Kenya Safaris

Immerse yourself in the awe, pleasure and beauty of Kenya. Wildlife, stunning landscapes, joyful people and culture, delectable cuisine and exotic white sand beaches, to name a few; in Kenya, you can have your love experience, wildlife hunt, climbing urge, and cultural encounter. The word “Safari” was born in Swahili, a widely spoken language in the country, which means “journey,” therefore when that word is said, “destination Kenya should follow.”

Your vacation is well worth it, thanks to a diverse spectrum of biodiversity, mild weather, mountains and wonderful water bodies, among other endowments. Kenya is in East Africa, near the equator and is bordered on the west by Uganda, to the north by South Sudan and Ethiopia, southeast by the Indian Ocean, south by Tanzania and the north-east by Somalia. After the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro, Mountain Kenya is Africa’s second highest peak. You can consider visiting Nairobi, the country’s most populous and well-known capital, which boasts excellent infrastructure, historical monuments and tourism attractions.

Mombasa. This is the country’s vibrant commercial hub that has evolved into a world class leisure destination. Mombasa city, Kenya’s second largest capital after Nairobi is situated on the calm Indian Ocean’s shores. Some of the attractions and activities in Mombasa include snorkeling, scuba diving and dolphin tours at Marine Park National Park and Wasini Island, exploring the ancient 16^th century Fort Jesus, Mombasa Go-Kart, cinemas, fishing and other beach sports.

Over 28 national parks and game reserves, as well as various cultures and historical sites, are distributed across the country. Masai Mara national park, which has the world’s largest concentration of predators, Lake Nakuru National Park for countless pink flamingos, Lake Naivasha for stunning scenery, Amboseli national park for large elephant herds and views of Mount. Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya national park, Hell’s Gate national park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Tsavo national park are among the top safari destinations. The tour operators on the ground offer cheap safaris and luxury safaris for both solo and group trips.

Why visit Kenya?

Whether it’s your honeymoon, summer or winter holiday, family hangout or business vacation, the Republic of Kenya is that undisputed destination worth your time and money. Think of the stunning landscape, historical heritage, museums, lush vegetation, maximum safety and security, tasty cuisines and classic accommodation facilities spread across the country. Below are some of the attractions in Kenya that are a must-see and worth to experience.

Kenyan people and rich cultures.

Kenyans are known for their welcoming and accommodative nature. They speak mainly Kiswahili, but English and other local dialects are also widely spoken. It is easy to eat, drink, walk, trade, mix freely and dance with the Kenyan people, regardless of one’s nationality or color. The notable cultures include that of the Maasai Warriors known for their traditional outfit, heights and cattle keeping, the Samburu people, and Kikuyu. A community / Cultural tour is one way of understanding the rural life of Kenyans and to get fulfilling entertainment.

The Annual Wildebeest Migration.

This is a wonder in the continent of Africa, notably the largest animal movement on earth. The migrants include over 2 million wildebeests, zebras, gazelles and other antelope species, from Serengeti national park to Masai Mara National Park in Kenya.

The perfect description of this trip is survival for the fittest as migrants have to bypass the obstacles in waters infested with Hippos and crocodiles, valleys and territories marked by lions and other predators. It is a tough task, which most of the migrants don’t survive to have a taste of fresh pasture and water – a primary reason for this long journey. Great migration is a safari highlight, which is best witnessed between June and October, as the herds cross the Mara River.

Beach safari.

Spread along the south shores of Indian Ocean, enjoy the calm ocean breeze while at different beaches in Mombasa, Kenya. The Palm-decorated white sand beaches offer a great resting paradise on earth for all tourists and many more. These beaches include; Malindi, Diana beach, Watamu beach, Lamu beaches and Twihi beach among others. These beaches are open all year round, but then some measures must be adhered to under this situation of Covid-19.

Wildlife in Kenya.

Kenya is gifted by profusion of wildlife species within its towering mountains, national parks, water bodies, lush forests and game reserves among others. Wildlife viewing in a safari vehicle and on foot unveils you to Kenya’s resident mammals, stunning landscape, birds and primates. The notable wildlife you will not want to miss out include; African Big 5 mammals namely; Lions, elephants, leopards, Cape buffaloes and Rhinos. Other residents are hyenas, several Antelope species, giraffes, cheetahs and magical wildebeests. Notable birds include the ostrich, flamingos and the sunbirds.

Cost of a Kenya Safari.

You can travel to Kenya on a budget or luxury budget; with the cost dictated by the number of activities, trip duration, accommodation and means of travel. Kenya is so affordable and amazing. For the national parks, the entrance fees for non-residents range from $20 to $80, whereas east African citizens and Kenyans pay from 350-1200 Kenyan shillings. Children from the age of 3 to 12 years pay have the adult price.

Is Kenya safe for tourists?

Absolutely yes! Kenya is one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. It is safe in terms of general security, food, water and accommodation. People here are so welcoming and entertaining while giving the visitors the best of experiences. National parks, cities, markets, beaches and streets are well-guarded, with security personnel paying closer attention to all visitors and property.

You may also decide to experience Kenyan night life. It is expected that while in the streets, don’t take photos in restricted places, avoided smoking in public, move with a guide who knows the place, language and put on long dresses / trousers.

Covid-19 safety protocols for Kenya.

With Covid-19 virus in place, all visitors have to be safe from the start to the end of their trips.  Operating procedures have been put in place and followed by all the lodges and attraction sites across the country and must be followed by all visitors from the start to the end of their stay, everywhere at all times. The protocols set don’t at any time affect the level of fun and freedom to enjoy your tour in Kenya.

It is expected that to travel to Kenya, you must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or come with negative PCR results, between 1-3 days before arrival. Wear a face mask covering your nose and mouth at all times, stay at least 2 meters off the crowds, wash hands/sanitize, record your name and temperature when required.

Health requirements for Kenya.

As you lay down your travel plan to Kenya; the following are some of the requirements needed for tourists; the mandatory Yellow fever vaccination certificate must be presented at all points of entry into Kenya; Hepatitis B vaccination is also recommended, Typhoid vaccine for specific regions, Rabbis vaccine for high-risk countries, anti-malarial drugs, meningitis and so much more. Vaccinations can be got at least 4 months before travel date and evidence of the vaccination card is required upon arrival.

Tipping on a Kenya safari and currency used.

Tipping is one way of showing gratitude for the great service rendered. It can be to your driver guide, waiter at the hotel, porter or a ranger / site guide at a particular destination. This is accepted and encouraged in Kenya as it is a motivation, step to work harder and determination. It is wise to give at the last hours of your safari; to the person, you are pleased with or to a particular group.

There is no specific tipping fee, but rather at your discretion and level of satisfaction but 10$ – 20$ per person per day is ideal. As though it is, most Kenyan guides, waiters, porters, are not well paid, so the tip given can be used to settle some family bills and their daily demands.

At a restaurant, a tip of around $5 and more is worth it. You can drop in the tip box so that everyone shares or give directly to the staff in question. Tipping a porter, driver-guide or ranger guide can be from around $10-$20 or more, depending on how pleased and satisfied you are. Also feel free to appreciate using some items like a camera, shoes, gifts, bags and any other equipment that you may have.

Feel free to tip using a currency at your disposal, notably; USD dollars, Euros or the local Kenyan currency. Kenyan notes are portioned as 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 Kenyan shillings, whereas the coins start from 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 Kenyan shillings. You can exchange cash from the forex Bureau, Banks or the accommodation facilities. Note that we recommend tipping to be on the last day of your trip.

When is the Best Time to Visit Kenya?

June to October and December to March are the best Months!

Kenya is open for tourists all year round, with activities and tourist destinations open throughout the week, from 07:00hours to 19:00hours local time. January to February the country is dry, and hot, with animals and birds converging around available water bodies, thus the most ideal season for game viewing and photography.

March to May, the first heavy rains are experienced and the green beauty emerges. It is the best time for nature photography, and bird watching. This is also a low safari season thus the lucky few travelers enjoy discounts, space, and fun. The rains fall for a short period, and later sunshine can be experienced.

July to September; the country is dry and cool, with an interchange of rainfall and sunshine. It is the month of famous annual wildebeest migration, as grasslands thrive and animals get so active. Most safaris take place during these months.

From October to December, each day of your safari is made so unique as the early hours of the day are often warm while evenings are so cool. It is the best season for beach activities and thrilling adventure.

Packing for Kenya safari.

A Kenyan safari list should comprise only what is necessary for the trip. These include;  comfortable hiking Boots, Vaccine Certificates, Jacket and sweater, beachwear, camera, Binoculars, Visa, passport, decent clothes, trousers, dresses, mosquito repellents, gloves, first aid kit, personal sanitary towels and so much more. Quantity of luggage to be packed should be dictated by the number of days you will attend and as recommended by your airline.

Kenya visa requirements and fees.

A visa is one of the compulsory documents for all those intending to travel to Kenya. These differ and are charged independently as follows – Transit Visa at $20, courtesy Visa at Gratis, Referred Visa at $50 and East African tourist Visa at $100, Multi entry Visa of 6 months or 1 year is at $100 and single entry Visa at $50. Requirements include; a Valid passport (6 months, and with 3 continuous blank pages), recent colored passport size photograph, tour package or hotel booking confirmation and return ticket. A traveler can also apply for a Kenyan visa online through visa.go.ke.

Getting around and about the country.

Foreigners or citizens, traveling around Kenya is secure, safe and possible, with plenty of attractions to see. You may decide to walk on foot, or in a safari vehicle for unlimited time and to the permitted places. Meanwhile, it is advisable not to take photos everywhere before asking for permission, since some places are private and restricted.

Other options are using a chattered or scheduled domestic fight, like the Jambo jet to the regional airstrips and national parks, motorbikes, taxis or public buses. Night movements, though possible but are not recommended, except for emergency cases or with a local guide who is conversant with the place. Transport fares depend on travel time, means used and distance covered. It can be anywhere from 100 Kenya shillings or more.

A safari to Kenya is unforgettable and so interesting. The beauty of this destination itself is so immense, unspoiled and cool.