LGBTQIA+ travellers are those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, plus queer or questioning, intersex or asexual individuals. It also includes those who identify beyond these commonly used sexuality and gender expressions. Kenya is considered to be a fairly safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers, but there are certain situations and issues that may present themselves to queer couples or travellers who identify with one or more of these terms when visiting Kenya.
Is Kenya safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers?
Like many countries in Africa, homosexuality is still illegal in Kenya. The criminalisation of same-sex relationships was acquired from Britain before Kenya was granted independence in 1963, and it has never been reviewed. The majority of Kenyan society is religious and conservative, and trans and non-binary gender identities are also considered taboo. The legal issues surrounding Kenyans who identify as trans or non-binary are ambiguous, but they may experience public discrimination and there are no protections against housing or employment discrimination.
Kenya is not considered to be an 'LGBTQIA+ friendly' destination when compared to western countries due to the laws and attitudes towards the queer community, but it's still relatively safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers. Despite the criminalisation of homosexuality, there is more tolerance of travellers who identify as LGBTQIA+ due to the importance of the country's tourism industry. Queer travellers and couples are unlikely to experience any issues if they avoid public displays of affection such as kissing, hugging or holding hands. That said, public displays of affection for hetero couples are also frowned upon. As long LGBTQIA+ travellers display some discretion and respect the local culture, they will have no problem visiting Kenya.
Queer travel in Kenya
Many hotels, lodges and public sites have private or all-gender bathrooms, but there may be occasions when the only option is to use a gendered bathroom. Same-sex couples can usually book a room with a double bed without being questioned, and LGBTQIA+ travellers can expect the same attitudes as hetero travellers when staying at one of the big, globally recognised hotel chains. There isn't an established queer scene in Kenya, but Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, has a vibrant nightlife scene and there are more and more bars introducing queer-safe zones or rooms for the LGBTQIA+ community. This is a much safer option than going to a regular club or bar.
We recommend you visit Equaldex and/or Smartraveller before you plan your Kenya trip for up-to-date advice and information about LGBTQI-related laws.
Solo travel and room sharing
If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a traveller of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know when you're booking your trip and we’ll arrange the rooming accordingly. There is also the option to book your own room on some tours if you don't wish to share a room.
Our Kenya tours
8 Days
From
26674
Roam the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, camp beside Lake Victoria and spot Africa's...
7 Days
From
54124
Embark on a seven-day Premium journey through Kenya’s wild grasslands and vast plains...
16 Days
From
52238
Encounter the wildlife of Kenya and Uganda on this 16-day adventure including a gorilla...
15 Days
From
179020
Embark on a 15-day Premium Adventure through Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana...
15 Days
From
149577
Discover the best of Kenya and Tanzania on a Premium adventure through the Masai Mara,...
31 Days
From
357745
Set off on the adventure of a lifetime through Africa on a 31-day Premium journey,...
12 Days
From
36708
Experience the beauty of the Ngorongoro and Serengeti, Usambara Mountains and Zanzibar...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
27 Days
From
96386
Go deep in East Africa on this 27-day trip including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
13 Days
From
127224
Search for Gorillas in Uganda, uncover the history of Rwanda, and explore the wild...
8 Days
From
18803
Experience Kenyan wildlife on an eight day trip travelling from Nairobi to Lake...
15 Days
From
42756
Uncover Kenya and Tanzania on a 15-day trip with Serengeti safaris, Ngorongoro, Nakuru,...
10 Days
From
51912
Travel through East Africa from Kenya to Tanzania, stopping at the Masai Mara, the...
15 Days
From
87163
Explore the wonders of Tanzania and Kenya including a trek to the summit of Mt...
63 Days
From
182109
Set out on a mighty African adventure through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe...
10 Days
From
26359
Hit the (dirt) road through Kenya and Tanzania. Safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro...
20 Days
From
61718
Step out onto the Serengeti and keep your eyes out for rhinos, lions, leopards and a...
13 Days
From
33597
Explore the wildlife-rich plains of Kenya and Tanzania and then unwind in Zanzibar....
42 Days
From
125188
Explore Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe on a 42-day trip including a...
12 Days
From
31269
Get a true taste of eastern Africa on a 12-day trip to Zanzibar, the Serengeti,...
48 Days
From
103943
Tour Africa's best from Kenya to Cape Town through Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zimbabwe...
28 Days
From
76627
Discover East African wilderness and the animals that call it home on an adventure...
43 Days
From
143165
Take a 43-day trip through eastern Africa, via Victoria Falls, the Serengeti and...
27 Days
From
70992
Explore the wilds of East Africa on this 27-day trip from Nairobi to the Serengeti,...
9 Days
From
30252
Explore Tanzania on this nine-day trip travelling to Nairobi via the Serengeti and the...
18 Days
From
137445
This 18-day tour hits Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania for tracking gorillas in...
27 Days
From
104192
Spend 27 days exploring the wonders, wildlife and tribal cultures of East Africa to...
49 Days
From
108117
Experience the ultimate African adventure on this 49-day tour including Kenya, Botswana...
16 Days
From
88745
Explore the wonders of Tanzania and Kenya including a trek to the summit of Mt...
52 Days
From
170305
The waterways of Botswana, the beaches of Zanzibar, the savannahs of the Serengeti and...
15 Days
From
77025
Explore the wonders of Tanzania and Kenya including a trek to the summit of Mt...
31 Days
From
89544
Take a 32-day tour through Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and...
8 Days
From
26220
Track your way across the plains of Kenya on this thrilling safari, covering Nairobi,...
8 Days
From
32063
Experience the people, culture and wildlife of Kenya and Tanzania on a small group...
13 Days
From
63612
Travel through East Africa from Kenya to Tanzania, stopping at the Masai Mara, the...
9 Days
From
31820
Marvel at East Africa from Nairobi to Stone Town on a nine-day trip with safaris, hikes...
3 Days
From
20845
Travel to Kenya and visit Nairobi. Embark on a journey across the Great Rift Valley to...
64 Days
From
196045
This 64-day journey with explores Southern Africa in detail including Botswana, Kenya,...
21 Days
From
250767
Search for Gorillas in Uganda, uncover the history of Rwanda, explore the wild plains...
16 Days
From
64746
Experience the people, culture and wildlife of Kenya and Tanzania on a small group...
37 Days
From
106448
Travel the waterways of Botswana, the beaches of Zanzibar and the savannahs of the...
37 Days
From
462010
Set off on the adventure of a lifetime through Africa on a 37-day Premium journey,...
Read more about queer travel
Aug 31, 2022
Navigating the Western Balkans as a...
The Balkans is a beautiful – but complicated – part of the world. Blogger Chantel...
Apr 10, 2022
Where to celebrate Pride in Europe 2023
Get ready for parades, parties and a whole lot of pizzazz.
May 29, 2022
6 queer-friendly destinations for...
For LGBTQIA+ travellers, finding queer-friendly destinations isn’t always easy....
Mar 15, 2022
Here’s what I learned as a queer...
As someone who’s openly queer, travelling to a conservative country like Jordan...
Aug 29, 2017
The best cities in Europe for LGBTQI...
While much of Europe is welcoming and safe for LGBTQI travellers, here’s a list of...
Jun 23, 2017
5 LGBTQI-friendly travel destinations...
For years, LGBTQ travellers have flocked to the usual suspects of queer-friendly...
Oct 17, 2018
Why I can be myself on group tours,...
The type of individual who travels with tour operators or signs up to sleep in a...