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Pet Transport UK to Kenya: The 2026 DVS Process for Nairobi

Kenya has an established process for importing personal pets from the UK, but it has more steps than a European move. Dogs need a full vaccination set beyond rabies: distemper, …

4-8 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip recommended …
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Administered between 21 days …
Rabies titre testNot routinely required for personal pets …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for dogs and cats …
Import permitAn import permit from Kenya's …
Health certificateAHC from APHA-authorised official vet, …
Related routes
Pet Transport Kenya to UK→Pet Transport UK to Egypt→Pet Transport USA to Kenya→
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
Several weeks before travel.
Ensure all vaccinations are current. Rabies must be given between 21 days and 12 months before travel. Dogs also need distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis; cats need rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.

Responsible: Your vet

2
Start of planning.
Confirm microchip is in place and ISO-compliant.

Responsible: Your vet

3
At least 4-6 weeks before travel.
Apply for Kenya DVS import permit through the Kenyan High Commission in London or DVS directly. Allow 2-4 weeks.

Responsible: You or your agent

4
Within the validity period required by Kenya DVS, close to travel date.
Book APHA-authorised official vet for the AHC covering all required vaccinations and health status.

Responsible: APHA-authorised official vet

5
Several weeks before travel.
Book cargo space with British Airways or Kenya Airways from Heathrow to Nairobi. Confirm pet cargo acceptance.

Responsible: You

6
Travel day.
Travel to Nairobi as manifested cargo. DVS inspectors check documentation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Responsible: You and airline

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip recommended and widely required. Should be recorded on the AHC. Source: Kenya Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS).
Rabies vaccination
Required. Administered between 21 days and 12 months before travel. Multi-year vaccinations are only accepted within a 12-month window from administration date. Source: Kenya DVS.
Rabies titre test
Not routinely required for personal pets from the UK entering Kenya.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats from the UK with correct documentation. A veterinary inspection is conducted on arrival at Nairobi.
Import permit
An import permit from Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) is required before travel. Apply through the Kenyan High Commission in London or the DVS directly. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing. Source: Kenya DVS.
Health certificate
AHC from APHA-authorised official vet, covering all required vaccinations, microchip, and health status.
Export permit
No formal UK export permit required. The AHC is the key export document.
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an APHA-authorised official veterinarian. The AHC must cover all required vaccinations, microchip details, and confirm the pet is fit to travel. Kenya DVS requires the certificate to be current and endorsed before travel. Source: APHA, UK government pet travel pages.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

British Airways
British Airways operates from London Heathrow (LHR) to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) directly, and via Nairobi to Mombasa. BA Cargo accepts pets on the LHR-NBO route. The direct Heathrow-to-Nairobi service makes British Airways the most straightforward option for UK-to-Kenya pet cargo, avoiding the need for a connecting leg. Confirm crate size limits and seasonal restrictions before booking.
Cargo Only
Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways operates from London Heathrow to Nairobi. Kenya Airways Cargo accepts pets as manifested cargo. As Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways has established DVS clearance procedures at NBO. Seasonal cargo restrictions may apply.
Cargo Only
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Nairobi. KLM Cargo has a strong Africa network and established pet transport procedures. Kenya Airways and KLM have a codeshare relationship on this route. Amsterdam is a major transit hub with good cargo facilities.
Cargo Only
Ethiopian Airlines
Via Addis Ababa (ADD) to Nairobi. Ethiopian Airlines has extensive East Africa coverage and accepts pet cargo. The ADD-NBO leg is short. A practical option from many UK cities connecting via Heathrow or other gateways.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

AHC from APHA-authorised official vet, including multiple vaccinations: GBP 250 to GBP 550
Kenya DVS import permit: low fee, but allow several weeks for processing
International pet cargo (London to Nairobi): GBP 700 to GBP 2,200
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 60 to GBP 250 if needed
Total typical range: GBP 1,010 to GBP 3,000

Critical points

Pets entering Kenya must travel as manifested cargo. They cannot be carried as accompanied baggage or in the cabin on international flights into Kenya. The cargo-only rule applies regardless of the animal's size.

The DVS import permit must be obtained before travel. This takes 2-4 weeks to process. Do not leave this until the last minute.

Multi-year rabies vaccinations are only accepted by Kenya DVS within a 12-month window from the administration date. A three-year vaccine given 18 months ago would not be accepted, even though it is technically within its stated validity. A new vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel in that case.

All vaccination requirements for dogs (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis) and cats (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) must be documented on the AHC. Missing a single vaccination record can cause problems on arrival at NBO.

British Airways is the only carrier with a direct Heathrow-to-Nairobi service that accepts pet cargo. This avoids the transit complications of hub routings. Kenya Airways also operates the route.

The vaccination list and why Kenya's requirements are longer

Most European destinations require only rabies vaccination and a microchip for UK pets. Kenya’s Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) takes a broader approach. Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis, in addition to rabies. Cats need feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia alongside rabies.

All of these must be current at the time of travel, and every one must be recorded on the AHC. Your vet needs to check the expiry date on each vaccination separately, as they may have been administered at different times.

The multi-year rabies point is important. Kenya DVS applies a 12-month acceptance window from the administration date, regardless of how long the vaccine is rated for. A three-year rabies vaccine given 15 months ago is not accepted. The pet would need a new vaccination, administered at least 21 days before travel. Check this date carefully before any other planning.

British Airways direct and why it matters for this route

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi is Kenya’s main international hub and the standard arrival point for pet cargo from the UK. British Airways operates a direct Heathrow-to-Nairobi service and is the straightforward UK option: one leg, no transit, no need to confirm cargo acceptance on a connecting flight.

Kenya Airways also operates the LHR-NBO route and accepts pet cargo through Kenya Airways Cargo. KLM via Amsterdam and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa are alternatives for those who need more scheduling options.

All pets enter Kenya as manifested cargo. At NBO, the DVS quarantine and inspection staff check the AHC, import permit, microchip, and vaccination records on arrival. Pets with complete paperwork are not placed in quarantine.

Nairobi sits at approximately 1,700 metres above sea level, which gives it a moderate climate (10-28 degrees Celsius year-round). This is easier for pet cargo than many other African destinations, where summer heat embargoes are a major concern.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Pets entering Kenya must travel as manifested cargo on international flights. There are no cabin pet or accompanied baggage options for international arrivals into Kenya. This applies to cats as well as dogs, regardless of the animal’s size.
Yes. Kenya DVS requires dogs to be vaccinated against distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis, in addition to rabies. Cats need feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia in addition to rabies. All must be current and recorded on the AHC.
Apply through the Kenyan High Commission in London or directly through Kenya’s Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS). Allow two to four weeks for processing. A pet transport agent with Kenya experience can manage the permit application on your behalf. The permit must be in hand before your pet travels.
Partially. Kenya DVS accepts multi-year rabies vaccines only within a 12-month window from the administration date. A three-year vaccine given 18 months ago would not be accepted, even though it is within its stated validity. If your pet’s rabies vaccination is more than 12 months old, a new vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel.
British Airways operates direct from London Heathrow (LHR) to Nairobi (NBO) and accepts pets as manifested cargo through IAG Cargo. Kenya Airways also operates the LHR-NBO route. KLM (via Amsterdam) and Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa) are alternatives. British Airways direct avoids the complexity of confirming cargo acceptance on two legs.
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats from the UK with correct documentation. DVS staff conduct a document review and health inspection on arrival at NBO. Pets with complete paperwork and no signs of illness are not placed in quarantine.
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