All non-Kenyan travelers visiting the Masai Mara must obtain an approved Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before traveling.
Kenya replaced the traditional visa system with the eTA, which you can apply for online through the official Kenya eTA portal.
According to AJ Kenya Safaris, the application costs about USD 30, and the processing period takes around three working days.
Travelers must have a passport valid for at least six months from their date of arrival in Kenya and at least one or two blank pages.
Applicants may also be required to provide a digital passport photo, a confirmed return flight ticket and proof of accommodation or safari bookings.
How to Apply for a Kenya eTA for a Safari
According to AJ Kenya Safaris, international travelers visiting Kenya should apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) through the official website, etakenya.go.ke.
The safari company cautions travelers against using third-party websites that may charge higher fees for the same service.
Applicants must register with their email address, create a password, and verify their account before providing personal details, passport information, and their travel itinerary.
AJ Kenya Safaris advises travelers to enter their names exactly as they appear in the Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) of their passports.
The MRZ consists of the two lines of characters at the bottom of the passport photo page. Include any middle name that appears in the MRZ in the eTA application.
Travelers must upload their passport bio-data page, a passport-sized photo, a return flight booking, and proof of accommodation. A safari booking confirmation can be used as proof of accommodation where applicable.
The company also advises applicants to carefully check the information generated by the system against their passports before submitting the application.
Therefore, visitors should address any errors in names, dates of birth, or other passport details promptly.
What You Need to Upload
For the passport upload, AJ Kenya Safaris recommends using a JPEG image. Applicants should also provide a clear passport-style photograph taken against a plain background, with good lighting and no glasses or shadows.
After completing the application, travelers can pay the required fee using a credit or debit card. Processing may take a few days and can take longer during busy periods.
Once the eTA is approved, travelers should save a copy on their phone or print it out. The document may be checked during airline check-in and upon arrival in Kenya.
AJ Kenya Safaris notes that families can submit a group application for up to nine people. Children under 18 need their own eTA, with a parent or guardian completing the application.
Travelers transiting through Nairobi without leaving the airport terminal do not require an eTA. However, those who plan to leave the airport during a transit should obtain the appropriate authorization before traveling.
The safari company also points out that eTA requirements are separate from park fees. Visitors must pay applicable fees for destinations such as the Masai Mara separately from the eTA application.
Masai Mara Reserve Park Fees
According to the Masai Mara, non-resident adults visiting the reserve pay USD 100 per day from January to June, while the fee increases to USD 200 per day from July to December, during the peak migration season.
Children and youths aged between 9 and 17 years pay USD 50 per day, while younger children may enter free depending on the applicable age limit for the area or conservancy.
Visitors staying in private conservancies bordering the reserve should also expect to pay separate conservancy fees. These typically range from USD 90 to USD 200 per person per night, depending on the conservancy.
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