How to plan a Kenya safari

How many days do you need for a Kenya safari?

Three days is a good minimum for the Maasai Mara alone, and six or seven days covers a classic route that adds Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha or Amboseli. Our Kenya journeys run from day trips around Nairobi to ten days, and the most common pattern in our catalogue pairs the Mara with the Rift Valley lakes and Amboseli.

Count full days in parks rather than the number of parks: travel days between bases leave less time for game drives. Our guide to getting around on safari explains why.

Which parks are best for a first Kenya safari?

For a first safari, the Mara plus one or two of Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Amboseli gives a strong variety of landscapes and animals without long gaps between them. Samburu and Tsavo suit a second trip or a longer one.

Budget, midrange or luxury? Group or private?

The comfort level changes where you sleep and eat more than what you see: the parks and the game drives are the same. Our budget journeys name stays such as Miti Mingi Eco Camp, while midrange and luxury journeys stay at lodges agreed during planning. Budget, midrange or luxury explains the differences in detail.

Style is the other choice. On a group-joining safari you share the vehicle with other travellers, which our catalogue confirms for the 3 Days Maasai Mara Budget Safari and one longer Kenya and Tanzania journey; a private safari keeps the vehicle to your party; and a tailor-made journey is built around your dates and interests.

When should you go?

Kenya is a year-round destination, Kenya Wildlife Service says, with July to March as its high season and April to June as the low season of the long rains. The Kenya Meteorological Department describes the main rains from March to May and a second rainy season from October to December. The Mara Conservancy says the migration usually reaches the Mara around June or July and stays until November. Our best time to visit Kenya guide goes month by month.

How much does a Kenya safari cost?

It depends on the number of days, the comfort level, the season and how many people share the vehicle. Our catalogue publishes per-person prices for its budget journeys, some by season and some by group size, and quotes midrange and luxury journeys for your dates. Use the published prices as a guide to the budget end, and compare quotations on what they include rather than the headline figure.

• Which park and conservancy fees are included
• Which meals and drinks are included at each stay
• Whether the vehicle is private or shared
• Airport transfers, and the first and last nights
• Optional activities, such as a balloon flight or a cultural visit

Money, phones and staying connected

Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan shilling. Ask each stay which payments it accepts, and carry a little local cash in small notes for small purchases. Mobile coverage and Wi-Fi vary between parks and camps, so do not rely on being online every evening; download maps, documents and anything you need before you set off. Customs around tipping vary, so ask us what is usual on your journey rather than guessing.

Common first-time mistakes to avoid

• Trying to see too many parks, so most days are spent driving.
• Assuming the migration is in the Mara all year, or planning around a river crossing: no crossing can be guaranteed.
• Leaving entry documents late: see our entry requirements guide.
• Booking a travel-health appointment too close to departure: see our safari health guide.
• Packing too much, or the wrong colours: see what to pack.
• Comparing safari prices without comparing what each includes.

Kenya or Tanzania for a first safari?

Both make an excellent first safari, and the choice often comes down to timing and route. Kenya’s Maasai Mara pairs easily with the Rift Valley lakes and Amboseli by road from Nairobi; Tanzania’s northern circuit links Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti from Arusha. With more time, you can do both: see combining Kenya and Tanzania and our Tanzania safari guide.