How Things Work in Kenya

Tip 10% at restaurants, USD 10–20 per day per safari guide, and USD 5–10 per day for lodge and camp staff.

Updated 2025-06

There is no reliable tourist-friendly public transport; use Uber or Little Cab in Nairobi, hotel taxis elsewhere, and internal flights for national parks.

Updated 2025-06

Use private hospitals in Nairobi (Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi Hospital); outside Nairobi healthcare is extremely limited and medical evacuation insurance is mandatory.

Updated 2025-06

Plastic bags are banned on entry; LGBTQ relationships are illegal; wildlife products (ivory) carry severe penalties; cannabis is illegal with zero tolerance.

Updated 2025-06

Police: 999 or 0800 720 999 (free); mobile emergency: 112; AMREF Flying Doctors safari evacuation: +254 20 6000 090.

Updated 2025-06

Dress conservatively in Muslim coastal areas; wear neutral safari colours in national parks; casual is fine in Nairobi; camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians.

Updated 2025-06

Legal drinking age is 18; Tusker lager is the iconic national beer; avoid chang'aa home-brewed spirit; alcohol widely available except in strict Muslim areas.

Updated 2025-06

Bargaining is expected at markets and curio shops — the Maasai Market in Nairobi is the best place to practise; always be friendly and patient.

Updated 2025-06

Wildlife photography is outstanding and unrestricted in parks; always ask and pay before photographing Maasai and tribal people; government buildings and military are strictly prohibited.

Updated 2025-06

Kenya largely operates seven days a week; supermarkets and matatus run on Sundays; Ramadan affects Muslim coastal areas; national holidays cause some closures.

Updated 2025-06

Use Uber, Little Cab, or Bolt in Nairobi for safe and fairly priced transport; never hail random street taxis at night; negotiate fares in advance outside Nairobi.

Updated 2025-06

Never drink tap water anywhere in Kenya — bottled water is essential everywhere, and staying well hydrated on safari is a genuine health priority.

Updated 2025-06

Equity Bank, KCB, and Standard Chartered ATMs reliably accept foreign cards; M-Pesa mobile money is dominant; carry USD as backup in tourist and safari areas.

Updated 2025-06

Buy a Safaricom SIM at JKIA airport — it has the best coverage including national parks; passport required; download offline maps before entering any park.

Updated 2025-06

Kenya uses Type G (British 3-pin square) plugs at 240V/50Hz — the same as the UK; US and European visitors need adapters.

Updated 2025-06

The 'friendly stranger' diversion, fake tour operators, airport taxi overcharging, and counterfeit currency are the most common tourist scams in Kenya.

Updated 2025-06

Nairobi has genuine crime risks in certain areas; tourist zones (Westlands, Karen, Gigiri) are safer; national parks are very safe; avoid northeastern Kenya near the Somalia border.

Updated 2025-06

Greetings are essential and often lengthy; use both hands when giving or receiving with elders; Maasai culture requires specific respect; punctuality is flexible.

Updated 2025-06

English and Swahili are both official languages; English is widely spoken in tourism; learning basic Swahili phrases is warmly appreciated across the country.

Updated 2025-06

Kenya's Indian Ocean beaches are warm year-round with excellent snorkelling and diving; watch for sea urchins, rip currents, and persistent beach vendors.

Updated 2025-06

Drive on the LEFT; roads outside Nairobi are often poor; a 4WD is essential for national parks; never drive outside cities at night.

Updated 2025-06

Try nyama choma (grilled meat), ugali, Swahili coast pilau and biryani, and samosas; local mama mboga restaurants offer filling meals for KES 200–400.

Updated 2025-06

Dress modestly and remove shoes at mosques; Lamu's Riyadha Mosque is a significant pilgrimage site requiring full respect; Christian churches across Kenya welcome visitors.

Updated 2025-06

Best wildlife viewing is July–October (dry season and Great Migration); long rains April–June are least ideal; January–February and July–September are best for the coast.

Updated 2025-06

Visit Nairobi National Park for a safari closest to any capital city on earth; eat at local mama mboga canteens; self-drive parks with a hired 4WD to cut guiding costs.

Updated 2025-06