Nairobi Travel Guide: Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to plan a Nairobi trip in one place — entry requirements, safety, when to go, money, getting around, health and what to pack — with links to a deeper guide on each. Practical, local and honest.
Planning a trip to Nairobi?
Most visitors need a Kenya eTA, find the city manageable with normal city awareness, and get around by ride-hailing app. Nairobi is mild year-round thanks to its altitude, the dry seasons are easiest for wildlife, and two to three days cover the essentials comfortably.
This hub answers the big practical questions and links to a full guide on each. For day-by-day plans see the itineraries; for wildlife and sights see attractions; to book a guided day, see tours. Prices, fees and entry rules change, so verify the current details before you travel.
Nairobi travel: at a glance
The practical essentials for a Nairobi trip in one table — the facts most visitors look up first.
| Status | Capital of Kenya and Nairobi City County; East Africa’s main business and travel hub. |
| Entry | Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation) required for most visitors — apply online before travel; no visa on arrival. Citizens of most African countries are exempt. |
| Currency | Kenyan Shilling (KES / KSh). M-Pesa mobile money is used everywhere; cards work in hotels, malls and better restaurants. |
| Languages | English and Swahili are official and widely spoken; Sheng slang and many local languages are heard daily. |
| Time zone | East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3, with no daylight saving. |
| Electricity | 240V, 50Hz, Type G (UK three-pin) plugs — bring an adapter. |
| Altitude | About 1,795 m (5,900 ft), giving a mild highland climate despite the equator. |
| Best time | The dry seasons — roughly late June to October and January to February — are easiest for wildlife and outdoor plans. |
| Getting around | Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, Little) are best for visitors; matatus and buses are the cheap local backbone; taxis and car hire are available. |
| Emergency | Dial 999 or 112 for police, ambulance or fire. |
Do you need a visa for Nairobi?
Most visitors need a Kenya eTA, not a visa. The eTA replaced Kenya’s visa system in 2024, and you apply online before you travel — airlines check it at boarding, so there is no visa on arrival.
You apply at the official Kenyan government portal, upload the required details, and receive your approval by email to show at check-in. Citizens of most African countries are now exempt, and the eTA covers both tourism and transit. Fees and eligibility change from time to time, so always confirm the current rules before booking. Note that even leaving the airport on a layover requires an approved eTA.
Always “eTA”, never “eVisa”
Kenya’s system is the electronic travel authorisation (eTA), applied for at the official government portal. Read the full Kenya eTA guide for the step-by-step process and current requirements.
Is Nairobi safe for tourists?
Yes — Nairobi is manageable for visitors who use normal city awareness. Safety depends on area, time and behaviour rather than the city as a whole, and the main risks are opportunistic: phone-snatching and pickpocketing in crowded streets, markets and matatu stages, with some areas warranting more care after dark.
Use ride-hailing at night
After dark, take Uber, Bolt, Little or a hotel transfer rather than walking or using stages, especially outside familiar areas.
Keep valuables discreet
Don’t display phones, cameras, jewellery or cash in crowds, at stages or in slow traffic. Carry only what you need.
Move by area
Cluster your days so you’re not criss-crossing the city, and ask your hotel about the specific area you’re heading to.
It is not a city to fear, but one to move through thoughtfully. Read the full area-by-area safety guide and common scams and how to avoid them.
When is the best time to visit Nairobi?
Nairobi’s highland altitude keeps it mild all year, so there’s no truly bad time to visit. The dry seasons are easiest for wildlife and outdoor plans, while the rains bring greener landscapes and fewer crowds.
| Season | Roughly | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Long dry | Jun–Oct | Cooler and drier, the easiest months for wildlife and walking; the busy season. |
| Short rains | Nov–Dec | Warm and green, usually with short afternoon showers rather than all-day rain. |
| Short dry | Jan–Feb | Warm, dry and clear — another strong window for wildlife and outdoor plans. |
| Long rains | Mar–May | The wettest months; lush, quieter and lower-priced, with heavier downpours. |
Seasons are approximate and shift year to year, so check the forecast close to your dates. Whatever the month, pack a light layer for cool mornings and evenings. More detail: best time to visit Nairobi and Nairobi weather and what to pack.
Paying and staying connected
Nairobi runs on mobile money and cheap data. A little cash, a card and a local SIM cover almost everything.
Money in Nairobi
The currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). M-Pesa mobile money is used everywhere, and cards work in hotels, malls, supermarkets and better restaurants. Carry some cash for markets, small vendors, boda bodas and tips, and use ATMs in malls and the city. See also Nairobi on a budget.
SIM cards & staying connected
A local SIM from Safaricom or Airtel is inexpensive and gives good 4G across the city; bring your passport to register it. eSIMs and international roaming also work. Data bundles are cheap, so many visitors pick one up on arrival.
How do you get around Nairobi?
Ride-hailing apps — Uber, Bolt and Little — are the most reliable and safest option for visitors, and the best choice after dark. Matatus and buses are the cheap local backbone but need route knowledge; boda-boda motorbike taxis are fast but riskier. Traffic is heavy at rush hour, so plan longer transfers outside roughly 7–9am and 5–7pm. JKIA handles international flights, while Wilson Airport handles domestic and safari flights.
Health, vaccinations and what to pack
Nairobi’s altitude keeps some health risks low, but a quick pre-trip check and the right kit make the difference.
Travel health
Check with a travel clinic four to six weeks before you go. A yellow-fever certificate may be required depending on your route, and routine vaccinations should be up to date. Malaria risk is low in Nairobi itself because of the altitude but relevant for safaris and the coast — take medical advice. Drink bottled or filtered water. Requirements change, so confirm with a health professional.
Weather & packing
Pack light layers for cool mornings and warm days, sun protection for the equatorial light, comfortable walking shoes, and a light rain jacket in the wet season. Bring a Type G (UK three-pin) plug adapter, a reusable water bottle, and binoculars or a zoom lens if you’re heading on safari.
All Nairobi planning guides
Every practical topic has its own full guide. Start with the one you need — or work through them before a first trip.
Is Nairobi Safe?
An honest, area-by-area read on where and when to take more care, and how to move safely.
Best Time to Visit
Month-by-month weather, seasons and events to pick the right window for your trip.
How Many Days in Nairobi
How long to stay for a layover, a city break, or a Nairobi-plus-safari trip.
Nairobi on a Budget
What things cost, where to save, and how to see the city without overspending.
Money, M-Pesa & Cards
Currency, mobile money, cards, ATMs, tipping and how locals actually pay.
SIM Cards & Data
Local SIMs, eSIMs, coverage and getting online cheaply on arrival.
Weather & What to Pack
Nairobi’s climate through the year and a practical packing list.
Travel Health & Vaccinations
Vaccination guidance, malaria context, water and staying well — verify with a clinic.
Swahili Phrases
Useful Swahili and Sheng words and greetings that go a long way with locals.
Solo Travel in Nairobi
How to plan a safe, sociable and rewarding solo trip to the city.
Common Scams
The usual tricks to watch for and simple ways to sidestep them.
Nairobi Itineraries
Ready-made day-by-day plans, from a layover to three days, plus safari combos.
Nairobi travel FAQs
Do you need a visa to visit Nairobi?
Most visitors need a Kenya eTA (electronic travel authorisation), not a visa — it replaced the visa system in 2024. Apply online at the official government portal before you fly, as airlines check it at boarding, and there’s no visa on arrival. Citizens of most African countries are now exempt. Verify current rules before booking.
Is Nairobi safe for tourists?
Yes, with normal city awareness. Risk depends on area, time and behaviour rather than the whole city. The main issues are opportunistic theft in crowds, markets and at matatu stages. Use ride-hailing at night, keep valuables out of sight, and ask your hotel about specific areas before heading out.
What is the best time to visit Nairobi?
The dry seasons — roughly late June to October and January to February — are easiest for wildlife and outdoor plans. The long rains fall around March to May and shorter rains around November to December. Thanks to the altitude, Nairobi stays mild all year, so a light layer is useful in any month.
How many days do you need in Nairobi?
One full day covers the essentials — a national-park game drive and the Karen wildlife cluster — while two to three days add the city, forests, food and culture. Add more nights if you’re pairing Nairobi with a safari to the Mara or Amboseli. See the itineraries for day-by-day plans.
Do you need M-Pesa in Nairobi, or do cards work?
Cards work in hotels, malls, supermarkets and better restaurants, but M-Pesa mobile money is used almost everywhere and is handy for smaller payments. Carry some cash too for markets, small vendors, boda bodas and tips. ATMs are widely available in malls and the city centre.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Nairobi?
It’s best to stick to bottled or filtered water for drinking, and many hotels provide it. Bottled water is cheap and widely sold. A reusable bottle with a filter is a good option if you’d rather avoid single-use plastic.
Do you need vaccinations for Kenya?
Check with a travel clinic four to six weeks before you travel. A yellow-fever certificate may be required depending on your route, routine vaccinations should be up to date, and malaria advice depends on where you’re going beyond Nairobi. This is general guidance only — confirm your specific needs with a health professional.
How do you get from the airport to the city?
From JKIA, use a ride-hailing app, a pre-booked hotel or airport transfer, or a licensed taxi. Allow extra time at rush hour, when the drive into the city can take much longer. See the JKIA arrival and airport transfer guides for details.
What language is spoken in Nairobi?
English and Swahili are both official and widely spoken, so most visitors get by easily in English. You’ll also hear Sheng, a Nairobi slang, and many local languages. Learning a few Swahili greetings is appreciated and goes a long way.
You’ve done the planning — now build the trip
Turn the essentials into days on the ground: pick an itinerary, choose where to stay, and book the wildlife day or a day trip as a guided tour so you can skip the logistics.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA — please keep attribution if you reuse them. Sources: Wabera Street, matatu.
