Kenya Safari Holidays, Planned and Run by Our Team in Nairobi

The flight from London to Nairobi takes about 8.5 hours. That’s short for a long-haul safari destination. Most UK travellers land in Nairobi, clear immigration and are out in the bush watching lions within 24 hours of leaving home. There’s no layover in Dubai and no regional connection to sort out on arrival. Few places in Africa can say the same.

Best times to visit from the UK

Kenya has two dry seasons: the long dry season from June to October and the short dry season in January and February. Both are good for wildlife. In the dry months, animals gather around water, so they’re easier to find.

July to October is the most popular time for UK visitors, and for good reason. It covers the school summer holidays and the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, when around 1.5 million wildebeest move up from Tanzania and cross the Mara River. July to September is when crossings happen most often. Book early, because the best riverside camps sell out a year ahead for the peak migration weeks.

January and February are worth considering, especially if you can travel outside school term dates. Wildlife viewing is good, the Mara is quieter, Amboseli has some of its clearest Kilimanjaro views and prices are lower than in peak season. The February half-term also makes this a convenient window for families.

If you can, avoid March to May. During the long rains some roads become impassable and some camps close completely. The short rains in November and December are lighter and less predictable.

Getting there

Kenya Airways and British Airways both fly direct from Heathrow to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in about 8.5 hours. Kenya Airways also runs a direct service from Gatwick. Standard return fares are roughly £500 to £900, and they can be much higher during UK school holidays. If your dates are flexible, Emirates via Dubai and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa are also options, adding around 3 to 5 hours each way.

Entry requirements

British passport holders don’t need a visa for Kenya, but you must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before you travel. Apply through the official Kenya eTA website. Standard processing takes up to three working days and costs US$30. Your passport needs at least six months’ validity beyond your travel dates and at least one blank page. Every traveller needs their own eTA, including babies.

Rules can change, so check the latest FCDO entry requirements for Kenya a few weeks before you fly.

Vaccinations and health

No vaccinations are legally required for direct travel from the UK to Kenya, but your GP or travel clinic will recommend several. Book an appointment at least 6 to 8 weeks before you fly.

Hepatitis A and typhoid are the two most commonly recommended vaccines, and both are free on the NHS. Malaria is the bigger practical concern. Malaria is present in most of Kenya’s safari areas, although Nairobi itself is low risk. Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) is the usual choice for UK travellers and is available on private prescription. A course typically costs £30 to £60. Many people are surprised to learn that the NHS does not cover malaria tablets. Start taking them one to two days before you enter a malaria area and continue for seven days after you leave.

Simple precautions matter just as much on safari. Wear long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk, use a repellent with 50% DEET and sleep under a mosquito net. Camps provide nets, but bring your own repellent.

Yellow fever vaccination is not required for entry from the UK. However, your travel clinic may recommend it for some areas of Kenya. The NHS Fit for Travel page on Kenya sets out which regions carry a risk. If you’re continuing to Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda, check their rules, as some may ask for a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from Kenya.

Currency and money

Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES). Safari costs such as park fees, accommodation and guiding are usually priced in US dollars. When you book with us, we handle all of that and quote your package in pounds sterling, so you have one clear figure to work with.

For cash, use the ATMs in the arrivals hall at Jomo Kenyatta Airport. The rates are usually better than buying shillings in the UK. Most lodges accept major cards, though many add a 3 to 5% surcharge. Carry some small notes for tips. A fair tip for your guide is about £10 to £15 per person per day, and it’s one of the most direct ways to support the people who make your safari special.

What to pack

Stick to neutral colours: khaki, olive, tan and grey. Tsetse flies are drawn to dark blue and black, and white shows the red Kenyan dust within an hour. Avoid both.

Mornings in the Mara in June and July can drop to around 10°C before dawn. An early game drive in shorts and a T-shirt isn’t comfortable. Bring a light fleece or a packable down jacket, and dress in layers, as afternoons are much warmer.

Packing list for a 7 to 10-day safari

• Neutral-coloured clothes for 5 to 7 days, ideally quick-dry fabrics (most camps offer laundry)
• A warm layer for early morning drives
• A wide-brimmed sun hat
• Sunglasses and high-SPF sun cream
• Insect repellent with DEET (also available in Nairobi shops)
• Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42 work well on open savannah)
• A camera with a telephoto lens, or a bridge camera
• A power bank (Kenya uses the same three-pin plug as the UK, so you won’t need an adaptor)
• Enough prescription medicine for the whole trip plus a few spare days, in original packaging with a copy of the prescription

A note on plastic bags

Kenya has one of the world’s strictest bans on plastic carrier bags. Leave them at home, and pack toiletries in a fabric wash bag. Duty-free bags must be left at the airport on arrival, as set out in the NEMA guidance on the plastic bag ban. Single-use plastics such as bottles and cups are also banned inside national parks and reserves, so bring a refillable water bottle.

A note on booking

Most UK companies selling Kenya safaris pass your booking to a ground operator in Nairobi who runs the trip. That’s standard practice, and the price you pay includes the safari plus the UK agent’s margin.

We are the ground operator in Nairobi. When you book with us, you deal directly with the team that plans your trip, briefs your guide and is on call if anything needs changing while you’re travelling. There’s no one between you and Kenya.