Kenya Quick Guide

Want to have an exotic trip to Kenya? The most recommended way to enjoy your travel to Kenya is through a great Kenya Travel Guide. A good travel guide can assist you through every step of your Kenya Safari, including determining your itinerary and making arrangements for the rest of your tour. When choosing your travel guide, make sure that it has clear instructions on accommodations, local culture and food, as well as a list of hotels and restaurants in all areas of Kenya. Your guide should also have knowledge of all destinations in Kenya, so that you can plan accordingly.

Kenya is indeed a colorful and amazing country with lots of top things to do and see. It is home to numerous spectacular wildlife, from majestic elephants and zebras on the savanna to giraffes in the Masai Mara to alpine grassland on the coast. From Nairobi, the hub of Kenya's tourist industry, visitors head to the Maasai Mara Reserve to see the wild elephants and other animals in their natural habitat. From there, they can head to Serengeti National Park to witness the wildebeests at the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater or go out west to explore Lake Nakuru, one of the world's largest and deepest lakes.

One of the top things to do in Kenya is to climb the world's highest mountain, which is Kipolehoe. Besides the adventure and thrill of scaling a mountain, you will get to view some of the beautiful flora and fauna as you go up the mountain. The Great Rift Valley region offers stunning scenery in the winter, where you can have your photo opportunities from the snow-capped peaks in the distant background. You can also take a trek to the world's highest national park, in Maasai Mara, to have a closer encounter with animals and enjoy an unforgettable safari.

Kenya safari offers travelers a chance to see the different cultures and lifestyles of Kenya's indigenous tribes. You can start your safari in Mombasa, capital of Kenya, where you can visit Masai Mara and other key areas. Masai Mara is known for its wild animals and is a popular destination among hunters. There are several game parks in the area and you can observe lions, rhinos, leopards and various other wildlife in their natural habitat. The world's highest waterfall, Lake Nakuru, is also a popular attraction in the region and offers amazing photographic views.

East Africa is home to another spectacular wildlife sanctuary where tourists can have close encounters with elephant, buffalo and zebra. You can enjoy close encounters with these animals by a safari in Kenya and Tanzania. The Serengeti National Park is located in eastern part of Kenya and is one of the best places in Africa to view huge herds of elephants, giraffes and wildebeests. The nearby Maasai Mara Game Reserve offers great opportunities to spot elephants, antelopes and wildebeests.

The Maasai Mara has also been named as one of the best places in Africa where you can view wildebeests. It is an unspoiled wilderness and there are no commercial camps in the area. It is truly a wonderland and offers the opportunity to observe some of the oldest wildlife in Kenya. The Ngorongoro crater is another important geothermal site in Kenya where you can find geothermal pools, hot springs and hot mud pools where animals like hippos and crocodiles lay their belly. You can have a relaxing massage in one of the hot mud pools at Ngorongoro crater. This is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in Kenya where you can enjoy game viewing from various angles.

The Great Rift Valley is another popular wildlife destination in Kenya with scenery that ranges from majestic cliffs to grasslands. If you are a nature lover then you will simply love the stunning greenery, vegetation and fauna of this place. This is another popular safari destination where tourists can have close encounters with zebras, lions, elephants, deer and many other animal species. There are several lodges and camps available here where you can stay comfortably.

You can also visit Kenya's largest city, Nairobi. It is the commercial capital of Kenya and has the world's tallest building. The graceful skyline and the colonial buildings of Nairobi remind people of their past. While visiting Nairobi city you can go for safari tours that give you an insight into the local wildlife. Among the most popular animals that are found in the wild in Nairobi are the big five as well as the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and cheetah.

What vaccinations do I need?

Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Kenya are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Is it safe to travel?

Best time to visit?

The best wildlife viewing months in Kenya are during the Dry season from late June to October. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in July and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Do I need a Visa?

You need a visa to enter Kenya. You can either get a visa on arrival at the airport, or before you travel.You can apply for single entry and transit visas on the evisas website.

See which forms you may need for entry into Kenya.

What currency do i need?

The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Kenya you can grab amazing Kenyan Shilling deals via Wise.com (GBP to KES).

What about the wildlife?

Elephant, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, lion, rhinoceros, giraffe, hyena, jackal, antelope, warthog, wildebeest, baboon, monkey, zebra, hippopotamus, giraffe, Grevy's zebra, vervet monkey, Colobus monkey, leopard.

What is the traditional food?

Swahili food? Although there is not a specific national cuisine, there are two national dishes: ugali and nyama choma. Maize (corn) is a Kenyan staple and the main ingredient of ugali , which is thick and similar to porridge. Many Kenyans eat this on a daily basis.

What Languages are spoken?

Swahili serves as a national language of Kenya. You can learn some basic Swahili before you travel to Kenya and really impress the locals!

How much do you tip?

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (Tip what you feel is appropriate and what has been deserved, and please tip in Kenyan Shillings as most staff find it difficult to change foreign currency, and they lose some of their hard earned tip in commission to the money changer. Also please note they cannot change foreign coins at all.).

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Useful Numbers

  • Police: 999
  • Ambulance: 999
  • Fire: 999
  • UK Embassy: +254 20 2873000

Time Difference

The GMT time difference is 3 hours

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Learn Swahili

Learn some Swahili before your trip to Kenya


Kenya Guidebook

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