Kenya Safari Visa Guide 2026 — Everything You Need Before You Fly

Most international visitors to Kenya require a visa, and in 2026 the process is handled entirely online through Kenya's eVisa system. There is no visa on arrival. You apply before you travel, pay online, receive approval electronically, and present it at the airport. The process takes between one and five business days in most cases and costs $51.20 USD for a single-entry tourist visa. Do not leave this until the week before your flight.

Does Your Country Need a Visa for Kenya?

Kenya operates a visa-on-arrival system for citizens of a handful of countries and a visa-free arrangement for East African Community member states. For the vast majority of international safari travellers — including UK, US, European, Australian, Canadian, and most Asian passport holders — a visa is required and must be obtained in advance through the online eVisa portal.

A small number of countries have bilateral agreements with Kenya allowing visa-free entry. Always check the current requirements for your specific passport at the official Kenya Immigration Services website before travelling, as these arrangements change periodically.

How to Apply for a Kenya eVisa in 2026

The Kenya eVisa is applied for at the official portal: evisa.go.ke. Be careful — several unofficial third-party websites charge significantly higher fees to process the same application. Use only the official government portal.

Step-by-step process:

Create an account on the portal with your email address. Complete the application form with your personal details, travel dates, and accommodation information. You will need to know at least your first night's accommodation in Kenya — your camp or hotel name and address. Upload the required documents. Pay the visa fee online by credit or debit card. Receive your eVisa approval by email. Print a copy to present alongside your passport at immigration.

The entire online process takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes if your documents are prepared in advance.

What Documents Do You Need to Apply?

Have the following ready before starting your application:

A clear scan or high-quality photograph of your passport bio-data page. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from Kenya. If your passport expires sooner than this, renew it before applying for the visa.

A recent passport-sized photograph against a plain white background.

Your intended travel dates and the address of your first night's accommodation in Kenya.

Return flight details or onward travel evidence.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling from or through a country classified as having yellow fever risk. This is a separate requirement from the visa itself and is covered in detail below.

Kenya eVisa Cost and Types in 2026

Single-entry tourist visa: $51.20 USD. Valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Allows one entry into Kenya and a stay of up to 90 days.

East Africa Tourist Visa: $100 USD. Allows entry into Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda on a single visa. Excellent value if you are combining a Kenya safari with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. Note that Tanzania is not included in this visa arrangement — Tanzania requires a separate visa.

Transit visa: $20 USD. For passengers transiting through Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport who need to exit the airport.

How Long Does Kenya eVisa Processing Take?

Standard processing is typically one to three business days for straightforward applications from low-risk countries. Applications from some passport holders may take up to five business days. During high-traffic periods around peak season, processing can occasionally take longer.

Apply at least two weeks before your travel date. There is no benefit to applying months in advance — your visa will be issued and valid from the date of issue regardless. Applying three to four weeks ahead gives you time to resolve any issues without stress.

Do not apply on the day before your flight. If there is any query on your application or a technical issue with the portal, you will have no time to resolve it.

The Yellow Fever Certificate — What You Need to Know

Kenya requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers arriving from or transiting through countries on the official yellow fever risk list. This includes most of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America, and several other regions.

If you are flying direct from the UK, US, Europe, or Australia, you are very likely not required to present a yellow fever certificate. If you are routing through a yellow fever risk country — even for a brief transit — you may be required to show your certificate at Kenya immigration.

The yellow fever vaccination certificate (officially the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, known as the yellow card) is issued by your doctor or travel health clinic after vaccination. The vaccination provides lifelong protection and you only need it once.

Get this sorted at your travel health appointment at least six weeks before travel — some countries require the certificate to show the vaccination was administered at least ten days before arrival.

Do You Need a Visa for Tanzania If You Are Combining Both Countries?

Yes. Tanzania requires a separate visa and it is not included in the standard Kenya eVisa. Tanzania issues visas on arrival at major international entry points, but the online application in advance (e-Visa at eservices.immigration.go.tz) is faster and more straightforward.

The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda but not Tanzania. If you are doing a combined Kenya and Tanzania itinerary — which is one of the most popular routes we plan — you will need both a Kenya eVisa and a Tanzania visa separately.

Tanzania visa cost: approximately $50 USD for most nationalities.

What Happens at Kenya Immigration on Arrival?

You queue at immigration at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) or your port of entry. Present your passport and your printed eVisa approval. The immigration officer scans your documents, may ask brief questions about the purpose of your visit and your accommodation, and stamps your passport with the permitted stay duration.

The process is generally smooth for safari visitors. Have your eVisa printout, accommodation details, and return ticket information accessible rather than buried in your bag.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying on an unofficial third-party eVisa website and paying inflated fees. Use only evisa.go.ke.

Not checking your passport validity. Six months beyond your return date is the minimum — not six months from the date of travel.

Assuming you do not need a yellow fever certificate because you are not vaccinated. If you are routing through a risk country, you may be denied boarding by your airline or entry by Kenya immigration without it.

Providing incorrect travel dates on the application. The dates you enter should reflect your actual travel plans.

Not printing the eVisa approval. Kenya immigration expects to see a physical document alongside your passport, not just a phone screen.

Planning Your Kenya Safari

Sorting your visa is the first practical step of your Kenya trip. Once that is done, the planning becomes genuinely enjoyable. Our Nairobi team handles every detail of the safari itself — from camp selection and park sequencing to domestic flights and park fee payments — so that the only thing you need to manage is getting on your international flight.