Booking My First Africa Safari Tour
Remember, all our itineraries are totally flexible and can be changed to suit you.
Booking African Tours & Safari Packages
Planning and booking an African safari in Kenya can be a difficult decision for any first time traveller, as there are a lot of things worth considering. Some of these factors include; choosing a tour operator, type of accommodation, mode of transport, additional optional activities, mode of payment and documentation of all the required travel document.
That said, planning your safari holiday in Africa is still exciting, and there exists so many top African bucket-list experiences to choose from; plenty of natural wonders to see; exciting luxury vacations; gorgeous tented camps and safari lodges to stay at; alluring landscapes to soak in – the best mountain trekking tours to beaches, and everything in between.
With that in mind, if you want to start planning a vacation to Africa, below we discuss each of these factors in detail; everything you need to know before booking your first African safari, our 6 Steps guide on how to plan and book your safari in Africa:
Discover Africa Safaris
Top 6 Best Steps On How To Book an African Safari
Planning your safari holiday in Africa is an exciting journey in itself, but with so many options, destinations, and experiences to choose from, it can be overwhelming, and so many bucket-list safari experiences to choose from; whether you’re dreaming of seeing the “Big Five” in Kenya & Tanzania, gliding through the Okavango Delta in Botswana, or gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, planning and booking a safari takes some thought and preparation. To help you get started, here are the top 6 best tips for booking your dream African safari.
1. Identify When You Want to Go
Deciding when to go on African safari depends on what country you would like to visit and when you would like to take your trip. In Africa, timing is everything since safari seasons differ as most of Africa’s best safari experiences depend entirely on naturally occurring factors, like seasonal sunshine and rainfall.
What this means is that having planned travel dates will make an important difference to your safari itinerary – trust me, you don’t want to be in the Serengeti when the millions of wildebeest are already moving down fresh grass in the Masai Mara! Although – keep in mind any time of the year an amazing safari can be planned if you are flexible about where you want to go to.
At this this point, you should know how many days you want to spend in Africa and at what time of year; at least have some idea where in Africa you want to go; the wildlife you would want to see; or is there a particular animal or event you wish to see? All this is very important information to have when you start planning your itinerary.
Not only will this influence your African safari experience, it also has a big impact when planning African safari on a budget.
The top African safari countries are Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, and Rwanda.
2. Know Where You Want to Go
To be able to select the perfect African safari country for you, you need to have a specific safari goal. We suggest that you do a little research to find out what really interests you on a safari, what is it that you would want to explore.
Ask yourself, is it a classic Big Five African safari that you want to see in their natural wilderness? (‘Big five’ refers to the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo) Or do you crave witnessing the Great Migration safari in Kenya? Maybe you’ve been dreaming of gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda? But wait, perhaps you want to see the scenic Victoria Falls. Get to know first what animals or experiences are at the heart of your dream safari. With this answer we will now know your ideal destination.
With all that in mind, there’s a different type of safari for every kind of traveler, and every traveler or group of travelers as expected have different wants and needs. We will make sure your journey is custom-made around your travel needs and concerns.
Now that you have a key safari destination in mind and rough travel dates, you can select top attractions areas and safari experiences that combine well with your travel desires. Take a deeper dive into one safari destination, our listed safari itineraries will help you find out which locations and attractions go well together, and you can enrich your safari with additional places and experiences, leading to a complete African bucket list adventure.
3. Have a Budget Estimate
So if you want to maximize your trip experience and at the same time enjoy an affordable safari, you need to set how much you are willing to spend for the safari alone.
With countless options of African safari itineraries and travel styles, there is a lot of logistics involved in going on safari in Africa. Of course, you can’t expect to be on budget and at the same time get a luxurious experience, it’s worth keeping in mind that these African safari lodges must deliver excellent service, food and accommodation in very remote destinations – and that will costs much more than delivering the same standard of comfort in a big city.
‘We advise clients to have a budget estimate that you feel comfortable working within and share it with us so that we may help you select a safari that fits your budget needs.
Knowing what budget we can work with has a huge impact on the planning of the trip and knowing what is possible and what is not possible. This will make the safari booking even faster and you’ll get an itinerary that fits your travel desires and needs.
Select Level of Accommodation Comfort
It all boils down to the:
Type of accommodation you wish to sleep in.
The expected level of service.
The quality of the tour.
Understand that all African safari parks have amazing hotels that offers a wide range of accommodation options for every budget. The different categories of safari accommodations range from budget camps to mid-range tented camps to super luxurious safari lodges, you can rest assured to find the perfect safari lodge just for you.
Therefore it is important to specify your preferred type of accommodation keeping in mind that your choice should be within your budget.
Luxury Tented Camps & Luxury Safari Lodges – tend to be boutique-type accommodations that are designed to merge into the surroundings and operate to the highest luxury standards and extends to the quality of the service, food and guiding. The idea is to offer luxury while being as close to nature as possible, and its worth spending extra if the luxury trip ensures exclusivity at animal sightings, and more privacy in camp.
Mid-Range Safari Lodges – More options come into play here because several camps and lodges in African safari parks falls under this category. They provide travelers with a level of superior experience at an affordable price. Falling in between luxury and budget level, many of these camps have more lodge-like features, tend to be larger, and usually come with swimming pools, en-suite toilets, hot water, good food, spacious common areas, well stocked gift shops and some even have purpose built Spas.
Economy Safari Lodges – these are meant to cater for the price sensible traveler. Almost all hotels classified as budget properties are often located outside the main parks boundary. The camps do require close attention to make you’re your expectations are set correctly.
Home to Big Five Wildlife
4. Know Your African Travel Style
Your travel style depends on your personal preferences and is influenced by the type of people you plan to travel with, your safari budget, and the number of days you have available for your vacation in Africa.
If your budget is limited, you’ll want the most affordable African safari options which consists of our group departure safaris. Keep in mind every traveler or group of travelers as expected have different wants and needs.
Which One of These Africa Travel Types Do You Prefer?
African Private Safari Tours:
Perhaps you’re planning a romantic honeymoon or want to travel with young children? Younger kids and older adults might not want to go on a long safari drive therefore if you want a completely private experience with features like your own dedicated guide, exclusive-use safari vehicle, exclusive safari time or private helicopter transfers, then chat with us about the options.
Custom-Made Trips:
Our custom-made safari services doesn’t cost you anything extra – it’s the value you get when you book through African Vulture Safaris. Our Safari Experts will help you match your African safari wish-list, top desires and your budget to the most suitable accommodations, activities, locations, and make sure you get the best value for your time and money.
Private Africa Group Safaris with – Set Departure Dates:
These types of safaris start and end on fixed dates during the year. This type of travel includes a combination of the best luxury journeys and midrange safari expeditions (such as following the Wildebeest Migration in East Africa). The rest of your itinerary can still be tailor-made to your wishes.
5. Add Optional Activities
Apart from the wildlife safari game viewing, what are the types of available activities while on safari? Depending on the country or safari park, what are the most exciting things you must try?
You can also choose to include some additional activities such as hot air balloon safaris, cultural Masai village tour, nature & guided bush walks, horseback riding, as well as bush meals & sundowners, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, boat rides, wildlife helicopter flights, wildlife photo workshops, quad bikes, mountain biking and so much more.
All these activities are optional but quite exciting and en-riches your Safari experience but come at an added cost.
6. Choose Your African Travel Provider - Get A Quote
Price is not the only consideration – with a flexible mindset and some enquiry, while choosing a travel agent who can add true value to your African safari, we recommend going with an African local tour operator, it will be easy and will be much cheaper, and with a local operator you are sure of experienced local safari guides who also double up as excellent drivers.
Choosing an African safari operator comes with lots of advantages;
A great safari expert takes the time to get to know your safari preferences, will address all your concerns, and offers you detailed, up-to-date travel advice – good planning reduces risk and increases safari rewards.
Your utmost comfort and convenience are always guaranteed and above all, a fantastic safari experience.
Furthermore, they are likely able to negotiate better prices with the lodges as they are a large local operator often contracted by foreign tour agencies.
Full safari package booking– it’s in your best interest to work with a full-service partner, a tour operator that takes care of every detail from your planned safari activities, accommodation, transfers… almost everything.
Offers 24/7 on-safari support – an important advantage of booking through a credible operator who is based in Africa.
Safari reviews published on independent sites like Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, Trust Pilot & Safari Booking among others.
First Safari Booking Tip
Please ensure to check all your requirements are included in the pricing. It is also important to confirm whether accommodation is on full-board, half-board or bed and breakfast.
If you decide to book a road safari also check the type of vehicle, this could be either a Mini-Safari Van or a 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep that carry up to 7 persons per vehicle.
Understand that typical booking conditions require a deposit with balance a month prior to start of arrangements. Booking conditions including deposit payment and cancellation terms/ the standard terms and conditions will be provided by your tour operator.
Home to Big Five Wildlife
Ready To Go?
After providing all the information above, set your travel goal, en-riched your vacation wish-list, worked out your budget range and preferred dates, and it’s time to get ready for the holiday – you can now request for a safari quotation based on your itinerary.
Use the links below to find family-friendly vacations, romantic honeymoon packages, thrilling African safaris and affordable holidays.
Stay at a Treehouse
Best African Safari Tour Holidays
Discover our Africa safari tour packages, book your Nairobi city excursion, 4×4 wildlife safari, family safari holiday, honeymoon safari, photographic safari, water sports safaris, air safari, Uganda-Rwanda primate safari, beach holidays, or mountain climbing adventure in Kenya & Tanzania with Vulture African Safaris. Witness the big 5, big cats, wildebeest migration, indigenous cultures, beautiful beaches, and so much more.
9 Days | 8 Nights
Booking Kenya & Tanzania Safari Tour Packages
6 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Photographic Safaris
7 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Photo Tour
8 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Photography Safaris
10 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Safaris
10 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Safaris
10 Days | Kenya - Tanzania Safaris
Top Kenya Air Safaris
FAQ’s About East African Safaris
Q. When is the best time to visit Kenya?
As for the documentations you need for your holiday in Kenya, keep in mind entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Kenyan embassy or high commission to verify that the following information below is up to date.
-A passport is required for all foreign visitors and must be valid for at least six months.
-No visa is required. Instead, all visitors must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
-Visitors must apply in advance for the eTA on www.etakenya.go.ke.
-The standard processing time is three days, but you can apply up to three months prior to travel and early application is recommended.
-When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas, a yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required.
-For more information we strongly direct checking the website of your local Kenyan embassy/high commission or the government travel advisories below:
Australia – www.smartraveller.gov.au
Canada – travel.gc.ca
EU Member States – ec.europa.eu
Ireland – www.ireland.ie
New Zealand – www.safetravel.govt.nz
United Kingdom – www.gov.uk
United States – travel.state.gov
Q. How much does a safari in Kenya cost?
The cost for a Kenya safari starts from USD $250 to USD $2,500 per person per day depending on your level of safari; either travelling on a mid-range comfort safari or a luxury Kenya safari. Talk to one of our African travel experts to ensure the best Kenya safari experience in line with your time and budget. Your final Kenya safari cost depends on the following factors:
Time of year you’re travelling; low and high season prices.
Your choice of luxury safari lodges and tented safari camps.
Duration of your stay in Kenya.
Where you are visiting and in what means, you have the option to choose between fly-in Kenya safaris or by road, using a comfy 4 X 4 Land Cruiser jeep with open rooftop. The cost for the two greatly differ.
Your choice of additional safari activities which range from inclusive wildlife activities to optional activities like hot air balloon rides and visits to the Masai villages for cultural interactions.
Q. What medication do I need for Kenya safari?
About medicine on your trip to Kenya, we recommend anti-malarial medication no matter what time of year you plan on visiting Kenya for safari. Kindly consult with your doctor at home for advice on the right choice of prophylaxis for your body well in advance of your departure date. Additionally, if you live in a yellow fever region or plan to travel through a region where it is endemic during your stay, you will need a yellow fever vaccination and certificate.
Q. Where to stay on safari in Kenya
With hundreds of excellent luxury safari lodges and tented safari camps, you will be spoilt with lots of choices to pick from during your stay. But worry not, we will help you select the best lodges to stay in during your trip.
Additionally, when we talk about safari standards, the service level is high, with the ability to deliver the best luxury African safaris, suitable accommodations from lavish safari lodges to modern day boutique hotels and classic tented safari camps.
We shall share our list of top luxury accommodation options in Kenya – from eco-friendly architecture to the best luxury tented camps with a front-row seat to experience African wildlife mostly near game viewing hot spots like the Mara River where the Wildebeest Migration safari takes place. Our list of the best Kenya safari lodges also covers mid-range camps which can come in handy If you are travelling on budget.
Q. Where are the places to visit in Kenya?
When you think of Africa, Kenya is most likely the image you have in mind. Therefore, some of the top 10 best places to visit in Kenya, include the following destinations;
- Masai Mara: Catch the Wildebeest Migration & all year-round excellent game-viewing.
- Lamu Archipelago: Experience a classic barefoot luxury beach experience.
- Nairobi City: Feed the giraffes and visit the baby elephant’s shelter.
- Mombasa & Kenya Beaches: Explore coastal family resorts & luxury lodges, good with family trips to Kenya.
- Amboseli National Park: Photography safari destination, watch the big tusked elephants and the best views of Mt Kilimanjaro.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia: Kenya’s hidden gem; visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, feed and touch the blind rhino and spend your nights in some of the top luxury lodges.
- Mount Kenya: for the mountain trekking enthusiasts, go on a 5 days trekking tour at Mount Kenya (the second tallest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania)
- Lake Nakuru: Excellent game viewing, from rhino’s, leopards, tree climbing lions, endangered giraffes to birdlife, Lake Nakuru has it all.
- Shaba and Samburu: Kenya’s hidden gem, more than a wilderness where the special 5 wildlife roam; additionally, all the big 5 are here.
- Kenya South-Coast beaches.
Kenya Safari Reservations
Q. What type of clothes do I wear on Kenya safari?
Pack lightweight, comfortable, and casual clothing for a Kenyan safari, including long sleeves, pants, comfortable closed-toe shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, and layers for cooler mornings and evenings on game drives. For more details, we suggest you do your own safari packing essentials and find out what fits your interests.
Browse our safari clothing packing advice on what to pack for your African tour:
- Lightweight trousers /shorts and t-shirts remain ideal for the daytime drives.
- Lightweight jacket / fleece for the early mornings and evenings.
- Remember to also pack some warm socks and a woolly hat would be suggested for early morning and evening game drives.
- Hiking shoes
Other items we would suggest you bring along with you include:
- Sunscreen glasses & hat/cap
- Comfy Shoes / Sandals
- Flip Flops to wear during the day
- A Torch / Lamp
- Binoculars
- Phone/laptop charger
- Pack your medication, and a spare set of spectacles or contact lenses if you wear these.
Q. What is the best time to see the Masai Mara wildebeest migration in Kenya?
The best time to witness the dramatic Masai Mara wildebeest migration in Kenya is typically between mid-July through mid-September where your chances of witnessing a river crossing are generally much higher. In early October marks the end of the herd crossing the river from Kenya down into Tanzania, as thunderstorms begin in the north the herds will embark on their return journey back to the Serengeti.
Checkout our Migration safari offers.
Q. Kenya Vs Tanzania: Which Is Better for an African Safari?
Choosing between Kenya and Tanzania for an African safari depends on personal preferences, BUT Kenya is the most chosen being cost & budget friendly during both high and low seasons. Secondly, when it comes to the best places to stay in Kenya and Tanzania, both destinations offer fantastic accommodations. Thirdly in terms of Big 5 sightings, the wildebeest migration & general game viewing, both destinations are safari heavyweights. In terms of privacy and extending your safari beyond game drives, there are more private conservancies in Kenya than Tanzania which offer you plenty of activities inside the park.
Lastly, Kenya safari is the most sought-after destination for the world’s best safari experiences, evident from the large number of celebrities visiting year in year out.
Q. Will I have a private vehicle or shared game drives with other people?
We tend to enforce a maximum person per vehicle policy of 6. Meaning, although you’ll be sharing with other guests, everyone will get a side-view seat with unhindered views.
Some trips are designed in such a way that a private vehicle and guide are included for a portion of the trip, but the use of a private vehicle throughout your safari comes at an additional cost.
Kenya Flying Safaris
Q. How many days do you need for an Africa safari?
The ideal duration for an East Africa safari package often ranges from 5 to 14 days, this allows you to enjoy a comfortable and a well-rounded rewarding safari experience during this African tour package. It also depends on the destinations you will visit, wildlife interests, and personal preferences.
Q. What do I do in case of an emergency?
We have a 24 hour emergency line. If anything goes south, we’re ready to assist you regardless of time or date.
Q. Are there malaria mosquito nets in Africa safari tented camps?
Many tented camps in Africa provide fitted mosquito nets in all rooms which are also insect proofed to protect you against malaria mosquito bites and other insect bites, ensuring a comfortable and safe stay.
It’s also advisable to carry insect repellent to further protect yourself especially in the outdoors during evenings.
Q. Is there Wi-Fi at the safari lodges & tented camps on safari?
Almost all Africa safari lodges and tented camp accommodations during your safari provide free Wi-Fi. You’ll find this available in all three accommodation levels – comfort or luxury accommodations.
Wi-Fi is provided in the public areas of the safari lodges/tented camps including the reception, dining areas, and lounge. It is not provided in the individual rooms/tents.
Moreover, because you will be inside a wilderness park, we still request that you come prepared with your own network data to avoid any inconveniences.
Kenya Safari Payment Methods
Q. Do you provide drinking water on safari?
East Africa is within the tropics and near the Equator, separating the northern and southern hemispheres. The tropical temperatures are relatively high on the safari route and even within the national parks/game reserves.
Because you’ll need to frequently hydrate during your safari, we ensure unlimited supplies of drinking water.
All Vulture Africa Safari vehicles are fitted with a cooler box or mini fridge with a constant supply of cool, bottled water.
We replenish our supplies of drinking water during stops along the safari route.
Here’s everything you need to know about packing for your Africa safari trip.
Q. Are mosquito nets provided in safari lodge rooms/tents?
We carefully research and choose our selection of top safari lodges and tented camps to offer the best in terms of comfort, relaxation, amenities, and atmosphere during your safari.
We fully understand the need for your protection against mosquitos and other insects.
All rooms/tents during your safari are fitted with mosquito nets or are insect-proofed to protect you against bites.
Tented camp showing bedroom with mosquito nets
You are also advised to use insect repellent to further protect yourself especially outdoors in the evenings.
Q. Is it possible to store excess luggage while on safari?
Vulture African Safaris understands that your holiday travel may be lengthy and could involve different activities during your trip. You may find the need to store some of your luggage at various times.
You can safely store your extra luggage at our Nairobi office for safekeeping until you have completed your safari.
This is a free service extended to all our safari guests.
Packing luggage for an East African safari holiday tour
Additionally, our 4×4 safari Jeeps accommodate generous luggage space in its rear luggage compartment.
Q. Do you handle requests for special dietary needs?
Kenya and Tanzania welcomes visitors from all over the world and their diverse diet preferences. These preferences may be due to religious beliefs, lifestyles, or health concerns.
The menus in all safari lodges & tented camps are continental cuisine however, vegetarian, kosher, halal, gluten-free, etc. meals are also provided.
We request you indicate your special diet needs during safari booking/confirmation.
Why Book Your Safari in Advance?
Q. Do you provide airport hotel airport transfers when we arrive and depart Nairobi?
As part of our safari tour services, Vulture African Safaris provides free pickup and return to the airport/hotel for any guests who are booked for a 3-day or more safari tour with us.
The transfers are provided even if you arrive or depart several days before or after your safari start/end.
Please let us know your arrival & departure flight details including airline codes and arrival/departure times. We will provide you with the name of your driver and telephone contact in advance of your arrival/departure.
Q. Do you book or can you recommend a Nairobi hotel for our pre or post-safari stay?
If you are arriving in Nairobi earlier than your safari starting date or are intending to stay a few days more after your safari finish, you will require a Nairobi hotel.
Our listed safari tours and advertised prices do not include your Nairobi hotel.
Nairobi has a wide range of hotels in the economy, comfort, and luxury categories suitable for your 1 night or extended stay.
As part of your safari tour, Vulture Africa Safaris will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your respective Nairobi hotel or residence. This includes most areas around Nairobi.
We suggest that you look up and book online your preferred Nairobi hotel. If you should require advice, suggestions, or booking assistance for your Nairobi hotel, we will be happy to assist.
We can make suggestions depending on your budget and what area of the city you are interested in staying.
Q. Can we purchase a local Sim card for use while in Kenya?
A Kenyan Sim card will greatly reduce your telephone roaming bills during your visit and while on safari in Kenya
1 GB of data costs an average of $5.
Safaricom, a telco provider in Kenya is the market leader with the best national coverage and better deals.
Sim cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers. You can purchase them at the Nairobi airport upon arrival. Cost is approximately $1 or Ksh.100
To purchase local sim cards, you are required to have a Sim-unlocked GSM-compatible phone.
Q. What are your recommended safari tipping guidelines?
Tipping in guidelines for Kenya and Tanzania safaris – although not mandatory, is expected in return for good service.
All hotels, lodges, and porterage gratuities are included in the cost of your safari – these are collectively referred to as the service charge.
You may also decide to tip individual waiters, porters, and other hotel service employees who provide exemplary service. Usually, $1 – $5 per meal or move is appropriate and appreciated.
It is, however, customary to tip your safari driver/guide at the end of the safari tour. The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service rendered. An average of $10 per guest per day or 5-10% of your safari-only cost is suggested. However, the amount is at your discretion – you are welcome to provide additional compensation to any staffer who has provided special services. A bar gratuity of $1 is acceptable.
You may tip in Kenya shillings, USD, or in Euro at the end of your safari and preferably in an envelope.