Namanga Border Crossing
Namanga is an active 24-hour OSBP in Kajiado County and one of the most practical road crossings for travellers moving between Nairobi and northern Tanzania.
Before you choose a Kenya land border
Kenya currently lists 12 active land-border controls. Seven are established One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs): Taveta, Lunga Lunga, Namanga, Isebania, Busia, Malaba and Moyale. The OSBP concept brings border functions into a coordinated facility intended to improve movement of people and goods.
1 · Check the port
Confirm it is active
Do not rely on a map or an old travel blog. Check the current gazetted-port status and operating hours.
2 · Check your immigration status
eTA or exemption
Kenya has multiple eTA exemptions. If you are not exempt, obtain approval before beginning your journey.
3 · Check the other country
Two immigration systems
Kenya's rules do not replace Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia or South Sudan entry requirements.
OSBP does not mean “no immigration.” Travellers still complete the required exit and entry procedures; the facility is designed to coordinate border processing more efficiently.
Active Kenya land borders and current hours
| Border | Neighbour | Kenya county | Current hours | OSBP? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moyale | Ethiopia | Marsabit | 0600-1830 | Yes |
| Nakodok | South Sudan | Turkana | 0600-1800 | No / not listed among established OSBPs |
| Muhuru Bay | Tanzania | Migori | 0630-1830 | No |
| Isebania | Tanzania | Migori | 24 hours | Yes |
| Namanga | Tanzania | Kajiado | 24 hours | Yes |
| Loitoktok | Tanzania | Kajiado | 0630-1830 | No |
| Taveta | Tanzania | Taita Taveta | 24 hours | Yes |
| Lunga Lunga | Tanzania | Kwale | 24 hours | Yes |
| Suam | Uganda | Trans Nzoia | 0630-1830 | No |
| Lwakhakha | Uganda | Bungoma | 24 hours | No |
| Malaba | Uganda | Busia | 24 hours | Yes |
| Busia | Uganda | Busia | 24 hours | Yes |
Kenya-Tanzania border crossings
Isebania Border Crossing
Isebania is an active 24-hour OSBP in Migori County. It can suit overland itineraries connecting western Kenya with northern/western Tanzania.
Taveta Border Crossing
Taveta is an active 24-hour OSBP and can be useful when an itinerary links southeastern Kenya with Tanzania's Kilimanjaro-region routes.
Lunga Lunga Border Crossing
Lunga Lunga is an active 24-hour OSBP in Kwale County, serving the coastal corridor between Kenya and Tanzania.
Loitoktok
Loitoktok is active but is currently listed with 0630-1830 immigration hours. Do not plan a late-night arrival.
Muhuru Bay
Muhuru Bay is an active Tanzania-border point in Migori County with current operating hours of 0630-1830.
Sand River Gate is currently listed as closed. Do not assume a direct safari route across the Mara-Serengeti boundary can be used as an immigration crossing.
Crossing the Kenya-Uganda border
Busia One Stop Border Post
Busia is an active 24-hour OSBP and one of the principal road crossings between Kenya and Uganda.
Malaba Border Crossing
Malaba is also an active 24-hour OSBP. Heavy commercial traffic can affect the border environment, so allow flexibility rather than relying on a fixed clearance time.
Lwakhakha
Lwakhakha is an active 24-hour Uganda-border crossing in Bungoma County.
Suam
Suam is active in Trans Nzoia County and is currently listed with immigration hours of 0630-1830.
Busia and Malaba are both legitimate 24-hour options. The “best” crossing depends on your exact route, traffic, vehicle type, onward destination and real-time conditions rather than a universal tourist preference.
Northern overland routes: Ethiopia and South Sudan
Kenya-Ethiopia
Moyale OSBP
Moyale is an established OSBP in Marsabit County. Kenya Immigration currently lists the port as active from 0600 to 1830.
Kenya-South Sudan
Nakodok
The current gazetted-port page lists Nakodok in Turkana as active from 0600 to 1800. Check current road, security and neighbouring-country requirements before planning this route.
Northern overland routes can involve longer distances and fast-changing local conditions. Verify the port status, road situation and current official travel/security information immediately before departure.
Land-border checklist for travellers entering Kenya
- Passport or accepted travel document: use the same identity document tied to your eTA or exemption status.
- Kenya eTA where required: Kenya has exemptions; if none applies, obtain approval before starting the journey.
- Onward or return travel evidence: immigration can request proof of your onward arrangements.
- Accommodation / host details: keep hotel bookings or a host's physical address and phone number accessible.
- Kenya itinerary: immigration may ask where you plan to travel in the country.
- Health documentation where applicable: carry a valid yellow fever certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Neighbouring-country documents: Kenya approval does not satisfy Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia or South Sudan entry rules.
Yellow fever is not a blanket “every land border” requirement. Kenya Port Health currently requires a valid certificate when arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, subject to applicable medical/age exemptions.
Kenya Port Health entry requirements https://porthealth.health.go.ke/entry-requirements
Immigration arrival procedures https://immigration.go.ke/arrival-procedures-and-the-responsibility-of-travelers-on-arrival/
Kenya eTA at a land border
eTA is a national pre-travel authorisation, not a special document created by a particular border post. Kenya's current rules include multiple exemption categories. Travellers who are not exempt should obtain their eTA before beginning the journey.
- The official eTA guidance says processing is normally about 3 working days, but some applications take longer.
- The issued eTA must be used for travel within 90 days of issuance.
- The duration of stay is determined at the point of entry.
- Do not rely on “visa on arrival” as the standard modern entry process.
- An approved eTA does not guarantee admission; immigration makes the final entry decision.
Official eTA requirements: https://etakenya.go.ke/form/apply/how-to-apply?type=tourist
Official exemptions: https://etakenya.go.ke/how-to-apply
Driving a foreign-registered vehicle into Kenya
Vehicle entry is a customs matter in addition to immigration. Kenya Revenue Authority currently requires temporary-import documentation for foreign-registered vehicles, and the exact route depends on where the vehicle is registered and the traveller's status.
EAC / COMESA / SADC and qualifying arrangements
Form C32
KRA's current temporary-import service uses Form C32 for qualifying travellers and vehicles. The standard initial period is 14 days, with extension rules subject to approval.
Other qualifying foreign vehicles
Carnet de Passage
KRA also recognises a valid international circulation document / Carnet de Passage for relevant foreign-registered vehicles.
- Vehicle registration book / logbook.
- Proof that you own the vehicle or authority / power of attorney if driving for the owner.
- Form C32 or valid Carnet de Passage, depending on circumstances.
- Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit.
- Certificate of COMESA insurance or other valid insurance cover accepted under the current rules.
- eCitizen account where required for the permit process.
KRA's current online service says the initial Form C32 period is 14 days and extensions can be considered up to a maximum of 3 months from entry with approval. Do not assume a vehicle permit is automatically “free for the whole trip.”
How long should you allow for a border crossing?
There is no reliable universal crossing time. A quiet passenger crossing can be considerably faster than a busy period, while freight congestion, health screening, customs inspection, bus-group processing or foreign-vehicle documentation can add time.
Build buffer time into any same-day safari transfer, airport connection or long-distance bus itinerary. Avoid promising a 30-minute or 1-hour clearance time as if it were an official standard.
Closed land crossings you should not plan to use
| Crossing | Border / county | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Mandera | Somali border / Mandera | Closed |
| Liboi | Somali border / Garissa | Closed |
| Kiunga | Somali border / Lamu | Closed |
| Sand River Gate | Tanzania border / Narok | Closed |
Border status can change. Recheck the official Directorate of Immigration Services port list shortly before travel.
Kenya border crossing FAQ
Is Namanga open 24 hours?
Yes. The current Kenya Immigration gazetted-port list shows Namanga as active 24 hours, and it is an established One Stop Border Post.
Are Busia and Malaba both open 24 hours?
Yes. Both are currently listed as active 24-hour Kenya-Uganda land crossings and established OSBPs.
Is Lunga Lunga open 24 hours?
Yes. Lunga Lunga is currently listed as an active 24-hour Kenya-Tanzania crossing and an established OSBP.
Do I need a yellow fever card at every border?
No. Kenya Port Health requires a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate when arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, subject to applicable exemptions.
Can I get a Kenya eTA at the border?
If your nationality or status requires eTA, the current system is designed as a pre-travel authorisation. Obtain approval before beginning the journey rather than planning to complete it at the land border.
Can I drive my rental car across the border?
Possibly, but rental-company permission and customs/vehicle documentation matter. Do not cross without written vehicle-owner authorisation and the documents required by Kenya and the neighbouring country.
Official sources and independent-service disclosure
KE-Visa is an independent travel-document assistance service and is not part of the Government of Kenya. Immigration controls, border opening hours, health requirements and customs rules are administered by Kenyan authorities. Confirm current information immediately before an overland trip.
Gazetted border status
OSBP information
Official Kenya eTA: https://etakenya.go.ke/
Port Health https://porthealth.health.go.ke/entry-requirements
KRA vehicle importation