You have booked the flights. The safari outfits are ready. But now comes the part that confuses everyone, the Kenya eTA.
If you are reading this from Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, or Kuwait City, the process is simple: you need an eTA before you fly. This Kenya safari visa guide Arabic speakers trust walks you through it step by step, plus halal meals, prayer breaks, and costs in your currency.
No jargon. No hidden steps. Just what you need.
This Kenya Safari Visa Guide Arabic Speakers Need: Do You Need an eTA?
Yes. Citizens of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain all need a Kenya eTA before arrival. The old visa on arrival system is gone. It was replaced by the eTA in January 2024.
The eTA is an electronic travel authorization, not a visa sticker. It links digitally to your passport number.
You must apply online before you travel. There is no way to get one at the airport, and arriving without an eTA means you will not clear immigration.
The good news? The process takes about 20 minutes online. Most applications are approved within 3 to 5 working days, and some in as little as 48 hours.
Who is exempt:
- Citizens of East African Community (EAC) countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia, which joined the EAC in March 2024.
- Diplomatic passport holders with a valid invitation letter.
- Children under 16 need their own application too, even when traveling with a parent who has a valid eTA. There is no fee, but it is mandatory.
Kenya eTA Application Process Step by Step
The official portal is run by the Kenya Directorate of Immigration. The site is in English only, with no Arabic version, but the layout is straightforward.
Here is exactly what to do:
- Go to the official eTA website, the only safe place to apply. Avoid third-party sites that charge extra fees.
- Create an account with an email address you check daily, then select “Apply Now” and choose “Tourist” as your purpose.
- Fill in your passport details, copied exactly as they appear, and answer the standard health and security questions.
- Upload your documents: a clear scan of your passport bio page and a passport-sized photo on a white background.
- Pay the fee using a credit or debit card, then wait for the approval email, which arrives as a PDF. Save it on your phone and print two copies.
Important: The eTA is single entry, so once you leave Kenya it is no longer valid. If your trip returns to Kenya, you must apply again.
Required Documents and Passport Validity Rules
Gather these before you start the application:
- Passport with at least 6 months of validity from your arrival date. Renew it now if it expires sooner.
- Passport bio page scan in PDF or JPEG format, plus a recent passport photo on a white background.
- Return flight itinerary. Some applicants are asked for this.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a booking confirmation from your safari lodge or hotel.
- Yellow fever certificate. Not required for GCC citizens arriving directly from home, but mandatory if you passed through a yellow fever zone within 6 days of arriving in Kenya.
eTA Fees and Cost in USD and GCC Currencies
The fee is paid in US dollars, and your card converts it. Current figures as of August 2026:
| Applicant Type | eTA Fee (USD) | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (single entry) | USD 34 | AED 125, SAR 128, QAR 124 |
| Child under 16 | USD 0 | Free, but application still required |
| Transit (staying under 72 hours) | USD 30 | AED 110, SAR 113, QAR 109 |
Additional note: The exchange rate varies daily, so the local currency costs above are approximate. Check your card statement for the exact conversion your bank applies.
Processing Time, Validity, and Single Entry Rules
- Processing time: 3 to 5 working days is standard, with no official rush option. Apply at least 2 weeks before your flight.
- Validity period: The eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and you can stay up to 90 days per visit.
- Single entry: Once you exit Kenya, the eTA is void, including for day trips to Tanzania.
What if your eTA is rejected? It happens occasionally, usually from a photo mismatch or a dark passport scan. The system gives a reason, and you can reapply right away with corrected documents. The fee is not refunded, so double-check everything first.
What to Expect at the Airports on Arrival
Flying into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is smoother than many expect. The eTA line is well marked. Have your printed eTA and passport ready, and the officer will scan you in after a friendly question or two about your plans.
If you land at Moi International Airport in Mombasa or a smaller Maasai Mara airstrip, the process is the same, and your safari driver will be waiting outside with a sign. Use the official forex bureaus inside the terminal instead of street vendors.
Halal Food and Prayer Facilities on Safari
This is the part most visa guides ignore. Kenya is a Muslim-friendly safari destination, but you must plan ahead.
All the lodges and camps that Plain Safaris recommends can provide halal meals, but this is not automatic. Request it when booking, at least 7 to 14 days in advance. The kitchens avoid pork and alcohol in cooking and use a separate area for halal orders once notified.
The camps we work with in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Samburu handle halal requests well:
- Entim Mara Camp, near Talek in the Maasai Mara National Reserve area, with a dedicated halal menu and certified meat sourced from Nairobi.
- Kibo Safari Camp in Amboseli, where the chef has experience with Gulf guests and prepares halal versions of the camp menu.
- Sarova Shaba Game Lodge in Samburu, with a strong halal protocol for meat preparation.
Prayer breaks: Every lodge and camp we use schedules prayer into the day. The standard day starts with a 6:30 AM game drive, breaks for brunch and an afternoon rest, then heads out again at 4 PM. That midday break suits Dhuhr and Asr prayers well, and most camps offer a quiet corner or a prayer mat.
The Maasai Mara has mosques in Aitong and Talek, about 30 minutes from the main conservancies, but your camp is the most practical place to pray. Naboisho and Mara North Conservancies also see far fewer vehicles than the main reserve, for a quieter safari.
Combining Kenya with Tanzania: The East Africa Tourist Visa
Many travelers want to visit both the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti, right next to each other across the Kenya-Tanzania border.
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for one combined fee of USD 100. Tanzania was never part of that scheme and has always needed its own separate visa. Kenya’s move to the eTA system in January 2024 changed how the joint visa is issued and checked at entry, and the rules have kept shifting since. Confirm the current status directly with Kenya’s immigration portal before you count on it, rather than relying on older guides.
The practical route most Gulf travelers use:
- Kenya eTA: USD 34 per adult
- Tanzania eTA: USD 50 for most nationalities
- Total: roughly USD 84 per adult
The border crossing between the Mara and the Serengeti is the Isebania/Sirari post. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours camp to camp, including border time, so plan a 7 night minimum for both reserves.
Is it worth it? If you already fly far from the Gulf, adding the Serengeti gives you two different ecosystems. Budget an extra USD 300 to USD 500 per person for the Tanzania side, covering the eTA, park fees, and extra nights.
Common Application Mistakes and Tips for Approval
Here is what gets eTA applications rejected or delayed:
- Photo has shadows or a patterned background. Use a plain white wall.
- Passport scan is blurry. Use a scanner app and check the sharpness.
- Name mismatch. Write your name exactly as spelled in your passport.
- Applying too close to the travel date. The system slows near holidays. Apply 3 weeks out.
- Using third-party visa websites. Some charge USD 100 or more. Use the official portal only.
Pro tip: Fill out the application in one sitting. The session times out after 30 minutes and you will lose your progress.
The Plain Safaris Difference
Most tour operators hand you an eTA link and disappear. We do not. We flag it if your photo looks off, point you to camps with the strongest halal kitchens, and build your game drive schedule around prayer times.
We drive these roads every week. Our drivers know which gates back up and which conservancies stay quiet on a Tuesday morning. We do not just book you into a lodge. We plan the quiet hours in the bush.
When you book with us, we send a pre-departure packet with your eTA checklist, a list of halal-friendly camps and their ordering deadlines, and a day by day schedule built around your prayer routine.
What a Safari Actually Costs Day to Day
The eTA is the cheapest part of your trip. Here is a realistic budget for a first safari:
| Item | Cost (USD per person per day) |
|---|---|
| Maasai Mara National Reserve entry (July to Dec) | USD 200 |
| Maasai Mara National Reserve entry (Jan to June) | USD 100 |
| Amboseli National Park entry | USD 90 |
| Naboisho Conservancy (bundled in lodge rate) | USD 80 to 150 |
| Full board luxury lodge in Mara | USD 450 to 900 |
| Mid-range camp in Mara | USD 250 to 400 |
| Private 4×4 with driver guide (shared by 4) | USD 180 to 250 |
National park fees are paid directly to the gate and are not included in your lodge rate. For private conservancies like Naboisho and Mara North, the fee is folded into your nightly rate instead.
The honest take: a 6 night Maasai Mara safari with a mid-range lodge, private guide, and all meals runs roughly USD 2,800 to USD 4,200 per person, excluding flights.
Your Next Step
The eTA is straightforward. The halal planning needs attention, and the camps we use handle both well when told in advance.
If you want a safari that respects your faith and your time, talk to us. We handle the details so you can enjoy the sunrise over the Mara without worrying about your food or a prayer mat.
Start planning your trip today. Tell us how many nights you have and we will build an itinerary around you.
Contact Plain Safaris to plan your Kenya safari or view our luxury safari planning guide for Arabic speakers.
For more on camps, see our guide to halal food and prayer logistics on a Kenya safari, or compare notes in how the eTA process works for other travelers.