Kenya: the Mara, the Migration & the cradle of safari

Most international flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi); Moi International (Mombasa) serves the coast. Nairobi is the main safari hub.

• Domestic & bush flights — light-aircraft networks (such as SafariLink and AirKenya) connect Nairobi's Wilson Airport to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and the coast, saving long drives on rough roads. Expect a strict luggage limit of around 15 kg in a soft-sided bag. The 15 kg limit includes all hand luggage and camera backpacks combined, and bags must be strictly 100% frameless / structureless (no rigid bottoms or wheels), otherwise they will be rejected by bush operators (SafariLink, AirKenya) due to Cessna Caravan cargo pod shapes — check with your lodge before you pack.
• Note: Travellers connecting between international flights (JKIA) and safari flights (Wilson Airport) to allow at least 3 to 4 hours minimum transfer time due to frequent and severe Nairobi traffic bottlenecks between the two airports.
• Private safari vehicles — most safaris are done in a 4WD with a driver-guide, often as a set itinerary between lodges. This is the easiest and most rewarding way to travel.
• Self-drive is possible but less common for first-timers; roads vary and signage can be poor. Driving is on the left.
• In Nairobi, use ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, Little) rather than hailing taxis on the street, and avoid travelling after dark where you can.

The currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES, written KSh).

• US dollars are widely accepted for safaris, park fees, lodges and tipping — bring clean, newer notes (generally series dated 2013 or later) as old or worn US bills are often refused. Pay for everyday, local purchases in shillings.
• Cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at hotels, lodges and larger establishments; smaller shops, markets and rural areas are cash-only.
• ATMs are common in towns and cities — use ones at banks or inside malls, shield your PIN, and tell your bank you'll be travelling so your card isn't blocked.
• M-Pesa — Kenya's mobile-money system is everywhere and used for everything from taxis to tips. It needs a local Safaricom SIM; handy for longer or independent trips.
• Carry some cash for tips, markets, curio stalls and park gates.

See your GP or a travel clinic about 6–8 weeks before you leave.

• Malaria — present in most of Kenya below about 2,500 m, including the major safari parks, the Rift Valley lakes and the coast. The risk is low in central Nairobi and at high altitude (such as the upper slopes of Mount Kenya). Most travellers should take prescription anti-malarial medication and prevent bites with repellent, long sleeves and trousers at dusk.
• Yellow fever — Kenya is a yellow-fever risk country, and a vaccination certificate is required if you're arriving from, or have transited (usually 12 hours or more) through, another yellow-fever-risk country. Even when not required for entry, the vaccine is recommended for most travellers to Kenya — ask your doctor; it must be given at least 10 days before travel.
• Other vaccines — make sure routine vaccinations are current; many travellers also add hepatitis A and typhoid, and your doctor may discuss others.
• Food & water — drink bottled or filtered water and be sensible with food.

Insurance: good private hospitals exist in Nairobi but care is expensive and remote areas may need air evacuation, so comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is essential.

Smartraveller advises Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Kenya overall, due to the threat of terrorism and the level of crime — but the established safari circuit and tourist areas see the great majority of visits pass without trouble.

• Higher-risk areas — Smartraveller advises against travel to the Kenya–Somalia border region and parts of the north-east and coast near it. Check the current map on Smartraveller before booking, as safari areas like the Mara, Amboseli and Samburu sit well away from these zones.
• In Nairobi and the cities — keep valuables out of sight, don't walk around after dark, use ride-hailing apps at night, and use ATMs inside banks or malls.
• Terrorism — there is an ongoing threat; stay alert in crowded public places and follow local advice.
• On safari — lodges, camps and reserves are well-run and safe; follow your guide's instructions around wildlife.

Emergencies: dial 999 or 112 for police, ambulance or fire. Save your lodge's number and the High Commission details below.

Kenya's two official languages are Swahili (Kiswahili) and English, and English is used in business, signage and tourism — so you'll get by easily. A few words of Swahili go a long way: jambo (hello), asante (thank you) and karibu (welcome).

Kenyans are warm and hospitable, and greetings matter — take a moment to say hello before getting down to business. Dress modestly in towns and at the coast (much of the coast is Muslim), keep beachwear for the beach, and choose neutral colours on safari. Always ask before photographing people, and be aware that photographing government buildings, airports and military sites is prohibited. Same-sex relationships are criminalised under Kenyan law, so LGBTQIA+ travellers should be discreet.

• Mobile coverage (4G) is good in cities, towns and many tourist areas, though it drops out in remote parks and conservancies — part of the appeal.
• Wi-Fi — most lodges and hotels have it, but it can be slow or limited to common areas.
• SIMs & eSIMs — a prepaid local SIM (Safaricom has the widest coverage) is cheap and also unlocks M-Pesa; bring your passport to register. eSIMs are a convenient alternative if your phone supports one.
• Power — supply can be intermittent in remote areas, but good camps run on solar or generators; bring a power bank for long game-drive days.

Last verified: 29 June 2026. This guide is researched from official and authoritative sources and reviewed by Explore Africa. Visa, health and safety rules can change — always confirm the current advice before you travel.

Key sources:

• Smartraveller (Australian Government): smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/kenya
• Kenya eTA official portal: etakenya.go.ke
• Australian High Commission, Nairobi: kenya.highcommission.gov.au
• US CDC Travelers' Health: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT): dfat.gov.au/geo/kenya