You’ve booked your flights and we’ve put together an awesome trip for you – What’s next?
Here are some handy tips and what to expect in Kenya 🇰🇪
Kenya Travel Advice
🛂 Apply for your Kenya ETA at least 5 days before travel – The eVisa system can take several days to approve!
🚑 Kenya now mandates a $44 travel health insurance per person – Paid as part of your eVisa application.
👀 Make sure your passport has 2 blank pages and is 6 months from expiry
🩺 Travel health and recommended vaccinations here
🔎 Keep an eye on travel alerts from your home country E.g FCDO
📱Get an eSim for Roaming – Saily for affordable packages, or HolaFly for unlimited data
💡Alternatively, buy a local Safaricom sim so you can also use Mpesa mobile money. Top tip: Go outside of peak hours & take your passport!
🧳 Safari Pack List
- Soft duffel bags are required for domestic flights (15kg checked, 5kg hand bag)
- Neutral coloured clothes (avoid white)
- Comfy sports shoes & breathable socks
- Warm sweater / puffer evenings
- Waterproof jacket, day bag and boots if you plan on hiking
- Breathable long-sleeve shirt for game drives
- Sunscreen, aftersun, polarised sunnies and a good hat – Kenya gets hot! ☀️
- Sleepmask and earplugs – Don’t be afraid to take a siesta! 💤
- Refillable water bottle & electrolytes!
- Strong Deet-based insect repellent – Apply day & night! 🦟
- Torch / headlight
- Portable power bank
- Lip salve
- Biodegradable wet wipes
- Savlon or antiseptic cream
- Sanitiser
- Kenya has UK-style triple plugs
- Most safari lodges offer complimentary laundry
National Park Fees – Create an account on KWS eCitizen, select your park and pay online to beat the queues at entry gates, Or ask the Uncover concierge to do this for you 😊
NB Maasai Mara, Lewa and Ol Pejeta have their own park entry systems – Your guide will assist!
Safari Code of Conduct
- Keep your Distance! Maintain a respectful >25 meter distance (1 swimming pool or 5 x Landcruisers) to not disturb wildlife – Don’t hoot, flash lights or whistle to get their attention!
- Stick to the Roads: Some safari guides may go off-road to get closer to the action – Off-roading destroys fragile grasslands and will get you a hefty fine – Don’t do it folks!
- Respect Speed Limits – Often 40kph (25mph) or less. Don’t be the group that hits a wild animal..
- Leave no Trace: This is an easy one, take all your trash back to camp and don’t use plastic. No camping fires unless approved by a ranger
- Vehicle Etiquette: Stay in your car, except at designated points. This also means no standing on roofs or hanging out of windows.
- Noise Control: Keep your noise levels to a minimum to avoid stressing animals and other visitors. No music!
- Open Hours: National parks are typically open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Night game drives are prohibited in most national parks.
- Don’t Feed Animals: They do perfectly well without us!
- Community Respect: Show respect for local culture, customs and traditions. You’re in their home.
- Guide Authority: Always listen to your guide, and don’t pressure them to break the above rules.
- Tip Well: A 10% tip is expected, but feel free to tip more if your guide does a great job!
👙NB If you’re in Lamu or another predominantly Muslim destination, dress respectfully and cover your shoulders and knees with a local Kikoi – No bikinis / speedos! ❌
💲Tipping Culture
10% of total is a decent tip at restaurants / bars / guides – More is fine for great service!
You can leave $20 per person in the staff tip box at lodges so it gets shared.
If you’re staying at a private home with staff, $10 per guest per staff member is expected.
So for 5 guests, you’d pay $50 to each staff member Or give the total amount to the head of house to distribute
KES is preferred for private villa staff, USD is fine for guides and lodge staff.
You can give taxis, motorbike bodas and boat drivers $1-5 tips for short trips (optional)
💵 Cash & Cards 💳
Change out $100-200 per person, per week into Kenya Shillings for souvenirs, taxis & tips – Do this at home, not at the airport 😉
Most hotels, restaurants, bars and shops accept Visa & Mastercard – No AMEX!
Safety 🛟
Kenya is generally regarded as safe and super friendly but use your common sense and don’t:
- Walk around alone at night, especially ladies – Buddy up!
- Use your phone on the side of busy roads
- Wear flashy jewelry
- Leave your bags or drinks unattended in busy bars or clubs
🚕 Getting Around
Nairobi rush hour is real – Avoid weekday peaks between 7 – 9am and then 4.30 – 7pm
Uber and Bolt operate in Nairobi and other major cities – But expect 5-10 min wait times, especially during peak hours.
💡Top tips: ‘Chap Chap’ is our cheap and cheerful option (small cars) so opt for ‘Comfort’ for larger, newer cars.
‘Boda Bodas’ are motorbike taxis but NB they don’t provide ride helmets and can be a little hectic!
📞 Useful Numbers
Ambulance Hotline: Dial 999
St Johns Private Ambulances: +254 742 777999
AMREF Flying Doctors (Medical evacuations) +254 20 699 2222
Kenya National Police Hotline: +254709 570 000 (Whatsapp enabled)
Get Local! 🇰🇪
Check out our Uncover Destination Guides for local tips & recommendations
Plenty of quick info on our Insta..
And for everything else, you can whatsapp our Concierge Team 🤓