Kenyan Safari: Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered.

Safari’s are not your average holiday and so it’s not always easy to know where to start. And even if you do call an expert, do you even know what you need to know?

I’m scoured the internet for your frequently asked questions on Kenyan Safaris and answered them all below.

Is Kenya good for a holiday?

Being on the equator, Kenya has a good climate year round.

Tourism is also a huge source of income to the country and therefore provides a large amount of jobs to communities especially those in rural areas who otherwise wouldn’t have much opportunity for steady work. Tourists are therefore welcomed with open arms and genuine smiles.

From views of Mt Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park, the red soil of Tsavo and plains of the Maasai Mara featured in hundreds of documentaries including the series Big Cat Diaries, Kenya has a varied landscape for safaris, each area bringing something different.

After your safari if you need a little rest and relaxation then the white sand beaches of the Kenyan coast are the perfect spot to kick back and go through all your photos.

What kind of holidays are there in Kenya?

The two most popular holidays in Kenya are safari and beach breaks or of course, a mix of both if you have the time.

The beaches of Kenya used to be a popular sunny seaside location, with multiple direct flights from London to the coastal city of Mombasa. Although its lost some of its popularity as a beach only destination many still book a beach break after their safari and with Diani’s palm tree fringed white sands it is the perfect place to put up your feet after a non-stop safari.

What is Kenya known for?

Best known for it’s array of incredible wildlife and proud tribes people with a strong connection to their culture. When most people think of Kenya they’ll think of big cats, the Masai Mara national park and the incredible Masai tribe.

Is it safe in Kenya?

Kenya is a huge country, and generally it is very safe with many thousands and thousands of tourists visiting annually. Like anywhere in the world you need to be careful in the main cities of Nairobi and Mombasa and just check with your drivers or guides on where to go. It isn’t recommended to leave your hotels on foot after dark and if walking in the day, leave any jewellery or expensive pieces in the safe of the hotel.

However once out on safari you can leave those worries behind and all you need to keep an eye out for are the animals! Those monkeys can be be quite the thieves!

How much does a safari cost in Kenya?

There’s a few ways to do safari depending on your budget.

Your cheapest option is to go on a shared tour. Usually this will have 6 - 8 people sharing a 4x safari vehicle with a pop up roof for viewing the animals while in the park and the same driver will look after you throughout the tour. The transport costs are shared and normally the operators get good group rates so this is usually the most affordable option. Tour prices excluding flights start at around USD $1200 per person depending on duration.

Have a look at G Adventures for some great group tour options.

For a more bespoke option prices are dependent on duration, number of people in the group, standard of lodges and hotel as well as which parks you travel to. As a rough guide, you would be looking at around USD $5000 per person for decent lodges in the popular parks for a week with all food and park fees included. Contact me if you’d like a bespoke safari quote.

There’s some incredible options if you have some pennies to spare. Private plane safaris, hot air ballooning and helicoptering up Mt Kenya to fly fish at the top are just some of the amazing ways to make a safari in Kenya an unforgettable experience for you or a once in a lifetime family getaway. Get in touch if you would like to start planning a dream African adventure.

NB: Make sure you always check whether park fees are included, these can be as much as USD $100 per person per day in some of the most popular parks so can be a huge hit if you haven’t factored it into your budget.

Which is the best safari in Kenya?

There are so many ways to enjoy a safari trip in Kenya depending on what your budget allows. My advice is to try to visit a few areas as each park has its own ecology, landscape and biodiversity so you’ll see something new each time. However, only if you have the time. Don’t try and tick off as many places as you can in a limited time.

Africa has its own pace and its certainly not to rush, take your time and try to stay 3 nights at least in one area, the staff and camps are part of the safari experience and the longer you stay the more you’ll feel at home and understand the cultures and people of the country which is just as fascinating as the wildlife.

Have a look at some of my recommended itineraries to get some ideas flowing.

What is the best time of year to go on safari in Kenya?

Kenya is a great almost year round destination. Being on the equator the days are the same length throughout the year and the weather is always warm when the suns out.

The safari seasons are split into 3, the low season, shoulder season and high season.

• Low season - this is typically April, May and November due to the rains that visit at this time. Great for getting the cheapest deals but the rains can be quite consistent and the land can get boggy so worth sticking to the parks with tarmac roads or good quality tracks.

• Shoulder season - tends to be late January, February, March, June and October. The weather should be dry and being away from school holidays and the wildebeest migration season there is still availability to be found last minute and camps aren’t at their highest prices. As long as you don’t have kids schools to work around or only going for the migration, this is my recommended time to go, February and October being my favourite.

• High Season: December, July, August and into September. December we have the Europeans getting away for a warm winter break and safari is a unique way to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. The summer months are not just the long school holidays but also migration season, so this is the busiest time to come. Availability is low, prices are high and the parks are full of tourists. If you are desperate to see the migration or can’t avoid the holidays, make sure you stay in the outer conservancies which don’t get as busy as the National Parks. Read my blog on National Parks Vs Conservancies to learn more.