Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Kenya depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for KenyaEmergency Numbers
- General
- 999
- Ambulance
- 0800 723 500 (St John Ambulance)
Currency
- Name
- Kenyan Shilling
- Code
- KES
- Symbol
- Ksh
ATMs widely available in Nairobi, Mombasa, and safari hubs. USD accepted at major lodges and national parks. Cards accepted at upmarket hotels. Cash preferred in markets and for tips. M-Pesa (mobile money) is ubiquitous.
Power Outlets
- Outlet type
- Type G
- Voltage
- 240V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
EAT (UTC+3) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
July–October is peak Great Migration season — wildebeest cross from Tanzania's Serengeti to Kenya's Maasai Mara (crossing the Mara River) in one of nature's greatest spectacles. January–February (short dry season) is excellent for big cat viewing (newborns = predator activity). June–October is best overall. Amboseli (Kilimanjaro backdrop + elephants), Samburu (rare northern species), and Laikipia are year-round wildlife destinations.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safari guides | $15–25 USD per day per guide | — |
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Porters and lodge staff | $2–5 USD per service | — |
Dress Code
- Safari neutral colours on game drives
- Modest dress in Nairobi and at the coast (Islamic influence in Mombasa and Lamu)
- Smart casual for Nairobi's restaurants
Social Etiquette
- Kenya has 42+ ethnic groups — Maasai culture (moran warriors, beaded jewellery, cattle herding) is the most internationally recognised, but Kenya's diversity is vast
- Nairobi has one of Africa's most dynamic tech and startup scenes — it's known as the 'Silicon Savannah'
- The Maasai Mara and Serengeti together host the greatest wildlife migration on earth — 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra
- Mount Kenya (5,199m) is the second-highest peak in Africa — the technical summit requires mountaineering equipment but Point Lenana (4,985m) is trekable
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ same-sex activity is illegal with up to 14 years imprisonment — exercise extreme caution
- Photography of government buildings, military, and border crossings prohibited
- Wildlife products (ivory, etc.) strictly prohibited — Kenya takes poaching very seriously
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Swahili) | Habari / Jambo | hah-BAH-ree / JAHM-boh |
| Thank you (Swahili) | Asante (sana) | ah-SAHN-teh (SAH-nah) |
| Welcome (Swahili) | Karibu | kah-REE-boo |
| No problem (Swahili) | Hakuna matata | hah-KOO-nah mah-TAH-tah |
| Let's go! (Swahili) | Twende! | TWEN-deh — the Kenyan safari driver's call to action |
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