Nairobi attracts Pakistani travellers because it combines a national park full of lions and giraffes on the edge of a modern capital, easy one-stop flights through the Gulf, a welcoming Muslim community with plenty of halal food, and a gateway to world-famous safaris such as the Maasai Mara. Getting there is simpler than it used to be: Pakistani citizens no longer apply for a traditional visa but for Kenya’s online Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). This guide covers the entry process, the best things to do in Nairobi and practical tips for planning your trip.
Why Nairobi appeals to visitors from Pakistan
- Wildlife on the doorstep: Nairobi National Park is the only national park in the world bordering a capital city, so you can see rhinos and lions with skyscrapers in the background.
- Familiar comforts: English is an official language alongside Swahili, Kenya has a long-established South Asian community, and mosques, halal restaurants and desi food are easy to find in Nairobi.
- A safari hub: the city is the usual starting point for trips to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Naivasha.
- A pleasant climate: Nairobi sits at around 1,700 metres above sea level, so it is mild for most of the year, a welcome break from the summer heat of Karachi or Lahore.
Entry requirements: Kenya’s eTA for Pakistani citizens
In January 2024, Kenya replaced most of its visa categories, including the old eVisa and visa on arrival, with a single Electronic Travel Authorisation. Pakistani passport holders need an approved eTA before boarding their flight. The process is done entirely online through Kenya’s official eTA portal (etakenya.go.ke), so there is no need to visit the Kenyan High Commission in Islamabad for a normal tourist or business trip.
How to apply, step by step
- Check that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date and has blank pages.
- Prepare a passport-style photo, a scan of your passport bio page, your flight booking and your hotel reservation or host’s address.
- Complete the online form on the official portal and pay the fee by card. The fee was set at about US$30 when the eTA launched, but check the portal for the current amount.
- Apply well ahead of travel. Many applications are processed within about three working days, but delays happen, so a week or two of buffer is sensible.
- Print or save the approval and carry it with your passport.
Be careful of unofficial websites that look like government portals and charge extra “service fees”. Rules can change, so confirm the latest requirements on the official portal or with the Kenyan High Commission before you book non-refundable flights.
Health requirements
Check vaccination rules before you go. A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your route, particularly if you transit through a country with yellow fever risk, and vaccination is recommended for travel to many parts of Kenya. Because Pakistan is one of the few countries where polio is still found, travellers from Pakistan should also check whether proof of polio vaccination is needed. Malaria risk is low in central Nairobi but higher in some safari and coastal areas, so ask a travel clinic about prevention.
Getting from Pakistan to Nairobi
There are usually no direct flights between Pakistan and Kenya, so most travellers connect once. Common routes go through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi with Gulf carriers, or through Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines, from Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad. Total journey times often run somewhere between about 9 and 15 hours depending on the layover. Flights land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), roughly 15 to 20 kilometres from the city centre. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt operate in Nairobi, and pre-booked hotel transfers are a reliable option for late arrivals. If you are planning to hire a car instead, our tips on saving on airport vehicle rentals can help keep costs down.
Top things to do in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Just a short drive from the city centre, this park is home to lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and one of Kenya’s important black rhino populations. Early morning game drives give the best chance of seeing predators. The park also holds the Ivory Burning Site Monument, marking the spot where President Daniel arap Moi set fire to about 12 tonnes of ivory in 1989, a moment that helped draw worldwide attention to the poaching crisis. The Hippo Pools area has a walking trail where you can stretch your legs with a ranger.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage
Inside the park, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust cares for orphaned baby elephants and rhinos before gradually returning them to the wild. Daphne Sheldrick founded the trust in 1977 in memory of her husband David, a founding warden of Tsavo East National Park. Visitors can watch the young elephants being fed and playing in the mud during a short daily viewing session, which usually needs to be booked in advance. Entry contributions support the trust’s conservation work.
Giraffe Centre
In the leafy suburb of Langata, the Giraffe Centre protects the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. From a raised platform you can feed giraffes at eye level, which is especially popular with families and children.
Museums and history
Nairobi began as a railway depot on the Uganda Railway in 1899 and became the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate in the early 1900s. The Nairobi National Museum covers Kenya’s cultural heritage, wildlife and early human fossils, the Nairobi Railway Museum tells the story of the line that built the city, and the Karen Blixen Museum preserves the farmhouse of the Danish author of Out of Africa. Bomas of Kenya showcases traditional homesteads and dance from Kenya’s many communities.
Markets, mosques and food
The rotating Maasai Market is the place to buy beadwork, carvings, kikoys and soapstone, and bargaining is expected. Jamia Mosque in the city centre is one of the best-known mosques in East Africa, and neighbourhoods such as Parklands and Eastleigh have many halal eateries. Try local dishes such as nyama choma (grilled meat), pilau and chapati, which will feel familiar to Pakistani visitors, and Swahili coastal dishes like biryani and samosas.
Karura Forest
One of the largest urban forests in the world, Karura has walking and cycling trails, a waterfall and caves, making it a peaceful half-day escape from the city traffic.
Trips beyond Nairobi
| Destination | Approx. travel from Nairobi | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara | 5 to 6 hours by road, or a short flight | Big cats and the wildebeest migration, typically July to October |
| Amboseli | About 4 to 5 hours by road | Elephant herds with views of Mount Kilimanjaro across the Tanzanian border |
| Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate | About 2 hours by road | Boat rides, hippos and cycling among zebras |
| Mombasa and Diani | About 1 hour by air or several hours by train | Indian Ocean beaches and Swahili heritage |
Note that Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is actually in Tanzania. Amboseli in Kenya is one of the best places to photograph it.
Practical tips for your trip
- Best time to visit: the drier months, roughly June to October and January to February, are best for safaris. The long rains usually fall around March to May.
- Money: the currency is the Kenyan shilling. Cards work in hotels and malls, and the M-Pesa mobile money system is used almost everywhere. Carry some cash for markets and tips.
- Staying connected: buy a local SIM card at the airport with your passport; it is usually far cheaper than roaming.
- Safety: as in any large city, watch for pickpockets, avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps.
- What to pack: layers for cool mornings and evenings, neutral colours for safaris, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent.
- Travel insurance: choose a policy that covers medical evacuation, especially if you plan to go on safari.
If you are comparing Kenya with other holiday ideas, our round-up of great holiday destinations offers more inspiration.
This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm entry and health rules with official Kenyan sources before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pakistani citizens need a visa for Kenya?
Since January 2024, Kenya has used an Electronic Travel Authorisation instead of most visas. Pakistani citizens must apply for an eTA online through the official portal before travelling.
How much does the Kenya eTA cost?
The fee was about US$30 when the eTA was introduced. Fees can change, so check the official Kenyan eTA website for the current amount before applying.
Is there a direct flight from Pakistan to Nairobi?
Direct flights are generally not available. Most travellers connect once through Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Addis Ababa.
Is halal food easy to find in Nairobi?
Yes. Nairobi has a sizeable Muslim and South Asian community, and many restaurants, especially in areas such as Parklands and Eastleigh, serve halal food.
What is the best time to visit Nairobi?
June to October and January to February are usually the driest months and the best for safaris. The long rains typically fall between March and May.
