36 Kenya

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General Tips

Game drives in Masai Mara for wildlife viewing and the Great Migration. Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (elephant orphanage) in Nairobi. Feed giraffes at the Nairobi giraffe centre. Mount Kenya offers excellent hiking opportunities. Snorkel in coral gardens along the coast. Explore centuries-old forts and old town alleys in Mombasa. Diani Beach is great for relaxation. Try nyama choma (grilled meat) and ugali.

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Visa and Entry (eTA)

All visitors must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before travel at etakenya.go.ke. The processing fee is USD 30. Standard processing takes 3-5 days. Kenya no longer issues traditional visas; the eTA system replaced it in 2024.

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Currency and M-Pesa

The official currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). Kenya is the home of M-Pesa mobile money, used everywhere from taxis to street vendors. Tourism-related costs are often quoted in US dollars. Get a Safaricom SIM with M-Pesa for seamless payments.

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SIM Cards and Connectivity

A Safaricom SIM card costs only 100-200 KES (about USD 1-1.50) and is available at airport kiosks. Safaricom has the best coverage nationwide. You can add data plans from the SIM. Registration requires a passport.

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Tipping on Safari

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, leave 5-10% of the bill. For safari guides, KES 500-1000 per day is customary, often given in US dollars. Tip camp staff collectively at the end of your stay.

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Electricity and Plugs

Kenya uses Type G plugs (British three-pin) with 240V/50Hz. Bring an adapter. Power outages are common, especially in rural areas. Pack a portable power bank for safaris and remote areas.

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Getting Around

Matatus (minibuses) are the main public transport, very cheap but often overcrowded. Nairobi's authorized taxis have a yellow stripe. Use ride-hailing apps like Bolt or Uber for safer rides in Nairobi. For safaris, organized tours with 4x4 vehicles are essential.

1

Nairobi City & Wildlife

📍 Nairobi

Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in the morning to watch orphaned baby elephants being fed, then head to the Giraffe Centre in Karen to hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes. Explore the Nairobi National Museum and grab nyama choma at Carnivore Restaurant, one of Africa's most famous eateries.

2

Masai Mara Safari

📍 Masai Mara

Depart early for the Masai Mara National Reserve, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive across the savanna. Spot the Big Five -- lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino -- along the Mara River where crocodiles bask on the banks. Stay at a tented camp for an authentic bush experience under the African stars.

3

Masai Mara & Maasai Village

📍 Masai Mara

Take a sunrise game drive for the best wildlife photography when predators are most active, then visit a Maasai village to learn about traditional customs, beadwork, and the jumping dance. In the afternoon, enjoy a second game drive through different sectors of the reserve to maximize sightings.

4

Lake Nakuru & Amboseli

📍 Lake Nakuru

Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its flocks of flamingos lining the alkaline lake and resident white rhinos. Take a game drive around the lake circuit, spotting waterbuck, baboons, and leopards in the surrounding acacia forest. Continue south toward Amboseli with views of Mount Kilimanjaro emerging on the horizon.

5

Amboseli & Mombasa Coast

📍 Amboseli / Mombasa

Enjoy a morning game drive in Amboseli National Park with its iconic backdrop of snow-capped Kilimanjaro rising above herds of elephants crossing the dusty plains. Fly or drive to Mombasa and explore Fort Jesus, a 16th-century Portuguese fortress, then wander the narrow lanes of Mombasa Old Town before relaxing on Diani Beach.