Kenya Safaris:
Plan Your Perfect Safari

The minimum worthwhile safari is 4 days. Most visitors spend 7–10 days which allows two or three parks and a more complete experience. If combining with a beach extension, 10–14 days is ideal. For a first safari we recommend 7 days minimum.

For peak season (July–October) book 6–12 months ahead — premium camps sell out fast. For shoulder and low season 3–6 months is usually sufficient. Last-minute safaris are possible but accommodation choice is limited.

Yes — essential. Medical evacuation to Nairobi can cost $10,000–$50,000 without insurance. Safari Travel Plus requires all clients to have appropriate cover with medical evacuation before travel.

Our safaris typically include accommodation, all meals, game drives with guide and vehicle, park fees and airport/airstrip transfers. Excluded: international flights, Kenya eTA, travel insurance, balloon safaris, premium drinks, tips and personal expenses. We provide a full itemised quote.

Yes — every Safari Travel Plus safari is custom. We use sample itineraries as starting points and adapt duration, lodges, parks and activities entirely to your preferences and budget at no extra charge.

National parks are government-owned and managed by Kenya Wildlife Service. Private conservancies are owned by families or communities — they charge their own fees (usually included in accommodation rates) and permit activities not allowed in parks: night drives, walking safaris and off-road driving.

Yes — Kenya is a well-established and safe safari destination. The main national parks and private conservancies are secure. Nairobi requires the same awareness as any large city. Safari Travel Plus monitors conditions and will advise if any areas require special consideration for your specific dates.

Yellow fever vaccination is required if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. If arriving from the UK, USA, Europe or Australia it is recommended but not mandatory. We provide a pre-travel health checklist for all bookings.

Yes — all five are present in Kenya. The Masai Mara has excellent lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. Rhino is best at Ol Pejeta (largest black rhino sanctuary) and Lake Nakuru. A 7-day itinerary combining the Masai Mara and Ol Pejeta virtually guarantees the complete Big Five.

The wildebeest are in the Masai Mara from approximately July to October. Peak river crossings — the most dramatic spectacle — happen July to September. The herds begin returning south in October. The migration cannot be guaranteed on any specific day.

The Masai Mara has one of the highest lion densities in Africa — multiple resident prides well documented by guides who know individual animals by name. Lions are also reliably seen in Amboseli, Samburu, Tsavo and Ol Pejeta.

Yes — Ol Pejeta Conservancy has the largest black rhino population in East Africa and is also home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth. Lake Nakuru has both black and white rhino.

Five species found only in northern Kenya — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. They are unique to the semi-arid habitats of Samburu and surrounding reserves. None are found in the Masai Mara.

African wild dogs are present but rare — Laikipia and Samburu have small populations. They are one of Africa's most endangered predators and a sighting is exceptional. Do not plan a safari specifically for wild dogs in Kenya.

Kenya has over 1,100 recorded bird species. Lake Nakuru for flamingos (up to a million). The Masai Mara for exceptional raptors. Amboseli for waterbirds. Samburu for unique northern species. A specialist birding guide can be arranged on request.

Dry season (June–October) is generally better — wildlife concentrates around water points and vegetation is low making animals easier to spot. Wet season has advantages — newborn animals, dramatic skies, green landscapes and far fewer vehicles.

Between $150 and $1,500+ per person per day depending on accommodation style, transport, parks and season. A 7-day mid-range Kenya safari typically costs $3,500–$5,500 per person all-inclusive. Use our safari cost calculator for a specific estimate.

Costs reflect real value — conservation fees protecting wildlife, remote accommodation with high operating costs, experienced licensed guides, quality vehicles. Park fees alone ($75–200 per person per day) fund anti-poaching that keeps the ecosystem alive for future generations.

No — tips for guides and camp staff are not included in our quoted price. The customary amount is $15–25 per person per day for your guide and $5–10 per person per day for camp staff. Not mandatory but genuinely appreciated.

Booking through Safari Travel Plus costs the same as or less than booking direct — we have contracted rates with lodges. The value we add is expertise, seamless logistics, backup support and accountability. A problem on safari is easily resolved through us and extremely difficult to resolve alone from abroad.

With Safari Travel Plus there should be none. Our quotes include accommodation, meals, game drives, park fees and transfers. We clearly state what is excluded in every quote: international flights, eTA, insurance, balloon safaris, premium drinks, tips and personal expenses.

For trips of 7 days or less — yes. Flying saves 4–6 hours of road travel per leg, you arrive fresh and game drives begin immediately. For 10+ day itineraries the road journey has its own scenic value and the saving is significant.

A lodge has permanent structures — stone or wood buildings with fixed roofs. A tented camp has luxury canvas tents on wooden platforms — often more immersive as you can hear the bush at night. Both offer comparable levels of comfort at the same price point.

Yes — luxury tented camps are extremely safe. The canvas is thick, zippers are secure and camp staff patrol at night. You will hear sounds outside — this is part of the experience. Always use the escort service provided for moving around camp after dark.

An exclusive-use property is booked entirely by one group — typically 2–6 rooms, your own private guide and vehicle, and complete flexibility on timing and activities. Prices are typically $2,000–$5,000 per night for the entire property. Safari Travel Plus can arrange exclusive use for the right group size.

Location within or adjacent to the park (minimise driving time), guiding quality, room numbers (fewer rooms = more exclusive game drives), included activities (some charge extra for walks and night drives), and whether vehicles are shared or private.

Yes — most established lodges have family cottages, interconnecting rooms or dedicated family tents. Some luxury camps have minimum age requirements (typically 5 or 12). Safari Travel Plus confirms the exact family policy and recommends suitable properties for your children's specific ages.

A fly camp is a temporary mobile camp set up in a remote location — tents on the ground with basic facilities. It offers a more authentic wilderness experience. Usually arranged as an add-on to a lodge stay. Available in Laikipia and Samburu — ask us when booking.

Kenya safaris work well for children from about 5 years old. Some luxury camps have minimum age policies of 12. Very young children can find early morning starts and long drives tiring. Safari Travel Plus recommends the most appropriate lodges for your children's specific ages.

Yes — thousands of families visit Kenya annually. The main safety consideration is following guide instructions and never walking outside camp without an escort. Modern safari vehicles are comfortable and secure. Malaria prophylaxis is important for children.

Game drives are the primary activity and most children find them genuinely thrilling. Many lodges also offer junior ranger programmes, Maasai cultural visits, bush walks for older children and wildlife tracking lessons. Amboseli's calm elephants are particularly good for younger children.

Yes — most lodges offer child rates for children under 12, typically 30–50% of the adult rate. Park fees are also reduced for children. Safari Travel Plus calculates child rates transparently in all quotes.

Amboseli is our top recommendation for families — calm elephants at close range, open plains for easy wildlife spotting, compact park with no long drives, and excellent child-friendly lodges. The Masai Mara is also outstanding for older children.

Lightweight clothing in neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige, grey — no white or bright colours). A fleece or light jacket for dawn drives. Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Camera with 200mm+ telephoto. Soft-sided bag (hard cases not accepted on domestic flights — 15kg limit). Binoculars.

Most domestic airlines allow 15kg total per person including hand luggage. Bags must be soft-sided — no hard suitcases. Excess baggage can be stored at Wilson Airport, Nairobi. Safari Travel Plus advises on packing and can arrange excess luggage storage.

Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all safari areas. Your options are atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), doxycycline or mefloquine — consult your travel health clinic for the most appropriate choice based on your health profile. Start the tablets before departure as directed.

East Africa Time (EAT) — UTC+3 all year round. No daylight saving changes. Kenya is 3 hours ahead of GMT, 8 hours ahead of New York (EST) and 5 hours behind Sydney (AEST).

Swahili and English are both official languages. English is widely spoken throughout the tourism industry, at lodges and in Nairobi. Learning a few Swahili phrases — jambo (hello), asante (thank you), hakuna matata (no problem) — is warmly appreciated by locals.

Start by filling in our planning form at /tailor-made/ or sending us a WhatsApp. One of our Nairobi-based specialists contacts you within 24 hours, prepares a custom itinerary and quote, revises until it matches your vision, then confirms with a deposit.

We typically require a 30% deposit to confirm your booking with lodge partners. The balance is due 60 days before departure. For last-minute bookings within 60 days, full payment is required at confirmation. We accept bank transfer and major credit cards.

Cancellation policies vary by lodge and season. Generally: 90+ days before departure — deposit refunded minus bank charges. 60–90 days — 50% of total cost. Under 60 days — full cost. Peak season lodges often have stricter policies. Full details are in your booking confirmation.

We guarantee our pricing is competitive with booking direct. If you find the same itinerary, same lodges and same dates at a lower price from a comparable licensed operator, share the details and we will review. We cannot match prices from unlicensed operators whose standards we cannot verify.

Yes — directly. Kenya's wildlife exists because safari tourism funds its protection. Park fees pay for rangers and anti-poaching. Lodges employ local staff and support community schools and clinics. Without tourism revenue, conversion of wildlife habitat to agriculture would be rapid. Safari Travel Plus works exclusively with operators who demonstrate genuine conservation commitment.

Choose conservancy lodges over government park lodges where possible — conservancy fees go directly to local communities. Tip guides and staff generously. Buy crafts from community markets. Bring a reusable water bottle — most lodges provide filtered water. Avoid single-use plastics.

A community conservancy is land owned by local Maasai or other communities converted from livestock farming to wildlife habitat. The community earns income from safari tourism rather than cattle — creating a direct financial incentive to protect wildlife. Samburu's Kalama and Sera conservancies are excellent examples.

Neither is objectively better — they are different. Kenya has the Masai Mara, excellent infrastructure, wider budget range and shorter distances between parks. Tanzania has the larger Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and generally fewer vehicles in the parks. Many visitors combine both countries.

Kenya is more traditional — open savannah, iconic wildlife, authentic experience. South Africa offers malaria-free options and diverse landscapes. Kenya's Masai Mara is harder to match for sheer wildlife drama. For a classic first safari Kenya is our recommendation.

Both are outstanding. Amboseli's elephants are the most relaxed and accessible in Africa — at close range with Kilimanjaro as backdrop. Botswana's Chobe has larger herds (sometimes 500+) but a different landscape. Amboseli offers the most iconic elephant photography.

Yes — one of our most popular combinations. Fly Nairobi to Kilimanjaro or Arusha, spend 4–5 nights in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, then return to Kenya. Total trip: 10–14 days. The Great Migration crosses between both countries July–October.

The combination of wildlife diversity, accessibility, genuine warmth of its people and the Masai Mara's unmatched predator density. It is the most complete safari destination — every budget from backpacker to ultra-luxury, parks for every interest, excellent domestic air connections, and the most experienced guide community in Africa.