Kenya, touted for many taglines like “The Cradle of Humanity” and “The Land of the Safari”, is one of the most visited African countries. In fact, about 2.4 million international tourist arrivals were recorded last year, 2024, making it as the 7^th most visited country in the continent of Africa. This shows the country’s appeal as prime tourist destination with its incredible wildlife safaris as well as varied cultural experiences.

Where is KENYA?

Kenya is located in East Africa, bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Indian Ocean to the southeast (YES, Kenya has beaches!!!), Tanzania to the southwest, Lake Victoria and Uganda to the west, and South Sudan to the northwest.

Notable information about Kenya include the following:

a. Official Languages: Swahili, English (If you’re a well-versed in English, you won’t have a hard time communicating with people here because they are very fluent in English.)

b. Land area: 580,367 sq. km [It is almost twice the size of the Philippines (300,000 sq. km), but our country has more than double of their population: 114 million vs 52 million]

c. Weather conditions: Kenya experiences various climate condition, namely tropical climate along the coast, temperate inland, and arid in the north and northeast parts of the country. But generally, the country has “long rains season,” which happens from March to June; “short rains season” from October to November/December. The rest of the year is ideal for traveling, as it’s expected to have “hot and sunny season.”

How to go to KENYA?

There are no direct flights from the Philippines to the country of Kenya. There are various connecting flights, though, from Manila (the Philippine capital) to Nairobi (the capital of Kenya). These include the following airlines: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airlines, and China Southern Airlines.

Since November 2024, AirAsia has started its first venture into the African market via Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi route. However, it will suspend this route effective September 1, 2025 due to lower-than-expected demand. This flight was what we took when we went to Kenya this past month of April 2025.

What to prepare before traveling to KENYA?

There are actually a lot of things a Filipino traveler should prepare before heading to the country of Kenya. Here’s a list:

1. Valid Philippine Passport.

Remember, you need your passport every time you head out of the country. Make sure it is still more than 6 months away from its expiry date. If it is, arrange your appointment to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and secure your new and updated passport immediately.

2. Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Filipinos do not actually need a visa when entering Kenya, but we have to apply for Kenya ETA online via the official Kenya eTA portal: https://etakenya.go.ke/

3. Yellow fever vaccine.

This is mandatory. Head to the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) website (icv.boq.ph) and secure your appointment at least 10 days before your travel. When we had our yellow fever vaccine, we did it at least 2 months before our trip. Cost of the vaccine is about P2,000. After vaccination, you will get an original yellow booklet (ICVP) that you SHOULD BRING with you on your travel to Kenya. They may not be strict upon your arrival, but they are most definitely strict about this when you are heading out of their country.

4. Hotel or accommodation bookings.

This is required when you apply for the Kenya eTA. You may use travel apps to help you find accommodations that suit your needs, and of course, budget!

5. Airport bookings.

This is also required when you apply for their eTA. While some people still print out their flight details along with their hotel bookings, it’s also a good idea to have screenshots of these in your phone.

6. Prophylactic medication to prevent malaria.

I consulted my doctor friend, Joey, about this, and yes, he highly recommended us to take prophylactic meds for malaria prevention. As I’m typing this, I’m still on my meds as it would take 40 days to finish.

How much will you spend when going to Kenya?

This will definitely depend on where you’re planning to go in Kenya, what tours you’re availing, and how many days will you be staying. Our whole trip to Kenya (including days going in and out of there) covered about 13 days, and our budget for one person exceeded P100,000.

By the way, wait for our travel agency named Offduty Bucket List to offer Kenyan tour next year, 2026! Not only will it be priced competitively, it sure will be cheaper than the other available tours in Kenya.

TIPS WHEN AVAILING TOURS IN KENYA:

If you are going to look at travel apps like Klook, Agoda and Booking, many of their tours are actually quite expensive. Check out which ones are best for you, like a promising tour to Maasai Mara that would fit in your budget.

Here are my other tips when availing tours:

1. Most likely, you will be entering Kenya via Nairobi, its capital city. You can stay here for a few days as there a lot to go to here. Did you know Nairobi is the only city in the world that that has a safari national park? Yes, and it’s called Nairobi National Park. It has the distinction of being the only national park located within a capital city in the world. Another one that you can visit in the city is the Nairobi National Museum, which showcases Kenya’s rich natural, cultural and historical heritage. This is the place we’ve explored during our first day in Nairobi, and I’m telling you, we’ve learned a lot here!
2. There are a lot of other tours available from Nairobi, so if you’re staying in the city, you’re still good to go! Also, make sure you’re availing from legitimate tour agencies to avoid being scammed. As much as possible, double check (or even triple check) if their tours are actually being offered by looking for their company in social media, legitimate websites, and other travel blogs. Also, this is where apps like Klook, Agoda and Booking come really important. You have access to real user reviews and photos, which would raise your confidence in availing their tours.
3. If you intend to immerse yourself in the savannah to experience nature, see its creatures (especially the big five), and meet the Maasai people, 5 to 7 days is a good option. Some people stay for more. In our case, 3 days is enough, albeit it’s relatively fast-paced… in a way! I guess it depends on your purpose, as well as the time and budget you have. By the way, it’s best to upgrade your vehicle to a Landcruiser for a more comfortable experience.
4. One of the tours that are relatively cheaper compared to other tours is Small Group Budget Tour to Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha. This is perfect for a 2-person tour, as you would be using a small vehicle with 4 seats. The two seats are occupied by your travel guides, one of which will be driving. His name is David, and you may contact him via Whatsapp in this number: +254794499901.

What places to visit when you travel to KENYA?

There’s a lot! But here is a short list of what places to visit that we personally experienced!

• MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Regarded as the Kenya’s most treasured savannah, going here is a dream! You’d see here a variety of wild animals up close! Try to find the animals deemed as the big five: elephant, lion, leopard, water buffalo and rhinoceros!

You can also choose to go up and hover above by riding the hot air balloon! During your last day, you can visit the village of the Maasai Mara people, one of the indigenous people in Kenya.

Wait for my next blog for a more detailed description of Maasai Mara!

• MAASAI VILLAGE

Maasai Village is a traditional homestead of the Maasai people, a semi-nomadic ethnic group primarily found in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, the latter covering the Maasai Mara that we visited for safari. Maasai villages offer a glimpse into the Maasai’s rich culture, customs and lifestyle. We were, in fact, invited to come in to one of their houses so we could see how they do in their daily living.

• MOMBASA

This is Kenya’s second largest city, only next to Nairobi. It is also known as East Africa’s oldest and most important port city, as it has a rich legacy rooted in trade, culture and maritime location. For tourists and travelers, it is a place where people can also enjoy Kenya’s white sand beaches!

• NAIROBI

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city, and there’s a lot this city has to offer. Many of them were already mentioned above, from restaurants to national parks. One that I want to highlight here is the Nairobi National Museum, as it can serve as a good starting point for traveling anywhere in Kenya.

*Nairobi National Museum

A premiere educational and cultural institution in the country of Kenya, Nairobi National Museum offers a comprehensive display of the country’s rich heritage. It is located in Museum Hill, which is about 5 to 10 minutes away from Nairobi CBD.

The museum’s key galleries, exhibitions and attractions include:

1. The Cradle of Humankind – this gallery presents fossils (or replicas of fossils) supporting Kenya as one of the places of our early human ancestors.
2. The Great Hall of Mammals – this gallery showcases Kenya’s diverse mammalian species by displaying their preserved bodies and information for visitors to learn.
3. Historia ya Kenya – this gallery chronicles Kenya’s history through pre-colonial, colonial and post-independence years, highlighting key events and developments.
4. Cycles of Life – this gallery shows the cultural practices observed with different life stages among Kenyan communities; a variety of artifacts related to birth, growing up, marriage and death rituals can be seen here.
5. Birds of East Africa – this gallery displays thousands and thousands of preserved birds found in the region of East Africa, emphasizing their characteristics and ecological significance
6. Joy Adamson Gallery – dedicated to the renowned conservationist and artist, Joy Adamson, whose works contributed to wildlife conservation
7. Botanical Gardens and Nature Trail – visitors can not only explore indigenous plant species here, but also take a break and enjoy a serene, lush environment
8. Nairobi Snake Park – this park houses a number of reptiles including snakes, turtles and crocodiles; many snake species, though, were just preserved ones

• Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake located about 90 km from the capital city of Nairobi. A visit here can make you go on a boat safari, where you’d be riding the boat with a knowledgeable guide talking about the animals you’d see in the lake and in the nearby island of Crescent Island. Hippos, giraffes, zebras, eagles and a lot of other birds are just some of the animals you’d see in this lake. Honestly, visiting this lake is one of the most surprising (in a good way) things that we’ve experienced in Kenya.

• Hell’s Gate National Park

Located just south of Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate is known for its gorgeous cliffs and gorges. You can go on a bike safari here, starting from Elsa Gate towards Fischer’s Tower, and eventually the Hell’s Gate Gorge. With no large predators, it’s very ideal for cycling while seeing wildlife up close!

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WHAT FOOD TO EAT IN KENYA?

If you’re curious about what and where you can eat in Kenya, especially in Nairobi, continue reading!

Eating out in Kenya is affordable. There are a lot of restaurants and eateries you can visit to satisfy your cravings, and the amount of money you’d be spending would depend on where you go, what you eat, and what your preferred dining style is.

We have tried to eat in a casual eatery or what they call “kibanda” when we had a stopover in the Great Rift Valley. We availed their chapati (the tastiest chapati we’ve eaten in the whole country!) and a cup of iced coffee. Now, that’s a simple meal with such an epic backdrop!

We have also tried eating in their mid-range restaurants, which offered a wider variety of food from Kenyan dishes to international servings.

We have also tried Nairobi’s upscale cafes and fine dining restaurants. We’ve tried two really good cafes here: Canopy and Izzi Brunch & Cake. While I personally love the ambiance and the food in Canopy, our experience there was not perfect as their card reader machine for payment wasn’t working at the time we were finished. I had to go to a nearby bank just to pay in cash! Meanwhile, our experience in Izzi Brunch & Cake was nearly flawless. Like Canopy, they had energy plugs, great ambience and delicious food. What sets them two apart are the location and the overall service. All roads we passed by leading to Izzi were paved. Meanwhile, the roads around Canopy were either being constructed, or broken and uneven with holes filled with rain water. Nevertheless, I will still recommend both, especially if you’re looking for aesthetic and functional (if ever you’re working) coffee shops.

Meanwhile, the best restaurant we’ve tried in Kenya, which I should say is a real must try, is none other than The Carnivore, regarded as one of the world’s Top 50 restaurants by Restaurant magazine. It is located about 8 km away from Nairobi’s center.

The Carnivore

The Carnivore is an upscale restaurant offering variety of exotic meats, unique service style, and such a lively atmosphere. Our distinctive dining experience here is one of the highlights of our trip in Kenya!

I love the restaurant’s ambiance. Upon entering, we talked to the receptionist about our reservation, and he asked somebody to lead us to our table in an adjacent hall. The whole vibe of the place combines a rustic rural setting with the feel of a medieval banquet hall. From my seat, I could see how the chefs cook the meat: by traditional open-flame roasting, specifically slow roasting on Maasai swords in a massive, circular charcoal pit.

Their eat-all-you-can buffet includes: a soup for starter, a variety of side dishes including salad, the revered selection of meats (including exotic ones), a dessert, and Kenyan coffee (or tea). When it’s time for the meat to be served, the restaurant’s waiters (or carvers) go to your table offering various meat dishes like beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and turkey. The exotic ones available the night we went were crocodile meat, ox balls, ostrich meat, and ostrich meat balls. The one I really loved eating? None of the exotic ones (lol), but the good, old pork ribs, which was oozing with delicious flavor! Ugh, I can still taste it in my mouth while typing these words. Haha!

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That’s it for now! I hope I am able to inspire you to consider visiting Kenya with everything I have shared here. With all of its beautiful landscapes, natural resources, and wildlife, as well as the food you can try, going here is a dream for an explorer/traveler!