About Kenya
Kenya became independent from the United Kingdom in 1963. Kenya’s capital city is Nairobi. Other big cities are Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru.
Kenya’s game reserves and wildlife are famous around the world. The most famous safari destinations are the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo East and Tsavo West.
Tourism is an important source of income for Kenya. Coffee and tea have been important export products for many years, while flowers and vegetables are also important export products today.
Many different ethnic groups live in Kenya, including the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana, Luo and Kalenjin.
Kenya is a country with very diverse landscapes. From the tropical Indian Ocean coastline and the Great Rift Valley to the wide open savannahs and mountains, Kenya has a lot to offer.
Discover our Kenya safaris
From the famous Masai Mara to the impressive landscapes of Amboseli and Tsavo, discover our selected Kenya safaris.
Choose one of our existing trips or let us create a tailor-made safari especially for you.
CAN’T FIND YOUR PERFECT SAFARI?
Good to know before you go
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from the moment you enter Kenya.
Latest procedure which is necessary before you travel to Kenya
Kenya eTA
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, Directorate of Immigration Services has developed and is operating the Republic of Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
Kenya eTA is a semi-automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to Kenya. An eTA offers permission to travel and is authorised by the Government of the Republic of Kenya. The possession of an eTA is not the final authority to enter the Republic of Kenya. Admissibility will be determined at the point of entry.
The eTA application collects biographic information and answers to eligibility questions from the traveller.
eTA applications for Kenya are usually processed in 3 days, however it is recommended applications be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to travel to ensure adequate time for processing. Travellers can submit their applications up to 3 months prior to travel.
It is highly recommended that travellers apply as soon as they have booked their accommodations and transport tickets.
How to Apply | Apply for your eTA to Kenya only on this Official Government website.
The best period to travel Kenya
January, February, June until September and December are the best months to travel the northern and central parts of Kenya.
January, February, August, September and December are the best months to travel the southern part of Kenya.
During these periods you can generally avoid the main rainy seasons. April and May usually have the most rainfall. From half October until November, light rain might occur.
The periods with more rainfall can also be interesting because accommodations are often cheaper and there are fewer tourists.
Migration in Kenya
The annual wildebeest migration is one of the great wildlife spectacles in Africa.
From June until July the first wildebeest normally arrive in the Masai Mara, depending on the rainfall. From August until around half October, the migration in the Masai Mara is normally in full swing.
The exact timing changes every year because the animals follow the rain and the availability of fresh grass.
Wildebeest (gnoes) migration map:
Weather and climate
Kenya has a tropical climate. Along the coastline it is around 29 degrees Celsius during the day and around 23 degrees Celsius at night.
Further inland, daytime temperatures are around 23 degrees Celsius and during the night temperatures can drop to around 12 degrees Celsius.
Travel documents
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from the moment you enter Kenya and you need at least one blank page.
Most foreign visitors need an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Kenya.
The eTA is an electronic authorisation issued by the Government of Kenya. The eTA gives permission to travel, but final admission to Kenya is determined at the point of entry.
We recommend applying well in advance of your trip and checking the latest requirements before departure.
Malaria
There is a risk of malaria in many parts of Kenya, including the game parks.
Please contact your doctor or a travel health clinic before travelling to Kenya for personal advice about malaria prevention and medication.
Vaccinations
Please check which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for Kenya with your doctor or a travel health clinic.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
For our Dutch clients please check the link below
https://www.ggdreisvaccinaties.nl/
Tipping guideline
Guests often ask us for a guideline for tipping their guides.
This is a difficult question, but to give some advice we would say:
- 15 – 20 USD per vehicle per day
This is just an indication. Feel free to tip at your own discretion.
Nice to know – facts about Kenya
Kenya has more than 80 different animal species.
Kenya is home to many different ethnic groups and cultures.
Kenya has more than 50 game reserves and national parks.
Tsavo National Park is one of the largest protected wildlife areas in Kenya.
Kenya lies along the equator on the east coast of Africa.
Kenya facts for kids
The Republic of Kenya lies along the equator on the east of Africa.
Kenya is a country with diverse landscapes – from the tropical Indian Ocean coast and the ancient Rift Valley to rainforest, mountains and wide open savannahs.
The Rift Valley is known as the ‘cradle of civilisation’ because fossils of early human ancestors have been found here.
Kenya is famous for its wildlife. All of the Big Five – elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo – can be found in Kenya.
You can also see zebra, antelope, hippo, giraffe, cheetah and many different species of birds.
The Masai Mara is famous for the annual wildebeest migration. Huge numbers of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move across the plains in search of fresh grass and water.
Kenya is also home to many nocturnal animals. With some luck you may see animals such as genet, porcupine and serval during an evening or night drive.
