TravPa

Kenya

Track rhinos and lions on Nairobi's edge, feed giraffes in Karen, watch the Maasai Mara migration, then explore Fort Jesus and Mombasa's Old Town before Diani's beaches.

Best timeJul to Sep, Jan to FebMoneyKenyan shilling (KES)Plugs[plug types and voltage]Main airportNairobi (NBO)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
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Overview

Most first trips start with two days in Nairobi, for a game drive in Nairobi National Park, the orphaned elephants and the Giraffe Centre, then head out on safari: Amboseli is about 204 to 240 km away by road, and the Maasai Mara is known for the Great Migration. The Madaraka Express then runs daily from Nairobi to Mombasa in about 5.5 to 6 hours, for Fort Jesus, the Old Town and the beaches of the south coast around Diani.

Kenya has two rainy seasons, usually from March to mid-June and from October to November, when roads can flood and a 4x4 helps off the main highways. January, February and July to September are drier, and from July to October the migration herds cross the Mara River. July and August in Nairobi are often cool and cloudy.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janBestfebBestmarRainyaprRainymayRainyjunMildjulBestaugBestsepBestoctRainynovRainydecMild

From July to October the wildebeest and zebra herds of the Great Migration cross the Mara River into the Maasai Mara, the most dramatic part of their year-round journey.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Mombasa]
Mombasa in 1 dayFort Jesus, Butterfly House, Old Town, Mackinnon Market, Mwembe Tayari, Mombasa Marine National Park, Mama Ngina WaterfrontPacked pace
[Photo: Nairobi]
Nairobi in 2 daysNairobi National Park, Sheldrick Nursery, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, Carnivore, Nairobi National Museum, Nairobi Gallery, Karura Forest, Nairobi Street KitchenPacked pace

Where to stay

MombasaThe island near the Old Town for Fort Jesus and the food streets; Nyali for the beach and marine park; Diani for the south coast beaches.Best areas to stay in MombasaHotels in Mombasa
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NairobiWestlands for food markets and the National Museum; Karen for the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum; the city center for the Nairobi Gallery and KICC.Best areas to stay in NairobiHotels in Nairobi
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Getting around

  • Madaraka Express: Trains leave Nairobi Terminus and Mombasa Terminus every day: the Inter-county train at 8 AM takes about 6 hours, and the Afternoon Express leaves at 3 PM.
  • Safari roads: Amboseli is 204 to 240 km from Nairobi by road depending on the gate, and a 4x4 may be needed off the main highways in the rains.
  • In Nairobi: Nairobi National Park's entrance is on Lang'ata Road about 8 km from the city center, and its gates open from 6 AM to 6 PM.
  • Taxis: Use licensed taxis booked by your hotel or a trusted ride-hailing app, check the plate matches, and avoid motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks.
  • To the south coast: Shimba Hills is 37 km from Mombasa via Likoni and Ukunda; Canada's travel advice says to avoid the crowded Likoni Ferry.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. Since 5 October 2026 most visitors must also buy Kenya's government travel health insurance, as part of the eTA.What the rule means for your policy
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Phone dataMobile data keeps your eTA, park fee receipts and M-PESA payments at hand, and national parks take no cash.How a travel eSIM works
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