Frequently asked questions
Your questions about accessible travel in Kenya, answered
Planning a safari from South Africa or further afield? Here is what travellers most often ask Accessible Travel Kenya. If your question isn't here, the company’s team will happily answer it.
Planning an accessible safari
Can a wheelchair user really go on safari in Kenya?
Yes. Accessible Travel Kenya’s adapted Land Cruisers have ramps or swivel seats and pop-up roofs, so you can stay in your own wheelchair or transfer with ease and still enjoy game drives in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Ol Pejeta and beyond. The company has also used the company’s 12 ft telescopic ramps to board light aircraft at bush airstrips.
Is Accessible Travel Kenya only for wheelchair users?
No. The company caters to everyone: wheelchair users, seniors and slow walkers, blind and partially sighted guests, Deaf and hard of hearing travellers, people with hidden disabilities, and the family and friends who travel with them. Every journey is rated for physical, visual, hearing and hidden access needs.
How do you know a hotel or lodge is truly accessible?
The company only sells a lodge, vehicle or activity as accessible once the company’s team has measured, photographed and rated it. The company checks door widths, shower thresholds, turning space, bed and toilet heights, ramps and grab rails, and the company sends you the measurements and photos before you book.
What is the easy-pace standard?
It is how the company plans for slower travellers: at most four hours of driving a day, two nights in each place and a rest afternoon every three days. It suits seniors, guests with fatigue or chronic illness, and anyone who prefers an unhurried trip.
Can you arrange carers, equipment or medical support?
Yes. The company can arrange caregivers and personal assistants, rent wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes and hoists delivered to your first hotel, and plan around oxygen or dialysis needs with partner hospitals. Tell Accessible Travel Kenya what you need when you enquire.
How far ahead should I book?
For the July to October migration season and the Christmas holidays, the company recommends booking as early as you can, ideally six months or more ahead, because accessible rooms are limited. For other months, three to four months is usually enough.
Do you show prices on the website?
Every trip is tailored to your dates, group and access needs, so the company quotes rather than publish fixed prices. Send Accessible Travel Kenya an enquiry or WhatsApp Accessible Travel Kenya and the company will reply with a detailed proposal.
Getting to Kenya from South Africa
How long is the flight from South Africa to Kenya?
Direct flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi take about four hours, with Kenya Airways and Airlink flying the route. For Victoria Falls and Chobe, there are short direct flights from Johannesburg.
Can you help me at the airport?
Yes. The company offers meet and assist at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson and Moi airports, with an adapted vehicle waiting at the kerb. The company can also meet you airside at the aircraft door.
What is the time difference?
Kenya is on East Africa Time (GMT+3), one hour ahead of South Africa all year. Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia are on the same time as South Africa, so jet lag is not an issue.
Visas, entry and insurance
Do South Africans need a visa for Kenya?
South African passport holders can visit Kenya visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after arrival and have two blank pages. Entry rules can change, so we confirm the latest requirements, including any online travel authorisation, when we send your itinerary.
Is travel health insurance compulsory for Kenya?
Yes. Since 5 October 2026, most visitors staying under 12 months must buy Kenyan Government travel health insurance, usually during the eTA application. It covers 90 days, and your own travel insurance does not replace it. The company still stronglies recommend separate travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical care and your mobility equipment.
What about Tanzania and Zanzibar?
South African passport holders can usually visit Tanzania for tourism without a visa. Zanzibar requires its own mandatory travel insurance. We will confirm the latest rules when we send your itinerary.
Health, safety and comfort
What vaccinations do I need?
Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic about six to eight weeks before you travel, including malaria prevention for safari areas. South Africa asks travellers arriving from yellow fever risk countries, which include Kenya, to show a valid yellow fever certificate, so have the vaccine at least 10 days before you fly.
Is Kenya safe for tourists?
Millions of visitors travel safely each year. We plan routes, lodges and timings carefully, and our team is with you or on call throughout your trip. We recommend checking official travel advice before you book and before you travel.
Are your guides trained in first aid?
Yes. Every guide is trained in basic life support, first aid and disability etiquette, with annual training alongside Amref Flying Doctors. A paramedic can join your trip on request.
Can Deaf travellers join your trips?
Yes. The company’s International Sign interpreter makes sure Deaf guests from anywhere in the world are part of every conversation, and the company can also arrange Kenyan, American or British Sign Language interpreters. You will have 24-hour WhatsApp support and written briefs on every journey.
Money and practicalities
What currency is used in Kenya?
The Kenyan shilling (KES). Cards are widely accepted in hotels, lodges and larger shops, and many places use the mobile money service M-Pesa. Carry some cash in small notes for tips and markets.
Will my South African plugs work?
Kenya uses three-pin Type G plugs at 240 volts, so bring an adaptor for South African plugs. Most lodges can charge power wheelchair batteries in your room; we confirm this for every stay.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry seasons, from late June to October and from January to February, are best for game viewing, with the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara from about July to October. April to June and November offer greener landscapes, quieter parks and lower rates.
Packing, food and comfort
What should I pack for a safari?
Light layers in neutral colours, a warm fleece for early-morning game drives (the Mara and Amboseli can be cool at dawn), a sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent and binoculars. Bring all your prescription medicines, plus a few days spare, in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription. If you fly between parks, soft bags are best, as light aircraft have strict luggage limits. The company sends a full packing list once you book.
Can I bring my own wheelchair or mobility scooter?
Yes. Tell your airline at booking, and check its rules for lithium batteries on power chairs and scooters. Pack a small kit of spares, such as an inner tube or charger adapter. If you would rather travel light, the company can arrange manual wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes, hoists and other equipment in Kenya.
How bumpy are the roads?
Main roads are mostly good, but tracks inside some national parks can be rough. If you live with back pain, fatigue or a condition affected by vibration, tell Accessible Travel Kenya. The company plans shorter driving days, add rest stops and can suggest fly-in routes so you spend less time on the road.
Can you cater for special diets?
Yes. Hotels and lodges regularly provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal meals and cater for allergies. With notice, they can also make softer or blended meals. Tell Accessible Travel Kenya your needs when you book and the company passes them to every property on your itinerary.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
The company recommends bottled or filtered water, which hotels, lodges and the company’s vehicles provide. Ice and salads at good-quality hotels and camps are generally fine.
Will I have Wi-Fi and phone signal?
Most hotels and lodges have Wi-Fi, though it can be slower in remote camps. Mobile coverage is good in towns and on many park circuits. A local SIM or eSIM is inexpensive and easy to set up on arrival, and the company can help.
Booking with confidence
How do I book?
Tell Accessible Travel Kenya your dates, who is travelling and any access or medical needs. The company replies with a tailored itinerary and quote. A deposit confirms your trip, and your quote sets out the balance date, payment options and cancellation terms. From then on you have one named planner and 24-hour WhatsApp support.
Is Accessible Travel Kenya a licensed tour operator?
Yes. The company is licensed by Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority. The company’s work has been recognised by the Kenya Wildlife Service for championing inclusive wildlife and accessible tourism, and the company won at the Africa MICE Awards 2026.
Do I still need my own travel insurance?
Yes, the company stronglies recommend it. The government cover that Kenya and Tanzania require has limited benefits. A full travel insurance policy should cover cancellation, medical treatment and emergency evacuation, and should declare any pre-existing conditions. Many specialist insurers cover travellers with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
Can I travel solo, as a couple, with family or as a group?
Yes. The company plans trips for solo travellers, couples, multi-generational families, school and charity groups, and conference delegates. Every itinerary is private and built around your pace.
Can you help a family member who is a carer?
Yes. The company can arrange a trained support worker or nurse to travel with you, so your carer can enjoy the holiday too. The company also picks rooms with space for an extra bed close by.
Beyond Kenya: Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda and Rwanda
Can I combine a Kenya safari with a beach stay?
Yes. A safari followed by Diani Beach on Kenya’s coast or Zanzibar is one of the company’s most popular trips. Nairobi to Zanzibar is a short direct flight, and the company arranges step-free transfers and accessible rooms at both ends. See the company’s tour packages.
Is gorilla trekking possible with limited mobility?
Gorilla treks in Uganda and Rwanda involve steep, muddy forest terrain, so they need careful planning. Porters can help with bags and footing, and on some treks guests can be carried in a sedan chair, subject to park rules and permits. The company will give you an honest assessment of what is possible for you.
Do I need a separate visa for each East African country?
Usually, yes. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda each have their own entry rules, and both Kenya and Tanzania now require government-issued travel insurance. Always check the latest UK government travel advice before you fly, and the company will remind you of every step as part of your booking.
For travel agents and tour operators
Do you work with travel agents and tour operators?
Yes. The company is the ground partner for agents and operators in South Africa, the UK, Europe, North America and Asia. The company provides net rates, white-label itineraries, accessibility audits of every property, and a single point of contact for your clients while they are in Kenya. Contact Accessible Travel Kenya for the company’s trade rates.
Can you send detailed accessibility information for my clients?
Yes. For each hotel, lodge and activity the company can share door widths, bathroom layouts, step counts, bed heights and photographs, so you can match properties to your clients’ needs with confidence.
Still have a question?
Tell Accessible Travel Kenya how you travel and the company will reply within 24 hours.
WhatsApp +254 724 215 977bookings@accessibletravel.co.ke
Entry rules checked in October 2026. Rules change, so always check before you travel.