Are you looking for Kenya Travel Guides that provide sustainable logistics, impacts on awareness and has checklists on the best places to visit and stay?
Look no further than our blog ‘Kenya Travel Guide 2026: The Ultimate Trip Planner’
Kenya is one of the few countries that offers fun and adventurous wild safaris as well as beach vacations.
We as Zunguka Safaris offer some of the Best Kenyan Packages to view the Big 5 in Samburu, Great Migration in Masai Mara and beach getaways!
Kenya is located in East Africa. It covers an area of about 582,646 square kilometers and is currently the 47th largest country in the entire world. In the East and West, Kenya borders Uganda and Somalia. In the North and South, Kenya borders Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Kenya also has access to the Indian Ocean, it is not landlocked. Some of the best beaches can be found along the Kenyan Coast. They include Watamu and Diani beaches.
Point to Note: The Kenyan Coast belt covers a distance of about 536 km.
As of 2026, Kenya is a Visa -free nation. The traditional visas have been replaced by the eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). All International tourists are required to apply for one before embarking on their Kenyan Safari. EAC (East African Citizens can use their passports.
Apart from your eTA, other requirements you must have during your visit to Kenyan visit include the following;
Kenya is among the Best Countries to go for a Safari in Africa. It has healthy populations of all the Big 5 and Samburu 5. During your Kenya safari, rest assured you will be able to spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos just to name a few. In our 2026 Kenya Travel Guide, these are the Best 5 Game Parks and Reserves to visit during your African trip to Kenya.
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Incase you are in the mood to do city tours in Kenya, there are several cities and towns our Kenyan travel guides recommend. They include; Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Malindi, Diani, Watamu, and Eldoret.
Instead of visiting these towns while on transit to your game park, we as Zunguka Safaris believe that tourists should visit these urban areas intentionally, shop and interact with Kenyans in order to truly understand the Kenyan culture and way of life. Check out these Kenya Travel Guide City blogs to understand Kenyan cities and towns better.
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For customizations on Kenya Travel Tours or City Itineraries, you can send us an inquiry via our inquiries page or send us an e-mail at mailto:Info@zungukasafaris.com. One of our tour guides will reply back within no time!
Asides from the Masai Mara, Kenya is also renowned for its white sandy beaches, warm tropical waters and vibrant coral reefs.
Whether you are looking forward to embark on deep sea fishing, go for jet skiing, scuba diving or just a swim, here are the Best 5 Beaches in Kenya:
In case you would love to watch dolphins swim and play with water, Kisite Mpunguti is highly recommended.Â
For sunset dhow cruises, Lamu & Mombasa are highly recommended.
Check Out: Top 10 Best Islands in Kenya for more guide informationÂ
Choosing the right time to visit Kenya depends on whether you want to witness the great migration, go for a Samburu safari, find the best beaches with white sand, coral reefs or save on luxury lodges.
According to our Kenyan Travel Guides the Peak Dry Season, Short Dry Season and the Long Rainy Season are the Best Time to Visit Kenya in 2026.
The Peak Dry Season is one of the Best Time to Visit Kenya. It occurs between July to October.
During this time, wild animals are forced to congregate near permanent waterholes and along rivers. This makes it easier for tourists to spot. Instead of driving for hours just to spot a single lion or elephant, travelers can park near a river and watch as parades of zebras, buffalos, and giraffes come to you.
Another good reason why you should go for a Kenyan Safari during the Peak Dry Season is because it coincides with the great migration.
From July to October, tourists from all over the world stream in to the Masai Mara to witness millions of wildebeests, zebras, and impalas cross the Mara River. These Mara crossings are usually dramatic because of the ferocious crocodiles that attack these preys as they are crossing.
The Peak Dry Season is also an amazing time to visit Kenya because the vegetation is thinned-out. The grass is also very short making it easy to spot predators that might be hiding.
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The Short Dry Season is also a great time to visit the Kenya. It occurs in the months of January and February.
The Short Dry Season is the perfect time to witness new born calves. Many herbivores give birth around this time. For photography safaris, this is the best time to capture playful lion cubs, wobbly-legged foals, and ‘toddler’ elephants.
The Short Dry Season is also one of Best Times to Visit Kenya because most of the predators are in action preying on the young calves which are weak targets. We as Zunguka Africa’s Kenya Travel Guides believe that January and February is the best time to capture all the predator and prey action.
The long rainy season also falls on our list of the Best time to Visit Kenya. It occurs between March and May.
Tp start off, the Long Rainy Season is recommended by our travel guides because tourists get to enjoy a private safari. During the dry season, game parks are often crowded making it impossible for travelers to enjoy or experience a romantic safari.
Going on a Kenyan safari during the Long Rainy Season is also worth it because tourists get to learn more about animals because they act naturally. During the dry season, animals behave in a weird manner because they are surrounded by convoys of vehicles.
Finally, the Long Rainy Season is a recommendable time to visit Kenya because migratory birds start arriving into the Kenyan parks and reserves from all over the world. Photography safaris during this season are also amazing because it is dust-free and the background of major conservancies including Masai Mara, Amboseli and the Tsavo is emerald green.
Below is a table that breaks down the best months to visit Kenya for a safari prepared by our skilled travel guides who have behavioral insight, excellent tracking skills and advanced botanical knowledge.
| Months | Best For |
| Jan – Feb | Photography Safaris |
| March – May | Photography & Budget Safaris |
| Jun | Samburu Safaris |
| Jul – Sept | Great Migration Safaris |
| Oct | Climbing Mount Kenya |
| Nov – Dec | Bush & Beach Combos |
After your 2026 eTA has been approved and have booked a safari with Zunguka Africa Safaris, the next thing to do is pack your bags!
During your Kenya Safari, these are the essentials you must have to ensure everything runs smoothly!
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Incase you are unable to access any of these hats, you can look for any wide-brimmed hats. Check out the Safari Store to view more safari clothes that are anti-insect and budget-friendly. Protecting yourself is of high-priority during a Kenia safari.
Great Migration & Track the Big Five
Don’t just watch the Migration—live it. Find the Big Five today
Zunguka Africa Safaris
The Zunguka Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Zunguka Africa Safaris, a Kenyan-based tour operator dedicated to sustainable and impactful travel.
The foundation serves as a vehicle for the company to give back to the landscapes and people that make their safaris possible, with a primary focus on anti-poaching initiatives and community sensitization.
Together, we can empower communities, protect wildlife, and create lasting impact.
During your Kenyan visit, as an international tourist, you need to learn or teach yourself a few Swahili words or phrases.
Below are 21 phrases that signal a digital handshake, respect and a genuine desire to interact with the people.
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| Swahili Phrase | Meaning |
| Jambo! | Â Hi! |
| Habari? | Â Hi! |
| Shikamoo | Â Hi! |
| Mambo? / Vipi? | Â How is it? |
| Asante Sana | Â Thank you |
| Karibu | Â Welcome |
| Tafadhali | Â Please |
| Samahani | Â Am Sorry |
| Pole Sana | Â Am Sorry |
| Sawa | Â Okay! |
| Pole pole | Â Slowly, slowly |
| Simba | Â Lion |
| Tembo | Â Elephant |
| Chui | Â Leopard |
| Twiga | Â Giraffe |
| Kifaru | Â Rhino |
| Bei gani | Â How Much? |
| Choo kiko wapi? | Â Where is the Washroom? |
| Maji ya kunywa | Â Drinking Water |
| Safari Njema | Â Safe Journey |
| Kwaheri | Â Bye |
