Entry
Most visitors to Kenya no longer get a normal visa. An Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online before departure, takes its place, and boarding is where airlines check it. The fee and permitted stay are described differently by different sources, so the official eTA site is the one to read for current amounts. Only apply there, as copycat sites exist. Pack a return ticket, hotel details and a passport that is valid for 6 months. A certificate for yellow fever is required of anyone arriving from a risk country. Malaria prevention is a question for a doctor.
Culture and safety - take note
Politeness and warmth are what to expect from Kenyans. A greeting comes first ('Jambo'), then a handshake and a question about how the other person is. In towns and along the Muslim-majority coast (Mombasa, Lamu), modest dress is expected. People should be asked before they are photographed; Maasai and other communities frequently expect permission or a fee. Security forces and government buildings must never be photographed. A ban applies to plastic carrier bags. On safari, obey your guide, remain in the vehicle and speak softly. Ride-hailing apps are the way to get around Nairobi; walking at night is best avoided, and phones should be kept hidden from view. Some governments counsel against travel into parts of the coast, parts of the north-east and areas close to the Somali border. Before departure, look at other advisories as well as your own government's travel advice. It is normal to tip guides and drivers. Halal food is simple to find along the coast and in Nairobi.
