Kenya All-Inclusive Travel Guide
Kenya's coast is the part people forget: while everyone pictures safari, Diani Beach delivers a long ribbon of white sand and warm Indian Ocean swimming, with a Big Five park reachable for a side trip. It's the rare all-inclusive base where you can pair beach days with a genuine bush adventure.
U.S. State DeptLevel 2: Exercise Increased Cautionupdated Jul 28, 2026 · see latest ↗ · what does this mean?
- Language
- Swahili & English (both official)
- Currency
- Kenyan shilling (KES); cards and mobile money common
- Power
- 240V, Type G (UK-style) plugs – bring an adapter
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- Nairobi (NBO); coast via Mombasa (MBA) or Ukunda (UKA)
- Flight time
- ~15–18h+ from the US, with a connection
Do you need a passport or eTA for Kenya?
Kenya scrapped tourist visas and now uses an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). U.S. citizens must apply online before travel at etakenya.go.ke; the standard eTA is around $30 for a single entry valid up to 90 days.
Apply at least three days ahead, and carry a printout. You'll need a passport valid for six months. Always confirm the current fee and rules on travel.state.gov.
Is Kenya safe?
Kenya carries a country-wide U.S. travel advisory (the current level is shown at the top of this guide), but the coastal resort strip at Diani Beach is well away from the higher-risk areas the advisory flags.
The 'do not travel' zones are the far north and the Somali border, plus the coast north of Malindi – not Diani. Use normal city precautions and check travel.state.gov before you go.
Currency and tipping
The Kenyan shilling is the local currency; U.S. dollars are useful for park fees and some tours, but bring newer bills. Cards work at resorts and M-Pesa mobile money is everywhere.
Tipping is customary: budget a few dollars a day for safari guides and drivers, around 10% in restaurants, and small notes for porters and housekeeping.
When to visit
The coast is warm year-round. The best stretches are the drier seasons – roughly January to March and July to October – which are also prime safari months.
Avoid the 'long rains' of April and May, when humidity and downpours peak. November's shorter rains are lighter and pass quickly.
Getting there & around
Most itineraries route through Nairobi (NBO), then a short domestic hop to Moi International in Mombasa (MBA) or the small Ukunda/Diani airstrip (UKA) closer to the beach.
From there it's a transfer to the resort. Kenya drives on the left; we'd leave the driving to arranged transfers and licensed taxis rather than renting.
What to do beyond the resort
Snorkel or dive the Kisite Marine Park, take a dhow cruise, and explore the colobus-monkey forest near Diani. Wasini Island makes a great day trip.
The big draw is combining beach with bush: Tsavo East and Shimba Hills are close enough for a safari add-on, and many visitors fly inland for the Maasai Mara.
Good to know
Power is 240V with UK-style Type G plugs, so pack an adapter. Malaria precautions matter on the coast – talk to a travel clinic about prophylaxis and bring repellent.
A yellow fever certificate may be requested. Stick to bottled or filtered water, and dress a little more modestly in towns and villages off the resort.
When to go to Kenya
Beach-comfort at a glance: warmth against rainfall, month by month. Greener is better.
Typical daytime highs (°F) and rainfall for Diani / Mombasa coast: approximate climate normals, planning guidance, not a forecast.
Storm risk. The equatorial coast sits outside cyclone tracks entirely.
Sweet spot. December–March and July–September (the latter pairs with Masai Mara migration season); rainy season runs Long rains April–May, short rains October–November.
Getting to Kenya
Indicative round-trip fares into Nairobi (NBO) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
Where the Kenya resorts are
14 resorts mapped gold stars are five-star properties select a pin for details
The best all-inclusive resorts in Kenya
The Kenya properties we'd actually book. Tap through for photos, real guest ratings, and what's included.
Where to stay in Kenya
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
Kwale County
Mombasa County
Diani Beach
Resort chains in Kenya
The brands operating here. Tap any chain for its full ranking and what its all-inclusive plan really covers.
Neptune Hotels (3) · Bahari Beach Hotel · Diamonds Resorts · Heritage Hotels · Leopard Beach · PrideInn Hotels, Resorts & Camps · Sarova Hotels · Southern Palms · Swahili Beach · The Sands Kenya
Kenya, head-to-head
Torn between two beaches? We put Kenya side by side: price, flights, sand, food, and safety, compared honestly.
Kenya vs Jamaica · Mexico · Dominican Republic · Maldives · Greece · Spain · Turks & Caicos · Aruba · Barbados · St. Lucia · Italy · Portugal · Turkey · Antigua · Curaçao · Brazil · Costa Rica · Philippines · French Polynesia · Morocco · Egypt · South Africa · Mauritius · Tanzania · Mozambique · Thailand · Indonesia · Malaysia · Punta Cana · Cancún · Riviera Maya · Los Cabos · Puerto Vallarta · Montego Bay · Negril · Ocho Rios · Guanacaste · Crete · Bahia · Bora Bora · Malé Atolls · Rodney Bay · Barbados South Coast · Barbados West Coast · Viti Levu · Vanua Levu · Fiji · Croatia · U.S. Virgin Islands · Sri Lanka · Seychelles · Bahamas · Chile · Argentina · United States
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
Not a visa – Kenya now uses an eTA. U.S. citizens apply online at etakenya.go.ke before travel; the standard single-entry eTA is about $30 and is valid up to 90 days.
Is Diani Beach safe?
Kenya carries a country-wide advisory, but Diani and the Mombasa coast are away from the 'do not travel' areas (the far north, Somali border, and coast north of Malindi). Use normal precautions and check the current level at travel.state.gov.
What currency does Kenya use?
The Kenyan shilling. Carry newer U.S. dollar bills for park fees and tours; cards work at resorts and M-Pesa mobile money is widely used.
Should I tip in Kenya?
Yes – it's customary. A few dollars a day for guides and drivers, about 10% at restaurants, and small notes for porters and housekeeping.
When is the best time to visit?
The drier seasons, roughly January–March and July–October, which are also the best for safari. Skip the heavy 'long rains' of April and May.
How do I get to Diani Beach?
Fly into Nairobi (NBO), then a short domestic flight to Mombasa (MBA) or the Ukunda/Diani airstrip (UKA), followed by a resort transfer.
Not sure which Kenya resort is right for you?
Take our two-minute quiz and we'll match you, or browse the whole collection.