You are looking for hostels in Kenya? Good news, you have come to the right place.
On this page we list every single city with hostels and other budget accommodations. Hostelz.com helps you to find your Kenya hostel and compare its prices on the major booking sites such as Hostelworld, Hostelsclub and Booking.com. So you can sleep on a budget and save money while backpacking Kenya.
We list every single hostel in Kenya and the world. In total, we have 29 cities in Kenya for you. Please note that not all cities actually have a hostel to stay in. Below you can filter for cities with hostels and with no hostels-type accommodation, but guesthouses and budget hotels. This will help your planning.
Alright, you are more the visual type? Planning your trip with a map is always handy.
Therefore, this map shows you all cities with hostels in Kenya. It will help you to plan your trip. Just zoom in the map and click your destination for more details. Just so you know: If we do not have a hostel in a city, it is likely that there is no hostel in that city.
Kenya is an East African nation. It has the Indian Ocean on its coastline. This country is one of the most diverse and naturally attractive in the world. The diversity of the local fauna alone attracts visitors from around the world. Known as the home of the safari, Kenya features the famous Wildebeest Migration, zebras, gazelles, topi, eland, and many other species of animal life.
If you want to stay in Kenya, the options are many. You can stay in a tented camp if there isn’t a hostel in the area. These camps are the best way to get in touch with nature. There are also many hostels scattered across the country. These hostels are usually located near landmarks, parks and attractions. Lodges are also available to stay in. Hotels can be found in the cities and around the country. Other types of accommodation include villas, apartments, inns, and cottages.
Water sports are a great way to engage in physical activities in Kenya. The many lakes, rivers, and even the sea offer a plethora of water-based activities for everyone. These include diving, surfing, windsurfing, rowing, and many more. If you prefer to stay on land, you can choose to golf instead. Kenya is famous for its golf clubs and greens.
Other activities you can engage in include hiking to the top of Mount Kenya, paragliding over the Kerio Valley, biking across the valleys of Mount Longonot, and rock climbing in Hell’s Gate. Adventure trails abound in the countryside. The adventure doesn’t end with nature, though. The nightlife in Kenya is famous too. The cities and villages have their own clubs, bars, and pubs that are open all night long.
Cultural diversity is another of the attractions Kenya has to offer. Over 40 different cultures live in harmony in the country. There are people from all parts of the world in Kenya, including Europeans, Asians, and Indians. Other native tribes and cultures are present everywhere too. The best way to experience the cultural identity of Kenya is to stay at a hostel or homestay in one of the smaller villages of the country.
The rich heritage of the country can also be experienced by visiting the many historic buildings and landmarks of the region. The Gede Ruins and Museum are one such place, along with the Fort Jesus Museum, the Lamu Museum, and the Karen Blixen Museum. You can also have a very unique experience at the Nairobi National Museum, Snake Park, and Botanical Gardens as well as the Koobi Fora Prehistoric Site.
Connoisseurs of prehistoric art such as yourself might also enjoy the diverse rock art around the country. Dating back tens of thousands of years, this artwork depicts the history of humanity itself. Other heritage icons include the 6 World Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO in Kenya, including the Lamu Old Town, Fort Jesus, the lakes of Kenya, the national parks, and the forests.
You should take the opportunity to visit the parks and forests, both on land and under water. There are marine national parks and forest reserves across Kenya. These are home to many protected species of plant, animal, and marine life.
Handwritten by local expert for Kenya hostels Jakob Lombardi
So far no one of the community left a comment and travel tips for Kenya. How about you kick off that list here? Just leave your best backpacking recommendations for Kenya below
Mombasa has great beaches.
There was always a rumour that Nairobi is a very unsafe place. I've just come from there and things have really changed. There is always a policeman in your sight when you are in town. I was residing in YMCA hostels just five minutes drive from the CBD where you can comfortably walk to town. The staff gives you the …
There is a lot of travel planning to do. So let us help you once again by putting together the frequently asked questions:
There is several hostel booking sites, such as Hostelworld.com, Hostelsclub.com and Booking.com. While every platform has its pros and cons, there is a universal truth you as a traveler should be aware of: Not a single booking site can always offer the best prices.
This is where Hostelz.com comes in. You can compare all major booking portals with one click.
For you as a traveler, Hostelz.com is the best booking site to actually save money.
Prices always vary, depending on various factors. Weekends tend to be more expensive, same goes for special holidays. Please also take into account local vaction time.
You can search for exacty hostel prices in Kenya here on Hostelz.com. Pick your destination and pick a date. The system will track down the prices to give an idea of what budget and prices you can expect.
If you want to stay at the best hostels, it is a good idea to have your hostel booked around 1 month before you travel. For the regular hostels, booking one week before should be okay. Yet again, this always depends.
We dedicated a full article to the topic of when to book hostels.
Generally speaking, hostels are as safe as you make them. We highly recommend always to bring your own padlock, using the lockers and taking care of your belongings. Make sure you pick a safe hostel, offering lockers and a safe location. Please always pay attention to the reviews; they can give you a great insight on what to expect and safety tips.
There is a few basics you should always pack when staying in hostels.
There is more actually. We wrote a complete guide with more details. Read our full hostel packing list.