
How much does a Kenyan safari cost?
Here's a breakdown of the costs involved in a Kenyan safari, from accommodation to car hire, park fees and more. Note that if you travel with a tour operator, your only real costs besides their fee will be flights, visa, travel insurance, tips and drinks.

by Paul Kelly
17 min read
Overview:
- 1. Visa
- 2. Flights
- 3. Airport transfers
- 4. Accommodation
- 5. Vehicle hire or safari guide
- 6. Park entrance fees
- 7. Food and drink
- 8. Animal encounters
- 9. Tips
- 10. Hot air balloon safari
- 11. Walking safari
- 12. Shopping and souvenirs
- 13. Traveller's insurance
- 14. SIM card or eSIM

Tour operator fee (which usually includes accommodation, meals, transport and fuel, driver–guide, park entrance fees and stated activities). Flights. Travel insurance. Visa. Tips. Drinks.

1. Visa
Kenya's different tourist visas
2. Flights


3. Airport transfers

4. Accommodation

Cost of Maasai Mara accommodation pppn sharing
Cost of Samburu County accommodation pppn sharing

If camping, you may get a better rate if you stay for a few nights. The earlier you book, the lower the rate (usually). If you book with a local tour operator, they're often able to get discounted rates. The further you are from a park or reserve's gates, the cheaper the accommodation tends to be.
5. Vehicle hire or safari guide

Reasons to go on safari with a driver guide
They're experienced at managing the hefty 4x4 vehicles needed on safari. They're familiar with the terrain and less likely to get stuck (folks overnighting in 4x4s is surprisingly common, as roadside help isn't readily available). They're well trained in spotting wildlife that newbies would usually miss. They're living, breathing guidebooks, knowing the names and details of all the animals you see (and often the birds and vegetation too). They know where to go in the different seasons for the best chances of wildlife spotting. They're usually in touch over radio with other guides in the park and so can learn of exciting finds in real time and take you there. They know how close they can come to the wildlife without scaring them off or placing you or the animals in danger.
6. Park entrance fees

Daily high-season entrance fees in USD for a foreign national

7. Food and drink


8. Animal encounters

Entrance fees for foreign nationals in USD

9. Tips
Tips sometimes form an important part of the income for Kenyans working in the hospitality and safari sectors.


10. Hot air balloon safari

11. Walking safari


12. Shopping and souvenirs

13. Traveller's insurance
14. SIM card or eSIM