Kenya Travel Budget - Visit Kenya on a Budget or Travel in Style


How much does it cost to travel to Kenya?

You should plan to spend around $110 (KES15,774) per day on your vacation in Kenya. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $25 (KES3,573) on meals
  • $30 (KES4,304) on local transportation
  • $59 (KES8,487) on hotels

A one week trip to Kenya for two people costs, on average, $1,533 (KES220,830). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $110
    KES15,774
  • One Week Per person
    $767
    KES110,415
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,533
    KES220,830
  • One Month Per person
    $3,285
    KES473,207
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,533
    KES220,830
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $3,066
    KES441,660
  • One Month For a couple
    $6,571
    KES946,413
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Kenya cost?

A one week trip to Kenya usually costs around $767 (KES110,415) for one person and $1,533 (KES220,830) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Kenya on average costs around $1,533 (KES220,830) for one person and $3,066 (KES441,660) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Kenya will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Kenya on average costs around $3,285 (KES473,207) for one person and $6,571 (KES946,413) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




How much do package tours cost in Kenya?

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Kenya is $425 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.



Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Kenya expensive to visit?

Kenya is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Africa, Kenya is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to South Africa or Tanzania.

For more details, see Is Kenya Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Kenya?

The average Kenya trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Kenya travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) KES8,487 ($59)
Local Transportation 1 KES4,304 ($30)
Food 2 KES3,573 ($25)
Entertainment 1 KES5,102 ($35)
Tips and Handouts 1 KES294 - 881 ($2 - 6)
Alcohol 2 KES1,059 - 3,178 ($7 - 22)
Accommodation Budget in Kenya
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Kenya is $29 (KES4,244). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Kenya is $59 (KES8,487). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $29
    KES4,244
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $59
    KES8,487

Hotel Prices in Kenya

Looking for a hotel in Kenya? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Kenya based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $141. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Local Transportation Budget in Kenya
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Kenya is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $30 (KES4,304) per person, per day, on local transportation in Kenya.


  • Local Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $30
    KES4,304

Recommended Services

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Kenya are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Kenya, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Taxi from Airport
    KES1,200


Food Budget in Kenya
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Kenya can vary, the average cost of food in Kenya is $25 (KES3,573) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Kenya should cost around $9.92 (KES1,429) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Kenya is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $25
    KES3,573

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Kenya are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Kenya, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Dinner for Two
    KES650


Entertainment Budget in Kenya
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Kenya typically cost an average of $35 (KES5,102) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $35
    KES5,102

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Kenya are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Kenya, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Village Visit
    KES2,000


Tips and Handouts Budget in Kenya
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Kenya is $4.08 (KES588) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Kenya is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $4.08
    KES588


Alcohol Budget in Kenya
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $15 (KES2,119) on alcoholic beverages in Kenya per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $15
    KES2,119

Recommended


Water Budget in Kenya
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $1.71 (KES246) on bottled water in Kenya per day. The public water in Kenya is not usually considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $1.71
    KES246


Kenya On a Budget
Kenya A Cheetah in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Kenya is located in eastern Africa and is one of the area's hotspots for wildlife safaris. Generally speaking, it's a more affordable option to its southern neighbor, Tanzania, and for that reason, is flooded with visitors every year who are hoping to see some African wildlife. The main wildlife reserve for safaris in Kenya is Masai Mara. Masai Mara is in southwest Kenya and connects to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is named after the Maasai people who live in the area. The park has a high concentration of lions, gazelles, zebras, and elephants among other animals. The area is probably most famous for the wildebeest migration, known as the "Great Migration" when the animals move from the Kenyan side of the border to the Tanzanian side.

Many people arrange a five day tour which allows visitors to spend several days in Masai Mara and a day or two at Lake Nakuru. Lake Nakuru has many beautiful pink flamingos as well as rhinos, warthogs, and other animals. If time allows, you should definitely venture into some of the less visited national parks and allow yourself a few days to explore the capital city of Nairobi.

If you book a safari, your food and accommodation will likely be included. Food is typically of good quality and quantity. You have several options when booking a safari. Most people choose to arrange the trip before they arrive in Kenya. If you do this you will almost definitely pay a markup for the convenience. It is far more difficult to negotiate a fair price prior to arrival. By booking in advance you do receive the reassurance that your trip is planned, organized, and taken care of. If you are short on time then this can really give you piece of mind.

The other option for your safari is to book your trip after arrival. There are countless vendors that are ready to sell you a safari even as you arrive in the airport. Do your research ahead of time and use only companies that have been recommended to you and have established reputations. Barter hard for the price. They will expect you to negotiate and you can often get the price substantially lower from the original asking price. If you're hoping to get the best deal, you absolutely must wait and book your safari after arrival.

After you've enjoyed a safari, spend a couple days in Nairobi visiting the city. A great option that many people enjoy is a meal at the restaurant Carnivore. It is a splurge, as prices can be extravagantly high, but it offers you a unique opportunity to sample some exotic, local specialties.
At A Glance
  • There many different "levels" of safari available. The most budget safaris usually include a group of about five or six tourists who visit the park in a minivan. Accommodation is in "luxury" tents, the driver is the guide and food is prepared by a cook. These are actually surprisingly nice tours. You're just as likely to see the animals whatever you pay for your tour so don't feel obligated to spend more than you need to.

  • Most accommodation is located outside of the park. You'll have to pay a substantially higher fee if you're hoping to stay inside the park. It may be worth it for some people though as this is the only way you can see the animals at night or early in the morning when they are more likely to be hunting

  • A large percentage of your safari cost goes towards park entrance fees. This is particularly true if you're doing a budget safari. While you should absolutely negotiate on the price of your tour, it is important to realize that the vendor will only go down so far because park rates are set.

  • It is recommended that you tip your guide and driver. A ten percent tip is generally appropriate. If your guide does an excellent job, it's a nice gesture to pay a little more. While it's good to negotiate on the price of your package, don't skimp on tipping. Most guides and drivers work hard and are away from their family for long periods of time.

  • If you've traveled extensively in Africa you'll likely be surprised by the more modern feel of this country. It has a very solid tourism infrastructure and it's a comfortable place to visit and explore. It can be somewhat of a refreshing change if you're at the tail end of a long trip through Africa.

Related
Looking for a hostel in Marrakesh, Cape Town, Nairobi, or Zanzibar?
Top Tourist Attractions
Masai Mara: This is the most popular national park in Kenya, Masai Mara is the area's hot spot for safaris, which is one of Africa's most popular travel bucket list items. It's a great place to try and see the "big five". You will likely run into other minivans during your tour, but the wildlife spotting is excellent and it's one of the more affordable parks in Africa.

Lake Nakuru National Park: This is a stunning lake and national park that is a great addition to a safari. It's famous for its flamingos and bird watching. It's often tacked onto the end of a trip to Masai Mara and you will likely spend at least one night near the park.

Mount Kenya: This is Africa's second highest peak and is a challenging but enjoyable climb. The best months to climb are January and February.

Popular Foods
In Nairobi you'll find plenty of restaurants of every kind. There are western restaurants that cater to tourists. There are some very high end restaurants with any number of interesting dishes. There is also great street food available throughout the city. It is generally an affordable and safe option. If you're doing a safari then meals are usually included in the price of your tour. The meals are usually quite good and filling. They often include pasta or rice, meat, and vegetables.

Chapati: Chapati is an unleavened, wheat based flat bread that's baked and served as a companion to a main meal. It is similar to roti in India.

Githeri: This is a traditional Kenyan dish made from corn and beans. It's a staple for many Kenyans, particularly those working in agriculture. It's use of beans ensures that it is high in protein and nutritious, while also being filling and plentiful. You may find this dish in more rural areas, but are less likely to stumble upon it on menus in Nairobi.

Kuku Paka: This is a traditional coconut curry dish usually prepared with chicken. It has a delicious, rich flavor and is a good option if you're looking for something a little different.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.