How to Plan an Amazing Safari in Kenya
There are a few experiences on my bucket list that I just KNOW I will need to accomplish one day. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. Yes, I am that determined.
A safari in Kenya is one of those experiences; particularly seeing the Great Migration. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time, and I hope to make it happen in the next few years.
Until then, my second guest blogger EVER is here with some tips for all those like me who want to one day go on a safari in Kenya. Actually, make that an amazing safari in Kenya (no subpar safaris over here, mkay?).
Mike Jensen is a blogger who’s addicted to both adventure and travel, so decided to combine the two to form TheAdvenTourist. On his blog he shares his journey from one adrenaline rush to another, always exploring new places as he goes. You can also find him sharing his travels on Facebook.
Without further ado, here’s Mike with the (very comprehensive) 411 on how to plan that amazing Kenyan safari.
If you’re reading this, you probably already know how amazing Kenya is as a safari destination. The abundance of wildlife that’s spread over the incredibly diverse range of environments Kenya has to offer is astonishing. A safari in Kenya can have you wandering through savannahs, sitting atop a cold mountain, cruising through a desert, soaking in thermal pools and swimming in the warm blue Indian ocean. This rich diversity is what makes it hard to plan the right safari for you. You won’t have the time to do it all but you’ll want to do it right.
Luckily, I’ve put together several tips on how to plan an amazing safari in Kenya. I have been going on safaris in Kenya my entire life and this is how to get the best out of them.
When to Go
Spotting animals is the game on safari and the easiest time to do this is during the dry season when the long grass has died down and the leaves on the bushes and trees aren’t there to block your view. The dry season in Kenya runs from December to the end of April and July to October, with peak season being December and January or July and August. These are by far the best months to go on a safari, but they are also the most expensive.
You can go on safari in Kenya all year round and during the rainy months of May, June, October and November, you’re more likely to get a deal on your safari than in other months. You’ll also see the parks in bloom, covered in flowers and lush greenery, but it will make spotting the harder to find wildlife a challenge. The bigger animals like elephants or buffalo will still stand out but a lion lying in the long grass may pass you by.
If you are interested in seeing The Great Migration in the Masai Mara, then you’ll have to be there between late July and early September.
Where to Go
There are 54 national parks and conservancies in Kenya, and it’s impossible to see them all on vacation. I’ve lived there for most of my life and haven’t come close to it, so choosing the right one for you is important.
There are a few main choices to make here: what animals you want to see, what activities you want to do (outside of game spotting), logistics (some parks are easier to get to than others) and what environment you want to be in.
Kenya Wildlife Service, or KWS, manages all the national parks in the country except for some privately owned conservancies. Their website gives you the details and locations of all their national parks on an interactive map, which is worth having a look at when planning your safari. It’ll not only give you some knowledge about what to see and do at each park but also an idea of the logistics of visiting them.
To give you a head start, my top national parks to visit (in no particular order) would be the Masai Mara, Tsavo East, Samburu, Lewa Downs, and Amboseli. Each one is a little different in terms of the environment but the experiences in each will be quite similar. You’ll be riding around in a 4x4 seeing animals during the day and staying at one of the many tented camps or lodges within or around the park.
The Masai Mara is probably the most famous thanks to The Great Migration, and the Lewa Downs is very unique thanks to their rhino sanctuary. Outside of that, each of them is home to ‘the big five,’ hundreds of bird species, antelope, zebra and more.
Some parks or lodges offer hot air balloon trips, camel and horseback safaris. If you would like to experience the wild like that, then be sure to pick a lodge or park that offers them.
Activities
There are some fun activities outside of the daily game drives which can add a lot to a safari in Kenya. Every park you visit will be able to arrange a bush walk, where you walk around the park accompanied by a ranger and a guide. This is one of the best experiences in my opinion, as it removes the barrier of the car that sits between you and the natural world. You’ll wander past herds of antelope and zebra, see elephants in the distance and truly feel part of the savannah. The car is never far away, and the rangers ensure you don’t run into any dangerous animals, so you won’t have to worry about your safety and can enjoy the walk.
If you like to be active, then there are certainly some parks to suite you. In Hell’s Gate National Park you can cycle around, hike through gorges, rock climb and soak in hot springs all unaccompanied by a guide thanks to the park’s low population of dangerous game. It’s not the best park to see all the animals in but it’s worth swinging by if you enjoy being active in the outdoors.
If you like to hike then climbing up to one of the three peaks of Mt Kenya will be an amazing experience. Walking to the top of the second-highest mountain in Africa takes about four days and there are professional climbing outfits that will take you. You will spot some game on the way but it won’t be a traditional safari as you know it.
Finding a Safari Operator
There are lots of safari operators to choose from in Kenya and the best way to find the right one is by doing some research. Reviews online will give you a sense of each one and their pricing. You can choose from a short budget safari to a long luxurious one.
That being said, if you have your heart set on staying at a particular lodge, then it’s worth contacting them and they will arrange all the logistics for you.
The best tour operators in my experience are Royal African Safaris, Africa Born and Game Trackers. These companies have been around for a while and will tailor-make a luxury safari for you that encompasses any park you’d like and activities you’d like to experience.
DIY Safari
There is an option to do a DIY Safari. Hiring a 4x4 is easy in Kenya and Google Maps will guide you safely from place to place. The drives can be long but there is no greater sense of adventure than cruising around the heart of Africa on your own wits.
Once you have hired you 4x4 then it’s a simple matter of planning your route to and from each park and booking your accommodation. A great route to do is:
Nairobi
Masai Mara
Amboseli
Watamu.
This will take you through three of the most iconic and famous national parks ending on the white sand beaches of the Indian ocean.
If you do plan on a DIY safari be sure to check the park fees for each place and access each of them through the park’s headquarters. There, you will be able to get a map and some local knowledge, and it doesn’t hurt to chat to the drivers at lodges either for tips on where to find the harder to spot animals. There are no petrol stations in the parks so be sure to fill up and carry extra if you need to.
Summing Up
I hope you’ve found this guide helpful and now have the tools to plan your own amazing safari in Kenya. It’s an incredible adventure that’s best done over 10-14 days, especially if you would like to spend some time on the coast. Happy planning!
Okay, but seriously, after reading Mike’s tips on safari planning in Kenya, I MUST GO TO THERE. Who’s with me?