Kenya
Entry Requirements
Is Kenya a good place to travel or relocate to with dogs and/or cats?
Here are reviews and details to help you see if this country is a good place to travel with your pets
Official Kenyan government website on importing pets – documents don’t load
Kenyan High Commission importing pets from the UK
Official government website on pets coming from the US to Kenya
Due to the complicated nature of this process, it is worth looking into a pet shipping company to help with the paperwork and flight.
Import Requirements to Bring a Pet to Kenya
Medical Requirements:
Rabies – A 1-year rabies vaccine is required (not a 3-year)
If the rabies vaccine is less than 6 months old, you also need a government-issued certificate stating “no rabies cases have occurred within 50 km of the animal’s place of origin within the preceding 6 months”
Rabies titration (blood) tests are NOT required. However, if you think you will bring your dog with you out of Kenya back to the US/EU etc., you might want to get it before you leave your home country since there are no official labs in Kenya.
Other Vaccines – Recommended but not required
Canine – Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza
Feline – Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia
Parasites – Some sources say they will be examined to make sure they are free of parasites. Other sources say they are required to take de-worming medication within 48 hours of arrival
Documentation Required and how to get it:
An import permit is required. The way you get this permit differs by country, but one possibility is through the embassy. Get it 30 days before arrival and it has a cost that varies but is around $30-50.
You will also need the government-endorsed health certificate that provides the details about the rabies vaccines as well as stating the pet is healthy enough to travel.
Additional Considerations
Microchip Requirements:
(ISO) standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 microchips given before or at the time of the rabies vaccine.
Quarantine Requirements (if any):
None, if all requirements are met
Breed Restrictions:
None listed
Number of pet restrictions:
None listed
Other:
Pets can NOT accompany their owners in the cabin. They have to fly as cargo both entering and exiting the country. Read more about 3 methods of flying with your pet including cargo.
Is this country considered high-risk rabies for entry into the US?
Is this country considered high rabies for entry into EU countries?
This country is not free of rabies
Are you flying to Kenya?
Read Flying with a Dog Under the Airplane Seat: The Ultimate Guide
Read Flying with a Big Dog: Travel Tips for Ease & Safety
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This information was last updated January 2023. If you notice any errors or updates, please let us know by contacting us here.
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1 Reviews on “Kenya”
It makes sense to relocate with your dogs and cats to Kenya, but it doesn’t really make sense to visit. Many people visit for the purpose of seeing the African wildlife in game parks. Pets are not allowed to join their owners in game parks, so you will have to find something else to do with your pet during that part of the trip. Additionally, much of the accommodation is geared towards wildlife viewing, so it is not focused on pets either. However, dogs and cats that live in Kenya often have access to large yards that provide a lot of space to explore. Kenyan pets tend to have a high quality of living at home. If you need to leave Kenya with your dog or cat, that can be very difficult. It’s an example of bureaucracy at its finest. There are lots of rules and procedures that no one seems to be responsible for. Trying to get my 4-month puppy out of the country was a trial of patience. She needed things that were reasonable such as a health certificate and export paperwork, but it was no one’s job to actually provide those things. Every official told us to go back to the office that had just sent us there. It was one of the most exhausting and draining experiences made worse by the fear of what would I do if I couldn’t get all the documents I needed to get my dog back to the US with me. We were able to get everything taken care of in the end, but I would not like to tempt fate again.