Kenya travel guide
Kenya is safari country, but it offers far more than game drives. In one trip you can watch wildebeest cross the Mara River, see elephants beneath Mount Kilimanjaro at Amboseli, snorkel off the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean and wander the Swahili lanes of Mombasa's Old Town before a few days on a palm-fringed beach. Nairobi is the capital and gateway, with a national park at its edge, elephant and giraffe sanctuaries and a lively food scene. The Maasai Mara and Amboseli are the headline safari parks, Nakuru brings flamingos and Rift Valley scenery, and the coast offers Mombasa, Diani Beach, Malindi and Watamu for beaches and history. The dry seasons, roughly June to October and January to February, are the main times for safari, while the coast is warm all year. Kenya suits first-time safari-goers, families, couples and beach lovers, and Zippy Trips can help you plan the itinerary city by city.
Capital: Nairobi.
Before you go to Kenya
- Currency
- KES KSh
- Emergency number
- 999
- Plug type
- Type G
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard
- ATM fees
- KES 400-600 per withdrawal for foreign cards, plus your home-bank fee
Cities in Kenya
- Nairobi Kenya's capital and safari gateway — a national park on the city edge, elephant and giraffe sanctuaries, museums and a lively food scene.
- Mombasa Kenya's historic Indian Ocean port — UNESCO-listed Fort Jesus, a Swahili Old Town, and the palm-lined beaches of Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu.
- Diani Beach A palm-fringed white-sand beach on the south coast near Ukunda, known for kitesurfing, coral reefs and the Colobus monkeys of Diani forest.
- Nakuru Rift Valley town beside Lake Nakuru National Park — flamingos, rhino sanctuary, the vast Menengai Crater and prehistoric Hyrax Hill.
- Maasai Mara Kenya's flagship safari destination — big-cat country and the stage for the Great Migration river crossings between July and October.
- Amboseli Elephant country beneath Mount Kilimanjaro — Amboseli National Park offers Kenya's classic big-tusker and snow-capped-mountain backdrops.
- Watamu Small coastal town on Kenya's north coast, about 17 km south of Malindi, built around its own UNESCO-listed Watamu Marine National Park,…
- Malindi Historic Swahili and Portuguese-heritage coastal town on Kenya's north coast, with its own marine national park, old-town waterfront and…
Frequently asked questions about Kenya
- What currency is used in Kenya?
- The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling. ₹1 is about 1 KSh.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Kenya?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Kenya?
- Tipping in Kenya: optional. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Kenya?
- Drink bottled water.
- What plug type does Kenya use?
- Kenya uses Type G plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Kenya?
- Emergency: 999. Police: 999. Ambulance: 999. Tourist helpline: 020 2711262.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Kenya?
- SIM and eSIM available in Kenya.
- What is the capital of Kenya?
- The capital of Kenya is Nairobi. Time there: IST - 2 h 30 min.