How to Plan a Safari to Kenya

Imagine waking up to the sounds of hippos taking baths in a river nearby. Or watching lions roam the plains in search of their next meal. Giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest roaming comfortably with each other with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background is what daydreams are made of. Where can you get all of this? Kenya. Here’s how to plan a safari to Kenya!

Kenya has a diverse terrain bringing a wide variety of animals – making it one of the most popular safari destinations in the world.  And now is the best time to go. Kenya Airways now has a direct flight from New York (JFK) to Nairobi. So what used to be a 22-hour travel time (including a layover typically in Europe) is now a 14-hour direct flight. (If you need some help staying sane on long-haul flights, look here.) Kenya is a great place to try to spot the big five – African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, and Rhinoceros. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a leopard – but we did get to see a cheetah up close! Be sure to check out my simple wildlife photography tips to get the perfect shot.

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The north of Kenya has Mt. Kenya, dense brush, and thick forests.  The southwest has the Masai Mara – home to the great migration and vast open spaces. In the southeast is Amboseli – boasting Mt. Kilimanjaro and herds of hundreds of elephants.  Our Kenyan safari encompassed all aspects of the country – which is what a good safari should do.  The variety of habitats increases the chances to see diverse wildlife. Depending on how long you have, you can also enjoy some amazing hikes in Kenya.

A typical safari day in Kenya 

Each camp and lodge has its own routine but most follow a similar guideline. 

Typically, wake up is an early time – between 5 and 5:30 am for a sunrise safari.  A friendly knock on the door followed by “Jambo” is the best alarm clock. Jambo is hello in Swahili.  They bring along your wake up beverage of choice (for me, it’s tea) and some nibbles to hold you over until breakfast.  

Then its time for the first of two safaris (the second one will be at sunset). The animals are the most active during these times since they are the coolest times of the day.  The safaris last between three and four hours each depending on the animals. Typically, one stop is made for food, refreshments, and stretching your legs. I recommend relieving yourself during this stop as well.  I didn’t during one stop and we ended up tracking a pride of lions for about an hour that night!  

In between the safaris, you can be at leisure.  Take a nap, read, or talk to other guests. At one camp, there were two filmmakers and they had much better cameras than me so I got to enjoy some of their footage!  One place we stayed had a pool with a view of Kilimanjaro – I could’ve stayed there for at least a month. 

Excursions on safari

While animal spotting is the main goal of a Kenyan safari, many companies offer other excursions and activities.  Some of them are included with your stay – like a bush walk to learn about the various foliage. Some of them cost extra – like a sunrise hot air balloon.   Ask your guide for information and prices regarding their excursions.  

We were able to add on a visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to our safari. The Trust works with baby elephants who were orphaned and will be released back into the wild when they are old enough. They also have a number of other animals including rhinos, but we were not able to see them.

Another common excursion is visiting a local Maasai camp. On the one hand, it is a little weird (for me) to see people in their homes – imagine someone taking photos of you in your home. On the other hand, it gives people a chance to see how others live and appreciate the differences (and similarities). The Maasai are used to people in their homes and will showcase their practices and culture with you! I believe that if you do your research and are respectful of the locals (including asking to take photographs) then this could be very beneficial. We loved our visit with the Maasai and purchased some of their handmade goods!

Safari safety

I have never felt unsafe on safari – either by people or animals.  Tourism is an integral part of Kenyan economy – so tourists are welcomed and doted on.  
Upon arrival at camp, there will be an introduction talk that covers the schedule and safety precautions. 

In the camps, you are allowed to walk freely, but you will see many guards posted.  At night, there are more guards around and they will escort you around the camp. If you protest, they will ignore you.  They are there to protect you from animals that may have wandered in. At Mara Bush camp, there were hippos nearby – so I happily welcomed the guards anytime I walked around.   Never get between a hippo and water! 

Fun fact: Hippos kill more humans than lions do.  They are very territorial animals. 

On a game drive, do not get out of the vehicle unless the guide says it is okay to do so.   Never interact with animals – no petting or feeding. While many animals are comfortable with safari vehicles, they are wild animals and should not associate cars with food.  

When to go to Kenya

July – mid October – Great Migration season.  In my opinion, the best time to go. It’s also dry season.  Since there isn’t a set schedule for the migration – August and September are the safest bets.  

November – December is shoulder season, meaning it’s typically cheaper to travel during this time, without the risks of rainy seasons. 

January- March Dry season again

April – May rainy season 

The most popular time to visit is during the Great Migration, meaning prices will be higher.  However, other than the large herds of wildebeest, the animals are there year-round.  

During the rainy season, you’d probably save money on flights and lodging – however, there’s an increase in rain and therefore an increase in mosquitos and the diseases they carry, like malaria.  

Be sure to pack repellant and bracelets no matter what time of the year you go. 

Important info for travel to Kenya 

Passports are needed.  It must be valid for six months BEFORE your arrival and not expire until six months after you depart.  You also need two blank pages for stamps.  

Safari Lingo

Learning the language of the place I’m visiting is one of my favorite hobbies. It also helps me get excited about my visit. While everyone on our safari spoke English, there was some lingo that I was unfamiliar with. Be sure to learn safari terms and phrases before you go!

Visa

For visitors from the United States: you can get a visa upon arrival in Kenya, but I recommend applying for visas before you travel somewhere – it’s just one less thing to worry about and one less thing that could go wrong.  You can apply for the $50 visa at evisa.go.ke 

Vaccinations – Check CDC

Currently, there are no mandatory vaccinations.  However, there are a few recommended vaccines such as yellow fever, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, rabies, and meningitis.  Malaria pills should be considered especially during the rainy season or if you’re staying for an extended period of time. 

Packing for a Kenyan safari

Layers. Layers. Layers.  Kenya is near the equator, so it’s very warm.  Wear breathable light clothing. However, since the game drives are around sunrise and sunset, you’ll want a light jacket to help keep you warm.   Other than that, be sure to have plenty of mosquito repellant! I swear by these bracelets as well – less stuff on my skin and they work!

You also want to pack light. Depending on how you get to different destinations, you may take small commuter planes. This is especially true if you decide to do your own itinerary and not go with a group. Since we were with Sunworld Safaris, our guide drove us between the camps (Joe was an amazing guide!).

Money & Gratuities

Kenyan shillings are the go-to money in Kenya. However, US Dollars are widely accepted at most camps and tourist places. Try to leave any tips in shillings though, so the locals don’t have to convert.

Travel tip: Put any tip money in envelopes at the beginning of your trip so you’re not surprised or short cash at the end. You can always add to the tip along the way for superior service.

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