Everything you need to know before visiting Kenya — from entry requirements and health advice to currency, security and practical travel tips.
Kenya has two main points of entry by air: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa. The principal point of entry by sea is the Port of Mombasa.
Malaria is endemic to certain areas of Kenya. All visitors are advised to begin taking anti-malaria prophylactics two weeks before arrival, throughout their stay, and for a minimum of three weeks after leaving Kenya.
Piped water supplies are generally safe in municipal areas, but local advice should be sought — particularly while on safari. Bottled mineral water, both local and imported, can be purchased at hotel sundry shops and tourist kiosks. You will find filtered and safe drinking water in thermos bottles in your hotel or lodge room, but it is advisable not to drink directly from the taps.
Yellow Fever: International travellers over one year of age arriving from Yellow Fever–infected countries are required to hold a valid international vaccination certificate against Yellow Fever.
Yellow Fever endemic zones fall within the tropics (20°N to 10°S) — areas where the presence of vectors and animal reservoirs creates a potential risk of infection. Countries in this category include Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Rwanda and Burundi, among others. Travellers arriving from temperate zones are exempt.
No other vaccination is required for entry into Kenya. However, travellers from non-malaria regions — such as Europe, Australia, North America and Canada — are strongly advised to take malaria prophylactic drugs two weeks before travelling and to continue for two weeks after departure, particularly if visiting the coastal and Lake Victoria regions where malaria is endemic.
All visitors must be in possession of a valid passport. Visas are required by most nationalities, with the exception of citizens of most Commonwealth countries and certain other nations with which Kenya maintains reciprocal waiver arrangements.
Important: Visitors are not permitted to take up employment or residence in Kenya without the authority of the Principal Immigration Officer.
Visitors may import a reasonable volume of personal effects together with cameras and any amount of film. The duty-free allowance is limited to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, and one litre of spirits.
The electricity voltage in Kenya is 220–240V AC. An adaptor will be necessary for appliances that operate on 110–120V AC. The standard plug type is the three-pin British (Type G).
The Kenyan currency is based on the decimal system. The unit of currency is the Kenya Shilling (KES), divided into 100 cents. It is illegal to enter or leave Kenya carrying Kenyan currency, and visitors must exchange any remaining shillings at the bank before departure. Visitors are strongly advised to avoid street dealers and to transact all currency dealings through official channels.
Nairobi, Mombasa and most other principal centres have Forex Bureau banks and banks with Bureau de Change facilities. Banking hours are generally 09:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday, with some branches opening between 09:00 and 11:00 on the first Saturday of each month. Banks at Jomo Kenyatta and Moi International airports operate a 24-hour service.
Credit cards: American Express, Visa and other well-known cards are widely accepted throughout Kenya at hotels, lodges, restaurants and larger shops.
Film and memory cards are available at most game lodges, even in remote areas, though stocks are usually limited to the most common sizes and brands. Nairobi and Mombasa have more comprehensive supplies.
Visitors should be aware that it is an offence to photograph Kenya's Head of State, military installations or police officers in uniform. Visitors are also strongly advised to seek permission before photographing local people, particularly among the Samburu, Turkana and Maasai communities.
As with many tourist destinations worldwide, visitors are advised not to leave valuables in their hotel room when going out. Most hotels and lodges provide safe deposit boxes, and some rooms are equipped with an in-room safe.
Airport departure tax: The international departure tax is USD 40. For domestic travel, there is a departure tax of KES 200.
All prices quoted are based on costs prevailing at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.
Tour rates include:
Tour rates exclude:
Single rooms or rooms with a private bath cannot always be guaranteed, especially within the Parks. All prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates applicable at the time of printing and are subject to alteration without notice.
A deposit of 25% is required upon booking any travel arrangement. The balance must be paid no later than 13 days before commencement of the tour. Where bookings are made fewer than 15 days before departure, payment in full is required at the time of booking.
Please note: The deposit may be forfeited in the event of cancellations or amendments. For detailed cancellation terms, please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions.
Transportation will be by minibus, car or four-wheel-drive vehicle, allocated according to the route and the number of participants. The company reserves the right to employ the services of subcontractors where necessary.
Trained English-speaking African driver-guides are provided on all tours and safaris. Should a passenger specifically request a professional courier, an additional charge will apply.
The company reserves the right to alter route arrangements or cancel the operation of a scheduled tour should conditions necessitate. It also reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of a tour at any time, in which case an equitable refund will be made.
The company and its agents act only as agents of the passengers in all matters relating to tours. The company's liability is dictated by the appropriate law of the country in which the tour takes place. However, the company accepts no responsibility for any person's illness, injury, delays, loss or damages from any cause whatsoever.
The agent's liability for its own negligence shall be limited to the tour price, and the agent shall not in any event be liable for consequential or indirect losses. The tour member accepts and consents to all risks involved with such tour.
In the unlikely event that a tour member has a complaint whilst on tour, the complaint must be brought to the attention of the local representative immediately so that it may be satisfactorily resolved.
Your gateway to East Africa
Kuldip's Touring Company Ltd · Mombasa, Kenya · Established 1957