Do I need a visa for Kenya in 2026? +
No, the traditional visa was abolished in 2024. Instead, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is mandatory for all visitors: apply online on etakenya.go.ke, $30, official lead time 3 working days (often 24-48h), valid 90 days. Apply at least a week before departure. Passport must be valid 6 months past the return date.
How many days do I need in Kenya? +
Minimum 5 days for an express Masai Mara safari (3 nights on site). 10 days for the recommended safari + coast format (Amboseli + Masai Mara + Diani Beach). 2 weeks to add Lake Nakuru and Lamu. 3 weeks allow a Kenya + Tanzania combo (Serengeti + Ngorongoro + Zanzibar).
When can I see the great migration in the Masai Mara? +
From late July to October. Wildebeest arrive from the Tanzanian Serengeti in late July, cross the Mara River between August and early October, then head back south. Peak spectacular crossings happen in August-September. Book camps 6 to 9 months in advance for this period.
Is Nairobi dangerous? +
Nairobi has a heavy reputation (local nickname Nairobbery) but remains manageable with classic big-city precautions: no walking at night, Uber instead of street taxis, hotels in Westlands, Karen or Lavington. Safari areas (Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu) are by contrast very safe: controlled access, ranger presence.
Do I need malaria prophylaxis for Kenya? +
Yes for the coast (Mombasa, Diani, Watamu, Lamu) and low-altitude safari zones (Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo). Nairobi is at altitude (1,700 m) and outside the risk zone. Doxycycline or Malarone depending on your profile, prescription from your doctor. Plus impregnated mosquito net and DEET 50% repellent. Yellow fever is mandatory if transiting through an endemic country (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda).
Can I combine Kenya and Tanzania? +
Yes, it's the premium safari format on 3 weeks. The Masai Mara (Kenya) naturally extends into the Serengeti (Tanzania) since it's the same ecosystem, followed by the Ngorongoro crater then Zanzibar. Nairobi-Kilimanjaro flight 1h or overland via Namanga. Separate Tanzania visa at $50 (e-visa).
How much does a hot-air balloon ride over the Mara cost? +
€450 to €550 per person for an hour of flight at sunrise (5am-6am takeoff) followed by a champagne breakfast on the savanna. Main operators: Governors' Balloon Safaris and Skyship. Book 2-3 months in advance during peak season (August-September). Often considered the trip highlight.
Masai Mara: main reserve or private conservancy? +
Private conservancies (Mara North, Olare Motorogi, Naboisho) offer a more exclusive experience: limited vehicle numbers, off-road driving allowed, walking safaris, night drives. Higher rates (lodges €800-1,500/night) but superior viewing quality. The main reserve remains essential to see the Mara River crossings in July-October.
