The checklist as a PDF
Entry, health, money, transport and safety, laid out for print, with their sources and verification date.
Kenya
East Africa
Safaris, the Rift, Mount Kenya and the Swahili coast. Nairobi, Swahili coastal heritage and the landscapes of the Rift Valley.
- On the map
CapitalNairobi
When to goJan–Mar, Jul–Oct
CurrencyKenyan shilling
LanguagesSwahili, English
Population · 202557.5m
Kenya’s capital is Nairobi; Swahili and English are its official languages, and the Kenyan shilling its currency.
The territory covers 581,309 km² according to Wikidata; its highest point is Mount Kenya, at 5,199 m.
The Viafro verdict
For whom, and for which trip.
An editorial bearing, with no percentage and no rating: our criteria are written down, and every “good to know” links to its source.
- For which trip
- Maasai Mara · Nairobi · Amboseli
- Best season
- The dry seasons: January to March, and July to October. July to September is probably the best time for wildlife watching.
- Length
- Twelve days: Nairobi, two parks, then the coast. (Viafro’s rule of thumb)
Best time to visit
Twelve months, in colour.
Hover or tap a month: its reading and its source appear. Bars measure rain, the figure is the capital’s mean maximum.
Possible
November
Short rains from November to early December; clear sea on the coast.
- Mean maximum
- 25 °C
- Rain
- 131 mm
- Station
- Nairobi
Source: Rough Guides
Before you go
The essentials, tab by tab.
Entry, health, safety, money and facts: dated official extracts, never paraphrased.
Visa, passport, customs
GOV.UK advice, written for British passport holders. French travellers: see France Diplomatie (https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/information-par-pays/kenya/conseils-aux-voyageurs-entree-sejour).
Don’t forget the eTAAn electronic travel authorisation (eTA) is compulsory and must be shown before boarding. It is applied for only on the official website. etakenya.go.ke
- Fee: from 30 USD, plus 100 USD for expedited processing. Usual processing time 3 working days (72 h), sometimes longer. Each traveller needs their own eTA.
- Tourist stays are limited to 3 months; they can be extended by 3 months at the immigration office, for 50 USD.
Vaccines, malaria, water
This is not medical advice: talk to your doctor or an international vaccination centre before you travel.
- Yellow fever is present in the centre and west of the country. Vaccination is strongly recommended, ideally at least 10 days before departure; it is required on entry only for travellers arriving from an endemic country.
- Malaria is present: low risk in Nairobi, high around Lake Victoria and on the coast. Protect yourself from mosquitoes; preventive treatment is decided with a doctor before departure.
- Other vaccines to consider: hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, meningitis ACWY, rabies. Insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is required.
Per the ministries
Viafro gives no safety rating: here are the zones and advice published by the French ministry (in French) and the official extracts, with their dates.
Vigilance zones published by France Diplomatie (in French) · page updated on 25 Sept 2026 · see the official map
- Red · Zones formellement déconseillées (rouge)
Il est formellement déconseillé de séjourner à la frontière entre le Kénya et la Somalie, en raison des mouvements de troupes à la frontière, des menaces récurrentes et des incursions et attaques opérées par le…
Pour les mêmes raisons, la partie continentale du comté de Lamu est également formellement déconseillée.
- Orange · Zones déconseillées sauf raison impérative (orange)
Compte tenu de l’insécurité récurrente et de l’absence d’infrastructures minimales, les régions excentrées des comtés West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit et Isiolo sont déconseillées sauf raison impérative.
Plusieurs quartiers de Nairobi (Eastleigh, Pangani, Kibeira et Mathare) sont déconseillées et il est recommandé d’y faire preuve de la plus grande prudence.
- Yellow · Zones en vigilance renforcée (jaune)
À l’exception des zones formellement déconseillées et déconseillées sauf raison impérative, le reste du territoire kényan est placé en vigilance renforcée.
Les îles de Lamu et de Manda (comté de Lamu), contrairement à la partie continentale du comté où sévissent régulièrement des groupes terroristes, sont placés en vigilance renforcée.
- There are frequent incidents of violent crime including mugging, armed robbery and carjacking, particularly in the large cities and on major highways. Although uncommon, violent crimes have resulted in the deaths of British nationals, including during daylight hours.
- There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
What the country’s law provides
Photography, alcohol, drugs, relationships: the rules published by the ministries, quoted as they stand, without comment.
- If you’re convicted of using illegal drugs in Kenya, you will get a heavy fine and prison sentence. The penalty for possession is up to 10 years in prison. People found to be trafficking illegal drugs could face life imprisonment.
Currency
Kenyan shillingViafro publishes no price or budget range without a source: amounts will come from our own expenses recorded on the ground, dated and itemised.
- There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Kenya. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Express card
Structured data from Wikidata and the CIA World Factbook, re-checked at every site update.
- Population · 2025
- 57,532,493
- Time zone
- +2 h from Paris
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G plugs · 240 V
- Driving side
- Driving on the left
- Calling code
- +254
- Languages
- Swahili, English
- Area
- 581,309 km²
- Highest point
- Mount Kenya, 5,199 m
- Main religions
- Christian 85.5%, Muslim 10.9%, other 1.8%, none 1.6%, don't know/no answer 0.2%
Getting there and around
Airports, roads and transport.
- NBOJomo Kenyatta International AirportNairobi9.2 M passengers · official site
- MBAMoi International AirportMombasa1.5 M passengers · official site
- WILWilson AirportNairobi854,000 passengers · official site
- EDLEldoret International AirportEldoret111,250 passengers · official site
Direct flights from Paris are to be checked on the airport’s or airline’s website.
On the road
- If you are planning to drive in Kenya, see information on driving abroad. You can use a UK photocard driving licence in Kenya for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence.
Destinations
The essentials.
Maasai Mara
The great migration, mainly in August and early September.
Amboseli
Elephants in front of Kilimanjaro.
Activities
What to do, sheet by sheet.
Starting point, season, tips and sources: each sheet says only what its sources say.
Kenya
Safari in the Maasai Mara
A large game reserve in Narok County, the Maasai Mara adjoins Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
Kenya
The elephants of Amboseli facing Kilimanjaro
A national park since 1974 and a UNESCO site since 1991, Amboseli covers 392 km² at the core of an ecosystem spreading across the Tanzanian border.
Kenya
Diani Beach
On the Indian Ocean, 30 km south of Mombasa, Diani Beach stretches for about 17 km.
Kenya
Lamu Old Town
Founded in the 14th century, Lamu is Kenya’s oldest continually inhabited town.
Kenya
Trekking Mount Kenya to Point Lenana
Africa’s second highest mountain, Mount Kenya rises to 5,199 m at Batian, 150 km north-north-east of Nairobi.
Kenya
Rhinos and flamingos of Lake Nakuru
A Rift Valley lake at 1,754 m, Nakuru is protected by a fenced national park, the first national rhino sanctuary.
Kenya
Safari in Tsavo East
At 13,747 km², Tsavo East forms an area of about 22,000 km² with Tsavo West.
Kenya
Hell’s Gate on foot or by bike
Near Lake Naivasha, about 90 km from Nairobi, this park created in 1984 is known for the Fischer’s Tower and Central Tower columns and its gorge.
Kenya
Safari in Nairobi National Park
Kenya’s first national park, opened in 1946 about 7 km from Nairobi’s centre, it covers 117 km².
Kenya
Fort Jesus in Mombasa
Built from 1593 to 1596 to guard Mombasa’s Old Port, Fort Jesus was the only fort the Portuguese maintained on the Swahili coast.
Tsavo
MicroDrone PicturesMust-try food
Five dishes, and where to taste them.
Nyama choma
Grilled meat, eaten today on special occasions such as a weekend family get-together; originally hunters cooked game over a fire on expeditions.
The western uplands, where grilled meats and ugali are staples
Ugali
The staple served with meat and salad: traditionally eaten by hand, a bite of ugali, then the meat and the kachumbari.
Everywhere, especially in the west
Kachumbari
The fresh salad served with meat: tomato, onion, celery, citrus juice and chili.
With nyama choma
Samosa
The Kenyan version is smaller and lighter, with a wrapper closer to a spring roll’s.
The Swahili coast, with its Asian and Indian influencesWali wa nazi
Coconut-milk rice, served with a curry; a vegetarian version comes with sautéed lentils.
The Swahili coast: Lamu, Mombasa
Culture and etiquette
Customs, dress, useful words.
- Jambohello
- Asantethank you
- Tafadhaliplease
- Entries checked on Wiktionary.
- Religions: Christian 85.5%, Muslim 10.9%, other 1.8%, none 1.6%, don't know/no answer 0.2%.
- Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages.
Festivals and events
The big dates.
- National holiday
Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963) ; independence: 12 December 1963 (from the UK).
Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963), marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule
Fixed dates and moveable events, each with its source; moveable dates change every year and are to be checked on an official calendar.
Did you know?
Three things to remember.
The great wildebeest migration crosses the Maasai Mara mainly in August and early September.
The country’s highest point, Mount Kenya, reaches 5,199 m.
57,532,493 inhabitants in 2025 on 581,309 km², about 99 per km².
Gallery
See it before you go.
Real photographs: free images under a verified licence and Viafro images. Never a generated image. Credits in the footer.
Share your trip with #viafro: the best images will join this gallery, with your credit.
Live, work, invest
A few key figures.
Sourced data (World Bank) and the national investment promotion agencies. No investment advice.
GDP per capita (current US$)2.4World Bank · 2025GDP growth4.6 %World Bank · 2025Inflation (consumer prices)4.1 %World Bank · 2025Unemployment (ILO estimate)5.4 %World Bank · 2025International tourist arrivals2 ,000World Bank · 2019
World Bank data (World Development Indicators), consulted on 28 Oct 2026. Tourist arrivals are the latest year published.
Go
Ready to go?
Lodges and safaris in the Maasai Mara. The great migration crosses it mainly in August and early September.
Affiliate link: Viafro earns a commission at no extra cost to you.The Viafro letter
The journey continues.
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Sources and verification dates · 38 sources, checked on 28 Oct 2026
Travel advice · GOV.UK (FCDO)Entry, visa, safety: the official page, kept up to date by the ministry. Travel health · US CDCVaccines and precautions from a reference medical source. World Heritage · UNESCOThe country’s inscribed sites and tentative list. WikidataCapital and currency, verified structured data.
- Rough Guides · Best time to visit Kenya
- France Diplomatie · Kenya · Conseils aux voyageurs · Entrée / Séjour (page updated on 25 Sept 2026)
- Republic of Kenya · eTA · Kenya eTA · Frequently asked questions
- France Diplomatie · Kenya · Conseils aux voyageurs · Santé (page updated on 25 Sept 2026)
- France Diplomatie · Kenya · Conseils aux voyageurs · Sécurité (page updated on 25 Sept 2026)
- France Diplomatie · Kenya · Conseils aux voyageurs · Informations utiles (page updated on 25 Sept 2026)
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival · Nyama Choma with Kachumbari and Ugali (Kenya, 2014)
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival · Try the Goat: Five Food Picks from Kenya (2014)
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival · Foodways: Swahili Coastal Cuisine (Kenya, 2014)
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival · Foodways: Western Uplands Kenya (2014)
- Wikidata · Kenya (Q114)
- Banque mondiale · World Development Indicators
- IANA · Time Zone Database
- Wiktionary · jambo
- Wiktionary · asante
- Wiktionary · tafadhali
- Kenya Investment Authority · Invest Kenya · Kenya Investment Authority
- Kenya Investment Authority · Kenya eRegulations · investment procedures portal
- Wikidata · Kenya (Q114)
- World Bank · World Development Indicators
- GOV.UK (FCDO) · Kenya · Foreign travel advice · Entry requirements (page updated on 28 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) · Kenya · Foreign travel advice · Health (page updated on 28 Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) · Kenya · Foreign travel advice · Safety and security (page updated on 28 Oct 2026)
- Wiktionary · Checked entries (Swahili)
- Wikipedia · Sukuma wiki
- Wikipedia · Nyama choma
- Wikipedia · Ugali
- Wikipedia · Nshima
- Wikipedia · Mokimo
- Wikipedia · Githeri
- Wikipedia · Réserve nationale du Masai Mara
- Wikipedia · Nairobi
- Wikipedia · Parc national d'Amboseli
- Wikipedia · Mombasa
- CIA World Factbook · Kenya (public domain) (page updated on 29 Oct 2026)
- France Diplomatie · Kenya · Travel advice · Security (zones, in French) (page updated on 25 Sept 2026)
- Wikidata · Airports of the country (IATA code, traffic) (page updated on 29 Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia (climate normals) · Nairobi · monthly normals (Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity and sun 1961–1990){{cite web) (page updated on 29 Oct 2026)
Information checked on 28 Oct 2026. Check the official source before you travel. Viafro gives no safety rating and publishes no price without a source.
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