Kenia, located in East Africa, is a large country in terms of area (582,646 km²). The country is located on both sides of the equator and borders the Indian Ocean in the southeast. Its other neighbours are Ethiopia and South Sudan in the north, Uganda in the west, Tanzania in the south and Somalia in the east. The landscape in the west is characterized by the Rift Valley and Lake Victoria, while the central part of the country is covered by mountain ranges, the highest of which is Mount Kenya, rising 5,199 meters above sea level. The northern parts of the country are dry plains. Kenya has a population of about 53 million and its capital is Nairobi. The country gained independence from British rule in 1963 and, as a remnant of the colonial era, English is the official language. Swahili also has official language status. Kenyans earn their living largely from agriculture. Tourism is also an important industry, and compared to West Africa, for example, the country has a lot of high-quality tourism infrastructure, such as magnificent safari destinations.
Climate: Kenya is located on the equator, which means pleasant temperatures all year round. The coast, such as Mombasa and Lamu, has a tropical hot and humid climate. Temperatures are more moderate in the inland highlands. Average temperatures range between +29°C and +15°C, depending on the region. Kenya has two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains coming during the masika from mid-March to May. The shorter rainy season vuli, brings rain in November and December. The dry season runs from May to October, which also means lower temperatures. For example, in June, July, and August, evenings, nights, and mornings can be cool.
Security: The security situation in Kenya is generally good, but pickpockets may be present in crowds. Traffic and heat are the biggest risk factors. The border area with Somalia should be avoided. If you are photographing people, ask permission in advance. Do not photograph authorities, airports or other strategic locations.
Visa: EU citizens require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Kenya. The eTA must be applied for in advance, preferably at least two weeks before travel, at etakenya.go.ke. A decision is usually made within 24–72 hours. Please note that visa policies are subject to change without notice. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry and must contain at least two blank pages.
Currency: Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES) as its currency. It is a good idea to bring US dollars or euros and exchange them in Kenya. You can also withdraw currency from an ATM.
Vaccinations and malaria: Kenya requires a certificate of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever occurs. Yellow fever occurs in Kenya, so the vaccine is recommended in any case. In addition, hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended for the country. Please ensure that your basic vaccinations are valid. Malaria occurs throughout Kenya, and especially on the coast and in the lowlands, so it is advisable to take anti-malarial medication. The risk of malaria is significantly lower in Nairobi and the highlands.
Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
