How Much Does a Kenya Safari Cost?

With all the amazing options available for a Kenya safari, travellers are spoilt for choice. You can go to the Masai Mara, visit Amboseli or the dry landscapes of Samburu and Buffalo Springs, and relax on the beach in the Lamu Archipelago, Watamu, or Diani Beach. But how much does a Kenya safari cost?  

Kenya Safari Cost Variables  

• Time of year: Low season vs high season 
• Number of travellers: Groups vs intimacy 
• Type of accommodation: Budget vs Luxury
• Transportation: Fast or slow
• Optional Extras
• Hidden Safari Costs

Time of Year & Your Kenya Safari Budget 

The first thing to consider when planning your Kenya safari is the season. High season refers to the high-tourist season. High safari season in Kenya correlates with the dry season where game viewing is at its best and of course the Wildebeest Great Migration in the Masai Mara. Roughly speaking the Kenya safari high season runs from June to October. The high safari season means greater demand, which translates to reduced availability, and higher prices. 

If you are on a tight budget, then it is best to avoid the peak season months. The trade-off here is that you will not get to witness a Mara River crossing and you may have to work a little harder for your game sightings. The upside of travelling off-peak is the better safari deals available and the reduced crowds. 

How Group Size Affects Kenya Safari Costs 

When booking your Kenya Safari, numbers can make a big difference. For a simple safari example, a lone traveller will shoulder the full transport cost of a safari vehicle over the number of days it is hired. However, 7 people sharing a safari van at $150 a day can reduce this expense to just over $21 each. This can be extrapolated over the full length of the trip. From airport transfers and drivers to overlanding vehicles and safari guides. Any expense that can be shared can be reduced by adding more people to your safari. The trick here is to find a balance between having a more intimate experience and sharing expenses between your group.  

Kenya Safari Costs: Accommodation Budget 

Safari accommodation is another choice that can have a big impact on how far you can stretch your Kenyan safari budget. There is a wide variety of accommodations with various amenities available throughout Kenya and prices vary as much as the styles. Within a single reserve, you can go budget with just the essentials or scale up to a luxury safari experience. 

The basement budget rates will be staying in Kenya Wildlife Service campsites. A public campsite in any of Kenya’s National Parks will cost between US$ 30 and US$ 50 for adults per person per night. From there you can scale up your comfort levels as much as you like to suit your budget and your needs. Just remember that exclusivity comes at a premium and you will pay more staying in one of the Masai Mara conservancies that limit visitor numbers than you will pay in the national park itself. That exclusivity comes at a premium and you will pay more to stay in one of the Masai Mara conservancies that limit visitor numbers than you will pay in the national park itself. 

Budget Transport & Your Kenya Safari 

Depending on which mode of transport you prefer, either flying or going by road, it will affect the cost. Flying to any tourist destination in Kenya is more expensive than travelling by road. But, by doing a fly-in Kenya safari you can make better use of your time by spending more time in the chosen game park experiencing the African wilderness. It’s all about deciding what is best for you and your budget.   

Air transfers departing from Nairobi to your chosen destination are what are referred to as fly-in safaris. At the time of writing a budget air transfer from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, for example, would cost upward of $ 200 for a return ticket. Here too, seasonal demand will make a big difference in the price. On the other hand, you can hire a minivan for US$ 120 per day minimum of 7 days (7 passengers) or a car for US$ 50 per day minimum of 7 days for a self-drive safari. Fuel for this Masai Mara self-drive will come between US$ 30 and US$ 50 depending on the vehicle. A taxi transfer to the Masai Mara from Nairobi will cost around US$ 230 for a maximum of 3 passengers. On top of this, there are vehicle entry fees for the parks as well as the charge per person. It all adds up. 

Once you arrive at your destination there are usually two options for transport. The more ubiquitous budget-friendly safari vehicle or the trusty Toyota Landcruiser. Private safari lodges often use Landcruisers which are widely believed to be more comfortable but are also more expensive. Both vehicles carry 7 passengers, who will all have window seats, as well as a pop-up roof. Don’t forget there will also be guide charges for the vehicle operator. 

Kenya Visa Costs at the time of writing

Your Kenya Safari Budget & Optional Extras 

Kenya safaris, whether bespoke private safari or group tour, will cover just about everything from airport pick-ups and transfers, safari vehicles and game drives to park fees, food on safari and accommodation. When you book you will discuss with your safari tour operator what activities you want to include or exclude. These are optional extras, and they are often bucket list items. 

Popular Kenya safari extras include visiting Maasai villages, night-time game drives, horseback riding, guided safari walks, boat rides and hot air balloon adventures. While these activities can make for a richer safari experience, they will also add to the safari price.  

Hidden Safari Costs & Your Kenya Safari 

It is good practice to expect extra costs. These are safari costs that inevitably turn up that we often neglect to budget for. International flights, visas and safari expenses aside, here is a short list of some safari extras that you can budget for. 

• Souvenirs and curios. It’s always nice to take something home with you or get gifts for someone back home. There will be plenty of opportunities to shop around for something special as a keepsake from your Kenyan safari. 
• Alcoholic drinks are very seldom included. If you are partial to scotch or beer, the best budget for some recreational drinking. 
• Laundry. Packing space is limited due to weight restrictions on flights. Laundry services are available, but these will have to come out of your pocket. 
• Tips. Tipping is an important part of the safari economy, and it is expected. Guides, staff at lodges, cleaners and waiters, and waitresses will all go out of their way to make sure your stay is amazing. A baseline tip is 10% but exceptional service should be rewarded. 

6 Best Budget Kenya Safari Tips 

• Travel off-peak for accommodation and transport savings 
• Share costs. By adding numbers to your safari group, you can reduce the costs of transport and often qualify for group discounts. 
• Plan “rest days” to counter hectic travel. Moving between destinations is often tiring and expensive. It can be cheaper to break your busy travel schedule with a few days on the beach somewhere relaxing so that you can recharge. 
• If you visit Masai Mara, you can avoid the higher park fees of the main reserve by visiting some of the unfenced Masai Mara conservancies.
• Consider visiting lesser-known Game Reserves which often deliver excellent game viewing at a fraction of the cost without the crowds at the premium destinations. Mount Meru National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and even Tsavo are all exciting alternatives. 
• Mix and match your transport. While flying might be a little more expensive, it will allow you to maximize the time you spend at your Kenya safari destination. Travel by road between relatively close destinations say Amboseli and Tsavo and use air travel to access more remote destinations like Samburu or Mount Kenya. 

Discover top tips for saving money on your Masai Mara Safari in our blog post - How to Experience a Masai Mara Safari on a Budget Next Year

3 Budget Myths for Your Kenya Safari  

When booking your Kenya safari there are a few budget travel myths that need to be corrected. These travel myths relate to safari agents, package deals, and the do-it-yourself mantra. 

Myth: Safari travel agents are expensive 

The truth of the matter is that safari travel agents have a wealth of experience to draw on. Their connections within safari travel circles mean that they will have access to special deals, room availability, transfers, and the latest news and reviews from safari destinations. They are there to help you find the best deal for your budget. Being able to assemble your safari itinerary from start to finish gives them the bargaining power to find the best safari deals.  

Myth: Package deals are cheaper 

While package deals do offer you one “all-in” safari price, and can make your trip convenient and affordable, it also locks you into certain activities and destinations that have a ridged price structure. A tailor-made safari is designed not only around you and your safari ideals but also around your safari budget. A bespoke Kenyan safari means that you can decide where to pull your budget safari strings and where to splurge for those exceptional experiences at the top of your safari bucket list. 

Myth: A “DIY safari” will be cheaper 

Many independent travellers baulk at the idea of using a travel agent or subscribing to a safari package. There is a notion that the DIY safari experience, in addition to being cheaper, will give them more freedom from a rigid itinerary, the ability to change direction at a whim, and therefore a richer safari experience. However, going on a Kenya safari involves travelling large distances, often to remote and out-of-the-way places. A safari expert’s specialized knowledge of flight schedules, transfer companies, and safari destination guides gives them the edge in putting together the most budget-friendly options. A “Do-it-yourself" safari will not necessarily be cheaper or, with regards to more remote destinations, even possible. 

How Much Does a Kenya Safari Cost? 

With so much to offer, answering this question is not as easy as it sounds. At a bargain budget no-frills safari you can expect to pay around US$ 299 per person per night at a quiet off-peak time of year. To do a Kenya safari in style with peak season attractions and exceptional guides you can expect anything in the range between US$ 600 and US$ 2,000 per person per night. 

Start by figuring out where you want to go and what you MUST see, then decide on your budget. With these two criteria in mind, speak to one of our experienced Kenya travel consultants and let them work their safari magic to get you the Kenyan safari you have always wanted.  

Contact African Budget Safaris for up-to-date Kenya safari prices and costs.