Masai Mara wildebeest migrations, Amboseli with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, Diani beach, and some of the most accessible safaris on Earth. The UK's favourite African adventure.
Kenya is the UK's most popular safari destination — around 200,000 Brits visit annually, mostly for the Masai Mara between July and October when the Great Migration brings millions of wildebeest and zebra across the plains. Nairobi is the hub, but most of the magic is in the game reserves.
Classic itineraries: 3–4 days Masai Mara (the Big Five plus the migration), 2–3 days Amboseli (elephants with Mt Kilimanjaro behind them), and either Tsavo, Samburu, or Lake Nakuru (flamingos). Many add a beach week in Diani or Lamu on the Indian Ocean coast.
Kenya is a mid-to-high priced safari destination — high-quality lodge-based safaris run £300–£600/person/day all-inclusive. Budget camping options from £150/day. Tanzania's safaris are similar but slightly pricier.
Direct flights from Heathrow only. Other UK cities connect via Amsterdam, Nairobi or the Gulf.
| Visa (UK passport) | eTA required — apply online at etakenya.go.ke for ~$50 (about £40), usually approved within 3 days. Valid 90 days from issue, single entry. Apply 2+ weeks before travel. Kenya replaced its visa system with eTA in 2024. |
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| Currency | Kenyan Shilling (KES, Ksh). 1 GBP ≈ 165 KES. US dollars widely accepted for safaris, tips, park fees. ATMs in Nairobi/Mombasa reliable. |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) — 3 hours ahead of UK winter, 2 hours ahead UK summer. No DST. |
| Language | English + Swahili official. English widely spoken — you won't need Swahili but a few greetings (jambo, asante) go a long way. |
| Best months | July–October (Great Migration in Masai Mara). January–March also excellent for wildlife. |
| Flight times from UK | NBO 8h 30m direct · Mombasa via NBO · Masai Mara via NBO + light aircraft |
| Plug type | Type G — the same as UK! No adaptor needed. Rare perk for African travel. |
| Health | Yellow fever NOT required for UK arrivals but useful. Malaria prophylaxis strongly recommended (Malarone/doxycycline). Hep A, Typhoid advisable. |
July–October is the Great Migration peak in Masai Mara — wildebeest and zebra crossings at the Mara River are one of nature's great spectacles. January–March is the dry "short season" — excellent wildlife viewing, fewer tourists, and baby animals born. April–May and November are the "long rains" and "short rains" — lush landscapes but many camps close, roads get muddy.
Great Migration, dry, peak wildlife. Priciest.
Dry, warm, low crowds, great value. Newborn wildlife.
Heavy rain, muddy, many camps shut.
Yes. Kenya requires an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) since 2024 — apply at etakenya.go.ke for ~$50 (£40), processed within 3 days. Single entry, 90 days from issue. Apply 2+ weeks before travel and print the approval. Your passport must be valid 6+ months after arrival.
The Kenyan Shilling (KES, Ksh). 1 GBP ≈ 165 KES. US dollars (post-2009 issue, in good condition) are widely accepted for safari tips, park fees and in upmarket hotels. Bring small denomination notes for tips. M-Pesa is the dominant local payment method but works only with Kenyan SIM cards.
Yes — malaria exists year-round in most of Kenya below 2,500m altitude. The UK NHS and Fit For Travel recommend Malarone (atovaquone-proguanil) or doxycycline for travellers. Start 1–2 days before travel, continue throughout and for 7 days after return. Nairobi itself (at 1,700m) is lower risk but safari areas are higher risk. Yellow fever vaccine not required if coming directly from UK but useful.
July–October for the Great Migration in Masai Mara — dramatic wildebeest river crossings happen mostly August and September. January–March is another dry season with excellent wildlife viewing, fewer crowds and better prices. Avoid April–May and November (long and short rains — camps close, roads bad).
8 hours 30 minutes direct with British Airways or Kenya Airways from Heathrow. Flights leave evenings and arrive early morning, perfect for heading straight to safari. Via Dubai/Doha/Amsterdam adds 4–6 hours.
Safari areas, beach resorts (Diani) and hotel zones are generally very safe. Nairobi has street crime — use Uber/Bolt rather than walking at night, especially around the CBD and Eastleigh. The Somali border region and parts of the coast near Lamu have terrorism risks — check UK FCDO advice before travel. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is essential.