Planning Your First Kenya Safari
To plan a successful safari, focus on choosing one or two parks rather than trying to see the whole country in one trip. Book your lodges or camps at least six months in advance and fly directly into Nairobi to minimize travel fatigue.
- Choose your safari circuit. For a first timer, stick to the 'Southern Circuit' which includes the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru. This route offers the most iconic wildlife viewing and established infrastructure.
- Select your travel window. Aim for the dry season from July to October. Wildlife congregates around water holes, making them significantly easier to spot, and the risk of malaria is lower.
- Decide on your transport. Decide between flying between parks (via bush planes like Safarilink) or driving in a 4x4 Land Cruiser. Flying saves 6-8 hours of bumpy transit per park but costs roughly $200-$300 more per leg.
- Choose your accommodation style. Decide between 'tented camps' (permanent structures with canvas walls and en-suite bathrooms) or 'lodges' (built of stone and wood). Tented camps offer a more authentic 'in the bush' feeling.
- Do I need anti-malarial medication?
- Yes, consult your doctor. Most visitors to Kenya take preventative medication like Malarone or Doxycycline.
- Is tipping expected?
- Yes. Budget $10-$20 per day for your driver-guide and $5-$10 per day for camp staff.