Check Kenya eTA / Visa requirements for Lebanese citizens

No, Lebanese nationals do not require a visa for Kenya. Beginning January 1, 2024, all tourists, except for East Africans, must apply for an ETA before traveling to Kenya. All visitors, including babies and children, who wish to go to Kenya must get an authorized eTA before beginning their journey.

The Kenya eTA is premised on the need to have a fair, faster, and reliable system that also addresses Kenya’s security and other strategic interests.

To allow enough time for authorization, all eTA applications for Kenya should be filed at least seven days before departure. It is possible to apply up to three months before the trip.

Your passport must be valid for six months and have at least two blank pages to apply for a Kenya ETA. Additionally, an up-to-date passport-style digital photograph is also required for your ETA application. To complete the authorization procedure, you will need a credit card or PayPal for the payment.

The Kenya ETA for Lebanese citizens takes up to three days to process and is only good for a single entry into Kenya. You will need to include information about your flights and accommodations, so apply when you have finalized your trip plans.

If you are planning a trip to Africa but are unsure where to go, Kenya is the ideal destination. Kenya's amazing natural beauty, unique culture, and cuisine never fail to captivate foreign tourists. Here is a thorough guide for traveling to Kenya from Lebanon:

• Applying for a Kenya ETA online: Lebanese citizens need an ETA to visit Kenya, and the ETA makes it easy to get pre-approval. The Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) was established in 2024 to expedite the visa application procedure. The ETA substitutes the customary visa, so Lebanese citizens no longer have to visit a consulate or embassy in their home country or wait in long queues upon arrival.
• Booking your flight: The fastest flight from Lebanon to Kenya is from Beirut to Nairobi, with an average flight time of 9 hours. The most popular airlines for this route are Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines. You can search for flights from Beirut to Nairobi on several websites such as Wego, Emirates, Agoda, and more.
• Booking your accommodation: In Kenya, there are many homestays and cheap hotels, helping you save money on your trip. In addition, Kenya also boasts safari hotels and campsites giving tourists a variety of choices.
• Buy travel insurance in Kenya: Travel insurance protects you against big financial losses throughout your vacation. It assists with expenditures incurred as a result of unexpected medical or trip-related issues when traveling abroad. Benefits of travel insurance cover COVID-19 treatment, luggage and aircraft delays, trip cancellation, and other coverage. 
• Get an e-sim card for Kenya: We recommend that you get an e-sim card before traveling to Kenya. The Kenya eSIM gives you access to 1 to 20 GB of data in Kenya without having to change your phone's SIM card physically. All you need is an eSIM-compatible mobile device (iOS, Android, or whatever). To purchase the eSIM, simply finish the transaction upon arrival in the airport, and an eSIM QR code will be delivered to you within 30 minutes, along with instructions for installing it on your phone.

Kitale is a lovely farming town set in the mountains of western Kenya, surrounded by lush agriculture and breathtaking scenery. This little town is not only well-known for its wheat, maize, and dairy production, but it also boasts a variety of attractions that highlight the region's distinctive cultures and history. 

The town is home to the Kitale National Museum, which showcases Kenyan tribal culture, as well as the Saiwa Swamp National Park, which is home to the rare semi-aquatic Sitatunga Antelope. Nature lovers will be ecstatic to see Mount Elgon, one of Kenya's most magnificent national parks, close by. Kitale has a serene and peaceful ambiance, making it a great getaway for people looking to escape the bustle and rush of city living.

Kitale is quite secure for solitary tourists, although as with any other destination, vigilance is advised. While people are typically warm and welcoming, pickpocketing and muggings sometimes occur, especially in crowded areas. It is not advised to stroll alone at night, particularly in poorly lighted regions. Last but not least, respecting the local customs and dressing modestly are also advisable to ensure a fascinating journey to this captivating nation.

Yes. Jinja is a reasonably safe city for solo female travelers. Like any other tourism destination, it has incidents of small crimes like bag stealing and pickpocketing, particularly in congested areas. It is critical to take normal precautions, like avoiding wandering alone at night, being cautious of your surroundings at all times, and keeping your valuables secure. Overall, inhabitants are warm and helpful to tourists, and most tourist attractions are quite safe during the daytime.

Here are some tips  to Staying Safe as a Solo Female Traveller:

General Safety

Whether you are a frequent traveler or planning your first solo vacation, common safety precautions include:

• Keep your travel documents protected. Passport, insurance, flight information - all essential items you do not want to lose. Keeping them in a secure folder reduces the possibility of them dropping out of your luggage or, worse, people snatching them from under your nose.
• Email or copy travel documents: Along with keeping your vital documents safe, it's always a good idea to send a copy to yourself and a loved one. Just to be safe.
• Keep technology fully charged: A cell phone without a battery is less useful when traveling alone. Our suggestion? Invest in a reliable power bank. Not only are they very portable, but they also help charge your phone while using maps and GPS apps.

Staying Safe While Meeting New People

The solo female travel experience includes meeting other travelers who share your interests. However, some degree of caution should be exercised.

• Follow your intuition: Your gut is referred to be your second brain for a reason. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave as soon as possible. Listen to your instincts if you notice someone acting strangely or if a location feels odd.
• Don’t say you're alone: Another technique to keep safe as a solitary female traveler is to avoid saying you're alone while meeting new people. This might immediately make you a target because they know no one is around to aid. Instead, always signal that you are waiting for someone or that a buddy will be joining you.
• When you say no, be polite but strong. Saying no does not have to be impolite; instead, you are establishing boundaries, which is critical for a woman traveling alone.

Staying Safe While on Public Transport

When traveling alone, you will eventually need to use public transportation, such as a bus, train, or even a plane. But what factors should you think about?

• Don't leave baggage alone: You'll hear this repeatedly over the destination's intercom, but leaving bags unattended, even for a second, might make you a target for criminals. Always carry your baggage with you, no matter how bothersome it may appear.
• Lock luggage: It's usually a good idea to invest in a little padlock for your bag and/or backpack while traveling alone, since it can offer the security you need that no one but you has access to your belongings.
• Avoid empty trains and platforms: Being a woman alone might already make you a target, so wait for your ride near other groups of people and/or the supervisory personnel at the station.

How long should you stay in Mombasa? Well, there is no definitive solution to this issue. It all depends on what you expect from your trip.

We recommend spending three days to visit in Mombasa. Three days in Mombasa is plenty of time to tour the city's UNESCO-listed landmarks, sunbathe and sip cocktails, and go farther afield to interact with elephants and giraffes. From family-friendly water parks to multi-day safaris, here are our top tips for making the most of your time in Kenya’s oldest city.

Day 1

Spend your first day discovering Mombasa’s Old Town and the main island. To skip the hassle of getting around on your own, join a full- or half-day city tour that includes round-trip transport - most stop by top sights such as Fort Jesus and Mandhry Mosque. If you have time in the afternoon, cool off at a water park, cycle along rural trails, or learn more about the region’s flora and fauna at an eco-park. After a busy day, unwind on an evening dinner cruise along the coastline.

Day 2

Mombasa is an excellent starting place for further exploration in Kenya. Spend the day at Shimba Hills National Reserve searching for leopards, elephants, and a variety of bird species. Alternatively, embark on a multi-day excursion through the famed Tsavo National Park, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, or Maasai Mara large-game reserve. Alternatively, mariners and marine life enthusiasts may spend a day away from the shore observing dolphins on a wildlife-watching boat.

Day 3

Two-day excursions usually extend into the next day, with lodging and food included. Otherwise, spend your final day exploring the city like a local. Explore a handful of Mombasa's museums, galleries, and cultural facilities. Then take a tuk-tuk or cab to one of the sandy beaches along the city's north coast and spend the day sunbathing, sipping drinks, or participating in water sports. Popular bars border Links Road and the adjoining streets, providing additional opportunities for after-dark revelers.

As of January 1, 2024, foreign nationals, regardless of nationality, can enter Kenya without a visa for tourism or business travel for stays up to 90 days. However, travelers must obtain a new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before entering Kenya.

The Kenya eTA is an electronic travel authorization that allows people of almost any nationality to visit the country. It will replace the existing Kenya eVisa system and all other Kenyan visas for travelers in 2024.

The eTA is currently the sole entrance permit available. Kenya does not issue tourist visas. If you wish to come as a tourist, you must obtain an eTA. It is essential for travelers of all ages, including children.

Activities permitted with the Kenyan eTA include:

• Vacations
• Business activities
• Visiting friends and relatives
• Medical treatment

It is also applicable if you are passing through Kenya in transit. If you plan to spend your layover at the airport, you will not require an eTA.

If you want to visit Kenya for any other reason, contact your nearest Kenyan Embassy or Consulate.