Major city · Kenya
Kisii
Spend 1–2 days in Kisii to see the market, Manga Ridge views and Keera Waterfall; then continue to larger towns or wildlife areas.
Kisii is a commercial hub in the highland Gusii region, known for tea, bananas and dairy. Its compact centre lets you see the main sights in a day, with a second day for nearby nature spots.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KES
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry to mild)
- avoid Nov–Mar (heavier rains)
- Airport
- KIS
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kisii999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kisii, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES).Kenya-wide
- SIM or eSIMSafaricom (best park coverage) and Airtel sell SIMs at JKIA arrivals; registration needs your passport.Kenya-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Kenya-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge.Kenya-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Kenya-wide
- SafetyKisii is generally safe for day visitors; keep valuables secure and avoid isolated areas after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop toilets at some park gates and bush stops.Kenya-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 999 fire and ambulance · 112 Medical (hospital)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on public holidays; parks and lodges open every day.Kenya-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKIS Kisii Airport (Small domestic airstrip, limited scheduled flights).
- Getting aroundMatatus, boda‑bodas and tuk‑tuks are common; taxis are available; walking works well in the central market area.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KIS Kisii Airport (Small domestic airstrip, limited scheduled flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jul (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kisii: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
15 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Matatus, boda‑bodas and tuk‑tuks are common; taxis are available; walking works well in the central market area.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Manga Ridge
goDoor to door: 30 min total
Local taxi or boda‑boda, ~15 min from town centre
Viewpoint over Kisii and surrounding forest.
Keera Waterfall
goDoor to door: 45 min total
Taxi or boda‑boda, ~20 min drive
35 m waterfall with nearby caves.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Nile Fast Food and Guest House
Single/double rooms, Ksh 1,000–1,500
St Vincent Guest House
Single/double rooms, Ksh 1,500–2,000
St Jude Guest House
Single/double rooms, from Ksh 1,300
Venesa Towers
Single/double rooms with bathroom, Ksh 1,000
Whitestone Lodge
Single/double rooms, from Ksh 1,000
Kisii Hotel
Single/double rooms, from Ksh 1,500
Sakawa Towers County Hotel
Single/double room, from Ksh 1,400
Jazz Hotel
Double room with bathroom, Ksh 1,400
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Ksh 1,200–2,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Ksh 2,000–3,500 excl. bed
- High
- Ksh 3,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room1 × 1 night × KES 1,200 | KES 1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × KES 1,200 | KES 1,200 |
| Matatu Nairobi → Kisii (one way)1 × KES 2,500 · check | KES 2,500 |
| Taxi within town (10 km)1 × KES 800 · check | KES 800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | KES 570 |
| Trip total≈ KES 6,270 per person per day, bed included | KES 6,270 |
Typical rates from listed guest houses.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at local restaurant | Ksh 300–600 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | Ksh 30–50 |
| Matatu fare Nairobi → Kisii (one way)check | Ksh 2,500–3,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Public transport schedules can change; confirm matatu times locally.
- Some ATMs may charge fees for foreign cards; check before withdrawing.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Fire and ambulance
- 999
- Medical (hospital)
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KisiiKisii
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police999
- Fire and ambulance999
Embassy
My embassy: —
Say or show
- Gani hii inagharimu? — How much does this cost? (gɑˈni hi i.na.ɡaˈri.mu)
- Soko iko wapi? — Where is the market? (ˈso.ko ˈi.ko ˈwa.pi)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kisii. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (dry to mild) · avoid Nov–Mar (heavier rains) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 8 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Kisii after arriving from Nairobi or Kisumu to break up travel.
- Combine with a visit to nearby Kericho for tea plantation tours.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Kisii
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kisii, revision 5334179 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Kisii
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