Kenya Travel Guide 2027: Safari, Coast & Everything to Know Before You Go

Hi, I’m Miki – and Africa has always pulled at my heart more than almost anywhere else. Kenya is the country where that pull makes the most sense: lions on the savannah at sunrise, flamingo-pink lakes in the Rift Valley, snow on the equator on Mount Kenya, and white-sand beaches lined with palms on the Indian Ocean coast – all in one trip.

This Kenya travel guide is built the same way as all my guides: practical, honest and focused on how to spend each day well. You’ll find the regions worth your time, the best time to visit (including the Great Migration), how to get around, the 2027 entry rules, real budgets and the safari tips I wish every first-timer knew. My one-day itineraries for Kenya are coming soon – this page is your starting point.

Why Kenya should be on your list

• The classic safari – the Maasai Mara is one of the best places on earth to see lions, cheetahs and the Great Migration.
• Elephants with a view – in Amboseli, big herds walk in front of Kilimanjaro on clear mornings.
• Two holidays in one – finish your safari on the Indian Ocean in Diani, Watamu or historic Lamu.
• Easy logistics – English is widely spoken, Nairobi is a major air hub and safaris are well organised at every budget.
• Culture beyond the parks – Swahili towns on the coast, Maasai and Samburu communities and a buzzing food and art scene in Nairobi.

Kenya region by region

Kenya is big, and distances on the map are longer on the road than they look. Most trips combine Nairobi, one or two safari areas and the coast. Here’s how the country breaks down:

Nairobi

The only capital in the world with a national park on its doorstep. Use it as your base for the first and last nights: Nairobi National Park, the elephant orphanage, the Giraffe Centre and a great café and restaurant scene.

Maasai Mara

Kenya’s headline safari reserve in the south-west, plus the private conservancies around it. Open savannah, big cats and – roughly from July to October – the wildebeest migration.

Amboseli

South towards the Tanzanian border, famous for elephants and the view of Kilimanjaro. Smaller and easier to combine with Tsavo on the way to the coast.

Rift Valley lakes

Lake Naivasha for boat trips and walking safaris (Crescent Island, Hell’s Gate), Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos. A good stop on the road to the Mara.

Mount Kenya & Laikipia

Africa’s second-highest mountain, cool highland air, rhino sanctuaries and quieter conservancies in Laikipia; further north, Samburu brings rare dry-country species.

The coast: Mombasa, Diani, Watamu & Lamu

Old Town Mombasa and Fort Jesus, the long white beaches of Diani, marine park snorkelling in Watamu and car-free, Swahili-flavoured Lamu Old Town.

Best places for a perfect day in Kenya

• Nairobi in one day: morning game drive in Nairobi National Park, late-morning visit to the elephant orphanage, afternoon at the Giraffe Centre and dinner in Westlands or Karen.
• Maasai Mara: a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch – during the migration, head towards the Mara River and be patient at the crossing points.
• Lake Naivasha: a boat ride with hippos and fish eagles, then a walking safari on Crescent Island among giraffes and zebras.
• Amboseli: sunrise drive for the clearest Kilimanjaro views, elephants at the swamps, and a slow afternoon at the lodge.
• Mombasa: Fort Jesus, a walk through the narrow lanes of Old Town and Swahili street food in the evening.
• Lamu: no cars, just donkeys and dhows – explore the Old Town on foot and take a sunset dhow trip.

Best time to visit Kenya

Kenya sits on the equator, so temperatures are pleasant year-round – it’s the rains that shape your trip. The long dry season from late June to October is peak safari time and overlaps with the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara. January to February is a second dry window with great game viewing and fewer crowds.

How many days do you need in Kenya?

For a first trip, 8–12 days lets you combine a proper safari with a few days on the coast. Here are three routes I’d recommend:

5 days: Nairobi & the Maasai Mara

• Day 1: Nairobi – national park, elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre.
• Days 2–4: Maasai Mara – full days of game drives (fly in to save time, or drive via the Rift Valley viewpoint).
• Day 5: back to Nairobi for your flight.

8–9 days: the classic safari circuit

• Day 1: Nairobi
• Days 2–3: Amboseli for elephants and Kilimanjaro views
• Day 4: Lake Naivasha – boat trip and walking safari
• Days 5–7: Maasai Mara
• Day 8: return to Nairobi

12–14 days: safari & beach

• Nairobi → Maasai Mara (3 nights) → Lake Naivasha or Nakuru
• Amboseli or Tsavo → Madaraka Express train or flight to the coast
• 4–5 days on the coast: Diani or Watamu, with a day in Mombasa Old Town – or fly to Lamu for something slower.

Getting to Kenya and getting around

Arriving

Most international flights land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Mombasa (MBA) has some international and many domestic connections. Allow plenty of time for the airport road – Nairobi traffic is notoriously slow at rush hour.

On safari

Most visitors explore the parks on a guided safari in a pop-up-roof 4×4 or minivan, either as a group or privately. Self-driving is possible but roads to the parks can be rough, and a good guide makes a huge difference to what you see.

Domestic flights

Small planes fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to airstrips in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Lamu and the coast. They save a long day on the road, but have strict soft-bag luggage limits – check them before you pack.

By train: the Madaraka Express

The SGR train links Nairobi and Mombasa in roughly 5 hours on the express service (the stopping Inter-County train takes about 6). Economy is good value and often sells out, so book ahead; stations generally accept cards or M-Pesa rather than cash. Note that the Nairobi terminus is outside the city centre.

In towns

Use ride-hailing apps such as Uber or Bolt in Nairobi and Mombasa. Matatus (minibuses) are cheap and colourful but crowded and fast – fine for short urban hops if you’re confident.

Entry rules for Kenya in 2027

Kenya dropped classic tourist visas in January 2024 and replaced them with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Most visitors – including travellers from the EU, UK and US – must apply online before departure.

• eTA: apply only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke). The fee has been around USD 30 per trip – confirm the current fee on the portal. Each eTA covers one trip.
• Apply early: processing is often quick, but it isn’t guaranteed – applying at least two weeks before you fly is the safe choice.
• Exemptions: citizens of East African Community partner states and a few other categories are exempt – check the official list.
• Passport: valid for at least six months from arrival, with blank pages (carry two to be safe).
• Yellow fever: a certificate is required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Talk to a travel clinic about yellow fever, malaria prevention and routine vaccines well before your trip.
• Travel health insurance: in late 2026 the eTA portal began asking for inbound travel health insurance, while a court suspension of the rule was reported. Have good travel insurance with medical evacuation cover either way – read why travel insurance matters.

Money and daily budget

Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES). Cards work in hotels, malls and restaurants in the cities, but mobile money rules everyday life: M-Pesa is accepted almost everywhere, from taxis to market stalls. A local SIM with M-Pesa is worth setting up on day one. Carry some cash for tips and small purchases; US dollars are often used for safari and lodge payments.

Safaris are the big cost. Park and reserve fees alone add up fast – for example, the Maasai Mara’s non-resident adult fee rose to USD 200 per 24 hours from July 2026 (USD 100 earlier in the year). Many operators include park fees in their package prices, so compare like with like.

Tipping is expected on safari: budget for your driver-guide and camp staff, and ask your operator for current guidelines.

What to eat and drink in Kenya

• Nyama choma – slow-grilled goat or beef, often shared with friends and a cold Tusker.
• Ugali – the maize-meal staple, eaten with stews and sukuma wiki (braised greens).
• Pilau & biryani – fragrant spiced rice dishes, especially good on the coast.
• Swahili coastal food – coconut fish curry, samosas, mandazi (sweet fried dough) and grilled seafood.
• Chapati – soft flatbread with almost everything.
• Kenyan tea & coffee – sweet, milky chai everywhere, and world-class coffee from the highlands.

Tap water isn’t safe to drink – stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth.

Safari tips for first-timers

• Choose the guide, not just the price. A great guide finds animals, reads behaviour and keeps you safe.
• Consider a conservancy. Private conservancies around the Mara limit vehicle numbers and often allow walking and night drives.
• Go out early. The first and last hours of the day are the best for predators and light.
• Pack neutral colours and layers. Mornings on game drives are surprisingly cold, middays hot.
• Use soft luggage if you fly between parks – hard suitcases often aren’t allowed on small planes.
• Respect the animals: stay in the vehicle unless your guide says otherwise and never ask drivers to crowd a sighting.

My honest local tips

• Dial 999 or 112 in an emergency.
• Plugs are Type G (British three-pin), 240 V – pack the right adapter.
• Use ride-hailing apps at night in cities rather than walking or hailing random taxis.
• Keep valuables out of sight in crowded areas and check your government’s current travel advice, especially for border regions in the north and east.
• Ask before photographing people, and expect to agree on a small fee in some communities.
• Plastic bags are banned in Kenya – don’t pack single-use carrier bags.
• Learn a few Swahili words: jambo (hello), asante (thank you) and pole pole (slowly, slowly) go a long way.

Beyond the border: combining Kenya with more of Africa

Kenya combines naturally with Tanzania: the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti are the same ecosystem, and many trips add Zanzibar’s beaches. Uganda and Rwanda are popular for gorilla trekking. If you’re building a bigger Africa journey, start with my Africa travel guides – including North Africa favourites like Chefchaouen in one day and my 10-day Morocco itinerary. Travelling alone? Read my story on a solo adventure in Dakar for inspiration.

Work with me

Safari lodge, tour operator or tourism board in Kenya?

I create honest, practical one-day itineraries read by travellers planning their next trip – plus photos, drone shots and Instagram stories from the road. I’m open to collaborations with lodges, camps, safari operators, hotels, restaurants and destinations across Kenya: sponsored itineraries, destination features, press trips and social media campaigns.

Work with me Get in touch

Kenya travel FAQ