Do I need Yellow Fever vaccination for Kenya?

Kenya requires the certificate if arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country. The WHO also recommends vaccination for all travellers visiting areas below 2,500m altitude, which includes all safari destinations, the coast, and western Kenya. Most travel clinics recommend it for all Kenya visitors.

What vaccinations are recommended for a Kenya safari?

For a Kenya safari, recommended vaccinations include Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies (important for safari settings with wildlife and monkeys), Polio booster, and ensuring routine vaccines are up to date. Meningitis ACWY is also recommended for some travellers.

Is rabies vaccine necessary for Kenya?

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is strongly recommended for Kenya safari visitors, especially families with children. Monkeys at safari lodges, stray dogs in towns, and bats can all transmit rabies. The vaccine does not eliminate the need for post-exposure treatment but reduces the number of doses needed.

How much do Kenya travel vaccinations cost?

In the UK, basic vaccinations (Yellow Fever + Hep A + Typhoid) cost £60-£100 as some are free on NHS. A safari package including Rabies costs £300-£450. In the US, expect $250-$500 for basics and $800-$1,500 for a comprehensive safari vaccination package.

Do I need Yellow Fever vaccine to go from Kenya to Tanzania?

Yes. Tanzania requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from Kenya, as Kenya is classified as a Yellow Fever risk country. If you are combining a Kenya safari with a Tanzania trip (e.g., Mara then Serengeti), you must have the Yellow Fever certificate.

Vaccinations for Kenya — 2026 Guide

Kenya requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for travellers arriving from Yellow Fever endemic countries. Kenya itself is classified as a risk country, so most travel health authorities strongly recommend the Yellow Fever vaccine for all Kenya visitors. Several other vaccines are essential for safe travel.

Yellow Fever: Kenya requires the certificate if arriving from an endemic country. Additionally, because parts of Kenya have Yellow Fever risk, the WHO recommends vaccination for all travellers going outside Nairobi, Mombasa, and the coastal strip. Many travel clinics consider it essential for all Kenya travellers.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

Entry requirement	Certificate required if arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country
WHO recommendation	Recommended for all travellers going to areas below 2,500m altitude (includes safari areas, coast, western Kenya)
Not required for	Travellers staying ONLY in Nairobi city or the immediate coastal strip (but still recommended)
Cost (UK)	£60–£85
Cost (US)	$150–$350
Certificate validity	Lifetime
Advance time	At least 10 days before arrival

Practical advice: If visiting the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, or any safari destination, get the Yellow Fever vaccine. If transiting through Kenya en route to Tanzania, you may need the certificate for Tanzania. Most travel clinics recommend it for all Kenya travellers as a precaution.

Recommended Vaccinations

Vaccine	Who Needs It	Doses	Advance Time	UK Cost	US Cost	Duration
Hepatitis A	All travellers	2 (0 + 6–12m)	2+ weeks	Free NHS / £50	$50–$100	25+ years
Hepatitis B	Long stays, medical, adventure travellers	3 (0, 1, 6m)	6m / 3 wks rapid	Free at-risk / £50/dose	$50–$100/dose	Lifetime
Typhoid	All travellers	1 injection	2+ weeks	Free NHS / £30	$40–$80	3 years
Rabies	Safari visitors, children, cyclists, rural travellers	3 (0, 7, 21–28 days)	4 weeks	£50–£65/dose	$200–$400/dose	Pre-exposure course
Meningitis ACWY	Recommended for prolonged stays, student travellers	1 dose	2+ weeks	£40–£65	$100–$200	5 years
Cholera	Aid workers, visiting areas with outbreaks	2 oral doses	2+ weeks	£55–£70	$100–$150	2 years
Polio (booster)	All travellers (if >10 years)	1 booster	Any time	Free NHS	$40–$80	10+ years
Routine	All — ensure current	Check records	Any time	Free NHS	Varies	Varies

Rabies in Kenya: Kenya has a significant rabies risk. Monkeys at safari lodges, stray dogs in Mombasa, and wildlife in national parks all pose risk. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for safari visitors and essential for children (who are more likely to approach animals).

COVID-19 Requirements (2026)

Kenya has no COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements for travellers as of 2026. All pandemic-era travel restrictions have been lifted.

Where to Get Vaccinated

United Kingdom

NHS GP: Free Hep A, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus
Private clinics: Yellow Fever (NaTHNaC-registered centres), Rabies, Meningitis, Hep B
Clinics: MASTA, CityDoc, Nomad Travel, Superdrug Health

United States

CDC-approved Yellow Fever centres
Travel clinics: Passport Health, CVS MinuteClinic

Estimated Total Cost for Kenya

Package	UK	US
Basic (YF + Hep A + Typhoid + Polio)	£60–£100	$250–$500
Safari (above + Rabies + Hep B)	£300–£450	$800–$1,500
Long-stay (above + Meningitis + Cholera)	£400–£600	$1,000–$2,000

Children & Pregnancy

Children

Yellow Fever from 9 months; recommended if visiting safari areas
Rabies pre-exposure strongly recommended for children on safari — kids are more likely to approach monkeys and stray animals
Ensure all routine childhood vaccinations are complete
Hep A from 1 year; Typhoid injection from 2 years

Pregnant Women

Yellow Fever (live vaccine) should be avoided in pregnancy if possible
Consider direct flights that do not trigger Yellow Fever transit requirements
Hep A and Typhoid injections are considered safe in pregnancy
Rabies post-exposure treatment IS safe in pregnancy if bitten

Certificate & Immigration

Carry your Yellow Card if arriving from endemic countries
JKIA (Nairobi) and Moi International (Mombasa) may check certificates
If onward travelling to Tanzania from Kenya, Tanzania requires Yellow Fever proof from Kenya as an endemic country
Keep a digital backup of your certificate