The heart of African safari and the gateway to the Swahili coast — Maasai Mara, Amboseli under Kilimanjaro, and Mombasa. And, since 2025, one of the easiest countries on the continent to enter. Here is the essential, verified.

Travel essentials

Big change in 2025: since 14 July 2025 Kenya scrapped the visa and the electronic travel authorisation (eTA) for all African passports — free entry up to 90 days, no form and no fee (only Libya and Somalia still need an eTA). European citizens (PT/ES/FR/UK) are also eTA-exempt and enter visa-free for up to 90 days. The eTA fee (~USD 30) now applies only to passports such as the US, India or China. As the policy changed recently, always confirm at the official source before travelling.

⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.

Health

A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with transmission risk (common on regional African connections). The vaccine and malaria prophylaxis are recommended — much of the country, including safari areas, is a malaria-risk zone. Nairobi, at altitude, is low-risk.

Passport

Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, with blank pages for the entry stamp.

Arrival & Safety

Airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), in Nairobi, is East Africa’s main hub; Moi International Airport (MBA), in Mombasa, serves the coast. Domestic flights connect to the Mara, Amboseli and Diani.

Getting in

In Nairobi and Mombasa, Uber, Bolt and Little Cab (a local app) operate with fixed, trackable fares — preferable to street taxis. Avoid matatus (minibuses) with luggage and at night. For safaris, go with a reputable operator and driver-guide.

Safety

Money

Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES). M-Pesa is king — much of daily payment happens by phone. ATMs are plentiful in cities; cards accepted in mid/upper-range hotels, lodges and restaurants. Carry some cash for markets, tips and rural areas.

Connectivity

Safaricom dominates the market, with the best 4G coverage (and growing 5G) nationwide, including safari corridors; Airtel and Telkom round it out. But what moves Kenya is M-Pesa: mobile-phone payment used for almost everything, from taxis to markets. M-Pesa needs a registered local number; the Verde Wave eSIM gives you data — for M-Pesa, also consider a local Safaricom SIM.

Arriving with data on lets you order Uber/Bolt at the airport exit, open the map and reach your lodge or family without hunting for Wi-Fi. An eSIM activated before departure avoids queues and SIM registration on arrival.

Coverage is excellent in Nairobi and Mombasa and good in the most-visited parks (Mara, Amboseli, Nakuru), though there are dead spots deep inside the reserves. WhatsApp is the standard channel to reach guides, drivers and accommodation.

Sending money Kenya

Sending money to Kenya is part of diaspora life. The usual options: bank transfer (slower and sometimes with hidden FX margins), specialist apps like Wise, Remitly and WorldRemit (fast and transparent on fees), and cash pickup via Western Union or MoneyGram. In Kenya, the king method is M-Pesa: money reaches the mobile wallet directly. Remitly and WorldRemit integrate with M-Pesa, in shillings (KES). Always compare the total cost — fee plus exchange-rate margin — and the speed before sending. Verde Wave never handles money; we just point you to the tools.

Practical tips

Best time

Two dry seasons, ideal for safari: January–February and June–October. The Great Migration reaches the Maasai Mara mainly between July and October (Mara River crossings). The coast (Mombasa, Diani, Lamu) is warm year-round; avoid the long rains of April–May.

Languages

Swahili (Kiswahili) and English are the official languages; English is widely spoken in tourism and cities. A few Swahili words open doors: “Jambo” (hello), “Asante” (thank you), “Karibu” (welcome) and the famous “Hakuna matata” (no worries).

Etiquette

Greeting before asking for something matters, and elders deserve deference. Always ask permission before photographing people, especially Maasai communities (who often expect an agreed tip). Dress more modestly on the mostly Muslim Swahili coast (Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi).

What to see & culture

Places

The Maasai Mara (stage of the Great Migration), Amboseli with its Kilimanjaro view, Lake Nakuru and its flamingos, Tsavo and Mount Kenya. On the coast: Mombasa (Fort Jesus), Diani Beach and the old island town of Lamu, a Swahili World Heritage site.

Culture

More than 40 ethnic groups (Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Kalenjin, Maasai and others) and a strong Swahili heritage on the coast. Home to world-class middle-distance runners; in music, benga and the urban gengetone shape the present. Athletics is almost a national religion.

Food

Nyama choma (grilled meat) is the social dish par excellence; ugali (maize staple) accompanies almost everything, with sukuma wiki (stewed greens). On the coast, Swahili cuisine shines: biryani, pilau and coconut fish curry. Spiced chai at any hour.

Sources

1. US State Department — Kenya Travel Advisory (Nível 2; fronteira Somália/costa norte Nível 4)
2. Erickson Immigration Group — Kenya removes eTA for most African & select nationals (14 Jul 2025)
3. AllAfrica — Kenya offers all African countries eTA exemption, except Somalia & Libya
4. UK FCDO — Kenya foreign travel advice (segurança e saúde)