Kenya Safaris

Yes — most travellers need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before visiting Kenya, and it must be done online before you depart. The good news is it’s a straightforward process through the official Kenya ETA portal, and approval is usually granted within 3 working days. The fee is approx. USD 30. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates and have at least one blank page.

Don’t leave this to the last minute — sort it out a few weeks before departure. Detour Africa’s team can point you in the right direction when you book.

Please note: Visa and entry requirements can change without notice and vary depending on your nationality, passport, and travel history. The information provided here is intended as general guidance only. Detour Africa is not a visa advisory service and accepts no responsibility for any issues arising from incorrect or outdated visa information. It remains each traveller’s responsibility to confirm current entry requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government travel website before travel.

The Great Migration passes through Kenya’s Masai Mara between July and October, and it’s genuinely one of the most extraordinary wildlife events on the planet. During this window, over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle move north from Tanzania’s Serengeti in search of fresh grazing.

The Mara River crossings — where vast herds plunge into crocodile-filled water — are the iconic highlight, typically occurring between August and September. If witnessing the migration is your priority, aim for late July through September. Outside this window, the Masai Mara still offers excellent year-round Big 5 game viewing — it’s one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations in any month.

For everything you need to know about timing, camps, and tours, visit our dedicated Great Migration Safaris page.

Kenya’s official currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at lodges, hotels, and larger restaurants — particularly in Nairobi and established safari areas. It’s always worth carrying some cash in Shillings for tips, local markets, and smaller purchases where cards aren’t taken.

US dollars are also widely accepted and useful for tipping safari guides and camp staff — USD $10–$15 per person per day is a standard guideline. ATMs are readily available in Nairobi and larger towns; more remote safari areas may have limited access, so withdraw cash before heading into the bush.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country where Yellow Fever is endemic — check whether this applies to your departure country before travel.

Malaria is present in most safari and coastal regions of Kenya, including the Masai Mara and the coast, so antimalarial medication is strongly recommended — speak to your doctor or travel health clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure.

Routine vaccinations including hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus are also advisable. Kenya’s highland areas (above 2,500m) including Nairobi are generally considered low malaria risk. Always consult a travel health professional for personalised advice before your trip.

Pack light, practical, and in neutral colours — khaki, olive, and beige are the safari staples for good reason. Game drives in the Masai Mara start early, and mornings on the savannah can be surprisingly cold even in July and August, so a warm fleece or light down jacket is essential. As the day heats up, layers can come off. Essentials include a wide-brimmed hat, SPF 50+ sunscreen, UV-protection sunglasses, strong insect repellent, and binoculars — the Mara’s wide open plains make binoculars particularly rewarding for spotting distant predators. A camera with a zoom lens (300mm or longer for serious wildlife photography) will pay dividends.

Kenya has a strict single-use plastic bag ban, so leave any plastic carrier bags at home — reusable bags only.

Kenya has one of the world’s strictest bans on single-use plastic carrier bags, introduced in 2017 to protect its wildlife and environment. Bringing plastic shopping bags into the country is prohibited and can result in fines. This applies to all travellers, so make sure you don’t pack any plastic carrier bags in your luggage before flying in. Reusable tote bags or fabric bags are the practical alternative — pack a couple and you’ll be fine. It’s worth knowing about before you arrive rather than discovering it at the airport. Beyond plastic bags, Kenya is increasingly focused on sustainable tourism, and many lodges and camps operate with strong eco-credentials.

Yes — Kenya is one of the best family safari destinations in Africa, with a well-developed tourism infrastructure and wildlife experiences that genuinely captivate children and adults equally.

The Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park (famous for its elephant herds against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro), and private conservancies bordering the Mara are all excellent for families. Many lodges welcome children and offer family rooms, flexible dining, and junior ranger or conservation programmes.

Detour Africa recommends slightly slower-paced itineraries with shorter game drives for families with younger children, making the experience enjoyable rather than exhausting.

The Great Migration (July to October) is particularly special for families — it’s the kind of wildlife spectacle that creates lifelong memories.

Absolutely — and a Kenya and Tanzania combination is one of the most popular and rewarding itineraries in East Africa. The two countries share the same ecosystem: the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania are essentially one vast, connected wildlife area, and the Great Migration moves between them seasonally. A combined itinerary of 10 to 14 days typically includes the Masai Mara, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater — one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles in its own right. Many travellers also add a few days on Zanzibar at the end for beaches and culture, making it a perfect safari-and-sea combination.

Detour Africa can tailor a joined itinerary across both countries to suit your timeframe and travel style.