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First time in Kenya?

Kenya travel guide for first-time visitors

The essentials in the order you need them — from the eTA to park fees — each with its source, then ready-made routes you can open in the planner.

1. Before you fly: the eTA

Who needs Kenya's eTA, who is exempt and for how long, the documents to have ready, and how long approval takes — from the official portal.

Read the full guide: Entering Kenya: the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)

2. When to go

Kenya's two rainy seasons, when the wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara, and what that means for planning.

Read the full guide: Best time to visit Kenya

3. Getting around

The Nairobi–Mombasa train, domestic flights from Wilson Airport, and realistic road times between Kenya's main destinations.

  • The Madaraka Express runs between Nairobi Terminus and Mombasa Terminus. The Inter-County train stops at Mariakani, Miasenyi, Voi, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi, Emali and Athi River; the afternoon and night trains stop only at Voi.

    Information status: Verified

  • Kenya Railways lists departures at 8:00 am, 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm, leaving both ends at the same time.

    Information status: Verified
Read the full guide: Getting around Kenya

4. Park entry fees

Who pays which rate at Kenya's national parks and the Maasai Mara, how seasons and children's ages change the fee, and what costs extra.

  • The Kenya Wildlife Service charges different daily entry fees for four groups of visitors: East African citizens, Kenya residents, African citizens and non-residents.

    Information status: Verified

  • East African citizens and Kenya residents pay in Kenya shillings; African citizens and non-residents pay in US dollars.

    Information status: Verified
Read the full guide: Kenya park entry fees explained

5. Money, phones and language

Kenya's currency and banknotes, what you need to register a local SIM card, the official languages, and the plastic-bag ban — from official sources.

  • Kenya's currency is the Kenya shilling (KES). The Central Bank of Kenya issues banknotes of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 shillings.

    Information status: Verified

  • In 2024 the Central Bank began issuing an updated series of all five banknotes, with new signatures, the year 2024 and a colour-changing security thread, starting with the 1,000-shilling note. It stated that all banknotes then in circulation remain legal tender, so you may be handed both the older and the 2024 notes.

    Information status: Verified
Read the full guide: Money, phones and language in Kenya: the practical basics

6. If you drive yourself

Which side Kenyans drive on, the legal speed limits, roundabouts, and what the tourism board says about licences — from Kenyan law and official sources.

  • In Kenya, traffic flows on the left side of the road, so you drive on the left.

    Information status: Verified

  • The Traffic Rules require drivers to keep to the left side of all roundabouts, unless a police officer or a traffic sign directs otherwise.

    Information status: Verified
Read the full guide: Driving yourself in Kenya: the rules of the road

7. Ready-made itineraries

Routes from a weekend to two weeks, each checked for drive times and park fees.

See all 8 itineraries · Plan your own trip · Ask a question