Tayari
Tayari means ready.
Practical information
We link to official sources rather than restate rules that change. Check them, and ask us anything.
Kenya in six facts
- Time zoneEast Africa Time (UTC+3): 8 hours ahead of New York in winter, 7 in summer
- LanguagesEnglish and Kiswahili are official; English is spoken everywhere visitors go
- CurrencyKenyan shilling (KES); cards and M-Pesa widely accepted
- CapitalNairobi, 1,795 m above sea level
- Electricity240 V, 50 Hz, UK-style Type G plugs
- Dialling code+254
Before you go
Getting hereFlights from North America, airports and what arrival looks like.
Entry requirementsThe Kenya eTA, passports and what to apply for before you fly.
HealthVaccinations, malaria, insurance and medical care in Kenya.
MoneyShillings, M-Pesa, cards, cash and ATMs.
What to packSafari, coast and city packing lists, and the 15 kg rule.
Getting aroundPrivate guides, light aircraft, the Madaraka Express and city transport.
ConnectivitySIM cards, Wi-Fi in camps and staying in touch with home.
Weather & seasonsTwo dry seasons, two rainy seasons, and why there's always a good time.
Safety & rulesHow trips are managed, city and road sense, drones and plastic bags.
Responsible travelWildlife distance, photographing people, community visits and conservation fees.
Accessible travelMobility, dietary and other needs on safari and at the coast.
Booking & paymentsPaying in full or monthly, changes, cancellations and insurance.
In depth
Vaccines for Kenya: what U.S. travelers actually needTwo or three shots, a malaria prescription and one clinic visit, planned six weeks out.
Nairobi airport (JKIA): the arrivals guide for U.S. travelersThree queues stand between you and your driver. Here is how to clear them in 40 minutes.
Mombasa airport (Moi International): flights, transfers and which beach airport to useThe airport is on the mainland, the city is on an island, and your beach may be an hour away.
Wilson Airport and Kenya's safari flightsA small terminal in Langata, a Cessna with your name on a clipboard and a dirt strip 45 minutes later.
The 15 kg rule: luggage limits on Kenya safari flightsThirty-three pounds, camera bag included. It fits, and here is how.
Kenya national park fees: every park, every price, how to payThe biggest line item most people never budget for, park by park, in one table.- Getting around Nairobi: Uber, Bolt, matatus and the ExpresswayApps for most rides, a matatu for the experience, and a driver for a full day out.
Driving in Kenya: rules, car hire costs and whether you shouldYou can drive here. Here is what it takes, what it costs, and why a driver often wins.
Kenya's plastic bag ban and other rules visitors need to knowNobody will arrest you for a ziplock. Here is what to leave at home, and the rules that do matter.
Drones and photography rules in KenyaLeave the drone at home, ask before you photograph anyone, and the rest is easy.
Malaria in Kenya: risk by region, the pills and the habits that workThe one Kenyan risk you can almost entirely remove with a pill and a long sleeve.
Altitude on Mount Kenya: how to reach Point Lenana without getting sickAltitude, not fitness, is what turns people back. A slower schedule is the cure.
Electricity and plugs in Kenya: type G, 240 voltsYour phone charger will be fine. Your hair dryer will not.
Is Kenya safe to visit?The real risks on a Kenya trip, from Nairobi traffic to buffalo outside your tent, and the habits that deal with them.
Where we travel in KenyaFrom the reefs off Kiunga to the jade water of Lake Turkana: the whole country, and how we plan each part of it.
The questions we get most
Checked against official sources and reviewed regularly. If something has changed, tell us.
Do U.S. and Canadian citizens need a visa?
Kenya uses an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) applied for online before departure. Requirements change, so we link to the official portal rather than restate the rules, and we walk every client through it.
Official Kenya eTA portalWhat vaccinations do I need?
Consult your doctor or a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you travel. The CDC Travelers' Health page for Kenya is the authoritative source.
CDC Travelers' Health: KenyaHow do I get there from North America?
Nairobi (NBO) is served by one-stop connections through European and Gulf hubs, and there are direct flights from the U.S. East Coast. We check current routes when we quote your trip.
What about money?
The currency is the Kenyan shilling. Cards work in cities and lodges; mobile money (M-Pesa) is everywhere. Tipping guides and camp staff is customary and we give you a guide.
Is Kenya safe?
Millions visit every year. Our trips are run by Kenya specialists with 24-hour support, vetted drivers and lodges, and we follow official travel advisories.
U.S. State Department: KenyaWhat should I pack?
Safari: neutral layers, a warm jacket for early drives, binoculars. Coast: light clothes, reef-safe sunscreen. Cities: smart casual. Soft bags for light-aircraft flights.
How do payment and cancellations work?
Pay in full when you book, or choose a monthly plan charged automatically to your card, finishing before departure. Full terms are in our Booking Conditions and we recommend travel insurance for every trip.
Booking ConditionsHow do we travel responsibly?
Keep distance from wildlife, ask before photographing people, buy from local makers, and choose the conservancies and community programs we recommend.