Kenya Travel Guide

• Landscapes: Explore open landscapes and see endless stretches of wilderness. Spot stunning animals and watch predators live in action on the hunt as you join memorable game drives. Explore national parks and discover the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Conservation projects: There are a variety of amazing conservation projects tourists can visit, providing magical and close-up encounters with wildlife. Visit habitats for baby elephants and lion-proof enclosures that protect both the cattle and lions. 
• Beaches: Relax on sandy beaches, soak up the sun and enjoy a glamorous paradise. Grab a snorkel and meet the wonderful marine life. 
• Wildlife: Kenya is the perfect location for animal lovers with immersive wildlife experiences. Get up close to the Big 5 of game drives and unique safari experiences. Kenya is famous for its annual Great Migration. If you visit in late July to early August, you get the unforgettable experience of watching as millions of magical animals, including zebras, wildebeests and gazelle, migrate from Tanzania to Kenya. 
• The Culture: With over 40 different types of tribal people, you will experience diverse cultures as you meet the people of Kenya. Keen to tell the stories of Kenya’s traditional culture in the emerging modern world, the people of Kenya will invite you into their villages and share their daily lives and histories with you. 

Kenya’s unofficial national dish, Nyama Choma, is simple but delicious. Translating to ‘grilled meat’ in Swahili, it is traditionally served as salt-seasoned and slow-cooked goat, but chicken, beef and fish are popular alternatives.

Try the popular side dish Ugali, made by boiling cornmeal and making cornmeal paste and forming an edible spoon to dip into delicious meals. 

Kenya’s cuisine is heavily influenced by Indian dishes due to its large Indian population. Kenya has adopted traditional favourites such as bhaji, pilau, chapati and biryani.

Kenya’s dry season is from July to October and reaches temperatures from 23 degrees celsius to 28 degrees celsius in coastal areas. During this time you can enjoy clear and sunny skies. 

The wet season, November to May, has temperatures from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius. Mornings can be slightly cooler so warmer clothes are advisable for early game drives. 

Specifically, the ‘short rains’ period occurs during November and December, when rain falls mostly in the late afternoon and evening, so is less likely to impact activities. January and February offer a short break in the rainy season with less rainfall. The months with the most rain are March, April and May. This ‘Long rains’ season gets the most rain and is very cloudy with high humidity, especially in coastal areas. 

Visa Assistance

Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.

To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.

Entry Requirements for UK Travellers

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Kenya set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Kenyan High Commission in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Kenya, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must apply online for electronic travel authorisation in advance of travel. The local authorities recommend applying at least 2 weeks before your departure.

Travellers who currently hold a visa can continue to travel using their visa until it expires.

For information on work permits and residency, check the Kenyan Department of Immigration requirements.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Kenya, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Kenya guide.

Ebola screening

Travellers arriving in Kenya, particularly those coming from Uganda, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), may be subject to enhanced health screening measures due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak centred in the DRC. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Kenya. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking drones into Kenya

It is illegal to import or export drones without prior approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Contact the KCAA well in advance of travel if you wish to bring a drone to Kenya.

• When you are away from tourist resorts and hotels, it is advisable to dress conservatively. Coastal areas are predominately Muslim and it is important to respect religious areas, especially in Mombasa town and during the holy month of Ramadan. 
• It is prohibited to smoke except in designated smoking areas. You risk a fine or imprisonment. 
• The penalty for possession of illegal Class A drugs is 10 years in prison. 
• Take care around official buildings and Embassies as photography and filming can be prohibited around them. It is also prohibited in airports.
• You require permission to carry any kind of firearm before you enter Kenya.
• For environmental reasons, plastic bags are banned.
• It is against the law to destroy Kenyan currency.
• Public displays of homosexual activity could lead to arrest, see updated information for the LGBT community on government information and advice pages.
• Those caught buying, selling, killing, or capturing wild animals illegally will be prosecuted and receive fines and/or a prison sentence.

Health

Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance to cover your journey and accessible funds to cover any medical costs you may require.

Carry a first aid kit with you to treat minor injuries and ailments. Treat any injuries immediately and go to the nearest hospital when in need of emergency treatment.

Check the National Travel Health Network Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website at least 8 weeks prior to your trip to see the latest country-specific health advice. Here you can find up-to-date information on vaccine recommendations, risks or outbreaks and advice on staying healthy during your travels. 

Contact your health adviser for information on managing any pre-existing conditions and to ensure you have enough of any prescribed medication throughout your travels.

Health risks in Kenya include cholera, malaria, dengue fever and also yellow fever and Ebola in certain regions. Discuss vaccinations with your health advisor before travel and take precautions to avoid insect bites. Use insect repellents on exposed skin, treat clothing with insecticide, avoid areas of stagnant water and wear loose-fitting, long sleeves and trousers.

Only drink boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Only eat food from licensed vendors.

See updated Coronavirus information on the foreign travel advice section of the government website.

Safety

• It is important that you carry a form of identification on you at all times during your time in Kenya. A copy of your passport can be accepted but police officers can insist on the original document. 
• Stay vigilant of crime at all times and take precautions with your valuables. Your guides, hotel, employer or hosts should give you appropriate safety advice for the areas you are travelling in.
• Specific areas to stay particularly vigilant in are transport hubs such as railway stations, bus stations and airports, where bag snatching is common. Large cities can also attract crime activities. Avoid walking around after dark, especially in quiet areas like empty beaches. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive items. 
• Always ask for identification from police officers or security guards 
• Don’t eat food or drink from strangers
• Monitor demonstrations and political gatherings and avoid travelling near large gatherings.
• Check the FCDO website before travel for area-specific advice which is constantly subject to change 
• We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.