Travel Guide to Kenya 2026: Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Diani Beach & Nairobi
Planning to visit Kenya? This travel guide to Kenya covers everything for a first trip: where Kenya is, the best time for safari and the Great Migration, the eTA entry rules, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day safari and beach itinerary, realistic costs, health and safety advice and the best hotels and universities. From the Maasai Mara and the elephants of Amboseli under Kilimanjaro to Nairobi's giraffes, the white sands of Diani Beach and the Swahili old town of Lamu, Kenya is the home of the classic African safari.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to Kenya were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Kenya
- Capital: Nairobi💡 The only capital with a national park inside the city limits
- Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES)💡 M-Pesa mobile money is everywhere. Check today's rate
- Languages: Swahili and English💡 Plus more than 40 local languages
- Population: About 57 million💡 2026 estimate
- Area: 580,367 km²💡 About 2.4 times the size of the UK
- Time zone: UTC+3💡 East Africa Time, no daylight saving. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 8💡 Including Mount Kenya, Lamu Old Town, Fort Jesus and Gedi (2024)
- Power: 240 V, plug type G💡 The same three-pin plug as the UK
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to Kenya are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is Kenya?
Kenya straddles the equator in East Africa. It borders Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan and Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the north-east, with about 500 km of Indian Ocean coastline. The Great Rift Valley cuts through the country, and Mount Kenya (5,199 m) is Africa's second-highest peak; Kilimanjaro rises just across the border in Tanzania. Lake Victoria lies in the west.
Nairobi is about 8.5 hours from London and a regional hub for flights across Africa. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
📅 Best Time to Visit Kenya
The best time to visit Kenya is the long dry season (July to October), with clear skies, easy wildlife viewing and the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara. January to February is the short dry season: hot, sunny and perfect for the beach and Mount Kenya. The long rains (March to May) bring green landscapes and low lodge prices, though some camps close, and the short rains (November to December) are great for birdwatching. Altitude keeps Nairobi and the Mara mild all year.
Peak safari and the Great Migration.
Hot and dry; beach and mountain season.
Long rains; green and cheap.
Short rains; birdwatching and baby animals.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to Kenya to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 Kenya Visa & Entry Requirements (eTA)
eTA for most visitors: Kenya replaced visas with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Citizens of the USA, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia and most other countries must apply online before travel; the standard single-entry eTA costs about US$30 and allows stays of up to 90 days. Apply at least 3 days ahead (decisions usually take up to 72 hours). Citizens of East African Community countries and many other African nations are exempt or pay no fee.
- PassportValid at least 6 months from arrival, with a blank page.
- East Africa Tourist VisaA US$100 multiple-entry visa covering Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
- Yellow feverA certificate is needed if you arrive from a yellow fever risk country, and the vaccine is recommended for some regions.
- Main airportsNairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO) and Mombasa (MBA); safari flights leave from Nairobi's Wilson Airport.
🔗 Official sources: Kenya eTA (official) · Magical Kenya (official tourism). Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking and avoid paid look-alike sites.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to Kenya were last checked in October 2026.
🦁 10 Best Places to Visit in Kenya
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Kenya, with the best months to see each one.
Big cats, the Great Migration and Maasai culture.
💡 Best time: Jul–OctBig-tusked elephants with Kilimanjaro behind them.
💡 Best time: Jun–Oct, Jan–FebNairobi National Park, the Sheldrick elephant orphans and the Giraffe Centre.
💡 Best time: All yearBlack rhinos, the last two northern white rhinos and chimpanzees.
💡 Best time: Jun–Oct, Dec–MarRhinos, flamingos, hippo boat rides and Hell's Gate cycling.
💡 Best time: All yearRare northern species such as Grévy's zebra and reticulated giraffe.
💡 Best time: Jun–Oct, Dec–MarWhite sand, kitesurfing and coral reefs on the south coast.
💡 Best time: Dec–Mar, Jul–OctA car-free Swahili town of donkeys and dhows (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Nov–MarTreks to Point Lenana (4,985 m) in a UNESCO park.
💡 Best time: Jan–Feb, Jul–OctRed elephants and vast wilderness on the way to the coast.
💡 Best time: Jun–Oct🗺️ 7-Day Kenya Itinerary: Safari & Beach
A classic first trip: Nairobi, the Maasai Mara by light aircraft, and the beach at Diani. Book a guided safari; self-driving in the Mara is not recommended.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Kenya day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Nairobi: arrive; the Giraffe Centre and dinner in Karen.
- Nairobi to the Mara: the Sheldrick elephant orphans, then a flight to the Maasai Mara.
- Maasai Mara: full-day game drive (river crossings July–October).
- Maasai Mara: sunrise balloon safari (optional) and a Maasai village visit.
- Diani Beach: fly to the coast via Nairobi or Mombasa.
- Diani: snorkelling at Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park or kitesurfing.
- Depart: relax on the beach, then fly home via Mombasa or Nairobi.
➕ With more time: add Amboseli for Kilimanjaro views, Ol Pejeta for rhinos, Lamu for Swahili culture, or the SGR train from Nairobi to Mombasa through Tsavo.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to Kenya Cost?
Kenya ranges from budget camping safaris to some of the world's finest lodges. Park fees are a big part of the cost. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding international flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | US$120–200 | Group camping safaris, guesthouses and matatus |
| Mid-range | US$300–550 | Safari lodges or tented camps with drives and meals |
| Luxury | US$900 + | Exclusive conservancy camps and flying safaris |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to Kenya are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
🎟️ Maasai Mara and national park entry fees for foreign adults are charged per person per day, so check the latest rates when you book. Conservancies around the Mara limit vehicles and give a quieter experience. Tip safari guides about US$10–20 per person per day.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Kenya
Most safari and beach visits to Kenya are safe. In Nairobi and Mombasa, watch for pickpockets, avoid walking at night and use ride apps or hotel taxis. Several governments advise against travel to areas near the Somali border and parts of the north-east; check your government's advice. Health: take anti-malarial medication for the coast and lowlands, use insect repellent, drink bottled or filtered water, and check vaccines with a travel clinic. Plastic carrier bags are banned and can be confiscated.
Buy a Safaricom SIM and pay by phone almost everywhere.
Kenya enforces a strict ban.
Safari flights often allow only 15 kg in soft luggage.
Repellent, long sleeves at dusk and medication.
Always ask people, especially Maasai, first.
"Jambo" (hello) and "Asante sana" (thank you).
🏨 Best Hotels & Safari Lodges in Kenya: 8 Top Picks
Stay in Karen or Westlands in Nairobi, in a Mara conservancy for quieter game drives, and on Diani or Watamu for the beach.
Giraffes join you at breakfast.
Check prices on Booking.com →A Nairobi landmark since 1904.
Check prices on Booking.com →Glass-fronted tents high above the Mara.
Check prices on Booking.com →Tents on a bend of the Mara River.
Check prices on Booking.com →Kilimanjaro views inside the park.
Check prices on Booking.com →A waterhole camp in the rhino conservancy.
Check prices on Booking.com →Swahili-Arab architecture on the south coast.
Check prices on Booking.com →A classic resort by the Watamu Marine Park.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Kenya: hotels and lodges are picked for location, reputation and a spread of safari and beach stays. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in Kenya
Kenya is East Africa's education hub, with strong public universities and respected private institutions.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nairobi | Nairobi | Public |
| Kenyatta University | Nairobi | Public |
| Strathmore University | Nairobi | Private |
| Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology | Juja | Public |
| Moi University | Eldoret | Public |
Kenya's oldest and largest university.
Visit website →Strong in education, health sciences and the environment.
Visit website →Known for business, IT and law.
Visit website →A leading technical and engineering university.
Visit website →Known for medicine and the Rift Valley region.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Kenya: the leading universities in Kenya by reputation and research. Last checked: October 2026.
🥁 Kenyan Culture & Food
Kenya has more than 40 ethnic groups, including the Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin, Kamba, Maasai and Samburu, and the Swahili culture of the coast. Long-distance running from the Rift Valley highlands is a national pride, and Kenya's matatu minibuses, music and art scenes give Nairobi its energy. National holidays include Madaraka Day (1 June) and Jamhuri Day (12 December).
Try nyama choma (grilled meat) with kachumbari salad, ugali with sukuma wiki greens, coastal pilau and coconut fish curry, mandazi doughnuts, and a cup of Kenyan chai or world-famous Kenyan coffee.
❓ Travel Guide to Kenya: FAQ
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
Most visitors, including US, UK, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens, need an online eTA (about US$30) before travel.
When is the Great Migration in Kenya?
Usually July to October in the Maasai Mara, with river crossings in August and September.
What is the best time to visit Kenya?
July to October for safari; January to February for safari plus beach.
Is Kenya safe for tourists?
Most safari and beach areas are safe; take care in cities and avoid regions near the Somali border.
How much does a Kenya safari cost?
From about US$120 a day on budget camping safaris to US$900+ in luxury camps.
How many days do you need in Kenya?
Seven days covers Nairobi, the Maasai Mara and the beach.
Do I need malaria tablets for Kenya?
They are recommended for the coast and lowland areas; ask a travel clinic.
What currency does Kenya use?
The Kenyan shilling (KES); US dollars are accepted for many safari costs.
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Kenya
- Magical KenyaOfficial tourism board
- Kenya Wildlife ServiceNational park information and fees
- UNESCO: KenyaWorld Heritage Sites in Kenya
Finished this travel guide to Kenya? 🌍 More East Africa guides: Tanzania · Uganda · Rwanda · Ethiopia · South Africa
⚖️ Compare Kenya with other countries in Compare Countries.
🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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