Kenya Travel Guide
June–October is the dry season and prime game viewing; the Mara river crossings usually fall July–October. January–February is also dry and hot.
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Kenya at a glance
Best time to visit Kenya
June–October is the dry season and prime game viewing; the Mara river crossings usually fall July–October. January–February is also dry and hot.
Peak: July–October (migration) and Christmas–New Year — camps book out up to a year ahead.
Shoulder season: January–February and June: strong game viewing at lower rates.
Visa and entry
e-Visa required for all nationalities; apply at evisa.go.ke. East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Kenya uses the KES (KSh).
Expected. 10–15% at restaurants; USD 5–10 per day for safari guides; small amounts for lodge staff.
Getting around
Nairobi matatus and buses are cheap (about KES 50–100) but hard to navigate. Most visitors use Uber or Bolt at roughly KES 300–800 a trip, or hire a driver.
When a pass pays off: A driver for the day (roughly KES 6,000–9,000) beats app rides from about 5 stops, and is the norm for safari transfers.
Local etiquette
Do
- Greet before business — a handshake and “habari” is expected.
- Book park entries by card through eCitizen; several parks are now cashless.
- Pack neutral-coloured clothing and binoculars for safari.
Avoid
- Don't photograph people without asking, and don't photograph government buildings.
- Don't leave the vehicle in national parks except in designated areas.
- Don't drink tap water.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Unlicensed safari operators taking deposits — book with a KATO-registered company and pay traceably.
- “Orphanage” and school-visit solicitations attached to tours.
- Improvised airport taxi pricing — use Uber, Bolt or a pre-booked hotel transfer.
Health
Yellow fever vaccination and malaria prophylaxis are commonly recommended for Kenya, along with Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:00 AM |
| lunch | 12:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| dinner | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
Useful Swahili and English (both official) phrases
English is used in business, signage and education; Swahili greetings are warmly received.
- Hello
- Jambo / Habari(JAM-bo / ha-BA-ree)
- Thank you very much
- Asante sana(a-SAN-teh SA-na)
- Excuse me
- Samahani(sa-ma-HA-nee)
- How much is this?
- Bei gani?(bay GA-nee)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Kenya: Airalo, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Kenya travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Kenya?
- June–October is the dry season and prime game viewing; the Mara river crossings usually fall July–October. January–February is also dry and hot.
- Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?
- e-Visa required for all nationalities; apply at evisa.go.ke. East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Kenya?
- Expected. 10–15% at restaurants; USD 5–10 per day for safari guides; small amounts for lodge staff.
- What currency is used in Kenya?
- Kenya uses the KES (KSh).
- What power plug and voltage does Kenya use?
- Kenya uses Type G sockets at 240V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Kenya?
- In Kenya, call 999 (police) / 999 (ambulance) / 999 (fire).
- What time zone is Kenya in?
- Kenya is in the Africa/Nairobi time zone (UTC+03:00).
- What language is spoken in Kenya?
- The main language is Swahili and English (both official). English is used in business, signage and education; Swahili greetings are warmly received.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Kenya?
- Nairobi matatus and buses are cheap (about KES 50–100) but hard to navigate. Most visitors use Uber or Bolt at roughly KES 300–800 a trip, or hire a driver. A driver for the day (roughly KES 6,000–9,000) beats app rides from about 5 stops, and is the norm for safari transfers.
- What health precautions should I take in Kenya?
- Yellow fever vaccination and malaria prophylaxis are commonly recommended for Kenya, along with Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made Kenya itineraries
Plan a Kenya trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Kenya tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.