Kenya Holidays in December: Best Safari & UAE National Day Trips
Correcting the UAE National Day Calendar for 2026
Under the UAE’s current public holiday law, November 30 and December 1, 2026 are both regular working days, not paid holidays; only December 2 and 3 are confirmed as paid public holidays for National Day, so anyone planning to be off from Saturday, November 28 through Thursday, December 3 needs to book two days of annual leave, not one.
How Much Leave You Actually Need
If you book November 30 and December 1st as annual leave, you will have six days off starting from Saturday, November 28 through Thursday, December 3rd, and this is the realistic time frame to plan a Kenya holiday unless your employer advises otherwise closer to the date.
Why Kenya, Specifically, in December
December sits in Kenya’s short dry season, when the October–November rains taper off and leave behind green landscapes, clearer skies, and some of the most reliable wildlife viewing conditions of the year, and if you want a sense of which regions benefit most from this window before booking anything, our guide to must-see destinations in Kenya is a useful starting point.
Weather and Wildlife
- Daytime temperatures in Nairobi and the highlands sit in the mid-20s °C, cooling pleasantly at night
- Short rains usually clear by early-to-mid December, leaving drier trails and better visibility
- December overlaps with calving season, meaning more newborn animals and more predator activity, a pattern the Kenya Wildlife Service also tracks across its parks and reserves
- Migratory bird species pass through the country, adding variety for birdwatchers
Flight Connectivity from the UAE
Direct flights connect Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi to Nairobi with a flying time of roughly five hours, which is short enough that a six-day break still leaves four full days on the ground once travel time is accounted for.
Where to Go: The Parks Worth Prioritising
With a six-day window, it’s worth being selective about which parks make the cut rather than trying to cover all of Kenya at once.
A Ready-Made 4 Night, 5 Day Kenya Safari
Travel Saga has introduced a package specifically for the UAE National Day 2026. This is a complete package where you do not have to worry about anything. The package is a fixed 4-night, 5-day Kenya safari which covers all the major places. Such as Nairobi, the Maasai Mara, and Lake Naivasha, with a price of AED 6800 per person on a double-sharing tour. The full day-by-day sequencing behind this route is laid out in our Kenya itinerary and visa guide if you want to see how the timing works before committing.
What’s Included
- ✓International flights (28 Nov – 02 Dec 2026)
- ✓4-star hotel stays, standard rooms, double sharing
- ✓Safari drives in a 4×4 vehicle (non-A/C)
- ✓3 game drives — one afternoon drive plus one full-day drive
- ✓Giraffe Centre visit in Nairobi
- ✓Boat ride in Lake Naivasha
- ✓Airport pickup and all inter-hotel transfers
- ✓Complimentary water during vehicle transfers
What’s Not Included
- ×Visa charges and travel insurance
- ×Water and beverages during meals
- ×Optional tours such as Masai Village visits or hot air balloon rides
- ×Tips and any item not specifically listed above
Note: If you are deciding between Kenya and somewhere else for the same six-day window, our international tour packages page makes it easy to compare options side by side.
Hotel Stays
Standard Room
Glass Cottage Room
Standard Room
Flight Details
Sharjah → Nairobi
Arrival: 13:20
Nairobi → Sharjah
Arrival: 20:15
Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
Kenya now runs on a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system for nearly all visitors, requiring a passport valid for six-plus months, a passport photo, proof of UAE residency, and a confirmed itinerary. You can apply directly through our Kenya visit visa service rather than navigating the government portal on your own.
Processing Time and Timing Your Application
Approval typically arrives within a few working days, so applying at least a week before you travel gives you a comfortable buffer given how tight the National Day window is.
If Kenya Is Part of a Bigger Trip
If Kenya is just one stop on a longer travel plan, our broader international visa services can handle documentation for other destinations on the same itinerary.
Where to Stay Beyond the Fixed Package
If the fixed itinerary above doesn’t match your dates or budget, December is still high season across Kenya, so booking accommodation early matters regardless of which route you take, and our roundup of resorts in Kenya for winter holidays covers alternative lodges and coastal stays if you’d rather build a custom trip.
Conclusion
When it comes to the National Day break in the UAE, people always spend their time on vacation. However, this time things are different. When you take 2 days off, you will get a whole 6-day trip. These days in Kenya are more than enough for you to enjoy the best time of your life. With our package, you can make the most of your trip because almost everything is included in the package. You do not have to worry about all the hassle a person has to go through travelling individually. Book your tour now with Travelsaga.com and begin your holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions: Kenya Holidays in December
Q. Is Commemoration Day a public holiday in the UAE in 2026?
No, on Commemoration Day, which is on November 30, there is no public holiday. It is just like a normal working day. So, as an employee, you have to take leave for your Kenya tour.
Q. How many leave days do I need for a Kenya trip during UAE National Day 2026?
For a Kenya trip, you only have to take leave for 2 days on November 30 and December 1. These two days connect you to the weekend and the public holiday of UAE National Day, allowing you to enjoy 6 days of tour to Kenya.
Q. Is December a good time to visit Kenya for a safari?
Yes. December falls in Kenya’s short dry season, with clear skies, green landscapes, and strong wildlife viewing, including newborn animals during calving season.
Q. What does the 4-night, 5-day Kenya package include?
The package does include your international flights, 4-star hotel stays, a 4 x 4 safari vehicle, three game drives, a Giraffe Centre visit, a Lake Naivasha boat ride and airport transfers. The price for all of them is AED 6800 per person on a double-sharing tour.
Q. Do UAE residents need a visa for Kenya?
Yes, to travel to Kenya, you are required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). This applies to almost all visitors. All you have to do is apply with a valid passport, photo, and proof of UAE residency. For more related queries, you can visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
