Karibu, welcome to KenyaEverything you need to visit Kenya.
From your eTA to the savanna. Plan a smooth, welcome arrival, whether you are here for safari, business, family or an official visit.
Your eTA, step by step
Kenya has replaced its visa stickers with a fully online Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Almost every visitor needs one before boarding. Check whether it applies to you, then follow the five steps.
Do I need an eTA?
Select your nationality for quick guidance. Always confirm on the official portal before you travel.
Guidance only. etakenya.go.ke is Kenya's sole official eTA portal, there is no other legitimate site or agent.
The eTA at a glance
- 01Apply at least 3 days before you travel
- 02Valid for a stay of up to 90 days
- 03Standard eTA is single-entry
- 04Fee is paid in USD on the portal
- 05Every traveller needs their own, all ages
- 06Approvals usually arrive within 72 hours
How to apply in five steps
Tap a step to see what to do.
Open the official portal, etakenya.go.ke, and register with your email address. Have your passport, a recent passport-style photo and your travel dates ready before you begin.
Apply yourself on the official portal, you do not need a paid agent.
Enter your personal and passport details, trip dates, where you will stay, and a Kenyan contact or hotel. Answer the travel and health questions honestly.
Check that names and passport numbers match your passport exactly.
Upload your passport bio-data page and a clear passport-style photo. Some visit types (business, study or medical) ask for a short supporting letter.
Use clear, well-lit scans; blurry uploads slow approval.
Pay the eTA fee securely by card. You will receive a payment receipt and an application reference number you can use to track your status.
etakenya.go.ke is the only official portal, never pay a look-alike site.
Approval usually arrives by email within 72 hours. Print your eTA or save it on your phone, and carry it with your passport to show on arrival.
Airlines may check your eTA before boarding, have it ready.
Entry & visa requirements
Immigration officers may ask to see any of the following. Have them ready, on paper or your phone, to clear the border quickly.
- Valid passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival, with a blank page for stamps.
- Approved eTA: Your approval, printed or on your phone, unless you are an exempt EAC citizen.
- Return / onward ticket: Evidence you will leave Kenya, a return or onward flight booking.
- Where you will stay: A hotel booking or host address, plus enough funds for your visit.
Health & vaccinations
Kenya is a healthy destination with good private hospitals in the main cities. Plan ahead for a few essentials, and see a travel clinic four to six weeks before you go.
- Yellow fever: A certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. Carry it if it applies.
- Malaria: Present in many areas. Consider prophylaxis, use repellent and sleep under a net in the lowlands and coast.
- Routine vaccines: Be up to date on the usual jabs; hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly advised for travellers.
- Food & water: Drink bottled or filtered water and eat freshly cooked food to settle in comfortably.
Customs and allowances
Most visitors pass through the green channel with nothing to declare. Know the limits, and never carry prohibited goods.
Allowed and duty-free
- Personal effects and clothing for your trip
- A reasonable duty-free allowance of alcohol and tobacco (adults)
- Camera, laptop and personal electronics
- Prescribed medicines, with the prescription or a doctor’s note
- Gifts and goods within the duty-free value limit
Prohibited or declare
- Narcotics and unlicensed drugs, strictly illegal
- Ivory, rhino horn and wildlife products, a serious crime
- Firearms and ammunition without a permit
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media
- Declare cash of USD 5,000 or more; declare plants, seeds and animal products
Getting around
From modern rail to bush airstrips, getting between cities, coast and parks is straightforward.
- Airports: Fly into JKIA (Nairobi) or Moi (Mombasa). Wilson Airport handles most safari flights.
- SGR train: The Madaraka Express links Nairobi and Mombasa in about five scenic hours. Book ahead.
- Domestic flights: Quick hops to the Mara, Amboseli, Lamu and beyond from local airlines.
- Ride-hailing & taxis: Uber, Bolt and Little run in the main cities, convenient and metered.
- Matatus & buses: Colourful shared minibuses and intercity coaches connect towns affordably.
- Driving: Kenyans drive on the left. Bring an international permit; a 4x4 suits park roads.
Book with Kenya's own providers
Reserve flights, rail and park entry directly with the national operators, the official, best-value way to travel, and the safest way to avoid look-alike resale sites.
Paying & staying connected
Kenya is a world leader in mobile money, you will rarely need much cash, and getting online is quick and cheap.
- Currency: The Kenyan Shilling (KES). Change money at banks or bureaux; keep small notes handy.
- M-PESA: Mobile money is accepted almost everywhere, from markets to matatus. Easy to set up.
- Cards & ATMs: Cards work in hotels, malls and restaurants; ATMs are plentiful in towns and cities.
- Tipping: Around 10% is appreciated in restaurants; tipping guides and drivers is customary.
- SIM & data: Buy a Safaricom or Airtel SIM with your passport, or use an eSIM. Data is inexpensive.
- Power: Three-pin Type G plugs at 240V. Bring an adapter for other regions.
Safety in Kenya
Emergency numbers
- Police · Ambulance · Fire999
- Alternative emergency line112
- Ministry, 24/7 consular+254 20 331 8888
Sensible precautions
- Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps, especially at night
- Keep valuables out of sight in crowds and on public transport
- Follow ranger and guide instructions on safari, wildlife is wild
- Check current travel advisories before and during your trip
- Register your trip with your own country's embassy in Kenya
Where the wild things are
Snow-capped peaks on the equator, the Great Migration, coral coasts and Swahili stone towns. A few of the places worth building a trip around.
Maasai Mara
Big cats and the wildebeest crossing, July to October.
Amboseli
Great herds framed by Africa's highest peak.
Diani & the Coast
White sand, coral reefs and dhow sailing.
Lamu Old Town
A car-free island of stone, sail and Swahili culture.
Nairobi
The only capital with a national park at its edge.
Lake Nakuru
Flamingo-pink shores and protected rhino.
Mount Kenya
Alpine trekking and equatorial glaciers.
Samburu
Rare northern wildlife along the Ewaso Ng’iro.
Your pre-travel checklist
Tick these off before you leave home, then download a copy to keep. Nothing is stored, it is just for you.
Frequently asked questions
Kenya has replaced visa stickers with an online Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Almost every visitor applies for an eTA before travelling; EAC citizens are exempt. Apply only on etakenya.go.ke.
Approvals usually arrive by email within 72 hours. Apply at least three days before you travel to be safe.
A standard eTA allows a stay of up to 90 days and is single-entry. For longer stays, work or study, apply for the relevant permit before you travel.
Yes. Every traveller needs their own eTA, all ages, each with their own passport.
etakenya.go.ke is Kenya’s sole official eTA portal. There is no other legitimate site or agent, and you do not need to pay a middleman.
A certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Carry it if it applies to your journey.
Kenya is a popular, welcoming destination. Take the same sensible precautions you would anywhere, follow guide instructions on safari, and check current travel advisories before and during your trip.
July to October for wildlife and the migration; March to May is the green season with fewer crowds. The coast is warm year-round.
Questions about your trip?
Reach the Ministry or your nearest Kenyan mission. In a genuine emergency, a person answers 24/7.