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Ultimate Trans Africa Expedition

38 weeks From GBP 4850 More about this trip
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Cairo to Cape Town Nile Trans

16 weeks From GBP 2395 More about this trip
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Johannesburg to Nairobi

7 weeks From US$ 2490 More about this trip
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Cape Town to Nairobi Epic

6 weeks From US$ 1990 More about this trip
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Victoria Falls to Nairobi and Gorillas

5 weeks From US$ 1990 More about this trip
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Dar Es Salaam to Nairobi

24 days From US$ 1690 More about this trip
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Victoria Falls to Nairobi

21 days From US$ 1290 More about this trip
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Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam

10 days From US$ 990 More about this trip
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Zanzibar and Game Parks

10 days From US$ 990 More about this trip
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Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking

7 days From US$ 1190 More about this trip
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Serengeti National Park

5 days From US$ 990 More about this trip
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Masai Mara National Reserve

3 days From US$ 390 More about this trip
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Kenya Navigation
About Kenya
About
Airports
Birdlife
Conservation
Culture
Health
AIDS
Vaccinations
Languages
Money
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Plants
People
Safety Tips
Religion
Transport
Travel Books
Visa Requirements
Wildlife
What To Pack
What To Buy
When To Go
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Crescent Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Elsamere
Lake Nakuru National Park
Masai Cultural Village
Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Rhino Sanctuary
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About Kenya

Kenya is a world-renowned African travel destination famous for its rich wildlife and stunning natural wonders. Kenya budget travel offers a chance to experience a wealth of cultural and natural wonders in this beautiful country.

Kenya Budget Travel

Below is a list of Kenya's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara, Nairobi, Samburu National Park

Fast Facts

Currency
Kenyan shilling (KES)
Dialing Code
254

Airports

Kenya airports include the following:
• Jomo Kenyatta Nairobi International Airport
• Moi Mombasa International Airport
• Eldoret International Airport

Read more on Airports in Kenya.

Birdlife

Kenya birdlife is abundant, with well over a thousand species to be seen across the country's rich and varied ecosystems. From coastal birds and huge flocks of flamingos, to vast and colourful forest species, the range of species is extremely diverse. Bird watchers are sure to have the travel experience of a lifetime in Kenya's bird-rich regions, and binoculars are highly recommended when travelling through the country's parks and reserves to spot birds along the way.

Read more on birdlife in Kenya.

Conservation

Kenya conservation is fairly progressive, with many government and non-profit group efforts to try and control and protect wildlife species in the country. Despite this, the country faces a huge threat from the illegal poaching and hunting industries, and many species of wildlife and birdlife are threatened or endangered. Deforestation, land abuse and pollution also play a role in the environmental problems Kenya faces.

Read more on conservation in Kenya.

Culture

Kenya cultures include the following:
• Food and cuisine plays an important role in social gatherings
• National and tribal dress is a key part of tribal identity
• Music and dance is an ancient cultural tradition to all tribes
• Film and television is a growing cultural trend

Read more on culture in Kenya.

Health

Kenya is more developed than some East Africa countries, but Kenya health should still be a major priority during your travels. Health care facilities are not always up to western standards, and equipment may not be sterile. Nairobi has a number of fairly good hospitals, but medication is not always available and over-crowding is common.

Read more on health in Kenya.

AIDS

Kenya HIV/AIDS is a major health risk for many Kenyans, with factors such as poor health care, lack of education, prostitution, poverty, tribal customs and inherited wives adding to the problem. Awareness campaigns are not strong enough, and very few Kenyans can afford proper treatment and often transmit the disease due to lack of understanding about AIDS.

Read more on AIDS in Kenya.

Vaccinations

The following Kenya inoculations are required:
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies

Read more on Vaccinations in Kenya.

Languages

Kenya languages include the following:
• English (official language)
• Swahili (official language)
• Kikuyu
• Luo
• Kalenjin
• Kamba

Read more on languages in Kenya.

Money

Kenya money and banking information includes the following:
• American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted
• Currency and travellers cheques can be exchanged at all major hotels, airports or banks
• Dollars, Pounds and Euros are easier to exchange than other currencies
• ATMs or cash points can be found across nearly all cities and towns
• Banks operate from Monday to Friday from 09h00-15h00 and Saturday from 09h00-11h00

Read more on money in Kenya.

Phrase

Kenya local phrases include the following in Swahili:
• Hello - Jambo
• Can I please have...? - Tafadhali nipatie...?
• Do you speak english? - Unajua kizungu?
• Excuse me - Samahani
• No problem! - Hakuna matata!

Read more on phrase in Kenya.

Plants

Kenya plant life varyies depending on the region in which plants grow. Eco-regions in Kenya range from coastal regions, to mangroves, tropical forest, woodlands, savannas and mountain areas, and Kenya's abundant and beautiful plantlife reflects these diverse areas, with a range of beautiful plants to be seen across the country's diverse habitats.

Read more on plants in Kenya.

People

Kenya people include the following groups:
• Kikuyu 22%
• Luhya 14%
• Luo 13%
• Kalenjin 12%
• Kamba 11%
• Kisii and Meru 6% each
• Other 16%

Read more on people in Kenya.

Safety Tips

Kenya safety tips include the following:
• Avoid all travel within 30km of the Somalia border, where fighting is frequent
• Avoid the low-income areas and slums of Nairobi which has a high crime rate
• Terrorist attacks have been known to happen in the last few years
• Nairobi has a growing crime rate, with carjacking, mugging and robbery on the increase, especially in the city centre
• Avoid travelling alone, and in remote areas travel in convoy during daylight

Read more on safety tips in Kenya.

Religion

Kenya religion includes the following:
• Protestant 45%
• Roman Catholic 33%
• Islam 10%
• Indigenous 10%
• Other 2%

Read more on religion in Kenya.

Transport

Kenya local transport includes the following:
• Bus
• Taxi
• Car

Read more on transport in Kenya.

Travel Books

Kenya recommended travel books include the following:
• Lonely Planet Kenya 6th Edition by Tom Parkinson
• Kenya Handbook 2nd Edition by Lizzie Williams
• Globetrotter Travel Guide: Kenya by Dave & Val Richards
• Frommer's Kenya & Tanzania by by Keith Bain, Pippa de Bruyn & Jonathon Yevin

Read more on travel books in Kenya.

Visa Requirements

Kenya visa requirements include the following:
• Passport which is valid for six months at least
• ID or green card
• 2 Visa Application Forms
• 2 Passport photographs
• Copy of return airline tickets or itinerary

Read more on Visa Requirements in Kenya.

Wildlife

Kenya wildlife is as diverse and abundant as its diverse habitats, and a large number of game, including Africa's famous Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) can be found among other game. From the low-lying plains and savannas to the coastal areas and mountains, game can be found throughout the country.

Read more on wildlife in Kenya.

What To Pack

What to pack for Kenya safaris:
• Lightweight clothes in neutral colours
• Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and sandals
• Swimming costume, sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Camera, spare film, batteries and binoculars
• Warm jacket and raincoat for rainy season and cooler days

Read more on what to pack in Kenya.

What To Buy

What to buy for Kenya safaris:
• Durable luggage such as a backpack plus a good moneybag
• Snorkeling set and disposable underwater camera
• Kenya guide book and Swahili phrase book
• First aid kit with basic supplies and medicines
• Wet wipes, toilet roll and pens or sweets for local children

Read more on what to buy in Kenya.

When To Go

When to go to Kenya:
• Main tourist seasons are from December to February and from July to August
• January to February is hot and dry, making it best for game spotting
• June to September is a bit cooler and is the season for wildebeest at Masai Mara
• Rainy seasons run from March to June and October to December
• The landscapes are at their greenest and most beautiful from March to October

Read more on when to go in Kenya.

How much time do you have for your trip?

Click on the tabs below to view overland tours that suits your time frame.

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Serengeti National Park - 5 days

This tour is a wild life lover's dream! Experience tree climbing lions, huge elephants and even flamingo up close at this World Heritage Site and internationally renowned Serengeti National Park and N...

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Masai Mara National Reserve - 3 days

This tour covers one of the highlights of Kenya - the Masai Mara. We spend most of our time game viewing as well as taking in the spectacular sights that the beautiful city of Nairobi has to offer.

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Browse more tours that are approximately 1 week long

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Gorillas and Lakes - 19 days

The Lakes of Nakuru, Naivasha, Bunyoni and Victoria make for a stunning visual medley and the rare Mountain Gorilla leads us to the border of Uganda, the DRC and Rwanda. This once in a life time oppor...

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Kenya, Uganda and Gorilla Trek - 18 days

Gorillas trekking in Uganda combined with five star wildlife encounters in Kenya. Watch Flamingos feed at Lake Nakuru and relax at Lake Bunyoni.

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Game Parks and Gorillas - 14 days

This trip will undoubtedly be memorable! Come face to face with the Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat and marvel at the pink 'sea' of Flamingos at Lake Nakuru. Magic!

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Browse more tours that are approximately 3 weeks long

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Southern Safari - 4 weeks

Take part in this southbound African adventure from Nairobi to Johannesburg! Experience game drives in Kenya and Tanzania, the beaches of Zanzibar, the thunderous Victoria Falls and the Big 5 in Kruge...

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Go South Photography Tour - 27 days

Starting in Kenya this tour heads south to include Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. Taking you through world famous parks, the beaches of Zanzibar and Lake Malawi. This lasting experience of Africa comes ...

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Nairobi to Livingstone - 24 days

Explore East Africa on this adventure through Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi with awesome highlights like the Serengeti National Park, the beaches of Zanzibar and Lake Malawi.

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Browse more tours that are approximately 1 month long

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Grand Explorer - 11 weeks

Explore Africa while trekking with mountain gorillas, swimming with dolphins and walking with lions.Enjoy the beaches of East Africa and the adrenalin of Southern Africa with river rafting, sky diving...

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East Africa to Southern Africa - 8 weeks

Journey from coast to coast with this adventure from Eastern to Southern Africa. Enjoy highlights like Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and the Namib Desert!

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Nairobi to Cape Town Epic - 8 weeks

Game spotting, meeting local tribes, relaxing on beaches, adrenaline sports. This trip is the Ultimate African Expedition!

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Browse more long tours & expeditions

 

6 Kenya Overland Tours recommended for you

  • Ultimate Trans Africa Expedition

    38 weeks   From GBP 4850

    London to Cairo

  • Johannesburg to Nairobi

    7 weeks   From US$ 2490

    Johannesburg to Nairobi

  • Victoria Falls to Nairobi and Gorillas

    5 weeks   From US$ 1990

    Victoria Falls to Nairobi

  • Victoria Falls to Nairobi

    21 days   From US$ 1290

    Victoria Falls to Nairobi

  • Zanzibar and Game Parks

    10 days   From US$ 990

    Dar Es Salaam to Nairobi

  • Serengeti National Park

    5 days   From US$ 990

    Nairobi to Nairobi

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