Travel notes

A little preparation goes a long way. Here’s how to make your Kenya Roadtrip smooth and safe.

• Visa

To enter Kenya, you must apply for a tourist visa. You can’t obtain your tourism visa on arrival. To apply for your visa, please visit: https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en and follow the instructions. We recommend applying around 2 weeks in advance, as processing times can be slow. Travellers can submit their applications up to 3 months prior to departure.

When filling out the form, you’re asked to upload your itinerary or hotel booking. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t finalised your itinerary yet. Just upload any document. We’ve experienced that clients who do not upload a booking confirmation for their first night, or an invoice or document describing their itinerary, experience delays in their visa approval or denial. If your request is denied, try it again.

• Yellow fever vaccination

A Yellow Fever vaccination card is only required for persons travelling to Kenya from the age of 1 year and above, when coming from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission. This does not apply to travellers who have been in transit. The good news: the vaccine protects you for life. Find the list of countries with a risk of virus transmission here.

• Stay connected

Buy a local SIM card and load it with airtime and data — essential for navigation and staying in touch. Safaricom is the most reliable. Coverage is good across most of the country.

• Use multiple payment methods

The best way to handle money on your travels is to bring cash, multiple debit cards, a credit card, and use Mobile Money. Why? Most lodges and restaurants don’t accept foreign debit cards. Credit cards are generally accepted at more upscale hotels and restaurants, but don’t count on it everywhere. 

1. Withdraw money. It’s easy, with ATMs widely available across the country. Reliable banks include KCB, Barclays, and Citibank, they accept Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro. Daily withdrawal limits may apply to foreign cards, so bring more than one card to avoid getting stuck.

2. Bring cash. U.S. dollars and Euros are commonly accepted for exchange into Kenyan Shillings. US dollars are also widely accepted as currency. You can exchange cash easily at Forex Bureaus in most towns. Do make sure your Euro and USD notes are printed after 2013. 

3. Use Mobile Money – it’s easy! Kenya leads the way in mobile money. With a local SIM card and an MPESA account, you can pay almost everyone and everything – park entrance fees, market stalls, restaurants – straight from your phone. Here’s how to get started:

   • Buy a local SIM card from Safaricom or Airtel when you arrive.

   • Load it with airtime and an internet bundle.

   • Register for MPESA at any Telecom kiosk and top up your mobile wallet with Kenyan Shillings, either via Wise or cash at a kiosk.

• Plan your drive wisely

For an overview of distances and driving times, check our table here. 

The driving times we mention are just that: driving times. Always add extra time for fuel stops, lunch breaks, and unexpected delays. You’ll also notice that our times are longer than what Google Maps suggests. That’s on purpose. Google is often too optimistic in Kenya, especially on smaller roads and in national parks. Our estimates reflect what you can realistically expect behind the wheel.

Avoid shortcuts on secondary routes – they are often in bad condition. If you’re unsure which route to take: don’t experiment but contact our Roadtrip Africa team in Nairobi for advice. We’re available 24/7 via WhatsApp. You can also enquire with the lodge you’re staying at. Inform them about your next destinations and check with them if there is anything they should be aware of, and how to get there 

Good to know – you don’t need an international driver’s license. Your valid license from your home country is sufficient. Make sure to always carry your driver’s license with you when driving.

• Use smart navigation

Combine Google Maps with the Maps.me app. Map your route in short sections, targeting the next major town, instead of the whole day at once. Google loves shortcuts — not all of them are good! Your car comes with a Nelles map of Kenya.

• Start early

On travel days, hit the road early. It gives you breathing space for surprises and lets you enjoy the drive at a relaxed pace.

• Mind your speed

Highways: Max 80 km/h (even if the official limit is 100 km/h). In Kenya, Land Cruisers are classified as heavy-duty vehicles due to their longer braking distance. As a result, they are not allowed to exceed 80 km/h on highways.

Urban areas: Stick to 40 km/h. Watch out for unmarked speed bumps at town entrances and potholes that can damage the car or cause flat tyres.

• No driving after dark

Road conditions become dangerous after 7 PM: poor street lighting and approaching traffic that often uses high beams make it challenging to detect potholes, pedestrians, and animals crossing the road. Gates of the national parks close at 6 PM and won’t let you in to reach your lodge at sunset. 

• Fuel up smart

Fuel stations are widely available. Stick to the major brands/ chains in towns like Shell, Total, Rubis or National Oil. At smaller petrol stations, fuel can be diluted, which can seriously damage the engine. 

• Stay secure

Always lock your doors in cities and towns. Don’t leave valuables unattended in the car.

• Be prepared

Carry some cash, drinking water, and a fully charged phone. It’s your best backup when plans change.

• Food tips

Good lunch spots are rare outside the cities and towns.  If we know of a nice place, we’ll mention it in the notes. Otherwise, bring a lunchbox from your lodge.