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Kenya Safari Tours and Holiday Packages

Find and book your dream safari in magical Kenya. There are 852 Kenya safari adventures to choose from, that range in length from 1 days up to 21 days. The most popular month for these tours is October.

Best Kenya safari tours based on 1,334 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

7 Days 6 Nights Kenya luxury Safari

From tour planning, exchange of emails and calls to arrival, airport pickup, safari and last minute shopping, this was more than what we asked for! On our first day in Nairobi we had the opportunity to visit Dorothy Schwartz Community Centre, a slum school that is supported by Royal Private Safaris where we donated more than 200 Kgs of school supplies! On Safari, we camped in an exclusive game area, with a camp crew of twelve who laughed and sang all day… We were hosted in the finest style imaginable – hot showers, iced sun-downers, amazing meals and super-comfortable enormous tents. It hardly felt like camping. When we left, the crew broke camp and moved it to the next location. The bush was left exactly as it had been before! Thank you Royal Private Safaris, this was much more that what we had requested! -Brenna, Alaska.

Kenya Wildlife Safari

We had a fabulous time! The animals were amazing. We even saw a leopard!

Kenya Camping Safari

My first time camping and I had a blast! David was a fantastic CEO: helpful, patient, informative and good natured. The people, places and animals I’ve seen will stay will me for a long time.

Premium Kenya

6 Days Kenya Budget Tours (with FREE NIGHT at Nairobi Hotel)

What an amazing 6 Days Kenya Budget Tours we had with Bon Voyage Kenya safaris. Well organized safari from start to the end. I enjoyed every minute of it. The fellow passengers in the 6-day joining safari were all wonderful, we made some wonderful friendships along the way. Faith was amazing in answering all our questions.

Kenya Family Safari

Your staff did an excellent job. We had a great time and I would recommend this trip for my friends.

Masai Mara Camping Safari

Our guide was great and interacted well with the group. He had lots of animal knowledge and found us some great animals. Our transport was a van but it made it there and back and wasn't too bad for game viewing. Plenty of space for the 6 of us. Accommodation is a basic tent with bed and mossie net but was all we really needed. Meals were good and there was always plenty. While the trip is advertised as 4 days, it's only 3. I would have enjoyed having an extra day to spend in the Mara.

Kenya Safari Experience National Geographic Journeys

It is Tim and I first time at a safari and we had a fantastic experience because Lilian and Vincent the driver from G-adventure was knowledgeable in their work. We very much enjoy it and is looking forward for the next trip. Thanks.

5 Days Masai Mara and Amboseli Wildlife Safari

Our 5 day Kenya Masai Mara safari was fantastic. Everything was very good. Martin our driver guide, extremely hard-working, knowledgeable and helpful. From airport reception to on time performance all very good. Good company I can recommend.

7 Days Taylor -Made Kenya Luxury Safari

This is one of the best tours ever just loved the experience

7 Days Kenya mid range Joining Safari

I found john via internet. At first I am a little bit nerveus about orginizing the tour. However, we meet on Kenya, I am glad that we work together. We were very lucky on the Safari. We can saw big 5 on 4 days trip. We can also see sitting graffe. Our hotels, game drives everything was great. Thank you John. I hope we can see each other again.

5 Days Kenya medium range safari for Amboseli and Tsavo Parks from Nairobi to Mombasa

I would highly recommend CKC Tours. John responded to all our queries promptly and went back and forth until we had an itinerary we were happy with. We were then met by John at the airport and given all the documentation for our trip which included lodges at Masai Mara and Amboseli and internal flights. It was all very easy and well organised. I also found it to be very competitively priced considering the service we received and the standard of accommodation.

6 Days Kenya Budget Small Group 4x4 Jeep Safari

This was a great tour! Very knowledgable expert guides and a great way of experiencing Kenya’s beautiful nature & wildlife. The participants of the tour were all very nice people which made the journey fun and unforgettable! Accommodation is basic.

Classic Kenya Safari

Great tour guides and impeccable service. Lodges were very comfortable with the exception of Amboseli. I would not have missed Amboseli though, it is at the base of Mt. Kilamanjaro.

• Great Migration

3 Days Masai Mara Safari (in a 4x4 JEEP with FREE NIGHT at Nairobi Hotel)

What amazing safari thanks to Bon voyage Safari's for a well organized safari .

Kenya Safari Tour Reviews

I enjoyed the tour The good was good and the guide was sharp

Everything was Amazing

Safari Tours

• Wildlife (259)
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National Park

• Masai Mara National Reserve (127)
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Regions in Kenya

• Masai Mara National Reserve (137)
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• Mount Kenya (22)
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Travel Styles

• 10 Best Safaris in December 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in August 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in January 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in November 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in October 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in September 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in July 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in June 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in May 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in April 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in March 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in February 2024/2025
• 10 Best Luxury African Safari Tours 2024/2025
• Kenya Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best Time to Visit Kenya for a Ultimate Safari Experience

The Ultimate in WOW Safaris

Magical Kenya

Visiting Kenya is a life changing experience. Any traveller who has been to Kenya longs to return, pining for the experiences a day on the equator brings. The geography is varied, both fertile and challenging. From nourishing, tea-yielding earths, to endless grasslands and sun-kissed, white beaches. Travelling to Kenya allows you to visit iconic settings, such as herds of elephants basking in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Kenya provides an ideal retreat for an introverted explorer seeking spiritual contemplation or a luxurious platform for a social media connected citizen, looking to share their travel stories live from East Africa. WOW Safaris provide a range of Kenyan safari selections. However for the ultimate, personalised safari, our bespoke, handcrafted safaris will transport you to the romance of Africa in books and song. You will be hosted safely and accompanied by our experienced KPSGA qualified guides, to explore the diversity Kenya has - and continues - to offer.

CHOOSE YOUR WOW SAFARI

Whether you are seeking a "tried and trusted" safari experience, or need consultative advice for your Kenyan holiday, the WOW Safaris team are here to help. Hakuna Matata - no worries.

KENYA SAFARI

MAGICAL KENYA

HANDCRAFTED

Start planning your kenya safari.

Start planning your Kenyan adventure. Our KPSGA qualified guides, 4x4 safari converted vehicles and idyllic array of safari camp and beach villa options provide unforgettable memories.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE

Whilst the wildlife is a huge attraction, much of Kenya's appeal as a tourist destination is its people. Discover the local customs and heritage. Enjoy the truly heartwarming and welcoming hospitality of the many tribes. Make the people a focal point of your Kenyan safari.

LIFE'S A BEACH

Kenya's beaches are jewels and perhaps one of the world's best kept secrets. The historic trading routes along the coast of East Africa are evident in everything from local ship designs, architecture, food, language and general way of life. The island of Lamu is a particular gem. Watamu offers wonderful, pristine beaches and ecology (marine turtle conservation for example), whilst Diani beach is a paradise of expansive white sands. A beach footballer's dream.

A HOME FROM HOME

WOW Safaris local knowledge and network of lodges, camps and villas provide comfort and luxury. Whilst invigorating and life changing to many, safaris can be tiring after early starts and long days game watching. The service, cuisine and furnishings of your base camp are important choices for your trip.

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Your Safari

Tour length, rates in usd $ – change currency, starting from.

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• Lodge, tented camp or hotel (2,389)
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• & up (2,362)

Specialized Tours

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Other Tour Features

• Airport transfer is included (2,455)
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Kenya Safari Tours - Compare 2,469 Packages

Kenya is the historical home of the East African safari, a land of sweeping savannah grasslands inhabited by charismatic megafauna, including big cats, the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino) and just about everything in between. Elsewhere, landscapes here stir the soul with deserts in the north, dense forests in the west, Rift Valley lakes in the center and tropical coast out east. The result for those on safari is an experienced safari industry ready to show you a seemingly endless parade of wildlife against one of the most beautiful backdrops in Africa.

6-Day Mara, Naivasha, Amboseli & Taita Hills

$1,958 to $2,704 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tour Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Masai Mara NR, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha) , Amboseli NP, Tsavo West NP, Diani Beach (End)

Hyrax Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.9 /5  –  250 Reviews

8-Day Best of Kenya Luxury Safari

$2,530 to $3,795 pp (USD)

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Ol Pejeta (Laikipia) , Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha) , Amboseli NP, Nairobi Airport (End)

Amazing Memories Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

5.0 /5  –  183 Reviews

3-Day The Famous Mara - Luxury

$1,150 to $1,690 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tour Tented Camp

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)

Spirit of Kenya   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.9 /5  –  480 Reviews

10-Day Luxury Kenya Safari Tour

$7,773 to $9,402 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tour Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Samburu NR, Mara North (Greater Masai Mara) , Diani Beach, Nairobi (End)

4.9 /5  –  149 Reviews

4-Day Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru Budget Shared Safari

$475 to $705 pp (USD)

Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Tented Camp & Hotel

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)

Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.2 /5  –  74 Reviews

10-Day Epic Kenyan Game Safari Adventure & Beach Holiday

$3,047 to $4,202 pp (USD)

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha) , Amboseli NP, LUMO Conservancy, Diani Beach, Kisite Mpunguti (Beach) , Moi Airport (End)

Kevic Tours and Travel   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

5.0 /5  –  41 Reviews

3-Day Private Luxury Tour to Masai Mara National Reserve

$1,095 to $1,469 pp (USD)

5.0 /5  –  16 Reviews

4-Day Budget Bonanza (Masai Mara -Crescent-Hells Gate)

$900 to $1,210 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tour Tented Camp & Hotel

Jocky Tours and Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.9 /5  –  1295 Reviews

4-Day Tsavo West, Amboseli & Tsavo East National Parks

$990 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tour Lodge

You Visit: Mombasa (Start) , Tsavo West NP, Amboseli NP, Tsavo East NP, Mombasa (End)

Kenya Bush Expeditions   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.6 /5  –  63 Reviews

3-Day Amboseli and Tsavo East National Park Safari

$822 pp (USD)

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Amboseli NP, Tsavo East NP, Mombasa (End)

Keshi Tours   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

5.0 /5  –  32 Reviews

3-Day Safari from Mombasa Tsavo East, Saltlick Lodge

$946 to $990 pp (USD)

You Visit: Mombasa (Start) , Tsavo East NP, Taita Hills WS, Mombasa (End)

Back of Africa Adventure   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.8 /5  –  84 Reviews

13-Day From Kenya to Tanzania and Zanzibar

$5,070 to $6,590 pp (USD)

Kenya & Tanzania: Private tour Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Zanzibar (End)

Unlimited Expeditions: The Soul of Tanzania

4.9 /5  –  438 Reviews

4-Day Roaming Mara & Lake Nakuru Budget Camping Safari

$601 to $760 pp (USD)

Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle) Tented Camp & Hotel

Jungleroam Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

5.0 /5  –  11 Reviews

4-Day Exotic Kenya - Luxury

$1,936 pp (USD)

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)

Ways Of Africa Travel   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

5.0 /5  –  62 Reviews

4-Day Mara & Nakuru Jeep Trek

$682 to $902 pp (USD)

Super Eagles Travel and Tours   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.8 /5  –  157 Reviews

3-Day A Budget Tour in Maasai Mara

$781 to $1,122 pp (USD)

Kenya: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Lodge

Creek Tours and Travels   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

5.0 /5  –  6 Reviews

10-Day Best Kenya Adventure Safari in 4 X 4 Private Jeep

$3,872 to $4,730 pp (USD)

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Ol Pejeta (Laikipia) , Samburu NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha) , Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)

Morning Star Tours & Travel   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.9 /5  –  162 Reviews

6-Day Amboseli Lake Naivasha Masai Mara Package

$1,761 to $2,343 pp (USD)

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Amboseli NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha) , Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)

TrippyGo Tours and Travel   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.7 /5  –  3 Reviews

3-Day Adventure of a Lifetime Luxury Tour

$1,390 to $2,495 pp (USD)

Crystal Voyage   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.9 /5  –  23 Reviews

4-Day Unwrapped Luxury Kenya Safari

$2,552 to $3,640 pp (USD)

Kameraz of Afrika   Tour operator has an office in Kenya

4.8 /5  –  97 Reviews

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8 Questions About Kenya Safaris

Answered by

Anthony ham.

When is the best time to visit Kenya?

“June to October is an excellent time for Kenya tours. During these months, the weather is generally dry (although it can get really hot in October and at the tail end of September) and most trails are open. This also coincides with the wildebeest and zebra migration in the Masai Mara National Reserve. This is the Dry season, and as it progresses, water sources for animals tend to dry up and become fewer, drawing animals in numbers to those that remain. One downside is that high-season prices apply during the Dry season months. Crowds are also larger – in some parks, the queue of safari vehicles can take away something from your experience, and some areas of the Masai Mara can be completely overwhelmed with vehicles during the migration. In the Dry season, June is one of my favorite months to visit. Visiting from November to February also has its devotees. At this time, migrating birds arrive, the rains rarely disrupt travel, and the country is transformed into a lovely shade of green. Most travelers avoid March to May because heavy rains are always possible and can transform safari trails into muddy bogs. That said, prices are lower and I visited once in April and was lucky to find very few other visitors (except for local visitors around Easter) and clear skies.”

Why visit Kenya? What are the major attractions?

“Outstanding wildlife is the main reason to visit Kenya. While many visitors come for the migration, Kenya is excellent year-round, with a large number of world-class national parks – apart from the Masai Mara, there’s Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks and Samburu National Reserve – where superb wildlife viewing is almost guaranteed. It all adds up to Kenyan safari possibilities of great variety. Kenya is Big Five territory, with healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino, but the birdlife is also outstanding, as is the cultural element – this is the land of the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana and others. The sheer number of habitats, too, make for wonderful scenery – endless horizons in the Masai Mara, tropical forests in Kakamega Forest National Reserve, the starkly beautiful parks of the north, and peerless Kilimanjaro views from Amboseli.”

What does a Kenyan safari cost?

“It all depends on what sort of safari you want and can afford. Kenya has more variety than most other African safari destinations, with excellent options from the lower end of the pricing scale (from US$200 per person per day) to luxury Kenya safaris (up to US$1,000). While accommodation is partly what will determine the price for many travelers, it can also depend on how you wish to travel between the various parks. Air transfers, usually via Nairobi, can be expensive, but dramatically reduce the amount of time you’ll spend on the road, thereby maximizing the amount of time you’ll get to spend in the parks themselves. Remember also that most Kenya safari packages will include transport, accommodation, all meals and activities (including game drives).”

How is the wildlife viewing?

“It can vary from park to park. Most of the more popular parks that you can visit on a Kenya tour – Amboseli, Masai Mara, Samburu and Lake Nakuru – have fabulous wildlife-viewing opportunities. Dense wildlife populations in all of these parks make them good all-round safari destinations that enable you to see as many animals (and different species) as you can in a short period of time. Other parks are more specialist – such as the birds and primates of Kakamega, and the sitatunga in Saiwa Swamp National Park – allowing you to tick off a hard-to-find species, usually without the crowds. And a more exclusive Kenyan safari experience is possible in the conservancies of Laikipia Plateau – you pay more, but, with the exception of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, crowds are non-existent and wildlife viewing is excellent. At most of these conservancies, you can get off-road as well, meaning that you’ll get a lot closer to the animals than you will in a national park.”

How safe is Kenya for tourists?

“For the most part, a Kenya safari is safe, but there are some important things to know. Nairobi and, to a lesser extent, some other Kenyan cities have a reputation for violent crime. I’ve spent a significant amount of time in Nairobi and elsewhere and have never once had a problem, but it does happen often enough to mean that you should always be careful and follow local advice when it comes to these cities. Another potential danger comes from traveling on the country’s roads – the accident rate is extremely high. You can minimize the danger by spending as little time as you can in Nairobi and other cities (in any case, Kenya’s charm rarely resides in its major urban centers), by never traveling at night and by flying between the parks. The danger from wild animals is minimal; most Kenya safari trips and operators have excellent safety records, and you should be fine if you follow the safety briefings and instructions from guides.”

How do I select a reliable tour operator for a Kenyan safari?

“The best way to choose a Kenya safari is to read all about the safari experiences of other travelers at SafariBookings.com – chances are that their reviews will answer many of your questions (before you’ve asked them), as well as speak to the professionalism of the various operators with whom they’ve traveled. Otherwise, it’s extremely important that you contact any tour companies with whom you are considering traveling before you make a booking, and ask any questions you may have. This could be anything from the mode of transport, frequency of meals or daily safari schedules to the languages spoken by your guide or how many other travelers will be in your vehicle. Be as specific as you can. Not all operators offer customized Kenya tours, it’s true, but there’s no substitute for being informed. The operator’s willingness to answer questions can be a good guide to their dealings with people on safari.”

What type of accommodation can I expect?

“As a general rule, the higher your Kenya safari prices, the better you can expect your accommodation to be. At the lower end, campsites are usually basic, sometimes crowded and not always in the best locations within the national parks or reserves, but they are well priced and often have ample facilities such as showers and toilets. Lodges are the mainstays of the Kenya safari scene and the quality varies considerably. Many lodges within the reserves and national parks have excellent locations but are aging and in need of renovation, while others are luxurious and recently overhauled. In tented camps, including mobile camps, you’ll sleep in large, walk-in tents – they’re like lodge rooms in terms of size but with canvas for walls and floor. Canvas tents mean that you can hear the sounds of the African night. Hopefully you won’t hear the sounds of your neighboring guests if the tents are nicely spaced. Most lodge rooms and tents of this kind have comfortable (not camp) beds, sometimes a desk and usually a private bathroom; some even have an outdoor shower with no roof but walls that protect your modesty. Particularly in tented camps, you’ll most likely need to recharge your devices not in your room but at a power station in the main public area.”

What can I expect from a safari in Kenya?

“Most days out on safari begin with a quiet African voice waking you well before sunrise. After dressing quickly, and having a coffee or tea, you head out for a few hours in a safari vehicle (with other guests, a driver, guide and sometimes a tracker) looking for wildlife – this time, and the last hours before sunset, are ideal for viewing wildlife. You’ll return to the lodge or camp mid- to late morning for a proper sit-down breakfast. A few hours of relaxation, followed by lunch, then a few hours more doing very little occupies the hottest part of the day, when even animals retreat into the shade. Afternoon tea, often known as High Tea in a nod to colonial-era safari traditions, happens around 3 PM or 3:30 PM, then it’s back out looking for wildlife until after dark. Just before sunset, you’ll stop for another safari institution, the ‘Sundowner’, when you’ll watch the sunset while nursing the drink of your choice. You arrive back in camp in time to freshen up, then it’s dinner and off to bed, before it all starts again very early the next morning.”

Kenya Safari Reviews

Stuart is a travel writer and author of numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including 'Kenya', 'Rwanda' and 'Tanzania'.

East Africa’s Most varied Nation

Kenya is the original home of the safari. This is the land of the world renowned Masai Mara National Reserve where tawny coloured lions feast off the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest that annually migrate into the country from...

Full Review

Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.

A Safari Behemoth

In some ways, Kenya rates as the best country for safaris in Africa. That is a contentious statement and many would argue that Tanzania should be given that title. Whichever way you go, Kenya is undeniably a destination which will fulfill...

Beautiful nature and a beautiful country to go on safari

From the moment of arrival at the international airport, the transfer to Wilson airport, the flights with ALS, the reception at Little Goverments Camp, the safari, the food, the drinks, the hot air balloon flight. Everything was extremely...

Amazing experience, great value and good vibes!

Great value for a safari, did one in Tanzania which cost double but wasn't as good. This one was efficient, which means you will have a better experience viewing animals and we had a friendly and knowledgable driver who was able to help...

I love Kenya, come every year to discover some other part of the country.

Beautiful coast and so much diversity of nature and wildlife across the country, from amazing dry and volcanic Turkana to different national parks, green and lush Mt Kenya or exotic Lamu island. Kind and friendly people everywhere. Wide...

The best Amboseli and view of Kilimanjaro

The best park was Amboseli. Acommodadion and food was perfect. Widelife and scenic - wonderful. I put Lake Nakuru in second place. Beautiful area and many rhinos. What I liked the least was Masai Mara Park. Such a famous park and so few...

Kenya Safari | Luxury, Lodges and Tours

Kenya safaris consistently rank in the top 3 destinations for safari-goers in Africa and it’s easy to see why. Home to prime game viewing, the incredible Masai Mara savannah, luxury lodges, stunning beaches and the famous Mount Kenya, this east Africa wonder packs a powerful punch.

Nearly 1.5 times the size of California at 224,000 sq miles, this incredible land neighbours five countries including Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and with Somalia and Ethiopia to Kenya’s east and north.

The best time to visit Kenya is from July to September, during the country’s dry season, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. The rainy seasons are also good times to travel, as there are fewer visitors and you can admire the striking emerald vegetation.

Table of Contents

Why Kenya for a safari

Kenya is renowned as a premium destination for big 5 wildlife viewing, luxury lodges, Masai Mara safari tours , Amboseli National Reserve and incredible Kenya beaches have international visitors flocking from the U.S, U.K, Europe and beyond.

Famous not just for its incredible wildlife at Tsavo National Park, Kenya is also surrounded by calderas and mountain ranges with the Great Rift Valley dividing the country.

To the east of this sweeping valley, you can climb the snow-cloaked equatorial peaks of Mount Kenya and fish for trout in crystal-clear streams.

Hell’s Gate National Park harbours obsidian caves and hisses with natural geysers and hot springs. To experience the romance of Kenya’s colourful colonial history captured in the film Out of Africa, head to Nairobi.

This bustling capital is the gateway to one of the world’s most evocative and exciting travel destinations. Discover more places to visit in this fascinating country with our list of the top tourist attractions in Kenya.

Top attractions visitors can expect from a Kenya safari include:

Kenya is a country of incredible bio-diversity, and one of the world’s most exciting wildlife destinations. Famous for its wildlife, visitors will find Wildebeest, Diceros, Impalas, Dik-diks, Impalas, giraffes, hyenas, African wild dogs and many more.

All Big 5 game animals can be found roaming including the African bush elephant, the lion, black rhino and white rhino, leopard and the African buffalo. Endlessly intelligent and iconic, African elephants continue to capture the hearts of travellers to Kenya.

In addition to watching the largest land mammals roam the savannah, you can opt to visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage where they care for young elephants and rhinos before releasing them back to the wild.

Kenya is also a birdwatcher`s paradise, teeming with birdlife, with diverse habitats in spectacular scenery. Over 1100 bird species have been recorded in the country, and it is possible to see well over a half of these without undue effort on a safari tour.

Best Parks & Reserves

Kenya has numerous parks, reserves and sanctuaries, all of which have their own charm, accommodation and wildlife attractions.

With 24 national parks, 15 national reserves, 6 marine parks, and private conservancies on top of that, the choice can be overwhelming when it comes to visiting Kenya’s national parks.

Of particular note amongst all of the incredible parks, Maasai Mara is widely regarded as being one of the best safaris in Kenya as well as Amboseli National Reserve and Tsavo National Park.

• Masai Mara National Reserve — Kenya’s most famous park, known for having some of the highest concentrations of the big five in Africa, but it also witnesses the phenomenal Great Migration. Sharing a border with Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Masai Mara safaris receive a massive seasonal wildebeest migration.
• Amboseli National Park — Due to its proximity to Nairobi and the abundant wildlife, Amboseli is the second most famous national park in Kenya after Masaai Mara. The landscape ranging from semi-arid dry lake beds to wet swamps attracted a wide variety of animals. The highlight of the park are the elephant herds population, featured in many documentaries. The park connects tourists with the local Maasai people, whose villages you can visit via guided tours.
• Tsavo East National Park — Occupying almost 8,700 square miles, Tsavo East is one of the largest national parks in Kenya in a semi-arid climate zone with big numbers of Tsavo Lions without any manes.
• Tsavo West National Park – Covering an area of 3,500 square miles, Tsavo West National Park is more mountainous and wetter than its Tsavo East park counterpart with swamps, Lake Jipe and the Mzima Springs.
• Aberdare National Park — Cool and cloudy Rift Valley park with lots of large game, and over 250 species of bird recorded.
• Hell’s Gate National Park – A small National Park close to Nairobi, which allows you to get out of the car and offers some nice opportunities for rock climbing and some game
• Lake Nakuru National Park — A stunning 400 species of bird have been recorded here including the largest flocks of Flamingos anywhere on earth
• Lake Elementaita — One of the smaller lakes in the Great Rift Valley recently declared a UNESCO world heritage site. scenic and rich in bird life.
• Nairobi National Park — Located in Nairobi and a great option to see large game for those on a tight schedule.
• Meru National Park – a wide range of wild beasts like elephant, hippopotamus, lion, leopard, cheetah, black rhinoceros and some rare antelopes.
• Sibiloi National Park – listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a part of Lake Turkana National Parks.
• Mount Elgon National Park – Home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Lammergeyer. The higher slopes are protected by national parks in Uganda and Kenya, creating an extensive trans-boundary conservation area which has been declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.
• Lake Naivasha National Park The crater rim here provides great scenic views across the beautiful Rift Valley all the way to Lake Naivasha with big cats and major wildlife at Mount Longonot including buffaloes, elands, lion, leopard, bushbucks, common zebra, giraffes and Grant’s gazelles.

Other parks popular with visitors include the unique Saiwa Swamp NP and mesmerising Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary .

Safari tours

A safari tour package in Kenya is typically organized by a tour operator, safari tour company or via a self drive Africa safari trip.

Spread across the country including safaris and beach holidays to neighbouring Zanzibar, or indeed the stunning Seychelles , Kenya’s parks and reserves can take several hours/flight to one another.

It is therefore important to take many elements into account when visitors plan their Kenya tour including:

• Which animals you would like to see
• Budget for the trip
• Travel party (solo, with friends or a larger family group)
• Activities revolving around the best things to do in Kenya including the national parks, Kenya hot air balloon safaris and walking safaris

Guided tour

A guided safari package brings the benefit of:

• Transfer via plane/4×4 to the safari camps and lodges
• Luxury lodge packages
• Meals/drinks all catered for
• Safari guides and transport
• Facilities prepared including showers, wifi, cocktails and all requests
• Combined trips to neighbouring Tanzania and beach trips
• Tailored trips including chimp trekking tours

Self drive safari

For self-drive African safaris, visitors can hire their own 4×4, whilst accommodation can be secured in park campsites or in the vehicle itself if a campervan option is selected.

Part of the fun of a self drive safari is spotting the abundant wildlife on your own and taking the time to spend viewing your favourite animals.

A normal 2 wheel drive car may be sufficient, and of course cheaper, for some parks however other parks have deeper sand and a 4*4 will be required.

Best time to go to Kenya

Kenya is a beautiful country to visit, regardless of the season and popular with visitors from the U.S, Europe and South Africa.

Certain periods are more favorable for a safari in the best conditions. To know the best time to travel to Kenya , visitors should take into consideration the following key criteria:

• Regions visited
• Weather conditions

Overall, July to September is the best time to visit Kenya during the country’s dry season, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra.

Kenya safari cost

Kenya is a premier safari destination in Africa, thus incurring the more expensive costs associated with this.

There are multiple factors that can impact the Kenya safari prices including accommodation selected, trip duration, safari costs, tours, flights, transfers, meal options and additional activities visitors may request.

Travellers on a budget can reduce costs by booking their own flights, accommodation and activities as well as hiring a 4*4 to travel between the parks and reserves.

Organizing your safari

There are a number of different options available for organizing your safari in Kenya including:

Organizing your own safari is possible but only recommended for more experienced travelers and visitors on a strict budget. This option requires time and know-how to plan for all flights, transport, meals, accommodation and safari tours.

Without the knowledge of specific safari destinations and logistics in navigating an African country, this may be a challenging option for many travelers.

Tour operators

The biggest tour operators will offer safaris in Kenya where visitors can book a package that will cover their flight, transport, accommodation, activities and food, an ideal option for those with no previous safari experience in preparing for such a trip.

Safari travel agencies

Visitors will often find dedicated safari travel agencies to be the best option in booking their dream safari. These agencies have many years experience in booking safaris as well as multiple partnerships with local tourism networks and lodges/game reserves.

Travel agencies typically offer:

• Tailor-made tours
• Local tour guides
• Trips to must-see wildlife areas and parks
• All transportation
• High quality accommodation at reduced prices

The cost of the service of these specialized agencies can be a bit higher compared to other options, a cost worth bearing given the quality and ease of services provided.

Accommodation

Visitors typically will have the choice between lodges, chalets and campsites as well as African tent camps, suites and bedrooms.

Luxurious facilities are common including swimming pools, restaurants, bars, spas and terraces. Game viewings and plane transfers are organized by the accommodation providers.

Trip preparation

International flights arrive via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) for visitors wondering how to get to Kenya . Most tourists will have to obtain a Kenya visa including citizens of the U.S, U.K, EU, India and Canada.

Kenyan entry visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure. Visitors can apply for single entry and transit visas on the e-visas website .

Visitors can expect to wait approximately 1 to 3 days for the visa to be approved and processed, and receive their Kenya eVisa in their inbox. Once approved, travellers are permitted a 90-day stay in Kenya.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Kenya. Make sure you have two blank pages in your passport on arrival.

The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Kenya: Covid-19, Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

Yellow fever may be required if traveling from a yellow fever endemic country.

Malaria is prevalent in Kenya, particularly outside Nairobi. One of the highest risk areas is Mombasa which is where many travellers will find themselves at some time.

Malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and so the first line of defence is to protect yourself against mosquito bites. Malaria Prophylaxis may be prescribed to you during your consultation depending on your itinerary.

Check with a travel medicine specialist to see if antimalarials should be considered to help prevent malaria contraction. Visitors can find further information on Kenya vaccine details here .

At all ports of entry, visitors to Kenya who are above the age of 12 will be required to present documentation of either a COVID-19 vaccine or a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed no more than 72 hours prior to departure.

For further info on Kenya vaccine requirements , read our detailed and entry requirements.

What to pack

The essential items to pack for your Kenya safari include:

• Neutral coloured clothes
• Long-sleeved shirts protecting against the sun and mosquitoes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and insect repellent
• Jackets and sweaters for early morning game drives
• Comfortable walking shoes

The currency of Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (KES). USD $1/GBP £0.75 =  Approximately 114 KES.

Carrying a small amount of Kenyan currency , the Kenya Shilling (KES) is recommended to pay for groceries and smaller items where credit cards aren’t accepted. 

Driving in Kenya

Driving is conducted on the left hand side of the road in Kenya and driving is generally considered to be safe.

Visitors driving through parks may require a 4×4, whilst carrying a map & GPS is recommended.

Visitors should consider travel insurance when planning their trip to help protect and cover the costs of hospitalization or repatriation if required.

Some credit cards may already include travel insurance. Online travel insurance comparators are also useful in finding suitable offers.

How much does a safari in Kenya cost?

Visitors can expect to pay between $800 to $1,100 per person per day.

When to go on a safari in Kenya?

Between July and September is the best time to go on a safari in Kenya, during the dry season.

• Kenya safaris

Kenya safari guide – where & when to go, and what to see

Kenya safaris rock! Kenya is one of East Africa’s premier safari destinations, with massive open savannah regions hosting a huge breadth and depth of African wildlife. Over 10% of the country is protected in some form or other, and national parks in Kenya rate as some of the best in the world. A safari in Kenya almost guarantees you a sighting of the big five African animals of lion , buffalo , elephant , rhino , and leopard . Alongside these big-hitters are hundreds of other species of African animals, and some of the world’s most diverse bird-life.

Straddling the equator, Kenya is dominated by the Rift Valley – a huge range of valleys strung along a 5,000 km crack in the earth’s crust that runs through East Africa. Within the Rift Valley are Africa’s highest peaks – in Kenya these are the volcanoes of Mount Kenya and Mount Elgon. East of the Rift Valley are the coastal plains, whilst the north of Kenya is made up of arid wastelands. The prime Kenya safari destinations are the Central Highlands and areas within the Rift Valley. The south of the country hosts the great migration of plains animals and their predators each year between June and November. In short, Kenya safaris are up there with the very best in terms of wildlife and scenery.

Self-drive safaris are an option in many national parks in Kenya, though to enjoy full access to the most remote (and tourist-free) areas you’ll need a 4WD car or jeep. If you fancy taking a tour or arranging your own guide and/or driver have a look at our list of safari tour companies in Kenya before arrival in the country.

Alongside safaris and wildlife spotting, a visit to Kenya allows you to easily extend your safari with a visit to a resort on the Indian Ocean coast, or with activities such as trekking, hiking, sailing or diving .

Useful resources

• Book a Kenya Safari
• Kenyan Ministry of Tourism
• Kenya Wildlife Service

Kenya safari highlights

Experience maasai culture.

The Maasai are one of the few African tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle, and lore – along with their distinctive red robes. Many safari lodges and operators work with local Maasai on community projects. Experiencing some time in a Maasai village whilst in Kenya is a unique cultural experience that will help put your visit in context.

Big five spotting

Big five spotting in Kenya is high on most visitor’s safari checklist, and with Kenya’s superb network of national park gems seeing Africa’s biggest beasts up close and personal is a realistic goal. Destinations rich in lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo are clustered in the south of the country, particularly Amboseli, Masai Mara and East and West Tsavo (for the Tsavo lions !) national parks.

Watch the ‘Great Wildebeest Migration’

Indian ocean beach perfection

Best time to safari in Kenya

The peak tourist season in Kenya is January and February when the weather is consistently warm and dry, with wildlife easy to spot in large concentrations. If you take a Kenya safari in peak season expect to be in company with crowds of tourists, and paying top dollar for your safari. If you’re specifically after catching sight of the annual great migration, June to October is the time to head to the Masai Mara National Park in southern Kenya.

The long rains hit Kenya through March, April and May, and the short rains from October to December. During the short rains, it generally rains only for short periods at a time, meaning your wildlife viewing will not be too disrupted. This is the time you can get some great deals on safari tours, or safari lodges if you’re travelling independently.

Flights To Kenya

Search, track and book flights to Kenya, from anywhere in the world.

Kenya Accommodation

Find safari accommodation in Kenya – from budget campsites to luxury lodges.

Kenya Car Hire

Considering a self-drive safari? Research and book car hire in Kenya.

Activities in Kenya

Search and book things to do in Kenya – tours, excursions and activities.

National parks in Kenya

With a stunning array of wildlife and more than 10% of the country given over to national parks and reserves, Kenya is undoubtedly one of the world’s best safari destinations. Whilst the world-famous Kenyan national parks such as Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks can be uncomfortably heaving with tourists in January and February, Kenya has plenty of smaller, out of the way national parks that see only a trickle of visitors year-round. As such it’s well worth taking the time to consider whereabouts in Kenya to go on safari if you’re visiting during peak season.

Top Kenya national park picks

Masai mara national reserve.

 Situated in southwest Kenya, the Masai Mara is part of the northern section of the Serengeti National Park, and is generally recognised as one of the greatest wildlife reserves in Africa. The reserve is famous for the abundance of predators – particularly big cats – and the great wildebeest migration to feed these predators, as well as the Maasai people themselves.

• Lake Nakuru National Park

The stunning Lake Nakuru National Park is on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by bushy grasslands and woods. There are 56 species of mammal in the park, but the star show are the thousands of flamingos, arriving in their millions some years.

• Amboseli National Park

Crowned by Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is one of Kenya’s most popular parks . The name ‘Amboseli’ comes from the Maasai language and means ‘salty dust’… perfect for the large herds of elephants that roam the park.

• Meru National Park

Meru National Park is a Kenyan park is located 350 km from Nairobi, featuring multiple landscapes including grasslands, swamp, jungle and rivers. It’s a birders paradise with over 427 recorded bird species, in addition to the big five .

All national parks in Kenya

Use the map below to locate all national parks in Kenya. Click the icons for more info.

Get Directions

• Aberdare National Park
• Arabuk Sokoke National Park
• Hell’s Gate National Park
• Kakamega National Park
• Lake Bogaria National Park
• Malindi Watumu National Park
• Masai Mara National Park
• Mount Elgon National Park
• Mount Kenya National Park
• Nairobi National Park
• Saiwa Swamp National Park
• Shimba Hills National Park
• Tsavo National Park

Kenya safari resources

Kenya safari companies.

There are plenty of companies offering safari tours around Kenya. The focus is on the high end, but there are some companies that specialize in mid and budget safaris. Check out our reviews of safari tour companies in Kenya .

Kenya safari lodges

As a tourism-focussed country, Kenya has plenty of choice when it comes to safari accommodation. Lodge standards vary from rustic to modern, from the simple room to extreme luxury with en-suite private plunge pool. Search and book accommodation in Kenya .

For a trip to Kenya, travellers are required to apply for a visa. The easiest, most commonly used visa for going on a safari in Kenya, is the Kenya e-visa . It is valid for 90 days, and can even be extended once to 180 days once you arrive in Kenya. The visa can easily be applied for online and will save you the hassle of having to apply at an embassy or consulate.

Read safari guides to all countries

Botswana safaris , Namibia safaris , Rwanda safaris , South Africa safaris , Tanzania safaris , Uganda safaris , Zimbabwe safaris

Do you have any experience of planning or going on safari in Kenya?

We’d love to hear any feedback or tips you may have – please get in touch , or add to the comments below.

Top countries for safaris

• Botswana safaris
• Namibia safaris
• South Africa safaris
• Tanzania safaris
• Uganda safaris

Safari basics

• Safari animals
• How to find the right safari company
• When to go on safari
• What to take on safari
• Safari clothing – what to wear
• Safari rules & etiquette
• Wildlife spotting tips

Most read articles

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• 10 Fascinating African tribes
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• 17 Epic hybrid animals
• The world’s ugliest animals
• Why are flamingos pink?

Africa’s best game reserves

• Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Etosha National Park, Namibia
• Kruger National Park, South Africa
• Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
• Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
• Okavango Delta, Botswana
• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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Safari in Kenya

Kenya's best safari reserves and camps.

Stuart Butler

• In this guide
• Samburu, Buffalo Springs & Shaba

Meru National Park

Lake nakuru national park, amboseli national park.

• Nairobi National Park
• Off the beaten track

Kenya besides safari

• Where to go
• Need to know
• Itinerary planning
• Hidden gems
• Conservancies
• How to plan & book

Kenya is the original home of the safari and it’s still one of the finest safari destinations in Africa . I've been going on safari in Kenya for decades, as a travel journalist and guidebook author writing about safari, conservation and life among the Maasai tribes.

The main thing I've learned: there's so much more to Kenya than the mainstream safari industry of luxury camps and the famed “big five” (so named because they were the prize targets of colonial–era hunters).

The country proudly boasts of an impressive network of protected spaces made up of 65 national parks and reserves as well as dozens of private and community conservancies. Together these cover a huge proportion of Kenya’s diverse landscapes and provide a home for animals as large as an elephant and as tiny as an elephant shrew.

Some parks, such as the Masai Mara and Amboseli , are rightly world famous. Other parks, such as Meru National Park or Kakamega Forest Reserve, barely make a blip on the mainstream safari circuit but are every bit as rewarding (and much quieter!) then the big name parks and reserves.

Kenya has a world class safari tourism industry with excellent safari operators catering to all budgets and a diverse portfolio of safari lodges and camps. All you need to decide is when and where to go – and that's where my guide comes in. Dig in and Safari njema! – (Have a nice trip!)

Close encounters with a herd of elephants in Kenya's Masai Mara

The best safaris in Kenya

Kenya’s most popular – and some underrated – safari highlights, masai mara national reserve, mara north conservancy, ol pejeta conservancy, samburu game reserve, tsavo east & west national parks, loita hills, kakamega forest reserve, aberdare national park, lamu island.

Elsa’s Kopje

This is the best lodge in what is, for me, one of the best safari parks in Kenya. Named after Elsa the lion, of Born Free Fame, the lodge sits on an outcrop with simply incredible views over Meru. Owned by Kenya-based Elewana Collection, it’s undeniably pricey – rooms start at around USD $950 per night and climb steeply from there – but worth a night or two if your budget can stretch that far. If that’s beyond your means I can also recommend Meru Camp and there are cheaper options in the nearby town of Maua.

Witness the migration river crossings – but expect crowds!

The wildebeest migration is one of the world’s greatest natural phenomena, and watching the herds dodge hungry crocodiles as they surge across the Mara River is a staple of Kenya safari. The migration moves into the Masai Mara from Tanzania’s Serengeti between June and October. This is by far the busiest time and place of the year, so expect crowds. If you’d rather see the migration untroubled by crowds, I recommend you look at Tanzania instead.

Denise Carnihan

I can highly recommend Maili Saba. It has a picturesque location overlooking the Great Rift Valley and volcano region, with lovely permanent tents each with en-suites and balcony, and all very nicely decorated. There is a communal pool and outside gazebos for relaxing. The main dining room and lounging area is stunning with striking cathedral ceiling and beautiful decor. The food is absolutely outstanding and the staff are warm, friendly and go out of their way to assist their guests. The first time I visited was a complete surprise organised by my Kenyan partner, and I've included it in our tour itineraries ever since.

Nashulai Maasai Conservancy

One of the great success stories of Kenya safari has been the emergence of networks of conservancies, usually adjacent to the better known national parks. These are community-run or privately-operated protected areas, run for the benefit of wildlife and local communities. In the Masai Mara, the Nashulai Maasai Conservancy is particularly interesting, as it’s the only one that was 100% established by local Maasai and the only one where the Maasai remain in their homes within the conservancy. I can also highly recommend Mara North, Naboisho, and Ol Dereski; you’ll likely have an amazing time in any of them.

Offbeat Mara

Mara North is perhaps the best known conservancy in the Masai Mara, and Offbeat Mara is one of my favourite camps in the entire place. It's a small, un-showy camp of just seven tents including two family tents. In addition to the standard game drives you can do night drives, guided bush walks, horse riding, hot air balloon flights and even do some Maasai running coaching!

If you’ve ever wondered what the hide of a rhino feels like, wanted to experience a safari at night or dreamed of running (or riding) in the wild, open air of a safari reserve, head to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The conservancy is in the Laikipia region, at the foothills of Mount Kenya. The sanctuary is the largest in East Africa to host black rhino, as well as the world’s last two remaining white northern rhino. Ol Pejeta is also the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees. Conservation is at its core, with several experiences available for intrepid safari-goers who want to do more than just watch the animals.

Those looking to get their hands dirty can join one of the one or two-week volunteer programmes and learn wildlife research and tracking, veterinary care and more of what goes on behind the scenes. The conservancy has several accommodation options from simple cottages to basic campsites and luxury tented eco-camps.

Campi ya Kanzi

If elephants are your thing, you can’t do much better than Amboseli where herds of these magnificent beasts graze in the shadow of the equally magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro. By far the best place to stay is not in the park itself but 30km away at Campi ya Kanzi in the Kimana Community Wildlife Sanctuary, situated between Amboseli and Chyulu Hills. It’s a very high-end Maasai-run camp that was set up to aid the local community and conservation projects. Its excellent location means you can see wildlife in the conservancy, Amboseli and Chyulu all from one base.

Saruni Rhino Camp

This camp in the Sera Conservancy, just north of the Samburu Reserve in northern Kenya occupies a stunning location in the semi-desert. Their specialism is a thrilling rhino tracking walking safari, probably my favourite place to see rhinos in all Kenya. I spent five days here and by the end still couldn’t decide if coming within ten metres of the steamroller-like rhinos was thrilling or simply terrifying!

Kilaguni Serena Lodge

In Tsavo West most of the accommodation is fairly expensive (unless you have your own camping gear in which case there are three spartan public campgrounds). A reasonably-priced option is the Kilaguni Serena Lodge – it’s far from a budget offering but the Serena collection is generally pretty good value. If you have the budget to blow, Finch Hattons is the most exclusive camp in the park, with an eye watering price tag to match.

Best walking safari

In my opinion the best way to experience a safari is to ditch the 4X4 and explore on foot. With a good tracker-guide you’ll see all the little things you’d otherwise miss if you’re stuck in a vehicle all day. Walking is often forbidden within state-run national parks but is usually allowed, even encouraged, in conservancies. If I had to pick a favourite place for a walking safari in Kenya it’d be Loita Hills without question. Although not far from the Masai Mara, Loita Hills is barely visited by tourists despite boasting superb and varied scenery, a lovely climate, very different wildlife to the lower savannah plains, and fascinating interactions with very traditional Maasai culture.

Also, while Kenya doesn’t really compete with the multi-day Tanzania trekking scene, some organised trekking may be found here, as well as in the Aberdares and around Mt. Kenya.

Saruni Samburu

There’s only one lodge within the Kalama conservancy, immediately to the north of Samburu Reserve, and it’s likely going to be one of the most spectacular places you’ll ever stay. Built into, around and onto a huge granite outcrop, Saruni Samburu is almost invisible from a distance but the stunningly turned out rooms offer a cliff side view over what feels like half of northern Kenya.

Lewa Conservancy

Lewa, in the Laikipia plateau area, is perhaps the most famous of all Kenya’s conservancies. And for good reason: this is safari to order. Want to see a black rhino? No problem. One of the superb guides will manage to find one. Lions, cheetah, elephant. They are all found here in abundance.

And it’s not just the wildlife that’s outstanding. The landscape is cinematic in its scope. Rolling sun bleached grasslands, table flat acacia trees, meandering rivers and a backdrop of the glinting glaciers of Mt Kenya.

The other great thing about Lewa (and this is common to all the Laikipia area conservancies) is exclusivity. If you’re not a guest of one of the handful of lodges then you can’t go on a safari here.

Kenya’s safari hidden gem

Just north of the equator in far western Kenya, is Kakamega Forest — Kenya’s only tropical rainforest. The land here is wet, green and intensely cultivated with a mix of subsistence farming and large tea estates. In amongst all this though are a few pockets of the dense rainforests that once covered large parts of western Kenya.

The Kakamega Forest Reserve is a fine example of this kind of forest and interesting walking safaris here reveal bird and primate life that has more in common with the forests of Uganda and the Congo than anything you’ll see on safari in Kenya. Wander the forest’s network of trails and take in the huge variety of flora and fauna it supports, including hundreds of bird species, some of which are not found anywhere else.

In my opinion, Kakamega is one of the most delightful places in Kenya, but yet hardly any tourists know of its existence. It should be a must visit for any ornithologist or herpetologist. As well as birds, reptiles and primates, I found the visit to the old mine shaft to look for bats especially memorable.

Up close and personal with baboons

Laikipia is known for its rhino conservation, but my own personal highlight in this area wasn’t the rhinos. Rather it was the day I spent with a biologist in very close proximity to around 200 habituated baboons. Having a huge male baboon shove its way past you as it bares its teeth was an experience easily on a par with gorilla and chimpanzee encounters in East Africa. The other nice thing about this particular experience is that it doesn’t involve staying inside an expensive conservancy but rather you are hosted by a grassroots Maasai womens’ project. And hardly anyone – even other Kenyans – know about it!

Hiking in Aberdare National Park

A world away from the African safari image of savannah grasses and drooling sunsets, the Aberdares consists of two different ecosystems. A high, cold and often bleak moorland and, below that, dense tangled montane jungle.

The wildlife here is a little different and a little harder to spot. But elephants are very common as are big grumpy buffalo. There are also montane species you won’t see anywhere else including bongo antelope, bush pigs and melanistic leopard and serval.

Unusually among Kenyan national parks, you can also get out of the vehicle here and enjoy long, lonely hikes over the moorlands: I have really enjoyed the sensation of trudging across the bleak moorlands in cold afternoon drizzle while always keeping a beady eye out for roaming buffalo.

The park also has some history. In 1952, a young English lady named Elizabeth was staying at the famed Treetops Lodge here (today’s version is actually a reconstruction of the original) when it was announced that her father had died. And so it was, that on a remote Kenyan mountain slope, that young lady became Queen Elizabeth II. Many years later her eldest grandson, and future king, proposed to Kate Middleton in a small wooden fishing cabin in a spot not so far away from where his grandmother became Queen.

Post-safari beach time

If time allows I highly recommend you find a couple of days to wash away the safari dust on Kenya’s palm-fringed coastline. The country has many beautiful beach destinations but the standard itineraries tend to focus on Diani, south of Mombasa. My vote goes for the underrated Lamu archipelago, and in particular the old Swahili trading town of Lamu, which always leaves me enchanted.

Featured kenya safaris

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19 day small group tour.

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Tanzania and Kenya Safari

The greatest safari on earth, kenya's best safari parks, kenya’s most popular safari parks and lesser-known hidden gems.

In a standard two week safari it’s perfectly possible — in fact I'd highly recommend — to explore three or four different protected areas. Ideally with each one offering a totally different habitat and set of wildlife inhabitants. If I had to pick a favourite, I'd probably vote for Meru National Park, but any of the following could feature on a Kenya safari.

Best for tranquil, crowd-free safaris

Meru, the country’s forgotten national park, is easily one of my favourite of all Kenya’s safari parks. This was once one of the most popular parks in the country but during the 1980s, when Kenya was going through a rough political patch and instability overwhelmed some parts of the country, Meru turned into a hotbed of poaching.

Security and stability have long since returned, yet somehow this park never returned to its former fame. But for those in the know – and that now includes you – Meru National Park is safari gold.

For the classic – if busy – Kenya safari

The very essence of an African safari landscape, the Masai Mara stretches along the Kenya-Tanzania border and forms the northern fringe of the greater Serengeti ecosystem (most of which is in Tanzania ).

This is the part of Kenya in which I have spent the most time (months and months if I added it all up), and was the scene of one of my best ever travel experiences. Some years ago a Maasai friend and I set out on a five week hike that took us across the entire Mara ecosystem. By day we walked alongside the wildlife and Maasai herders. By night we camped out under the stars and slept in traditional Maasai villages. An unforgettable adventure!

This is the place to see large prides of black-manned lions, bellowing elephants, grumpy buffalo and a pick ‘n’ mix box of antelope and gazelles. And that’s before we even touch on the smaller creatures and huge array of birds. But, above and beyond all else, the Mara is renowned for the spectacular wildebeest migration .

For elephants & Kilimanjaro views

Amboseli National Park is the postcard park of Kenya. This is where those photographs are taken of elephants with a backdrop of the (fast melting!) glaciers of Mt Kilimanjaro. I have spent many dreamy mornings parked under an acacia tree, a thermos of coffee in hand watching the rising sun tinge the snows of Kilimanjaro a pinky-red.

The elephants and the scenery are the real highlights of this park. In dry periods they flock here from miles around to quench their thirst in the swamps and pools that splash the dusty landscape in greens.

Another big reason to visit Amboseli is the chance to see conservation in action in the conservancies and other environmental and community projects surrounding the park.

For wetland safari & birdwatching

Just 5 kilometres from the big city of Nakaru, Lake Nakuru National Park’s accessibility makes it one of the most popular Kenya safari hotspots. It’s centred on the large Rift Valley soda lake of the same name, but also encompasses fringing grasslands, acacia woodlands and rocky escarpments.

The park is best known for its sometimes huge flocks of flamingos and a large rhino population. Back in the 1990’s, Lake Nakuru was the first place where I saw a really huge flock of flamingos. I’d seen the odd handful before, but the thousands upon thousands I saw here on that day sticks in my memory. The smell (ah yes the smell!), the noise, and of course the searing pink colours; It was one of the moments that made me fall in love with Kenya.

Best for wide open spaces

Combined, Tsavo East and West National Parks cover an enormous swathe of acacia scrub Kenyan wilderness. Tsavo West alone (the bigger of the two parks) covers an area greater in size than Wales, or two and half times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

The two parks are separated from each other by the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and are easy to reach from either city.

Despite being directly adjacent, the two parks are radically different from one another with the green hills of Tsavo East a marked contrast to the red soil and volcanic landscapes of Tsavo West. Because of their diversity and sheer size, I strongly recommend you devote enough time to the parks if you’re going to visit them. The rushed two-day safaris from Mombasa (or Nairobi) simply don’t allow enough time to get much out of a visit.

For world-leading conservation

The Laikipia plateau area in central Kenya is one of the most exciting places in African conservation. This isn’t a single national park or reserve, but rather a network of interlocking private and community-run conservancies where people, livestock and wildlife live together to the benefit of all.

Laikipia hosts all the classic East African safari mammals but is best known for its rhinos, including the critically endangered northern white rhino, only two of which are left alive. Both are female and so, tragically, this is a species awaiting extinction. They can be seen at the Ol Pejeta conservancy.

Kenya’s remote far north

Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves are three interconnected reserves on the edge of northern Kenya’s vast semi-desert wilderness.

Far removed from mainstream Kenyan life, these northern regions have a wild reputation. The landscape is harsh with endless sunburnt plains of acacia thornbush out of which rise the occasional fertile and densely forested mountain peaks, ranges, table lands and volcanic plugs.

Elephants, in particular, are the main event here. There are large herds who can migrate huge distances in search of water.

Safari in the big city

While most capital cities have their collection of ornate parks filled with neatly cut lawns, manicured flower beds and perhaps a boating lake, Nairobi has gone one step further.

Its biggest ‘park’ is in fact a 117 square kilometre swathe of undulating savannah grassland and acacia woodland. And while it doesn’t have a boating lake, it does have lions. And buffalo. And rhinos. All of which means that it’s probably not such a sensible place for an after work stroll.

It’s a fabulous safari destination but is woefully overlooked by international visitors to Kenya. This is a shame, because Nairobi National Park is an excellent safari location in its own right. I have been many times, often just for a quick half-day drive from the city. This was the place I first witnessed the thrill of a hunt: a cheetah racing, but failing, to grab dinner for her cubs.

A pair of ostrich in Meru National Park

Kenya safaris: Need to know

Everything you wish you'd known before you booked.

My first Kenya safari was in 1994 and I’ve been coming back pretty much every year since. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years about the best way to plan and book a safari in Kenya.

Mix up your itinerary

My single most important tip for Kenya safari first-timers is to avoid the mistake of non-stop game drives. Standard tour operator itineraries shuttle you from park to park with a gruelling schedule of game drives. Yes, this is the best way of seeing large mammals up close, but the bumpy tracks, early starts and long hours quickly exhaust even the most ardent wildlife-watcher. And there is so much more to safari in Kenya that you’ll miss from racing around in a jeep. Break it up. Look for operators who offer bush walks, village visits, and conservation projects. Or simply take an afternoon or two to sit back under a tree enjoying the sights, sounds and smells.

Many visitors to Kenya devote their entire trip to going on safari…

Don’t miss Kenya’s many hidden gems

Most standardised Kenya safari itineraries reduce the entire country to the blockbuster highlights: the Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru… maybe Tsavo and Samburu if they’re feeling adventurous. This does a great disservice to the country’s true diversity. There’s so much more to a Kenya safari than racing around the savannah chasing the big five and I’d strongly advise you find time to visit some of Kenya’s numerous hidden gems.

For instance, out in the far west is Kakamega Forest Reserve which has more in common with the rainforests of Uganda and the Congo than the classic Kenya landscape. In my opinion this is one of the most delightful places in Kenya, yet hardly any tourists know of its existence.

Another personal favourite that’s a world away from the classic Kenya savannah is Aberdare National Park where dense tangled montane jungle gives way to a high, cold and often bleak moorland. Unusually among Kenyan national parks, you can also get out of the vehicle here and enjoy long, lonely hikes over the moorlands.

But that’s not it: Saiwa Swamp, the Chyulu Hills, Hells Gate, Ruma National Park, and many more that rarely feature on the mainstream Kenya safari circuit but are usually accessible on a self-drive safari, or with more specialist safari operators.

Get out of the safari bubble

Many safari goers, especially those on a high end tour just bounce from one heavenly safari camp to another. Sure, you live the Hollywood Africa dream but you’ve not really experienced real Kenya. Instead, hop on a bus and head out to one of the numerous small market towns where most Kenyans live. You’ll experience a totally different side of the country and it’s one that will stay with you long after the sundowner safari drinks fade from memory.

Kenya off the beaten track

The parks and reserves covered in my Kenya safari guide are only the best-known and most visited of the country's numerous protected and other natural areas…

Stay in at least one conservancy

National parks, reserves and conservancies are mentioned a lot in this guide, but just what is the difference and why does it matter?

A national park or reserve is a government or local council run protected area. Most of the best-known protected areas in Kenya fall into this category.

These areas are run solely for the benefit of wildlife and tourism, sometimes at the expense of local people. Tourism in these areas creates jobs, but locals are often forbidden from entering these protected areas other than for work reasons and communities were often (but not always) removed from their land when the parks and reserves were created. Corruption can be a problem with the money generated by these parks not always going where it should.

A conservancy is a different affair. A conservancy is normally located on either communal land owned by the community as a whole or on private ranch land and has no official government status. On a community conservancy the tourism stakeholders (i.e. the safari camps) lease the land from the local communities on the condition that the land is managed in a manner that is of benefit to both people and animals. The (normally very high) fees you pay to stay in a conservancy go toward paying the land leasing fees as well as various community and environmental projects.

Other conservancies may be located on private ranchland, in which case they have to make enough money for the landowner to financially justify turning his land over to wildlife conservation over cattle ranching.

In other words, a conservancy is run for the benefit of both wildlife conservation, tourism and the needs of local communities (in many cases local people are allowed to continue to graze their cattle on a conservancy but in a controlled and sustainable manner).

All of this means that staying in a conservancy is not just a great safari experience but it’s also very good news for conservation!

Do a homestay

For a cultural experience you’ll never forget, try spending a night at a Maasai homestay near the Masai Mara. Finding authentic, community-run homestays can be a bit of a minefield. I can recommend Sekenani Maasai Development Project (Semadep) but there are others – make sure you book with a community owned and operated outfit, and check reviews carefully.

Caution needed: "Human safaris"

In my opinion, one of the big problems with the safari industry is the way it prioritises seeing wildlife over having meaningful connections with local people. In fact, other than being served by their guides, drivers and camp employees, a typical safari-goer might not have any interaction with a local at all. To me, this is the exact opposite of how it should be done! In my experience, a good trip to Kenya isn't just about seeing wildlife: it should put intimate, authentic interactions with local people at the heart of the whole experience. You can make genuine connections and real friendships as you sit around, sharing stories, laughing and learning from each other.

On the other hand, mainstream Kenya safaris are often sold with "village tour" or even "slum tour" add-ons. These "goldfish bowl safaris" as I call them are unethical and nothing short of exploitation. They violate the privacy, integrity and dignity of local communities and undermine sustainable development by perpetuating a myth of backward, poverty-stricken people. The traveller thinks they're doing the right thing by getting some cultural interaction, but in reality it's deeply damaging. I strongly encourage visitors to avoid anything that feels contrived, and look for trips that put real people at the heart of the experience, rather than an afterthought.

How to plan & book a Kenya safari

There are three broad categories of safaris in Kenya.

The first and easiest option is to book a week(s)-long, multi-stop itinerary through a tour operator, either locally-based or international. This provides the most hand-holding and support for cautious visitors, plus more protection should things go wrong. The potential downside is getting shunted onto one of the more formulaic itineraries and simply following the crowds around the most popular parks. If you book a full tour with an operator, try to find a genuine specialist and ask about visiting some of the lesser-known locations mentioned in this guide.

Secondly you can simply show up and book a safari tour once in-country from the hundreds of operators in Nairobi. There’s nothing inherently wrong with doing it this way but I strongly advise you don’t just book something in the street. Do your homework first and find a reputable, responsible operator. Things to double check include whether park entry fees are included in the price, vehicle type (avoid cramped minibuses), and accommodation type.

Thirdly, and probably my recommendation for all but the most cautious of visitors, is to book the accommodation yourself, rent a car (or a car plus driver), and head out solo. You can take your own camping gear or book into lodges or camps (booking ahead is essential!), or mix camping with more comfortable nights in lodges. I strongly advise renting a vehicle plus driver. It’s often cheaper plus you get an unofficial local guide who knows the ropes. A good driver will become a cultural and language translator, wildlife guide, fixer, and general guardian angel.

Aim for shoulder season if possible

High season in Kenya is the peak summer months of July to September, before the rains begin. In my experience the best time to visit – especially in the busier parks – is either June before the crowds arrive or September-October as the crowds are thinning out, wildlife viewing is excellent and temperatures are ideal.

The best time to visit Kenya for safari

January & FebruaryThis is a hot and dry period…

Be prepared to splash out!

There are almost as many different ways of doing a safari as there are stripes on a zebra and how, when and where you safari makes a huge difference to what you pay. Expect to pay anything from $150 to $1,000+ per person per day.

You can find very low budget two or three day safaris to the Mara from around $250 all in, but these are generally rushed, crowded and uncomfortable. If you’re looking to shave off some costs without compromising on the experience, consider doing a DIY camping safari with your own vehicle and driver.

My other big Keny safari tip is to spend as much as your budget allows on fewer nights in better conservancies and camps. Packing more into fewer days gives you much greater bang for your buck.

Kenya safari costs

For a multi-day, mid-range safari visiting some of the big name parks and reserves then you’re looking at around USD $300-600 per person, per day…

Kenya safari FAQs

Your questions, our expert answers, is it safe / a good idea to rent a car in kenya and drive yourself around, or is it better to join a tour.

Yes, it's perfectly easy to do a self-drive Kenya safari . When you ask if it's "safe" that depends a little on what you mean. If you mean are there bandits, car jackings, dangers from wildlife, etc, then no you are quite safe. Instead the danger is from other drivers, as the driving conditions can be a little 'hectic' in places and accidents are common.

I'd recommend hiring a car with a driver, which can be a cheaper and, in my opinion, a much better option. A good driver will know the lay of the land, the driving conditions, best places to stop for lunch, etc. And they are often knowledgeable of the wildlife. A good driver will be both your driver and guide, and probably become your friend!

Almost any tour company in Nairobi or Mombasa can organise a private vehicle with a driver. Standards and prices vary hugely, so explain to the tour company exactly where you want to go and get in writing exactly what is and isn't included. Pay particular attention as to whether fuel, and the drivers food and accommodation is included in the rates. Also make sure you're booking the right vehicle: a 4WD may be needed for more remote areas.

Where’s the best place to see the big five in Kenya?

Seeing all the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo & rhino) in one park is hard. Only Lewa and some of the conservancies in Laikipia can honestly claim to offer easy sightings of all five. But, who cares! This fixation on racing around to tick off just five species is an anachronism from colonial-era big game hunting days. There’s so much more to Kenya’s wildlife and the modern safari experience.

We're visiting the Masai Mara but would like to visit another area on safari in Kenya. Can you recommend anywhere very different to the Masai Mara to see different wildlife and landscapes?

The most common combinations for a short add-on to the Masai Mara are Amboseli , Laikipia or the Samburu area.

For your requirements of a different habitat and wildlife then without doubt I would suggest Samburu National Reserve. This is a much drier and hotter area than the Mara with different vegetation and animals. And, even the animals you might have seen in the Mara are different up here with different species of giraffe, zebra and ostrich all present (and in my opinion all more beautiful than the kinds in the Mara). The park is also superb for elephants.

Samburu, though still popular, is notably quieter than the Mara and, once away from the river, it's easy to feel you have the place all to yourself (and especially if you go into the co-joined Buffalo Springs and Shaba reserves). Depending on when you are there you will find direct flights from the Mara, but otherwise will have to go via Nairobi. If you're driving it's a long way – a 10 hour non-stop drive, so flying is the better option.

Would you recommend staying at Elephant Bedroom Camp in Samburu Reserve, or at Sarara Camp in Namyunak Conservancy?

The quantity and ease of seeing the wildlife is better in Samburu Reserve than in the neighbouring Namyunak Conservancy (because the wildlife is drawn to the river running through the reserve). But there's not a huge difference in habitats or species between the two.

Elephant Bedroom Camp, in Samburu, is a fabulous, small camp. You'll see a lot of elephants and the owners are some of the worlds foremost elephant experts.

In Namyunak Conservancy, Sarara Camp is one of the most exclusive – yet low-key – camps in Kenya. There's slightly less wildlife than in the reserve but it's very close to the reserve and safaris from Sarara often enter the reserve.

The bonus with Sarara is exclusivity. You and the other camp guests will have the entire place to yourself meaning no crowding around animals (though that's rarely a problem in Samburu).

Unlike in the reserve itself you can do walking safaris in the conservancy and there will be more interaction with local people. The final plus is that by staying on a conservancy you will be actively helping to fund private/community conservation initiatives, which isn't always the case when staying only in a reserve or national park.

Overall then, I would opt for Sarara Camp, but I suspect it does cost more, so it might come down to budget!

We are travelling with a large group of 5 families with 3-4 kids per family. What are the best budget friendly safaris in Kenya in July?

If most of the children in your group are very young, your options are fairly limited as the reality is that a longer, multi-day safari can be a bit much with very young kids. I first did a safari with my kids when they were five and two years old and although it was good I probably wouldn't do it again! Past the age of about eight or nine the safari experience gets much easier, as they'll will tolerate sitting in a jeep on a bumpy road for longer.

Do be aware that some safari camps don't accept children below the age of 12. These are normally the unfenced camps and it's done for safety reasons.

You will also need to keep in mind that you will either need several safari jeeps and to travel in convoy or a bus (and these aren't always allowed in some parks). Because you will be travelling with so many children I would suggest small safari camps which you can book out for your group alone. Some of these are more child friendly than others. Some possibiltles that I believe might work well for your group are: Maji Moto Eco Camp, Loita Hills Basecamp, and if you are interested in a Maasai homestay style experience then I'd suggest Semadep Camp, who can arrange homestays around the Masai Mara.

As for specific parks and reserves the Masai Mara area is good because there's a lot of animals to see everywhere you look which keeps children interested. Also good are Nairobi and Narok national parks because of easy access and good roads. Lake Naivasha is good for families too.

It would be easy to combine all these places into a 10 day safari and then you could maybe finish up on the beach (Lamu and Watamu are both superb for families).

Can you recommend any family-friendly camps/lodges in the Masai Mara?

I would suggest rather than staying within Masai Mara proper, stay in one of the conservancies that now fringe the Mara.

In the most basic of terms these are like private, community-run wildlife reserves. Conservancy operators lease the land from local people and each local family receives a guaranteed monthly payment. The conservancy also provides employment and sets up development projects. People continue to graze their cattle but in a more controlled manner. And in return, fences are removed and the wildlife encouraged to return to the lands they were once driven out of. The conservancies have been a great success both for wildlife and local people. And, for tourists, they offer a very exclusive experience and the world's finest safaris.

Each conservancy has only a handful of very discreet high end camps and only guests of those camps can go on a safari in the conservancy, which means crowds of vehicles around a lion are non-existent.

The conservancies also allow activities not permitted within the reserve such as walking (highly recommended), bush camping, night safaris, etc. This makes them ideal for kids because it breaks up the routine and allows a little more freedom.

The safari vehicles and guides used in the conservancies are absolutely the best in the game and the wildlife populations are the equal of the actual reserve. However, there's a catch (of course...), conservation like this doesn't come cheap. All of the conservancies are superb but some names are Naboisho, Mara North and Nashulai Maasai Conservancy (this last one being slightly cheaper than the others and lots of focus on meeting local people). As for actual camps you cannot go wrong with any of them. All the conservancy camps are superb. I'm a big fan of the Basecamp offerings, Off-Beat and Kicheche. All are a little less extravagant than some of the other camps.

If you want to only visit the reserve and not a conservancy then I suggest either Basecamp Mara, Oldarpoi or you could go for a Maasai homestay in Sekenani village. Expect basic but perfectly comfortable rooms but an amazing experience. Your kids would really enjoy this.

Is February a good time to visit the Masai Mara, or would June-July be better? What would be the differences?

February is a very good time for safari in the Masai Mara , but also very different to the experience in June and July.

It's hotter and drier in February and generally there are fewer other tourists. There will still be plenty of zebra and wildebeest around but these are the non-migrating resident herds, so they don't form the massive iconic herds that you might see on TV.

July is good because the migrant wildebeest are all normally in the Mara by then, but its also absolute peak high season so can be busy and expensive. June is perhaps my overall favourite month. Everything is green after the rains and it's nice and cool with far fewer tourists than July, but the first migrant wildebeest might start to arrive (it all depends on rains and the state of the grass).

In short, all three months are excellent but each is different so it might be best to go with whatever just suits your timings better.

I will be in Kenya in early March and am looking for a five day safari for wildlife photography and birdwatching. Where would you recommend for me noting it is the start of the rainy season?

Early March is still a bit early for the rainy season so you might just get the odd thunderstorm. If birds are your real interest and you only have five days then probably the easiest is to go down to the Masai Mara via the Rift Valley lakes of Naivasha and Elementia or Nakuru. This would give you a good range of avian habitats and species in a short space of time. Don't forget as well that Nairobi itself has some excellent birding in the various forests and parklands in and around the city. Plus of course, there's the superb Nairobi National Park where you will see a lot of wildlife and birds.

We can't travel during the migration river crossings, are there other impressive spectacles at other times of year?

Yes! I think calving season during the wildebeest migration is just as spectacular as the more famous river crossing period.

This period runs from December to March around the Ndutu Plains to the south of Serengeti. During this time the wildebeest and zebra stampede over the plains preparing to give birth to thousands of calves. At the same time the big cats are on the lookout for an easy snack. With vast numbers of animals, their sounds and smells, all of the little calves, and the big cats on the lookout... it's theatre on an epic scale and you cannot be disappointed. And the extra benefit is that it's a much shorter drive here than to see the river crossings.

Robbin Meulemans

In this guide:, typical prices for a safari in kenya, when to go on safari in kenya, things to do in kenya other than safari, best safari camps and lodges in the masai mara, about the author.

Stuart is an award-winning travel journalist covering safari, trekking and conservation in Africa for the Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, BBC, Bradt Travel Guides, amongst many others. He is the author of Walking With The Maasai , a journey through some of Kenya's lesser-visited Maasai lands.

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A Guide to Planning an African Safari in Kenya

Written by dynie sanderson, africa | luxury travel | travel.

An African safari is the dream of a lifetime. Ensure it’s the best experience by reading our guide to planning an African safari.

Planning a 7-day safari in Kenya and choosing a safari outfitter was an exhilarating and meticulous process involving carefully considering various factors. To begin with, we had to decide on the ideal time of year for our adventure, considering the migration patterns of wildlife and the climate.

Lion in Samburu National Reserve. Photo by Dana Sanderson

After settling on the perfect season, under the guidance of our chosen safari outfitter, Safari Herd Holidays , we had to select the national parks, conservancies, and reserves we were interested in visiting as each offers unique wildlife and landscapes. The types of accommodations we would be staying in and how many days we were comfortable trekking in the wild were also factors.

Wildebeest Migration Masai Mara National Reserve. Photo © Giancarlo Bisone

An African safari is the adventure of a lifetime, promising unforgettable moments in the wild and the chance to witness Africa’s magnificent wildlife. However, a successful safari requires meticulous planning and choosing the right safari outfitter. In this guide, we’ll explore the process of planning an African safari and selecting a safari outfitter, focusing on Kenya, as this was our destination of choice.

Samburu National Reserve. Photo courtesy of Safari Herd Holidays

What's in This Article:

When to Start Planning

Choosing your safari destination should be at the top of your list in your planning process. The timing of your safari planning is crucial to securing the best options. While there is no fixed rule, planning at least a year in advance is advisable, especially if you intend to travel during the peak season.

Initial Research on Selecting a Safari Destination

Selecting the right safari destination is the first crucial step in planning your African adventure. Africa is a vast continent with numerous countries offering diverse wildlife experiences.

Sunrise in Masai Mara. Photo by Dynie Sanderson

Africa boasts 54 countries, but not all are known for their wildlife safaris. These nine countries are renowned as prime safari destinations:

• South Africa

Safari Map. Photo courtesy Safari Herd

Among these countries, Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia are often considered the more affordable options for safari enthusiasts.

Giraffes in Kenya. Photo Photo © Giancarlo Bisone

Conduct Research

Begin by conducting thorough research to understand the different safari destinations and what they offer. Dive into travel books, websites, YouTube videos, and social media to gather information.

Seek Recommendations from Fellow Safari Adventurers

Reach out to friends, colleagues, or fellow travelers who have embarked on similar African safari journeys. Their insights and recommendations on where to go and what to do can be invaluable.

Consider Your Budget

Determine your budget for the entire trip, including flights, accommodations, safari packages, and other expenses. Keep in mind that some countries are more budget-friendly than others.

Choose a Safari Outfitter

Begin to research safari outfitters a year ahead to gain a comprehensive understanding of your options. There are so many safari outfitters that it can be daunting to pick the safari planner for your specific travel desire, dates, and budget.

Your safari planner can take it from there if you have already chosen your safari destination and dates. Or if you are not quite sure of which safari location to choose, your outfitter can also make recommendations. You will find them helpful in guiding you to set up the perfect itinerary. Most safari companies have a wide selection of options for different safaris, styles, and pricing all over Africa. You can go with one of their set safari packages or have them personalize it for you, which is what we ultimately did with Safari Herd Holidays.

Samburu National Reserve. Photo courtesy of Safari Herd

These were important steps for us in the process:

• Conduct Extensive Research . Begin by researching safari companies that operate in your chosen destination for your African adventures. Seek recommendations and read reviews to gauge their reputation and offerings. Look at the various packages the different operators offer, as it will give you a better idea of what they can customize for you.
• Amenities and Inclusion . Determine the amenities and services included in the safari packages. Most safaris typically include transportation, accommodations, guided tours, game drives, meals, and some beverages. Extras like balloon rides, spa treatments, premium wines and liquors, and tips are usually not covered.

Main Lodge Elephant Bedroom Camp Samburu National Reserve. Photo courtesy of Safari Herd

• Flight Logistics . Consider your flight logistics and how they align with your safari plans. Ensure you have your flights secured before finalizing your safari dates.
• Customization . Work closely with the safari outfitter to customize your safari experience based on your preferences and budget.
• Budget Considerations . Establish your budget and choose a safari outfitter that offers a package that aligns with your financial plans.
• Destination Expertise . Opt for a safari outfitter with extensive knowledge of your chosen destination. They should help you create an itinerary that maximizes your wildlife encounters.

The Cliff Lake Nakuru Camp. Photo courtesy Safari Herd

Wildlife Sightings in Kenya Were a Big Part of Our Choice

After extensive research on the numerous safari regions available in Africa, we settled on Kenya as our safari destination. Kenya offers an array of diverse landscapes, incredible wildlife, and convenient access through Nairobi, the capital city. Choosing your destination will also help you to narrow down your options when selecting a safari outfitter. Safari Herd Holidays offers several safari selections in Kenya .

Kenya is the origin of safaris and will likely deliver some of the best African safaris. The standards of service are high and range from lavish luxury, colonial lodges, contemporary boutique hotels, and authentic tented camps. Masai Mara is a top pick as it provides an abundance of wildlife, such as the Mara’s Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo.

The Masai Mara National Reserve and Samburu National Reserve in Kenya are known for their large populations of big cats, hippos, the rare black rhino, elephants, zebra, giraffes, and spotted hyenas. The abundance of wildlife led us to choose Kenya as our destination.

Lioness and her cubs in Masai Mara. Photo by Dynie Sanderson

Locking in Your Destination and Travel Dates

Once you have your destination and your outfitter, it’s time to lock in your travel dates and make final arrangements.

Safari Season Dates

Our first step was to determine the best time to travel. When did we want to travel, and when are the best months to go on safari? What is the high season, and what is the low season in Kenya?

High or Peak Season runs from May to September. The weather is colder and drier during the peak season. You will find the highest rates during that time and must book at least a year in advance.

The Low or Green Season runs from March to June and October to December. During those dates, it will be a bit hotter, and there will usually be more precipitation.

The best time for a safari in Kenya is September to October and late December to February. The best weather is in February and September, while the worst is in April and May. Some lodges close down in high rainfall areas.

Black rhinoceros in the Samburu National Reserve. Photo courtesy Safari Herd Holidays

Flight Bookings

Book your flights as early as possible to secure the best availability, particularly if you plan to use frequent flyer miles. If you plan to use airline miles, book at least nine months out, as there are limited award travel options, particularly if you want to travel in business class. Check with your safari outfitter, as they may have international travel packages.

Inter-Africa Travel

Also, if you plan on traveling to other countries while you are in Africa, most safari companies offer to set up your inter-Africa air travel for you. As we were also traveling to Victoria Falls and Cape Town, South Africa, our travel coordinator made these flight arrangements for us well in advance to secure our spots.

International Flights into Africa

Once your International flights are confirmed, choose the beginning of your safari dates based on the day of your arrival in Africa. If you travel long distances from the United States, take a day or two to explore Nairobi, Kenya, for example, before commencing your safari sojourn. The days out on safari can be long and grueling, as you may go on several safari treks daily. The last thing you want to do is start your safari adventure exhausted and jet-lagged.

Our Kenya Safari with Safari Herd Holidays

Safari Herd’s flexibility and attention to detail were key factors in our decision-making process. Their safari expert’s communication provided extensive safari particulars and personalized touches and presented an excellent experience.

Exploring the Masai Mara with our team from Safari Herd Holidays. Photo by Dana Sanderson

Here are some additional tips to help you choose the right safari outfitter:

• Compile a List . Begin by compiling a list of potential safari outfitters based on your research, recommendations, and reviews.
• Read Reviews . Thoroughly read testimonials and reviews from previous clients to gain insights into the outfitter’s performance.

Elephant Bedroom Camp – Samburu National Reserve Courtesy of Safari Herd

The Cliff Lake Nakuru Camp Luxury Tent Courtesy of Safari Herd

• Destination Knowledge . Opting for an outfitter with in-depth knowledge of your chosen destination and knowledgeable, experienced guides is essential. They should be well-versed in the region’s wildlife, culture, and unique experiences.
• Booking Logistics . Evaluate the booking process, including payment terms, cancellation policies, and flexibility in customizing your itinerary.

Preparing to Depart for Your African Safari

Once you have your trip booked, there are several things you need to do before departing on your African safari. Here are the most essential ones:

• Packing and Attire . Pay close attention to the outfitter’s recommended packing list and attire. These may vary based on your destination, the time of year, and other factors.
• Incidental Costs . Discuss incidental costs, such as tips and additional activities, with your outfitter to clearly understand your overall expenses. Nobody likes surprises.

Articles Related to Planning an African Safari

• What You Need to Know for Planning a Hot Air Balloon Safari in Kenya
• On Safari in Zambia: The Bush in Photos
• Up Close and Personal with a Leopard in Zambia
• Best Places to Visit in Tanzania

Embarking on Your Dream African Safari

Planning an African safari is an exhilarating journey that involves careful consideration of your destination, itinerary, and safari outfitter. Kenya is a remarkable safari adventure choice with its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Starting your planning process well in advance, staying informed about your destination, and selecting a safari outfitter that aligns with your preferences are essential steps in ensuring a memorable and fulfilling safari experience. With meticulous planning and the right outfitter by your side, you can embark on your dream African safari adventure in Kenya with confidence, excitement, and anticipation of unforgettable memories.

Elephants in Kenya. Photo © Giancarlo Bisone

We invite you to explore  Wander With Wonder for more of our favorite destinations across the African continent .

Outdoor Activities | Outdoor Adventures | Safari

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Kenya safari: the planning guide for first-time visitors

A Kenya safari ignites the imagination . Elephants walking beneath Mount Kilimanjaro; leopards yawning on Mara tree branches; the epic plains of Samburu.

This is the country that came to define an African safari , where you get incredibly close to all sorts of wildlife, on all sorts of landscapes. Almost 50 national parks and reserves provide safari experiences and the wildlife isn’t confined with fences; sometimes it’s walking on the road!

Kenya really put safari on the map. For good reason: in no other country is the wildlife so widespread . In capital city Nairobi you can see giraffe and rhinos backdropped by skyscrapers. Sometimes you see zebra along the highway.

However, Kenya has fallen out of favour in recent years and overtaken by Tanzania in terms of popularity. That’s good news for you . Why? Kenya has all the wildlife and wilderness for an incredible safari experience, plus the well developed infrastructure for making a comfortable connection with your wild side. But the destinations aren’t crowded. Here you can have the safari to yourself.

This detailed guide shows you the places to go , wildlife to see , experiences to consider , and useful tips for planning the adventure. It’s a guide for first-time visitors looking to discover the wonder of a Kenya safari.

Kenya Safari – Essential Information

Where is Kenya and how do I get there?

Kenya straddles the equator in East Africa and has a long Indian Ocean coastline. It borders Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Almost every international visitor arrives into Nairobi’s recently redeveloped international airport . From here it’s easy to travel by air or road to different national parks and safari destinations .

What makes Kenya safaris so special?

While the great wildebeest migration rumbles into Kenya’s Masai Mara every June, Kenya safaris are really special for their ease and diversity . No other country offers so much choice over what to do and where to go. There’s something for every kind of visitor and every level of adventure.

This diversity extends to the settings . Parks like the Samburu feel endless. Others are small and compact. So much choice makes it incredibly easy to go on a safari. Even if you only have a 12-hour Nairobi layover you can still see lions and cheetahs.

What animals can I see on a Kenya safari?

Eclectic landscapes support a stunning array of wildlife. Kenya is superb for encountering the predators , with healthy populations of lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah. It has a growing black rhino population and solid numbers of elephant, buffalo and hippo.

However, it’s usually the supporting cast that makes a Kenya safari so good. Think zebra, different giraffe subspecies, all manner of large antelope, plus primates that swing through the trees around your lodge.

This wildlife is rarely encountered on its own nor is it confined to national parks . You can be relaxing on a white sand beach with colobus monkeys as neighbours. Or taking a bus along the main highway and spotting elephants through the window!

How long do I need a Kenya safari?

To really connect with your wild side it’s better to go on a multi-day , multi-destination safari . Exploring different parks enhances the wildlife experience while staying longer means it’s more immersive.

However, a major highlight of visiting Kenya is that it doesn’t matter how long you have for a safari . You can visit a park for three hours and see a variety of wild animals. Or you could go on safari for a month. With so many destinations to choose from, it’s easy to find a safari that suits your time frame and budget.

What does a Kenya safari cost?

Diversity and choice means a Kenya safari can be tailored around your budget . Kenya is noticeably cheaper than Tanzania although the prices range enormously dependent on where you go.

Famous parks like the Masai Mara and Amboseli are the most expensive , especially if you’re staying within the park or in a private conservancy. Realistically, you should be thinking of USD 150 per day as a starting point when touring the bigger destinations. This rises to over USD 1000 a day for staying in the very best camps and using light aircraft to fly between destinations.

However, you can cycle with zebra and giraffe in Hell’s Gate National Park for just USD 30 . It’s possible to camp on Lake Naivasha for USD 10 a night and see hippos every evening. With a tight daily budget of USD 50 – 70, Kenya is still able to offer lots of safari experiences; Kenya is a good choice for backpackers put off by the expensive fees and permits in Tanzania.

How do I travel around Kenya?

Many of the parks can be accessed by public transport , which keeps the costs down. You can take a bus to a town near the park gate and have a local operator take you from there. Tour operators also provide more complete packages. You drive between destinations in the same vehicle you use for a safari – the roof pops open and you stand on the seats for a prime view.

Note that the distances are long in Kenya . For example, from the Masai Mara to Samburu will take you the best part of three days on the road. Upmarket safaris use light aircraft, bringing such a journey down from three days to under three hours.

Why Choose Kenya for a Safari

Kenya brings to mind wildebeest galloping over the plains, elephants roaming in large herds, and lions with flowing manes. Back in the 1980s, this was the country that really introduced African safari to the world .

Here there is a great abundance of different animals and landscapes . It’s easy to find a safari that suits your interests and budget. Plus, it’s possible to get incredibly close to it all.

In Kenya there is all the promise of an African safari and the adventure can be tailored to you. Furthermore, you don’t even need to be on a safari to see wild animals.

But the best reason for choosing Kenya is the lack of other visitors . The Masai Mara is arguably Africa’s most famous safari destination. This park is popular and can get crowded. But everywhere else isn’t.

It’s not the same experience when there are 20 safari vehicles crowding around a leopard. That’s not the case here – the Mara aside – and in some of the destinations you don’t even need a guide with you. You can be walking through fields of wild zebra and buffalo, with nobody else around, for just a USD 30 entrance permit.

Unique safari experiences only found in Kenya

• Watch great herds of wildebeest cross the Mara River , as crocodiles hang out their hungry jaws.
• Go on a mountain bike safari in parks like Hell’s Gate, where the lack of carnivores and elephants means the experience is safe.
• Encounter white and black rhinos together on the Laikipia Plateau (this is very unique indeed!).
• Explore the vast open grasslands of Samburu in the north of Kenya.
• Encounter over a dozen primate species , including rare mangabeys, on walking safaris in Kenya’s forested parks.
• Go on a big-game safari in Nairobi National Park , next to the city.
• Take thrilling nighttime game drives in one of the country’s private conservancies.
• Hot air balloon above the Masai Mara.
• Watch elephants wandering beneath snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli.

Safari experiences that are commonplace in Kenya

• Relax by a lake or waterhole and watch hippos coming out at sunset.
• Go on a walking safari – no other county has so many places to do it.
• Fly between remote wilderness areas in light aircraft , landing on dusty, elephant-surrounded runways.
• See giraffe and zebra along the road.
• Track leopards and cheetahs on the grasslands.
• Come to know different monkey species , especially colobus and vervet monkeys .
• Stay in a beautiful camp that reminisces about the time of old explorers.
• Mix up your itinerary to include drives, walks, cycles, boat trips and scenic flights.

Wait, is Kenya safe to visit for a holiday?

Yes . Yes . And yes once more . Okay, Kenya has suffered from a handful of well publicised terrorist attacks. Newspapers and news channels seem to take glee in these, painting Kenya as a volatile country and prime target for terror attacks.

The narrative says that Kenya is dangerous and should be avoided. But after the Paris terror attack the news never suggested it wasn’t safe to visit France . London is considered a safe and amazing city, yet it has had more terrorist attacks over the last 20 years than the whole of Kenya. Then a small number of isolated attacks in Nairobi and there’s a suggestion that Kenya is like Armageddon.

Without wanting to sound too political, part of the problem could be how well developed Kenya has become . The country is thriving economically and has all the potential to be a major world power – educated and passionate people, an abundance of natural resources, a forward-thinking attitude. It’s not the first time that the West has put a rising African nation down.

There is a no-go area of 100 kilometres to the Somalian border . Other than this Kenya is very safe to visit. You need to watch out for rampaging elephants rather than terrorists. And the isolated attacks have been in the most developed parts of major cities – these are many hundreds of miles away from the wilderness.

To not visit the Masai Mara because there was a terrorist attack in Nairobi, is like not visiting the French Riviera because of what occurred in Paris.

The Best Time to Visit Kenya for a Safari

Kenya straddles the equator and has a classic East African climate of dry seasons and rainy seasons . 50 years ago these seasons were very clear cut.

They have become unpredictable . One Africa Freak contributor was at Lake Naivasha in January 2019 and it rained solidly for four days, something that was unheard of to the locals.

Kenya has a hot and steamy Indian Ocean coastline but most of the safari destinations are found on elevated plateaus. So although you are on the equator it’s never usually too hot , even at the peak of dry season.

January to March – Premium dry season game viewing

• This is usually the warmest time of year and it shouldn’t be raining – even if it sometimes does!
• A lack of water and low grass makes this a premier time for game viewing ; animals are easiest to spot during these months.
• March is a wonderful time of year to visit, before the rains and without any crowds .

April and May – Rains and off season

• The long rainy season , with regular downpours that carpet the landscape in fresh colour.
• Many lodges close during these months and areas of national parks become inaccessible.
• Visit during these months and you’ll have Kenya all to yourself!

June – Lush green plains and a comfortable climate

• A great month as the parks are alive with fresh grass and grazing animals.
• It should be dry and it’s before peak season , making this a good time to see the Masai Mara in bloom.

July and August – Great wildebeest migration and peak season

• Enormous herds of wildebeest make their famous crossing over the Mara River, to graze in the Masai Mara.
• The climate is cool and dry ; lush high grass does make it more difficult to see the predators.
• These are comfortably the most popular months for visiting Kenya, especially the Masai Mara.

September and October – Wildebeest cover the Mara and superb countrywide game viewing

• If you had to choose the absolute best time for a Kenya safari it is now.
• The grass has shrivelled and game viewing conditions are excellent all across the country.
• The wildebeest migration is still in Kenya and the Masai Mara provides stunning scenes of predator versus prey.
• July and August crowds have disappeared , leaving Kenya back to its quiet best.

November and December – Short rains; still good for safari

• The short rains bring some rainfall, but not as frequent or abundant as earlier in the year.
• Most destinations remain good for safari although some of the highland areas can become inaccessible.

Where to Visit in Kenya for a Safari

This article provides a more detailed guide to the main safari destinations in Kenya . There are a lot of parks and reserves to choose from and you shouldn’t feel geographically restricted to a particular area .

Combining a selection of these parks is what a Kenya safari is all about, particularly destinations in different parts of the country. The most famous itinerary is the Masai Mara combined with Samburu and a park in Central Kenya .

Note that there are more parks and reserves than this . Only the premier destinations have been listed here.

Southern Kenya

The most famous and popular place to go on a Kenya safari . These parks are a half-day drive or one-hour flight south of Nairobi. They are easily combined with a safari in Tanzania, most famously the Masai Mara with the Serengeti .

Amboseli – With large elephant herds backdropped by Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is as iconic as it comes. It’s a great safari introduction and there’s a real wow factor to the setting.

Chyulu Hills – Mammals roam rolling green hills here, sometimes alongside Masai tribesmen herding their cattle. You’ll struggle to find the predators but it’s an exquisite place, especially if you’re seeking a little rest and relaxation.

Masai Mara – Africa’s most famous destination, where grasslands are carpeted in wildebeest and zebra. It’s arguably the best place in Africa for encounters with lion prides and to witness raw hunting scenes. The wildebeest migration stays here from July to October but the park is packed with other life all year around.

The Masai Mara is surprisingly small in comparison to the Serengeti and if visiting in peak season (July and August), it’s better to stay in one of the private conservancies.

Central Kenya

A kaleidoscope of different landscapes come together in Central Kenya. Volcanoes soar, forests entice, grasslands extend and the lakes are filled with hippos. Each of these safari destinations has a specific appeal .

They are all worthy places to visit if you seek a short safari experience , or only plan to visit one park. Combining any of these destinations is relatively straightforward and you could see one park a day should you wish.

Aberdares National Park – A forest in the clouds offering stunning multi-day walking safaris. Don’t come for the big five. Instead, Aberdares is a haven for animals you don’t normally see on safari, especially rare and endangered monkey species.

Central Rift Valley – There are more than ten parks and reserves in the Rift Valley, between Nairobi and Nakuru. Most are small and best for unique half- or full-day activities, such as hiking Mount Longonot or self-guided mountain biking in Hell’s Gate. This is where you’ll see large animals along the highway and the lack of carnivores makes it very safe for different activities.

Kakamega Forest – A rainforest ecosystem reminiscent of Central Africa, Kakamega is cool, calm and completely different from everywhere else in Kenya.

Laikipia Plateau – Home to many private conservancies, this mystical wilderness offers luxurious lodges and exclusive safari experiences. It’s a great place if you have never been on a safari. Here you can encounter lots of different animals in a small area, including the famous big five .

Lake Naivasha – Camp besides a hippo-filled lake and enjoy some of Africa’s best bird watching, without having to pay any national park fees or book a guided safari.

Lake Nakuru National Park – A flamingo-filled lake combined with both black and white rhinos makes this a popular Kenyan destination. You only need a day to see it all.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy – One of Africa’s best private conservancies or reserves. Lewa is expensive but offers a perfect three-day safari itinerary, mixing different ecosystems and activities with luxurious accommodation.

Meru National Park – The complete big five and more on the slopes of a volcanic mountain.

Mount Kenya National Park – Not as famous as climbing Kilimanjaro but a beautiful 5,199 metre mountain to climb, with lots of monkeys still living in the forests.

Nairobi National Park – The perfect stopover destination or place to spend the day before your international flight. Rhino, buffalo, lion, hyena, giraffe – backdropped by the lights of a modern city!

Ol Pejeta Conservancy – A small conservancy and the best place in East Africa to see rhinos in the wild, with both the black and white subspecies, along with the only two northern white rhinos left in the world. There’s also a large chimpanzee sanctuary and you can go on a lion-tracking patrol.

Northern Kenya

Wild northern Kenya is home to the Samburu , a tribal people who have expertly preserved both the wilderness and wildlife. Getting here is a challenge but it’s so worth it. As long as you have enough time to enjoy the safari that is, northern Kenya is not for a one-day safari!

Samburu – Wrapped around mountain slopes, Samburu is an escape from the world. If you want a truly wild safari, in a truly untamed wilderness, this is where you should come. Walk with local warrior guides, track the famed big mammals and many others, and experience the beauty of the unknown. You can stay in the national park or in one of the Samburu-owned conservancies.

Coastal Kenya

Over 500 kilometres of white beaches skirt the Indian Ocean, as tropical and exotic as any of the nearby islands like the Maldives. Yet there aren’t any people on the sand.

The classic Kenya vacation is to combine an African safari with some downtime on the beach . Or you can stay on the coast and choose to make a day or overnight safari trip.

The Beaches! –  Kenya has the best beaches in the world. Monkeys fill the forests behind endless kilometres of white sand. Indian Ocean waters are rich in marine life and form tropical lagoons. Stunning resorts are spaciously set out but there isn’t much tourism anymore – so their prices are cheap and you can get the beach almost to yourself.

Diani is a stunning destination for all budgets. Malindi has many boutique, upmarket resorts. Lamu is a miniature version of Zanzibar, with coral houses, Swahili culture and open beaches.

Shimba Hills National Reserve – Hundreds of elephants and a handful of other wildlife make this a worthy day trip from Kenya’s southern beaches. There are far better safari destinations in Kenya, but it’s so magical to combine elephants with white sand in a single day.

Tsavo East – This large national park is all about surprise. The biodiversity is breathtaking and you need to visit for at least two days. Large sections of the park lie empty but patience rewards as you stumble upon intimate and dramatic safari scenes.

Tsavo West – Separated from Tsavo East by the Nairobi to Mombasa highway, this park of green mountains and wetlands is scattered with the big five. It’s a good place to see hippos and other wildlife as most action is easily found around the Tsavo River and Mzima Springs.

What is a private conservancy and why do I need to know about it?

National parks and national reserves are managed by the Kenyan government . Anyone can visit them and you pay a daily park fee. Rules are relatively strict in order to preserve the landscape, such as no driving off road; these rules vary by park .

Private conservancies are privately managed wilderness areas . Usually you can only visit if you’re staying at a lodge or camp in the conservancy. They are more expensive and exclusive, offering a wider variety of activities and less rules. Usually you can get closer to wildlife in conservancies.

Some conservancies share unfenced boundaries with national parks ; for example, there are almost a dozen of them around the Masai Mara. Visit these and you enjoy all the beauty and bounty of the famous park, but with more flexibility about what you do and even fewer other visitors.

Tips for Planning a Kenya Safari

Safari is all about connecting with your wild side and Kenya has more wild places than anywhere else. Africa Freak partners with top safari specialists , who can help plan a trip that’s best for your interests and budget. You can do this by clicking here .

We’re also confident that the warm Kenyan people will assist you once you arrive . If you have time for a two- or three-week trip it’s easy to plan when you arrive and fit in a huge variety of safari destinations.

About The Author

Editorial Team

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3 thoughts on “kenya safari: the planning guide for first-time visitors”.

There are no elephants in Nairobi NP!

Indeed, thanks for pointing that out.

There are no “wild” elephants in Nairobi National Park, only “orphaned” ones at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

We just made the appropriate changes, thanks again.

Awesome guide! Learned a lot reading your blog. And the photos are incredible! Loved that you mentioned that Kenya is a safe place to explore. I guess many people think twice about visiting the country due to bad news about war and terrorist attacks. But seeing your blog is just so light and refreshing. It’s nice that you mentioned the parks in the country that we can go see and brief descriptions about them. Great work! Keep it up!

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Kenya Safari Travel Guide: The Best Parks to Visit

Kenya has an enviable location in Africa with the Indian Ocean to the East. It is known for evocative landscapes with many protected areas and for being one of the finest African Safari destinations with first-rate national parks and an excellent history of animal conservation. Kenya safaris almost guarantee travelers the chance to see the big five African animals – leopard, buffalo, lion, rhino and elephant – along with crocodiles, cheetahs and hyenas in their natural habitats. 

Organized Kenya Safari Tours vs Self-Driving Safari

You may be wondering, should I book a pre-arranged Kenya safari tour or go at it alone. There are many options in Kenya when it comes to safari companies. While some people may opt to rent a vehicle and do a self-driving safari, this is not our recommended approach for a number of reasons.

The first, driving in Kenya can be a bit chaotic. From the drivers on the road to the lack of road in some places, it is best to let someone experienced do the driving. Further, going with an organized Kenya safari tour means having a guide that knows the parks and most importantly is an expert in wildlife spotting. You don’t want to spend all this time and money coming to Kenya and not have the chance to spot all the incredible wildlife it has to offer.

Types of Guided Safaris Offered in Kenya

There are two main types of safari tours in Kenya. These include private safari tour packages and group safari tours.

Private Kenya Safari Packages

If you prefer a luxury Kenya safari, we highly recommend splurging for a private safari tour. This will allow you to pick the parks that you want to go to including the best national parks and private conservancies in Kenya that we list below. You also get to choose the dates and length of time that you want to be on safari in Kenya for. You can even decide if you would like to do a multi-country safari and combine a Kenya & Tanzania safari.

See all of your options and prices for a private Safari in Kenya here on Viator .

Group Safari Tours in Kenya

For those on a budget, a group Kenya safari may make more sense. Group safaris start on a specific date and run for a specific period of time. You can choose to do 3, 5, 7 day or even longer group safaris. Group size are typically small as you share a Landcruiser that can fit 6 or 8 people. You save money plus get the chance of meeting new friends! Keep in mind with a group safari you may not be able to choose which national parks or reserves you want to go to as they are pre-planned.

See all of your options and prices for a group Kenya safari here on Viator .

Kenya is the Best Place in Africa to Go for a Safari

Some people may be wondering, is Kenya or Tanzania better for safari? Having travelled through them both, we can say that Kenya is truly one of a kind and the best place to go for an African safari. With so many amazing destinations in Africa famous for safaris, you may be wondering why we believe Kenya safaris are the best. Well, we have a long list for you of what makes Kenya the best place to go for a safari vacation.

Why is a safari holiday in Kenya the best?

• Incredible scenery and Africa’s tallest peaks. Kenya straddles the equator and is covered by the Rift Valley. This has a range of valleys running over a 5,000km crack in the Earth and is also home to Africa’s highest peaks, including Mount Kenya. There are exquisite coastal plains and dry wastelands in the north. 
• Unique wildlife that can be seen only in this part of the world. With this variety, it might be hard to choose where to base yourself, but the Central Highlands is a prime Kenya safari location. It has Mount Kenya and Aberdare mountains towering over its landscape and there are many conservation areas. As a result, travellers will find unusual species exclusive to this part of Africa, such as a reticulated giraffe, a Gerenuk, a Beisa oryx or a Grevy’s zebra. 
• Masai Mara and “The Great Migration.” In the South of Kenya, you’ll witness the great migration of animals – like the wildebeests – and the eagle-eyed predators that hunt them. Known as “The Great Migration”, every year between July to November, millions of wildebeests cross the Mara River to the Maasai Mara mainland followed by gazelles, zebras, topi, elands and the predators that hunt them. This area is considered one of the most important in the world for animal conservation. This is a sight to behold and is considered “one of the natural wonders of the world”.
• Kenya Banned Big Game Hunting in 1977 and is a Leader in Wildlife Conservation . There’s a reason why there are so many animals in Kenya. The country banned hunting in 1977, the first African country to do so and remains to be one of the few countries in Africa where hunting is strictly prohibited. As a result, the wildlife on a Kenya safari is not only plentiful but they are also not as afraid of human beings as in many other African safari destinations. Further, Kenya goes above and beyond when it comes to conserving their endangered species. A large part of the country is protected by public and private parks and conservancies. They work closely with the local people to ensure that they benefit from tourism and therefor protect the wildlife. According to the IFAW , there were 0 rhinos poached in Kenya in 2020 and the overall Rhino population increased by over 150 rhinos.
• Kenyan People are Friendly . The final reason why Kenya is the best place in Africa to go on a safari is because the people there are very friendly and always welcoming of tourists.
• It’s Less “Touristy” Than Other Safari Destinations. There is no doubt as to why safari vacations are so popular. Being in Africa and seeing incredible wildlife including lions, cheetah, elephants and so much more is truly a bucket list worthy experience. Many popular destinations, including Tanzania, are incredibly crowded and places like the Serengeti gets very dusty with the hundreds of safari vehicles you encounter even during off season. Being in a less crowded place means that you have more private time with the wildlife without having 50 safari vehicles fighting over a spot to see a lion.

It’s no wonder that safaris in Kenya are nothing short of exceptional, with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Africa’s best scenery, wildlife and sunrises/sunsets! A Kenya safari will not only be one of your most bucket list worthy experiences but will likely keep you coming back for more.

Best National Parks and Reserves in Kenya to Visit on a Safari

Naboisho conservancy – best safari destination for seeing lion s.

The Mara Naboisho Conservancy works with the local people to preserve the authenticity of the natural land and the Mara ecosystem. As a result, around 500 Maasai people own the land, renting it to camp owners which in return funds the local community with a sustainable livelihood.

The area covers 53,000 acres and the conservancy limits the number of tourists entering the land, meaning you’ll get an exclusive safari experience and unspoiled views of Africa’s animals. This is the best place to visit for a Kenya luxury safari as some of the best safari lodges in Kenya can be found within this conservancy.

Top animals to spot at Naboisho Mara Conservancy

This conservancy has the largest density of lions in Africa. There are around 100 lions as well as an impressive number of giraffes, the adorable bat eared fox, elephants and a large family of hyenas. This conservancy has a very large lion pride that is made up of over 20 lions! Moreover, the Naboisho Conservancy is the Kenya safari to embark on for spotting the region’s rarest animals, like the wild dog. The land also is part of a migration corridor between the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Loita plains, so watch out for wildebeest and zebra. 

Best places to stay in Naboisho Mara

There are nine camps in the conservancy, each committed to making sure any negative impact on the wildlife and land is as low as possible. They all have fantastic views, traditional-style safari tents, en-suite bathrooms and a complimentary laundry service. 

Leopard Hill – Our personal favorite hotel at Naboisho Mara, this incredible, luxurious property sits in the center of it all. Hear the majestic lion roar while you sleep at night. The tents have retractable netted roofs so you can stargaze and listen to the sounds of the wildlife. Enjoy your dinner surrounded by monkeys and baboons in the African savannah. This lodge is a truly bucket list experience on any Kenya safari.

Eagle View – Located on top of a hill, this stunning hotel provides an incredible view of a natural watering hole where both predator and prey come to drink.

Kicheche Valley Camp – Made up of only 6 tents, the camp is sure to come with a luxurious, personal experience. Surrounded by Acacia trees, enjoy your time in the wild Kenya safari with incredible views surrounding you.

How to get to Naboisho Mara Conservancy

Flying is the recommended mode of travel to reach this conservancy. The nearest airport is the Ol Seki Airstrip which is about a 10-minute drive away. Other nearby airstrips include Keekorok, Serena, Musiara, and Mara North. For those that prefer to drive, it takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Nairobi to Naboisho Mara Conservancy. We recommend hiring a private driver because roads in Kenya can be challenging to drive on.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy – The Best Safari Destination for Seeing Rhinos

Situated between the Aberdare Hills and Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta is one of the best safaris in Kenya for seeing rhinos and was established to rehabilitate animals saved from the black market. Moreover, it has one of the largest densities of predators in Kenya while also running a thriving livestock program. 

Top animals to spot at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya

Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and is home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos. On top of this, the conservancy is the only place in Kenya to discover chimpanzees! Within its 36,420 hectares, you’ll find bat-eared fox, wild dogs, hippos, zebra and more than 500 species of birds, including the Malachite sunbirds. 

Best places to stay in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta has tented camps, homestays and lodges. If you’re traveling as a family or a bigger group, consider staying at a homestay or vacation rental. This could be the most budget friendly option. VRBO has several larger vacation rentals for a low price. See all of your options on VRBO .

The Safari Cottages are located along a river in the heart of the conservancy’s wilderness area. It has an eco-friendly luxury design and includes a guide and 4×4 safari vehicle.

Alternatively, for a luxurious lodge experience where you can dine with views of a watering hole where elephants come within feet of you the Sweetwaters Serena Camp is a must.

See all Ol Pejeta conservancy accommodation options here . 

How to get to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

If you are driving from Nairobi, it’ll take around 3-4 hours to reach the conservancy. Alternatively, there are daily flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Nanyuki airstrip. This flight takes around 45 minutes. 

Samburu National Reserve – Best Safari Destination for Seeing Leopards

The Samburu National Reserve is situated along the South-Eastern part of the Samburu District in Kenya. The reserve spans 165km2 of land and since it lies on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River and covers pristine wilderness, this reserve is a special location for rare species like the Grevy zebra and Beisa oryx. For these reasons, as well as its excellent number of conservancies and ranches, Samburu is one of the best wildlife reserves in all of Africa. 

Top animals to spot in Samburu National Reserve

Samburu is the best safari in Kenya for spotting leopards and 900 elephants. You’ll also see lions – including Kamunyak, the famous lioness that adopted a baby Oryx – cheetahs, wild dogs and over 450 bird species. 

Best Places to Stay in Samburu National Reserve

One of the best luxury safari lodges in Africa is the Elephant Bedroom Camp . We liked it so much we even wrote a whole separate feature on it as a top bucket list place to stay in the world. Here you can enjoy breakfast with an elephant and be in the center of all of the wildlife action situated on the river in Samburu. Their luxurious rooms even have their own private outdoor soaking pools. Be careful, a thirsty elephant might decide to stop by for a drink.

You can find additional places to stay at Samburu National Reserve on Booking.com .

How to Get to Samburu National Reserve

The reserve is about 310kms from Nairobi and the best way to reach it is by air or by road. The drive from Nairobi takes around 5-6 hours along the Thika Superhighway Road. Flying to the reserve is easier and takes only 1.5 hours from Wilson Airport to multiple airstrips in Samburu. 

Maasai Mara National Park – The Best Overall Safari in Kenya

In the South-West of Kenya, the Masai Mara – together with the Serengeti National Park – has Africa’s most diverse ecosystem. As it covers 1,510 square km and is over 1,500 metres above sea level, it is also the best safari in Kenya for exquisite views of the big game. Within this space, there are over 500 species of birds, and 95 species of mammals, and between July-October travelers can witness the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Top animals you can see on safari in Maasai Mara

The national park has two million wildebeest, antelopes, zebras, and many cheetahs. In fact, Maasai Mara is the best place to spot cheetahs in Kenya! Within the dense thickets, endangered black rhinos can be found, while hippos hide in the large rafts.

Best luxury safari lodges and budget places to stay in Masai Mara

There are many incredible places to stay in Masai Mara National Reserve. From luxury safari lodges to budget-friendly accommodations there is a bit of something for everyone.

See options and pricing for safari lodges in Masai Mara on Booking .

How to get to Masai Mara from Nairobi

Driving from Nairobi will take about 3-4 hours, while flying takes about 40-45 minutes from Nairobi. Driving is considered the best way to reach the park, and it’s recommended to take the Safari Link if you want to fly. The nearest airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. You can have a private driver take you from the Nairobi airport to Masai Mara by car.

Nairobi National Park – The Most Accessible National Park in Africa

The Nairobi park is a one-of-a-kind safari in Kenya as it’s the world’s only “wildlife capital”, and it’s the most accessible safari experience in Africa. Located only a short drive from the Nairobi airport or out of Nairobi’s business district, you’ll find lots of open grassland with cityscape background. 

Top wildlife to see in Nairobi National Park

Despite its proximity to a city, the Nairobi National Park plays host to several astonishing wildlife, including over 100 mammals. The park has the densest concentration of black rhinos in the world and has strong anti-poaching measures in place. On this African safari, it is also common to see hyenas and lions, and if visitors are lucky, they’ll spot leopards and cheetahs. Here, expect to find buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles and zebras. The park also has a wetland with over 400 bird species. 

Best places to stay in Nairobi National Park

The park has several places to stay, and travelers on a budget should opt for one of their cottages or guesthouses . These range from sleeping two to eight guests and were designed to give the best view of the wildlife. The site also has camping facilities that promote “sleep in the wild with the wild” and has basic facilities like a kitchen, bathroom, drinking water and open huts. There are special campsites which give you exclusive use of the area, however, these do not have any facilities.

How to get to Nairobi National Park

The nearest airports are Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilsons Airports, and it’s roughly a 10km drive from Nairobi City Centre. Private tours will take you directly from the airport which is perfect for people that have a day layover in Nairobi or those looking for a day trip from Nairobi . You can also hop on a bus from Nairobi Railway Station which will drop you at the park’s main gate. This journey takes about 35 minutes. 

Tsavo East National Park

This is Kenya’s largest national park, it has one of the country’s largest rivers flowing through its centre and spans 13,747 square km. Despite this, Tsavo East is flatter and drier than Tsavo West, but this makes it easier to spot wildlife. On this safari in Kenya, you can explore the Yatta plateau, characterised by wide and shallow valleys that were created by lava flows. 

Top animals to spot in Tsavo East

The River Galana is among Tsavo East’s main attractions and it’s here where tourists will find crocodiles. The Lugard falls are a great place to discover buffalos and hippos but be aware, there are also crocodiles in the pools. The Aruba dam is the main drinking point where you’ll spot waterbucks, elephants, warthogs, duikers, dik-dik, and hartebeest. The main attraction to Tsavo East is the lions which are plentiful and it is here that the infamous Tsavo man-eaters resided.

Best safari lodges in Tsavo East National Park

Despite being the largest national park in Kenya, Tsavo East is less visited than other parks and has fewer lodging options. You can find available safari lodges in Tsavo East here on Booking .

How to get to Tsavo East National Park

There are several ways to reach Tsavo East National Park. One way is to drive along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway which takes around six hours. The quickest way to travel is by plane from Nairobi to Voi airstrip, Sala airstrip, Bachuma airstrip, Aruba airstrip, or Ithumba airstrip which takes roughly four hours. This travel time includes transfers.

Tsavo West National Park

Unlike Tsavo East, Tsavo West is made up of wooded grasslands and mountains. The Mzima springs can be visited which are comprised of four springs from the reservoir under the Chyulu Hills. The trees surrounding these are home to vervet monkeys who feed on date trees, figs and raffia palms. A variety of birds can likewise be spotted here. 

Top animals to spot at Tsavo West

The Ngulia Rhino sanctuary is at the base of Ngulia hill and houses endangered rhinos, including the nocturnal black rhinos. The Shetani lava flow which folds across the savannah has many animals, including the elusive wild dogs, cheetah, buffalos, hippos, elephants, leopards and elephants. The backdrop with the lava is absolutely stunning.

Best places to stay in Tsavo West National Park

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is a wonderful place to stay in Tsavo West National Park. It is situated next to a watering hole which allows prime wildlife viewing opportunities.

Another option for hotels in Tsavo West is Severin Safari Camp . This upscale property has incredible views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and a pool and spa overlooking the savannah.

How to get to Tsavo West National Park

The instructions to Tsavo West are similar to the ones from Tsavo East. This park is easily accessible from Amboseli National Park as well and Kenya safaris to both national parks are often combined together

Amboseli National Park – The Best for Seeing Elephants

If you’re considering taking safaris in Kenya, then the one at Amboseli National Park is a must. It is the second most popular national park in Kenya and was named a UNESCO-Mab Biosphere Reserve in 1991. The name comes from a Maasai word that means “salty dust” and looking at its landscape you’d understand why. The park is divided into five habitats, ranging from wetlands with sulphur springs to the dried Lake Amboseli. There are also woodlands and savannah, and travelers can visit a local Maasai community that lives around the park. 

Top animals you can see at Amboseli National Park

Here you’re guaranteed to see hundreds of big-tusked elephants. Other animals that can be spotted are lions, buffalos, zebras, impalas and over 400 species of birds, including Dickinson’s kestrel, Greater flamingo and the African swamphen. 

Best safari lodges in Amboseli National Park

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge – Situated in the heart of Amboseli National Park, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is a beautiful property. Hang out with the local troop of monkeys and baboons as you enjoy your home in the middle of the wild.

Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli – An incredible pool with a view. Watch wildlife passing buy as you soak in the pool after a hot day out on safari.

How to get to Amboseli National Park from Nairobi

You can get to Amboseli by road or by air. Driving from Nairobi takes around 3 hours and is the most convenient way to reach the park. Several airlines will take travelers to Amboseli and it’s best to fly into Amboseli Airport. This journey takes roughly 35 minutes. 

Hell’s Gate National Park – The Best for a Biking Safari

Carnivores are rarely spotted here, meaning this national park is one for biking and walking. 

The park is named after the geothermal activity within its borders, and its location in the Great Rift Valley is enviable. You’ll find gorges, soaring cliffs and rock towers, and geothermal steam. The latter adds the atmosphere needed for a place named Hell’s Gate. On top of this, its landscape offers some of the best sunrises, rock climbing opportunities and a natural spa. For history lovers, there’s a Maasai Cultural Centre where you can learn about the tribe’s traditions and customs. 

Top animals to spot at Hell’s Gate National Park

This Kenya safari offers a smaller range of wildlife, but you’re unlikely to see predators like cheetahs, hyenas, leopards and lions. Other species within the park are klipspringers, hartebeests, Thomson’s gazelles, zebra, buffalo, reedbucks and elands. There are also over 100 species of birds, including Verreaux eagles, vultures and augur buzzards. 

Best places to stay near Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate has the Enashipai Resort & Spa which is ideal for luxury travellers, couples and those traveling for business. The lodge has gorgeous grounds, guest rooms with fine linens, Afro-chic décor, and traditional Masai headboards. The resort also has the Senteu Restaurant serving traditional Kenyan cuisine. There are three campsites at Hell’s Gate – Endachata, Olduvai and Naiburta. For larger groups and families, a vacation rental is a better option as it can fit more people. Check available vacation rentals near Hell’s Gate National Park on VRBO .

How to get to Hell’s Gate National Park from Nairobi

Hell’s Gate is close to Nairobi and can be easily accessed by road. Its entrance is about nine miles from the Nairobi-Naivasha highway and takes roughly two hours to get to from Nairobi. If you’d like to fly, the Naivasha airstrip is the nearest and it has connecting chartering flights between parks which can be booked by tour operators. Domestic flights fly from Wilson Airport in Nairobi.  

Lake Naivasha – The Land of the Hippos

Lake Naivasha is the Rift Valley’s highest lake, sitting at 1,884m above sea level. Its name derives from the Maasai word for ‘rough water’ as the area is known for having storms that suddenly appear. The landscape surrounding the lake is covered in swampland spanning 64km2 and there’s a colony of fever trees.

Top wildlife to spot in Lake Naivasha, Kenya

Lake Naivasha is the most unusual safari in Kenya as you can hop on board a boat safari, meaning you can get close and personal with hippos and birds. This safari takes roughly an hour, and you might see over 1,500 hippos and over 400 bird species. On top of this, waterbucks, impalas, zebras and giraffes can be spotted in the lake’s immediate vicinity, and very lucky travelers might spot a leopard. 

Best places to stay in Lake Naivasha

The Sawela Lodges are one of the most popular hotels in the area and is situated 85km from Nairobi, taking roughly 90-minutes to reach. There are 90 rooms, ranging from basic to luxury, and the restaurant prepares dishes with produce from local farms. The hotel has a football pitch, netball and volleyball courts, and a swimming pool. Lake Naivasha Resort is another option which again has three pools, a restaurant, a jacuzzi, two bars, a spa and a gym. 

How to get to Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is easily accessible from Nairobi, and the drive takes roughly 2.5 hours along the C88 and the Old Naivasha Road. The cheapest way to travel is to hire a minibus which seats 7-8 people. There is also the Mololine Express from Nairobi to Nakuru, make sure to disembark at Naivasha Junction. The lake is only a 15-minute flight from Nairobi via safari Link . 

Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park are very close to one another and can be done as part of a combined Kenya safari itinerary.

What Does a Kenya Safari Cost?

The cost of a Kenya safari varies depending on the types of accommodations you would like to stay in and whether you are doing a private or group tour.

Safari lodging accommodations vary from luxury safari lodges to mid-range safari lodges to budget safari lodges. Depending on your budget and the type of experience you want to have you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $1000 per person per night for a group tour.

For a private tour, accommodations again can vary however between the safari vehicle, driver/guide and accommodations you can expect anywhere from $150-$2000 per person per night for a private safari tour.

When is the Best Time to Go on Safari in Kenya?

The best time to go on a safari in Kenya is between July-March which is the dry season. As a result of the mild and dry weather, there is less water which forces animals to congregate at watering holes, meaning it’s easier for safari-goers to spot them. For those who want to witness The Great Migration in Masai Mara, the best time to go is from July to October.

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A first-timer's guide to planning a safari in kenya.

Experts share practical tips for preparing for a successful safari.

A First-Timer's Guide to Planning a Safari in Kenya

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Before you begin your once-in-a-lifetime African adventure, make sure you talk to your physician about recommended travel vaccines and pack strategically with plenty of layers.

You've been dreaming about going on safari in Kenya ever since the credits rolled in "Out of Africa," and now you're ready to embark on the trip of your dreams . To make sure you get the most out of the country's spectacular wildlife and jaw-dropping landscapes, here is the information you'll need, so that the only surprises you'll encounter are ones that you'll love.

An Average Day on Safari

While every accommodation is unique, most camps follow a similar schedule. Led by a wildlife guide, you'll go on at least two game drives per day with other guests for three to four hours per ride. Along the way, you'll stop at picturesque locations to stretch your legs, grab a snack and revel in incredible scenery. In the middle of the day, when predators and other species are hiding in the shade, you'll be in camp relaxing. Expect to take your meals at camp, though dining in the wild is also common. At night, you'll cozy up to a warm fire and mingle with the other guests to share your day's adventures before letting the sounds of the bush serenade you to sleep.

Susan Portnoy

(Susan Portnoy)

Activities and Extra Costs

Game drives are the crux of most safaris, but there are plenty of other activities for you to enjoy, from guided walks and visits to tribal villages to hot air balloon rides over the Masai Mara or camel safaris in the Northern Frontier. Some activities are included in your daily rate, but "it's always a good idea to know ahead of time what's included in your stay, as many options may come with an additional price tag," says Linda Friedman, CEO of Custom Safaris. Also, keep in mind that you may be charged for park entry fees, laundry, premium liquors and other amenities.

Wildlife-Viewing Opportunities

"Kenya is known not only for its massive concentrations of game but also for its vast open plains. You can spot and track wildlife from a fair distance and there is almost always something to see and some sort of interaction between species," says Andrew Beck, a professional wildlife photographer and a co-founder of Wild Eye, a photographic safari company. There are also certain areas that contain larger concentrations of specific species. If you love elephants, consider Amboseli where herds can reach 100 members or more. And from August to October, the Masai Mara plays host to millions of wildebeest during the Migration, while species like the Grevy Zebra, Somali Ostrich, reticulated giraffe and the gerenuk can only be found in the north.

Guides know all about animal behavior and the area in which your camp is located, as well as the location of recent sightings, dens and kills. Still, they can't make animals appear on cue, so stay open to what the day brings. In the bush, the world can change on a dime; with a little patience, you'll have the time of your life.  

Family  

Taking your child on safari can be one of the best ways to instill a lifelong love of wildlife and respect for the environment, and in the last few years, more companies are enticing families with larger tents or villas and special programs designed with families in mind. As Friedman points out, it's important to ask up front if children are allowed or if there is a minimum age requirement. If your child is very young, you may be required to reserve a private vehicle.  

Photography

A DSLR camera and longer lenses are best for wildlife photography , but if that's not your objective, Beck suggests getting a point-and-shoot with the maximum optical zoom. "Don't even bother looking at the digital zoom feature as this is essentially a crop of the image," he says. It's also a smart idea to bring plenty of memory cards. There is nothing worse than having to delete images from your camera on the fly to make room for your next shot.

When it comes to the bush, safety at any lodging is top priority. Upon arrival, you'll be given all the dos and don'ts and it's important to follow directions. While safaris are safe, Friedman cautions, "These are wild animals, not kittens."

Preparing for Your Safari

Paperwork  You'll need a passport that is valid for at least six months prior to your arrival. Your passport must contain a minimum of two blank pages for stamps. You'll also need a $50 visa . You can apply for a visa online at Evisa.go.ke or you can wait until you arrive at the airport in Kenya.  

Vaccinations

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are no mandatory vaccinations for travel to Kenya though you may be required to get a yellow fever shot if your travels take you through endemic zones prior to your arrival. The agency also advocates being up to date on immunizations for Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies and meningitis. Additionally, you may want to consider pills for malaria. Make sure to speak to your physician about your travel plans to determine what you need. 

Pack enough light casual attire for a long weekend and take advantage of the same-day laundry service (weather permitting) that the majority of camps provide. It's chilly in the morning and evening, but hot in the afternoon, so dress in layers. A good sunscreen is also a must-have, in addition to a wide brim hat and a good pair of polarized sunglasses. And flip-flops are fine for the jeep, but also pack a pair of comfortable sneakers.  

Small commuter planes are the main mode of transport into the bush and all the domestic carriers are sticklers about baggage restrictions. Bags must be soft, no longer than 26 inches and wheel-free, and the total luggage weight per person cannot exceed 15 kilograms (33 pounds), including your carry-on. If you go over the limit, your best-case scenario would be paying a fee, but in a worst-case scenario, you may have to buy a separate ticket for your baggage or wait until there is a plane with space available.

Money Matters

Kenya shillings is the local currency. You can pick up shillings at the airport upon arrival, but U.S. dollars are also widely accepted. Keep in mind, accommodations will accept major credit cards such as Visa or MasterCard (American Express is not as widely accepted) for amenities or gift shop purchases, but you should bring cash for gratuity as well as extras, such as cultural visits to local villages or souvenirs like handmade jewelry or other trinkets from local artisans.

Tips are not mandatory, but they are customary. Your guide should be at the top of your list, and according to Friedman, you should plan to pay $15-25 per person per day. If you have a large family, less per person is acceptable. If you want to distribute gratuity to all staff members, most camps have a staff box where guests can leave a gratuity of $5-10 per person per day. When in doubt, ask a manager for advice, Friedman says.

Tags: Travel , Kenya , Travel Tips

About En Route

Practical advice on the art of traveling smarter with tips, tricks and intel from En Route's panel of experts.

Contributors have experience in areas ranging from family travel, adventure travel, experiential travel and budget travel to hotels, cruises and travel rewards and include Amy Whitley , Claire Volkman , Holly Johnson , Marsha Dubrow , Lyn Mettler , Sery Kim , Kyle McCarthy , Erica Lamberg , Jess Moss , Sheryl Nance-Nash , Sherry Laskin , Katie Jackson , Erin Gifford , Roger Sands , Steve Larese , Gwen Pratesi , Erin Block , Dave Parfitt , Kacey Mya , Kimberly Wilson , Susan Portnoy , Donna Tabbert Long and Kitty Bean Yancey .

Edited by Liz Weiss .

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

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Kenya Safaris

From magnificent masai mara to serene samburu.

Kenya’s sprawling landscapes and varied wildlife are what safari dreams are made of and our impeccably crafted journeys bring you into the heart of this iconic realm. Explore the vast Masai Mara and Samburu National Reserve, with local tribe members as your expert guides. Revel in the abundance of wildlife in these unique ecosystems, with its leopards, cheetahs, magnificent black-maned lions, and astonishing migratory herds. If you’re looking for the quintessential African safari experience, this is it!

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Community & Conservation

We are a founding member of the Friends of Serengeti, a non-profit association of travel companies dedicated to the lasting protection of the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems. WT remains an active supporter and donor, funding educational and sustainability programs for local communities, reforestation, support for women’s groups, and conservation radio broadcasting.

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Masai Mara National Reserve Extension

From $5,695

Talk to an Expert

Our Africa Specialists know every detail about our Kenya safaris. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

Sub regions inside

Broader region.

Kenya is located in East Africa and encompasses classic savannah, mountain highlands, colourful tribal cultures, freshwater lakes and pristine coral reefs. The Masai Mara is world renowned for the “ Great Mammal Migration ” and sightings of the famous “Big Five” (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino). The soda lake known as Lake Nakuru lights up with pink flamingos, whilst the Amboseli National Park offers sanctuary to an abundance of wildlife and birdlife. Kenya is home to Africas second highest mountain, whilst the Tsavo and Samburu game reserves offer rewarding safari experiences. Kenya boasts unforgettable bush and beach vacations with destinations such as Diani Beach providing the perfect setting for some well-deserved relaxation.

Kenya is a year-round destination for both safari and beach holidays.

The main tourist seasons tie in with the rainfall patterns: the biggest influxes of visitors are in December – January and July – August .

Dry-season travel has a number of advantages, not least of which is the greater visibility of wildlife as animals are concentrated along the diminishing watercourses. July to September is probably the best period, overall, for game-viewing, with early September almost certain to coincide with the annual wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara.

October, November, and March are the months with the clearest seas for snorkeling and diving. In the long rains, the mountain parks are occasionally closed, as the muddy tracks are undrivable. But the rainy seasons shouldn’t deter travel unduly: the rains usually come only in short afternoon or evening cloudbursts, and the landscape is strikingly green and fresh even if the skies may be cloudy. There are bonuses, too: fewer other tourists, reduced prices and often perfect light for photography.

Renowned for its classic savanna safaris, Kenya is a beautiful country with deserts, alpine snows, forests, open plains, colorful tribal cultures, freshwater lakes and coral reefs. The wildlife safaris have always been the top attraction in Kenya. This huge wilderness is home to the most impressive wildlife spectacle on earth; The great migration. The great migration is a pilgrimage of millions of wildebeest and zebra in search of new pastures. The herds are followed by vast numbers of predators, including lions, hyenas and cheetahs. Other activities to be experienced in Kenya include trekking Mount Kenya, ballooning over the Masai Mara and snorkeling in Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast.

Masai Mara National Park

The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the top tourist attractions in Kenya and the country’s most popular game park. Each year the Masai Mara National Reserve is visited by thousands of tourists who come here to watch the exceptional population of game and the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest. The “Great Migration” takes place every year from July to October when millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is a relatively small park located close to the Tanzania border at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants. Other wildlife includes giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and hundreds of bird species. ‘Must do’ attractions in the Amboseli National Park include meeting the Maasai people and witnessing the spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is just a short drive from the center of Nairobi with only a fence separating the park’s wildlife from the metropolis. It is the only national park in the world to be found within the precincts of a capital city. Nairobi’s skyscrapers can be seen from the park. Despite its proximity to the city and the relatively small size of the park, Nairobi National Park boasts a large and varied wildlife population including the endangered black rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded.

Malindi is a town on Malindi Bay, in southeastern Kenya. It sits amid a string of tropical beaches dotted with hotels and resorts.Malindi provides a very nice introduction to the coastal tourist attractions in Kenya with its extensive coral reefs and beautiful beaches. There are surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and other water sports. The Malindi Marine National Park and nearby Watamu Marine National Park have protected areas with beautiful beaches, clear water, turtles and very colorful fish. Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve harbors elephants and more than 200 species of birds.

Mombasa is Kenya's main tourist destination. It is on the eastern coastline of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean which has made it a popular destination for its beaches. Mombasa is a place where both history and progress are greatly valued, where a busy harbor existence is lived at its own unique, tropical pace. Mombasa offers a diverse marine life, world-class hotels, and friendly atmosphere. There is a tropical climate all year and it is a great destination filled with activities for all ages.

Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. The mountain is an awe-inspiring sight and is often referred to as the ‘Place of Light’. Its ragged series of peaks are crowned with snow, and its slopes are covered with forest. The 5199 meter (17,057 ft) high summit is a difficult technical climb, several lowers peaks, however, are an easy destination for any fit trekker. The majority of animals live lower down on the slopes of Mount Kenya. Here there is more vegetation and the climate is less extreme. Various species of monkeys, several antelopes, tree hyrax, porcupines and some larger animals such as elephant and buffalo all live in the forest.

Samburu National Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is a very peaceful national park in Rift Valley Province of Kenya. It attracts wildlife because of the Uaso Nyiro River that runs through it and the mixture of forest and grassland vegetation. All three big cats, lion, cheetah and leopard, can be found here, as well as elephants, buffalo and hippos. The Uaso Nyiro River contains large numbers of Nile crocodile. Samburu also offers a sublime birding experience.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is a small park named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It is unique among Kenya’s wildlife parks, as you are allowed to walk or cycle without a guide. There’s dramatic scenery, with steep cliffs, gorges and basalt columns. The national park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, though many are few in number. Examples of little-seen wildlife include lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

Lamu Island

Lamu Island is a part of Kenya’s Lamu Archipelago and has managed to stay unspoiled and untouched by the mass tourism that has hit much of Kenya’s coastline. As the oldest living town in Kenya, Lamu Town has retained all the charm and character built up over centuries. There are no roads on Lamu Island, just alleyways and footpaths, and therefore, there are few motorized vehicles on the island. Residents move about on foot or by boat, and donkeys are used to transport goods and materials.

Tsavo National Park

Tsavo is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Kenya and in the world. Due to its size, the park was divided into Tsavo West and Tsavo East. The Tsavo West has spectacular scenery with a rolling volcanic landscape while Tsavo East has more open savannah than its western sibling. Tsavo National Park is the ideal destination in Kenya for people who seek solitude and privacy as well as the chance to explore the wilderness. The park is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust-red elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, Lesser Kudu, gerenuk and the prolific bird life features 500 recorded species.

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is a very shallow lake in central Kenya. The lake’s abundance of algae attracts vast quantities of flamingos, sometimes more than one million at once. Often called the greatest bird spectacle on earth, the flamingos are one of Kenya’s top attractions. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, and game drives.

Apr 11, 2024

It was easy

It was easy, it all worked as planned, our expectations were exceeded. Anja was easy to communicate with through Whatsapp and always responded promptly to any questions.

Apr 10, 2024

She made it so easy to book

She made it so easy to book - Leigh-Ann was great to deal with . She made it so easy and worked with the dates I gave her . I appreciate it so much and when I book my next safari - I hope to have the same experience - which was awesome !!!!

Botswana Experience

Anja, our agent, was very kind and helpful all the time to organize the perfect trip. She did it quickly and efficiently. The amount of days we spent in every place was perfect to really enjoy the hotels and the different activities they proposed (in general the hotels are very nice but we don’t have the time to really experience the place but here we did). Also the selections of hotels was very very nice. Nice infrastructure, excellent service (very professional) and outstanding places to visit (all the parks were great). We had a wonderful experience with the company in Botswana.

Thank you Heleen for great service and…

Thank you Heleen for great service and always very helpful with all the changes we made. highly recommended

Keith was extremely helpful during the…

Keith was extremely helpful during the booking process. He is the only reason I continued the booking process with your firm. There were issues with your website among other things that had me feeling uncomfortable. Keith has great energy which eased my concerns. I feel the package Keith put together is great and I expect to have a wonderful trip.

Apr 9, 2024

Creating a Trip of a Lifetime

Shann Shaw was extremely patient and very helpful with getting a trip of a lifetime put together. Thank you so much for making it possible!

Keith answered all of my questions…

Keith answered all of my questions without any issues. He addressed everything that I asked and was quite prompt in his responses.

Apr 6, 2024

great service

This is to thank Leigh-Ann for her wonderful help with my safari booking. She always answers my questions quickly and provide solutions. Although I finally didn't book the trip because of a few constraints on my side, I'm sure that she is a nice person and it was enjoyable to receive her service.

Apr 4, 2024

Heleen feedback

Heleen was an absolute pleasure to deal with and is the person that has made me pass on Safari as a have to use when booking trips and putting a plan together. Heleen has been super responsive, informative and was more than happy to change things as needed throughout the process. We are a large group so nothing was simple but Heleen ensured we got accommodation together (as much as possible) and provided options for set ups too. It has been a pleasure to deal with Heleen and she is has given the company a fantastic reputation! Thank you so much again Heleen!

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Kenia Safari: Alle Infos zu Kosten, Sicherheit + Nationalparks!

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Eine Safari in Kenia gilt als das absolute Highlight einer Reise durch das ostafrikanische Land und ist eine Erfahrung, die du bei deinem Kenia Urlaub auf keinen Fall verpassen solltest. Trotzdem ist die Planung einer Kenia Safari nicht immer leicht, oft schrecken auch die (augenscheinlich) hohen Kosten der Safari-Anbieter davon ab. Im Folgenden möchte ich dir gerne einige Infos und Tipps zu Safaris in Kenia geben sowie von meinen Erfahrungen berichten. Außerdem zeige ich dir hier auch die schönsten Fotos von meinen Kenia Safaris in der Masai Mara und dem Amboseli Nationalpark!

Wichtig: Du brauchst für deine Kenia Reise ein Visum. Das kannst du dir online im Voraus auf der offiziellen Website beantragen, dir am Flughafen vor Ort ausstellen lassen oder dir einfach und unkompliziert für ein paar Euros mehr auf deutsch bei einer Agentur holen.

Wie plane ich eine Kenia Safari?

Wie bereits erwähnt, klingt die Planung einer Safari in Kenia auf den ersten Blick eher kompliziert und teuer. Generell hast du zwei verschiedene Möglichkeiten – entweder du entscheidest dich für einen Tour-Anbieter, oder du organisiert deine Safari auf eigene Faust. Letzteres ist natürlich mit mehr Planungsaufwand verbunden, allerdings auch günstiger.

Wie organisiere ich eine Safari in Kenia auf eigene Faust (ohne Tour)?

Falls du die Kosten einer Tour Agentur meidest, kannst du in Kenia auch ziemlich preiswert auf Safari gehen. Die erste Herausforderung wird allerdings sein, zum Nationalpark zu kommen. Falls du einen Mietwagen hast, ist das kein Problem. Ansonsten bist du auf öffentliche Verkehrsmittel angewiesen, was in Kenia manchmal etwas komplizierter ist.

Ganz günstig wird es übrigens trotz allem nicht gehen – denn allein schon der Eintritt in die Safariparks in Kenia sind alles andere als preiswert. Natürlich schwanken die Preise je nach Park, rechne allerdings im beliebten Masai Mara Triangle mit einem Eintritt von etwa 80$ pro Tag (für 24h). Auch kannst du dich natürlich nicht auf eigene Faust im Nationalpark bewegen, sondern bist auf einen Guide und Fahrer angewiesen.

Mein befreundeter Blogger Joao von Against the Compass hat eine Kenia Safari auf eigene Faust organisiert und am Ende nur wenig Geld ausgebeben – in diesem ausführlichen Post lest ihr wie (Artikel ist in Englisch).

Wo übernachte ich bei einer Kenia Safari?

Hier hast du die Wahl zwischen einer Lodge und Camping. Beachte allerdings, dass die Lodges meistens ziemlich teuer sind – hier kannst du, vor allem in beliebten Safari Parks wie dem Masai Mara Triangle, mit mehreren hunderten Euros pro Nacht rechnen! Oft ist Verpflegung und die Safari-Fahrten im Preis inklusive, trotzdem wirst du hier einiges an Geld lassen müssen.

Eine günstigere Option ist es, im Safari-Park zu zelten. Dafür habe auch ich mich entschieden. Da ich mit einem lokalen Freund unterwegs war, hatten wir einen Jeep und auch eigenes Camping-Equipment dabei. Trotzdem kommen auch hier Kosten auf dich zu. Wir mussten in der Masai Mara pro Nacht etwa 40$ Gebühr für den Campingplatz zahlen (übrigens: stell dir hier nichts Besonderes vor – im Prinzip war es einfach nur eine Erdfläche am Fluss, ohne jegliche Infrastruktur). Dazu kamen noch Kosten für zwei bewaffnete Soldaten, die nachts vor dem Zelt schlafen (ist vorgeschrieben und unvermeidbar, etwa 20$ pro Person und Nacht), sowie eine wahnsinnig unverschämte Buchungsgebühr von schlappen 100$! Vom teuren Eintritt ganz zu schweigen.

Übrigens sind die Safari Unterkünfte in den Nationalparks recht schnell ausgebucht und es lohnt sich, wenn du dich früh darum kümmerst – vor allem zur Hauptsaison, wenn beispielsweise die „Great Migration“ stattfindet.

Geld sparen kannst du übrigens, wenn du nach Unterkünften außerhalb des Safari-Parks suchst. Dort kosten Lodges und auch Gästehäuser (beispielsweise in nahegelegenen Städten) um einiges weniger. Allerdings brauchst du hier auch wieder den Transport, um zum Park zu kommen.

Welche Nationalparks eignen sich in Kenia für eine Safari?

Kenia ist voller Nationalparks, und dir stehen einige Möglichkeiten für eine Safari offen. Besonders beliebt ist das Masai Mara Triangle. Ein Besuch hier ist zwar nicht günstig (siehe oben), dafür gilt diese Gegend aber auch als eine der besten Safari-Spots der Welt! Das Masai Mara Triangle erstreckt sich bis zur Grenze nach Tansania und geht direkt in den berühmten Serengeti Nationalpark über (König der Löwen lässt grüßen!).

Auch sehr sehenswert ist der Amboseli Nationalpark , ebenfalls an der Grenze zu Tansania und südöstlich von Nairobi. Der Amboseli Safari-Park ist besonders bekannt für seine riesigen Herden an Elefanten und bietet ein traumhaftes Fotomotiv, da er direkt vor dem Mount Kilimanjaro liegt. Leider hatte ich hier etwas Pech und der Kilimanjaro lag bis auf einen kurzen Moment komplett in den Wolken. Während einem klaren Tag hast du hier allerdings eine tolle Sicht. Einige weitere bekannte Nationalparks für Safaris in Kenia sind Tsavo West  und Ost sowie Lake Nakuru – hier war ich leider noch nicht.

Da die Safaris in Kenia nicht wirklich günstig sind gebe ich dir den Tipp, dich auf 1-2 Parks zu konzentrieren und nicht einen Park nach dem anderen „abzuhaken“. Auch lohnt es sich nicht, zu lange einen bestimmten Park zu besuchen – denn das wird teuer und die Erfahrungen werden redundant. Ich empfehle dir, etwa 1-2 volle Tage pro Park einzuplanen, um ein gutes Safari-Erlebnis in Kenia zu haben.

Übrigens findest du bei Get Your Guide einige Safari-Angebote, die du im Voraus buchen kannst:

• Drei-tägige Safari in der Masai Mara

• Drei-Tages-Safari im Amboseli Nationalpark

• Vier-Tages-Safari nach Amboseli und Tsavo West

Weitere Tipps zum Ablauf einer Kenia Safari

Wie du siehst, gibt es für eine Kenia Safari einiges zu planen und zu organisieren – allen voran Transport, Unterkunft und Eintritt. Wenn das alles geschafft ist, kannst du dich auf dein Safari-Abenteuer freuen! Hier nun kurz einige Regeln bzw. Anmerkungen und Tipps zur Safari.

Generell ist es üblich, sowohl früh morgens als auch abends zum Sonnenuntergang auf eine Safarifahrt zu gehen. Zu diesen Zeiten ist das Licht am besten für Fotos und die Tiere sind am aktivsten. Mittags sind viele Tiere eher im Gebüsch versteckt oder ruhen sich aus. Während meinem Besuch in der Masai Mara haben wir dementsprechend die Mittagshitze genutzt, um uns etwas im Camp auszuruhen. Im Amboseli Nationalpark war es ziemlich bewölkt, weshalb wir auch tagsüber den Park erkundet haben. Die beste Zeit für eine Kenia Safari ist aber wie gesagt zum Sonnenaufgang sowie zum Sonnenuntergang.

Falls du einen Jeep / einen Mietwagen hast, kannst du die Nationalparks selbst erkunden. Dazu kannst du aber auch für einen vorher festgelegten Betrag auch einen Tourguide dazu nehmen, der dir Infos geben kann und hoffentlich auch Bescheid weiß, wo man am besten die wilden Tiere sichten kann.

Wie sicher ist eine Kenia Safari?

Generell ist eine Safari in Kenia sicher. Verlasse allerdings unter keinen Umständen und auf keinen Fall das Auto bzw. den Jeep während deiner Safari in Kenia. Dies ist sowohl verboten wie auch gefährlich. Die Gründe dafür sollten auf der Hand liegen.

Falls du selbst fährst und vor dir Elefanten die Straße überqueren, solltest du auch vorsichtig sein. Natürlich sind die Tiere in den Safari-Parks Autos gewöhnt, provozieren solltest du sie trotzdem nicht. Vor allem Elefanten spielen auch ganz gerne das „Respekt-Spiel“, in dem sie ein paar Schritte auf ein Auto zugehen und warten, ob das Auto zurückfährt. Vor allem von unüberlegten, schnellen Handlungen (wie plötzlichem Beschleunigen) solltest du in der Nähe der Tiere ablassen.

Falls du im Nationalpark übernachtest, solltest du natürlich auch auf keinen Fall zu Fuß die Gegend erkunden. Oft können sich im Gebüsch Tiere verstecken, die überrascht und aggressiv reagieren könnten. Das war vor allem auch während meinem Camping in der Masai Mara wichtig. Hier musste ich gut aufpassen, mich nicht zu weit vom Zeltplatz wegzubewegen. Ich muss zugeben – ich hatte tatsächlich auch ein mulmiges Gefühl, im Zelt zu liegen und draußen die Löwen und Hyänen schreien zu hören. Wie oben erwähnt, hat man zwar zwei bewaffnete Aufpasser vor dem Zelt liegen – unbedingt drauf verlassen wollte ich mich auf diese aber auch nicht.

Trotz allem ist eine Kenia Safari ein einmaliges Erlebnis, und wenn du dich vorsichtig verhältst, solltest du auch keine Probleme haben.

Wie war deine persönliche Safari Erfahrung in Kenia?

Es ist wohl schon durchgeklungen – ich war von meinen Kenia Safaris absolut begeistert und diese Erlebnisse gehören definitiv zu meinen besten Reise-Erfahrungen.

Meine erste Kenia Safari war im Masai Mara Triangle. Zusammen mit meinem lokalen Freund sind wir mit dem Auto vom Lake Naivasha zum Park gefahren und kamen nach einer langen Autofahrt auch endlich an. Wir wurden zu unserer Zeltfläche geführt, und da wir ein privates Camp hatte, waren wir auch die einzigen Leute hier. Wir haben uns direkt am Fluss niedergelassen, das Zelt aufgebaut und sind am Abend noch auf eine Safari-Fahrt gegangen. Den nächsten Tag verbrachten wir komplett im Park (mit Game-Drives morgens und abends), bevor es am dritten Tag nach einer morgendlichen Safari wieder aus dem Park ging.

Meine Safari im Masai Mara Nationalpark war atemberaubend und voller unglaublicher Erlebnisse. Ich konnte riesige Herden von Elefanten, Büffeln, Zebras und Gnus sehen, sowie einige Löwen und Hyänen.

Hier mein absolutes Highlight meiner Kenia Safari: Wir konnten sogar beobachten, wie zwei Geparden auf Jagd gingen und eine riesige Gnu Herde angegriffen haben! Die Raubkatzen haben schließlich ein Tier erlegt und wir konnten aus nächster Nähe beobachten, wie dieses verspeist wurde.

Die Masai Mara ist besonders bekannt für die „Great Migration“, die ich bei meinem Besuch allerdings knapp verpasst habe. Trotzdem haben wir den Fluss besucht, der bekannt ist für die gefährliche Überquerung von Tausenden von Gnus, die hier schonungslos Krokodilen und der Strömung ausgesetzt sind. Und genau dieser Fluss hat zu einem weiteren, einmaligen Erlebnis geführt. Denn der Fluss glich einem riesigen Friedhof! Das komplette Flussbett war voller Gnu-Kadaver, der Himmel war voller Geier, die über den Leichen kreisten und sich gierig auf das Aas gestürzt haben. Dieser Anblick war zwar schockierend, aber einzigartig. Das Ende der „Great Migration“.

Auch möchte ich noch ein paar Worte zu meiner Nacht im Zelt loswerden, denn dies war ein weiteres einzigartiges Erlebnis meiner Kenia Safari. Ich bin ganz ehrlich – etwas ängstlich war ich durchaus, immerhin konnte ich draußen die Löwen und Hyänen um die Wette heulen hören. Denn Stille gibt es im Nationalpark nicht. Und wirklich geschützt ist man beim Camping auch nicht – das habe ich schon nachmittags erfahren, als wir mitten im Camp von einem Nilpferd (dem gefährlichsten Tier Afrikas!) überrascht wurden, und schnell ins Auto flüchten konnten. Mit den wilden Tieren ist auf den Safaris in Kenia tatsächlich nicht zu spaßen!

Nach einem tollen Erlebnis in der Masai Mara war mein zweite Kenia Safari im Aboseli Nationalpark. Hier haben wir uns ein gut ausgestattetes „Glamping“ Camp gleich außerhalb des Parks gemietet und haben den Amboseli Nationalpark einen ganzen Tag lang erkundet.

Auch hier hatte ich tolle Eindrücke und Erlebnisse mit den wilden Tieren. Riesige Elefantenherden, Geparden, Büffelherden, Nilpferde und Flamingos – alle waren da! Vor allem, da der Himmel bewölkt war, konnten wir selbst mittags einige Tiere erspähen. Übrigens habe ich sowohl im Amboseli als auch im Masai Mara Park die berühmten „Big 5“ fast komplett gesehen – nur das Nashorn hat gefehlt.

Besonders schön war der Anblick zum Sonnenuntergang, als auch für ein paar Minuten die Wolken aufgingen und ich die Spitze des Kilimanjaros sehen konnte – ein toller Moment!

Fazit zu den Kenia Safaris

Ich hoffe, ich konnte dir etwas mehr über Safaris in Kenia berichten. Zwar sind die Safaris nicht gerade günstig und durchaus mit einem gewissen Organisations- und Planungsaufwand verbunden (vor allem, wenn du keine normalen Tour-Pakete buchen möchtest). Trotzdem garantiere ich dir, dass sich der Aufwand lohnt und dass eine Safari sicherlich der Höhepunkt deiner Kenia Reise werden wird.

Planst du aktuell eine Safari in Kenia? Warst du bereits auf Safari? Lass es mich in den Kommentaren wissen!

Hier zeige ich dir nun zum Abschluss noch einige weitere Fotos von meiner Kenia Safari

Patrick Muntzinger - German Backpacker

Patrick ist Gründer des zweisprachigen Reiseblogs "German Backpacker" und schreibt auf seiner Website über seine Abenteuer und Erlebnisse in jedem Teil der Welt!

Safari Guide to Kenya and Tanzania: The Heart of Africa’s Wildlife

Introduction to the wonders of kenya and tanzania safaris.

In our “Safari Guide to Kenya and Tanzania,” we delve into the heart of Africa, a land of vast landscapes and untamed wilderness, holding the secrets of nature that many travelers yearn to uncover. Kenya and Tanzania, two countries at the core of this exploration, together offer an unparalleled safari experience. But what makes these nations stand out amid a continent renowned for its wildlife adventures?

Beyond the majestic wildlife and breathtaking vistas, Kenya and Tanzania boast a rich tapestry of culture, history, and hospitality. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic wedding on the serene beaches of Zanzibar or seeking a vacation that melds adventure with relaxation, these destinations offer memories that linger for a lifetime. Dive deep into the rhythm of Africa and discover why Kenya and Tanzania are jewels in the crown of global travel destinations.

Why Venture on a Safari in Kenya and Tanzania?

Venturing on a Kenya and Tanzania safari isn’t just about witnessing wildlife; it’s an immersion into a unique abundance of nature and culture . With a trustworthy safari guide at your side, you’ll uncover hidden gems that go beyond the iconic Big Five .

Kenya safari offers vast savannahs dotted with acacia trees, while Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater serves as nature’s amphitheater, teeming with diverse wildlife. Opt for a Kenya-Tanzania safari tour, and you’ll bridge the beauty of both lands, gaining insights into their distinct environments and traditions.

Whether it’s the great wildebeest migration in the Serengeti or meeting the Maasai Mara tribes, the Kenya and Tanzania tours promise more than just sights – they offer transformative experiences. So, if you’re debating Tanzania or Kenya safari, why not choose both and double the wonder!

Picking the Perfect Season: Best Time to Embark on a Kenya Tanzania Safari

The Ideal Time For Your Visit

Kenya and Tanzania, two gemstones of East Africa, offer varying climates throughout the year. As a safari guide might advice, the season you choose can drastically influence your experience. Dry seasons, from late June to October and January to February , offer optimum wildlife viewing with less vegetation obscuring your sight.

The Great Migration Timing

The grand spectacle, The Great Migration , is a scene like no other. From July to September , a mesmerizing display of over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya. If a Kenya and Tanzania safari tour is on your bucket list, timing it with this natural wonder is a must.

Yet, every season has its charm; a Kenya safari might allure with calving in February, while a Tanzania safari entices with predator action during migration. Regardless of when you plan your Kenya and Tanzania tour, nature’s raw beauty promises to captivate.

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Highlights and Attractions: From the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Dive deep into Kenya’s pristine wilderness at the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Often highlighted by any seasoned safari guide, this reserve stands as a crowning jewel of Kenya safaris. Less commonly known, the Mara offers unique nocturnal safaris, unveiling a secretive world where nature’s nocturnes come alive.

The Serengeti National Park

Across the border, Tanzania offers the vast expanse of The Serengeti National Park. While many associate this park with the Great Migration, fewer realize that it houses one of the largest lion populations globally. A Kenya and Tanzania safari tour bridges the experience of both these iconic locations, showcasing diverse ecosystems.

Embarking on a Kenya Tanzania safari, travelers not only witness wildlife but also immerse in the age-old dance between predator and prey. Whether your heart is set on a Kenya or Tanzania safari, each destination offers unparalleled moments. Choose your adventure, and let the wonders of East Africa captivate your spirit.

Experiencing the Delightful Kenya and Tanzania Cuisine

Kenya’s Signature Dish: Ugali

A trip to Kenya isn’t complete without tasting Ugali, a staple maize porridge. Paired often with sukuma wiki (collard greens) or Nyama Choma (grilled meat), it captures the essence of Kenyan comfort food. Each bite not only offers a taste of home-cooked goodness but also provides insights into Kenya’s culinary heritage. It’s a must-try during any Kenya safari, adding a flavor-packed experience.

Tanzania’s Culinary Gem: Zanzibar Pizza

Tanzania surprises with its Zanzibar Pizza, a delightful street food unique to the islands. Unlike any traditional pizza, this treat is a blend of meat, veggies, and egg wrapped in thin dough, fried to perfection. It’s a testament to Tanzania’s blend of cultures and flavors. Dive into this dish during a Tanzania or Kenya and Tanzania tour, and savor a piece of Zanzibar’s heart.

The heart and soul of Kenya and Tanzania aren’t just in their vast landscapes and wildlife, but also in their rich, flavorful dishes. As you journey through these lands, let your taste buds explore as fervently as your eyes do. Delight in the traditional flavors, and leave with a gastronomic memory as vivid as the safaris themselves.

Seeking Accommodations Amidst Wilderness: A Mix of Luxury and Budget Options in Kenya and Tanzania

Indulge in opulent lodges offering unparalleled experiences, with panoramic views and top-tier amenities. Alternatively, discover budget-friendly gems that provide a cozy touch, ensuring comfort and authenticity on every step of your African adventure.

Luxury Accommodations

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

For those on a Kenya and Tanzania safari, Kenya opens its arms with premium accommodations like the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge. Nestled amidst the Amboseli National Park, this lodge offers a vantage point to the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro while ensuring luxury and comfort. It’s more than just a stay; it’s an experience that a safari guide often touts as unmatched.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

On the flip side, in Tanzania, travelers are welcomed with distinct elegance, especially at places like the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. Strategically situated at the edge of the renowned Ngorongoro crater, this haven offers breathtaking vistas and an intimate proximity to native wildlife. It’s not merely a place to rest, but a destination in itself for those on a Kenya and Tanzania safari tour. Experience Tanzania’s splendor wrapped in luxury.

Budget-Friendly Stays

Kibo Safari Camp

Kibo Safari Camp in Amboseli strikes a balance between budget and experience. With traditional tented accommodations set against a backdrop of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, guests can immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing essential comforts. The camp’s ambiance is perfect for those wanting an authentic yet pocket-friendly Kenyan retreat.

Panorama Campsite

Panorama Campsite, located near Ngorongoro, promises visitors an intimate Tanzanian experience. Its rustic charm, with basic tents and campfires, allows travelers to connect deeply with the wild. The serene surroundings, coupled with starry nights and echoing wildlife calls, make it an affordable yet enriching choice for many.

Kenya and Tanzania have something for every traveler, with both luxury spots and budget-friendly places to stay. No matter where you choose to rest, the magic of the safari stays the same. Every place, whether pricey or affordable, adds to the adventure. Go on a journey that fits your budget, and make memories that last forever.

Estimating Your Adventure: Average Costs in Kenya and Tanzania Safaris

Embarking on a Kenya and Tanzania safari tour promises unforgettable encounters with Africa’s diverse wildlife. But, how do you estimate the expenses?

Key Considerations in Navigating Your Safari Budget

Typical Safari Pricing Breakdown

Safari costs in Kenya and Tanzania aren’t just about spotting majestic lions. You’re also investing in a holistic experience: from knowledgeable safari guides offering lesser-known wildlife insights to access to untouched natural parks. Additionally, prices incorporate park entrance fees, camping or lodge accommodations, and sometimes even meals. It’s essential to understand the full spectrum of costs to ensure a seamless, hassle-free safari experience.

Accommodation, Travel, and Guided Tours

When budgeting, consider three pivotal aspects: where you’ll rest after a day’s adventure, your travel logistics within and between Kenya and Tanzania, and the expertise of your chosen kenya tanzania safari guide. Opting for package Kenya and Tanzania tours can sometimes provide better value, merging accommodation, travel, and guided explorations into one cohesive, memorable experience.

Daily Costs and Budgeting Tips

Daily Expenses: Food, Travel, and More

When exploring Kenya and Tanzania, daily expenses are more than just accommodation. Savory local dishes, intra-region travel, and unexpected souvenirs can quickly add up. Sample traditional meals like “ugali” or “nyama choma” in Kenya, and perhaps “chapati” or “ndizi kaanga” in Tanzania. Additionally, consider the costs of short flights, local taxis, or buses connecting popular safari destinations.

Making the Most of Your Budget

Maximizing your safari budget means prioritizing experiences that matter most. Perhaps splurge on a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara but economize with budget-friendly lodges. Engage with local communities for authentic, cost-effective experiences. Remember, with careful planning and a keen eye for value, every penny can stretch further, enhancing your African adventure.

Estimating safari costs in Kenya and Tanzania goes beyond simple numbers—it’s about a rich, holistic experience. With Allied Travel , there’s no need for guesswork. We guide you every step of the way, ensuring your safari is not just an adventure, but a lifetime memory. Let’s journey together!

Tips and Tricks for an Unforgettable Kenya and Tanzania Tour

An exhilarating Kenya and Tanzania safari tour offers some of the most captivating sights in Africa. Yet, as with any journey, there are ways to elevate the experience. Dive into these insider insights for a more memorable encounter.

Maximizing Your Safari Experience

The magic of a Kenya and Tanzania safari lies beyond the well-trodden paths. Opt for dawn or dusk excursions; this is when wildlife is most active. Additionally, patience is key. Spend more time at fewer spots, allowing nature to unfold before you. Interestingly, many overlook the wonders of the smaller fauna and flora, so keep an open eye!

The Right Safari Guide and Company

Your safari guide is your gateway to the majestic landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania. Prioritize hiring experienced guides from reputable companies, such as Allied Travel , as they possess invaluable local knowledge. Did you know that the best guides have an uncanny ability to spot hidden creatures miles away, enriching your Tanzania or Kenya safari manifold?

The essence of an unforgettable Kenya and Tanzania tour is in the details. Savor each moment, trust expert guides, and let the unparalleled beauty of Kenya and Tanzania sweep you away.

Preserving the Environment: Sustainable Safari Practices

In the heart of Kenya and Tanzania, safaris allow travelers to witness the raw beauty of nature. However, it’s crucial that our passion for adventure aligns with practices that conserve these awe-inspiring habitats. Dive deep to learn how we can merge adventure with responsibility.

The Importance of Eco-friendly Travel

Safaris have become synonymous with the Kenya and Tanzania tour experience. With the surge in popularity, the commitment to eco-friendly travel is paramount. It’s less of a commonly known fact that sustainable lodges and camps in these regions use solar energy and rainwater harvesting. Opting for such accommodations can significantly reduce your carbon footprint on your next Kenya or Tanzania safari.

Leave No Trace Principles in Safaris

While the role of a safari guide is to enhance your experience, their teachings on Leave No Trace principles are golden. These guidelines, although simple—like not feeding animals or littering—ensure the pristine nature of the wild remains undisturbed for future Kenya and Tanzania tours.

When embarking on a Kenya and Tanzania safari tour, your choices matter. Through sustainable practices, every traveler can play a part in safeguarding the treasured ecosystems of Kenya and Tanzania.

Travel Considerations: Health, Safety, and Visas

Embarking on a Kenya and Tanzania safari tour is the stuff of dreams. Yet, beneath the majestic wildlife encounters, meticulous planning ensures your journey is magical and worry-free. Dive into the essentials that shape the perfect Kenyan or Tanzanian experience.

Ensuring a Smooth Trip

Navigating the diverse regions of Kenya and Tanzania may require specific permits and visas. While many are aware of tourist visas, fewer realize the special permissions some regions demand. But with Allied Travel by your side, you’re covered. We’ll undertake all the research, ensuring all necessary permits and visas are secured in advance for a seamless Kenya and Tanzania tour.

Vaccinations, Insurance, and Local Norms

Before jetting off on your Kenya and Tanzania safari, certain vaccinations, like yellow fever, are essential. A lesser-known tip: comprehensive travel insurance can cover unforeseen safari disruptions. Furthermore, respecting local customs and etiquettes not only safeguards your experience but also deepens your connection with the destination.

Thorough preparation is the cornerstone of adventure. Let Allied Travel be your compass, guiding your Kenya or Tanzania safari to be an unforgettable, hassle-free journey.

Diving Deeper: Optional Safari Add-ons and Extensions

The quintessential Kenya and Tanzania safari tour offers an unparalleled wildlife spectacle. But what if you could amplify the experience, delving beyond the traditional? Let’s journey into unique, lesser-known safari extensions that elevate your adventure.

Beyond the Traditional Safari

Your expert safari guide might let you in on a secret: there’s more to a safari than the usual game drives. Some less-traveled paths in Kenya and Tanzania offer immersive experiences, providing intimate connections with nature and local communities.

Balloon Safaris, Beach Extensions, and More

Imagine floating over the Serengeti in a balloon, witnessing the Great Migration from a bird’s eye view. Or after your Kenya safari, unwinding on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. These extensions are not just add-ons, but curated experiences that enrich the soul.

There’s a universe beyond the classic safari. With the right choices, your Kenya and Tanzania tour can become a tapestry of unforgettable moments.

Crafting Memories in the African Plains

As we conclude this guide, we’ve delved into preparing for your safari adventure: from ensuring health and safety to embracing sustainable practices. Now, we shine a light on the transformative experiences you stand to gain and the beckoning allure of the African wilderness. Before you immerse yourself in the wonders of Kenya and Tanzania, let’s anticipate the moments that will etch themselves into your memory. Poised for the journey of a lifetime? Let’s seal our preparations.

The Ultimate Safari Reflection

With every step led by a seasoned safari guide, the landscape unveils its secrets. From the rhythmic dance of the Maasai Mara’s wildebeests to the quiet majesty of Kilimanjaro silhouetting the Amboseli, this journey is more than sightseeing – it’s soul-touching.

The Call of the Wild

In the hushed whispers of the Serengeti night or the lion’s roar echoing through the savannah, the call beckons. Not just to observe, but to connect, embrace, and remember. It’s a symphony of nature, from the cascading waterfalls of Tsavo to the vast plains of the Ngorongoro Crater, all harmonizing in perfect rhythm.

A Kenya and Tanzania tour transcends itineraries; it crafts eternal memories in the heartbeats of the wild. Ready to create your own tales? Allied Travel is your trusted partner for this journey, ensuring each moment becomes an unforgettable memory.

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A Multi-Day Walking Safari Is the Best Way to See Kenya's Wildlife

By Mary Holland

The guide clicks his fingers. After three days of walking with Mpatinga Ole Nkuito, I know he is signaling a warning. We look up to see a bull elephant 50 feet away, striding through the spiny grass in search of a mate. “If he smells us, we're in big trouble,” whispers Roelof Schutte, my other guide. It's unmistakable, from the secretion that trickles down the side of the bull's head, that he's in musth—which means he's aggressive and hormonal. We stop dead, shoulders pinched to our ears. I've seen animals in musth before, but on foot it's infinitely more hair-raising. Schutte shakes his wind checker, a cylindrical brass container that releases baby powder, to establish which way the wind is blowing. The creature can't see us, but one shift in the wind and he could pick up our scent. “The elephant must never know we were here,” says Schutte.

Going unnoticed—while staying alert—is a requirement on a walking safari . Unlike in a vehicle, you're not just viewing the wild; you're within it. Animals react to you differently. ­­Giraffes freeze, as though you've caught them stealing marula fruit from the trees; topi make alarm calls to warn their clan that a potential predator is nearby. On foot, you're a threat, not an observer. While there are moments—like when we spy a leopard dashing from a tree—that my legs turn to jelly, there are others when I feel exhilarated, knowing that the electric action I'm witnessing could never be experienced from the back of a chugging four-wheel drive.

A room at Naboisho Camp, in Mara Naboisho Conservancy

Elephants are among the conservancy’s rich wildlife

Walking safaris have become more popular in eastern and southern Africa in recent years, but only a handful of places offer multiday tours. Conceived by tour operator Asilia Africa and Schutte, this five-day trip through the lands of the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association was created to encourage travelers to experience the less trafficked areas north of Maasai Mara National Reserve, some of which can be reached only on foot. These 15 conservancies comprise 600 square miles of private land owned by local Maasai but leased to investors like Asilia Africa. Bordering the reserve, they allow for the expansion of the Mara ecosystem and free movement of animals. More than 14,500 landowners have leased their property to the association so far, earning up to $5 million collectively. This unique economy, built on the pillars of community and wildlife, has created jobs for more than 2,000 people in the hospitality and wildlife sectors. “The conservancies act as land banks,” says Daniel Sopia, CEO of the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association , adding that the lease payments provide guaranteed income even in bad years . “The model is complex, but it proves to be working and could influence national policy.” Considering over-tourism has been rampant in the Mara for years and travel dollars don't always wind up in the hands of the community, scaling up a more sustainable model like this is groundbreaking.

Compared with the safaris many well-heeled travelers have come to know, where high tea awaits at 3 p.m. and air conditioners whir above the beds, this safari is decidedly less lavish. Which is not to say budget. Each day, after trekking 10 miles in eight hours, we arrive at a new camp that's been set up by Asilia staff employed from surrounding villages. We remove our boots, sink into the canvas director's chairs, and guzzle hard-earned G&Ts . Then we wash up with hot bucket showers and eat homemade bread, curries, and ugali (maize-flour porridge) cooked over a fire. Later we curl up in tents and listen to whooping hyenas and roaring lions, acutely aware that the only thing separating us from them is a thin flap of fabric.

Maasai from the village of Olsere

In the mornings we wake with the birds and fuel up on coffee before beginning our daily trek. Schutte and Ole Nkuito, a Maasai from the nomadic Ndorobo tribe, travel through the bush as if guided by an invisible compass. Ole Nkuito, who grew up walking this turf, moves through the endless plains with nothing more than a water bottle, a rungu (wooden baton) tucked into his belt, and his red shukka flapping behind him. Marching at a brisk pace in the midday sun can be taxing, but we make numerous pit stops. Sometimes we come to a screeching halt when there's a threat ahead of us, like when we spy a lone buffalo on the horizon, staring at us as though we owe it money. “They aren't afraid of anything,” says Schutte, fingering the rifle that's slung over his shoulder. “Rather than run, they attack as a defense.”

A fly camp in the Mara North Conservancy

We stop to examine smaller things too, like dung beetles. Schutte explains how the removal of dung eliminates a buildup of parasites, which in turn stabilizes the ecosystem. Having grown up going to the bush, I've disregarded countless dung beetles before, but observing them through this lens makes me appreciate them anew. We also meet with local organizations like the Maa Trust, a nonprofit that aims to boost community development. At tea one afternoon, we find women threading necklaces for Maa Beadwork, a social initiative that generates extra income for Maasai women. We leave with jewelry and beaded belts, knowing our money was well spent.

After three days tiptoeing past elephants, I've come to appreciate the interconnectedness of everything in this animal kingdom. I've also witnessed the results of preservation at work. Since the conservancy model began around 10 years ago, Schutte has seen a spike in fauna. “There's life everywhere!” he exclaims when we dip into a valley to discover nine species of mammals—scruffy warthogs, bleating wildebeests, elands flicking their tails—grazing side by side. It's thrilling evidence of the positive impact that responsible tourism models can have on wilderness areas. “This is a conservation movement to expand the ecosystem and give local people value to their land,” says Schutte. It's also a jarring reminder of our power within this fragile ecosystem, and that the monumental responsibility of keeping it in balance rests entirely upon us.

This article appeared in the January/February 2021 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here .

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Wo nach Kenia für eine lange und kurze Safari

Du hast dich für eine Safari in Kenia entschieden, fragst dich aber, wie die beste Route für deine Kenia Safari aussehen soll ?

Ein erster Blick auf einige Kataloge, in denen für Kenia-Safaris geworben wird, zeigt, dass die meisten Kenia Safaris die gleichen Nationalparks enthalten:

• Die Masai Mara , der Star aller Kenia Highlights, der auf keiner Kenia Safari fehlen darf;
• Der Amboseli-Nationalpark mit seinem legendären Blick auf die schneebedeckten Gipfel des Kilimandscharo und seinen Elefantenherden;
• Der Nakuru Nationalpark , auf halbem Weg zwischen der Masai Mara und Kenias unwirtlichem Norden, mit seinen Nashörnern und dem mit rosa Flamingos bedeckten See;
• Tsavo East oder Tsavo West National Park mit seinen roten Elefanten und seiner strategischen Lage auf dem Weg zu den Stränden des Indischen Ozeans.

Die beste Reisezeit für deine Kenia Safari

Doch: Macht es Sinn, wirklich alle Nationalparks auf einer langen Kenia Safari abzudecken?

Oder soll man nur einen davon auswählen, um sich dann für eine Kurzsafari in Kenia zu entscheiden?

Die Antwort auf deine Frage lautet: Es kommt auf deinen Reisendetyp an.

Kurz gesagt, es gibt zwei grundlegende Kategorien von Safari-Reisenden:

Diejenigen, die Kenia eingehend erkunden wollen und sich nicht damit zufriedengeben, nur ein paar Tage auf Safari zu gehen, um die Big Five mit der Kamera einzufangen.

Und diejenigen, die zum ersten Mal auf Safari gehen und sich damit begnügen, höchstens einen oder zwei Parks zu besuchen, die oft die bekanntesten und repräsentativsten des Landes sind.

Zu welcher Kategorie gehörst du?

Die beste route für eine lange, zweiwöchige kenia safari.

Wenn du ein erfahrener Reisender bist, ein Fan der afrikanischen Natur oder einfach nur die Tiere in ihrem natürlichen Lebensraum sehen willst und du überhaupt nicht am Strand interessiert bist…

Glückwunsch!

Kenia bietet unendlich viele Möglichkeiten, eine farbenfrohe Safari mit einer Reihe von Naturreservaten zu füllen, in denen es von wilden Tieren wimmelt, und traumhafte Landschaften zu genießen, die direkt aus Out of Africa stammen.

Hier ist meine bevorzugte zweiwöchige Kenia Safari, die alle Sternreservate des afrikanischen Landes abdeckt.

Dabei wird sie dich mit einigen anderen, weniger offensichtlichen Attraktionen überrascht, die du sicher nicht in jedem Reisekatalog findest.

Die beste lange Safari Route in Kenia: 1 Übernachtung in Nairobi – weil man dort landen muss

Normalerweise übernachtet man hier nach Ankunft des internationalen Fluges . Einige europäische Fluggesellschaften wie KLM landen in der Nacht an. Andere, wie Emirates und Gulf Airlines, kommen tagsüber an.

Bei allen Flügen empfehle ich, vor der Safari in Nairobi zu übernachten, damit man ausgeruht und gestärkt die Safari beginnen kann.

Aber, was ist, wenn du länger als eine Nacht in Nairobi verbringen willst?

Manche Leute mögen zwei Nächte vor dem Start ihrer Safari an einer Reisestation verbleiben, die nicht zu weit von Nairobi gelegen ist, um sich gut an das Land zu akklimatisieren und die Kenia Safari gut ausgeruht zu beginnen.

Leider bietet Nairobi nur sehr begrenzte Möglichkeiten, ein paar Tage an einem reizvollen Ort zu verbringen, um sich zu erholen und dorthin zu gelangen.

Hier sind zwei Tipps, die wir für einen verlängerten Aufenthalt in Nairobi als Auftakt vor deiner besten Kenia Safari gut empfehlen:

Giraffe manor – oder beim giraffen frühstücken.

Sein Ruf ist bereits legendär.

Es gibt nicht viele Orte auf der Welt, an denen es möglich ist, mit Giraffen zu frühstücken , die ihre Hälse durch das offene Fenster strecken, um ein Stück Salat vom Tisch zu ergattern… und das unglaublich schöne Giraffe Manor ist einer davon.

Es stimmt, dass das Giraffe Manor nicht gerade billig ist, aber billig ist das Erlebnis, das man hier hat, auch nicht.

Wenn du deine Kenia Safari mit etwas ganz Besonderem einläuten willst und genug Geld dafür hast, dann zögere nicht: Giraffe Manor ist der richtige Ort dafür.

Nairobi tented camp – savanne und großstadt.

In einem Safarizelt am Rande der Millionenstadt Nairobi zu schlafen , klingt seltsam, nicht wahr?

Im Nairobi Tented Camp, im Herzen des gleichnamigen Nationalparks, ist das aber möglich.

Du wirst den Blick auf Giraffen und andere Tiere mit den Wolkenkratzern im Hintergrund der Stadt teilen, und das alles aus dem Komfort deines Safarizeltes.

Nairobi Tented Camp ist ein angenehmer und unkonventioneller Ort, um deine schönste zweiwöchige Kenia Safari zu beginnen.

Die beste lange safari route in kenia: 2 übernachtungen im samburu nationalpark – um die raren tiere im norden kenias zu sehen.

Bei Ankunft in Kenia solltest du die Masai Mara nicht gleich überstürzen, denn das Beste kommt bekanntlich immer zum Schluss.

Und der Samburu-Nationalpark im unwirtlichen Norden Kenias hat viel zu bieten, um deinen Durst nach Wildbeobachtungen zu stillen, während man deinen Besuch in der Masai Mara, zweifellos das Juwel in Kenias Krone ist, aufschiebt.

In Samburu kann man in der üppigen Flusslandschaft am Ufer des Ngeresi-Flusses alles sehen : Löwen, Leoparden und vor allem einige der endemischen Arten des nördlichen Kenias wie die Rotklippengiraffe, den Somali-Strauß oder den Generuk.

Der Reichtum an Wildtieren und die Schönheit der Landschaft machen Samburu zu einem idealen Ausgangspunkt für eine perfekte Kenia Safari.

Die beste lange safari route in kenia: 3 übernachtungen in laikipia – weil du dich nach ursprünglichkeit sehnst.

Du hast vielleicht noch nicht viel davon gehört, aber glaube mir: Dieser abgelegene Ort im Norden Kenias ist die Mühe wert.

Laikipia ist eigentlich keine Region, sondern eine Ansammlung von Farmen in Privatbesitz, die für die touristische Nutzung umgewandelt wurden, mit einer unglaublichen Landschaft und lobenswerten Bemühungen um den Schutz der einheimischen Tierwelt und die Wiederansiedlung einiger der ikonischen, ehemals ausgestorbenen Tierarten Nordkenias, wie z. B. des Nashorns.

Laikipia ist berühmt für seine Nashörner, für seine Regenwaldlandschaften, für seine Wildhunde, dafür, dass es abseits der ausgetretenen Touristenpfade liegt und ein echtes Stück Wildnis ist.

Laikipia ist das Afrika, von dem du immer geträumt hast.

Du wirst es lieben.

Auf Safari nach Laikipia, Kenia: ja oder nein?

Die beste lange Safari Route in Kenia: 1 Nacht in Lake Nakuru Nationalpark – denn irgendwo muss man zwischen übernachten

Notwendig, um die lange Reise zwischen Nordkenia und der Masai Mara zu unterbrechen.

Die beste lange Safari Route in Kenia: 3 Übernachtungen in der Masai Mara – die Perle aller Parks in Kenia

Das unglaubliche Masai Mara Game Reserve ist zweifellos das Juwel in Kenias Krone und verdient nicht weniger als einen Aufenthalt von drei Nächten, um es uneingeschränkt genießen zu können.

Die Naturwunder der Masai Mara gibt es zu Dutzenden: Es gibt eine unglaubliche Konzentration von Raubtieren, Leoparden, Geparden, Löwen überall und eine noch größere Konzentration von Pflanzenfressern aller Art.

Darüber hinaus ist die Landschaft in der Mara mit ihrem grünen Grasland und den sanften Hügeln zum Sterben schön.

Und dann ist da noch die große Gnuwanderung , ein unvergleichliches Naturschauspiel, das du nicht verpassen solltest, wenn du deine Safari in der Masai Mara zwischen Juli und September planst.

Am besten wohnt man in einer der privaten Masai Mara Konzessionen , die an den Nationalpark grenzen, um den Touristenströmen zu entgehen, die den Park täglich überschwemmen.

Du kannst ein intimes Naturerlebnis genießen, viele Tiere sehen (und, wenn du gut wählst, auch die große Gnu-Wanderung) und müsst nicht vor jedem Raubtier, das du fotografieren willst, Schlange stehen.

Die beste lange safari route in kenia: 1 übernachtung in naivasha – um die fahrt zu unterbrechen.

Der Naivasha-See ist ein riesiger See in einem traditionellen landwirtschaftlichen Gebiet des kenianischen Ostens und besitzt keine besondere Anziehungskraft, abgesehen von seinen historischen Farmen mit kolonialem Charme und der schönen Landschaft.

Aufgrund ihrer Lage ist Naivasha jedoch ein strategischer Punkt für einen kurzen Zwischenstopp auf den besten Kenia Safaris, bevor man die Reise in Richtung Osten des Landes und an die Küste fortsetzt.

Die beste lange safari route in kenia: 2 übernachtungen in amboseli – um den kilimanjaro zu sehen.

Wenn du zum ersten Mal nach Kenia kommst, willst du es sicherlich unbedingt sehen: die wunderbare Silhouette des Kilimandscharo-Vulkans , der wie ein schlafender Riese feierlich am Horizont steht.

Zu seinen Füßen erstreckt sich der berühmte Amboseli Nationalpark mit seinen Elefanten mit den langen Stoßzähnen .

Wie das Masai Mara National Reserve zieht auch der Amboseli National Park eine große Anzahl von Touristen an, von denen die meisten in den riesigen Lodges im Herzen des Parks übernachten.

Dies entspricht nicht gerade unserem Konzept von intimen und exklusiven Safaris.

Daher empfehlen wir dir, für deine perfekte Kenia Safari eines der ausgezeichneten privaten Schutzgebiete rund um den Park als deinen Aufenthaltsort in Amboseli zu wählen, die zwar die ikonischen Ausblicke auf den Kilimandscharo bieten, aber ohne die Menschen.

Die beste lange safari route in kenia: 2 übernachtungen im tsavo ost nationalpark – auf dem weg in richtung mehr.

Es gibt tatsächlich zwei Tsavos, aber der östliche Tsavo ist der beste, wenn du die ikonischen rot gefärbten Elefanten des Nationalparks sehen möchtest.

Obwohl Tsavo nicht die gleiche Anzahl an Wildtieren beherbergen kann wie die kürzlich besuchten Parks von Amboseli und Masai Mara, ist es aufgrund seiner strategischen Lage an der Straße von Mombasa nach Nairobi ein geeigneter Zwischenstopp auf einer Kenia Safari für ein paar angenehme letzte Safaritage, bevor es weiter zu den Stränden von Diani geht.

Die beste lange Safari Route in Kenia: 3 Übernachtungen am Diani Beach – die Entspannung nach der Anstregung

Und schließlich: der Strand!

Es gibt nichts Besseres, als den roten Staub der afrikanischen Erde im warmen, türkisfarbenen Wasser des Indischen Ozeans abzuschütteln.

Nach einer intensiven zweiwöchigen Kenia Safari , bei der du alle großen Parks Kenias erkundet hast (und um 5.30 Uhr morgens aufgestanden bist, um die frühen Stunden des Tages zu nutzen, wenn die Raubtiere am aktivsten sind), wirst du so ziemlich kaputt sein.

Wie klingt das?

Das beste Ende der besten Kenia Safari ist ein Badeaufenthalt am Diani Beach.

Es gibt viele Strände in Kenia, aber der beste ist nach wie vor der Diani Beach südlich von Mombasa .

Dieser Strand ist zwar längst kein Geheimtipp mehr und wurde schon vor langer Zeit vom Massentourismus entdeckt.

Aber wenn du dich vom zentralen Bereich weiter südlich entfernst, findest du immer noch relativ ruhige Enklaven, in denen du dich in aller Ruhe entspannen kannst, ohne dass zu viele als Massai verkleidete Beachboys deine wohlverdiente Ruhe stören.

Die beste aller Kenias Kurzsafaris

Wir haben die beste zweiwöchige Kenia Safari beschrieben, perfekt für jene, die viel Zeit auf Safari und wenig Zeit am Strand verbringen möchten.

Was ist, wenn du zum ersten Mal auf Safari in Kenia bist und du nur einen Vorgeschmack auf die Safariwelt bekommen möchtest, ohne zu tief in das Erlebnis einzutauchen?

Wenn du deine zweiwöchige Kenia Reise zwischen Strand und Safari aufteilen willst, dann lies hier weiter.

In den folgenden Zeilen werde ich dir verraten, was deine ideale Kenia Kurz-Safari ist:

Nairobi: 1 Übernachtung

Schlaf die erste Nacht in einem komfortablen Hotel im europäischen Stil, das sich nicht allzu weit vom internationalen Flughafen Keniatta befindet, um verstärkt und erholt die Safari zu beginnen.

Amboseli Nationalpark: 2 Übernachtungen

Als Einstieg für deine beste Kenia Kurz-Safari ist der ikonische Amboseli Nationalpark im Osten Kenias fantastisch.

Er bietet fast alles, was man sich wünschen kann: eine atemberaubende Landschaft , den wunderschönen Blick auf den Kilimandscharo und Elefanten im Überfluss , eine Tierart, die sicherlich jeder Safarianfänger unbedingt sehen möchte.

Die Elefanten von Amboseli sind in ganz Kenia berühmt, vor allem weil die Stoßzähne einiger Männchen eine unglaubliche Länge erreichen können.

Da Amboseli der am zweithäufigsten besuchte Park in Kenia ist, empfiehlt es sich, die Menschenmassen zu meiden und in einer der hervorragenden privaten Konzessionen rund um Amboseli zu übernachten.

Hier hast du nicht nur den Luxus, in luxuriösen Lodges zu übernachten (denn die Lodges in diesen Konzessionen sind klein, sehr exklusiv und wunderschön), sondern du kannst auch den Menschenmassen aus dem Weg gehen, ohne auf den einzigartigen Blick auf den Kilimandscharo aus deinem eigenen Zimmer verzichten zu müssen.

Masai mara: 3 übernachtungen.

Drei Nächte klingen auf einer Kenia Kurzsafari vielleicht nach viel, aber glaube mir, das ist es nicht.

Die Masai Mara ist nicht zufällig der wichtigste und spektakulärste Nationalpark in Kenia, und die drei Nächte dort werden wie im Flug vergehen .

Selbst wenn du nicht zur Zeit der großen Gnu-Wanderung reist, sind die Reichtümer der Mara nicht von dieser Welt: Die Dichte der Raubtiere, die der Park beherbergt, ist brutal, die Landschaft ist atemberaubend, die Herden der Pflanzenfresser sind gigantisch.

In der Masai Mara weiss man einfach nicht, wo man hingucken soll.   

Flug an die küste.

Von der Mara aus kann man mit dem Flugzeug zum Flughafen in Diani Beach fliegen und in wenigen Stunden vom Safaristaub in den weißen Sand des Strandes am Indischen Ozean eintauchen.

Und warum nicht von Mombasa aus in den Tsavo Park auf Kurzsafari fahren?

Nun, ich werde es sofort sagen: weil das jeder macht.

Und es ist furchtbar.

Doch was für eine Art von Safarierlebnis ist es, wenn einen Teil des Parks mit Horden von Touristen überschwemmt wird, die etwas erleben wollen, das einer echten Safari ähnelt, ohne eine zu sein?

Ich will nicht, dass du ein Teil davon wirst.

Außerdem macht es keinen Sinn, den Tsavo auszuwählen, nur weil man ihn überland erreichen kann.

Denn Tsavo is der Park mit der geringsten Wildtierdichte in Kenia.

Was ist der Vorteil von Tsavo? Gute Erreichbarkeit über die Straße, aber ist das Grund genug?

Wenn es nur ein Nationalpark auf der besten Kenia Kurzsafari sein soll, wäre es nicht unvergleichlich besser, ein Leichtflugzeug zu nehmen und direkt in die Masai Mara zu fliegen?

Nimm meinen Rat an.

Du wirst es mir danken.

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Nationalparks & Safari in Kenia

Übersicht der Safari-Parks in Kenia

• Kenias Nationalparks im Detail: Lage, Fakten und Tierwelt

Mit über 60 Nationalparks, Reservaten und Sanctuaries bietet das artenreiche Kenia Reisenden, Naturfreunden, Tierliebhabern und Botanikern eine riesige Bandbreite an Safari-Touren – auch unter Wasser in Meeresschutzgebieten wie in Malindi und Watamu . Eines der größten Kenia-Erlebnisse sind die Lodge-Übernachtungen in abgelegenen Safari-Camps ( Unterkünfte in Kenia ), wo Besucher nachts nur durch eine feste Zeltwand von Widtieren getrennt sind.

Jeder Nationalpark hat einen ganz eigenen Charakter und dadurch, dass die meisten Parks nicht durch Zäune abgetrennt sind, können Wildtiere auf ihren uralten Wanderrouten durch das Land streifen. Weiter unten in unseren Artikeln erfahren Sie, welche Nationalparks wo liegen, wie sie sich auf einer Reiseroute verbinden lassen und welche Kenia-Reiseangebote für diese Parks angeboten werden.

Die Nationalpark-Eintrittsgelder kommen dem Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) zugute, die damit sowohl die noch nicht gänzlich erschlossenen Schutzgebiete finanzieren, sowie dem Tier- und Artenschutz allgemein. Die Jagd ist in Kenia seit 1970 zum Glück verboten.

Unkompliziert von Nationalpark zu Nationalpark: Lodges und Fahrzeuge sind bereits für Sie gebucht!

Kenia • Tansania

Safariperlen und Sansibar 15 Tage Safari zu den „Big Five“ in Masai Mara, Samburu, Solio und Aberdare plus Baden auf der Gewürzinsel

• Masai Mara National Reserve

Amboseli National Park

Samburu national reserve.

• Tsavo East und Tsavo West

Laikipia National Park

• Lake Nakuru National Park (UNESCO)
• Lake Turkana National Park (UNESCO)

Taita Hills

Victoria see & kisumu impala sanctuary, lake naivasha national park.

• Buffalo Springs National Reserve
• Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
• Mara North Conservancy
• Mara Naboisho Conservancy
• Meru National Park
• Nairobi National Park

Kenias Nationalparks sind, mit Ausnahme der Masai Mara, auch für Mietwagenreisen geeignet.

Für Entdecker: Mietwagenreise durch Kenias wilden Süden Von Nairobi an den Indischen Ozean – Kenia für Selbstfahrer

• Naturnahes Camp im Lumo Conservancy
• 3 Nächte am Fuße des Kilimanjaro im Amboseli NP
• Picknick am unbekannten Lake Challa

War die passende Safari-Reise noch nicht dabei? Nehmen Sie Kontakt zu unseren Kenia-Experten  auf !

Kenias Nationalparks im Detail

Masai mara national reserve.

Nationalparks , Nationalparks & Safari in Kenia

Der Masai Mara ist das wohl beliebteste und bekannteste Nationalreservat Kenias, ist Teil der Serengeti und grenzt im Südwesten an den tansanischen Serengeti-Nationalpark. Kenia-Safarireisende lieben dieses Schutzgebiet aus einem ganz besonderen Grund. Denn im ewigen …

Im Angesicht des Kilimandscharo: Elefantenherden, Salzstaub, Akazien, Savannenland und Sulphurquellen! Vor der beeindruckenden Kulisse der schneebedeckten Gipfel des Kilimanjaro wandern riesige Elefantenherden durch die weiten Steppenlandschaften des Amboseli Nationalparks. „Amboseli“ ist ein Wort der Massai …

Ein großes Ökosystem im Zentrum Kenias. Ein wahres Paradies für Naturliebhaber und ruhesuchende Reisende befindet sich in der Landesmitte Kenia: Das Samburu National Reserve. Rund um den Ewaso Ngiro River liegen drei Schutzgebiete, die Teile …

Tsavo East und Tsavo West Nationalpark

Rote Elefanten und nahe am Indischen Ozean! Von Kenias Ozeanküste direkt in den Tsavo! Seine gute Lage macht den Nationalpark  so attraktiv für einen Strand-Safari-Urlaub, denn von Mombasa aus erreicht man ihn in drei bis …

Laikipia ist das DAS TOR ZUM WILDEN NORDEN Intime Tierbegegnungen, absolute Ruhe, atemberaubende Wildnis und endlose Weite – abseits der höchst touristisch erschlossenen Nationalparks und Reservate liegt im zentralen Hochland Kenias die Laikipia-Region. Sie zieht …

Lake Nakuru National Park

Eine Pirschfahrt durch den Lake Nakuru Nationalpark lässt die Herzen aller Safarigänger höher schlagen; über 50 Säugetierarten wie Hippos, Büffel, Löwen und Wasserböcke streifen durch das Gelände, aber auch bedrohte Tierarten wie Breitmaulnashörner oder die …

Lake Turkana National Park

Der Lake Turkana National Park gilt als DIE WIEGE DER MENSCHHEIT. Auf zur „Wiege der Menschheit“ – ganz im Norden des Landes reist man zurück zum Beginn der Menschheitsgeschichte. Lake Turkana National Parks besteht aus …

Die saftig-grüne Landschaft macht TAITA HILLS zu einem der beliebtesten Ziele in Kenia. Was die Taita Hills für viele Besucher zu einem der beliebtesten Ziele in Kenia macht, sind die saftig-grüne Landschaft, die pitoresken Bergdörfer, …

Der VICTORIA SEE ist Afrikas größter See. Der Victoria See ist nicht nur für die kenianische Fischerei-Industrie von besonderer Bedeutung, auch Hobby-Fischer werden den ein oder anderen Nilbarsch fangen können. Aber nicht nur zum Fischfang, …

Der Lake Naivasha ist der größte Süßwassersee in Kenia am Ostafrikanischen Grabenbruch. Die mit Gelbrinden-Akazie bewaldete Umgebung des Naivasha Sees im Südwesten von Kenia gilt Ornithologen weltweit als hervorragendes Gebiet mit über 400 Vogelarten. Aber …