Kenya consistently ranks as one of the best places to go on safari in Africa. If you’re planning a first-time safari in Kenya, you’ve come to the right place. Since 1998, unforgettable trips to the ‘birthplace of safari’ have been tailor-made for thousands of travellers from across the globe.
Key Regions and Destinations
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. This is typically where all Kenya safari itineraries start, as Nairobi is the country's logistical hub. 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 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. 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.
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.
Because it shares the longest part of Kenya's border with Tanzania, this is the best place to see snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. 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.
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Way down on the south-eastern coast are some of Kenya’s best beaches. Hit Diani and nearby Galu for top beach lodges and water sports like kitesurfing.
Getting Around
International flights land and depart from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. Light aircraft flights for fly-in safaris to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and other areas depart from Wilson Airport, which is about 15km (10mi) away from JKIA. Chartered flights are a great way to get around Kenya, saving you long road transfers and allowing for more time on safari.
Budgeting and Tipping
At Go2Africa, we don't sell one-size-fits-all packages. We prefer to match your budget to give you a tailor-made Kenya experience, splurging and saving where it makes sense for your individual needs. A bare-bones budget may involve 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. Don't be shy to chat with your Africa Safari Expert about your budget and what you hope to get out of your vacation to Kenya. We advise clients to have an idea of a budget band that they feel comfortable working within and disclosing this at the earliest opportunity.
In Kenya, it is customary - but not obligatory or mandatory - to give tips to service staff in gratitude and thanks for good service. For transfers, consider tipping about US$5 per couple in your group.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation in Kenya ranges from down-to-earth mobile camps that move with the Wildebeest Migration to very lavish lodges and modern city hotels.
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Wildlife Viewing
Kenya is a safari hotspot because it offers fantastic year-round game viewing, thanks to its moderate climate and wide-open spaces. Because the land is so flat and open, it's really easy to get a 360-degree view and to spot animals.
Arguably Kenya's biggest wildlife gem: the crossing of about two million wildebeest (and zebra and gazelle) over the Mara River into the Masai Mara National Reserve to feast on fresh grazing. It's impossible to know exactly when the wildebeest will cross the Mara River - they decide and the mind of a gnu is pretty inscrutable. They don't all cross in one place at the same time either: large groups will cross at different places on different days. Predators make the most of the arrival of prey.
Although Kenya is technically a Big 5 destination in the sense that lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino are found here, it's difficult to see them all in the same place. It's much easier to find leopards, lions, buffalo and elephant. The Migration brings out predators en masse and although they aren't part of the Big 5, cheetah are ideally adapted to the Mara's wide, flat, open plains that allow them to reach top speed with few obstacles.
If you want to see rhino, then head to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. It has a successful and highly sophisticated conservation project that has seen these gentle giants thrive. Lewa is a safe haven for the critically endangered black rhino, as well as endangered Grevy's zebra and wild dog. Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya's Laikipia region is another fantastic destination to see rhino.
Planning Your Trip
Getting your timing right depends on many things. Solo travellers, families and honeymooners should tailor their safari to their interests - if you love camping at home, for example, then consider time in an authentic tented camp.
Read also: Budgeting for Africa Travel
Safety and Health
Kenya is a very safe country to visit. Its tourism industry is one of the most important in the country and thousands of travellers go on safari safely every month. The risk of malaria is low during Green Season and very low during peak season. Check with your doctor about taking precautions.
Drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. Don't overdo alcoholic beverages. Don't walk around camp after dark, even if it is fenced. Always obey your Kenya safari guide's instructions. Even if they seem ‘tame', the animals are still wild.
What to Pack
What to include in your Kenya safari packing list depends on the time of year you are visiting, the activities you will be undertaking and the luggage restrictions on the transport you will be using. Kenyans generally dress casually in shorts, jeans, sandals and trainers. This attire is acceptable in public places unless otherwise stated. Restaurants and hotels do sometimes have dress codes, which are usually smart- or business-casual.
Your Kenya safari packing list should include lightweight clothing in neutral colours such as khaki, brown, beige or green. Avoid white - it will get dirty quickly - and black, which can get very hot during the day and may attract mosquitoes at night. Early-morning game drives in open vehicles can be very chilly, but the day will heat up quickly as the sun rises - so it's always best to dress in layers.
Trips With a Purpose
When you plan a trip to Kenya, there is so much to see and do that it can be difficult to whittle down your itinerary to just a select few. No matter what the best Kenya safari for you entails, from seeing the Great Migration to ethical encounters with giraffes and elephants in Nairobi, your trip can help conserve the environment and wildlife. Our Trips With A Purpose are a collection of safari itineraries that offer a visits or immersive, hands-on experiences that support local conservation projects. Not only will you stay in the finest accommodations and beautiful locations, but the below luxury Kenya safaris also give you the opportunity to experience unique activities like camelback safaris and traditional village visits.
Expert Planning
With over 25 years of traversing safari destinations under their belt, our African Safari Experts are perfectly positioned to craft a Kenya holiday that ticks all your boxes.
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