Kenya tours & vacations
Adventure is born in Kenya
Can you picture yourself heading deep into the heartland of the Maasai tribespeople and learning the adumu (jumping dance) with a local community? Or spotting the Big Five on the plains of the Serengeti? How about exploring the bustling capital of Nairobi and eating traditional Kenyan food with your fellow travelers? If you answered yes, yes and yes, Kenya promises all that... and then some. Spot iconic wildlife, travel through raw landscapes, and immerse yourself in cultural heritage with a local leader who calls this captivating country home.
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Essential East Africa
Essential East Africa
Essential East Africa
Essential East Africa
Essential East Africa
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Kenya at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Nairobi (5.3 million)
POPULATION
55 million
CURRENCY
KES
LANGUAGE
Swahili, English
TIME ZONE
(GMT+03:00) Nairobi
CALLING CODE
+254
ELECTRICITY
Type G (Irish/British 3-pin)
Learn more about Kenya
Best time to visit
Most safari destinations are at their best during the dry season from June to October when it's not too hot, rainfall is low, and vegetation is thinner, making it easier to spot wildlife. December and January are particularly popular with travelers, so expect larger crowds and higher accommodation rates.
History and culture
Archaeological findings in Kenya have revealed the remains of one of the earliest species of hominid, placing Kenya among the first places humans inhabited. Before the arrival of outsiders, Kenya was inhabited by nomadic tribes, most prominently the Maasai and the Kikuyu.
Kenya is one of Africa’s most multicultural countries, with a population as diverse as its terrain. There are more than 40 different ethnic tribes, each with its own language, culture and customs. The red-robed, beaded Maasai of the south are undoubtedly the most famous tribespeople of the region.
The Maasai and other tribes typically lead pastoral lives based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Their daily life is based on centuries of tradition, and clothing, dance, song and ceremonies keep this proud culture alive in the face of modernization.
Unique Swahili culture dominates the coastal regions, and Islam is quite common in the North. Nairobi is home to significant Indian, African and Western populations, and as a result, you’re likely to see mosques, churches and temples, taste international cuisine from all over the world and hear the sounds of Kenyan hip-hop, traditional African drumming and Western pop.
Geography and environment
Kenya is located in East Africa and shares borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Its diverse topography includes lofty mountains, dense rainforest, stark plains and soft-sand beaches.
Kenya’s crowded capital is a heaving melange of cars, buses, skyscrapers, street stalls, markets and people. The idyllic Loita Hills is the heart of Maasai country, the national parks run wild with exotic creatures, and rustic Lamu Island is a car-free piece of living history.
Overall, most Kenyans either live a fast-paced existence in Nairobi's modern metropolis or a quieter, agricultural-based life in Kenya’s rural towns and villages.
Eating and drinking
From traditional Swahili cuisine to Indian, European and Middle Eastern food, many cultures are represented in Kenya, especially in large cities like Nairobi. While the average Kenyan lives mostly on maize, beans and vegetables, tourist areas and large cities offer much more variety for visitors.
Things to eat in Kenya:
1. Seafood
Kenya’s coastal areas, such as Mombasa and Lamu, are the best places to feast on fresh crab, lobster, oysters and kingfish cooked to perfection in sumptuous spices.
2. Nyama Choma
One strictly for the carnivores, Nyama Choma is a popular Kenyan style of cooking and eating meat. Goat, beef and chicken are roasted and served on a communal cutting board, sometimes with condiments such as chilli, salt, chopped tomatoes and avocado.
3. Curries
With a significant population hailing from India, Kenya is a great place to savor spicy curries made with an East African twist.
4. Tropical fruit
For a cheap and cost-effective snack, head to the market stalls that sell a colorful array of tropical fruit. Pineapples, papayas, bananas, and passionfruit are usually plentiful in Kenya. Any fruit that you can peel is a more hygienic, easy option than the one you have to wash.
Top wildlife experiences in Kenya
1. Cheetah chase
The cheetah, the Ferrari of the animal kingdom, is the fastest land animal on the planet. This slick predator can reach speeds of up to 75 miles per hour and can accelerate to 160 miles per hour in just three seconds. Seeing a cheetah stealthily stalk, then pursue, a gazelle, springbok, or an impala is a thrilling sight.
2. Lioness kill
See how the circle of life plays out in real time. Lions might be the kings of the jungle, but in Kenya, it's the lionesses that do the hunting. Working in groups, these big cats track down prey such as wildebeest, impalas, zebras and buffalo. If you are lucky, you will see a kill.
3. Wildebeest migration
The annual migration of 1.5 million wildebeest across the grassy plains of Eastern Africa is an extraordinary spectacle of nature. The wildebeests risk drowning in rivers and attacks from big cats and crocodiles to travel nearly 1200 miles in search of food and water. Around 200,000 zebra and 500,000 Thomson's gazelle also join this boisterous group each year, making it one of the greatest shows on earth.
4. Sea of flamingos
See Lake Nakuru turn a shimmering sea of pink as millions of flamingos flock to feed in the shallow waters. The sheer amount of these long-legged creatures (among 400 species of birds that inhabit the area) is an incredible sight.
5. Elephant bath time
Elephants love water, and despite their size, they are excellent swimmers. To cool off from the scorching African sun, they splash about in lakes, paddle in rivers and give themselves a shower using their trunks. Witnessing these gentle giants having a bath is a truly memorable experience.
6. Rhino love
A baby rhino stays by its mother's side for up to five years after it is born, and during this time, the mum is extremely protective of her calf. With an adult white rhino weighing up to 6,000 lbs and reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour when charging, you don't want to get between a mother rhino and her baby.
7. Giraffe parade
It's the classic African image – giraffes striding across the African savanna at sunset, nibbling on acacia trees and carving a graceful silhouette on the orange-tinged skyline. Kenya has the biggest giraffe population on the continent, so a dusk safari to see these unique creatures is a must.
8. Hippos wallowing
One of Africa's best locations for hippo spotting is Lake Naivasha. Here, you can see large pods of these mighty animals submerged in the water and wallowing in mud. More than just social interaction, the water helps them cool down and protects their skin from drying out. With the exception of feeding, hippos spend most of their lives in the water - from childbirth and reproduction to fighting with other hippos - so it's very likely you'll see them playing in their aquatic playground.
9. Zebra crossing
For many, the highlight of the annual zebra migration is hundreds of thousands of these black-and-white-striped animals making the death-defying dash across the Mara River. Vulnerable to massive crocodiles lying in wait for a tasty meal, the zebras don't waste any time once they decide to take the plunge.
10. Monkey business
That chatter from the treetops above is most likely from cheeky colobus monkeys. As these creatures spend nearly all of their lives in the forest canopy, your best chance of spotting them is as they dart through the trees, a flurry of black and white fur. Treating branches like trampolines, they leap high into the air, then drop downward, using the long hair on their shoulders like a parachute. Listen out for males, whose croaking roars can often be heard resonating throughout the forest.
Money matters
Credit cards are usually accepted by large hotels and western-style restaurants but not by smaller vendors. Ensure you have adequate cash to cover purchases not able to be made on credit.
ATMs are easily found in large cities and tourist areas like Nairobi and Mombasa but are rarer in small towns, rural areas and villages. Be sure to have other payment methods available when venturing out of the big cities, as ATMs aren't always an option.
Many businesses and banks in Africa, especially East Africa, do not accept US dollar notes older than 2013. When exchanging USD into local currency, we strongly recommend using bills in good condition dated 2013 and onwards. The slightest marking can result in your bill being rejected, so check for torn, marked, or damaged bills.
Kenya travel FAQs
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya. For more information on eVisas, visit Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) website or see the Essential Trip Information section of your trip.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Tipping isn’t mandatory in Kenya but a little generosity will be received positively, especially considering the low wages that Kenyan service workers are typically paid. Setting aside a small amount for porters, guides and drivers is wise, as is leaving spare change at restaurants.
Kenyans dress conservatively, so it's important that you do the same to respect the local culture and customs. Dressing conservatively doesn't mean you need to cover yourself from head to toe, but you should wear long, loose-fitting clothing that covers your knees, shoulders, midriff and chest. Long layers are also more effective in keeping you cool and protecting your skin from the sun and insects.
Make sure to pack a good pair of walking shoes, sandals, a warm fleece, sun-protective gear (sunglasses, a wide-brimmed sunhat, sunscreen), and insect repellent. You'll also need a reusable water bottle, a day bag and maybe a headlamp if you're camping.
Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Kenya, and you should avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit before eating. Filtered water is provided on overland trips, and most hotels we stay in have drinking water available. Your local leader is always available to help you source safe water while on the road.
Internet connection is pretty good in Kenya’s large cities, but you should expect limited or no access in rural areas.
Mobile phone coverage is good in Kenya’s large cities and towns but less so in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated or pick up an eSIM before leaving home if you want to stay connected.
Squat/pit toilets are the standard in Kenya, except for western-style flushable toilets that are sometimes available in large hotels and other modern buildings. Carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper, as these are rarely provided.
LGBTQIA+ travelers who want to visit Kenya should exercise caution and avoid engaging in public displays of affection. That said, even public displays of affection for hetero couples can raise eyebrows.
Homosexuality is still illegal in Kenya and can be punishable by prison time. The criminalization of same-sex relationships was acquired from Britain before Kenya was granted independence in 1963 and has not been reviewed since.
Kenyan society is largely conservative, and identifying as LGBTQIA+ is often considered to be taboo. There are also no laws to protect LGBTQIA+ people against discrimination.
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveler
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to Kenya directly support our foundation partners, East African Wildlife Society and Patinaai Osim Community Care Organisation. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
East African Wildlife Society
The East African Wildlife Society aids conservation and promotes the sustainable management of natural resources in East Africa. Donations from our trips equip rangers with basic skills and tools to enhance their conservation efforts, help protect endangered wildlife and support the communities living alongside forests, wetlands and marine ecosystems.
Find out more or make a donation.
Patinaai Osim Community Care Organisation
Patinaai Osim Community Care Organisation supports Indigenous Maasai women in creating sustainable livelihoods and empowering them to rise above poverty and inequality. Donations from our trips support Patinaai Osim's livelihood programs, which help women and girls identify and take on alternative income-generating activities (such as beadwork and goat-rearing) to support their families.
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help create the most suitable itinerary for extra needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.