Kenya Safaris
Big Five game drives, conservancy stays and photographic safaris across every major park.
Overview
Kenya is where the safari was invented, and it is still the easiest place in Africa to see a great deal of wildlife in a short trip. Within a day's drive of Nairobi you can be watching lion on the Mara plains, elephant herds crossing under Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, red-dust bulls in Tsavo, or the northern species — Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk — that exist almost nowhere else. The parks are well run, the roads and airstrips work, the guiding tradition is a century deep, and you can combine bush and Indian Ocean beach in one holiday without an international flight in between. This page explains Kenya safaris in general: when to come, what a day actually looks like, what you will see, what it costs and how to choose between a lodge, a tented camp and a private conservancy. Once you know the shape of the trip you want, our team builds the exact itinerary around your dates, budget and pace.
Highlights & What's Special
- ✓Why Kenya: the Big Five, the Great Migration and 60+ parks and reserves in one country
- ✓Short internal distances — Mara, Amboseli and Tsavo are all reachable by road or a 45-minute flight
- ✓Safari and beach in one trip: bush first, then Diani, Watamu or Lamu
- ✓Best time to travel: Jul–Oct for the migration and dry-season game viewing
- ✓Jan–Mar for hot, clear days, excellent big-cat sightings and easier bookings
- ✓Apr–Jun green season for lush scenery, newborn wildlife, birdlife and the lowest rates
- ✓What to expect daily: sunrise game drive, brunch, siesta, late-afternoon drive, sundowner
- ✓Choose your style: value lodge, mid-range tented camp, luxury lodge or private conservancy
- ✓Conservancies allow night drives, walking safaris and far fewer vehicles at a sighting
- ✓Fly-in options save two long driving days on a short trip
- ✓Family-friendly: family suites, junior ranger activities and gentler pacing on request
- ✓Add-ons: hot-air balloon over the Mara, cultural Maasai and Samburu visits, photographic hides
Pricing (KES & USD)
| Package / Category | KES | USD |
|---|---|---|
| 3-day / 2-night Maasai Mara — budget camping | From KES 32,000 pp | From $246 |
| 3-day / 2-night Maasai Mara — mid-range lodge | From KES 42,000 pp | From $323 |
| 3-day / 2-night Maasai Mara — luxury camp | From KES 95,000 pp | From $730 |
| 4-day Amboseli & Kilimanjaro views | From KES 55,000 pp | From $423 |
| 7-day Mara · Nakuru · Amboseli grand circuit | From KES 165,000 pp | From $1,270 |
| Safari & beach combo (bush + Diani, 8 days) | From KES 185,000 pp | From $1,423 |
| Fly-in Mara upgrade (return, per person) | From KES 42,000 | From $323 |
| Hot-air balloon safari with bush breakfast | From KES 62,000 pp | From $477 |
| Non-resident park fee — Maasai Mara (per day) | Approx. KES 26,000 | Approx. $200 |
| Kenyan resident & citizen rates | Significantly lower — ID required | — |
Prices are indicative and may vary by season, group size and property. WhatsApp for a live quote in your currency.
What's Included vs Excluded
Included
- ✓Return road/air transport
- ✓Park & conservancy fees
- ✓Professional English-speaking guide
- ✓Full-board accommodation
- ✓4×4 Land Cruiser or safari van
- ✓Bottled water & fuel
Not Included
- ✕International flights
- ✕Kenya visa (eTA)
- ✕Personal expenses & tips
- ✕Alcoholic drinks
- ✕Travel insurance
- ✕Optional balloon safari
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Nairobi via the Great Rift Valley → arrive Maasai Mara for afternoon game drive.
Day 2
Full-day game drive with picnic lunch inside the reserve; optional dawn balloon safari.
Day 3
Sunrise game drive, breakfast, and return to Nairobi by mid-afternoon.
What to Carry / Requirements
- •Neutral colours — khaki, olive, beige; avoid bright white, black and blue
- •Warm fleece or jacket for pre-dawn game drives; mornings are cold on the plains
- •Wide-brim hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- •Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens plus spare batteries and cards
- •Insect repellent and any prescription or anti-malarial medication
- •Soft duffel bag if you are flying in — hard suitcases are restricted on light aircraft (15kg limit)
- •Copy of passport/ID, travel insurance details and yellow-fever certificate if required
- •Cash in small notes for tips, curio purchases and community visits
Important Information
- Why book with Mara Tours & Travel Ltd: Kenyan-owned, Kenya-only, and we drive these routes ourselves.
- Every itinerary is built for you — nothing here is a fixed departure you have to squeeze into.
- Transparent pricing in KES and USD, with resident and non-resident park fees stated separately.
- Vetted guides who are silent-radio courteous at sightings and know the parks in every season.
- One WhatsApp line from enquiry to drop-off, and a duty office running while you travel.
- Park entry fees change by season and residency status; your quote states the exact fees applied.
- Wildlife is wild — sightings are never guaranteed, but multi-day itineraries dramatically improve odds.
- Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended for all safaris.
Booking, Cancellation & Child Policy
- • Reservations require a signed booking form and deposit.
- • Standard deposit: 30% of the total trip cost (50% during peak seasons Dec–Feb & Jul–Sep).
- • Balance is due 30 days before travel; last-minute bookings (under 30 days) require full payment.
- • Booking is confirmed only once we've issued a written confirmation and receipt.
- • Last-minute bookings accepted subject to availability — WhatsApp us for fastest response.
Full Terms & Conditions, Refund Policy and Privacy Policy apply.
Transportation & Meeting Points
- Pickup from Nairobi hotels (JKIA, Wilson, or CBD) at 07:00.
- Additional transfer fees apply for pickups outside Nairobi metro — quoted on booking.
- Meeting point: hotel lobby unless otherwise agreed.
- Estimated travel time: Nairobi → Mara ~5 hrs road, Nairobi → Amboseli ~4 hrs, Nairobi → Samburu ~6 hrs.
- Fly-in options available on request (Wilson to Mara/Amboseli/Samburu airstrips).
Frequently Asked Questions
Traveller Reviews
James M.
Nairobi, Kenya
★★★★★
“Booked our anniversary trip through Mara Tours and every single detail was handled. Best travel decision we've made.”
Sophie L.
London, UK
★★★★★
“First trip to Africa — nervous going in, blown away coming out. Guides were exceptional, communication was constant, nothing was too much trouble.”
Rahul P.
Mumbai, India
★★★★★
“Booked last-minute over WhatsApp and they still delivered a perfect experience. Fast, professional, honest pricing.”
Grace K.
Kisumu, Kenya
★★★★★
“We used Mara Tours for our chama's weekend and everything ran like clockwork. The pricing was actually 20% less than the quotes we got elsewhere.”
Anna & Max
Berlin, Germany
★★★★★
“Honeymoon perfection — the balloon safari, the plunge-pool suite, the sunset dhow. Every day we couldn't believe how well planned it was.”
David T.
Toronto, Canada
★★★★★
“Communication was 10/10 — replies within minutes on WhatsApp, clear invoicing, no surprise costs. Highly recommend.”
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Book / Enquire
Request your kenya safaris
Submitting sends this straight into our reservations desk — no third parties, no obligation, written quote back to you.
Additional Terms & Rules
- • 30% deposit confirms the booking; balance 30 days before travel.
- • Children under 5 free of park fees; ages 5–17 discounted.
- • Respect KWS park regulations and guide instructions.
- • Travel insurance strongly recommended.