Travel Smart
Honest, sourced guidance so you travel confident. Most of any country is calmer than the headlines suggest.
Safety
Countrywide advisory (Government of Canada)
Exercise increased cautionExercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories) Regional advisories apply; see the source for zone-level detail.
Source: Government of Canada · Verified 2026-07-26
Nairobi and central business district
Exercise increased cautionKenya's capital has serious crime issues, especially after dark. Daytime movement in tourist areas (Nairobi National Park, upscale neighborhoods) is generally safe with awareness. Avoid large amounts of cash, isolated areas, and night travel.
Avoid: Avoid Kibera, Mathare, and other informal settlements. Eastleigh district (Somali-dominant) has periodic insecurity. Avoid walking alone at night anywhere in Nairobi.
Common scams: Street robbery; fake currency exchange; tourist overcharging; sexual harassment. Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt). Withdraw cash in secure locations.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Masai Mara National Reserve and surrounding areas
Exercise normal precautionsOne of Africa's premier safari destinations. Tourist infrastructure is excellent; organized safaris are very safe. The local Maasai communities are welcoming.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Coastal regions (Mombasa, Diani Beach, Lamu)
Exercise increased cautionCoastal towns and islands are popular tourist destinations with good infrastructure. Petty theft and occasional jihadist activity remain concerns. Tourist areas are generally secure; avoid remote beaches and late-night walks.
Avoid: Avoid Mombasa Old Town late at night. Isolated beaches away from populated areas. Extreme northern coast near Somalia border.
Common scams: Overcharging tourists; unofficial tour guides; drugging in drinks. Use established hotels and tour operators.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Central highlands (Mount Kenya, Aberdares, Nairobi surroundings)
Exercise normal precautionsThe cool highlands with trekking and forest reserves are generally safe. Tourist routes and lodges have good security.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Northern frontier (Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, border with Somalia/Ethiopia)
Reconsider travelRemote pastoralist areas and the Somalia border have banditry, resource conflicts, and security risks. Travel to these regions requires experienced guides and is not recommended for typical tourists.
Avoid: Areas within 100km of the Kenya-Somalia border. Remote Turkana and Samburu without experienced guides.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
6 zones rated separately against Government of Canada, UK FCDO. Oldest check on this page: 6 July 2026.
Emergency Contacts
National Police Service emergency line
police
The UK Foreign Office and Australian Smartraveller independently confirm 999 for police, fire and ambulance alike. 112 and 911 circulate widely as alternatives, but the only claim for them comes from police social media posts that contradict each other on whether the third number is 911 or 991, and neither could be confirmed on any Kenyan government page. Treat 999 as the number that is actually verified.
SourceFire and rescue services
fire
The same unified number as police and ambulance, per both the UK Foreign Office and Smartraveller. No separate national fire number appears on any primary source.
SourceKenya Red Cross emergency ambulance (E-Plus)
ambulance · Nairobi, with nationwide cover
Red Cross Road, off Popo Road, South C, Nairobi
This is the line residents actually call for an ambulance. 999 is a general police, fire and ambulance switchboard rather than a dedicated medical dispatch, so if you need a vehicle and paramedics, start here. The toll-free number is published on the Red Cross's own contact page.
SourceSt John Ambulance Kenya
ambulance
A second widely used ambulance provider, worth having as a fallback if the Red Cross line is busy. Secondary listings give a further dispatch number, but it does not appear on the organisation's own contact page, so only the published number is carried here.
SourceThe Nairobi Hospital, Accident and Emergency Centre
hospital · Nairobi
Argwings Kodhek Road, Nairobi
A private hospital and the facility most often recommended for visitors needing emergency care in Nairobi. These are the main switchboard numbers; the hospital does not publish a line that reaches the emergency department directly.
Source