ETHSafari 2026: Dates, Tickets, Speakers, and What to Expect
ETHSafari is Africa's top Ethereum Event. It is one of the biggest Blockchain Conference gatherings on the continent. It is part Crypto Conference, part Crypto Summit Event, and part festival.
If you follow any Crypto Event calendar, this is one Crypto Conference you should not miss in 2026.
The 2026 edition is the 5th one. It runs in Nairobi and Kilifi, Kenya.
Dates: September 04–14, 2026 (East Africa Time).
Always check the real dates on the official site: ethsafari.xyz.
In 2023, over 350 people came in person. This is a real number from a LinkedIn post by the event's logistics lead.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | ETHSafari 2026 |
| Edition | 5th |
| Dates | Sept 04–14, 2026 |
| Phase 1 city | Nairobi (bootcamp, hackathon) |
| Phase 2 city | Kilifi (main event) |
| Phase 2 venue | Beneath the Baobabs, Kilifi |
| Format | Hybrid (online + in person) |
| Main language | English |
| Website | ethsafari.xyz |
| Organizer | SafariDAO.org |
Key Numbers
- Total editions so far: 5
- People who came in 2023: 350+ (real number)
- Venue goal in 2023: about 1,000 people (a target, not a final count)
- 2026 attendee number: not out yet
Who Should Go?
1. Developers and Builders
Join the Nairobi bootcamp. Learn about DeFi and Web3 tools. Build real projects. Win prizes. Meet mentors. Hackathon sign-up is not open yet.
2. Founders and Leaders
Go to the Kilifi talks. Hear from African Web3 founders. Past guests came from SafariDAO and the Ethereum Foundation. The open-air setting makes it easy to talk and connect. This part of the Conference feels like a true Crypto Summit Event, where big ideas and deals take shape.
3. Project Teams and Partners
Past sponsors include Aragon, Coinbase, MetaMask, UTU, and ICP.HUB. These were from the 2022 Conference. The 2026 sponsors are not announced yet. Want to sponsor? Email info@ethsafari.xyz.
4. Grant Groups
Groups like Optimism, Gitcoin, and the Ethereum Foundation have joined before. SafariDAO got 82,229.9 OP tokens from Optimism's grant program. They also joined Gitcoin's GG19 round.
5. Media and Content Creators
CoinTelegraph covered past events. Press passes for 2026 are not announced yet. Email info@ethsafari.xyz for press questions. If you run a Crypto Blog, this Conference gives you plenty to write about.
The ETHSafari Journey
ETHSafari is not just one Crypto Conference in one place. It is a trip across Kenya. Based on past years, it has four steps:
- Online bootcamp — Join from anywhere. Learn Web3 basics. Form your team.
- Nairobi bootcamp — Attend workshops and side events in person.
- The Blocktrain — Ride the train from Nairobi to the coast. This has happened every year since 2022.
- Kilifi conference — The main two-day Conference. It happens outdoors, under baobab trees, near Takaungu Creek.
Speakers and Topics
No speakers are confirmed yet for 2026 (as of July 23, 2026).
Based on past years, expect people from the Ethereum Foundation and SafariDAO.
Common topics at past editions of this Ethereum Event:
- DeFi
- DAOs
- Real-world assets
- Cross-chain tech
- AI and blockchain
- Stablecoins
- Governance
- Security
- Web3 for social good
The 2025 theme was "Ethereum at 10 — Decentralisation is a Journey." The 2026 theme is not out yet.
Tickets
| Pass | Price | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Pass | Not out yet | Kilifi event + Nairobi bootcamp | Most attendees |
| Blocktrain Add-On | Not out yet | Train ride from Nairobi to the coast | Full experience seekers |
Ticket prices are not out yet. In past years, early tickets cost less. Prices went up closer to the Conference.
Buy only from ethsafari.xyz. Do not buy from resellers. There is no official resale site.
CoinGabbar Exclusive Ticket Discount
CoinGabbar is proud to be the official Media Partner of ETHSafari 2026.
As part of this partnership, the CoinGabbar community can enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on event tickets.
Simply use the promo code COINGABBAR3G5M during checkout to claim your discount.
Book your ticket through the official ETHSafari website and use the code COINGABBAR3G5M to save 20% on your registration.
Hackathon
The hackathon will follow the same format as before: online first, then in person in Nairobi and Kilifi.
Sign-ups are not open yet. Past events used dorahacks.io (2025) and taikai.network (2022–2023).
Likely tracks:
- DeFi and real-world assets
- Web3 for community and social good
- Developer tools
- AI and blockchain
- African use cases (like farming and unbanked finance)
The Blocktrain
This is ETHSafari's most famous part. It's a train ride from Nairobi to the Kilifi coast. It runs on the Standard Gauge Railway. It has happened every year since 2022.
The ride turns travel time into networking time. People talk, build friendships, and get ready for the main Conference.
It costs extra, as an add-on ticket.
Travel Tips
Visa
Most travelers need a visa or an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Kenya. Apply early at etakenya.go.ke.
Flights
ETHSafari attendees can enjoy exclusive discounts on Kenya Airways flights using the promo code ETHS26KE when booking. Discounts include 8% off flights from Europe and the US, 12% off flights within Africa and the region, and 5% off local flights within Kenya.
Kilifi
Kilifi is a coastal town, about 60 km north of Mombasa. Book your hotel early — rooms fill up fast in September.
September is dry season on the coast. Good weather is likely.
Use Kenyan Shillings (KES). Cards work in cities. M-Pesa (mobile money) is common everywhere.
Past Editions
| Year | Edition | Attendees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1st | 500+ | First Blocktrain and Baobabs Conference |
| 2023 | 2nd | 500+ | Ran Sept 18–24 |
| 2024 | 3rd | 500+ | Ran Sept 8–15 |
| 2025 | 4th | 500+ | Ran Sept 7–14 |
| 2026 | 5th | TBA | Runs Sep 04–14 |
Quick Glossary
- Hybrid event — Part online, part in person.
- Hackathon — A contest where teams build projects fast and try to win prizes.
- Blocktrain — The train ride from Nairobi to Kilifi.
- Early-bird price — A lower price offered before the event.
- SafariDAO — The group that runs ETHSafari.
- RetroPGF — A funding program from Optimism that pays projects for past good work.
- eTA — Kenya's online entry pass for visitors.
- Side event — A smaller event held near the main one.
- Bounty sponsor — A company that pays for a hackathon prize track.
- Media accreditation — A press pass for journalists and creators.
A Note Before You Go
This guide is for information only. It is not financial or legal advice.
Event details can change. Always check ethsafari.xyz before you book flights, hotels, or tickets.
Going to ETHSafari does not guarantee funding, deals, or press coverage. Do your own research first.
