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Thinking about a Kenyan safari? These are the questions that come up most. Anything we’ve missed, drop us a line and we’ll sort it out.
Accommodation, meals (usually breakfast, lunch and dinner), park entry fees, airport transfers and game drives with an experienced guide. Bottled water is available on the drives. When we quote you on your specific trip, we make sure to list everything that is included and not included, so you don’t have to guess.
It depends on what’s on your wish list. The months of July to October are busy months: dry weather brings animals to waterholes and the Mara is the time of the Great Migration. Try January or February when there are fewer people, good weather and newborns on the plains, and the predators come in. If you can travel during the rainy season (April to May or November) you will pay less and the parks will be less crowded, the scenery is lush and good for photos, but a few tracks will be muddy and animals will be harder to find. Tell us how much you have to spend and what you must see and we’ll find the perfect month for you.
Very much so. We regularly take family trips and tailor the days to the ages of your children. A guide to track animals, a game viewing and a night under canvas is typically a hit with younger travellers. Most lodges are family friendly, but remember that some activities may have a minimum age requirement, especially walking safaris, which are often 12 or 16, and the occasional high-end lodge will not accept children. Please share everyone’s ages during the planning phase and we will direct you to properties and activities that will suit the whole group.
An eVisa is needed for UK passport holders, applied for online ahead of travel. It is not too difficult to fill out and the cost is about $50. Give it a week or so to process and preferably do it before it hangs over you. The proper links and instructions will be provided after booking. Here’s one thing to check yourself: your passport must have at least six months’ validity from the day you enter.
Wear light, simple clothing in khaki, brown, olive or beige; bright colours may frighten animals. Cold mornings and nights are often followed by warm days, so bring layers and a fleece or light jacket. Include sun protection (hat, sunglasses, strong sun cream), insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with extra batteries and memory cards. Walking shoes and sandals around the lodge will come in handy. Avoid overpacking; lodge laundry is quick and efficient. A full list is provided after booking.
If you are travelling in the peak season from July to October, book 6 to 9 months in advance, and even earlier for named lodges or larger groups, as the popular camps sell out fast during the migration. Other than those months, 3 to 6 months is usually a good amount of time to give you plenty of options. But short notice is not impossible either. We’ve arranged cracking trips at the last minute; depending on what is available, you may have to be flexible on accommodation.
A wide variety, depending on the season, the duration of your trip, the parks you are visiting and the level of luxury. Camping safaris start at around £150 to £200 per person per day, mid-range lodge safaris are around £250 to £400, and the luxury end starts at around £500 and upwards. We can work to most budgets. The best thing you can do is be honest with us about your ceiling, and we’ll create the best trip within that.
No hidden agenda; we tell you what’s in and what’s not. Gratuities (allow $10 to $15 per person per day for your guide, less for lodge staff), drinks (unless your trip is all-inclusive), your visa, travel insurance, souvenirs and any extras added to the itinerary. Premium drinks and spa treatments are chargeable at some lodges. Everything is set out in your quote so you can budget accordingly.
That’s exactly what we do. We’re not really into a fixed package; we’d rather mould the trip to you. Longer in a favourite park, photography-led routing, walking safaris over drives, a stretch on the coast, cultural stops: whatever the interest, tell us that and the pace you enjoy, and we’ll plan to fit. It is why people prefer us over a group tour that is ready-made.
Anything from tented camps to full luxury lodges, according to taste and budget. The tents are not roughing it; they have real beds and en-suite bathrooms, and the lodges have pools, spas and serious cooking. Size varies too, from big properties of 50-plus rooms to intimate camps of six or eight tents. So does location: some are inside the park with the game right at their doorstep, others are just outside. We will guide you through it and recommend what is best for you.
Generally yes, from the day you arrive to the day you leave, with the three main meals standard and afternoon tea and snacks often thrown in. The exact arrangement is specified in your itinerary. Good food is to be expected at the lodges, local dishes as well as international ones, often based on fresh local produce, and truly memorable dining at the top end. Some lodges include everything in the price, while others charge for alcohol and upscale options.
Yes. When booking, please mention any allergies, restrictions or preferences, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal or specific allergies, and we will ensure that each lodge is notified in good time. Kenyan lodges are used to catering for international visitors and most requirements are no trouble. The more information you provide, the better they will take care of you.
Everyone’s first question, and the one no honest operator will guarantee, because wildlife does as it pleases. The roll call in Kenya includes the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, a variety of antelope, hyena, jackal and birds by the hundred. The rest is determined by location, season and a bit of luck. Our guides know the ground and how animals move, and most visitors find lions, elephants and plains game easy to come by. Leopards are more discreet, but we do turn them up from time to time in the right places.
Two, as a rule. The first starts at around 6:30am to catch the animals when they are most active and can last for 3 to 4 hours, including a coffee stop in the bush. The second leaves around 3:30 to 4pm and continues until dusk falls and the night animals come out. Some trips include a full day out with a picnic lunch within the park. The number will be indicated in your itinerary, and additional private drives can be arranged at most lodges.
Yes, in some places, and they make all the difference. Walking allows you to read the tracks, see the little things, the plants and insects, and begin to understand how the system works together in ways a vehicle can’t demonstrate. It is led by an armed, trained guide, and when done correctly it is completely safe. It’s not about big game, although it does occur; it’s about being in the bush. Not all places allow walking, so we’ll let you know where it fits into your trip. For instance, you can do a walking safari in conservancies such as Mara Siana. So if you’d like to have one, let us know at the time of your booking so that we can advice you accordingly.
Food eaten outside of the lodge. Imagine breakfast on the riverbank with hippos for company, or dinner by the light of a lantern with the night alive around you, under the acacias. The staff set up the tables, chairs and the full spread; it’s half the fun watching them do it. Some lodges have it included, others charge for it. Say the word and we’ll build it in.
The areas we operate in are safe and well controlled. Tourism is a key part of the economy and the safety of visitors is paramount, with rangers patrolling the parks and conservancies and lodges having their own security. Treat Nairobi as you would any big city: don’t leave valuables in view, use registered taxis, stick to familiar areas. In other words, we wouldn’t send our own family members somewhere we wouldn’t want them to go. Thousands of UK visitors come to Kenya on safari every year without any problems.
Yellow fever cover is not required if you are flying from the UK, as it is not endemic there. Maintain up-to-date routine immunisations, including tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Some travellers choose to take hepatitis A and typhoid, although the risk is kept low by staying in good lodges. Make a GP or travel-clinic appointment at least 6 to 8 weeks before your flight, as some vaccines require a run-up or multiple doses. Health notes are provided on booking.
All guides are equipped with a complete first aid kit and are trained in its use. Supplies are stored in lodges, and many have a doctor on call or a clinic nearby. In serious cases, air ambulance can be used to transport patients to the well-equipped hospitals in Nairobi. This is why it is essential to have full travel insurance that includes medical expenses and evacuation, as evacuation alone can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Protocols and contacts are maintained and we are here for you no matter what arises.
The safari areas are in malaria country, so do not take it lightly. Take antimalarials as prescribed, starting before you leave, during your trip, and completing the course upon your return. Reach for a DEET repellent at dawn and dusk when the mosquitoes are worst, sleep under the nets every lodge supplies, and cover up with long sleeves and trousers of an evening. Do those things, like most visitors do, and you’re highly unlikely to have any trouble. Your GP or travel clinic will determine the appropriate medicine.
Rugged 4x4s, mostly Toyota Land Cruisers, with pop-up roofs to get up high and watch and shoot. They’re well maintained, can be taken on long drives without any trouble, and are equipped for game viewing, with charging points, a cooler box for drinks and binoculars. On a longer safari, the same guide and vehicle are used throughout, so they will learn your interests and adapt the days accordingly.
Mostly by road, in your own safari vehicle, which is as much game viewing as it is transport; the transfer is part of the safari, not dead time in a car. Some hops take a few hours, but the countryside and often the wildlife keep you busy. If the lodge is far away, or time is limited, we can fly you between the airstrips close to camp. It costs more than driving, yet it’s quick and the view from up top is something else. We’ll lay out the choices against your time and budget when we plan.
Absolutely. The coast is a popular add-on, particularly Diani Beach and Watamu. Others add a Mount Kenya hike, a balloon ride over the Mara, an additional night at a place they’ve fallen in love with, or a visit to a conservation project. Name it and we’ll weave it in. It’s your trip and we’re happy to make changes in advance or on the fly.
Yes, if they interest you. Arrangements can be made to meet Maasai villages, Samburu communities and other local groups, hand in hand with the communities and not put on for the tourists. You will hear about daily life, customs, the pressures people are under, and how tradition and the modern world meet, and the money goes directly to the people you meet. First, we will give you an overview of what to expect and how to be a respectful guest.
Yes. We have contacts with a number of Maasai communities and can facilitate visits with real substance. Elders and community members will share their semi-nomadic way of life, their herding, beadwork, songs and ceremonies. Many of our guides are Maasai or have close ties, so the context is clearly conveyed and questions are answered properly. The community determines what is public and what remains private, ensuring that it remains an exchange and not a display.
It is based on timing: the closer to departure, the higher the fee, as deposits to lodges and suppliers are often non-refundable by then. The complete terms will be in front of you when you book, before anything is set in stone. That’s why we advocate for full travel insurance from the time of booking, including cancellation cover, in case of illness, a family emergency or other covered reasons that require you to make a change.
Simply tell us. A birthday or anniversary we can plan a surprise for, mobility needs (accessibility varies from lodge to lodge), a photographic focus (birds, big cats, landscapes), a gentle or a packed pace: it all helps us plan better. The sooner we hear about a concern, the better, and nothing is too small to report.
Emergency numbers, our office line and mobiles for the people who matter, around the clock. Most lodges have good mobile coverage these days, and many provide wifi, although it can be slow, while a few of the more remote camps have no signal at all, which suits the occasional visitor just fine. Your guide is equipped with communications as well and can call us if something is needed. Whatever arises, we’ll deal with it quickly.
We’d welcome it. Let us know what went well, what surprised you, and what we can do better; that’s how we get better. Email is fine, as is a review on our site or TripAdvisor, or simply call for a chat. We always follow up with clients after each trip, but you don’t have to wait for us. Feel free to contact us any time you like.
Please notify us as soon as possible and we will get on the case. We will contact the lodges, your guide and anyone else who may have picked it up. Lost items are not rare and are typically found, as lodges are careful about sweeping rooms when guests leave. Found kit can often be sent to your next destination or posted home. The quicker you flag it, the better the chances.
For more information about Kenya safaris, wildlife behaviour, conservation issues, and practical travel tips, have a look through our blog. We post regularly about what's happening in different parks, seasonal wildlife movements, and stories from recent safaris.
Before you book, please read our Terms and Conditions page so you understand our policies on bookings, payments, cancellations, and responsibilities. It covers the important details you need to know.
If we haven't answered your question here, get in touch. We're happy to have a proper chat about what you're planning, answer specific questions, or just talk through your ideas. No obligation - sometimes a conversation is the best way to figure out the safari suits you.
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