Travel to Kenya

Kenya

Within the borders of a single country, you will find savannahs rich with big game, timeless cultures unchanged by the modern world, pristine beaches and coral reef, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped mountains, searing deserts and cool highland retreats and endless opportunities for adventure, discovery, relaxation; more than you would ever expect.

Overview

Within the borders of a single country, you will find savannahs rich with big game, timeless cultures unchanged by the modern world, pristine beaches and coral reef, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped mountains, searing deserts and cool highland retreats and endless opportunities for adventure, discovery, relaxation; more than you would ever expect.

People

Currently there are more than 40 different ethnic groups in Kenya.

The main groups of tribes are the Bantu who migrated from western Africa, the Nilotic people who originated from Sudan and the Hamitic group, who were mainly pastoral tribes from Ethiopia and Somalia. The main tribes are Kikuyu (21%), Meru (5%), Kalenjin, Luyha, Luo (14%), Kisii, Kamba, Swahili, Masai, Turkana

The other large ethnic groups include the Luo, Luhya, Kamba and Kalenjin- There are also some groups of people who form a very small population. This includes the tribe of El Molo.

Language

Jambo is one of the most common words you will hear spoken throughout Kenya. This is the simplest Swahili greeting, and is often the first word learned by visitors to Kenya.
Swahili (locally referred to as KiSwahili) is Kenya’s national language. Swahili originated on the East African coast, as a trade language used by both Arabs and coastal tribes. The language incorporated elements of both classical Arabic and Bantu dialects, and became the mother tongue of the Swahili people who themselves rose from the intermarriage of Arab and African cultures.

A little Swahili goes a long way in Kenya. It is worth learning a little, and most Kenyans are thrilled to hear visitors attempt to use any Swahili at all.

History

Kenya was first populated by a number of small dispersed tribal groups, the main groups were the Kikuyu, Kamba, Luo and Masai. These tribes shared the same area of land although they all had different origins.  It wasn’t until the 19th century that outsiders entered the interior of the country and as a result Kenya escaped the worst of the Arab slavers who concentrated more further to the south.

In 1893 Uganda became a British protectorate closely followed by Kenya - 1895. The British were just interested in controlling the rich resources of Uganda and to facilitate this they built a railway between Mombasa and Kampala using laborers from India, many of whom remained and have become today’s merchant class.

By 1915 the majority of the fertile highlands were being used by the British and racial segregation of land effectively excluded Africans and Asians from owning properties there.  Presently a large majority of the land is still owned by expatriate or politicians and the country’s employment problems are caused by the fact that there is limited access to the land and because only seven per cent of the total area receives enough rainfall to support agriculture.


Some tribes remained virtually unaffected by the plantations.  The pressure over land ownership and the controls over cultivation and marketing of cash crops by Africans prevented them from competing with the white settlers leading to the formation of nationalist organizations in the 1920’s.

In 1963 independence was granted with Jomo Kenyatta as the country’s first president.

Travel Guide

Currency

The official currency is the Kenya Shilling. Available Notes are 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings. Available coins are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 shillings. Visitors to Kenya should change foreign currency at banks, bureau de change or authorized hotels. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds sterling and EURO.

Travelers Checks are widely accepted, and many hotels, travel agencies, safari companies and restaurants accept Credit Cards. Most Banks in Kenya are equipped to advance cash on credit cards. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Kenya.  Most hotels/lodges will charge in US Dollars making it unnecessary to get local currency.

Before departure, travelers are advised to convert any excess Kenya shillings into foreign currency at a bank or bureau de change before departure. Departure taxes can be paid in local or foreign currency. Anyone wishing to take more than 500,000 Kenya Shillings out of the country will require written authorization from the Central Bank.

Weather

Kenya straddles the equator so there is little seasonal variation in temperature. There is much more variation between the coastal and low lying regions and the high plains and mountain regions. The game parks lie at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,000 feet and have a pleasant climate with warm days and cooler evenings year round.

There are two rainy seasons - the long rains during April and May and the short rains in November. The rest of the year is classified as dry season. In practice, the rainfall pattern has been neither regular nor predictable in recent years. In the rainy seasons, the rain often falls in heavy but brief tropical downpours during the evening or night with pleasant sunny days in between. The effects of the rain can cause some animals to disperse and may produce a few local problems with flooding of roads and bridges. On the other hand, rain makes the atmosphere clean and dust free and the vegetation beautifully lush and green.

Health Requirements

COVID PROTOCOL
Please check current covid-related requirements for entry to Kenya here:
https://ke.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/


GENERAL:
If you have recently visited a Yellow Fever infected country, you are required to have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. 
Malaria is present in Kenya and you are also advised to take a course of anti-Malarial pills.  We strongly advise you to reconfirm your medical requirements with your travel clinic who will assess your needs based on your personal health profile.

Visa Requirements

A visa is required prior to entry into Kenya. A single Entry Visa (valid for three months from date of issue) will cost US$ 50. A transit visa will cost US$ 20. No Visa is required for persons aged 15 years and below.  Visas may be obtained in advance online at http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html. Travelers who opt to obtain an airport visa should expect delays upon arrival.  Travelers to Kenya and neighboring African countries should ensure that the validity of their passports is at least six months beyond the end of their intended stay, and that their passport contains sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps.

Tipping & Porterage

Service staff in Africa depend on tips as part of their livelihood. As a guideline, hotel porters get about $1 per bag carried each way. City restaurant staff and bar waiters at 10% - 15% of the bill.  Airport transfer drivers at $2 per person per transfer. Camp and lodge staff at $10 per person per night to be split between the entire camp crew – there is often a Tips box for this group tip in the main area of the camp or lodge. Driver- guides are with you the most and should receive $10 - $15 per person per day. If you have both a driver and a guide, the driver should receive $5 per person per day.

Credit Cards

Visa and MasterCard credit cards are widely accepted in Kenya. Other credit cards much less so. However, many shops etc. don’t have automatic dial-up systems for credit card transactions yet. They use manual systems that are more open for fraud. While there are no reports of massive credit card fraud, it may be wise to use your credit card only with more up-market places.

Electrical Appliances

The power supply is at the UK/ European standard voltage of 220/240 , and power sockets are the U.K. square pin type. Remember if you want to use U.S. appliances you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug converter. Mains power supply is subject to cuts and voltage fluctuation. On safari, most lodges’ power supplies are from generators, and these are often turned off during parts of the day and night to reduce noise and fuel consumption.

Water

It is generally recommended to drink only bottled mineral water which is readily available everywhere.

Map

A: Akagera National Park
B: Alexandria
C: Amboseli National Park
D: Arusha
E: Aswan
F: Bazaruto Island
G: Benguerra Island
H: Botswana
I: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
J: Cairo
K: Cape Town
L: Cape Winelands
M: Central Kalahari Region
N: Chobe National Park
O: Denis Island
P: Desroches Island
Q: Drakensburg
R: Dubai
S: Dubai Beaches
T: Dubai City Center
U: Dubai Desert
V: Dubai Marina
W: Durban
X: Eastern Cape
Y: Eastern Cape Safaris
Z: Egypt
AA: Ethiopia
AB: Etosha National Park
AC: Franschhoek
AD: Garden Route
AE: Ghana
AF: Greater Kruger National Park
AG: Greater Winelands
AH: Hermanus
AI: Hwange National Park
AJ: Johannesburg
AK: Jordan
AL: Kafue National Park
AM: Kampala
AN: Kariba
AO: Kenya
AP: Kigali
AQ: Knysna
AR: Kruger National Park
AS: Kwazulu Natal
AT: La Digue
AU: Lake Manyara NP
AV: Lake Nakuru
AW: Lewa Wildlife Conservation
AX: Linyanti/Savuti Region
AY: Livingstone
AZ: Lower Zambezi National Park
BA: Luxor
BB: Madagascar
BC: Madikwe Game Reserve
BD: Mahé
BE: Mana Pools National Park
BF: Masai Mara
BG: Mauritius
BH: Mombasa
BI: Morocco
BJ: Mozambique
BK: Nairobi
BL: Namibia
BM: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
BN: North Island
BO: Nyungwe Forest National Park
BP: Okavango and Moremi GR
BQ: Oman
BR: Oudtshoorn
BS: Plettenberg Bay
BT: Port Elizabeth
BU: Praslin
BV: Qatar
BW: Queen Elizabeth National Park
BX: Quirimbas Archipelago
BY: Rwanda
BZ: Sabi Sands
CA: Samburu National Park
CB: Selous Game Reserve
CC: Serengeti National Park
CD: Seychelles
CE: Sharm El Sheik
CF: Sheik Zayed Road
CG: Silhouette Island
CH: Skeleton Coast National Park
CI: Sossusvlei
CJ: South Africa
CK: South Luangwa
CL: Stellenbosch
CM: Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
CN: Tanzania
CO: Tarangire National Park
CP: Timbavati Region
CQ: Uganda
CR: Umhlanga
CS: Victoria Falls
CT: Vilanculos
CU: Volcanoes National Park
CV: Windhoek

Destinations

Explore the rest of our Kenya destinations:

Brochure

Build your own custom brochure

Finally, information the way you want it, when you want. Create your own customized information brochure from anything on our site with this magical tool called a brochure builder. Add destination information, hotels, resort and lodges and even vacations that you are interested in. Simply find a product you are interested in, and click to add to your brochure.

Once you have finalized your selection, press select and your own customized brochure will be created, filled with all sorts of hints and tips to get you started. What a great way to get your friends and family interested in a trip, or perhaps to surprise your husband or wife with, or even to just have a memory of your own vacation?

The selection on this website is just a small showcase of the offerings available, ask the travel experts for more details. We're here to inspire!

    

This Destination

Kenya

Related Destinations

Akagera National Park
Alexandria
Amboseli National Park
Arusha
Aswan
Bazaruto Island
Benguerra Island
Botswana
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Cairo
Cape Town
Cape Winelands
Central Kalahari Region
Chobe National Park
Denis Island
Desroches Island
Drakensburg
Dubai
Dubai Beaches
Dubai City Center
Dubai Desert
Dubai Marina
Durban
Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape Safaris
Egypt
Ethiopia
Etosha National Park
Franschhoek
Garden Route
Ghana
Greater Kruger National Park
Greater Winelands
Hermanus
Hwange National Park
Johannesburg
Jordan
Kafue National Park
Kampala
Kariba
Kenya
Kigali
Knysna
Kruger National Park
Kwazulu Natal
La Digue
Lake Manyara NP
Lake Nakuru
Lewa Wildlife Conservation
Linyanti/Savuti Region
Livingstone
Lower Zambezi National Park
Luxor
Madagascar
Madikwe Game Reserve
Mahé
Mana Pools National Park
Masai Mara
Mauritius
Mombasa
Morocco
Mozambique
Nairobi
Namibia
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
North Island
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Okavango and Moremi GR
Oman
Oudtshoorn
Plettenberg Bay
Port Elizabeth
Praslin
Qatar
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Quirimbas Archipelago
Rwanda
Sabi Sands
Samburu National Park
Selous Game Reserve
Serengeti National Park
Seychelles
Sharm El Sheik
Sheik Zayed Road
Silhouette Island
Skeleton Coast National Park
Sossusvlei
South Africa
South Luangwa
Stellenbosch
Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
Tanzania
Tarangire National Park
Timbavati Region
Uganda
Umhlanga
Victoria Falls
Vilanculos
Volcanoes National Park
Windhoek

Related Hotels

AfroChic Diani
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Elephant Pepper Camp
Fairmont The Norfolk

Related Vacations

10 day Kenya SkySafari by Elewana
8 day Kenya SkySafari by Elewana
Classic Kenya Safari
Enchanting Kenya by Air
Highlights of Kenya

Related Tours

Carnivore Restaurant - Lunch or Dinner
Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Out of Africa Experience
Tamarind Evening Dhow Trip


Top Stays

Kapama Karula
Kapinga Camp
MalaMala Main Camp
Dulini Lodge
Cape Grace Hotel

Top Vacation Packages

Kenya Safari with Doha…

Hotels/Lodges

AfroChic Diani

Right on the white sands of gorgeous Diani Beach, AfroChic dazzles…

Learn More

Amboseli Serena…

Set against the magnificent backdrop of Africa’s highest…

Learn More

Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Nestled in 190 acres of wooded Masai land, the lodge sits on the foot…

Learn More

Fairmont The Norfolk

One of the Key land marks in the City, the Hotel was build in 1904…

Learn More

Governor’s…

The jewel in the Governors’ Camp crown; for those who want an…

Learn More

Kilaguni Serena…

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is superbly situated in the lee of Mt.…

Learn More

Kilima Camp

Kilima Camp has a prime and exclusive location over-viewing the Masai…

Learn More

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Situated in a wonderland which lies in the heart of one of Kenya’s…

Learn More

Lewa Safari Camp

Lewa Safari Camp has a stunning location within the wildlife / rhino…

Learn More

Loisaba

Loisaba Wilderness is outstandingly beautiful, its abundant wildlife…

Learn More

Mara Bushtops Camp

Sumptuous comfort, superb dining and insightful game viewing explains…

Learn More

Mara Plains Camp

According to recent statistics the Olare Orok Conservancy has the…

Learn More

Mara Sopa Lodge

Located on the slopes of Oloongams Hills, it is one of the first…

Learn More

Nairobi Serena Hotel

Despite its pivotal central location, the Serena remains true to its…

Learn More

ol Donyo Lodge

Ol Donyo Lodge is a family-owned lodge located on communally owned…

Learn More

Ol Tukai Lodge

Ol Tukai Lodge is one of the best spots in the world to watch…

Learn More

Richard’s Camp

Positioned on the edge of a forest overlooking the open plains of the…

Learn More

Samburu Intrepids…

Dry, rugged and stunning, Samburu’s landscape is at once stark and…

Learn More

Sarova Mara Game…

Nestled in a lush and forested enclave of the vast Maasai Mara is the…

Learn More

Sarova Stanley Hotel

Engage in the thriving heart of Nairobi at The Sarova Stanley,…

Learn More

Sarova Whitesands…

The most fun, happy, party place on the Kenyan Coast, Sarova…

Learn More

Sayari Camp

Located in the remote and exclusive northern Serengeti, stunning…

Learn More

Serena Beach Hotel…

Fringed by white beaches, and shaded by coconut palms, the silver…

Learn More

Serena Mountain…

Sailing like an ark amid the primeval forests of Kenya’s…

Learn More

Solio Lodge

Solio is one of Kenya’s most successful rhino conservation…

Learn More

Tortilis

Amboseli is best known for its unrivaled views of Kilimanjaro and the…

Learn More

Vacation Packages

10 day Kenya…

10 Days, 9 Nights
From $9900 per person based on double occupancy*
Nairobi . Amboseli NP .…

Learn More

8 day Kenya…

8 Days, 7 Nights
From $9144 per person based on double occupancy*
Nairobi . Amboseli NP .…

Learn More

Enchanting Kenya by…

9 Days, 8 Nights
From $4749 per person based on double occupancy*
Nairobi . Amboseli NP .…

Learn More

Highlights of Kenya

7 Days, 6 Nights
From $2099 per person based on double occupancy*
Nairobi . Samburu NP . Lake…

Learn More

Kenya &…

13 Days, 12 Nights
From $7099 per person based on double occupancy*
Nairobi . Masai Mara . Lake…

Learn More

Kenya Porini Safari…

12 Days, 11 Nights
From $4999 per person based on double occupancy*
Doha . Amboseli National Park…

Learn More

Kenya Safari with…

10 Days, 9 Nights
From $2399 /person based on double occupancy*
Doha . Nairobi . Samburu…

Learn More

Sheldricks’…

9 Days, 8 Nights
From $2449 per person based on double occupancy*
Nairobi . Masai Mara . Lake…

Learn More

SkySafari East…

13 Days, 12 Nights
From $15515 per person based on double occupancy*
Nairobi . Amboseli . Loisaba…

Learn More

Tours

Daphne Sheldrick…

Depart to Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage situated on the…

Learn More

Out of Africa…

Follow in the footsteps of Karen Blixen as you travel towards the…

Learn More

Tamarind Evening…

The evening on-board the Arab dhow includes a delightful meal…

Learn More