Is Kenya Safe to Visit For a Safari in 2025?

January 27, 2025

Is Kenya Safe to Visit?

Is Kenya safe to visit? Well, we would never send our clients to places we wouldn’t visit ourselves with our own families. Kenya’s superb safari destinations are safe to visit. Additionally, its warm, hospitable people will make your trip a memorable one.

Since our establishment, we’ve lived our ethos of ‘we know because we go’. All our Africa Safari Experts are permanently based in Africa, are well-traveled on the continent, and have extensive first-hand experience with the destinations they recommend. Being based in Africa means we continuously have members of the team discovering new destinations and experiences to ensure they are safe and meet our clients’ expectations.

Kenya Travel Advisory

Although there is a long-standing travel advisory from the US State Department, it relates to very specific and strictly non-tourist areas – mostly in the distant east of the country. It is not a blanket ban and the majority of Kenya is safe to visit. Thousands of American tourists visit Kenya’s incredible wildlife areas. These include the Masai Mara, Samburu, Amboseli, and Laikipia every year without incident.

Where extremism gains a solid foothold, it becomes more difficult to extinguish. The conservation of Africa’s wildlife relies heavily on the foreign currency generated by tourism. Without these funds, important conservation projects would have to scale down or close, national parks would be forced to lay off rangers and anti-poaching units, and poaching would thrive. If the tourism industry suffers, the domino effect of suffering for rural communities and endangered wildlife is truly horrifying.

Is Terrorism a Problem in Kenya?

Kenya’s authorities deal with the international terror threat in much the same way as other allies of the USA and Britain. You’ll find strict security at airports and visible policing in public places like shopping malls and outdoor markets, ensuring it is safe to visit Kenya.

The country’s impressive military is active along the eastern border with Somalia. It’s important to know that tourists do not visit eastern Kenya at all. You will explore the famous game reserves far away on the opposite side of the country, along Kenya’s western border with Tanzania. This area is so stable and peaceful that the national border separating Kenya’s Masai Mara from Tanzania’s Serengeti is marked by simple stone cairns. You can see from the Mara into the Serengeti and, of course, millions of wildebeest walk this way every year on their annual migration.

Is Nairobi Safe?

Kenya, like many other democracies across the globe, occasionally goes through short periods of political change. This is centered around Nairobi, far from the country’s sensational safari areas. In fact, in some instances you’ll fly out of Nairobi immediately after landing, heading to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, or Laikipia.

Safari Vacations and Travel Services staff and clients travel to Kenya regularly, staying in both Nairobi and the Masai Mara. Travelers report high levels of airport security and that some hotels in the capital city have instituted security measures for additional peace of mind and to ensure it is safe to visit Nairobi.

As part of SVTS’s seamless approach, our guests don’t drive themselves or take any form of local transport.

We tailor our guests’ itineraries to allow for chartered flights and private transfers with trusted and professional suppliers every step of the way, ensuring that you are in the best hands as you explore Kenya from peaceful retreats and luxury lodges.

Is Kenya Safe to Visit?

With the constant development of the safari industry in Kenya and regular lodge and camp openings, the message is loud and clear: Kenya is thriving and open for business. And there’s a reason it remains one of the most sought-after safari destinations: the game viewing is incredible year-round, the people friendly and the logistics easy.

Kenya Health & Safety Travel Tips

As with traveling anywhere in the world, travelers need to be vigilant to avoid any unnecessary hassles. Here are some general health and safety tips for traveling around Kenya:

Before you leave for Kenya, you’ll need to see your doctor for a prescription of malaria pills because Kenya is a high-risk malaria destination. When you take your medication, you eliminate the risk of not being able to find them at local pharmacies.

Be sure to pack plenty of insect repellent.

When you arrive in Kenya, be conscious of your belongings. Never leave anything unguarded and only take out your cameras or other valuables when necessary.

In some of the tourist-traffic towns like Nairobi and Mombasa, pickpocketing is sometimes an issue, it’s a good idea to be alert in busy places like markets.

When you are enjoying Kenya beaches, make sure that your belongings are being watched before you head off for a swim. Make copies of all your travel documents and keep them in your luggage.

Our Africa Safari Experts will provide all the information about what areas are to be avoided and guide you every step of the way, leaving you to focus on what matters, reveling in the experience.

Food Hygiene in Kenya

When you are on safari at top lodges and safari camps, you can rest assured that food quality will be of the highest standard. You will be bowled over by the quality and local delicacies.

If you are passing through cities and towns, it’s advisable to be more aware of your food choices like meat, unpasteurized dairy products, and raw foods such as fruits or salads that can’t be peeled. A good rule of thumb is to always choose to eat well-cooked meals, and to use your discretion on the sanitation and hygiene of any establishment you visit. Avoid any restaurants or food vendors that appear unclean or have crowds.

Our Africa Safari Experts live by the ‘we know because we go’ ethos and are valuable sources of personal recommendations for where and what to eat, making sure that your travel journey is seamless from start to end.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Kenya?

Kenya is a country that has been identified as having unsafe tap water for drinking. We advise all our travelers to always drink bottled water, which is cheap and readily available. Many safari lodges, camps, and hotels will provide complimentary bottled water, ready for you in your room, safari tent, or when you are setting off on game drives. We provide safe drinking water for clients throughout the safaris we conduct.

Depending on where you choose to stay, you will be given a reusable bottle that can be filled up with filtered water as and when you need it. We also recommend that you use bottled water to brush your teeth, particularly in cities and towns.

Is Kenya Safe for Female Solo Travelers?

Kenya is safe for female solo travelers most parts of Kenya are well-suited for solo travel in general. The locals are friendly and hospitable, and English is widely spoken. As a female solo traveler, it is always best to adopt the safety practices you would traveling anywhere in the world, like not walking alone at night in cities, or avoiding deserted beaches.

As Kenya is a safari-focused destination, many female solo travelers have chosen to fly into camps and enjoy shared game drives or group safaris for the social element, or to simply go it alone with a guide. Whatever the desire for a legendary female solo traveler journey, our Safari Experts can tailor it perfectly to your preferences and budget.