Kenya
Kenya is where the modern safari took shape: wildebeest plunge across the Mara River, elephants roam beneath Kilimanjaro's snows at Amboseli, and Nairobi has lions within sight of its skyline. Add Swahili Lamu and the white sand of Diani for contrast. July to October covers the migration's peak.
Overview
Kenya combines classic savannah safari with Rift Valley lakes, Africa's second-highest mountain and a Swahili coast shaped by a thousand years of Indian Ocean trade. A typical first trip starts in Nairobi, flies or drives to the Maasai Mara for three or four nights, then adds Amboseli for elephants and Kilimanjaro views, or Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru in the Rift Valley. Many finish with a week on the coast at Diani, Watamu or Lamu. With longer, the arid north around Samburu and the private conservancies of Laikipia bring different species, such as Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe, and far fewer vehicles.
Safari days start before dawn and end at dusk, with long midday breaks, and the costs come largely from park fees, lodges and vehicles, so Kenya is pricier than its street-food prices suggest. In August and September the Mara can feel busy around the river crossings; the conservancies bordering the reserve limit vehicle numbers and allow walking safaris and night drives. Nairobi sits at around 1,800 m, so it is cooler than many expect. Everyday payments run through M-Pesa mobile money, and English is widely spoken. It suits first-time safari-goers, photographers and families, and combines easily with a beach break.
Map of Kenya
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Kenya's most famous reserve has big cats on open grassland year-round, and from about July to October hosts the wildebeest migration from Tanzania's Serengeti, with dramatic Mara River crossings. The bordering conservancies offer quieter game drives.
- 2Wildlife
Amboseli National Park
Big-tusked elephant herds graze the swamps of this compact park, with Kilimanjaro rising across the Tanzanian border on clear mornings. It's a four- to five-hour drive or a short flight from Nairobi.
- 3History
Lamu Old Town
The oldest and best-preserved Swahili town in East Africa and a UNESCO site, with almost no cars, carved wooden doors, donkeys in narrow lanes and dhows on the waterfront. Nearby Shela village has a long sandy beach.
- 4Beach
Diani Beach
A long stretch of white sand south of Mombasa, protected by an offshore reef, with kitesurfing, snorkelling trips to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and colobus monkeys in the coastal forest behind.
- 5Adventure
Mount Kenya
Africa's second-highest mountain is a UNESCO-listed national park straddling the equator. Trekkers take four or five days to reach Point Lenana at 4,985 m via the Sirimon or Chogoria routes; the higher Batian peak needs technical climbing.
Biggest cities
Nairobi
Spend a night or two for Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre and the Sheldrick Trust's orphaned elephants, plus a growing restaurant scene in Westlands and Karen.
Mombasa
Kenya's main port mixes Swahili, Arab and Indian influences; explore the narrow lanes of the Old Town and Portuguese-built Fort Jesus before heading to the beaches north or south.
Nakuru
A Rift Valley farming city best known as the gateway to Lake Nakuru National Park, with its rhinos and flamingos, and to Menengai Crater just north of town.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Kenya
Best time: Jan–Feb, Jul–Oct.
Average climate in Nairobi
Festivals & events
- MarSafari Rally Kenya
A round of the World Rally Championship based at Naivasha, with special stages across the Rift Valley and spectator points near Hell's Gate; it has been held in March in recent years.
- NovLamu Cultural Festival
Three days of dhow races, donkey races, Swahili poetry, henna painting and music fill Lamu's waterfront, usually in late November.
How much does Kenya cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Nyama choma
Kenya's social food: goat or beef roasted slowly over charcoal, chopped at the table and eaten with kachumbari salad and ugali, ideally with a cold Tusker.
Ugali and sukuma wiki
Stiff maize-flour porridge, eaten by hand, with collard greens fried with onion and tomato; the everyday plate in homes and cheap cafés.
Swahili pilau
Coastal rice cooked with cumin, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, usually with beef or chicken; try it alongside fish in coconut sauce in Mombasa or Lamu.
Getting around
Most safaris use a driver-guide in a pop-top 4x4 or minivan. Safarilink and AirKenya fly light aircraft from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to Mara airstrips, while Kenya Airways and Jambojet serve Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu and Kisumu. The Madaraka Express train links Nairobi and Mombasa in about five to six hours. Uber and Bolt work in Nairobi and Mombasa; matatu minibuses are cheap but chaotic.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G240V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +254
- Time zone
- UTC+3 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Tip safari guides around US$10–20 per guest per day and camp staff via a shared box; in restaurants, 10% is usual if service isn't included.
- Etiquette
- Greet with a handshake and 'Jambo' or 'Habari'. Ask before photographing people, especially Maasai and Samburu, who may expect payment, and dress modestly in Lamu and other coastal towns.
- Main airports
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), Nairobi; Moi International Airport (MBA), Mombasa
Visas & entry for Kenya
Shown for a British passport.
Apply online before you go (travel authorisation)
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.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseasePolioRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Kenya: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Kenya
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sat 12 Dec 2026 | Jamhuri Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Tue 1 Jun 2027 | Madaraka Day |
| Sun 10 Oct 2027 | Mazingira Day |
| Mon 11 Oct 2027 | Mazingira Day (observed) |
| Wed 20 Oct 2027 | Mashujaa Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Swahili
| English | Swahili | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Jambo | JAHM-boh |
| Thank you | Asante | ah-SAHN-teh |
| Please | Tafadhali | tah-fah-THAH-lee |
| Excuse me | Samahani | sah-mah-HAH-nee |
| How much is this? | Hii ni bei gani? | hee nee BAY GAH-nee |
Know before you go
- Single-use plastic carrier bags are banned in Kenya, with heavy fines, so leave them at home and remove duty-free purchases from their bags before landing.
- Get a Safaricom SIM on arrival: M-Pesa mobile money is used for everything from taxis to market stalls, and visitors can register with a passport.
- Migration timing varies with the rains, so choose a well-placed conservancy camp rather than chasing crossings, and for August and September book lodges and light-aircraft seats months ahead.
Kenya travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Kenya?
The best time to visit Kenya is generally Jan–Feb, Jul–Oct. Peak months are January, February, July, August, September and October. Average highs in Nairobi range from 21°C to 27°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Kenya cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £150 mid-range and £450+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Kenya?
Kenyan shilling (KES).
What plug type does Kenya use?
Type G sockets at 240V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Kenya?
Traffic drives on the left in Kenya — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Kenya?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must apply online for electronic travel authorisation in advance of travel. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Kenya before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Kenya?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Polio sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
