Ready to track lions across golden plains or wake up to elephants at your doorstep? Kenya safari tours offer some of the world’s most unforgettable wildlife moments, whether you’re after a luxury escape or an affordable adventure. From tailor-made trips to classic packages, we’re breaking down everything you need to plan the perfect safari in Kenya.
Why go on safari in Kenya?
Kenya is the safari capital of East Africa for good reason. The country is home to over 50 national parks and reserves, offering a mix of iconic animals, dramatic landscapes, and rich cultures. Whether you’re chasing the Big Five or soaking up Maasai hospitality, a Kenya safari never feels like a checklist; it’s a full-on immersion.
You’ll also find:
- Incredible biodiversity, from savannah lions to highland antelopes
- Photographic moments everywhere, especially during golden hour game drives
- A wide range of safari packages, from budget camping to luxury lodges
- Easy logistics, with Nairobi serving as a major hub
If you want a no-fuss, high-reward African safari, Kenya is hard to beat.
Best Kenya safari destinations
From the well-known Maasai Mara to the wild corners of Samburu, Kenya’s safari circuit is stacked with highlights. Here are the top picks.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve is the poster child of Kenya safaris, famous for its rolling plains, lion prides, and the annual Great Migration. Between July and October, over a million wildebeest and zebras thunder through the reserve, dodging crocodiles in the Mara River. Even outside migration season, wildlife sightings here are spectacular.
Top experiences:
- Daily game drives with big cat sightings
- Hot air balloon safaris over the savannah
- Visits to traditional Maasai villages
Amboseli National Park
Set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is all about elephants, and lots of them. The park is one of the best places in Africa to see herds of giant tuskers.
You’ll love:
- Views of elephants framed by Kilimanjaro
- Swampy wetlands attract hippos and birds.
- Less crowded than the Maasai Mara
Tsavo East and West
Covering over 20,000 square kilometres combined, the Tsavo parks offer a wilder, more remote safari experience. The terrain is rugged, the wildlife shy, and the crowds few.
Best for:
- Red-dust-coated elephants
- Lava flows and baobab trees
- Independent travellers or return visitors
Samburu National Reserve
Located in Kenya’s arid north, Samburu National Reserve is a completely different landscape. Think palm groves, rocky outcrops, and the Ewaso Ng’iro River. It’s home to the “Samburu Special Five,” species you won’t see in southern parks.
Wildlife includes:
- Reticulated giraffe
- Beisa oryx
- Grevy’s zebra
- Somali ostrich
- Gerenuk (aka the giraffe gazelle)
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha
For something slightly different, head to the Rift Valley lakes. Flamingos flock to Lake Nakuru, while Lake Naivasha offers boating safaris among hippos and pelicans.
Activities include:
- Walking safaris in Crescent Island Game Sanctuary
- Birdwatching (300+ species)
- Great add-ons to a longer itinerary
Types of Kenya safari packages
Kenya safari tours cater to all kinds of travellers, whether you’re looking to splurge or stretch your budget.
Luxury Kenya safaris
Think private bush villas, gourmet dinners under the stars, and exclusive game drives. Many high-end lodges are tucked away in private conservancies, which means fewer vehicles, off-road access, and exceptional guiding.
Includes:
- All-inclusive stays with high-end amenities
- Personalised service
- Private transfers, spa treatments, and wine pairings
Perfect for honeymooners, milestone trips, or anyone who likes the idea of seeing lions without losing the duvet.
Mid-range packages
These tours balance comfort and cost. You’ll stay in tented camps or safari lodges with en-suite bathrooms, enjoy shared game drives in 4x4 vehicles, and still see the same animals as the high-end crowd.
Great for:
- Families
- Solo travellers
- Small groups
Expect reliable guides, good food, and clean, comfy beds, often in prime wildlife zones.
Affordable Kenya safari tours
Budget safaris in Kenya don’t mean you’re missing out. You can camp under the stars, join group tours, and still tick off the Big Five for a fraction of the price.
Expect:
- Dome tents or basic lodges
- Group travel
- Overland vehicles with open viewing roofs
This is the top choice for backpackers, students, and anyone who prefers experience over luxury.
What’s a tailor-made Kenya safari?
A tailor-made safari is designed around your travel style, interests, and budget. You choose the parks, pace, and priorities with the help of local safari specialists.
You might combine:
- A few nights in a luxury Maasai Mara lodge
- A community-run conservancy in Laikipia
- A beach break in Diani after the wildlife action.
Whether you want to focus on photography, family travel, conservation, or a honeymoon escape, tailor-made Kenya safaris offer unmatched flexibility.
Follow Alice's sample itinerary: Ultimate Kenyan Safari (13 days)
Days 1–2: Nairobi and Laikipia
Touch down in Nairobi, where your local guide meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. You’ll head to Trademark Hotel to settle in, and if there’s time, pop over to the Giraffe Centre to meet the long-lashed residents, Rothschild’s giraffes, up close and personal.
The next day, travel north to Laikipia. Visit a women-run Maasai cooperative that’s turning aloe farming into a community success story. These inspiring women also lead guided walks among a local troop of baboons, showing how wildlife and people can share the land peacefully.
Day 3: Ngare Ndare Forest adventure
Spend the day in the lush Ngare Ndare Forest. Walk across East Africa’s longest canopy bridge, suspended above ancient trees where black-and-white colobus monkeys leap through the branches. At the end of the trail, reward yourself with a swim beneath a hidden waterfall. This spot feels like a secret slice of paradise.
Day 4: Solio Conservancy rhino safari
Drive into Solio Conservancy, one of the top places in Africa to see rhinos. This private reserve is leading the charge in rhino conservation. Expect to see dozens, sometimes more than 40, roaming the savannah. You might also spot lions, giraffes, and plenty of plains game along the way.
Day 5: Lake Nakuru and the Great Rift Valley
Drop into the vast Great Rift Valley and head for Lake Nakuru National Park. Known for its pink flamingo flocks and acacia-dotted shores, Nakuru is also home to white rhinos, waterbucks, and shy leopards. Take a game drive along the lakeshore and watch the birdlife light up the water.
Days 6–9: Maasai Mara and Naboisho Conservancy
The safari shifts into high gear as you enter Maasai Mara, arguably the most iconic wildlife reserve in Africa.
- Day 6: Arrive and settle into camp, then explore the reserve’s golden plains in search of elephants, big cats, and more.
- Day 7: Want a bucket list moment? Take to the sky in a hot air balloon at sunrise. Later, enjoy classic game drives through lion country, watching the drama of the bush unfold.
- Day 8: Walk the land with a Maasai warrior in the Naboisho Conservancy. This place offers some of the best predator sightings in Kenya, from cheetahs hunting on the open plains to leopards draped in acacia trees.
- Day 9: Chase the Great Migration - this is what nature documentaries are made of. If the timing is right, you'll see wildebeest dashing across crocodile-infested rivers in a mad dash for survival.
Day 10: Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island
Head to Lake Naivasha, a serene spot lined with papyrus and teeming with hippos and a diverse array of birdlife. Glide across the lake by boat, then go ashore at Crescent Island. Here, giraffes and zebras wander freely, and there are no predators, so you can walk among the wildlife and soak up the views.
Days 11–12: Amboseli National Park
Travel south toward Amboseli, where elephants roam beneath the gaze of Mount Kilimanjaro. The views here are something else, imagine a herd of elephants crossing the plain with the snow-capped peak in the background.
Over two days, explore the park on game drives, watching for lions, hyenas, buffalo, giraffes, and huge-tusked elephants. This is also one of Kenya’s best birding spots, so keep those binoculars close.
Day 13: Last safari drive and farewell
Before heading back to Nairobi, squeeze in one final morning game drive. After that, it’s a scenic road trip to the city in time for your evening flight, or an overnight stay if you're not quite ready to leave.
Read more about this ultimate Kenya safari tour here.
Best time to visit Kenya for a safari
- June–October: peak dry season and Great Migration in Maasai Mara. Wildlife is concentrated and easier to spot.
- December–March: calving season and warmer weather. Fewer visitors, greener landscapes.
- April–May: Short rains bring lush scenery and discounted Kenya safari costs. Wildlife remains active.
- November: long rains, few tourists, some lodges close, lush but rainy.
Safari in Kenya cost breakdown
Accommodation tiers (per person, per night)
Tier | Approx. cost (USD per person, per night) |
Luxury | $520 – $1,040+ |
Mid-range | $260 – $520 |
Budget | $130 – $260 |
Other costs to factor in:
- Park entry fees: $45–$85 per day (varies by park and residency)
- Internal flights: $200–$400 (e.g., Nairobi to Maasai Mara round trip)
- Tips: $10–$25/day per traveller
- Visas: $50 for a single-entry Kenya eVisa (How to get a Kenyan tourist visa)
- Travel insurance: ~$50–$100+ depending on provider and coverage
- Optional extras:
- Hot air balloon ride: ~$400–$500
- Private vehicle: ~$300+/day
What to pack for the safari
- Lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing: long sleeves for sun and insects
- Comfortable walking shoes or boots
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 30+
- Binoculars, a camera with extra batteries/memory card
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Insect repellent and personal medications (anti-malarial if advised)
- Plug adapter (Kenya uses type G), copies of documents, travel insurance
Health & safety reminders
- Visit a travel clinic to receive vaccinations (such as yellow fever, hepatitis, and typhoid).
- Keep hydrated with bottled water.
- Follow the guides' advice while driving.
- Use bug repellent and consider taking antimalarial medication.
- Pack carefully and keep alert: avoid impromptu walks through unfamiliar urban areas.
Final tips for a Kenya safari
- Opt for 10–13 days for balance: Nairobi, Laikipia, Mara, Naivasha, and Amboseli, rich in wildlife and cultural variety
- Include balloon rides, walking safaris, and boat trips for a multi‑dimensional experience
- Support community-based tourism and eco‑conscious operators
- Build in leisure days, especially mid-safari, to relax or explore local culture.
- Balance being behind the lens with moments to simply take it all in
What’s next? Kenya’s waiting.
Whether you wish to track lion prides in the Mara, sip coffee while elephants pass by your tent in Amboseli, or walk with warriors in Laikipia, Kenya provides the type of wild that stays with you.
The parks are well-known for a reason, but it's the unexpected sights and stories that make a Kenya safari journey so memorable.
You don’t have to plan every detail on your own. Choose your route, pick your budget, and leave the rest to the professionals. The plains are calling.
