Kenya: Safari, Culture & Coast

This journey begins at Nairobi. On the first day, we meet at 17:00.

Your Coordinator will add you to the WhatsApp group for your trip about 15 days before departure.
 It’s a great way to start getting to know your travel mates, receive more details about the first day’s meeting point, and ask any pre-departure questions you might have.

This journey ends at Mombasa. On the last day, you are free to leave at any time, so whether you need to book a flight, a train, or wish to continue the journey on your own, you can organize your return as you prefer.

For this itinerary, you can choose the type of luggage you prefer – we always recommend a backpack, but you can also travel with a duffel bag, a holdall, or (it breaks our heart to say it) a cabin trolley case or a checked suitcase, as long as it’s moderate in size. Our Travel Coordinator will suggest the ideal luggage before departure in the WhatsApp group!

If you are a UK citizen, to find out the entry requirements for Kenya, you can check this informational page from our partner Sherpa. If you need a visa, you can apply for it through Sherpa. If you are not a UK citizen, you can still use Sherpa by changing the nationality in the 'Passport' section.

Before traveling, always remember to check the government website of your country of origin for updates on the entry requirements for Kenya – you wouldn’t want to stay home due to a bureaucratic detail!

• UK residents: review the FCDO Travel Advice.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
• Other residents: refer to your government or local consulate's travel advice.

Kenya is in the East Africa Time zone, which is GMT+3. It does not observe daylight saving time. If it is 12pm in the UK, it will be 3pm in Kenya. If it is 12pm on the East Coast of the USA, it will be 8pm in Kenya. Keep this in mind when planning your activities or connecting with people back home.

Kenya uses the Kenyan Shilling (KES) as its currency. The approximate exchange rates are:

• 1 GBP to 160 KES
• 1 USD to 110 KES
• 1 EUR to 130 KES

You can exchange currency at banks, currency exchange bureaus, and some hotels. It's a good idea to compare rates to get the best deal.

In Kenya, you can pay using credit and debit cards, mobile payment systems like M-Pesa, and cash.

• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas and major hotels, restaurants, and stores.
• Mobile payment systems are very popular and convenient for everyday transactions.
• If you prefer using cash, it's a good idea to carry some Kenyan Shillings for smaller vendors and rural areas where card payments might not be accepted.

Always check with your bank about any international transaction fees.

Tipping in Kenya is common and appreciated, though not mandatory. For restaurants, a tip of 10 to 15 percent of the bill is generally expected if service is not included. In hotels, you might want to tip porters around 100 to 200 Kenyan Shillings and give a small daily tip to housekeeping. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare is considered polite. Always check your bill to see if a service charge is already included before tipping.

In Kenya, the internet is generally good in urban areas and tourist spots, but it can be spotty in rural regions. We suggest you buy a local SIM card or an e-SIM data plan for better connectivity. Safaricom and Airtel are reliable providers with good coverage. Wi-Fi is available in hotels, cafes, and some public areas, but speeds can vary. For a consistent connection, having a SIM card is a smart choice. Make sure your phone is unlocked to use a local SIM.

In Kenya, they speak both English and Swahili as the official languages. You'll find English widely used in business and education, while Swahili is commonly spoken in everyday life. Here are some useful Swahili expressions you might hear or use:

• Hello: Jambo
• Thank you: Asante
• How much?: Bei gani?
• Good morning: Habari ya asubuhi
• Goodbye: Kwaheri

Swahili is a beautiful language, and locals appreciate even a small effort to speak it.

In Kenya, the plugs used are type G, which are the same as those in the UK. The voltage is 240V, and the frequency is 50Hz. If you're coming from countries where other types of plugs are standard, like the USA or some European countries, we suggest you bring a universal adapter to ensure your devices can be charged without any issues.

The main religion in Kenya is Christianity, with a significant portion of the population identifying as Christians. There is also a notable Muslim community, primarily along the coast and in urban areas. Important Christian holidays include Christmas and Easter, while for Muslims, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are significant. If you plan to visit during these times, you might experience local celebrations and events.

Kenya offers diverse landscapes and exciting adventures, so packing smartly will ensure a comfortable trip. Here's what we suggest you put in your backpack:

1. Clothing:

• Lightweight shirts and shorts
• Long-sleeved shirts and pants for evenings
• A light jacket or sweater
• Swimwear

2. Shoes:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals
• Hiking boots if you're planning to go on safaris or hikes

3. Accessories and Technology:

• Sunglasses and a hat for sun protection
• A good camera or smartphone for photos
• Portable charger
• Travel adapter (Kenya uses type G plugs)

4. Toiletries and Medication:

• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Basic toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo
• First aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic wipes
• Common travel medication like anti-diarrheal, pain relievers, and antihistamines

Kenya's climate can vary, so checking the weather forecast before you go can help you pack more precisely.

Kenya's weather can vary quite a bit depending on the region:

• Coastal Region: Warm and humid throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 77°F to 91°F (25°C to 33°C). Best time to visit is from June to September when it's cooler and drier.
• Nairobi and Central Highlands: Cooler with temperatures between 50°F and 78°F (10°C to 26°C). The best time to visit is from December to March and June to October.
• Rift Valley and Western Kenya: Mild and temperate, with the same best visiting months as Nairobi.
• Northern Kenya: Hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 86°F (30°C). Visit from June to September for more pleasant weather.

Keep in mind the long rains are from March to May, and the short rains are from October to December.

Return international flights are not included on our trips because we want to give you full autonomy and flexibility. You can choose your preferred airline, fly from the airport that works best for you, and decide how many stopovers you want to make along the way.

As flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: you could arrive at your destination a few days early or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!

An "Available" departure means that the trip isn’t confirmed yet and we’re waiting for a few more travellers to sign up… which could be you!

If you book the trip please wait for it to be confirmed before booking your international flights.

The question of all questions! Here’s some more information: 

• The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all travellers on the trip and managed by your Travel Coordinator. 
• It is used to streamline payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do. This guarantees flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group. 
• It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
• You’ll find the Money Pot amount on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the Money Pot’. To find this look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money Pot? Click here’ and you’ll find the details.
• The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
• It is usually used for group expenses that all travellers decide to take part in, but sometimes if you opt out of an activity it might make more sense for it to come out of the Money Pot. In these cases the Coordinator will return the amount for this activity back to you at the end of the trip. 
• It is estimated based on the experience of other groups but can vary depending on what activities your group is keen for. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
• If not all of the Money Pot is spent, the difference will be returned to all travellers at the end of the trip. 
• The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the Money Pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
• If you pay in advance for part of the Money Pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded if the trip is cancelled. 

We offer several payment methods to fit every need:

1. Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Klarna (you’ll pay for the trip in three equal amounts);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account.

Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation up to 31 days before departure, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.

If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. 

How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.

For our trips we usually use locally owned accommodation instead of big hotel chains. It’s our favourite way to really experience the local culture and, whenever we can, support the local economy. Typically, you’ll stay in hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.

The list of accommodation for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!

Yes! We might not know the flights for everyone else in the group, but there are ways to find out which flights your fellow WeRoaders will be taking. 

1. All travellers can share their flight details after booking on their My WeRoad account so that other travellers on the same trip can see these details anonymously. 

2. Alternatively you can join our Facebook group: Solo Travellers | WeRoad Community – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963298767843213 ) Look for a post about the trip you’re interested in or ask the group admin for help in getting in touch with your future travel companions!

3. If the Coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you’re keen for, you can easily find their Facebook post on the website. Click 'Ask the Coordinator' and follow the link here. 

Our groups usually consist of 8–12 travellers, with a minimum of 3–4 and a maximum of 15. 
Everyone on our trips speaks English, and travellers join us from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Our trips are open to people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, with an average age of 34 across all trips.

Each group will be joined and led by one of our experienced Travel Coordinators, who’s there to ensure everything runs smoothly and the group feels well-supported. 

If you’d like to know more about our typical WeRoad groups do reach out to us on WhatsApp on +44 7716573700. 

Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking. 
You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. 

Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!

For some trips, in the itinerary section, you’ll find the number of nights and the location (not the hotel) where you’ll be spending the night(s). The location shown is the one we usually go for on most trips, but in some cases, you might stay in a nearby town. This will depend on logistics or availability of accommodation. 

The list of accommodation for your trip (and therefore also the exact locations) will be shared by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful information for your adventure!

The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller who will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary like transport, timings, accommodation, restaurant bookings and meeting points, so that you can enjoy the trip without this hassle. They’re there to support the group, ensure everything runs smoothly and will no doubt make the trip a lot of fun along the way too! 

The Coordinator will set up a WhatsApp group approximately 2 weeks before departure. This will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking. Their details will be on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your My WeRoad account, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.

Yes, on all our trips you will share a room with other WeRoaders in your group. By default this will be people of the same gender, unless you tick ‘I'm OK with a mixed gender room’ when you book. The bathroom will either be private or shared only with other travellers on the trip. The rooms might be twins, triples, quadruples or multi-share (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.

You will never share with people from outside of the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodation like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.

On some of our trips we can offer a private room for an additional cost. Just tick the ‘Private Room’ option at checkout to get this added. For some of our trips if you book as two travellers together you can add this private room free of charge. Look out for this option at checkout. 

Please note that if you do book a private room with a friend/partner this could be either a double or a twin room so please email [email protected] if you have a preference on this. 

When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you.

But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. You can also come along to one of our many events that we run in different cities worldwide. Check out and sign up to our events by downloading the WeMeet app here.