Are you thinking of going on a Kenya holiday? If so, have a read of our tips below, which will tell you all the best advice you need to know before traveling to Kenya.
We will keep this as short and simple as possible!
1 – Do I Need a Kenya Visa?
East Africa Visa
If you were planning on visiting Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda in one trip, then we highly recommend applying for The East Africa Visa.
With this visa, you can enter Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda multiple times within a 3-month time frame for 100 USD.
- If you leave any of these 3 countries within the 3-month validity, the visa will no longer be valid.
- Apply for the East Africa Visa online from the country’s website of the country you are planning to enter first. For example, if you are flying into Kenya then you must apply for your East Africa Visa through the Kenyan website.
- Make sure to have the visa printed off in color. If you do not have this print you may be charged up to 30 – 50 USD at the border crossing.
- Kenya requires a Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate. However, this requirement does change regularly, so check for the latest medical updates and requirements.
Kenya Visa
Were you to only visit Kenya, then you do not need an East Africa Visa. But, you MUST have a granted E/visa before departure. That means – no visa on arrival!
Kenya was our favorite country on our Africa trip and we stayed until the last day on our visa.
The Kenya E-Visa is valid for 90 days and will cost you 51 USD. (The Majority of African visas are around 50 USD) Again, allow yourself plenty of time to apply, and most importantly, be granted the E-visa.
To apply for a Kenya Visa use the official website – www.evisa.gov.ke
2 – What are the Best Attractions in Kenya?
You will be spoiled for choice for things to do on your Kenya Holiday, let’s take a look.
Best Things to do in Kenya: Safaris
After travelling from Cairo to Cape Town, Happy Irish Wanderers are confident to say that Maasai Mara is the best African safari to do.
From the low cost, sighting of the Big 5 (along with SO many more), and the utter value for money – Massai Mara genuinely ticked all the boxes for our perfect safari experience.
For full information on our magical Massai Mara safari as well as the cost breakdown check out our post below.
If you don’t feel up to a multiple day safari, an alternative option could be a half-day game drive through Nairobi National Park, located just outside the city of Nairobi. Once you arrive at Nairobi National Park, you’ll start your 4-hour game drive in an open-roofed van, perfect for getting a 360-degree view of the scenery.
Our final Kenya Safari recommendation is an Amboseli National Park Safari. The park is famous for being the best place in the world to get close to free-ranging elephants. What is particularly special about this park are its views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
Best Things to do in Kenya: Hikes
Mount Longonot is a volcano that last erupted in the 1860s and now sits dormant in Longonot town about 60 km northwest of Nairobi Kenya’s capital.
Longonot comes from a Maasai word “Oloonong’ot” which means mountain of many steep ridges because of the mountain’s many steep ridges. And yes it has MANY, steep ridges!!
The WOW factor of this hike began before we even started to ascend the volcano as Mount Longonot slopes are home to a couple of wild animal species that include; gazelles, zebras, giraffes, and many more.
We couldn’t believe we were just walking passed these amazing wild animals!!
While in the area, why not visit Hell’s Gate National Park? This stunning attraction is located south of Lake Naivasha. You can hire a bicycle to explore the park in its entirety at your own pace. Cycle among freely roaming wildlife safely as there are NO predators.
Explore gorges, climb rocks, view wildlife, enjoy a nature walk, and have a picnic in the park’s plains. Hell’s Gate is one of the best rock-climbing destinations in Kenya.
Find everything you need to know about hiking Mount Longonot here.
Best Things to do in Kenya: Nairobi
Nairobi is the country’s largest city and capital. What sets Nairobi apart is its proximity to wildlife, with the Nairobi National Park offering a rare opportunity to witness wild animals against the backdrop of a bustling city.
If you are looking to bring gifts/souvenirs home then Nairobi markets will have everything you need.
Experience the real Nairobi as never before with this unique guided tour! Meet your guides and the city’s best storytellers, who were brought up in the heart of Nairobi as former street children, as together you explore the city’s Downtown region.
Nairobi’s National Museum is a must-visit for those interested in exploring the depth and diversity of Kenya’s culture, art, history, and nature.
At an extra fee, you’ll also gain access to the snake park, offering the chance to observe and, if fortunate, even handle a rarely sighted chameleon!
To find out if we really think Nairobi is worth visiting click here.
Best Things to do in Kenya: Kenya Beaches
Kenya pleasantly surprised us with some of the most breathtaking beaches we’ve encountered.
We spent nearly two months exploring six different destinations along the Kenyan coast. Each beach we visited was more beautiful than the last.
3 – When is the Best Time to Visit Kenya?
Ultimately, the best time to visit Kenya can vary based on personal preferences, desired activities, and specific regions within the country.
It’s advisable to consider the weather and what you wish to experience to determine the perfect time for your Kenya Holiday.
Wildlife Safaris: The dry seasons from late June to October and from late December to March are excellent for wildlife viewing. This period sees less rainfall, making it easier to spot animals congregating around water sources in national parks like Maasai Mara and Amboseli.
Great Migration: If witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration in Maasai Mara is a priority, the best time is usually from July to September. This is when millions of wildebeest, zebra, and other animals cross from Tanzania’s Serengeti into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. We were a few weeks too early for the Great Migration but that did not stop our Maasai Mara safari from still being one of the most amazing experiences!
Beach Holidays: Kenya’s coastline experiences its dry season from November to March, making it ideal for beach vacations and water activities. Although, we were along Kenya’s coast in June and July and had lovely weather!
4 – What is The Currency in Kenya?
The currency used in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling, abbreviated as KES.
At the time of writing 100 KES is around the 0.60 cent mark. Take note that not all hotels or shops will accept cards, cash is king!
5 – How Much Should I Budget for Kenya?
This is an extremely personal question to answer and has so many factors to consider but let’s give it a go!
First, questions to consider:
Are you a backpacker and long-time traveler who counts your pennies and chooses local food/transport to manage your budget?
Are you on a splash-out holiday where you do not want to think about budgeting and just want to have an awesome time staying in resorts and drinking cocktails?
Luckily, Kenya has something to offer for all budgets.
5.1 – Kenya Budget: Accommodation
During our almost 9-month Cairo to Cape Town trip, the best accommodation we found and for the greatest value was Kenya accommodation.
During our two-month stay along the Kenyan coast, most of the places we lodged at had swimming pools, each costing less than 20 Euros per night. We enjoyed beachfront resorts and even found accommodations with private pools for under 30 Euros per night.
All these Kenya accommodations came with kitchen facilities. Our experience with accommodations in Kenya was fantastic and undoubtedly offered the best value we encountered in Africa.
5.2 – Kenya Budget: Food
We loved the food in Kenya. Given that we are travelling long term this was mainly due to their Delis – the delicious delis!
Most supermarkets had fresh delis where you can purchase delicious meals of a wide variety. For example, you could purchase curries, stews, fresh vegetables, potatoes, and much more at a very low cost which suited us perfectly!
Of course, we still enjoyed the Kenya street food as we do in each country we visit. These street foods are commonly found in markets, busy streets, and roadside stalls throughout Kenya.
They offer a delicious, convenient, and of course, cheap way to experience authentic Kenyan flavours.
5.3 – Kenya Budget: Alcohol
Alcohol is readily available in bars, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and liquor stores across the country. Alcohol is cheap with a bottle of beer in a bar costing less than 2 euros.
6 – Transport – Getting Around During Your Kenya Holiday?
In Kenya, various modes of transport cater to different needs and regions. Some of the main modes of transport include:
- Matatus: These are privately owned minibusses or vans that serve as the main mode of transportation for both short and medium distances within cities and towns.
- This is mostly how we got around Kenya and the fun part is that the prices never seemed to make sense. For example, we would pay 2 Euro each for a 4-hour bus journey from Lake Naivasha to Nairobi but then pay the same price for a half-hour journey from Mombasa train station to the town centre. We thought we were just being scammed but turned out honest (we watched what others were paying!)
- Trains: A train journey from Nairobi to Mombasa is an unforgettable opportunity to witness Kenya’s beauty. The SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) offers a comfortable and scenic way to travel between these two major cities. Most importantly, this more efficient and much more comfortable train was cheaper than getting a matatu, plus we saw wild elephants along the way! Do you see what we mean about the prices not making any sense?!
- Buses: Larger buses operate both within cities and intercity routes. They provide a more standardized and often safer option for travel between major towns and cities. These are best booked at a travel agent’s office.
- Taxis: Taxis are available in urban areas and can be hailed on the street or hired through apps like Uber or local taxi companies.
- Boda Bodas: These are motorcycle taxis commonly found in urban areas and rural towns. They provide a quick and affordable means of transport for short distances but can sometimes be risky due to safety concerns.
- Air Travel: Domestic flights operate between major cities and some smaller towns, providing a quicker option for long distances or reaching more remote areas within Kenya. This could be the top choice if you are on holiday and are tight on time.
Each mode of Kenya transport has its own advantages and considerations in terms of cost, convenience, comfort, and safety.
The choice of transportation often depends on the distance, location, budget, and personal preferences of the traveler.
7 – Can you use ATMs in Kenya?
ATMs are widely available in cities, towns, and tourist areas throughout the country.
*There are no ATMs in or near Maasai Mara so make sure you are prepared with extra cash if you plan on purchasing some souvenirs, extra snacks, or alcohol.
8 – What Socket Type to use During Your Kenya Holiday?
For Kenya, the plug type is plug type G. This is the same one used in Ireland and the UK.
In case you don’t know what that is, it’s the plug with three rectangular pins in a triangle shape.
It is not uncommon for Kenya to experience power cuts. Often these are only short-lived, but sometimes it can take up to a few hours for electricity to be restored.
*Multi Travel Adapter – so you are prepared for any plug type!
9 – Is Kenya Safe?
Our answer is yes, 100% Kenya is safe to visit. Some of the friendliest and most chilled-out people we have ever met were the locals in Kenya.
Hakuna Matata is the real deal here! Not once did we ever feel unsafe, even when walking through unlit local areas.
The only thing you need to be aware of is the possibility of being approached by a person to purchase an item, buy food, or simply just to give money.
This is not done in any aggressive manner, however, there are instances where the persistence continues even after you decline, which can cause discomfort.
These encounters occur mainly in the coastal towns. However, being aware and politely yet firmly stating that you’re not making a purchase at this time but are more than happy to talk can resolve it positively.
This leads one of two ways – resulting in a lovely conversation or prompting the person to walk away, either way, it’s a win win! Do not feel pressurized to purchase something you do not want.
Always trust your gut in regards to your own safety as with anywhere in the world.
10 – Learn Basic Words
Kenya is a multilingual country with many different languages used within its borders. Of these languages, Swahili and English are the two official languages.
Yes, you can absolutely get away with just speaking English in Kenya however it is always fun to learn some new words, especially Swahili which we found to be super fun and easy to learn!
- Hello – Jambo (or) Hujambo (to one person) / Hamjambo (to multiple people)
- Thank you – Asante (Asante sana – Thank you very much)
- Hakuna Matata – No Worries
- Habari gani? – How are you?
- Mzuri sana! – Very well
- Poa – cool (Poa sana – excellent)
- Yes – Ndiyo
- No – Hapana
- Please – Tafadhali
- Goodbye – Kwaheri (or) Kwaherini (to multiple people)
- Sorry/Excuse me – Samahani
- Mzungu – A white person (you will hear this a lot!)
11 – What SIM Card to Use For Your Kenya Holiday?
When getting a SIM card in Kenya, you’ll need to provide identification so don’t forget to bring your passport. SIM cards are available for purchase at various retail outlets, official stores of the network operators, as well as at the international airports in Kenya.
We went with Safaricom and simply visited a Safaricom retail outlet when we arrived in Nairobi and they had us up and running in no time.
Each provider offers different data, call, and text packages, so it’s recommended to compare their offerings to find the best fit for your needs while in Kenya.
12 – What Packing Essentials Do You Need For Your Kenya Holiday?
This is the same list we recommend for the majority of African travels (and travel in general).
- Warm Gear – It gets cold in places such as Maasai Mara and Naivasha so bring warm gear
- Head torch – for electricity outages.
- Dry bag – handy for beach days, protection of everyday items if it rains!
- Battery pack – for those long bus journeys as well as electricity outages.
- Download apps such as Google Translate, Google Maps, and Booking.com.
- Utilize budget apps such as TravelSpend to keep track of your spending.
- Multi Travel Adapter – so you are prepared for any plug type!
You can find the full list of our travel tips here.
13 – Is Kenya Worth Visiting?
I’m sure you can guess by now that we loved our trip to Kenya, staying until the last day our visas allowed! We would have stayed longer and will no doubt be returning one day.
From the people, the delicious food, the luxury accommodation at affordable prices. The breathtaking natural landscapes, ranging from stunning beaches to adventurous volcano hikes, captivated us.
And, let’s not forget the absolutely incredible wildlife encounters during our safari, which were truly out of this world.
In case it is not yet clear, our answer to “Is Kenya Worth visiting?” is another enthusiastic “100%” absolutely Kenya is worth visiting.
We couldn’t rate Kenya higher and it is now at the top of the list as one of our favorite countries.
Enjoy Your Kenya Holiday!
There is nothing left to do but book that trip and find out for yourself. We are certain that you won’t regret it.
If you have any questions then leave us a comment below, and don’t forget to check out our socials.
Hakuna Matata!
Slán go fóil
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