Understanding The Costs Of A Safari In Kenya
Let’s talk about the average costs of a safari in Kenya, these answers will bring clarity to your much awaited African safari tour. The cost of a safari in Kenya largely depends on the kind of traveler you are, and the reason for saying this is because there are different categories, are you the luxury traveler? Travelling on budget? Or you are the ultra-luxury traveler. Once you decide on this, it will be easy to understand the types of safaris in Kenya & their cost.
Extra Additional Kenya Safari Costs
There are many factors that determine the total cost of a Kenya safari tour. Some of these factors include the type of accommodation, number of people travelling, preferred mode of transport (road safaris or air safaris), the duration of your trip, the time of the year and inclusion of additional activities.
Remember this is also linked to the way you spend – some are obvious, some less so – that you might need to add into your overall safari budget.
Your International Flights
This is an obvious cost because how are you going to travel to Kenya? The point here is that you can get find great deals on flights to Nairobi from Europe, North America and Asia, all depending on the routes that you plan to use to arrive into Kenya.
Your Kenya Visa Cost
Starting January 5, 2024, ALL travelers (some countries are exempted) will be required to apply for and pay for the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before their journey to Kenya.
Fees vary depending on the type of travel application selected with normal (processing may take up to 72 hours) starting at $30 and expedited (immediate processing) at an addition $100.
If you’re planning an East African trip to go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda then get yourself an East African tourist visa (not valid for Tanzania) for US$100.
Tanzania – Visa fee to all visitors coming for tourism purpose (Ordinary Visa) is 50 USD. However, American citizens are required to apply for a Multiple entry Visa in which they are charged a fee of 100 USD for twelve months for holiday/tourism purpose.
Your Accommodation Choices
All of the top Kenyan Parks, Reserves, and Private Wildlife Conservancies have accommodations at all prices. You can choose between staying in tented safari camps or safari lodges, all offering a different feel and experience – and are pricey.
Your Safari Vaccinations
A yellow-fever vaccination is required for entry into Kenya. For travelers asking about Malaria, it’s wise to take precautions against mosquitoes and malaria. You can easily carry your own anti-malaria tablets or take a prescription from your doctor weeks earlier as you continue planning your trip to Africa.
Safari Tipping
In some of high-end hotels, safari lodges and camps, tipping is expected. Guides and drivers also expect to be tipped. Bring a couple of hundred US dollars in smaller bills to cover tips: around US$5 to US$10 per person per day.
Your Travel Insurance
You need to get yourself a standard travel insurance from your home country. This is fine for most safari activities, but if you’re planning to trek up Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro or go scuba diving then make sure your insurance policy covers trekking at altitude and diving. Many insurance travel policies don’t cover these things.
Hot Air Balloon
10 Factors Influencing The Cost Of Kenya Safaris According To Travel Experts
The Choice Of Accommodations
The Kenya safari lodges can be very expensive. Many safari camps cost some hundred dollars for a night, and there are plenty of places priced over US$1000 a night. All this depends on how much you wish to spend on your safari. In between luxury and high-end safaris, is a good array of more moderately priced accommodations.
Duration Of Your Safari
The longer you stay in Kenya or in a particular safari park or reserve doesn’t certainly bring the per-day cost down. Park entry fees are always charged on a per-person daily basis and don’t get cheaper the more days you spend in a park. Occasionally ultra-luxury safari lodges and camps might have a special offer where every fourth or fifth night is free.
Your Group Size (Number Of People Travelling)
Going on a scheduled group safari will somehow work out cheaper than a private safari tour, and the bigger the group size the cheaper day-to-day costs are likely to be. But again, private safaris have plenty of advantages over group tours.
Safari Activity Add-Ons
Gliding over the plains on a hot-air balloon ride is a popular safari add-on, but expect to pay at least US$450 – US$550 per person. Other safari add-ons that can involve an additional payment include bush breakfasts and sundowners.
Private Safari Interests
A special-interest safari tour, such as one focused on bird watching, might mean paying more for a specialist guide. This also includes gorilla trekking trips and mountain climbing tours in Africa.
Locations Of Safari Accommodations
Perhaps nothing influences the cost of a Kenya safari like location does. A safari camp deep inside the plains of the Masai Mara Park costs much more than a similar quality lodge just outside of the parks protected areas. Staying outside park boundaries might also save you money on entry fees.
Time Of The Year To Visit
Festive season – rates rise as demand from most people and families traveling during winter break increases; December 20 through January 5. Kenya’s high season is July to October, which is also when the Wildebeest Migration arrives in Masai Mara Park. There’s a second high season from mid-December to mid-January. Low season is November and March to mid-May. Some safari accommodations close in low season, but this is the cheapest time of year to go on safari with prices somehow lower. Mid-season is also a perfect compromise between the two, and ensures great wildlife viewing, fewer crowds and lower costs.
Mode Of Transport (Fly-In Vs Drive-In Safaris)
Your preferred mode of transport (road safaris or air safaris), will also affect your safari budget because you will find that road safaris are much cheaper than the flying safaris. This also depends on the number of people travelling. Therefore, the more people you have in the car, the better value for money it becomes.
Personal Expenses/ Spending
How much should I spend on safari? It is wise to allocate a budget for souvenirs, personal items, and incidental expenses during your safari in Kenya. Depending on your preferences and planned activities, this could range from $200 to $500, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience – you may want to go on a city tour before your wildlife safari, or even visit museums, and all this will require movements here and there using a taxi/cab.
Beach Holiday Extensions
Many travelers on a Kenya safari sensibly decide to add in a bit of beach time. The two most popular beach locations are Diani and Malindi. Kenya safari and beach holidays are the perfect combo: first, stir up the dust with a big game adventure on Kenya wildlife safari, exploring this country’s iconic wildlife parks. Then, finish up your beach holiday on the waters of Kenya’s Diani Beach.
Mount Kenya
Expected Costs Per Day On A Kenya Safari
It all depends on what class of safari you want and can afford. Kenya has more variety than most other African safari destinations, with excellent options from budget to luxury Kenya trips.
Budget Kenya safaris (US$200 – US$300 per person per day) – This typically includes a shared group transport, and very basic hotels, which lack most of the safari lodging amenities. Everything here is basic from the food to the day to day activities which are usually rushed because of sticking to the group program.
Mid-Range Kenya safaris (US$400 – US$800 per person per day) – This typically features comfortable tented safari lodges and well-run safari camps. On a mid-range tour you at least get value for your money.
Luxury Kenya safaris (US $800 – US$1,500 per person per day) – This is now where you get to stay at Kenya’s 5-star safari lodges or rather the high-end luxury safari camps in Kenya. Everything is excellent from guiding to food. Get in touch with us so that we plan your Kenya luxury safaris, experience services beyond.
For solo travelers, expect to add an extra cost of the single supplement of (US $50 – US$100 per day) on top of your total safari costs.
Best Kenya Safari & Beach Tours
Browse our favorite Kenyan beach holiday packages or simply get in touch with one of our Africa safari experts to help custom-make a Kenyan beach holiday that matches your travel wishes. You can enjoy safaris in Kenya national parks on the mainland, then follow it up with a relaxed beach holiday at Malindi or Diani. Get to know the coastal Kenya, and what’s possible on your trip to these Indian Ocean beaches, discover some of the best-loved experiences and safari routes that we’ve found working particularly well with our travelers.
