News
Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) 2026 brings the tourism trade to Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi from Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 October. Whether you are coming as a buyer to meet Kenyan suppliers or as an exhibitor with a full appointment book, the expo days themselves are busy. The quality of your trip often depends on the parts around them: how you arrive, where you sleep, and whether you leave with a real feel for the destination you sell. This guide covers all three.
Check availability & book direct · MKTE 2026 stays at Karen Plains Hotel
Before you book anything
- Confirm your expo registration and any appointment programme directly with the organiser. Accommodation is booked separately.
- Check your own entry requirements for Kenya with official government sources well before you fly.
- Decide how many nights you really need. Most visitors benefit from an arrival night before 6 October, and many add at least one night after 8 October to see something of Kenya.
- Pick your base with the venue in mind. Uhuru Gardens is on Lang'ata Road in south-west Nairobi, the same side of the city as Karen.
Arriving in Nairobi
Most international visitors land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Some regional and safari flights use Wilson Airport. We can arrange a private transfer from either, priced per vehicle, one way:
| Airport | Vehicle | Price |
|---|---|---|
| JKIA | Sedan, up to 3 guests | US$55 |
| JKIA | 4×4 Land Cruiser, up to 6 guests | US$95 |
| Wilson | Sedan | US$45 |
| Wilson | 4×4 | US$85 |
Send us your flight number when you book. More detail is on our airport transfer page.
Match your arrival time to your plans
- Early morning landing: check-in is from 12:00, but our front desk is open 24/7 and luggage storage is available, so you can leave your bags and have breakfast (served 7:00 to 10:30). If you need the room the moment you land, consider booking the night before.
- Afternoon landing: the simplest option. Check in, rest, and review your appointments.
- Late-night landing: the front desk will be ready for you. Keep the next morning light if you can.
A rhythm for the expo days
Three days of trade appointments are tiring, however much you enjoy them. A steady routine helps.
- Morning: breakfast from 7:00, or a packed breakfast if your first meeting is early.
- Getting there: Uhuru Gardens is on the same south-western side of the city as Karen, but expo days bring extra traffic. Journey times vary with Nairobi traffic; check a live traffic app for your schedule. We can quote transport to the venue on request.
- Evening: write up your meeting notes at the desk in your room while details are fresh. Our Wi-Fi runs on Starlink, and a generator covers guest rooms and Wi-Fi during power cuts.
- Dinner: add lunch and dinner at the hotel for US$40 per day. Kenyan, Swahili and traditional African food is at the heart of our kitchen, which makes dinner another way to taste the destination.
- Laundry: after three days of expo wear, a wash, dry and fold service is US$20 per bag.
Already know your dates? Book your room directly and choose every night you need, including the arrival night and any days after the expo.
Time to explore Karen
If you sell Kenya, first-hand knowledge of Nairobi's highlights is useful. Karen is a good place to gather it, because several of the city's best-known visits are in or near the neighbourhood.
- The Giraffe Centre. An easy first visit, right here in Karen. We can arrange a guided Giraffe Centre tour.
- Nairobi National Park. Wildlife on the edge of a capital city. Our half-day tour fits neatly into a morning. Park fees are extra, and sightings are never guaranteed.
- The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Karen Blixen Museum. Both are in or near Karen and add depth to a Nairobi day.
- Food and wine. Cave à Manger, a wine-paired restaurant, is in Karen Plains Arcade, opposite the Waterfront. Cultiva, a farm-to-table restaurant, is also in Karen; plan transport for it.
- A slower hour. The Waterfront Karen mall is a few steps away. Our partner spa, Manama Spa & Barbershop, is a short drive away, with free pickup and drop-off for staying guests; treatments are paid directly to Manama.
Journey times to each visit vary with traffic, so ask us to help you plan the order.
Extending into a safari
You may want to add a few days in the parks, either to rest or to inspect product for FIT (fully independent traveller) itineraries, the tailor-made trips sold to individual guests rather than groups. Our partner, Travel Corporation Limited (Travel Corp) at The Hub Karen, can plan and quote a longer safari. The itinerary is operated by Travel Corp, not by the hotel, and park fees are extra.
A practical pattern: stay with us for the expo, ask us about leaving extra luggage with us while you are away, then come back for a final night before your flight home. Book the return night in the engine when you book the rest.
A short packing and planning list
- Printed or offline copy of your appointment schedule
- Comfortable shoes for three long days on your feet
- A light layer for early mornings and evenings
- Business cards and brochures, kept light
- Flight numbers shared with us for your transfer
- A list of the Nairobi visits you want to see for yourself
Plan your stay with us
Come for the expo. Let us help with the rest. Book your room directly, then message us with your arrival details, meals and any tours or safari plans, and we will quote each extra clearly. See rooms and services on our MKTE 2026 accommodation page. If you plan trips for clients, you may also like our travel agent's checklist for pre- and post-safari stays.
Check availability & book direct · Ask your KPH concierge on WhatsApp
Live rates and availability are shown in our booking engine. Extras such as transfers, meals, tours and spa visits are quoted and confirmed separately.
Event details checked on mkte.co.ke in September 2026. Please confirm the latest programme with the organiser. Karen Plains Hotel is independent and not affiliated with the Kenya Tourism Board.
