A Typical African Safari

You have worked so hard in this life. You have spend money and time taking care of everyone else and now it is time to treat yourself with a rewarding get-away vacation / safari in Africa that will be remembered not only by you but by your generation to come. Why choose Kenya? Kenya has a "Big Five" territory, with healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino. Kenya has also an amazing birdlife attractions with over a thousand species of birds in some regions. Mombasa a the best tourist attraction in Africa because of its beaches along the Indian Ocean.

Kenya's iconic wildebeest dramatic crossing over Masai Mara is one of the kind - watch predators like lions and hyenas waiting for their kill. It is also the historical home of the East African safari, a land of sweeping savannah grasslands inhabited by charismatic mega-fauna, including Big Cats, the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino) and just about everything in between. Elsewhere, landscapes here stir the soul with deserts in the north, dense forests in the west, Rift Valley lakes in the center and tropical coast out east. This result for those on safari is an experienced safari industry ready to show you a seemingly endless parade of wildlife against one of the most beautiful backdrops in Africa.

1) Why visit Kenya, and what are the major attractions?

While many visitors come for the migration, Kenya has an excellent year-round world-class national parks. The major National parks includes the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, Amboseli, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National parks – where superb wildlife-watching is almost guaranteed. Other major attractions centers, includes Nairobi and Mombasa in the coast of Kenya by the Indian ocean.

2) How is the wildlife viewing in Kenya?

It varies from park to park. Most of the more popular parks that you can visit on a Kenya tour have a fabulous wildlife-watching opportunities. Dense wildlife populations in all of these parks make them good all-year round. We offer safari destinations that enable you to see as many animals (and different bird species) as you can in a short period of time. There are other parks that are more specialist with certain wildlife such as the birds and primates of Kakamega, and the sitatunga in Saiwa Swamp – allowing you to tick off a hard-to-find species, usually without the crowds. A more exclusive Kenyan helicopter safari experience is possible in the conservancies of Laikipia – you pay more, but, with the exception of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, crowds are non-existent and wildlife watching is excellent. At most of these conservancies, you can get off-road as well, meaning that you’ll get a lot closer to the animals than you will in a national park.

3) When is the best time to visit 

June to October is an excellent time for Kenya tours. During these months, the weather is generally dry (although it can get really hot in October and the tail-end of September). This also coincides with the wildebeest and zebra migration in the Masai Mara. This is the dry season, and as it progresses, water sources for animals tend to dry up and become fewer, drawing animals in numbers to those that remain. One downside is that, apart from June (which is one of my favorite months to visit), high-season prices apply. Crowds are also larger – in some parks, the queue of safari vehicles can take away something from your experience, and some areas of the Masai Mara can be completely overwhelmed with vehicles during the migration. Visiting from November to February also has its devotees – migrating birds arrive, the rains rarely disrupt travel, and the country is also transformed into a lovely shade of green. Most travelers avoid March to May because heavy rains are always possible and can transform safari trails into muddy bogs. 

4) How safe is Kenya for tourists?

For the most part, a Kenya safari is safe, but there are some important things to know. Nairobi and, to a lesser extent, some other Kenyan cities have a reputation for violent crime. You should always be careful and follow local advice when it comes to these cities. Another potential danger comes from traveling on the country’s roads – the accident rate can be high. You can minimize the danger by spending as little time as you can in Nairobi and other cities – Kenya’s charm rarely resides in its major urban centers – by never traveling at night and by flying between the parks. The danger from wild animals is minimal; most Kenya safari trips and operators have excellent safety records, and you should be fine if you follow the safety briefings and instructions from guides.

5) How do I select a reliable Kenya tour guide?

The best way to choose a Kenya safari is to read all about the safari experiences of other travelers – the chances are that their reviews will answer many of your questions (before you’ve asked them) as well as speak to the professionalism of the various operators with whom they’ve traveled. here at SP Safari tours, we recommend that you ask as many questions you may have as possible prior to traveling. This could be anything from the mode of transport, frequency of meals or daily safari schedules to the languages spoken by your guide or how many other travelers will be in your vehicle. Be as specific as you can. Not all operators offer customized Kenya tours, but there’s no substitute for being informed. We believe in offering as much information as possible to our clients so please feel free to ask any time and all the time even when you are on actual safari. Click here to learn more about our elite tour guides

 6) What to expect as far as safari accommodations

Lodges are the main stays of the Kenya safari scenes and the quality varies considerably based on each park. Most lodges within the reserves and national parks have excellent locations but are aging and in need of renovation, while others are luxurious and recently overhauled. In tented camps, including mobile camps, you’ll sleep in large, walk-in tents – they’re like lodge rooms in terms of size but with canvas for walls and floor. Canvas tents mean that you can hear the sounds of the African night. Hopefully you won’t hear the sounds of your neighboring guests if the tents are nicely spaced. Most lodge rooms and tents of this kind have comfortable (not camp) beds, sometimes a desk and usually a private bathroom; some even have an outdoor shower with no roof but walls that protect your modesty. Particularly in tented camps, you’ll most likely need to recharge your devices not in your room but at a power station in the main public area. Remember to bring electrical power connectors that can read up to 240 volts and down the power to your device's capacity.

Please Note: Price of safari varies depending on the standard of accommodation. Accommodation can be upgraded or downgraded to suit your needs and budget. SP Safari Tours stays alert studying travel industry exhibitions, forums, newsletters and travel magazines to find out not only the best rates but who offers the best security and safety for the money. 

How we categorize safari rates 

It wouldn't be fair if we rank safari companies under the same category because they fall into three distinct categories based on the rates they charge for a safari trip. Low season rates can be about 25% less than high season rates. The rate indications below exclude international and inter-Africa airfares.

 5 Star Accommodations: Prices range from $750 upwards per person per night including meals while on safari

 Standard / Luxury safaris: Prices range from $400 per person per night including meals while on safari

 Budget safaris: prices range from $300 per person per night including meals while on safari

7) The schedule during a typical African safari

For most days, your safari will begin with a quiet African voice (driver or guide) waking you well before sunrise. After dressing up, and having a coffee or tea, you head out for a few hours in a safari vehicle (with other guests, a driver, guide) looking for wildlife – this time, and the last hours before sunset, are ideal for watching wildlife. You’ll return to the lodge or camp mid - to late morning for a proper sit-down breakfast. A few hours of relaxation, followed by lunch, then a few hours more doing very little occupies the hottest part of the day, when even animals retreat into the shade. Afternoon tea, often known as "High Tea" in a nod to colonial-era safari traditions, happens around 3 PM or 3:30 PM, then it’s back out looking for wildlife until after dark. Just before sunset, you’ll stop for another safari institution, the ‘Sundowner’, when you’ll watch the sunset while nursing the drink of your choice. You arrive back in camp in time to freshen up, then it’s dinner and off to bed, before it all starts again at very early the next morning.

8)  Inclusive And Exclusives

Typical items that are included in the cost of your tour price
  • 1) Transport based on customized seven-sitter safari Van with pop up roof and UHF Radio
  • 2) All applicable game Park Entrance fees.
  • 3) Finest accommodation as indicated in the itinerary.
  • 4) Three meals a day while on Safari
  • 4) Airport picks up on arrival in Nairobi
  • 5) Professional Safari Guide/Drive
  • 6) Guaranteed departures for two or more passengers booking this safari
  • 7) Round trip transport from Nairobi to the designated National Park
  • 8) Pre–tour itinerary document
Typical items that are not included in the cost of your tour price
  • 1) Personal expense such as communication charges like emails, faxes, and phone calls
  • 2) Masai Village visits
  • 3) Hot air balloon rides
  • 4) Drinks like sodas, water, beer and wines
  • 5) Gratuity for the driver guide, waiter
  • 6) Laundry / change clothes
  • 7) The cost of obtaining visa at entry
  • 8) Pre- tour accommodation (it can be arranged on request)
  • 9) All your insurance costs prior to Safari
  • 10) Airfare tickets to destination country

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