Kenya
Republic of Kenya
Eastern Africa · KEN
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Kenya
Kenya is one of the easiest first safari countries for travelers who want a trip that can combine big game, Indian Ocean coast, and a capital with good regional connections. It works best when you decide early between a pure safari circuit, a bush-and-beach split, or a more mixed route with Nairobi and one highland or cultural stop.
Popular For
Things To See
- Nairobi
- Maasai Mara
- Amboseli National Park
- Mount Kenya
- Diani Beach
- Lamu
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- Kenya can absorb a lot of trip styles, so the route gets better once you commit to either safari-first or coast-inclusive planning.
- Nairobi is a practical hub, but park transfers and beach connections still need realistic time buffers.
- Popular conservancies and peak safari windows reward booking ahead more than many first-time visitors expect.
Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Kenya.
Guidebooks
Lonely Planet Kenya
Lonely Planet
Essential guide covering Masai Mara safaris, Nairobi, Mombasa, and wildlife viewing locations.
View on Amazon →
Kenya: The Bradt Travel Guide
Claire Foottit
In-depth guide with wildlife sections, national parks, and safari planning advice.
View on Amazon →
Fodor's The Complete Guide to African Safaris
Fodor's Travel Guides
Multi-country safari guide with Kenya coverage, wildlife tips, and big game planning advice.
View on Amazon →Tours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Kenya.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Nairobi
- Population
- 53,330,978
- Area
- 580,367 km²
- Region
- Eastern Africa
Languages
- English
- Swahili
Currency
Kenyan shilling (Sh)
KES
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
32.1
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 30.4
- Restaurants
- 25.9
- Rent
- 7.8
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Nairobi (1.28°S, 36.82°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
15/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 2/100
- Lived safety
- 39/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❌
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.628
Medium human development
- 5-year change
- +0.023
- 10-year change
- +0.058
- Trend
- improving
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.944
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.526
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.610
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (8)
- 🏛️
The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi
Inscribed 2024
- 🏛️
Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site
Inscribed 2018
- 🏛️
Fort Jesus, Mombasa
Inscribed 2011
- 🌿
Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
Inscribed 2011
- 🏛️
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
Inscribed 2008
- 🏛️
Lamu Old Town
Inscribed 2001
- 🌿
Lake Turkana National Parks
Inscribed 1997
- 🌿
Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest
Inscribed 1997
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 14.0%
- Forest cover
- 6.2%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 32
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 45
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
30/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
85/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
Updated to include a risk indicator for health and to reflect additional safety and security information. Do Not Travel to: Kenya-Somalia border counties (Garissa, Wajir, Mandera), Tana River County, and coastal areas north of Malindi due to terrorism and kidnapping; West Pokot and western Turkana County due to banditry; Parts of Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the Ethiopian border due to cross-border incursions. Reconsider Travel to: The Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to crime and kidnapping. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping, can occur at any time. Local police often lack the capability to respond effectively to serious crimes and terrorist attacks. Emergency medical and fire services are limited. Avoid traveling after dark in Kenya due to crime and poor traffic safety. Crime Motorycle crimes are common, where thieves grab items from victims and are able to quickly flee the scene. Crimes typically occur in crowded areas or when people are distracted. Police have limited ability to respond to these crimes. Handbags, mobile phones, and other easy-to-reach valuables are the most stolen items. Terrorism Terrorist attacks have occurred with little or no warning. They have targeted: Kenyan and foreign government buildings, Tourist locations, Transportation hubs, Hotels and resorts, Markets and shopping malls, and Places of worship. Terrorist acts have included armed assaults, suicide operations, bomb or grenade attacks, and kidnappings. Demonstrations Demonstrations, strikes, and other political and economic protests are common. They often block key intersections or highways, resulting in widespread traffic jams. Violence during demonstrations has occurred across the country. This includes rock-throwing and police using deadly force. Political violence is most common in western Kenya and Nairobi. Health Access to medical care in Kenya is limited and medical facilities may not have adequate supply of medicine, especially outside large cities. Medical evacuation insurance valid for travel to Kenya is strongly recommended. Hospitals usually require payment before treatment. Unlicensed facilities and bribes Some schools and behavior modification facilities in Kenya operate without licensing and oversight. Reports of U.S. citizens being held against their will or being physically abused in these facilities are common. The embassy has also received numerous reports from young adults whose U.S. passports were taken away by their families. The embassy frequently receives complaints from U.S. citizens about being stopped by police or immigration or customs officials asking for bribes. Property confiscations Property disputes are common and can turn violent. Some U.S. citizens have had their property confiscated or been threatened. Read the country information page for additional information about travel to Kenya. If you decide to travel to Kenya: Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists. Do not resist any robbery attempt. Check local media for breaking events and prepare to adjust your plans. Make backup plans to leave the country. Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and entry stamp. Keep original documents in a secure location. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Kenya. Prepare a plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage. Specified Areas - Level 4: Do Not Travel Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Kenya are prohibited from traveling to:. Kenya-Somalia Border Counties: Mandera due to kidnapping and terrorism. Wajir due to kidnapping and terrorism. Garissa due to kidnapping and terrorism. Coastal Areas Countries: Tana River (except Tsavo National Park) due to kidnapping and terrorism. Lamu county due to kidnapping and terrorism. Kilifi north of Malindi due to kidnapping and terrorism. Parts of north and northwestern Kenya: West Pokot County due to banditry Western Turkana County south of Lodwar due to banditry Parts of Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the Ethiopian border due to cross-border incursions Do not travel to these areas for any reason. Specified Areas - Level 3: Reconsider Travel Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera: Crime and kidnappings occur in the Eastleigh and Kibera neighborhoods. Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, mugging, and home invasion, can occur at any time. Street crime can involve multiple armed assailants. Most roads in these areas are heavily congested and overcrowded. Local police often lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data