Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Kenya: Visiting Kenya Q&A

Have a trip planned to Kenya but are a little unsure of what to expect? Looking for some Kenya travel tips on everything from what to do, how to stay safe, and more? Then read on for all you need to know! 

Though not always the easiest place to navigate as a tourist, Kenya certainly has a lot to offer – from being home to the second-highest mountain in Africa to its rich, diverse culture and, of course, its potential for some of the best safari and wildlife viewing opportunities in the world! 

 

 

And after our own 10-day trip to Kenya earlier this year, we learned quite a few things that we would have liked to know beforehand. 

So, we put together today’s article to answer some of the top questions you might have before your trip, as well as a list of 7 things you should know before you go, based on what we’ve learned.

Let’s get to it! 

 

7 Things to Know Before Your Trip to Kenya 

 

   1. Kenya is *not* the easiest place to travel independently. 

I hate to start today’s article on a slightly negative note, but I think it’s important to know if you plan to visit Kenya.

Since we generally prefer to travel independently (i.e. without guides or drivers, primarily using public transportation, etc.) and often try to keep our budget low, we did almost everything on our own during our trip to Kenya.

This meant we didn’t opt for any tours or guides. Instead, we rented a car and drove ourselves (or rather, Rodrigo did the driving since I’m not brave enough to handle driving in Kenya!).

Having visited nearly 100 countries, it’s safe to say we have a high tolerance for “rough” or stressful travel. Not to mention, we’re well aware of what safety precautions are needed (Rodrigo is from Brazil, after all, which certainly has its share of challenging places and safety issues).

However, while there were many things we loved about our trip to Kenya, the truth is that if we were to do it again, we might not have done everything quite so independently.

 

 

The trip ended up being incredibly stressful, and despite being very careful, we dealt with theft, issues with the police, paying multiple bribes, and more.

We suspect we might have avoided some of these issues if we hadn’t done everything on our own and had occasionally considered a tour or at least a driver. (Or, to be honest, just taking public transportation rather than renting a car, which was a bit of a nightmare.)

We’re not saying this to dissuade you from visiting Kenya, and plenty of people travel without running into any problems. But we wanted to be honest about our experience!

 

   2. If you’re planning to visit any national parks or museums, make sure you download Kenya’s e-citizen app *before* your trip. 

If you’ve read our article about hiking in Mount Kenya National Park, you’ll know we made a big mistake by not downloading this beforehand.

Despite the abundance of conflicting information online, based on our personal experience visiting two national parks and a museum, it is NOT possible to pay your entrance fees with credit card or cash.

This means your best alternative is to get yourself set up and ready to pay with Kenya’s e-Citizen government platform.

Through e-Citizen, you can create a “foreigner”/“visitor to Kenya” account that you can use to pay your entrance fee for all of Kenya’s national parks, as well as many of the museums and other government-run cultural attractions.

 

 

If you’d rather use your phone, you can find and download the app in your app store (just search “Kenya e-Citizen”).

If you’re still lost, take a look at the FAQs at the bottom of the page for a breakdown of how exactly to get yourself set up on Kenya’s e-Citizen platform!

 

   3. When in doubt, bring cash.

I can’t tell you the number of times we showed up somewhere (museums, guesthouses, etc.) and were told the credit card machine was “broken,” requiring us to pay in cash.

So, always be prepared with at least a little bit of cash on you. But be cautious about not carrying too much cash (whether for safety concerns or to avoid losing it all in a bribe request :-).

When you withdraw money, make sure to use official bank ATMs and check for card scanners.

 

 

Not to mention, paying with cash may be safer than using your credit card!

This is strictly based on personal experience so I’m not sure how common it is, but within 24 hours of landing in Kenya, I used my credit card in Nairobi and later discovered that someone had copied my card and made $2,000 worth of purchases on eBay.

Thankfully, I was able to cancel the card and get my money back. But it did make me a little nervous about using credit cards!

 

   4. Don’t forget to check with your doctor about whether or not you’ll need malaria pills before your trip to Kenya. 

Though Kenya is classified as a “high risk” country for malaria, there are some parts of the country where the malaria risk is low (like Nairobi and the surrounding highlands areas).

So, it’s best to consult with your doctor before you go.

That said, do be aware that, in many parts of the country, you’ll find a mosquito net included in your room. If there is one, make sure to use it and secure it tightly!

 

 

   5. Though the cost of living (and salaries) are quite low in Kenya, visiting as a tourist is NOT cheap. 

Yes, things like simple guesthouses, local food, and public transportation can feel very affordable depending on where you’re from (i.e. a ride on a matatu/local bus is under a dollar, meals are just a few dollars, a simple guesthouse can be 10-15 USD per night, etc.).

However, the reality is that anything vaguely “touristic” in Kenya comes with a pretty high price tag. (Note that I’m not necessarily critiquing this here as I obviously come from a privileged position to even be able to travel to Kenya in the first place. Just stating a fact.)

 

To give you an idea, we paid about 50 USD per person for a ONE-day entrance ticket for Mount Kenya National Park, which felt pretty steep for a day hike.

(I mean, here in the United States, which isn’t known for being a cheap country, you can buy an annual national park pass for about 70 USD that you can use to visit ALL 60+ parks in the country for the whole year.)

To visit many of the larger national/safari parks in Kenya, you can expect to pay 100-150+ USD per day for entrance fees, plus the cost of a guide (which you are often required to have to navigate the park.).

And even something like a simple, 45-minute motorboat tour on Lake Naivasha, which isn’t even a national park, can set you back $25-30 per person.

 

 

So, moral of the story: Kenya is definitely not one of the most budget-friendly countries in Africa if you want to do anything touristy. 

 

   6. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit (and spend the night!) with the Maasai tribe. 

Out of everything we did during our 10 days in Kenya, staying in a cultural camp with the Maasai was hands down our favorite part.

While there are a few different Maasai “camps” you can stay at, we wholeheartedly recommend the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp.

(No, we aren’t sponsored, nor do we have an affiliate link from this camp. We just really loved our experience staying here!)

The camp is run by community chief Salaton (who you’ll certainly have the chance to meet) and offers basic, yet comfortable and clean, accommodation in traditional Maasai mud huts. You’ll also be able to enjoy fun cultural experiences like warrior training and visits to the local school/villages, as well as have the chance to befriend and learn from countless tribe members, and more.

 

 

Though it’s not exactly cheap (as I said above, anything vaguely touristy in Kenya tends to be on the expensive side), most of what is earned through the camp goes straight back into funding community projects, like the local school…which for us made the cost worth it! 

You can learn more about Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp here. 

 

   7. Be hyper-aware of your surroundings. And don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself when you need to. 

Again, this may have been a side effect of us trying to do everything independently. But frankly, we had many moments where people tried to take advantage of us. 

There were attempts to overcharge us at BOTH the gas stations we filled up at… 

A guesthouse we pre-booked online months earlier tried to tell us on arrival that “the price had changed” and we had to pay twice as much (spoiler alert: we refused)… 

The one time we took a taxi (which is something we’d really recommend trying to avoid in Kenya, but we had no other choice), the driver tried to increase the price we had already negotiated once we arrived at our destination… 

Not to mention, at one point when I used my credit card, my number got copied and then the thief tried to buy $2,000 worth of eBay products… 

(And honestly, these aren’t the only stories we experienced.) 

So moral of the story: any time there is the potential for an exchange of money, make sure you are paying close attention to what’s happening around you. And don’t be afraid to call someone out if they’re trying to take advantage of you. 

 

 

It is worth mentioning that, if you’re with a guide, this is unlikely to be something you have to worry as much about! 

 

 

FAQs about Visiting Kenya 

 

Is Kenya safe for tourists? 

Safety in Kenya can be a bit of a mixed bag.

For the most part, we felt physically safe, though we did encounter some unpleasant issues with the police, bribes, and my credit card number getting copied. However, these were more annoyances than safety issues.

That said, we also took a lot of precautions, like not carrying lots of cash, dressing casually, avoiding going out at night, asking about the safety of an area before walking to it (especially important in big cities like Nairobi or Mombasa), etc.

As with many countries, crime is worse in the cities than in the countryside.

If you’re sticking to the national parks/safari areas or traveling with a guide, you should have minimal issues.

 

 

But do note that the northeastern coast and the areas near the Kenya-Somalia border should be avoided for safety reasons.

 

What vaccines do you need to visit Kenya? 

Of course, this should be a decision between you and your doctor. However, we’ve heard that Kenyan immigration may ask for proof of your yellow fever vaccine when you arrive, especially if you’re coming from another African country. 

In other words, make sure this one is up to date! 

 

Do you need a visa to visit Kenya? 

At the beginning of 2024, Kenya changed its entry requirements for tourists…which means that many citizens of the world can now visit Kenya visa-free! 

That said, citizens from most countries of the world *do* still need to fill out an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before their trip to Kenya.  Here is the link where you can complete your application and see current entry requirements. 

If you don’t qualify for a Kenyan eTA, then make sure you apply for a visa instead before your trip. 

 

 

And if you have plans to visit Uganda and/or Rwanda as well, then consider applying for the East African Tourist Visa instead as it’ll cover all three countries. 

 

How can you get a SIM card in Kenya? 

Rather than deal with the annoyance (and chaos!) of having to find a SIM card on arrival in Kenya,  we highly recommend getting an e-SIM so you can have data as soon as you land. 

 

This way, you can instantly look up what you need to (like how to take the bus to the city center) or grab a taxi through a taxi app without having to fight off all the taxi drivers who will start yelling at you once you step off the plane. 

You can learn more about eSIM cards and get recommendations for the cheapest eSIM options for Kenya in our article right here. 

 

Is Kenya cheap or expensive? 

Honestly, we were a little surprised by how expensive Kenya was! 

As I mentioned in point #5 above…yes, many basic expenses (like simple guesthouses, public transportation, and local food) can feel quite affordable compared to many other countries. 

However, in general, anything even a little bit touristy in Kenya is quite expensive! 

For example, many of the famous safari/national parks can easily set you back 150+ USD per day per person. And even “simpler” attractions come in at 30-50 USD per person. Not to mention the cost of guides which you often need, etc….

So if you have plans to visit Kenya, you might want to set aside some extra space in your budget depending on what you’d like to do! 

 

Can you rent a car in Kenya as a tourist? 

The short answer: yes, legally foreigners can rent cars in Kenya without much issue.

However, the longer answer is that, after renting a car ourselves in Kenya, we really wouldn’t recommend other people do it.  

Between the aggressive driving, the rough roads, and our multiple problems getting stopped by (and having to pay bribes to) police, renting a car in Kenya was quite a stressful experience overall. And my husband has a high tolerance for this type of thing, given that he comes from São Paulo, Brazil…so you know the situation has to be bad for him to get stressed out.   

 

 

If you do still want to rent a car in Kenya anyway, here’s an article with some recommendations for companies to look at. 

 

What are the best attractions and things to do in Nairobi? 

Our favorite things to do in Nairobi were:

• Exploring the city center with a Nairobi free walking tour
• Going up to Kenyatta International Conference Center tower for the best views of the skyline
• Visiting Nairobi National Park (note that I’d probably skip this one if you have plans to do safaris elsewhere…though this one is a good alternative if you’re short on time or money!) 
• Learning as much as we could in the National Museum of Kenya 

 

 

Can you visit the Maasai tribe in Kenya? 

You certainly can! For the best and most authentic experience, we recommend taking a look at the wonderful Maasai camp we stayed at: Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp.

(See point #6 above for more about the camp!) 

 

How can you use Kenya’s e-Citizen platform to buy your national park entrance fees? 

Here’s a quick breakdown of how you can download and then register yourself on e-Citizen to get your Kenyan national park entrance tickets (note that this is often the only way you can pay for and then get tickets!): 

1. Go to the link here or type in “e-Citizen Kenya” in the search bar of your app store if you prefer to use your phone. 
2. Select “Register” and then select the ultimate option “Foreigner: For Visitors to Kenya.” 
3. Add in your document details, a photo, and other information to complete  the sign-up process. 
4. After your account is approved, log yourself in and then click on the “Services” button. 
5. Go down until you see “Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS).” 
6. Select the national park or nature reserve you plan to visit. 
7. Select how many people you need tickets for. 
8. Select how you want to pay (M-Pesa or credit/debit card).
9. After you’ve paid, take a screenshot so you can show it at the park entrance gate. 
10. Have fun! 

 

What are some budget-friendly alternatives to seeing wildlife in Kenya? Or are expensive safaris the only option? 

Personally, we skipped the pricey safaris on our trip to Kenya as we wanted to focus on other activities (like hiking in Mt. Kenya National Park and visiting the Maasai tribe) and were on a limited budget. 

However, that doesn’t mean we weren’t able to witness some of Kenya’s spectacular wildlife! 

If you’re in the same situation, here are 3 “alternative” ways to see wildlife in Kenya that we enjoyed and that you could consider as well: 

 

   1. The local train from Nairobi to Mombasa (under $20 USD roundtrip) 

For a fun local experience, consider taking the train from Nairobi to Mombasa. Along the way, you’ll cut through Tsavo National Park – where we personally saw elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, ostriches, and more straight from the train window.

 

 

   2. Nairobi National Park (50 ish USD per person if you’re self-driving, more if you get a guide or a vehicle) 

Though not necessarily considered “cheap,” Nairobi National Park is still a fraction of the cost of many of Kenya’s more famous parks. 

Overall, we enjoyed our trip through the park quite a bit. And given its proximity to Nairobi (as in, you can quite literally see the Nairobi skyline from the park), it’s a great choice to see some of the wildlife that makes Kenya so famous if you don’t have the time or budget for somewhere else. 

 

 

   3. Boat trip on Lake Naivasha to see the hippos (25-30 USD per person + extra if you choose to visit Crescent Island Game Sanctuary) 

Lake Naivasha is a solid and budget-friendly alternative to the more famous Lake Nakuru National Park nearby. 

After starting your trip at Karagita Public Beach (where you’ll furiously argue with crowds of boat operators about the price), you’ll be taken to see the nearby pod of hippos. 

 

 

Depending on the exact boat route you negotiate, you’ll then be taken along the shoreline of Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, where you’ll be able to view wildlife of all kinds. 

Note that you also have the option to visit the sanctuary itself if you don’t just want to see it from the boat. Unlike other national parks or animal reserves in Kenya, there are no predators on the island, making it safe to walk around on. 

However, visits to the island itself will come at an additional cost. 

Even without visiting Crescent Island itself, this boat ride was one of the highlights of my trip to Kenya!

 

 

Can you hike to the top of Mt. Kenya? 

To get to the top of Mt. Kenya (AKA Africa’s second-highest mountain!), you’ll need to have an organized excursion with a guide. 

But if you just want to take a day trip and hike in the national park to admire the peaks from afar without a guide? Then you can take a look at our article here with all the details 🙂 

 

In conclusion…

And that’s all for today’s article!

I know we covered a lot of ground. So if you still have any questions about visiting Kenya yourself, leave us a comment below and we’ll get back to you!