official sources · not medical advice — confirm with a travel clinic
Can I drink the water?
Tap water unsafe everywhere — sealed bottles only
Can I drink the water?
Tap water unsafe everywhere — sealed bottles only
Don't drink tap water anywhere in Kenya, including Nairobi. Stick to sealed bottled water, watch the ice, and use bottled water to brush your teeth the first few days. Rural and safari areas have very limited pharmacy access if you get sick.
- Tap water unsafe nationwide
- Sealed bottles only — including for brushing teeth
- Ice at tourist venues is generally fine; street ice is not
Reviewed August 2026
Culture and etiquette
What should I know before I go?
A few rules that actually matter here
What should I know before I go?
A few rules that actually matter here
Always ask before photographing people — especially the Maasai, who may charge a fee and will remember if you don't ask. On the coast, dress modestly: Muslim communities are the norm in Mombasa and Lamu. Don't discuss tribal politics, even lightly — it's genuinely sensitive. Learn three words of Swahili and you'll get smiles everywhere.
- Ask permission before photographing anyone
- Modest dress on the coast (Mombasa, Lamu)
- Avoid tribal politics — sensitive topic
Curated cultural intel · reviewed August 2026
How does tipping work?
Safari guides: $10–20 USD per day — don't skip it
How does tipping work?
Safari guides: $10–20 USD per day — don't skip it
Tipping is expected and genuinely important to incomes here. Safari guides work hard and tips are a significant part of their earnings — $10–20 USD per person per day is standard. Keep small bills and coins for hotels and restaurants.
- Safari guides: $10–20 USD per person per day
- Restaurants: about 10%
- Hotel staff: small tip, your discretion
Reviewed August 2026
Planning your trip
When is the best time to visit?
July–October for the Migration; January–February otherwise
When is the best time to visit?
July–October for the Migration; January–February otherwise
July to October is the Great Migration in the Masai Mara — the reason most people come. January and February are dry, warm, and far less crowded. Avoid the long rains in March–May if you want reliable game drives; the short rains in October–November are manageable but muddy.
- Best for Migration: July–October
- Dry and uncrowded: January–February
- Avoid long rains: March–May
Reviewed August 2026
What should I see in a week?
Nairobi → Masai Mara → coast
What should I see in a week?
Nairobi → Masai Mara → coast
For a first trip: one night in Nairobi to recover from the flight, then three nights in the Masai Mara — this is the point of coming to Kenya, don't shorten it. End with two nights on the coast at Diani or Lamu. Don't try to do it all in a week; the Mara alone is worth the trip.
- Nairobi: 1 night transit only
- Masai Mara: 3 nights minimum
- Coast (Diani or Lamu): 2 nights to close
Reviewed August 2026
What will Kenya cost per day?
$95 per day mid-range — safari is the big variable
What will Kenya cost per day?
$95 per day mid-range — safari is the big variable
Kenya mid-range runs about $95 a day, but safari costs dominate and can swing the total dramatically. Shared vehicles and tented camps cut safari costs without killing the experience. Eat at local spots — nyama choma and ugali are cheap, good, and everywhere.
- Mid-range: ~$95/day all in
- Safari: biggest cost — shared vehicles save money
- Local food: far cheaper than tourist restaurants
Reviewed August 2026
Money
Ask AI about money in Kenya
UK FCDO — Kenya travel adviceGovernment of Canada — Kenya: Travel advice and advisoriesSection last verified 2026-08-20
How people pay here
Cash
Limited
Cards
Widely accepted
Mobile wallet
Widely accepted
Currency basics
- The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling.
- Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and popular tourist destinations, but not in remote locations.
- ATMs are widely available in cities.
- Currency can be exchanged at banks, hotels, exchange bureaus, or at the airport.
- A common electronic funds transfer service is accepted across Kenya, including at national parks.
- National parks do not accept cash and generally accept credit cards, though at times only electronic transfer payment is accepted due to technical difficulties.
Scams and safety
Ask AI about scams in Kenya
UK FCDO — Kenya travel adviceUS Department of State — Kenya: Travel AdvisorySection last verified 2026-08-20
Common patterns on the ground
- Criminals have been found posing as police officers or private security guards to steal valuables, passports, and vehicles.
- Bag-snatching is common at bus stations, railway stations, and airports.
- Drinks and food have been spiked by criminals in bars and clubs to enable theft or sexual assault.
- Criminals have used dating apps to identify and target victims for robbery or sexual assault, with an increased focus on LGBT+ travelers.
- Investment fraud schemes involving gold and other high-value commodities have targeted foreign visitors.
- Schemes to fraudulently acquire land, churches, and businesses from foreign buyers have been reported.
- On-the-spot traffic fines demanded by police officers are common but illegal.
- Carjackers have been known to set up bogus checkpoints.
Area awareness
- Violent crime including mugging, armed robbery, and carjacking occurs frequently in large cities and on major highways.
- Specific higher-risk areas in Nairobi include Eastleigh, the Central Business District, Mathare, and Kibera.
- Higher-risk areas in Mombasa include the Old Town and the area around the ferry linking Mombasa to the southern resorts.
- Crime rates are often higher around the Christmas and New Year period.
- There is a high threat of terrorist attack across Kenya, with attacks considered indiscriminate and able to occur at any time.
- Attacks could occur at hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, shopping centres, beaches, safari parks, places of worship, and government buildings.
- The main terrorist threat comes from extremists linked to a militant group based in Somalia.
- There is a high threat of terrorist kidnapping, particularly targeting westerners in northern and coastal counties.
- Travel to several northeastern counties and coastal areas north of Malindi is advised against due to kidnapping and terrorism risks.
- Protests and demonstrations are common, particularly in Nairobi, and can turn violent.
- Rural areas in the north and northeast occasionally experience banditry and intercommunal violence.
- There have been attacks using landmines near the Kenya-Ethiopia border around Moyale.
Culture and etiquette
Ask AI about culture in Kenya
Government of Canada — Kenya: Travel advice and advisoriesUK FCDO — Kenya travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-20
Daily conduct
- Valid identification must be carried at all times; police may require the original document.
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes and shishas, is prohibited in all public places except designated smoking areas.
- Alcohol consumption in public places is subject to strict restrictions.
- Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and public displays of same-sex affection can lead to arrest and imprisonment.
- Plastic bags, including garbage bags and shopping bags, are illegal to use, manufacture, or import.
- Pornographic material is forbidden.
- Dress conservatively, particularly in the coastal region where Islamic beliefs are influential.
- During Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset should be done discreetly.
Visiting religious sites
- Holiday-style clothing is likely to attract negative attention at religious sites or buildings.
- Dressing conservatively is advised when visiting religious sites, particularly in Mombasa and coastal areas.
Rules and border
Ask AI about local laws in Kenya
Government of Canada — Kenya: Travel advice and advisoriesUK FCDO — Kenya travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-20
In-country law
- Importing or exporting drones without prior approval from the civil aviation authority is illegal.
- Possession of ivory or other banned wildlife items is strictly prohibited, even if purchased outside Kenya.
- Killing, buying, selling, or trading any protected wild animal or its parts is illegal.
- Use, manufacture, or importation of plastic bags is illegal.
- Carrying firearms requires prior permission from local authorities; firearms are forbidden in wildlife reserves and national parks.
- Photographing military sites, government buildings, embassies, airports, and harbours is prohibited.
- Possession of pornographic material is forbidden.
- Illegal drug possession carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison; trafficking can result in life imprisonment.
- Anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty must be declared at customs.
Emergency contacts
Ask AI about emergencies in Kenya
UK FCDO — Kenya travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-20
Dial from any phone
Ambulance, fire, police
999
Keep your own government's consular number saved separately; it is listed on their travel page for this country.
Do I Need a Visa?
Ask AI about visas for KenyaVisa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Verify with your country's embassy or the destination's official immigration authority before traveling.
Content on Ouoba is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, visa, insurance, tax, medical, financial, safety, or other professional advice. Users should consult official authorities, qualified professionals, or service providers before making important travel, financial, legal, or health-related decisions.