Best coverage nationwide and required to use M-Pesa. Buy at the airport with your passport.

Cheaper data bundles — a good second option in cities.

Set up data before you arrive (no M-Pesa though). Handy for the first hours.

Mobile money is king in Kenya — pay shops, taxis, even rent. Register with a Safaricom SIM (passport needed).

Carry some cash (KES)

Small vendors, matatus and markets are often cash-only. Keep small Kenyan shilling notes.

Cards (Visa / Mastercard)

Accepted in hotels, malls and bigger restaurants. Amex is rare. Notify your bank before travel.

Not mandatory but appreciated in restaurants if a service charge isn’t already added.

Kenya uses the UK-style 3-pin plug. Bring an adapter.

Languages: Swahili & English

English is widely spoken; a few Swahili words (“Jambo”, “Asante”) go a long way.

Kenya travel guide — visa, safety & best places

Best to know · 33 tips

Before you go, when you land, once there

Reviewed by Corners on July 9, 2026. Sources named on each.

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4 required things left to sort

Tick as you go — your progress is kept on this device. The rest is comfort.

required only

eTA — required before travelRequired📄 Entry & DocsKenya replaced visas with an Electronic Travel Authorization (since Jan 2024). EVERY visitor must apply online before departure. EAC citizens are exempt.Source · etakenya.go.ke (official)official site

Passport valid 6+ monthsRequired📄 Entry & DocsYour passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.

Yellow fever certificateRequired💉 HealthRequired if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission; recommended otherwise. Carry the certificate.Source · WHO / consult a travel clinic

Health notices, live

Level 2 — Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Nigeria · Level 1 — Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease in Kenya

CDC Travel Health Notices + WHO Disease Outbreak News — consult a travel clinic; the official sources prevail

Google Maps (offline)Recommended Must-have appsDownload Nairobi/your regions offline — data can drop outside cities.

WhatsAppRecommended Must-have appsThe default way businesses, guides and hosts communicate in Kenya.

Proof of onward travelRecommended📄 Entry & DocsA return/onward ticket is sometimes requested on arrival.

Malaria preventionRecommended💉 HealthRisk at the coast and around Lake Victoria (low in Nairobi’s highlands). Ask a doctor about prophylaxis + use repellent.

Routine + Hep A / TyphoidRecommended💉 HealthBe up to date on routine vaccines; Hepatitis A and Typhoid are commonly advised for Kenya.

Travel insuranceRecommended💉 HealthCover medical care and evacuation (useful for safaris and remote areas).

GlovoGood to know Must-have appsFood and grocery delivery in Nairobi and other big towns.official site

Drink bottled / filtered waterGood to know💉 HealthTap water isn’t reliably potable — stick to sealed or filtered water.

Last reviewed 2026-07-09. Entry, health and safety rules change — always confirm with official sources (and a travel clinic for vaccines) before you travel.

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