How Much Does a Kenya Safari Cost? | How Much is a Safari in Kenya?

FAQs of How Much Does a Kenya Safari Cost?

To help you make an informed choice, let’s share 10 questions you need to ask your Kenya tour operator before buying the package.

 1. What’s included in the Kenya safari package Cost?

Safari’s holidays in Kenya come in all shapes and sizes. You can go for budget Kenya safaris, including the bare minimum facilities, and you can also choose ultra-luxurious safari packages.

To make better sense of what you are paying for, it’s wise to ask about the components of the safari package. The standard definition of “all-inclusive” means the packages cover accommodation, food, transfers, park fees, and safari vehicles.

However, don’t assume that all that is included. Call your tour Kenya tour operator and make sure these costs are indeed included for the entire stay. For example, if food is covered, ask exactly which types of food are covered.

Some packages are labeled ‘all-inclusive,” but you are only covered for meals taken within the lodge, and you are expected to pay for alcoholic beverages and anything else you take while on the go.

Another trick used to hike the cost of a package is including airport transfers, while actually, no air safaris or transfers are involved. So, if that is an item in your package, ask where you will board the safari from and to where?

 2. How much of the park can be accessed?

You need to clearly ask out the bounds of the park and the restrictions that come with it. Many budget safaris during your holiday in Kenya will give you a short car tour of the park and then drive you outside the park into some nearby hotel. 

This would be unfortunate as you won’t be able to experience the quintessential safari ambiance that intensifies during dawn and dusk. However, if you are planning to buy a luxury package, you don’t need to worry about these restrictions. 

Luxury travelers are often rewarded with the best camps and unlimited drive times inside the park, but it is always wise to confirm with your Kenya tour company.

 3. Kenya Safari Cost – Will you be sharing the safari with strangers?

The most common problem associated with budget Kenya safari packages is that they tend to cram people of different backgrounds into the same trip. This can mean a disparate age-group or someone who doesn’t even speak your language.

Ask the tour agent to clarify how many people you will be traveling with and, if possible, prefer solo, personalized trips. Luxury safaris won’t pair you with strangers, and you can enjoy the freedom to explore the safari experience the way you like, instead of being dictated by the needs of others.

 4. Who dictates the safari pace and objectives?

You will have to follow the crowd and routine of the safari experience in a budget safari. The biggest disadvantage of being in a budget group is that you won’t have much voice over the itinerary. 

You can’t stay longer at a particular spot if you wish, and worse, you can return earlier if you wish. This is important because prolonged exposure to the equatorial sun can make foreigners uncomfortable. Inquire about such provisions and the full itinerary of the trip in detail.

A private safari with us lets you dictate your trip’s speed and is flexible to your needs. You can focus on any wildlife you want for as long as you want. Your needs won’t be bogged down by others.

 5. How knowledgeable are the safari guides?

Budget safaris advertise their tours with over-the-top descriptions and then fail to deliver on a good local guide. This is also a problem with most international travel companies promising to bring you on tour to Africa.

A good guide will have a profound knowledge of various animals and bird species and instinctive knowledge of the behavior of animals, their feeding habits, their trials, and more.

They are also trained to spot distant birds and camouflaged animals. Training separates a lot of good guides from the bad ones, and you should ask for any certifications or government registrations if available.

 6. How well equipped is the safari vehicle?

Safari Vehicles have a great deal of variety and are priced according to the facilities they provide. From mini-vans to rugged land cruisers to open hatchbacks, you can choose the vehicle that suits your style and budget.

In luxury packages, you can find air-conditioned vehicles with large recliner seats and even in-house refrigerators serving your favorite drinks. A budget safari will give you a seat and a window to look out at.

The minimum you should expect from the vehicle is to have proper cushions, proper mechanics, and proper communication types of equipment like CB radios, which are used to hone in on any major hunt or wildlife activity in the park.

It’s also necessary to carry safety equipment like first-aid boxes and tranquilizer guns in case of emergency situations.

 7. How many souvenir shops will you be forced into?

The biggest problem with budget safari operators is that they survive off commissions rather than on their actual job of guiding – and this influences your Kenya safari cost. In this pursuit of cheap commissions on souvenir sales, the tour operators tend to take the tourists to pre-fixed shops, where the prices are automatically inflated. 

The tour operators generally get a 10% cut on every purchase you make at their shop. Even worse, sometimes you can be tricked into buying cheap Chinese products. On the other hand, proper tourism agencies will ask you if you wish to buy souvenirs and then only take you to authentic places, where you can get better products and help the local community with their handicrafts.

 8. What are the provisions for special interests?

Budget safaris are notorious for their apathy, and this can ruin your entire holiday in Kenya. If your expectations are low and you need a pretty generic ride of the savannah, then you can be satisfied with the budget safari packages.

However, if you wish to partake in additional activities like bird-watching, extra exploring, wildlife photography, small picnics, etc., then it’s best to inform your tour operator beforehand. Budget safari operators are strict on time and can disappoint you with their hastiness if you don’t inquire before. 

So, make sure to inquire with your agency and know exactly what your Kenya safari cost covers. Alternatively, half the Kenya tour companies do all the essential bookings for you and opt for self-drive Kenya safaris. Luxury safaris are more personalized, and you can customize each of your activities according to your needs.

 9. When to go on a Kenya safari?

Safari experiences depend on the weather, and so does the price. If you find yourself on holiday in Kenya in the rainy season, you can possibly ask for a lower price since the markets are low during that time.

March to May is the rainy season in Kenya, where you can get lower prices on most safaris and expect thinner crowds. When the safaris are booked to the brim and prices are sky-high, the equation changes during the winter.

 10. Is the safari driver familiar with the English language?

On most safari trips, the driver will be your guide, and you should make sure that he can speak English to a communicable degree. Having a common language will give you a better perspective of their native culture and heritage.