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ULTIMATE GUIDE TO A KENYA SAFARI

June 15, 2019

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Whether you pronounce it ‘Ken-ya’ or ‘Keen-ya’, one thing is for sure: Kenya consistently ranks as one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations. An average of 80 000 people a month from across the globe visit this diverse country every month – thousands of safari goers are lucky enough to see the astonishing wildlife areas like the Masai Mara National Reserve and spectacles like the Great Wildebeest Migration.1. Location and Landscape

1. Location and Landscape

Kenya is a fairly small country in East Africa. Its capital and central transport hub is Nairobi, which is more or less in the centre. Safari travellers fly into the international airport known as a Jomo Kenyatta and use the domestic airport next door – called Wilson – for connecting flights.

Spotting kudu at Loisaba Tented Camp.

NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Using Nairobi as a central point, these are the major areas to the north, south, east and west of the capital.

NORTHERN KENYA The further north you travel, the drier and hillier the landscape becomes as the area doesn’t benefit as much from the rains the south-west of Kenya receives.

That being said, there are still superb safari options here, including Samburu National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Laikipia. The more arid conditions suit species like gerenuk, the Somali ostrich and Grevy’s zebra. Lewa is also the best place in Kenya to see rhino regularly and consistently. On clear day you may be lucky enough to see Mounts Kenya and Meru.

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Why go to Samburu for African Safari

Lewa with Kifaru camp.

SOUTHERN KENYA Because it shares the longest part of Kenya’s border with Tanzania, this is the best place to see glacier-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain the world. Kili actually lies in Tanzania but Amboseli National Park is so close to the border that it is clearly visible.

This part of Kenya is wetter and the terrain more varied: Amboseli, for example, is a beautiful mix of open savannah, wetlands, woodlands and hills, making it ideal for a wide variety of species, from bat-eared foxes to elephants. Nearby are the Chyulu Hills and Tsavo East and West National Parks.

Way down south on the coast are some of Kenya’s best beaches. Hit Diani and nearby Galu for top beach lodges and water sports like kitesurfing. Head to Funzi Island for snorkelling and diving.

Alfajiri Cliff Lodge near Diani.

WESTERN KENYA The biggest name in western Kenya is of course the Masai Mara National Reserve, home to some of Africa’s best year-round game viewing as well as the annual Wildebeest Migration. Present in their hundreds of thousands from about July to November, the massive wildebeest and zebra herds attract constant attention from Africa’s top predators and consequently visitor numbers are high in peak season.

The biggest reason that the Masai Mara attracts the Migration is because its open, flat savannah produces superb grazing. There are few thickets, forests or high peaks: the wide landscape is a safari classic with green grass that turns golden as the seasons pass. The plains attract plains game like topi, reticulated and Masai giraffe, and Thomson’s gazelle, and are dotted with occasional flat-topped acacia trees.

The Masai Mara with Elephant Pepper Camp.

CENTRAL KENYA The area around Nairobi also has plenty of conservation areas, the most popular being Nairobi National Park. Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha as well as the Aberdare mountains. The land is green and lush during the rainy season while the lakes attract plenty of bird- and wildlife.

Hemingways Nairobi hotel.2. Cost

2. Costs of a Kenya Safari

It’s really tricky to give costs for a Kenya safari because there are so many variables: the time of year you travel, the luxuriousness of the accommodation you prefer, whether you drive or fly between destinations, and what extra activities you add on like hot-air ballooning, spa treatments, mountain biking or even cultural visits.

As we don’t sell one-size-fits-all packages, we prefer to match your budget to giving you a tailor-made Kenya experience, splurging and saving where it makes sense for your individual needs. A bare-bones budget may involve overlanding through Kenya (travelling with a group on a massive truck) while a once-in-a-lifetime indulgence could mean going private all the way.

For most travellers we create a journey somewhere in-between: perhaps sharing transport but then upgrading to the area’s best lodge. Or choosing a slightly more economical tented camp in order to spend a day or two longer on safari. There are no rules and thus no two Kenya safaris are the same.

That being said, here are some ballpark figures for a safari Kenya, with transfers and accommodation included on a price-per-person-per-night (PPPN) basis:

Kenya

4-star comfort	4-star luxury	5-star luxury
Low	High	Low	High	Low	High
$260 – $340	$300 – $500	$420 – $480	$580 – $680	$800 – $880	$920 – $1120

Don’t be shy to chat to your Africa Safari Expert about your budget and what you hope to get out of your vacation to Kenya so that they can plan an itinerary that suits you perfectly.

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Why is an African safari expensive?3. The best accommodation

3. Best Kenya Safari Accommodation

Accommodation in Kenya ranges from down-to-earth mobile camps that move with the Wildebeest Migration to very lavish lodges and modern city hotels. Here are some of our tried-and-tested favourites across the country: