Kenya Travel Planning Checklist

July-October for the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. January-March for dry-season safari and beach weather. April-May (long rains) for lower prices but muddier roads. Your dates determine everything else.

Masai Mara conservancy camps (Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, Mara North) book out fastest. Budget camping options have more last-minute availability. Private conservancies offer better game viewing with fewer vehicles.

Kenya Airways, British Airways, KLM, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines serve Nairobi directly. Kenya Airways Economy allows 1 checked bag up to 23 kg and 1 carry-on up to 12 kg. Book early for the best fares.

Some vaccines (hepatitis A, typhoid) need 2-4 weeks to take effect. Malaria prophylaxis options (Malarone, doxycycline, mefloquine) vary in start times. Travel clinics book up fast — do not leave this until the last month.

Passport renewal takes 4-8 weeks in most countries. Kenya immigration requires 6 months validity. If you are also visiting Tanzania or Uganda, you will need additional blank pages for those stamps.

Safari destinations are remote. AMREF Flying Doctors air evacuation to Nairobi can cost USD 5,000-15,000 without insurance. Policies covering Kenya typically cost USD 50-150 for a 2-week trip depending on age and coverage. Ensure the policy covers adventure activities if you plan to do hikes or water sports.

Safarilink and AirKenya fly small aircraft from Nairobi Wilson Airport to safari airstrips. One-way fares from KES 15,000-25,000 (~USD 115-195). Strict 15 kg soft-bag luggage limit on bush flights. Book early — domestic airfares are rising in 2026 due to aircraft shortages.

Book at metickets.krc.co.ke up to 60 days in advance. Economy KES 1,500 (~USD 12), First Class from KES 3,000, Premium from KES 6,000. Express service departs 3:00 PM from Nairobi Terminus (Syokimau, near JKIA), arrives Mombasa ~8:00 PM. Inter-county service departs 8:00 AM with stops. M-Pesa is the primary payment method on the official site.

Officially required under Kenya's Traffic Act for foreign license holders. English-language licenses are often accepted in practice, but an IDP eliminates problems at police roadblocks and car rental desks. Kenya drives on the left.

The eTA replaced all traditional visa categories in January 2024. All visitors including infants must have an approved eTA before boarding. It is valid for 90 days from issue and allows a stay of up to 90 days. Payment by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express only. Non-refundable even if denied.

Required if arriving from or transiting 12+ hours through endemic countries including Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Brazil, and others. NOT required if flying direct from the US, UK, Canada, EU, or other non-endemic countries. The vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival. The certificate is valid for life. Exempt: infants under 9 months, pregnant women (outside outbreaks), and those with severe egg allergies or immunodeficiency.

CDC recommends hepatitis A and typhoid for all Kenya travelers. Also ensure you are current on MMR, Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis), polio, and COVID-19. Hepatitis B and rabies are recommended for longer stays or if you will be in close contact with animals. Cholera vaccine is recommended if visiting rural or flood-prone areas.

Kenya is a high-risk malaria zone, especially at the coast, lake regions, and safari parks. Nairobi (1,600m altitude) is lower risk but not zero. Malarone: start 1-2 days before travel. Doxycycline: start 1-2 days before. Mefloquine: start 2-3 weeks before. Continue pills after returning as directed.

Safari operators should confirm your pickup location, time, vehicle type, and guide name. For bush flights, confirm your luggage allowance (typically 15 kg soft bag) and airstrip name.

Unexpected charges from Kenya may trigger fraud blocks. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at major establishments. American Express has limited acceptance. Carry at least two different cards as backup.

Immigration officers may ask for proof of accommodation and onward travel. Phone batteries die; paper does not. Keep digital copies in your email as well.

Since October 2025, KWS park entry fees must be paid online via the KWS portal using M-Pesa or Visa. Non-resident adult fees range from USD 50-90 depending on the park. Pre-registering your details saves time at park gates.

Uber and Bolt are available in Nairobi and Mombasa. Pre-install and add a payment card before departure. Download offline Google Maps for Nairobi, Mombasa, and your safari region — useful before you get a local SIM.

Nairobi: 12-26C year-round, bring a light jacket. Coast: 25-33C, light cotton clothing. Safari early mornings: can drop below 10C in open vehicles. Pack a fleece or warm layer for game drives.

Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. DEET repellent, long sleeves, and long trousers in the evening are your first line of defense alongside prophylaxis medication.

Long rains: April-May. Short rains: October-December. Even during dry season, afternoon showers are possible. A lightweight packable rain jacket is more practical than an umbrella on safari.

Most safari lodges and hotels have international sockets, but do not rely on it. Bring a universal adapter and a portable power bank (10,000 mAh minimum) for long safari days without power.

Bright white reflects light and startles wildlife. Dark blue and black attract tsetse flies, which have a painful bite. Neutral colors also hide dust from unpaved safari roads.

Bush aircraft to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and Lamu have strict 15 kg soft-bag-only luggage limits. Leave excess luggage at your Nairobi hotel — most will store it free for guests.

The equatorial sun is strong even on overcast days and even in cool Nairobi. Sunburn happens fast on open-vehicle game drives.

A 200-400mm zoom lens or equivalent is ideal for wildlife photography. Binoculars with 8x or 10x magnification make a huge difference for spotting distant wildlife.

Pharmacies are available in Nairobi and Mombasa, but not in remote safari areas. Bring a full course of any prescription medication you take regularly.

Safari guide tipping norm: USD 10-20 per person per day. Camp/lodge staff tip box: USD 10-15 per person per stay. Driver/transfer tips: USD 2-5 per transfer. Keep tips separate from your main cash.

The Kenyan coast has a significant Muslim population. Beach resorts are relaxed, but cover up when walking through towns, visiting mosques, or shopping in local markets.

Your eTA approval is linked to your passport number. Airlines may deny boarding without a valid eTA. Save the approval email and take a screenshot.

If your safari company or hotel offers airport pickup, confirm the driver's name and phone number. If using a taxi, plan to use the official Yellow Taxi desk inside the terminal (fixed rates KES 2,500-3,500 to Nairobi CBD) or Uber/Bolt once you have a local SIM.

Kenya Airways Economy: 1 checked bag up to 23 kg, 1 carry-on up to 12 kg (55x35x25 cm). Overweight fees are steep. If connecting to a bush flight later, remember that internal flight luggage limit is only 15 kg.

Bring clean, undamaged bills printed after 2006 (older US bills may be rejected). Do not exchange all your cash at the airport — city forex bureaus on Biashara Street in Nairobi CBD offer rates 3-5% better.

The immigration queue can take 30-60 minutes. Have documents in hand. Officers may ask about your accommodation and return flight. Answer clearly and directly.

Safaricom has the best nationwide coverage and is required for M-Pesa. The airport stand operates even on late-night arrivals. Tourist data bundles: 7 GB for 30 days costs KES 1,000 (~USD 8), 20 GB for KES 2,000 (~USD 16). You must use a physical Safaricom SIM for M-Pesa — third-party eSIMs do not support it.

Registration is free and takes about 15 minutes. You must visit an official Safaricom retail outlet (not just an agent) because foreign passports require KYC processing. You will receive a PIN by SMS and can activate via the SIM Toolkit or the M-Pesa app. Transaction limits: KES 250,000 per transaction, KES 500,000 daily.

This covers Uber rides, meals, and incidentals for your first 1-2 days. You can top up at any M-Pesa agent — green Safaricom kiosks are everywhere across Kenya.

Airport rates are 3-5% worse than Nairobi city bureaus on Biashara Street. Exchange just enough for a meal and tips if needed before M-Pesa is working.

Fixed rates posted at the desk: KES 2,500-3,500 to Nairobi CBD, KES 2,500-3,500 to Westlands, KES 3,000-5,000 to Karen. Avoid taxi touts outside the arrivals hall — they overcharge significantly. Once your SIM is active, Uber and Bolt are cheaper (KES 2,000-2,500 to CBD or Westlands).

Kenya allows duty-free import of personal effects, 1 litre of spirits, 200 cigarettes, and perfume for personal use. Drone import requires a permit from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

You will use Lipa Na M-Pesa constantly: restaurants, shops, supermarkets, and even some taxis display their till number. The process: open M-Pesa > Lipa Na M-Pesa > Buy Goods and Services > enter till number > enter amount > enter PIN. Practice once and it becomes second nature.

Uber and Bolt require a Kenyan phone number to work. If your international number is still showing, update it in the app settings. Share your trip with a contact for safety.

In Nairobi, forex bureaus on Biashara Street and Koinange Street offer the best rates. In Mombasa, try Digo Road. Compare 2-3 bureaus as rates vary. Always count your money before leaving the counter.

Lipa Na M-Pesa (Buy Goods) is for shops and restaurants — you enter the till number. Send Money is for paying individuals (guides, drivers, market vendors who give you their personal M-Pesa number). Both appear in your M-Pesa menu.

AMREF Flying Doctors provides emergency air evacuation from safari areas. The Kenya Tourism Federation hotline handles tourist safety incidents.

Call or WhatsApp your safari operator to confirm pickup time and location. For the SGR train, arrive at the station at least 1 hour before departure for security screening.

In Nairobi, safe walking neighborhoods include Westlands, Kilimani, Karen, Kileleshwa, and Lavington. Stick to main roads and shopping centres. After dark, switch to Uber or Bolt even for short distances.

Every neighborhood has a local nyama choma joint. For a more upscale introduction, try restaurants like Carnivore (Nairobi) or Tamarind (Mombasa). Kenya produces world-class arabica coffee — try artisan roasters like Dormans or Artcaffe.

Since October 2025, KWS park entry fees are paid via the online portal using M-Pesa or Visa. You no longer need USD cash at park gates. Pre-paying avoids queues. Your safari operator may handle this for you — confirm in advance.