US dollars (cash, printed after 2006, in good condition) are widely accepted for tourism services like park fees, lodge bills and tips, alongside Kenyan shillings. Small vendors, local markets and tips are usually easiest in shillings.
Most lodges, camps and city hotels accept major credit cards, though remote camps and rural areas can have unreliable connectivity for card machines - don't rely on a card as your only payment method once you're away from Nairobi or Mombasa.
M-Pesa is Kenya's widely used mobile money platform, and many shops, markets and even some tour operators accept it. As a visitor, setting it up requires a local SIM card and some paperwork, so it's more of a "nice to have if you're staying a while" than a first-trip essential.
Tour and accommodation payments to us are handled directly - we'll confirm accepted methods (bank transfer, card payment) when you book. On the ground, budget cash for tips, drinks, souvenirs, and any optional extras like a Maasai village visit fee.
Carry a mix - some US dollars, some Kenyan shillings, and a card as backup - rather than relying on any single method, especially once your itinerary moves outside major towns.
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