Kenya travel FAQ: 25 common questions answered

Most visitors now need an eTA rather than a visa, applied for online before travel. File it at least a week ahead and carry the approval with your passport. Rules and fees change, so confirm on the official portal. See the visa requirements page for the step-by-step.

July to October and January to February are the dry seasons, with the best wildlife viewing and the migration in the Mara from around July to October. March to May brings heavy rain and lower prices. The coast is best December to March.

Budget roughly US$60–120 a day travelling overland, US$250–450 a day on a mid-range safari, and US$50–150 a day on the coast. Park fees and flights are the big variables. See the travel costs page for a full breakdown.

Yes, with normal precautions. Petty theft is the main risk in cities; use hotel taxis at night and keep valuables out of sight. Check your government's advisory for specific regions before booking, and again before you fly.

Only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission, in which case proof may be requested at the border. Check current requirements with your travel clinic, since rules change.

No. Drink sealed bottled water or filtered water, which is cheap and widely available. Use bottled water for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.

Malaria is a risk on the coast, in the lowlands and in the Masai Mara, but not generally in highland Nairobi. Speak to a travel clinic about whether prophylaxis is right for your itinerary.

Most visitors fly from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, which takes under an hour, rather than drive five or more hours on rough roads. Road transfers are cheaper and suit overland trips.

Roughly US$10–20 per guest per day for your guide, and less for camp staff, is the usual expectation. Confirm with your operator, since practice varies between lodges.

Neutral-coloured layers, a warm fleece for early game drives, sun hat, binoculars, insect repellent and a headlamp. Avoid bright blue and black clothing, which can attract tsetse flies.

Yes. One or two nights covers Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage, and it breaks up a long-haul arrival before a safari flight.

Cards work at hotels, lodges and larger restaurants, and M-Pesa is used everywhere for small payments. Carry shillings for markets, matatus and tips outside the cities.

Swahili and English are both official. English is the language of hotels, safaris and road signs, so you can travel comfortably without Swahili, though a few greetings go a long way.

Yes if you are coming from the US, Canada or Europe. Kenya uses UK-style Type G three-pin plugs at 240 V, so bring an adapter and check your devices handle the voltage.

Yes, especially the coast and conservancies, where malaria risk is lower and lodges cater to children. Long game drives can be tiring for young kids; shorter flights and beach time help.

The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara around July and stays into October. Exact timing shifts with rainfall, so book a Mara camp for that window if it is your priority.

Self-drive is possible on main highways, driving on the left. Inside parks it is not advisable without experience, and most visitors use a guide and vehicle arranged by their lodge or operator.

For July to October, book Mara lodges and flights six to twelve months ahead; the best camps sell out. Outside peak season, a few weeks is often enough.

Safari is expensive because park fees, flights and lodge rates add up. The coast and independent travel are far cheaper. Mixing a short safari with beach time is the usual way to control the budget.

Kenya has national holidays including Jamhuri Day in December and Madaraka Day in June. Parks and lodges get busy around them, so check dates before booking.

Yes. Get cover that includes medical evacuation, since safari areas are far from good hospitals. Standard policies often exclude adventure activities, so read the terms.

Common ones include fake safari operators asking for upfront deposits, unofficial airport taxis and card-skimming at small ATMs. Book through established operators and use bank ATMs inside malls.

Yes, and it is the standard Kenya itinerary: a few nights in the Mara, then a flight to Diani or Watamu for three to five nights. Ten days is comfortable for both.

Staples are nyama choma, ugali, sukuma wiki and chapati, with Indian and Swahili influences on the coast. Vegetarian food is easy in Nairobi and coastal towns; tell your safari lodge in advance.

Lodges have basic first aid and can arrange evacuation by air to Nairobi. This is why insurance with evacuation cover matters. Carry oral rehydration salts and any prescription medicine.