Travel Information – Kenya
What you need to know before your safari — from eTA applications and malaria prevention to packing for the Mara.
Quick Snapshot
Entry Requirements
Use only official government portals for eTA applications. Third-party or unofficial sites may charge inflated fees or be fraudulent.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
Kenya replaced its eVisa system with the eTA in January 2024. All foreign visitors of all nationalities must obtain one before departure — no exceptions except EAC citizens, valid Kenyan residents, and work permit holders.
EAC Citizens & EATV
EAC Citizens: Visa-free. Travel on national ID between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. An Interstate Pass is issued at the border.
East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV): If combining Kenya with Uganda and Rwanda, a single USD 100 visa covers all three countries for 90 days. Apply at the first country you enter.
Note: Entering Tanzania invalidates the EATV. Tanzania requires a separate visa (USD 50) and is not part of the EATV scheme.
Yellow Fever & Passport Requirements
Health & Safety
Malaria
Risk across most of Kenya, including safari areas. Exceptions are Nairobi city centre and altitudes above 2,500m. Start antimalarials before departure and use DEET-based repellent in the evenings and at dawn.
Vaccines
Recommended: Yellow fever (if arriving from an endemic country), Hepatitis A & B, typhoid. Consult a travel health clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure.
Water Safety
Drink bottled or treated water only. All reputable lodges provide safe drinking water — do not drink from taps.
Travel Insurance
Non-negotiable. Medical evacuation from a remote game reserve costs USD 50,000 or more. Your policy must include emergency evacuation, repatriation, and cover for wildlife and safari activities.
Check the small print. Standard travel insurance often doesn't cover wildlife or safari activities — or emergency aerial evacuation from remote areas. Verify explicitly before you travel.
Best Time to Visit
| Period | Conditions | Wildlife / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan – Feb | Dry shoulder season. Good game viewing, lower rates than peak. | Amboseli excellent. Diani beach season. |
| Mar – May | Long rains. Lush, green, fewer tourists. Some tracks become difficult. | Good birdwatching. Lower prices. |
| Jun – OctPeak | Peak dry season. Best overall game viewing. Vegetation thin; animals concentrate around water. | Great Migration in the Mara: July–Oct. Best predator action. |
| Nov – Dec | Short rains, variable. Migration exits Mara by November. | Still good but weather unpredictable. |
The Great Wildebeest Migration through the Maasai Mara peaks July–October. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River — crocodiles, big cats, dust. It is the most dramatic wildlife event on earth and Kenya is where it culminates.
Getting There & Around
International Airports
- Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO), Nairobi — main entry point; all major international carriers; currently undergoing a USD 2 billion upgrade including a second runway.
- Moi International (MBA), Mombasa — for direct coast arrivals; limited international routes.
Airlines
- Kenya Airways — New York JFK, London Heathrow & Gatwick, Paris CDG, Amsterdam
- British Airways — London Heathrow–Nairobi direct
- KLM — Amsterdam–Nairobi direct
- Lufthansa — Frankfurt–Nairobi direct
- Air France — Paris CDG–Nairobi direct
- SWISS — Zurich–Nairobi direct
- Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines — via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Istanbul
Getting Around
- Domestic flights — Safarilink, AirKenya, and charter operators connect Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lamu, Samburu. Nairobi to Mara is ~45 minutes. Take the flight — the road takes 5–6 hours.
- Road — possible for shorter distances. Infrastructure is improving but factor in time honestly.
Luggage limit for bush flights: Domestic bush planes enforce a strict 15 kg soft-bag-only limit. Hard-shell suitcases do not fit in the hold. Pack in a soft duffel. Most lodges offer laundry service.
Safari Experience
Game Drives
Typically two per day — early morning (from 06:00) and late afternoon (from 16:00). Both periods catch the best light and the most animal activity. Some lodges offer full-day drives for following predators or the migration.
Vehicles
4×4 Land Cruisers or Land Rovers with open pop-top roofs. Maximum 6–7 guests per vehicle. Private vehicles are available on request.
Park Fees
Maasai Mara is managed by county authorities (Narok and Trans Mara). Fees vary by gate and season, and change periodically. Fees are typically bundled into your lodge rate — confirm before booking.
Private Conservancies
The Mara is bordered by private conservancies — Mara North, Ol Kinyei, Naboisho, and others. Fewer vehicles, no crowding at sightings, night drives possible, and walking safaris. These offer a meaningfully different experience to the main reserve.
Private vs Group
A private vehicle gives you complete control over your schedule and focus — essential for photographers. On group safaris, you share decisions with other guests.
Accommodation
Lodges are permanent structures. Tented camps use luxury canvas on raised platforms — often with open-air ensuite bathrooms and bush views. Full board is standard. Clarify drinks policy before booking.
Packing Guide
Clothing
Neutral tones only — khaki, olive, tan, beige, sage. No white (turns orange with Mara dust), no bright colours, no camouflage (prohibited in some parks). Layers are essential: mornings can be cold at 06:00.
What to Bring
Binoculars (genuinely essential), DEET-based insect repellent, sunscreen, wide-brim hat, lightweight waterproof jacket, camera with zoom lens if you have one.
Luggage
One soft-sided duffel or holdall per person for bush flights. Strict 15 kg limit. Most lodges have laundry — pack light and use it. No hard-shell suitcases.
What NOT to Bring
Hard suitcases, bright clothing, single-use plastic bags. Kenya's plastic bag ban is strictly enforced — bags can be confiscated at the airport.
Money & Tipping
Currency & Cards
Kenyan Shilling (KES). USD is widely accepted at lodges, in parks, and at tourist-facing businesses. Carry small USD bills — USD 1, 5, 10, and 20s are more useful than USD 100s in the field.
Major credit and debit cards are accepted at Nairobi hotels and most lodges. In parks and remote areas, cash is the only option. ATMs are available in Nairobi and Mombasa — withdraw before you leave the city.
Tipping Guide (per day)
| Role | Amount |
|---|---|
| Safari guide | USD 15–20 per vehicle |
| Lodge staff | USD 5–10 per guest |
| Driver (separate) | USD 10–15 |
| Camp staff / porter | USD 5 |
Tipping is expected and meaningful to people earning local wages. It is a significant part of their income — not optional etiquette.
Connectivity
SIM Card
Purchase a Safaricom SIM at JKIA on arrival. Safaricom has the widest coverage in Kenya, including in safari areas where other networks drop out entirely. Bring an unlocked phone.
eSIM
International eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, etc.) work in Kenya. A local Safaricom SIM will outperform them in remote areas.
Data in Parks
Safaricom data is reliable in Nairobi and along main highways. Inside game reserves, expect limited or no signal. Many lodges have Wi-Fi in common areas only — treat it as a bonus.
Practical prep: Download Google Maps offline before you leave Nairobi. Save lodge contacts and emergency numbers offline. You're in the middle of a game reserve. Disconnecting is part of it.
Cultural Etiquette & Park Rules
Etiquette
- Dress: Modest dress appreciated in rural areas and Maasai communities. Resort wear appropriate at the coast.
- Photography: Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in Maasai villages. Some community members request payment — that's their right.
- Greeting: "Jambo" or "Habari" goes a long way. Take time to greet your guide, room attendant, chef — it matters.
- Bargaining: Expected in markets and craft stalls. Not appropriate in restaurants, lodges, or formal shops.
Park Rules
- Stay on designated tracks. Off-road driving is illegal in most parks and causes direct habitat damage.
- No littering. Pack out everything. Some conservancies have zero-tolerance enforcement.
- Maintain distance from wildlife — especially predators with a kill or mothers with young. Your guide manages this.
- Plastic bags are illegal in Kenya. Do not bring single-use plastic bags — they are confiscated at the border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenya's main safari and tourist areas — Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Nakuru, the coast — are safe and well-managed. Nairobi operates like any large city: be aware of your surroundings, use reliable transport, and don't flash valuables. Check current government advisories for the northeastern regions and some coastal border areas, which operate under different security conditions.
Yes. Many lodges and camps welcome families. Some high-end camps have minimum age requirements — typically 8 to 12 years — particularly for bush walks. Game drives have no age restriction. If you're travelling with young children, tell us and we'll match you with appropriate properties.
Absolutely. The Nairobi–Arusha connection is a 5–6 hour shuttle (Impala Shuttle, Riverside) or a short charter flight. Combining the Maasai Mara with the Serengeti is one of East Africa's classic multi-country itineraries — the same ecosystem, different terrain.
Everything we offer can be tailored. Tell us your dates, interests, fitness level, and budget. We'll build the trip around what you actually want to see.
Cancellation terms are detailed on every trip listing. We recommend travel insurance with cancellation cover — unforeseen events happen, and East Africa's remote lodges operate on strict non-refundable permit and booking windows.