If you’re staring at a blank eTA form wondering what to type into the “accommodation in Kenya” box when your itinerary bounces between three camps, you’re not alone. Nearly every first-time guest asks us this. This Kenya eTA visa application guide walks you through the real process, the real fees, and the honest timelines we’ve seen from guests who’ve already done it.
Kenya eTA Visa Application Guide: What Is the Kenya eTA and Who Needs One
Since 2024, Kenya has used an Electronic Travel Authorization, or eTA, instead of the old visa and e-visa system. If you’re a foreign visitor flying in for a safari, you almost certainly need one before you board your flight. It’s not optional and it’s not something you sort out on arrival anymore.
The eTA links to your passport electronically. Border officers check it against your details when you land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi or Moi International Airport in Mombasa. No eTA on file usually means no boarding pass at check-in.
Who Is Exempt From the Kenya eTA
Citizens of East African Community member states, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, don’t need an eTA. Kenya also waives it for several African Union member nations under reciprocal agreements. If you’re transiting through Nairobi for under 24 hours and staying inside the airport, you’re typically exempt too, though we’d still confirm this with your airline before you fly.
Everyone else, including travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, most of Europe, Australia, and Canada, needs to apply.
Documents You Need Before You Start
Have these ready before you open the application:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates
- A passport-style digital photo
- Your flight itinerary, including arrival and departure dates
- Proof of accommodation in Kenya
- A yellow fever certificate, if applicable (more on that below)
On the accommodation question, list the first camp or lodge on your itinerary along with the dates you’ll be there. If your safari moves between properties, like starting at Kicheche Mara Camp in the Maasai Mara and finishing at a lodge near Amboseli, you don’t need to list every stop. One confirmed booking that matches your entry date is enough for the system to accept it.
Step by Step: Applying on the Official Portal
Go directly to etakenya.go.ke. This is the only official site. Create an account with your email, fill in your passport and travel details, upload your documents, and pay the fee by card. You’ll get a reference number immediately and the approved eTA by email once it clears.
Print the approval or save it to your phone. Immigration officers at the airport have asked to see it on a screen or on paper, so don’t rely on a spotty airport wifi signal to pull up your email.
Kenya eTA Fees and Payment
The eTA costs 30 USD per person, non-refundable, whether you’re approved or not. If your safari also includes Uganda or Rwanda, the East African Tourist Visa (EATV) is worth comparing.
| Kenya eTA | East African Tourist Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $30 per person | $100 per person |
| Countries covered | Kenya only | Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda |
| Validity | 90 days from approval | 90 days from first entry |
| Re-entry rules | Multiple entries into Kenya | Multiple entries among the three, but you forfeit it if you exit into Tanzania and try to return |
| Where to apply | etakenya.go.ke | Immigration portal of your first country of entry |
Children need their own eTA or EATV. There’s no group or family discount, so budget the fee per traveler, infants included.
How Long It Really Takes to Process
The official estimate is 3 business days. In practice, our guests have seen anywhere from a few hours to about 10 days, especially during busy booking months like July and December. We tell people to apply as soon as flights and at least one camp are confirmed, rather than waiting for the full itinerary to lock in. Waiting for every camp to finalize before applying is the single biggest cause of last-minute stress we see.
Validity and Length of Stay
Once approved, the Kenya eTA is valid for 90 days. Most tourist stays run one to three weeks, so this gives you plenty of room. It doesn’t extend your permitted stay on its own. Standard tourist entry allows up to 90 days in the country, but confirm your exact stamped entry date with the immigration officer when you land.
Yellow Fever and Health Requirements
You only need a yellow fever certificate if you’re arriving from, or have transited through, a country the World Health Organization lists as having yellow fever risk. Direct flights from the US, UK, or most of Europe don’t trigger this requirement. If you’re connecting through Addis Ababa, Nairobi via Kigali, or a similar routing, check the current WHO list before you travel, since it does get updated.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Denied
- Uploading a blurry or cropped passport photo
- Entering a name that doesn’t match the passport exactly, including middle names
- Listing accommodation dates that don’t line up with the flight itinerary
- Applying through a third-party site that charges double the real fee
Official Portal vs Third-Party Scam Sites
Search “Kenya eTA” and you’ll find paid ads for sites that charge $60, $80, sometimes more, to “process” your application. They’re not affiliated with the Kenyan government. The only legitimate site is etakenya.go.ke. Bookmark it directly rather than clicking through a search ad, and never pay a “visa agent” who contacts you unsolicited by email.
Getting From Nairobi to Your Camp
Once your eTA clears, the next planning question is usually logistics from the airport. Here’s what the drive looks like from Nairobi to some of our most-booked regions, along with current non-resident park fees.
| Destination | Distance from Nairobi | Drive Time | Park Fee (adult, non-resident, per 24 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara National Reserve | 270 km | 5-6 hours | $80 (indicative) |
| Amboseli National Park | 240 km | 4 hours | $60 (indicative) |
| Lake Nakuru National Park | 160 km | 3 hours | $50 (indicative) |
| Samburu National Reserve | 325 km | 6 hours | $70 (indicative) |
Fees change without much public notice, so confirm current rates before you travel. Our Kenya Wildlife Service Safaricard park fees guide covers how payment works at the gate and why most camps handle it for you. Most guests fly between hubs instead of driving the full distance, which is worth weighing against your budget and how many days you have. We break that trade-off down in our guide to how many days you need for a Kenya safari.
The Valley Safaris Difference
We’ve filled out this form alongside guests enough times to know where people get stuck. When you book with us, we send you a single-page accommodation confirmation formatted exactly the way the eTA portal expects it, even if your trip spans four camps. We also flag your application timing against your camp confirmation schedule, so you’re not choosing between applying too early or leaving it too late. And because we’ve seen the scam sites guests land on after a rushed Google search, we point you straight to the real portal before you ever open your laptop. If you’re still comparing operators, our notes on how to avoid a fake safari operator in Kenya cover the same instinct that protects you from fake visa sites.
FAQs
How much does the Kenya eTA cost? $30 per person, paid online, non-refundable.
How long does it take? Officially 3 business days. Realistically, allow up to 10 days during busy seasons.
Do I need a visa or an eTA for a safari? An eTA, not a traditional visa. Kenya replaced the tourist visa with the eTA system in 2024.
What if my application is denied? You’ll get a reason by email. Common fixes are a clearer photo or matching your name exactly to your passport. You can reapply and pay the fee again.
Is the East African Tourist Visa better than a single Kenya eTA? Only if you’re visiting Uganda or Rwanda on the same trip. For Kenya alone, the standard eTA is cheaper and simpler.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate? Only if arriving from or transiting a country on the WHO yellow fever risk list.
Can I apply through a third-party website? Don’t. Use etakenya.go.ke only.
Plan the Trip Around It
Sorting your eTA is one small step in a much bigger, better trip. Once it’s approved, the fun part starts: picking camps, routes, and the right number of days. Have a look at our Kenya safari tours or get in touch through our contact page and we’ll help you build an itinerary around it.
