Kenya Travel Requirements for Russian Citizens

Russian citizens need an approved Kenya electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before they fly, along with a passport valid for at least six months with one blank page. Vaccines and malaria tablets should be discussed with a doctor, and travel insurance is strongly advised. This guide covers each one and the current health situation, as of 6 November 2026.

The Kenya eTA

Kenya’s official eTA portal lists Russia as eTA required. Apply only on the official site, etakenya.go.ke. A standard eTA costs $30 and is generally processed within three business days. An expedited application costs $100 more and is processed immediately. According to the official FAQs, you need a photo, contact details, your itinerary and your accommodation confirmation, and every traveller needs their own eTA, including people in a group.

We give you the itinerary and lodge details for the form once your safari is confirmed. Apply at least two weeks before you fly so that a delay does not catch you out.

Paying for the eTA and your safari

The eTA fee is paid online by card, and many cards issued by Russian banks do not work for international payments. Check yours before you start, or ask a friend abroad to help. Talk to us about how you will pay your deposit before you book, so that we can agree a method that works. Our deposit is 30%, with the balance due 60 days before travel.

Tips and small purchases are easiest in cash, so bring some US dollars with you.

Vaccines and malaria

See a travel clinic four to six weeks before you leave. The CDC lists Kenya among the African countries with areas at risk of yellow fever, so ask about the vaccine, and carry your certificate if you have one. Some countries you pass through may ask for it. Malaria is present in many safari areas and on the coast, and your doctor can advise on tablets.

Ebola: the current position

Kenya reported an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a type of Ebola, in Nairobi in October 2026. The World Health Organization reported nine confirmed cases in Kenya as of 20 October, all linked to that first patient, and it advises against restrictions on travel to or trade with affected countries. By 3 November, five patients had recovered and left hospital, and the Ministry of Health said it had seen no new infections for two weeks. It will not declare the outbreak over until a 42-day countdown ends.

Rospotrebnadzor has stepped up border screening for arrivals from affected African countries, so expect questions on your way home. Rules change quickly, so check the latest position before you book and again before you fly. If your route home connects through a third country, check its rules too. Our guide to flights from Russia covers which connections to avoid.

Travel insurance

Buy cover that includes medical treatment and evacuation, and read how the policy treats disease outbreaks and cancellations. If you plan a balloon flight, check that it is covered.

A simple checklist

• Passport with six months’ validity and a blank page
• Approved eTA for each traveller
• Travel clinic visit, with any certificate you are given
• Insurance with medical evacuation
• A working payment method, plus US dollars for tips

If you would like to add the coast, read our guide to safari and beach holidays from Russia. For a clear view of what to budget, see what a top-level safari costs, or browse all Kenya safari tours from Russia.

Last updated: 6 November 2026