Kenya is one of our favorite countries to visit (we visited twice last year!), and we try to go there at least once a year. If you’re planning a trip to Kenya and have questions about safety, moving around, budget, or anything else, I’ve got you covered. This post will answer the most commonly asked questions about visiting Kenya, so if you have any additional questions, feel free to leave them in the comments.
Getting to Kenya
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about getting to Kenya:
Which airlines fly to Kenya?
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is our preferred port of entry. Many major airlines fly to Nairobi from the US, but if you prefer direct flights, Kenya Airways works.
From Nigeria, you can fly Kenya Airways or RwandAir. We always fly RwandAir because there’s a direct flight from our city to Rwanda, which is only an hour away from Kenya. Kenya Airways flies from Lagos, Nigeria, and after one chaotic Lagos airport experience, we avoid flying to Lagos as much as possible.
Travel requirements
As of January 2024, travelers no longer need to apply for an e-visa to visit Kenya. However, you do need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) on the ETA Kenya website. Once you provide all the necessary information, you should be authorized to travel in three days or less.
Do you need a yellow fever vaccine to visit Kenya?
If you are from a region where the virus is endemic, you’ll need to have a yellow fever card before you can enter Kenya.
During our first visit, we didn’t encounter Port Health at the airport, but the second time around, they even scanned our QR code to confirm our card’s validity. So, better safe than sorry. Pregnant women and infants under 9 months are exempted.
When is the best time to visit Kenya?
The best time to visit Kenya will depend on what you’re visiting for. If you’d like to do an African safari in Kenya, I recommend visiting between July and September. The weather is colder–especially in Nairobi–during this period, with temperature lows of about 15 degrees Celsius.
If you’re visiting the coast and looking for a warm, lively escape, then go between November and January. The weather is warmer, the city is livelier and if you go to the coast in mid-late January, stays are cheaper.
Should you buy a SIM card in Kenya?
YES! I typically avoid the hassle of long SIM card purchasing queues at the airport, but I regretted not getting one during my first visit to Kenya. So the second time around, we both got SIM cards and it was so helpful. Particularly if you’re staying more than five days, you’ll need to call taxis, coordinate food deliveries, and use M-PESA for maximum convenience (more on M-PESA later).
Health and Safety
These are some of the most common health and safety questions about visiting Kenya:
Is it safe to go to Kenya?
Absolutely. After Rwanda, Kenya is one of the safest cities we’ve visited. I’ve gone alone to pick up takeout after dark, used Ubers on my own, and taken a long road trip with a driver we just met. We’re always careful when we travel, but we’ve never experienced any thefts or scary situations while visiting Kenya.
On the contrary, Kenyans are used to hosting tourists and can be super helpful with directions or anything else you might need. There’s also a solid law enforcement presence all around Nairobi so we felt pretty safe throughout our visit.
Can US citizens go to Kenya?
Yep! We saw lots of Americans in Nairobi and even in the coastal cities of Diani and Lamu.
Should I take malaria pills for Kenya?
Malaria is uncommon in Kenya because the presence of the malaria-causing mosquito species is low, especially in the cities. But if you’d like to play it safe, you can take malaria pills.
How safe is Nairobi for tourists?
As I mentioned before, Nairobi is super safe. The city has a vibrant nightlife, and there are always helpful locals around. During our visits, we went out several times for late dinners and never experienced aggression, violence, or anything unsafe. Still, practice basic safety precautions, and you should be good.
Budget & Spending
People have many questions about money and spending while traveling in Kenya:
How much does it cost to travel to Kenya?
This depends heavily on where you’re traveling from and what you want to do in Kenya. Flights from the US can set you back almost $1000, and a safari will cost at least $1500 per person. You can cut costs on food if you eat at inexpensive restaurants (my favorite Nairobi restaurants are here) and use public transportation instead of Uber.
💰 Takeaway: In our experience, though, Kenya is much cheaper overall than most US cities but more expensive than most cities in Asia, where food is ridiculously affordable. So plan accordingly.
What to know about paying for goods in Kenya
One thing I wish we knew before our first visit to Kenya is how much of a cashless society the country is. Most locals use M-PESA (a finance app akin to Venmo) so even our Uber drivers didn’t have change in cash for us most times. M-PESA is widely accepted so you can use it in malls, restaurants–everywhere. Credit cards are also widely accepted. However, many stores and businesses do not accept cash.
How to use M-PESA in Kenya
Using M-PESA is pretty easy. You’ll need a Safaricom SIM card which you can get at the airport. Tell them you also want to use M-PESA and they’ll set up an account linked to your number. You can pay cash in Kenyan Shillings into your M-PESA account right at the airport and at any other M-PESA agent’s stall or at a Safaricom shop. You can also withdraw cash from your M-PESA wallet.
📝 Take Note: You’ll need an ID (like your passport to deposit and withdraw cash from your M-PESA wallet).
Getting Around
Kenya is an easy country to navigate–especially Nairobi. Here are some common questions:
How do you get around in Nairobi?
Uber! There’s also a solid public transportation system, but it’s not the most walkable city, so I always prefer to use Uber.
Traveling to the Kenyan Coast: What to know
No visit to Kenya is complete without a trip to the coast. You can use Safarilink, Jambojet, or Skyward Express airlines to get around. For domestic trips, you’ll be flying out of the Wilson Airport. I’ve written guides with more information on traveling to Diani and visiting Lamu, Kenya.
Do Kenyans speak English?
Yes, they do! Most Kenyans also speak Kiswahili and they love it when tourists speak the language too. Our favorite Swahili words/phrases are Jambo (hello) and Asante sana (thank you very much).
Where to stay
We loved staying in hotels and Airbnbs in the Westlands and Karen area in Nairobi. I also have recommendations on where to stay in Diani and Lamu. See our full post on where to stay in Kenya.
What to do in Kenya
Whether you love the arts, history, wildlife, or food, there’s something to do in Kenya for you. Check out my post about what to do in Kenya (besides safari) to find some ideas.
Do you have any more questions about visiting Kenya? Leave them in the comments, and I’ll answer them as soon as possible.
thanks for your helpful information’s, i just want to know the cost of accommodation, foods transportation in Kenya..
It really varies over time and depending on where you choose to stay.