Visas and Entry Requirements

Anyone travelling to Kenya is required to fill in an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) form prior to arrival online at: https://etakenya.go.ke/

 

Passports MUST be valid for at least six months (we recommend nine) from your departure from East Africa to home. There must be at least TWO consecutive blank VISA pages in the passport (not endorsement pages). All travellers requiring a visa will need to apply for an e-visa in advance and no visas will be issued on arrival. For more information visit www.evisa.go.ke

Please do contact the embassy or consultant in your home country to reconfirm visa requirements, as they change often. Visa Central is also a good resource for further information.

To view country specific visa requirements, view our Ololo Safaris Travel Guide.

 

Important Notice - Please note that, from 6^th October 2026, Kenya requires all foreign visitors to hold mandatory travel health insurance, purchased during the ETA application or in advance on eCitizen: https://insurance.ecitizen.go.ke/dashboard

 

Health and immunisation

Yellow fever vaccination recommendations and entry requirements vary depending on your destination, travel history and itinerary.

 

For travel to Kenya, a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is generally required for travellers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission, including certain airport transits through these countries. Travellers arriving directly from countries without yellow fever transmission risk are generally not required to present a certificate.

 

All travelers should visit their personal physician or travel clinic at least 6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you have the necessary vaccinations for travel in Africa. If you have been vaccinated, carry your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), commonly known as the Yellow Fever Card, throughout your travels.

 

Entry requirements can change, so please check the latest advice before departure through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC Yellow Fever Travel Guidance.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate comprehensive travel insurance in place for yourself and any dependants or travelling companions for the full duration of your trip. As a minimum, your policy must provide cover for:

 

Compulsory Insurance:

- Emergency medical expenses

- Emergency medical evacuation

- Repatriation expenses

Recommended Insurance:

- Trip cancellation and curtailment/interruption

- Loss, theft or damage to personal luggage and belongings

- Loss or theft of money and travel documents

- Personal liability

 

Please ensure your travel insurance provides adequate cover for your itinerary, including your activities and destinations, and that you understand any exclusions, limits and conditions, including those relating to pre-existing medical conditions.

For a travel insurance quote, we can recommend World Nomads as one option. Please review the policy wording carefully to ensure the cover is suitable for your circumstances.

 

Get a Travel Insurance Quote

What to pack

For game drives, we recommend comfortable, lightweight clothing that is practical for spending time outdoors. Layers are useful, as mornings and evenings can be cool, while temperatures can rise during the day. A light jacket or fleece, comfortable trousers or shorts, and closed-toe shoes are ideal. There is no strict dress code or required colours on safari, so simply wear what you feel comfortable in.

 

Climate: Kenya has warm days and cool mornings/evenings year-round. Higher altitudes are moderate, while the coast is humid and tropical. The long rains are from April to June, and the short rains are in October and November. Kenya is a year-round destination, but the climate varies between the rainy and dry seasons.

Essentials: Most camps have basic medical supplies, but it's recommended to bring personal essentials like cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, and pain relievers.

Power: Kenya uses 220/230V with Type G (3-prong) and some Type C (2-prong) sockets. Most safari camps have electricity points. Bring an adapter/converter combo.

 

For more info about ‘What to Pack for a Safari’ view our suggested Packing Guide (download PDF)

 

Ololo is a proud member of ‘Pack for a Purpose’, an initiative that uses available space in your luggage to provide essential supplies to the communities that you visit while on Safari. Please click here to see the list of supplies that the schools we support here in Kenya are in need for. You could make a huge difference to the lives of the people here. Thank you!

Luggage restrictions

Please be advised that on domestic flights, luggage is limited to one soft-sided bag per person with a maximum weight of 15kg/33lbs per person. For guests who have extra luggage, you are welcome to store bags at Ololo Lodge, or at the airport, where there is storage facilities, and pick them up on return.

For the keen photographers who might be carrying extra equipment, then there is the potential to buy a 'freight seat'. Please reach out if this interests you.

Money and tipping

The currency in Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (KSh). You can convert money at banks, Forex Bureaus, or ATMs found in major airports and towns. VISA and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express is not. It's advisable to carry cash for smaller shops and tipping.

IMPORTANT: When bringing foreign currency, ensure it's in new format with no damage. Only US Dollars from 2009 onwards are accepted.

Tipping: If satisfied with the service, you can tip your guide or staff at the end of your stay. Tips can be in KSh or USD. Ololo recommends $15 USD per day for your guide and $25 USD for the general tip box usually found at the camp reception. Tips are optional and can be given in cash or by card on departure.