🇰🇪 Kenya
Is Kenya Safe for Travel?
Kenya is East Africa's main safari and beach destination: the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Mount Kenya, the Rift Valley and the coast around Mombasa, Diani and Lamu. Most visits to the usual safari circuits and resorts pass without trouble. The picture has still shifted in the past three weeks, and three things now shape it.
Terrorism and kidnapping from Somalia
Al Shabaab, the Al Qaida-linked group in Somalia, attacks Kenya because Kenyan troops operate in Somalia. Governments treat the threat as present across the whole country, including Nairobi. They tell you not to travel to the counties along the Somali border (Northeastern Counties Bordering Somalia) or to the mainland coast north of Malindi (Lamu Mainland and Coastal Border Strips). Lamu Island and Manda Island are treated separately (Lamu Island and Manda Island).
Crime and banditry
Armed robbery, carjacking, bag snatching from motorbikes and express kidnapping (being forced to empty your bank card) are the main crime risks in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu and on the main highways. In the north, cattle rustling and banditry make Northern Arid Pastoral Counties, North Rift Conflict Counties and the Ethiopia and South Sudan Border Zone unsafe. In Nairobi, governments single out Eastleigh, Kibera and Mathare (Nairobi).
Ebola
Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case on 6 October 2026. The patient was a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and flew into Nairobi on 3 October. He died on 5 October. By 20 October, ECDC counted eight confirmed cases and the UK's TravelHealthPro counted nine, including one death, all in one cluster linked to him. Health workers who treated him were among those infected. The Ministry of Health and WHO report no evidence of spread outside that group. There is no licensed vaccine or treatment for this virus, which is called Bundibugyo. Canada says the risk to most travellers is low if they take appropriate precautions.
Where governments stand
The United States moved Kenya to its third tier, reconsider travel, on 19 October 2026, citing health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and traffic safety. The UK, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand name regions rather than the whole country. The advisory comparison below sets out the differences.
Things to Know Before You Go
Check the map before you plan the route
Governments agree on a short list of places to stay out of: the counties along the Somali border, the mainland of Lamu County and the coast north of Malindi, and the borders with Ethiopia and South Sudan. They disagree on the exact lines, so read your own government's current advice before you book. The UK, for example, advises against all but essential travel to Garissa Town, while the US says do not travel to the counties of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera as a whole.
Ebola: what to do now
The confirmed cases are a single cluster of people who were in quarantine, and the risk to an ordinary visitor is small. There is still no vaccine or treatment, so follow the basics. Avoid contact with anyone who is sick, avoid non-essential visits to hospitals, funerals and large crowds (Germany), and watch your health for 21 days after you leave (Canada). Expect temperature checks at the Nairobi and Mombasa airports, and a form if you arrive from Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Germany). Some countries screen or quarantine people arriving from Kenya, so check the rules in the country you travel to next.
Kenyan health insurance is now part of the entry application
Since 5 October 2026, most visitors staying under 12 months must buy Kenyan Government-provided travel health insurance as part of the eTA application. Foreign policies are not accepted in its place (UK). Keep your own travel insurance as well, because Australia warns the government cover may be limited.
Cities: robbery, carjacking and express kidnapping
Do not walk at night, and take a taxi even for short trips (Japan). Keep car doors locked and windows closed. Use a taxi or ride-hailing car you have booked yourself, do not hail taxis in the street, and do not share a ride with strangers (Canada). Bag snatching from motorbikes is common in Nairobi, including in daylight (Germany, Japan).
Roads and buses
Fatal accidents are common, particularly on the Mombasa Highway (Canada). Matatus (minibuses), long-distance buses and boda-boda motorbike taxis are the main hazards. Licensed taxis, a reputable safari operator or a domestic flight are safer choices (Germany).
Protests
Demonstrations are common and can turn violent, mainly in Nairobi and western Kenya. Security forces have used tear gas and, in some cases, live ammunition (Canada). Keep away from the city centre, State House, Kibera and Mathare while protests are on (Germany).
Malaria, yellow fever and rabies
Malaria is a risk all year in every area below 2,500 m, including the game parks and the coast. Yellow fever vaccination is advised for most itineraries. Rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin are hard to get after a bite. See the health and vaccination sections.
The short rains are forecast to be stronger
Germany says El Niño is expected to bring a stronger rainy season from October to December, with flash floods and landslides that can cut roads. Leave slack in your itinerary.
Personal Security & Public Safety
Crime, unrest, and the public-order risks that shape day-to-day safety.
Traveler Situations & Contexts
How risk shifts for solo travelers, nighttime transit, LGBTIQ+ travelers, and public transport.
Solo travel
The US says solo travellers in particular should exercise caution, and Singapore advises against travelling alone, especially after dark. The UK says to avoid walking alone in isolated areas, including in daylight. Being cut off is the main issue in the north, where Canada advises armed escorts and Germany a guarded convoy.
Women travelling alone
The UK calls sexual assault rare but says it happens. Canada says women alone may face harassment and verbal abuse, and reports attacks and sexual assault, including rape and murder, across the country, particularly in Nairobi and Mombasa. The US says some Americans have been sexually assaulted in bars and in resorts or hotels. The UK and Canada both warn about spiked drinks, and Canada says women were sexually assaulted during past protests. Canada advises choosing accommodation with good security, not accepting rides from new acquaintances or strangers, and being suspicious of approaches made online.
At night
The UK advises against driving at night where possible, Canada against walking outside after dark, and Japan against going out at night as far as possible. Germany says to avoid the city centres of Nairobi and Mombasa at night and to avoid walking on beaches after dark away from hotel grounds. Take a taxi booked through your hotel or an app, even for short trips.
LGBTIQ+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is a crime in Kenya. ILGA World's database lists up to 14 years in prison under Section 162 of the Penal Code, seven years for attempts and five years for men found guilty of gross indecency. The Human Dignity Trust says the law is used against men. Enforcement is patchy. ILGA counted about 18 apparent examples of state targeting between 2009 and 2023, Canada says there are few convictions but frequent harassment by the public and the authorities and sometimes arbitrary arrests and searches, and Germany says the provisions have not been applied so far. The more common danger for a visitor is being lured through a dating app and then robbed, assaulted or blackmailed, which the UK, Canada and Germany all report. The UK also reports an increase in criminals targeting LGBT+ travellers in particular. ILGA says legal gender recognition is not possible. The UK warns that showing affection in public could lead to arrest, and Germany strongly recommends restrained behaviour in public. Risk differs between a discreet visitor, a local resident and someone who is visibly gender non-conforming, so weigh your own situation.
Public transport
Canada calls public transport limited and unsafe: buses and matatus are overcrowded, often involved in fatal accidents, and see assaults and thefts after dark. The UK reports frequent minibus hijackings and robberies. Germany advises licensed taxis instead of buses, matatus and boda-bodas.
Protests
The UK, Germany, Canada and Singapore all tell you to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Canada warns that curfews can be imposed without notice and that phone and internet services may be disrupted during unrest.
Ratings for these appear once you pick a situational context in the sidebar.
Environmental & Natural Hazards
Weather extremes, seismic activity, and natural disaster exposure.
The short rains and El Niño
Kenya's two rainy seasons usually run from October to November and from March to mid-June (Canada). El Niño is present and expected to strengthen into 2027 (Canada), and Germany says a stronger October to December rainy season is forecast. Heavy rain can cause floods, landslides and mudslides, dam failures and high rivers, with flash floods possible. Roads may become impassable, even in large cities. Follow local media and the Kenya Meteorological Department, avoid flooded roads, stay away from streams, rivers and slopes when rain is coming, and keep a few days of water and food in stock (Germany).
Drought
Drought mainly affects the east, the north-east and the coast, and parts of the Rift Valley (Canada, Germany).
Earthquakes
Kenya lies on an active fault and tremors occur from time to time. The UK says the last significant earthquake to affect the region was of magnitude 5.2 in 2007.
Wildlife
Wild animals can be dangerous on foot or at close range (Canada, UK). Stay in your vehicle unless a guide or warden says it is safe to leave it, and do not walk around parks at night (Canada). The UK says swimming in rivers and lakes is illegal in national parks and is best avoided elsewhere because of wildlife and waterborne disease.
Coast and altitude
Canada says coastal waters can be dangerous even for experienced swimmers: riptides are common, beaches are generally unsupervised and there is no warning system. Altitude sickness is a risk on Mount Kenya (UK, TravelHealthPro).
Named Regional Exceptions
Specific geographic areas where risks significantly deviate from the national baseline (7 active).
Eastleigh, Kibera and Mathare are the Nairobi districts governments single out for crime.
What governments say
The US says do not travel to Eastleigh and Kibera because of crime and kidnapping. New Zealand says avoid non-essential travel to both. Canada says avoid non-essential travel to Kibera and asks for increased caution in and around Eastleigh, Pangani, Mathare and other informal settlements. The UK lists Eastleigh Central Business District, Mathare, Kibera and slum areas as higher-risk. Germany calls Eastleigh, Pangani and slum areas especially dangerous, and says violent attacks on visitor groups have happened during organised slum tours. Japan puts the Eastleigh area, Kibera, Mathare and Kawangware at its avoid-non-essential tier.
Protests
Germany also tells you to avoid Kibera and Mathare completely whenever demonstrations are taking place in Nairobi.
This zone covers the strips of Turkana and Marsabit counties along the borders with South Sudan and Ethiopia, including the Moyale crossing.
What governments say
Canada says avoid all travel to Turkana and Marsabit counties within 110 km of the borders with South Sudan and Ethiopia, because of terrorism, kidnapping, armed banditry and cross-border violence. The US says do not travel to Marsabit and Turkana counties within 50 km of the Ethiopian border because of unrest. New Zealand says do not travel to the border areas, which cross-border kidnapping and armed banditry make extremely unsafe, and Hong Kong says avoid all travel to them. Australia says reconsider your need to travel. Japan puts the Turkana borders with South Sudan and Uganda and the Marsabit border with Ethiopia, including Moyale, at its do-not-travel tier. Germany urges particular caution at the Ethiopian border.
What the risk is
The UK reports attacks using landmines around Moyale, close to the main A2 road south. It says vehicles crossing the border there should stay on the A2, and that you should avoid the rest house at Sololo and travel directly to Marsabit before breaking the journey.
Lamu Island and Manda Island are the two islands of Lamu County that governments treat differently from the mainland.
What governments say
The UK makes the islands an exception to its advice against all travel to Lamu County, but says you should reach them by air to Lamu Airport, a civilian airport on Manda Island, and never by road. Germany advises against non-essential travel to the islands. It says they have not been attacked so far, but that active terrorist cells are appearing near the archipelago. Canada excludes the islands from its advice to avoid all travel in Lamu County and asks for a high degree of caution there. The US and New Zealand list Lamu County without an exception for the islands, the US at do not travel and New Zealand at avoid non-essential travel. Australia says reconsider your need to travel to Lamu County.
What the risk is
The mainland next door is where Al Shabaab attacks happen. The UK names a 2020 attack on a military airstrip in Lamu County that killed three people. Its advice to fly in rather than drive is meant to keep you off the mainland road corridor.
This area covers the mainland of Lamu County (not Lamu Island or Manda Island), Tana River County and the coast of Kilifi County north of Malindi.
What governments say
The UK advises against all travel to Lamu County except Lamu Island and Manda Island, and against all but essential travel to the part of Tana River County north of the Tana River as far as Saka and to the strip within 15 km of the east coast between the Tana and Galana rivers. The US says do not travel to Lamu, Tana River (except Tsavo National Park), Kilifi north of highway C103 and the coast north of Malindi. Canada says avoid all travel within 50 km of the coast of Tana River County and of Kilifi County north of Malindi. Germany formally warns against travel to Lamu County (apart from the islands) and strongly advises against the north of Tana River County, including the A3 highway. Australia and New Zealand sit one step lower: Australia says reconsider your need to travel and New Zealand says avoid non-essential travel. Japan puts Lamu County at its do-not-travel tier and the Tana River and Kilifi coastal strip at its avoid-non-essential tier.
What the risk is
Al Shabaab attacks and kidnappings are the main concern. The UK says armed militia groups operate in the Boni National Reserve and along the border with Somalia. Germany tells anyone who must drive to the coast north of Malindi to join a guarded convoy and to avoid driving after dark. Canada adds that beachfront accommodation is exposed to armed robbery, break-ins and carjackings.
West Pokot, Turkana and Baringo counties form the North Rift belt, where armed gangs and herders fight over land, water and cattle.
What governments say
Germany strongly advises against travel to all three counties. The US says do not travel to West Pokot County and western Turkana County because of crime. Japan puts West Pokot, northern Baringo and parts of Turkana at its do-not-travel tier. The UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not advise against these counties as a whole. The UK does name the Turkana to West Pokot border, the Kerio Valley and remote parts of Baringo as hotspots where security operations continue and movement restrictions may be introduced.
What the risk is
Germany says the Kenyan government has declared parts of the North Rift especially at risk, because of more frequent attacks by gangs driven by disputes over land and resources. The UK notes that previous dusk-to-dawn curfews have largely been lifted. The borders of Turkana with South Sudan are covered separately in the Ethiopia and South Sudan Border Zone.
This is the most dangerous area for travellers in Kenya. It covers Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties along the Somali border.
What governments say
The US, Canada, Germany and New Zealand all tell you not to travel to Mandera, Wajir and Garissa. The UK advises against all travel to Mandera County, to the Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies of Wajir County and to most of Garissa County, and against all but essential travel to Garissa Town. Australia says do not travel to the border regions with Somalia, including all of Mandera and Garissa counties and the part of Wajir County from Wajir town east to the border. Japan puts the Somali border zone, the area around the Dadaab refugee camp and Garissa at its top tier, evacuate, and the rest of Mandera and Wajir one tier lower. Hong Kong says avoid all travel to the areas along the border.
What the risk is
The UK reports frequent attacks, mostly attributed to Al Shabaab, that have killed members of the security forces as well as civilians. Canada says the border is porous, that Somali militias carry out cross-border attacks, and that roadside explosive devices have caused casualties, including near the Dadaab camp, 80 km from the border. Aid workers, tourists and local people have been targeted for kidnapping. Germany says the risk of kidnapping is high in the counties next to Somalia.
If you have no choice but to go
Germany tells anyone who must travel by car to the north or east of Kenya to join a guarded convoy and to avoid driving after dark. It also says to avoid the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.
This area covers Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Laikipia, northern Meru and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties. Few governments tell you to avoid it as a whole, but it is among the least predictable parts of Kenya.
What the risk is
The UK says rural areas in the north and north-east occasionally see cattle rustling, banditry and ethnic clashes, that foreign nationals are not usually the target, and that security operations continue, with movement restrictions possible, in hotspots including the Kerio Valley and remote parts of Samburu. Germany reports growing conflicts over grazing and land rights in Laikipia and neighbouring counties, with violent attacks on farms and lodges, and urges particular caution in the wider North Rift and in the area where Laikipia, Meru and Isiolo meet. Canada says parts of Isiolo and Marsabit are unsafe because of terrorism and clan conflicts over land, cattle and water.
If you go
Canada advises using armed escorts arranged through local police stations, staying near tourist areas and not travelling after dark. Japan puts Samburu, Isiolo and most of Marsabit at its avoid-non-essential tier. The border strip with Ethiopia is covered separately in the Ethiopia and South Sudan Border Zone.
Mombasa Old Town and the Likoni Ferry are the parts of Mombasa that governments flag.
The UK names the Old Town and the area on and around the Likoni Ferry, which links Mombasa to the southern resorts, as higher-risk. Germany says to visit the Old Town, even by day, only with someone who knows it, and Canada asks for increased caution there. Canada also says to avoid the Likoni Ferry because of petty crime, overcrowding, poor maintenance and a lack of safety equipment and security. If you still use it, Canada says check that the vessel carries safety equipment and life jackets and do not board one that looks overloaded or unseaworthy.
Health & Diseases in Kenya
Strict tripartite separation: endemic disease threats, recommended travel vaccines, and legally mandatory entry certificates.
Ebola (Bundibugyo virus)
Kenya's first case was imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, arrived in Nairobi on 3 October and died on 5 October. As of 20 October, ECDC counts eight confirmed cases and TravelHealthPro nine, including one death, all linked to that first case. Three of those infected were health workers who cared for him. WHO reported on 16 October that 127 of 130 listed contacts were in quarantine, and the Ministry of Health says there is no evidence of community transmission. There is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for this virus. It spreads by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a sick or dead person, or with objects they have contaminated, not through the air. Avoid sick people and anything contaminated by their body fluids, avoid funerals and non-essential visits to hospitals, wash your hands often, and watch your health for 21 days after you leave Kenya. Canada says to isolate and seek medical care right away if symptoms start.
Malaria
Malaria is a risk all year in every area below 2,500 m, including the game parks and the coast, and over 99 percent of cases are the dangerous P. falciparum type (Germany). Central Nairobi and the highlands above 2,500 m carry little risk. CDC recommends atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine for the rest of the country, and TravelHealthPro lists the first three.
Yellow fever
Transmission occurs in parts of the country. TravelHealthPro records a 2022 outbreak centred on Isiolo County that also reached Garissa County, outside the area previously recognised. See the vaccination section.
Dengue, chikungunya and Zika
All three are present. TravelHealthPro logged a chikungunya outbreak in Mombasa County in June and July 2025 with 614 cases, 97 of them confirmed. Germany says the risk of these diseases in Nairobi is minimal. Canada warns that Zika can cause serious birth defects.
Cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A
Cholera hit Kenya in 2025: 423 cases and 20 deaths from February to July, and 236 cases and 6 deaths from October to mid-November (TravelHealthPro). CDC lists Garissa, Migori, Mombasa, Nairobi, Narok and Turkana as areas of active transmission, with the most recent case in Garissa within the past three months. CDC and Germany both say cholera is rare in travellers. Typhoid and hepatitis A occur, including in travellers (Germany). Canada's rule for food and water is to boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it.
Polio, measles and mpox
TravelHealthPro reports one case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 in Kenya during 2026. It rates the measles risk as endemic or greater than in the UK, and Germany stresses measles protection because of repeated outbreaks. TravelHealthPro also says a clade I mpox outbreak is ongoing, and CDC recommends mpox vaccine for adults who expect sexual or intimate contact with a new partner.
Other risks
Rabies: dogs are commonly rabid, rabies vaccine may only be available in larger urban facilities (CDC), and immunoglobulin is unavailable or very limited (Germany). Crimean-Congo fever (spread by ticks), Rift Valley fever, leishmaniasis, West Nile virus and schistosomiasis also occur, so avoid swimming in fresh water (Canada, Germany). Kenya lies in the extended meningitis belt, and cases peak in the dry seasons, December to March and June to October (Germany). Altitude sickness is a risk on Mount Kenya (UK, TravelHealthPro).
Medical care
Canada says good facilities are available in Nairobi but standards elsewhere vary and can be very limited. The US says medical services are often unavailable in rural areas, many health problems may need evacuation at your own expense, and facilities usually refuse treatment without payment up front. Germany suggests medical evacuation insurance such as AMREF Flying Doctors.
Entry requirements
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. WHO, CDC and TravelHealthPro give the age as 1 year or over, and Germany says 12 months. Arriving directly from Germany, the UK or the US does not trigger the requirement (STIKO, CDC). Canada says the Kenyan authorities regularly carry out spot checks for proof, so carry a copy of your certificate. The STIKO table lists no other vaccine as an entry requirement.
Recommended vaccines
- Yellow fever: recommended from 9 months for most of Kenya, including Tsavo, the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru, but generally not for trips limited to Nairobi, Mombasa, the former North Eastern Province or the coastal counties (CDC, WHO, TravelHealthPro, Germany). STIKO adds that cases confirmed inside the country in March 2022 spread into some of those areas, so doctors in Germany should be generous in advising it for all of Kenya for now. Ask a travel clinic about this disagreement.
- Hepatitis A and typhoid: recommended for most travellers (CDC, TravelHealthPro, Germany).
- Polio: complete your course, and have an IPV booster if your protection is incomplete (STIKO), because vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 has been detected.
- Hepatitis B: CDC recommends it for unvaccinated travellers under 60, and TravelHealthPro says to consider it for all travellers.
- Meningococcal ACWY: for the meningitis belt in the dry season, and for higher-risk travellers such as long-stay travellers who mix closely with local people (CDC, TravelHealthPro).
- Rabies: before the trip if you will be in remote areas, handling animals or staying long, because treatment after a bite is hard to get (CDC, TravelHealthPro, Germany).
- Cholera: may be considered if you travel to areas of active transmission (CDC). Germany says it is usually not needed.
- Dengue and chikungunya: only by individual indication. STIKO and TravelHealthPro mention dengue vaccine for people aged 4 or over who have had laboratory-confirmed dengue before, and CDC says chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended.
- Mpox: CDC recommends it for adults who expect sexual or intimate contact with a new partner.
- Measles and routine vaccines: make sure you are fully vaccinated, including MMR (CDC, TravelHealthPro).
Malaria tablets are not a vaccine, but you need them for most itineraries. See the health section.
Endemic Disease Risks
Vector-borne and water-borne pathogens present in territory.
Recommended Vaccinations
Advised medical prophylaxis for general travelers.
Worth considering, depending on your trip.
Mandatory Entry Regulations
Legally enforced entry documentation required at border control.
Government Advisory Comparison
How the major government advisories compare, and where they genuinely disagree rather than just draw the boundary differently.
Governments agree on the broad picture and differ on the lines.
The country as a whole
Only the US sets the whole country at its third tier, reconsider travel, which it did on 19 October 2026, adding health to crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and traffic safety and noting the CDC Ebola notice. The UK has no country-wide warning, only regional ones. Germany has a partial travel warning. Canada and Australia ask for a high degree of caution, New Zealand for increased caution, and Hong Kong has an amber alert, signs of threat. Japan keeps the rest of the country at its lowest tier with a terrorism, kidnapping and crime caution for all of Kenya, and Singapore gives general advice with no level.
The Somali border and the coast
Every government that publishes regional advice treats Mandera, Wajir and Garissa as places not to go, but they differ at the edges. The UK advises against all but essential travel, rather than all travel, to Garissa Town. Australia names only the part of Wajir from Wajir town east to the border. On the coast, the UK draws its line at the east-coast strip 15 km wide between the Tana and Galana rivers, Canada and Australia use 50 km, and the US names Kilifi north of highway C103 and the coast north of Malindi. For Lamu, the UK, Canada and Germany exclude Lamu Island and Manda Island from their strongest advice, while the US and New Zealand list the county without an exception.
The north
Germany strongly advises against Baringo, West Pokot and Turkana, and the US names West Pokot and western Turkana. The UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not. On the borders with Ethiopia and South Sudan, Canada uses a 110 km strip and the US 50 km, New Zealand and Hong Kong tell you to avoid the border areas, and Australia asks you to reconsider.
Nairobi
The US says do not travel to Eastleigh and Kibera. New Zealand says avoid non-essential travel to both, Canada says the same for Kibera only, and the UK and Germany name these areas as higher-risk without advising against travel.
Ebola
No government advises against travel to Kenya on account of Ebola alone. CDC puts its Kenya notice at its lowest level, practise usual precautions, TravelHealthPro says take extra precautions, and Canada says the risk to most travellers is low with appropriate precautions. Case counts differ with the date: WHO reported three on 16 October, ECDC eight as of 20 October and TravelHealthPro nine as of the same date.
How current each source is
Japan's hazard map dates from May 2025 and New Zealand's page from July 2025, although New Zealand's regional text is marked as still current. Hong Kong's alert entry dates from June 2024, and Singapore's page carries no date. The UK, US, Germany, Canada and Australia updated their advice between 15 and 19 October 2026.
Common Safety Questions
Is Kenya safe to visit in 2026?
Kenya holds an overall risk rating of "Moderate" based on synthesized sovereign government advisories. Note that peak risk reaches "High" in specific domains such as Ebola and Marburg, Road safety.
Is Kenya safe for solo female travelers?
Solo female travel in Kenya is assessed at moderate risk. Travelers are advised to use situational awareness, reputable transportation, and avoid poorly lit areas late at night.
Is Kenya safe for LGBTIQ+ travelers?
LGBTIQ+ safety in Kenya is assessed at high risk, based on the country's legal treatment, social attitudes, and documented safety incidents affecting LGBTIQ+ people. Risk can vary between groups and regions; see the Traveler Situations section for detail.
What vaccines do I need for Kenya?
Required to enter: Yellow fever. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers aged 1 year or over (Germany says 12 months) arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO, CDC, TravelHealthPro, FCDO, Canada, Auswärtiges Amt, STIKO). Direct arrival from Germany, the UK or the US does not trigger it. Canada says Kenyan authorities carry out spot checks for proof. Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis, Typhoid and Yellow fever. Worth considering depending on your trip: Chikungunya, Cholera, Dengue, Malaria, Meningococcal disease, Mpox and Rabies.
Sources
Official advisories and health surveillance bodies consulted for this brief.
- Smartraveller Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2% bias contribution)
- SafeTravel New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (7% bias contribution)
- Outbound Travel Alert Security Bureau, Government of the Hong Kong SAR (1% bias contribution)
- MFA travel advisories Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (7% bias contribution)
- Auswärtiges Amt Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office) (20% bias contribution)
- Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories Global Affairs Canada (21% bias contribution)
- U.S. State Department travel advisories U.S. Department of State (12% bias contribution)
- UK FCDO travel advice Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (15% bias contribution)
- MOFA Overseas Safety Website Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (8% bias contribution)
- TravelHealthPro National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) (3% bias contribution)
- CDC Travelers' Health U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (3% bias contribution)
- ECDC communicable disease threats European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (1% bias contribution)
- WHO International travel and health World Health Organization (1% bias contribution)
- STIKO Ständige Impfkommission (STIKO) am Robert Koch-Institut
Last reviewed: Oct 23, 2026
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