You must be prepared if you plan to go on a safari in Kenya. As a tourist, you must consider several factors, such as the season, the clothing, visa arrangements, and the tour and travel company you use. We have created these tips on planning the perfect Kenya Safari to ensure your trip is worth it.
As always, feel free to ask for safari advice and how we can create a custom-made Kenya safari for you. A customized Kenya safari has been made specifically for you and your family. So what should you know when planning a safari in Kenya?
10 Tips on Planning the Perfect Kenya Safari
The first thing that every tourist in Kenya needs to consider is the travel season. The travel season can either enhance your experience or dampen it. For example, touring in April and May will not make sense if you want to visit the Masai Mara to see the great wild beast migration.
The rainy season in the Masai Mara begins in April and May.. During this season, the park receives 23 days of rainfall. During this period, most lodges in the Masai Mara close because of low demand.
Therefore, the best time to visit Masai Mara to see the great wildebeest migration is the month of July. July only receives 11 days of rainfall and is the beginning of the great wildebeest migration. The wildebeest migration lasts until November when the wildebeests cross into the Serengeti National Park.
1. Consider the Travel Season
When considering the travel season, tourists must also consider the type of activities they want. For example, if you are a bird lover, the best time to see wild birds in the Masai Mara would be in November in the riverine forests. During November, you will see various bird species, such as the Mash Harriers, Double-toothed barbets, and Pallid Harriers.
If you plan to go on a Mombasa safari, the best travel time is between July and October, during the dry season. During this time, the seas are calm and safe to swim and surf. If you plan to see the humpback migration in Mombasa, June is the best time. In June, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica for food and breeding grounds.
2. Determine Your Budget
You must ask yourself whether you prefer a luxury or a budget safari. Luxury travelers can spend anywhere from $2000 – $15,000 a night. Luxury travel is about personalized experiences, such as private tours, tailored itineraries, and unique activities like horse riding in the Mashes and air safari.
Luxury travelers who visit the Masai Mara get access to exclusive locations that are not accessible to the general public. In addition, luxury tourists can access fine dining services, including high-end cuisine with locally sourced organic ingredients.
Also, the entire trip is all about relaxation and pampering. For this reason, luxury tourists have access to wellness facilities, private spa services, and a concierge at their disposal.
What about budget travel?
Budget travel is all about affordability, cost-effective accommodation, and shared transportation to National Parks and tourist destinations. Budget tourists avoid eating at high-end restaurants and prefer local spots because they are more affordable. A reasonable travel budget should range between $600 -$1000 daily. With this budget, you and your family will have a good experience with practical comfort and luxury.
3. Get the Right Clothes for the Safari in Kenya
When you travel from Europe or Canada, you must understand the ecological conditions of the country. Kenya does not snow, nor does it have high humidity levels like in Europe and Canada. Kenya’s climate is primarily warm/hot and cool during the night. Therefore, tourists in Kenya are advised to wear light clothing.
Some of the items that you should carry for your Kenya safari include
- A light skirt
- Safari trousers
- Long-sleeved shirts so they protect you from mosquitoes
- Clothes with neutral colors
- Khaki trousers
- Beachwear for tourists going on a Mombasa safari
- Safari boots for adventure travelers
When packing luggage, remember that the recommended maximum weight for small flights is 15 kgs/33 lbs.
Women’s safari packing list
It is not a secret that women have more clothes than men. In addition, women require more items to be comfortable. For this reason, we have created this short women’s safari packing list to ensure women travelers are comfortable throughout their safari. A woman’s packing list should contain the following:
Safari Pants and shirts
- 3 pairs of light cotton pants
- 1 pair of pants that can convert into a short
- 1 pair of long casual pants for evening use
- 3 cotton t-shirts
- 3 short sleeve shirts
Outwears
- A raincoat if traveling during the rainy season
- 1 windbreaker or light jacket
Shoes and accessories
- Sunglasses that offer UV protection
- 5 pairs of socks {More if you are staying longer}
- 1 bandana to protect your hair from the dust
- 1 pair of comfortable shoes
- 10 pairs of undergarments {Trust me, this is necessary!}
- 1 Pair of lightweight trekking or hiking shoes
- 1 pair of sandals to use at the lodge
If your safari involves tracking down animals, travel with a small personal flashlight, some wipes, and binoculars.
4. Get a Safari Travel Insurance
Some luxury Tours and Travel companies offer travel insurance to their guests. If your preferred tour and a travel company does not, you must look for a good insurance company. Safari travel insurance cover protects you and your family in case of illness and injuries you might sustain while on a Safari.
A good safari travel insurance policy should cover the following
- Accommodation risks
- Personal accident and liability
- Hospital expenses
- Legal expenses
- Delayed departure
- Your personal belongings, such as cameras and mobile phones
A good safari travel insurance will give you peace of mind because you are protected against unforeseen risks.
5. Only Use the Best Tours and Travel Companies in Kenya
One mistake most tourists make is failure to investigate the tours and travel companies they use. Tourists should only use reputable tours and travel companies in Kenya because they are licensed. This means that they have a known physical address, known directors, and they pay taxes.
When you use the services of an unlicensed tour and travel company, they can ruin your safari experience by offering substandard services. Sometimes, the tour agency can book you in low-quality budget hotels that expose you to bed bugs.
One way to know if it is a reputable company is to consider its reviews. Positive reviews are a good indicator that the company is reputable. Also, give them a call and gauge how professional they are.
6. Plan Your Travel Itinerary
Planning an itinerary is not as complicated as you might think. The first thing you need to do is to decide how long you want your trip to last. This can be three days or 15 days, depending on your budget. Once you have the duration and reasonable budget, you must identify ideal activities or things you want to do during the safari.
Most tourists come to Kenya to see the great wildebeest migration, visit national parks, or relax at the white sandy beaches of Diani. some of the activities that you can do while on a Mombasa safari are
- Snorkeling
- Sky diving
- Surfing
- Whale and dolphin watching
- Deep sea diving,
- Sunbathing
Adventure travelers who visit our national parks can plan for various activities such as
- Horse riding in the Masai Mara
- Hot air ballon rides
- Hiking
- Lion tracking
- Photography
- Cultural tours with warriors
- Bird viewing
7. Choose the Right Accommodation
When going on an African Safari, the type of accommodation you stay in is just as important as the trip itself. You will find three types of accommodation: luxury lodges, tented camps, and budget-friendly hotels.
Tourists prefer to stay in luxury lodges because they offer fine dining restaurants, high-end accommodation facilities, and spa services.
Luxury lodges are costly. However, they guarantee safety and luxury. Some travelers prefer to stay in tented camps, offering a rustic and immersive wilderness experience. Tented camps also offer luxurious amenities such as high-end furnishings and fine dining.
Budget tourists are advised to stay in budget-friendly hotels because they are more affordable. These hotels offer standard accommodation, basic amenities, and few or no activities.
8. Apply for Kenyan Visa Before the Travel Date
Your tour and travel company should be able to write you an invitation letter to help speed up the visa application process. A visa is an official endorsement that allows the holder to enter or leave a particular country. Kenya requires European and Canadian tourists to have valid passports and visas.
Other Kenya entry requirements include having an East African tourist visa if your African safari involves more than one East African country. An East African tourist visa enables tourists to visit countries such as Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Congo in one trip.
Tourists from European countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Maldives, and Cyprus can enter the country without a Visa.
9. Choose a Child-Friendly Safari Lodge
If you plan on going on an African safari, ensure the lodge your stay in is child-friendly. A child-friendly lodge caters to the traveling needs of families with children. They offer a range of amenities, such as family-sized rooms with separate bedrooms for parents and kids.
The lodge should also offer child-friendly activities such as babysitting services, a playground, and safety features. The safety features should include pool fences, baby gates, and protected play areas.
10. Consider Cultural Experiences
Tourists on a safari should consider cultural experiences to make their trip worthwhile. Cultural experiences enable you to appreciate other cultures and their way of life and taste new food recipes. Cultural experiences include listening to traditional music, seeing dances, and purchasing ornaments to promote local societies.
An example of a cultural experience involves staying in a Masai village and experiencing their way of life. The Masai people are one of the few communities allowed to live inside National Parks. It is common for tourists on a safari to see lions running away from Masai warriors.
Over time, the lions have come to associate danger with red garments because Masai warriors wear red clothes.
In conclusion, it is easy to plan the perfect Kenya safari. All you need to do is ensure you have a rough idea of your preferred activities. Also, have a budget in mind, and we will work with you to create a customized itinerary for a luxurious and memorable Kenya safari.
