Kenya, Kenya - Travel Guide

- Kenya is renowned for its diverse wildlife, offering unparalleled safari experiences in iconic national parks like Maasai Mara. Beyond safaris, it boasts stunning landscapes from the Great Rift Valley to pristine coastlines, and a rich cultural heritage with welcoming communities.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay10 days

Budget$50/day

Mid-range$100/day

Luxury$1000/day

Known For

East AfricaNairobiSafariWildlifeSwahili CoastMaasai Mara

🇰🇪 Country Information: Kenya

CapitalNairobi

CurrencyKenyan shilling (KSh)

Language Swahili , English

Phone Code+254

Electricity240V (Type G)

Tap WaterNot recommended

Tipping

Tipping is common in tourist areas: 10% for good service in restaurants, around 50
100 KES for porters, drivers, and guides depending on the service and duration

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in urban areas
Credit cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and shops, but less so in rural areas
It's advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases and in rural areas
No known black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites or rural areas
"Harambee" is a common concept of community self
help; contributing to local projects is appreciated
Greet elders with respect
Bargaining is common in markets
Avoid public displays of affection
Always ask for permission before taking photos of people

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya and carries severe penalties. LGBTQ+ individuals face significant discrimination and societal stigma.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

The legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are very strict, with severe penalties for possession, trafficking, and use of illegal drugs

Special Laws

Plastic bags are banned; visitors should avoid bringing them into the country
It is illegal to possess or consume miraa (khat) in some areas
Do not take photos of government buildings, military installations, or police without explicit permission
Respect local customs and traditions, particularly in rural areas

Common Phrases

HelloJambo (jahm-boh)

I'm fineNzuri (nzoo-ree)

Thank youAsante (ah-sahn-teh)

How are you?Habari? (hah-bah-ree)

Climate

Kenya's climate varies significantly with elevation and proximity to the coast, leading to distinct subclimates.

Climate Zone: Equatorial Monsoon

Best Time to Visit

Monsoon: Kenya experiences two monsoon seasons
The "long rains" occur from Mar
May, and the "short rains" occur from Oct
Dec
These can bring heavy rainfall and localized flooding, especially in low
lying areas
Floods: While not a regular annual event, floods can occur during the monsoon seasons, particularly after prolonged heavy rainfall
Earthquakes: Kenya is located in an active seismic zone, but significant earthquakes are rare
Hurricanes: Kenya is not typically affected by hurricanes due to its geographical location

Getting There

Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi (major international hub)
Safari flights to airstrips within national parks
Buses and shared taxis (matatus) for inter
city travel

Getting Around

Taxis (Uber, Bolt, Little Cab available in major cities)
Matatus (shared minibuses, common for local transport)
Boda
bodas (motorcycle taxis, common in urban areas)

Health & Vaccinations

Yellow Fever vaccine required for entry (check if coming from endemic country)
Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Rabies, Meningitis, Polio recommended
Malaria prophylaxis recommended for most areas (consult doctor)
Altitude sickness a concern in high
altitude areas like Nairobi and Mount Kenya

Staying Connected

eSIMs available
Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom networks
Airalo, Nomad, Holafly eSIMs work well

Local Cuisine

Nyama Choma must_try

Kenya's unofficial national dish, meaning 'grilled meat' in Swahili. Typically goat, beef, or chicken, it is lightly seasoned and roasted over hot coa

Ugali regional_speciality

A dense, starchy staple food made from maize flour (cornmeal), salt, and hot water. It has the consistency of a grainy dough and is served alongside a

Irio (Mukimo) regional_speciality

Originally a Kikuyu dish from Central Kenya, this is a nutritious mash of potatoes, green peas, corn kernels, and greens. It is a hearty side dish typ

Mandazi breakfast

A semi-sweet pastry resembling a fried doughnut, often infused with coconut and cardamom. It is widely available and commonly enjoyed for breakfast al

Sukuma Wiki regional_speciality

An earthy, fragrant side dish made from collard greens or kale cooked with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and spices. The name translates to 'push the week

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) logistics_other

Apply at least 1 week in advance

Mandatory for entry to Kenya; application processing times vary, and you cannot board your flight without it.

Safari Lodge/Camp Accommodation Accommodation

Book 2–6 months in advance

The best, most sought-after lodges and camps (especially those near the Mara River during migration) book out very far in advance, particularly for peak season.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Internal Safari Flights (e.g., Nairobi to Maasai Mara) Transport

Book 1–3 months in advance

Seats on small bush planes are limited and fill up quickly, especially connecting major hubs like Nairobi to popular safari destinations during peak tourist season.

Maasai Mara National Reserve Entry Permits/Safari Package permit_or_pass

Confirm arrangements 1–3 months in advance

While day permits don't sell out, securing a comprehensive safari package that includes park access, game drives, and guiding services requires advance booking, especially for the high season.

Fun Facts

1. Despite being on the equator, Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa, has 11 small, yet permanent, glaciers.
2. Kenya is a globally important site for paleoanthropology, often called a "Human Fossil Hotbed," due to significant discoveries of early human remains.
3. Nairobi, Kenya's capital, is the only capital city in the world to border a national park, Nairobi National Park.
4. Kenyan coffee, which is argued to be some of the best in the world, is the country's biggest foreign income generator, with roughly 95% of it exported.

Ready to explore Kenya?

Create a personalized day-by-day itinerary with AI

Start Planning Your Trip