Kenyan safari operators fear US Level 3 advisory will slow North American bookings

Kenyan tour operators fear the US travel advisory for Kenya, raised to Level 3 on 19 October, will cut bookings from North America, the travel trade news site Tourism Update reported on 22 October 2026. It said stakeholders discussed the issue at Essence of Africa in Zanzibar and warned that Ebola-related headlines could further erode confidence in East Africa.

Mohammed Hersi, group director of operations at Pollmans Tours & Safaris, said, as quoted by Tourism Update: "Ebola is a frightening disease and we know it can be deadly. However, we need to communicate the situation accurately and avoid creating unnecessary fear." He called for urgent engagement between the Kenyan and US governments to review the advisory. A higher advisory can slow bookings, he said, even though it does not automatically entitle travellers to refunds.

David DiGregorio, partner and co-founder of Rethink Travel Marketing, said that "once those headlines appear, the impact can be significant", as quoted by Tourism Update. He said travel advisers without reliable information might steer clients to Southern Africa instead of explaining the situation, and that travellers could avoid Africa altogether or postpone trips.

DiGregorio said interest in Africa remains strong, especially among luxury travellers, but turning that interest into bookings is harder, and American consumers are scrutinising value and seeking flexibility.

The US State Department moved Kenya from Level 2 to Level 3, the second-highest of four levels, which asks Americans to reconsider travel. The update cites a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Notice for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease, the travel news site The Traveler said. Business Daily reported on 20 October that the advisory still lists crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and road safety. Level 3 is not a blanket travel ban, the Kenyan news site Citizen Digital said the same day; it reported that Kenya confirmed one new Ebola case on 18 October, bringing the total to eight. Director General for Health Patrick Amoth told Citizen TV that 38 people were tested that day and one was positive.

Kenya received 2.7 million international visitors and 5.2 million domestic travellers in 2025, The Star reported on 3 April 2026. Business Daily said the US was Kenya's largest source market in 2024, with 306,501 visitors, or 12.8 per cent of international arrivals. Roughly 40 per cent of inbound tourists arrive between July and October, according to The Traveler.