If you are planning to travel to Kenya, Below are some of the general information and tips you may need to know before traveling. For detailed information on Safari Holiday, Mountain Climbing or Beach holiday; feel free to Contact any of our holiday exports.
For all foreigners traveling to Kenya require a visa (except from Nationals of East African Partner States), in order to acquire a Kenyan visa, you need at least 6 months valid passport with at least one unused page for endorsement , two application forms, application fee (varies from $ 50), two passport size photograph and a safari itinerary.
Visa application can be done at your local Kenyan embassy or upon arrival on any of the Kenyan entry points, Check out with your local Kenyan embassy if they do accept postal visa applications. At the entry point, visa payments can be done in local currency or equivalent amount in Euros, GBP and Swiss Francs.
For onward travelers planning to visit neighboring countries like Tanzania and Uganda, you can purchase your visa, either in Nairobi or at the point of entry for about $ 50.
There are no compulsory vaccinations required to visit Kenya unless you are arriving from an area known to have Yellow Fever or other outbreaks, then you will be required to have a vaccination. For general health, it’s advisable to visit your personal doctor for proper information on which vaccine to take, we highly advice our clients to have an anti-malaria vaccine or tablets.
it’s not compulsory to have an insurance cover, but it’s good to have one just in case (especially for families and the elderly).
Kenya is made up of mixed societies with majority being conservative; courtesy and good manners are advised especially in the rural areas and Islamic strong holds. For photographers, always ask permission before taking a picture of the local people.
In general it’s good to pack light casual wear , with a couple of shorts, T-shirts, light shoes/sandals to wear during the day and long sleeve T-shirts / shirts, trousers, a light jacket for the evenings. For more information on what to pack for a wildlife safari, refer to our Safari holiday section and for beach holiday refer on our Beach holiday section.
Tipping for good service in major places in Kenya is customary although not a must, it's a good gesture of appreciation. In some hotels they add a service charge onto your bill that serve as tip to service given, so it’s good to check on the bill or ask before giving a tip.
Kenya experiences more or less stable climate throughout the year; with long rainy season in mid-March to June and the short rains in October to December. The days are usually sunny and the nights are relatively cool except the coastal area that is humid throughout days and nights.
The temperature during the dry season (summer) would vary between 20°C to 34°C and the wet season (winter) between 18°C to 29°C. For more details on when is the best time for Safari or beach holiday, refer to our wildlife Safari page and Beach holiday for detailed information.
Kenyan national currency is Kenya shilling; other major curries like USD, Euros and pounds are also widely used. Please note that due to the number of fake notes in circulation, US Dollar note printed before 2003 are not accepted in Kenya (try carry notes printed after 2006).
There are several Banks and ATMs services in all major traveling destinations where Visa/master/American express cards are accepted. Currency exchange can be done at any local bank, bureau de change and in some authorized hotels.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the main airport in Kenya, located about 13 Km from Nairobi city center, the airport serves as the main flight hub for international flights and as well as local flights.
Wilson Airport is a small airport located about 7km from the Nairobi city center; it is mostly used for internal and private chartered flights to destinations such as the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Mombasa, Malindi , Zanzibar, Serengeti national park and others parts in East Africa.
Other major airports include Mombasa Moi International Airport, which serves as the main flight hub around the Coastal region; Kisumu International Airport that serve as the flight hub in western Kenya and Eldoret International Airport.
Road transfers from airports to hotels or to major destinations in Kenya can be done in private mini buses, vans, taxis or hire private cars. For Safari games drives, due to the rough terrains; we recommend to use the 4WD cars with large sliding windows and a pop-up roof for viewing wildlife and the beautiful landscapes.
For local flights, airport transfers, Safari road drives or further information on transport; Contact our transport department.
International Flights
Local Flights
Kenyan electricity supply is 240V with three pin plugs, the time difference is +3 GMT.
