Essential Travel Information for Kenya
Travel between Kenya’s main safari regions involves a mixture of road transfers and small aircraft. Nairobi is the main gateway, with scheduled safari flights connecting the capital with areas including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Laikipia. Road transfers are also used for some routes, and journey times vary according to distance and road conditions.
Small aircraft have stricter baggage limits than international flights, with restrictions on both weight and the type of bag you can take. Soft-sided luggage is commonly required, so check the allowance for each flight before packing. Your Finest Journeys travel documents will confirm the requirements for the flights included in your vacation.
For safari, pack lightweight, comfortable clothing in neutral colors, together with a warmer layer for early morning game drives and evenings. Comfortable closed shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sun protection are useful throughout the trip. Many lodges and camps have a laundry service, making it easier to pack within safari flight limits. Binoculars are also useful, although some guides and lodges have pairs available for guests.
Kenya uses Type G electrical sockets, with three rectangular pins, and a standard voltage of 240V. Hotels, lodges and camps supply drinking water; tap water should not be assumed to be safe to drink. Card payments are widely accepted at larger hotels and lodges, but carrying some Kenyan shillings is useful for smaller purchases and tips.
Before traveling, check current health advice for the regions on your vacation, including recommendations for vaccinations, yellow fever and malaria prevention. Travel insurance should cover medical treatment and emergency evacuation, particularly for stays in remote safari areas.
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Currency in Kenya
The Kenyan shilling (KES) is the national currency. Credit and debit cards are accepted at many hotels, lodges, restaurants and larger businesses, but cash is useful for smaller purchases, markets and tips. ATMs are available in Nairobi and other towns. Carry some smaller-denomination notes, particularly when traveling outside the main cities and tourist areas.
Tipping Policies in Kenya
Tipping is customary in Kenya’s tourism industry. Safari guides, drivers, camp and lodge staff, porters and restaurant staff all commonly receive tips. Some safari properties use a communal staff gratuity box alongside separate tipping for guides. Recommended amounts depend on the services included in your vacation, so your Finest Journeys travel documents will provide guidance before departure.
Staying Connected in Kenya
Wi-Fi is available at many hotels, safari lodges and camps, although speed and reliability vary in remote wildlife areas. Mobile coverage is extensive in populated parts of Kenya but becomes less reliable in some safari regions. Local SIM cards and eSIM services are available for compatible phones. Check international roaming charges with your mobile provider before traveling.
Visa Requirements in Kenya
Most visitors need authorization before traveling to Kenya. Kenya uses an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system rather than a traditional tourist visa for many international visitors. Requirements depend on nationality and circumstances, so check the official Kenyan eTA information before travel. Your passport must meet Kenya’s current entry requirements, including the required validity beyond your arrival date.
Social Customs in Kenya
Kenya has more than 40 ethnic groups, including Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, Kamba, Maasai, Samburu and Mijikenda communities. Along the Indian Ocean coast, Swahili culture and a large Muslim population influence local customs and religious observance.
Social customs vary across Kenya’s many communities. In predominantly Muslim areas along the coast, dress is more conservative and some people prefer not to shake hands with someone of the opposite sex. Your guide will advise you when visiting homes, villages and places of worship.
Many Maasai families have traditionally depended on cattle for their livelihoods, and livestock continue to have economic, social and cultural importance. Maasai communities are also known for their distinctive beadwork, dress and ceremonies. For the Mijikenda, the Kaya forests have cultural and spiritual significance, with strong connections to ancestry, medicinal plants and community heritage.
It is polite to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting villages, mosques and other religious sites, particularly along the coast. Always ask permission before photographing people or ceremonies, and remove your shoes when requested before entering homes or places of worship.
During meals and home visits, your hosts will guide you through any unfamiliar customs surrounding eating, seating and sharing food.
Language & Communication in Kenya
Swahili and English are Kenya’s official languages, and English is widely used in hotels, lodges, restaurants and throughout the tourism industry. You will also hear many other Kenyan languages as you travel, including Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba, Kalenjin and Maa, the language associated with Maasai communities.
A few words of Swahili are useful during your travels:
- Jambo – Hello
- Habari? – How are you? / How are things?
- Asante – Thank you
- Tafadhali – Please
- Karibu – Welcome
- Pole pole – Slowly / take it slowly
Kenyan English has its own vocabulary and expressions, and accents vary across the country. Communication with guides and hotel staff is generally straightforward for English-speaking visitors.
During community visits, your guide helps with translation when your hosts prefer to speak Swahili or another local language. This is particularly useful when conversations cover local traditions, family history or subjects that are easier for your hosts to discuss in their first language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to travel to Kenya?
Kenya uses an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system for most international visitors. Requirements vary according to nationality, so check the official Kenyan eTA website well before departure. You should also check the passport validity and entry requirements that apply to you.
What type of electrical plugs are used in Kenya?
Kenya uses Type G plugs with three rectangular pins, the same type used in the UK. The standard voltage is 240V. Travelers arriving with other plug types will need an adapter, and you should check that your electrical devices are compatible with the voltage.
Can I drink tap water in Kenya?
Do not assume that tap water is safe to drink. Hotels, safari lodges and camps supply drinking water, either bottled or filtered. Use the drinking water supplied by your accommodation for drinking and brushing your teeth.
What should I wear on safari in Kenya?
Lightweight clothing in neutral colors is practical for game drives, together with comfortable closed shoes and sun protection. Early morning drives can be cool, so pack a sweater, fleece or light jacket. Soft-sided luggage is normally required for flights in small safari aircraft.
Is Wi-Fi available at safari lodges and camps?
Many safari lodges and camps have Wi-Fi, although the speed and coverage depend on the location. Mobile reception also varies in remote wildlife areas. Nairobi, Mombasa and other larger towns and cities have much more extensive mobile and internet coverage.
US & Canadian Embassies in Kenya
U.S. Embassy Nairobi
Address:
United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, NairobiHigh Commission of Canada in Kenya
Address:
Limuru Road, Gigiri, NairobiOur local expert in Kenya
Traveling with Finest Journeys to Kenya
Your luxury Kenya vacation is planned in advance around the regions and experiences you want to include. We arrange your private guides and drivers, safari accommodation, domestic flights and transfers, together with the practical details needed for each stage of your trip. You will receive full travel information, including baggage requirements and other arrangements, before departure.