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Indian citizens need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to enter Kenya, and it must be obtained online before departure. The Kenya visa for Indians costs around USD 30, usually takes up to 72 hours to process, and can be applied for from home without visiting an embassy. The old visa-on-arrival option is no longer available, which is why applying early matters.
This guide covers the complete process: eligibility, documents, fees, and step-by-step application instructions. You will also find a practical Kenya travel guide with the best places to visit, including the Masai Mara safari, so you can plan your entire trip in one read.
| Detail | Information |
| Visa type | Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) |
| Where to apply | Official Kenya eTA portal (etakenya.go.ke) |
| Typical fee | About USD 30 per person (single entry) |
| Processing time | Usually within 72 hours; apply at least 7 days before travel |
| Maximum stay | Generally up to 90 days |
| Passport validity | At least 6 months from arrival, with blank pages |
| Visa on arrival | No longer available for Indian citizens |
Government rules and fees can change. Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.
Yes. Indian citizens need prior authorisation to enter Kenya, and the Kenya visa for Indians is now issued as an eTA. Until late 2023, Indian travelers could apply for a traditional e-visa or, in some cases, get a visa at the airport. From 1 January 2024, Kenya replaced its visa system with the eTA for almost all foreign visitors. The main exceptions are citizens of East African Community countries.
For you as a traveler, this is mostly a good change. The application is fully online, you don't need to visit a consulate, and approval usually arrives by email within a few days. The eTA works like a digital travel permit linked to your passport, so you show a printout or a saved PDF at check-in and at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Many older blogs and travel agents still mention Kenya visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. That information is out of date. Kenya's visa-on-arrival facility for Indian citizens was discontinued when the eTA system began. If you search for a Kenya visa for an Indian on arrival today, you may find outdated pages that make it sound easy to sort out at the airport.
Here is why you shouldn't rely on it:
Airlines check before boarding: Carriers can refuse to board you at Mumbai, Delhi, or your transit airport if you don't hold an approved eTA.
Immigration expects the eTA: Officers in Nairobi and Mombasa look for an approved authorisation linked to your passport.
Last-minute fixes are stressful: Applying in a rush costs time and can wreck a carefully planned safari itinerary.
Treat the online eTA as the only reliable route. Apply early, save the approval, and carry a printed copy.
If you are wondering how to get a Kenya e-visa for Indian passport holders, the process is straightforward. Most people finish the form in 20 to 30 minutes.
Visit the official eTA portal: Type the official address into your browser (etakenya.go.ke) rather than clicking sponsored ads. Many look-alike websites charge extra "service fees."
Create an account: Register with your email address and a secure password, then verify your email.
Start a new application: Select "Indian" as your nationality and choose the tourism or visit purpose.
Enter passport and personal details: Match every detail exactly with your passport, including name spelling, date of birth, and passport number.
Add travel details: Include your arrival date, flight information, and where you'll stay in Kenya, such as your hotel or lodge.
Upload documents: Attach a clear scan of your passport bio page and a passport-size photograph.
Pay the fee online: Use a credit or debit card that supports international transactions.
Submit and wait: You will get a confirmation email, then a separate email with your approved eTA. Download it, save it on your phone, and print two copies.
Pro tips: Submit your application 10 to 14 days before departure. This leaves room to fix any query from the immigration department without stress.
The Kenya visa requirements for Indian citizens are simple, but small mistakes cause most rejections and delays. Keep this checklist ready before you open the application form:
Valid passport with at least six months of validity from your date of arrival and at least two blank pages
Scanned passport bio page in a clear, readable format
Recent passport-size photograph with a plain background
Confirmed return or onward flight ticket
Proof of accommodation, such as hotel or safari lodge bookings, or the address of a host in Kenya
Travel itinerary showing your planned route inside Kenya
Proof of sufficient funds, such as bank statements, which immigration may ask to see
Valid email address and phone number for updates
International credit or debit card to pay the fee
Kenya may ask for a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Some popular connecting routes to Nairobi pass through such countries, so check your flight path. Talk to your doctor at least four to six weeks before departure about routine vaccinations, malaria prevention, and any medicines for the safari regions. Also buy comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care and emergency evacuation.
Every traveler needs their own eTA, including infants and children. Families should apply separately for each passport holder and keep all approvals together. Travelers under 18 may be asked for extra documents, such as birth certificates and parental consent letters. Confirm these with your airline or tour operator.
The Kenya visa fees for Indian applicants under the eTA system are around USD 30 per person for a single-entry authorisation. That comes to roughly 2,500 to 2,700, depending on the exchange rate on the day you pay.
Keep these points in mind about the fee:
It's per person. A family of four pays four times the fee.
It's non-refundable. If your application is rejected because of wrong information, you'll usually have to reapply and pay again.
The official fee is the baseline. If you use a travel agent or visa facilitator, they may add a service charge. Always ask for a clear breakdown.
Payment is online. Make sure your bank allows international card transactions, as some Indian banks block them by default.
Some older content also mentions the East Africa Tourist Visa, which covered Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. If you plan to visit more than one of these countries, check the official portal for whether a combined option is currently available.
Most approvals arrive within 72 hours, but the official advice is to apply at least seven days before travel. Processing can slow down in peak season (July to October and December to January) or if your documents need a second review.
The eTA generally allows a stay of up to 90 days, but for most Indian tourists a 7 to 10-day safari holiday sits comfortably inside that limit. Check your approval email to confirm the validity and number of entries. If you plan to leave Kenya and return (say, for a side trip to Tanzania), confirm whether you need a fresh authorisation.
Using unofficial websites that charge inflated fees
Entering a name that doesn't exactly match the passport
Uploading blurry or cropped passport scans
Applying too late and leaving no buffer for queries
Forgetting to print the approval or save it offline
Skipping yellow fever paperwork when transiting through a risk country
Once your Kenya visa for Indians is sorted, the fun part begins, and this is where most travelers feel overwhelmed. Which national parks should you visit? How many nights do you need in the Mara? Which lodge gives you the best wildlife views without breaking your budget?
That is exactly what a well-planned Kenya tour package solves. A typical Kenya wildlife package for Indian families and couples includes:
Airport transfers in Nairobi
Comfortable stays in city hotels and safari lodges or tented camps
Daily game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide
Park entry fees, with an optional hot air balloon ride over the Mara
Indian meal options on request, including vegetarian and Jain-friendly food
Support with your Kenya eTA paperwork, so you're not left figuring it out alone
This Kenya travel guide covers the practical points Indian visitors ask about most.
July to October is the dry season and the peak of the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. This is the best time for dramatic river crossings.
January to February is warm and dry, with excellent wildlife viewing and fewer crowds.
March to May is the long rainy season. Prices drop, but some roads and camps are harder to reach.
November to December brings short rains, green landscapes, and festive-season travel.
Direct flights connect Mumbai with Nairobi in roughly six to seven hours, and travelers from Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and other cities can connect via Mumbai or Gulf hubs. Kenya is about 2.5 hours behind India, so jet lag is minimal.
The local currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES). US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, and cards work in most hotels and lodges. Mobile money (M-Pesa) is popular locally. Carry some cash for tips, small shops, and markets.
Nairobi and Mombasa have a large Indian-origin community and plenty of excellent Indian restaurants. Safari lodges are used to Indian guests and can usually arrange vegetarian, Jain, or spice-friendly meals if you tell them in advance.
Pack layers in neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives
Carry a warm jacket for early mornings and evenings
Use sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and binoculars
Carry a Type G (UK-style) plug adapter
Kenya bans single-use plastic bags in protected areas, so avoid bringing them
Follow your guide's instructions on wildlife and keep a safe distance
Check local advisories for city areas and travel with trusted operators
If you only have time for one experience, make it a Masai Mara safari. This vast savannah reserve in southwestern Kenya is among the best places on Earth to see the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. It's also home to cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and hundreds of bird species.
From roughly July to October, more than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras move from Tanzania's Serengeti into the Mara in search of fresh grass. The dramatic river crossings, where herds plunge into crocodile-filled waters, are a highlight of any Masai Mara safari. Timing varies from year to year, so book with flexibility and talk to your tour operator about current herd movements.
Game drives at dawn and dusk, when predators are most active and the light is beautiful
Hot air balloon safaris, which are a bucket-list experience for many travelers (expect a premium price)
Maasai village visits, offering insight into local culture, dance, and crafts
Bush breakfasts and sundowners in the wild
Plan at least 2 to 3 nights in the Mara to have a good chance of spotting the Big Five and seeing migration action. Many Indian travelers combine the Mara with Nairobi and one more park for a well-rounded 6 to 7-day itinerary.
Kenya offers far more than the Mara. These experiences pair well with your safari.
Amboseli National Park: Known for large elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. It's one of the best photography spots in Africa.
Lake Nakuru National Park: A Rift Valley lake surrounded by woodland and grassland, popular for rhinos, buffalo, and birdlife.
Nairobi National Park: A Nairobi National Park rare wildlife park at the edge of a capital city, where you can see lions and giraffes with skyscrapers behind them.
Giraffe Centre and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Family-friendly stops in Nairobi where you can feed giraffes and see orphaned baby elephants being cared for.
Hell's Gate National Park: Cycle or walk among cliffs and geothermal features, a great option for active travelers.
Diani Beach and Mombasa: White-sand beaches, snorkelling, dhow cruises, and the historic Fort Jesus for a relaxing end to your trip.
Lamu Old Town: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with Swahili architecture and a slow, peaceful pace.
Samburu National Reserve: Samburu National Reserve is home to rare northern species such as the Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe.
Getting your Kenya visa for Indians approved is the first step, and the rest of the trip should feel exciting, not stressful. At TourTravelWorld, we help Indian travelers plan everything from Kenya tour packages and safari itineraries to flights, stays, and guidance on the Kenya e-visa for Indian passport holders. Our team understands what Indian families, honeymooners, and groups look for: comfortable stays, Indian meal options, transparent pricing, and safe, well-organised experiences.
Whether you dream of watching the Great Migration on a Masai Mara safari, photographing elephants beneath Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, or relaxing on Diani Beach after a week in the wild, we'll build a plan that fits your budget and travel dates.
Ready to go? Visit tourtravelworld.com or contact our travel experts today to get a customised Kenya package quote. Pack your bags, because Africa is calling.
No. Kenya discontinued the visa-on-arrival facility for Indian passport holders, and you need an approved eTA before you travel.
Apply online on the official Kenya eTA portal, upload your passport scan and photo, provide your travel details, and pay the fee by card.
You need a passport valid for at least six months, a passport photo, a return ticket, proof of accommodation, a travel itinerary, and possibly a yellow fever certificate depending on your route.
The fee is typically around USD 30 per person for a single-entry eTA. Always check the official portal for the current amount.
Approvals usually take up to 72 hours, but apply at least a week before you fly to be safe.
Yes, you can apply yourself, but an experienced operator can help with paperwork, flights, and the safari itinerary.
Kenya welcomes millions of tourists each year. Use trusted operators, follow local advice, and avoid risky areas at night.
