Kenya Safari Faqs : Top 9 Questions About Kenya Safaris : When is the best time to visit Kenya? The best time to visit Kenya is from June to October. The majority of trails are open during these months, and the weather is typically dry (although it can get very hot in October and at the end of September). Additionally, the Masai Mara’s wildebeest and zebra migrations coincide with this. This is the dry season, and as it goes on, animal water sources tend to diminish and dry up, attracting animals in large numbers to those that are still available.
Except for June, which is one of my favorite travel months, high-season costs are in effect. Additionally, there are more people around. In some parks, the line of safari vehicles can detract from your enjoyment, and during the migration, the Masai Mara can become completely congested with vehicles in some areas.
Visitors also enjoy visiting during this time because migratory birds arrive, travel is rarely hampered by rain, and the country turns a lovely shade of green. Because heavy rains are always a possibility and can turn safari trails into muddy bogs, most tourists stay away during these months. However, costs are lower, and there are no many people around.
Why visit Kenya? What are the major attractions?
The main draw to Kenya is its incredible wildlife. Even though the migration attracts a lot of tourists, Kenya is wonderful all year. In addition to the Masai Mara National reserve, there are a number of top-notch national parks in Kenya, including Amboseli, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo East, and Tsavo West, where excellent wildlife viewing is almost always possible. All of this adds up to a wide range of safari options in Kenya.
Kenya is home to the Big Five, including healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhinoceros. The birdlife is also exceptional, and the country is home to the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana, and other ethnic groups. The sheer variety of habitats also results in beautiful scenery, including endless horizons in the Masai Mara, tropical forests in Kakamega, starkly beautiful parks in the north, and unmatched views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli.
What does a Kenyan safari cost?
Kenya offers excellent Safari options from the lower end of the price range (starting at US$175 per person per day) to luxury Kenya safaris (starting at US$1000), offering more variety than most other African safari destinations.
While lodging is a significant portion of the cost for many tourists, it can also depend on how you wish to travel between the different parks. Air transfers, typically via Nairobi, can be expensive but significantly cut down on the amount of time you’ll spend on the road, allowing you to spend more time in the parks. Also keep in mind that the majority of Kenya safari packages will include lodging, all meals, and activities (including game drives).
How is the wildlife viewing?
From park to park, it may differ. Amboseli, Masai Mara, Samburu, and Lake Nakuru are among the more well-known parks in Kenya that you can visit on a tour, and they all offer fantastic opportunities to see wildlife. All of these parks are excellent all-around safari destinations because of their dense wildlife populations, which allow you to see as many animals (and various species) as you can in a short amount of time.
Other parks are more specialized, allowing you to check off a hard-to-find species, typically without the crowds, like the birds and primates of Kakamega and the sitatunga in Saiwa Swamp. And in the conservancies of Laikipia, which cost more but offer a more secluded Kenyan safari experience, with the exception of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, there are no crowds and great opportunities for wildlife viewing. Since most of these conservancies allow off-roading, you can get much closer to the animals there than you would in a national park.
How safe is Kenya for tourists?
A Kenya safari is generally safe, but there are a few things you should be aware of. There is a reputation for violent crime in Nairobi and, to a lesser extent, some other Kenyan cities. Although I’ve spent a lot of time in Nairobi and other places and have never once experienced a problem, it does occur frequently enough to warrant constant caution and adherence to local advice in these cities.
Traveling on the nation’s roads could also be dangerous because of the high accident rate. By avoiding Nairobi and other major cities as much as you can, never traveling at night, and flying between the parks, you can reduce the risk. Kenya’s charm is rarely found in its major urban centers. The risk from wild animals is minimal; the majority of Kenya safari trips and operators have excellent safety records. As long as you abide by the safety instructions and briefings from the guides, you should be fine.
How do I select a reliable tour operator for a Kenyan safari?
Reading about other people’s safari experiences is the best way to choose a Kenya safari tour operator. It’s likely that their reviews will address many of your questions (before you even ask them) and speak to the professionalism of the various operators with whom they’ve traveled.
Otherwise, it’s crucial that you get in touch with any tour operators you’re thinking about using before making a reservation and asking any questions you might have. The mode of transportation, the frequency of meals, the daily safari schedules, and the languages your guide speaks, or the number of other travelers who will be in your vehicle are just a few examples. Give as much detail as you can.
It’s true that not every operator offers specialized Kenya tours, but preparation is always better than ignorance. The operator’s openness to questions can serve as a good indicator of how they will interact with safari goers.
What type of accommodations can I expect?
In general, you can anticipate better accommodations the more expensive your Kenya safari is. At the low end, campsites are typically simple, occasionally crowded, and not always in the best parts of national parks or reserves, but they are reasonably priced and frequently have plenty of amenities like showers and restrooms.
The mainstays of the Kenyan safari scene are lodges, and they come in a wide range of quality. While many lodges within reserves and national parks have excellent locations, they are old and in need of renovation, while others are opulent and have just undergone renovations.
You will sleep in spacious walk-in tents in tented camps, including mobile camps; these tents are similar in size to lodge rooms but have canvas walls and floors instead of wood. You can hear the sounds of the African night thanks to canvas tents. Hopefully, if the tents are properly spaced, you won’t hear the sounds of your fellow guests.
These tents and lodge rooms typically have comfortable beds (not camp beds), a desk occasionally, and a private bathroom; some even have an outdoor shower with no roof but walls to protect your modesty. You’ll probably need to recharge your devices somewhere other than your room, especially in tented camps, at a power station in the main gathering place.
What can I expect from a safari in Kenya?
Most safari days start with a soft African voice waking you up well in advance of sunrise. You head out in a safari vehicle for a few hours in search of wildlife after quickly getting dressed and drinking some coffee or tea. This time, as well as the final few hours before sunset, are excellent for viewing wildlife.
Mid- to late-morning is when you’ll return to the lodge or camp for a formal sit-down breakfast. The hottest part of the day, when even animals seek refuge in the shade, is spent doing very little after a few hours of relaxation, lunch, and more very little. Around 3 PM or 3:30 PM, afternoon tea, also known as high tea in a nod to colonial-era safari customs, is served. After that, it’s back out in search of wildlife until it gets dark.
Just before dusk, you’ll make a stop for another safari tradition, the “Sundowner,” where you can sip your favorite beverage while taking in the sunset. You get back to camp in time to freshen up before dinner and head to bed in preparation for a very early start the following morning.
What is the weather like in Kenya on a safari?
All year long, the Maasai Mara experiences daytime highs in the mid- to upper-70s, making it a very comfortable place to go on safari. Wearing a fleece or sweatshirt is advised because evenings can get into the 50s. For those who choose to extend their safaris there, it tends to be a little warmer on the coast than it is on Laikipia’s high plateau. Kenya experiences rainstorms occasionally throughout the year, but they typically occur in the afternoon and are usually brief and spectacular.
