Is Kenya Open for Tourists? – Latest Kenya Travel Restrictions

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Kenya reopened its borders to international tourism on August 1, 2020. Travelers from almost any country can currently visit, so it is one of the most accessible countries that are open for tourism.

All travelers must have a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 96 hours of travel to Kenya. The test result must be digitally verified through the Trusted Travel Initiative. All travelers must also complete an online Travelers Health Surveillance form prior to travel. Once they arrive in Kenya, travelers must submit daily updates on their health to the Jitenge app for 14 consecutive days.

Travelers from regions and countries that are on this list are exempt from quarantine on arrival in Kenya as long as they have a valid negative PCR test result and do not exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.

Can I travel to Kenya right now?  

You can travel to Kenya from almost any country at the moment. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Kenya right now.

Kenya - EN

Kenya COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Kenya has a few straightforward entry requirements for all travelers.

All travelers must have a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 96 hours of travel to Kenya and was digitally verified through the Trusted Travel Initiative. They must also complete an online Travelers Health Surveillance form.

After they arrive in Kenya, travelers must provide daily health updates to the Jitenge app for 14 consecutive days.

Kenya COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Travelers from quarantine-exempt regions and countries that are on this list do not have to quarantine on arrival in Kenya as long as they have a valid negative PCR test result and do not exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.

Travelers from countries and regions on this list must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Kenya. They must provide proof of a booking at a quarantine facility 24 hours before boarding.

Travelers from the UK must self-isolate for 7 days from their arrival in Kenya and take a PCR test on day 4 after their arrival. They must also submit daily health updates to the Jitenge app, including their day 4 PCR results, for 14 consecutive days.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Kenya?

All travelers must have a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 96 hours of travel to Kenya.

The test result should be digitally verified through the Trusted Travel Initiative. You can find more information on the testing verification process here.

Children under the age of 5 are exempt from the PCR test requirement.

Travelers from the UK must take a PCR test on day 4 of their 7-day self-isolation period

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Kenya?

For travelers on this list of countries that are exempt from quarantine, there is no mandatory quarantine on arrival as long as they have a valid negative PCR test result and do not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Kenya?

Travelers from countries on this list must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Kenya. They must provide proof of a booking at a quarantine facility 24 hours before boarding their flight to Kenya.

Travelers from the UK must self-isolate for 7 days from their arrival and take a PCR test on day 4 of their self-isolation period.

Travelers Health Surveillance form

All travelers must complete and submit an online Travelers Health Surveillance form before they travel to Kenya.

Completing the form will generate a QR code, which travelers should download and present to immigration officials on arrival in Kenya.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Kenya

It’s not mandatory to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to enter Kenya, but you really shouldn’t travel right now without some kind of insurance coverage to help keep you safe and healthy.

We’ve compared many different types of travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage and Heymondo emerged as the best choice. Their policies offer extensive coverage, particularly for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, while still remaining affordable.

If you want to get your Heymondo insurance for an even better price, you can use the 5% discount link below.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Kenya

Although COVID-19 vaccine distribution is extended in most countries around the world, the government of Kenya has not yet confirmed whether it will be mandatory to present a proof of vaccine record (POVR) or an international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis (ICVP) to enter Kenya.

If you’re going to get the COVID-19 vaccine before traveling to Kenya, I recommend taking a copy of a vaccination record or certificate with you in case Kenya changes its travel restrictions.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Kenya

Other travel restrictions for Kenya during COVID-19

Kenya has a few other travel restrictions in place:

• Travelers on this list who are required to quarantine on arrival in Kenya must provide evidence of a booking at a quarantine facility 24 hours before boarding their flight to Kenya.

• All travelers will undergo health screenings upon arrival in Kenya.

• Face masks are required in all public areas.

• Social distancing rules must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit Kenya. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Kenya

Hotels, restaurants, and attractions are open, and tours and safaris are operating, so you don’t need to worry about missing out on anything Kenya has to offer. Increased health and safety measures have been put in place so you can stay safe and healthy as you explore Kenya.

Hotels that are open in Kenya

Hotels and accommodations in Kenya are open for travelers and tourists to stay. If you’re wondering where to stay, we highly recommend these accommodations:

• Ololo Safari Lodge (Nairobi National Park)
• Olare Mara Kempinski (Maasai Mara)
• Ziwa Bush Lodge (Lake Nakuru National Park)
• The Sands at Chale Island (Mombasa)

Guests will have their temperatures checked at the entrance to the hotel. They must wear masks in all public areas of the hotel and social distance.

More information on hotel regulations can be found here.

Best Safari tours in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic

Safari tours in Kenya are running right now with increased safety measures. If you are looking for the best Safari tours in Kenya that are currently operating, check out these options:

• 5 Days Masai Mara – Nakuru – Naivasha
• 6 Days Masai Mara – Nakuru – Amboseli
• 7 Days Masai Mara – Nakuru – Naivasha – Amboseli
• 14 Days Across the Kenya Wilderness Safari

Restaurants and bars that are open in Kenya

Restaurants are currently open in Kenya, but they must close by 9 PM in accordance with the current curfew. Bars are also open, but they must stop serving at 8:30 PM and close by 9 PM.

Restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol. They must limit capacity to four diners per 10 square meters of space. Tables must be spaced 1.5 meters apart.

Restaurants that are open in Kenya

Customers will have their temperatures taken at the entrance to the restaurant. There will be a hand washing station and hand sanitizer at the entrance to the restaurant so that customers can clean and disinfect their hands.

You can find more information on restaurant regulations here.

Airports that are open in Kenya

International flights have resumed to Kenya’s three international airports, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Moi International Airport in Mombasa, and Eldoret International Airport in Eldoret.

Travelers must wear masks at all times and keep at least 1.5 meters away from others who are not in their household. They will also be subject to health screenings on arrival.

Curfew in Kenya

There is a nightly curfew in Kenia from 10 PM to 4 AM across most of the country. In the 13 “hotzone” counties (Busia, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kericho, Bomet, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori), there is a nightly curfew from 7 PM to 4 AM.

Where to get a PCR test in Kenya – COVID-19 testing in Kenya

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Kenya, you can find more information on testing here.

Kenya reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Kenya reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Kenya reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Kenya, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Kenya
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Kenya
• General Kenya Travel Advisory
• Kenya Entry Requirements
• List of Countries and Territories that are Exempt from Quarantine
• Travelers Health Surveillance Form
• Trusted Travel Initiative
• Checklist for Hotels and Accommodations that are Open during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Restaurant Regulations