Country

Trips to Kenya

From the Mara plains at dawn to a coral-stone island with no cars

Watching a wildebeest crossing and ending the week on a reef-fringed beach — viajar a Kenya fits those two worlds into one trip. Chimp Friends Africa puts together your journey across East Africa's most diverse country.

Tailor-made

Your Kenya trip, built around you

Tell us which experiences matter most — a Great Migration crossing, elephants under Kilimanjaro, or a slow week on the coast — and we'll put together a Kenya trip that fits your dates, pace and travel style. Message us on WhatsApp to start.

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Kenya

Five o'clock on the Mara

The first game drive starts before the sun clears the acacia line. A pride of lions is still sprawled on the short grass, three cubs draped over each other like loose sacks. By the time the light turns golden, the guide has already spotted a cheetah on a termite mound half a kilometre away.

The crossing no one forgets

Thousands of wildebeest mill at the Mara River bank for hours, then one steps in and the rest follow — a churning, bellowing column pressing across crocodile water. It lasts eight minutes. People who've watched it ten times say it still stops their breath.

Elephants with Kilimanjaro behind them

Amboseli on a clear morning: a matriarch leads her herd across the swamp, mud on her flanks, the white summit of Kilimanjaro floating above the treeline just across the Tanzanian border. It's one of those views that is exactly as good as photographs suggest.

Lamu, where the clocks run slower

Three cars exist on Lamu Island. Alleyways of coral-stone lead to carved wooden doors, the smell of cardamom drifts from tea houses, and a wooden dhow is the only way to reach the next island. Seven hundred years of Swahili culture, entirely undisturbed by traffic.

How we put together a Kenya trip

We specialise in East Africa and know which combinations of parks and coast give you the most for your time.

01
Safari meets coast
We connect Masai Mara or Amboseli with Diani or Lamu in one trip — domestic flights make it seamless. No need to choose between wildlife and beach.
02
Groups or just you
Kenya works as a tailor-made trip for couples, families and solo travellers, or as part of a guided group. We offer both, so you travel the way that suits you.
03
East Africa in one go
Kenya pairs naturally with Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. If you want chimps, gorillas or the Serengeti in the same trip, we can combine it — that's our speciality.

Guide

What to see and do in Kenya

Kenya covers a lot of ground — from high-altitude savannah to coral coast — and each region rewards a different pace. Here's where most trips spend their time.

Masai Mara

The Mara is Kenya's most famous safari destination for good reason: resident populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and buffalo, year-round. The park spans around 1,510 km² in southwest Kenya and borders Tanzania's Serengeti, forming one vast ecosystem.

From July to October, the Great Migration brings wildebeest and zebra north across the Mara River — the crossings are the headline event. The rest of the year, the Mara still delivers outstanding game drives, without the July–August crowds.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is where you see Kenya's largest elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro — Africa's highest peak, just over the border in Tanzania. On a clear morning the combination is unbeatable.

It's a natural pairing with the Mara: fly between the two and you cover the country's two signature safari landscapes without retracing a single road.

Nairobi

Most Kenya trips begin or end in the capital. Beyond the airport layover, Nairobi is worth a morning or two: the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and a food scene that has grown considerably.

Nairobi is the hub for domestic flights to every safari park and the coast, so a night here makes logistics much easier than rushing connections.

Diani Beach

On the south coast, 30 km south of Mombasa, Diani is 17 kilometres of white sand backed by palms and fronted by a reef-protected lagoon. Snorkelling, diving and kitesurfing are the main draws; the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve is just offshore.

The beach is also home to a colony of Angolan colobus monkeys — a reminder that the coast isn't just about the water. Best conditions run December to March and July to October.

Lamu Island

There are only three cars on the island — its coral-stone alleys are too narrow for traffic. Transport is by donkey or dhow, and the pace follows suit.

Note: the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of Lamu County, but travel to Lamu Island and Manda Island is covered by a different advisory. Check the current FCDO guidance before booking.

Rift Valley and Mount Kenya

Hell's Gate National Park near Naivasha is one of the few places in Kenya where you can cycle through wildlife territory and hike a gorge on foot — a different kind of safari day. Further north, Mount Kenya is Africa's second-highest peak and a serious trekking destination, surrounded by cool highland lodges and the conservation areas of the Laikipia Plateau.

These two suit travellers who want more than game drives — hikers, cyclists and those looking to slow down between parks.

When to visit Kenya

Wildlife and weather don't always agree, so timing depends on what you want most.

July to October: Dry season, peak safari. Great Migration in the Mara from July, river crossings peak August–September. Best wildlife visibility, but busiest and most expensive. September–October is quieter with similar game.
January to February: Short dry season, good game viewing on the savannah. Calving season means newborn wildlife and predator action. Best months for birdwatching. Beaches are at their calmest.
December and November: Short rains, mostly in the afternoons. Lodge prices drop, landscapes are lush and green. Game viewing is still possible; coast conditions improve through December into January.
March to May: Long rains. Tracks in the Mara can be difficult. Fewer tourists and lower prices. Good for travellers who prioritise value and don't mind the occasional heavy shower.

Before you travel to Kenya

eTA required: UK and US citizens need a Kenya eTA — apply online at etakenya.go.ke before departure. Apply at least two weeks ahead.
Language: Swahili and English are both official. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels and safari camps.
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES). Safari lodges often quote in USD. British pounds not widely accepted; change or use cards.
Time zone: UTC+3 year-round. Kenya is 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter, 2 hours ahead in summer.
Plugs: Type G (three rectangular prongs), same as the UK. US travellers need a plug adapter.
Health: Yellow fever jab recommended. Anti-malarials advised for safari areas. Travel insurance with medical cover is essential.
Getting there: Direct flights from London Heathrow to Nairobi (approx. 8.5–9 hrs) with British Airways and Kenya Airways.
Getting around: Domestic flights (Safarilink, Jambojet) connect Nairobi with the Mara, Amboseli, Diani, Lamu and Malindi.

Common questions about travelling to Kenya

Do I need a visa for Kenya as a UK or US citizen?

Since January 2024, Kenya no longer issues visas on arrival. Both UK and US travellers must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online at etakenya.go.ke before flying.

Are there direct flights from the UK to Kenya?

Yes — British Airways and Kenya Airways both fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, taking roughly 8.5 to 9 hours. From regional UK airports (Manchester, Edinburgh), you'll connect via Amsterdam, Istanbul or Dubai.

Can I fly direct from the US to Kenya?

There are no non-stop flights from the US to Kenya at present. The fastest routes go via London or another European hub. Kenya Airways operates a service from New York JFK to Nairobi, connecting via a European stopover.

When is the best time to see the Great Migration in the Masai Mara?

The wildebeest typically enter the Mara from July, with the most dramatic Mara River crossings in August and September. Exact timing varies year to year with rainfall. October sees the tail end before herds move south. For fewer crowds with similar wildlife, late September is a strong option.

Is Kenya worth visiting outside Migration season?

Absolutely. The Masai Mara has resident Big Five year-round, January–February is excellent for calving season and birding, and the coast is best December to March. Kenya without the Migration is still a genuinely strong safari destination.

Is Kenya safe for UK and US tourists?

Popular destinations — Masai Mara, Amboseli, Nairobi, Diani — are generally safe with standard precautions. The UK FCDO and US State Department advise against travel to certain border areas near Somalia and parts of the coast. For Lamu County, check current FCDO advice before booking: travel to Lamu Island itself is in a separate advisory category.

Do I need vaccinations to travel to Kenya?

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended by travel health professionals, though UK citizens arriving directly from the UK are not required to show a certificate on entry. Anti-malarials are strongly advised for safari areas. Consult a travel health clinic before departure.

How do I get between the safari parks and the coast?

Domestic flights are the practical answer. Carriers such as Safarilink and Jambojet connect Nairobi with the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Diani (Ukunda airstrip), Lamu and Malindi — turning what would be a very long drive into a short hop.

Ready to plan your Kenya trip?

Send us a message on WhatsApp and tell us roughly when you want to go and what you'd like to see.