Destination guide
Last updated: June 15, 2026The 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.
| Passport | Entry rule | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal · Spain · France · United Kingdom | Visa-free and eTA-free | 90 days |
| Cabo Verde · Guinea-Bissau · Angola · Nigeria · Ghana · Senegal | Visa-free — all African passports (since 14 Jul 2025) | 90 days |
⚠️ 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
Kenya is at Level 2 (increased caution) overall — watch for pickpockets and muggings in Nairobi (especially downtown at night and neighbourhoods like Eastleigh) and scams. The classic tourist areas — Mara, Amboseli, Nakuru, Diani — are considered safe with normal precautions. At Level 4 (Do Not Travel): the counties on the Somalia border (Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River) and the coast north of Malindi, for terrorism and kidnapping risk. Lamu requires extra caution.
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
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.
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.