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Kenya is where the modern safari began, and it remains East Africa’s most iconic wildlife destination — a country where vast savannah plains meet snow-dusted equatorial peaks, and the Great Migration’s dramatic Mara River crossings play out each year between July and October.
Bordered by the Indian Ocean to the southeast, Kenya spans an extraordinary range of landscapes in a relatively compact area — from the Maasai Mara’s endless grasslands to Mount Kenya’s glaciated summit, the flamingo-lined shores of the Rift Valley lakes, and the arid, striking wilderness of the north around Samburu. Beyond the parks, its coast opens onto centuries-old Swahili towns, coral reefs, and the white sand beaches of Mombasa and Diani.
Whether you’re tracking the Big Five across the Mara, watching flamingos take flight over Lake Nakuru, or unwinding on the coast after a week in the bush, Stavo Adventures builds every itinerary around the version of Kenya that matches how you want to travel.
Select a calendar month to unlock localized destination alignments and seasonal micro-climates.
Sunny, hot days with minimal rainfall — one of the best all-round windows for game viewing, sandwiched between the short and long rains.
The driest, hottest stretch of the early year. Sparse vegetation makes for outstanding predator sightings across the plains.
The first showers of the long rains begin to arrive, greening up the landscape and drawing migratory birds from Europe.
The heaviest rainfall of the year. Some roads become difficult to navigate, but rates drop and the parks empty out almost entirely.
Rainfall begins easing toward the end of the month. The bush is at its greenest, and safari rates remain at their lowest of the year.
The dry season sets in properly. Wildebeest herds start pushing north from the Serengeti toward the Kenyan border, and grass shortens across the Mara.
The Great Migration arrives in force. Wildebeest and zebra gather in huge numbers on the banks of the Mara River before crossing — one of Africa's most dramatic wildlife spectacles.
The height of the dry season, and the height of the migration. Predator activity around the Mara River is at its most intense.
River crossings continue throughout the month, with huge herds still concentrated across the Mara's northern reaches.
Herds begin their gradual return toward the Serengeti as the month progresses, though excellent Mara viewing continues into early October.
Brief, often localized afternoon showers green up the landscape again. Crowds thin out noticeably, and elephant photography against dramatic skies is at its best.
The short rains taper off by mid-month, leaving the landscape lush and green just in time for the holiday season, with good game viewing resuming across most parks.
Everything you need to plan your Kenya trip with confidence — from getting there and getting around, to currency, customs, and what to pack.
This tool covers the most common visitor nationalities and is a general guide only — it isn't an exhaustive list of every country. eTA policy, fees, and exempt-country lists change periodically, so always confirm your specific requirements with the official eTA Kenya portal before booking travel.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa are the main international gateways. Domestic carriers such as Safarilink and AirKenya connect Nairobi efficiently to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and the coast.
Matatus (shared minibuses) connect major towns cheaply, though safari transfers are typically arranged in private 4x4 vehicles. Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) are widely available in Nairobi and Mombasa.
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) offers a comfortable, scenic alternative between Nairobi and Mombasa, taking around 4–5 hours and a popular way to combine a safari with a coastal stay.
The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the official national currency. USD is widely accepted at safari lodges, hotels, and park gates, though smaller bill denominations and newer notes are preferred.
Kenya is a world leader in mobile money, and M-Pesa is used everywhere from markets to matatus. ATMs are widely available in cities, and credit cards are accepted at most hotels and larger lodges.
Tipping is customary and genuinely appreciated. For safari guides and drivers, USD 10–20 per person per day is standard practice; hotel porters and restaurant staff appreciate smaller local tips.
Safaricom is the dominant network with the best coverage nationwide, alongside Airtel and Telkom Kenya. Local SIM cards are inexpensive and simple to register on arrival.
Wi-Fi is standard across hotels and permanent lodges in Nairobi, Mombasa, and most parks. Remote camps in areas like northern Samburu may have limited connectivity.
Kenya's country code is +254. A pre-paid local data SIM is generally the most cost-effective option for longer stays, avoiding high international roaming charges.
Kenyans place real value on courtesy and community. A friendly "Jambo" or "Habari" goes a long way, and taking a moment to greet properly before starting a conversation is genuinely appreciated.
Safari dress is entirely casual, but conservative clothing is respected in towns, particularly along the predominantly Muslim coast around Mombasa and Lamu.
Always ask permission before photographing local residents or Maasai communities, particularly around village visits. Avoid photographing government buildings, military sites, or border checkpoints.
Look out for intricate Maasai beadwork, hand-carved Kisii soapstone figures, and Kamba wood carvings, alongside colourful kanga and kitenge fabrics found in markets nationwide.
Friendly, good-natured bargaining is standard at markets and roadside stalls. Fixed pricing generally applies at established galleries, supermarkets, and shopping malls.
Nairobi's Maasai Market and the City Market are popular stops for curios and crafts; along the coast, Mombasa's Old Town offers a genuinely different shopping atmosphere rooted in Swahili trading history.
Kenya runs on 240V / 50Hz, using British Type G rectangular three-pin sockets. A universal travel adapter is worth packing regardless of your home plug type.
Remote safari camps typically rely on solar power or generators, with charging often centralised in a main lodge area rather than in individual tents.
Occasional short outages happen in some areas, particularly outside Nairobi. A portable power bank is a sensible backup for keeping cameras and phones charged.
A Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory if you're arriving from a country where the disease is endemic. Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Meningitis, and Rabies are also commonly recommended.
Malaria risk is present across most of Kenya, including the coast and Maasai Mara, though it's lower at higher altitudes such as Nairobi. Take antimalarial medication as prescribed, use a DEET-based repellent, sleep under a treated net, and cover up after dusk.
Stick to bottled or purified water, and skip ice unless you know it's made from purified water. Eat at well-reviewed restaurants and lodges, and be cautious with raw or undercooked food from street vendors.
Nairobi has Kenya's best-equipped hospitals and clinics, including several with international-standard care; healthcare in remote safari areas is limited. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential for any safari itinerary.
Kenya sits close to the equator, so the sun is strong year-round, especially at altitude in places like the Maasai Mara. Pack high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and drink plenty of water — heat exhaustion is a real risk on long game-drive days.
The Great Migration's dramatic river crossings play out in the Maasai Mara between July and October, when huge herds of wildebeest and zebra gather along the Mara River.
Outside of this window, the Mara and Kenya's other parks still offer excellent year-round game viewing, particularly for resident predators and the Big Five.
The short and long dry seasons (roughly December to March, and June to October) generally offer the easiest overall game-viewing conditions.
Booking well ahead is worth it during the July to October peak, when lodges near the river crossing points fill up quickly.
Most international travelers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Kenya, applied for entirely online before departure.
Kenya abolished visas and visa on arrival in January 2024, replacing them with the eTA system — there is no way to obtain entry clearance at the airport itself.
Citizens of East African Community countries and most other African nations are generally exempt and can travel with just a valid ID or passport.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, and apply for your eTA at least a few days before you fly.
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you're arriving from or transiting through a country where the disease is endemic.
Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for most safari and coastal areas, though risk is lower at higher altitudes such as Nairobi.
Routine vaccinations — Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus — are also commonly advised for safari travel.
Consult your local travel clinic well in advance to arrange all necessary prescriptions and certificates.
Drinking unboiled tap water isn't recommended for international visitors.
Bottled water is inexpensive and readily supplied by safari camps and hotels throughout your trip.
Use bottled or purified water for drinking as well as brushing your teeth.
Check that factory seals are intact whenever purchasing bottled water on the road.
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing in neutral tones like khaki, olive, and warm beige.
Avoid dark blue and black in areas with tsetse flies, as these colors tend to attract them.
Early morning game drives are genuinely chilly, so a warm fleece or windbreaker is essential.
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes round out a practical safari packing list.
The official currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES), used for most everyday local transactions.
US Dollars are widely accepted at safari lodges and hotels, particularly newer notes.
Credit cards work at most hotels and larger lodges, though smaller camps may be cash-only.
M-Pesa, Kenya's mobile money system, is used everywhere locally — worth knowing about even if you won't use it yourself.
Yes, domestic bush flights on carriers like Safarilink and AirKenya enforce strict weight limits due to aircraft size.
Passengers are typically restricted to around 15 kilograms, including hand luggage.
Soft-sided bags are required, since rigid suitcases don't fit in the small cargo holds of light aircraft.
Most camps and lodges offer laundry services, making it easier to pack light.
Kenya uses the British-style Type G three-pin plug, the same as much of East Africa.
Standard voltage is 240V at 50Hz.
Many remote safari camps run on solar power, with charging typically centralised in a main lodge area.
A universal travel adapter is worth packing regardless of your home plug type.
Wi-Fi is generally available in the main areas of permanent lodges and hotels.
Connection speeds in more remote parks and conservancies can be intermittent.
Mobile coverage from Safaricom is often surprisingly good across open savannah areas.
A local SIM card, picked up on arrival, is an affordable way to stay connected independently.
Tipping is customary and forms a genuine part of safari industry culture in Kenya.
A general guideline is USD 10–20 per person, per day, for your driver-guide.
General camp and lodge staff are often tipped via a communal box at checkout.
Bring clean, reasonably new US dollar bills, since older or damaged notes are sometimes refused.