What does a safari Kenya actually cost?

It’s on the bucket list of many – going on safari in Kenya! Unfortunately, a safari has been known as an expensive trip and more of a thing to do when retired. But is that really true? What does a safari Kenya actually cost? And shouldn’t more people than just retirees be able to go on such adventurous outings?

Safari Kenya cost

We, from Africa Safari Trips, offer private trips and safaris in different price categories. This is to make it possible for many people to make their dream of going on a safari in Africa a reality. Because where do you really find such a huge territory of untamed nature with so many magnificent wild animals to admire? We believe that this is something you, as a newlywed couple would love to enjoy. Or maybe it’s something you would want your children to experience. Or just something you have been wanting to check off of your bucket list for years!

To put it simply, a safari for 2 people in the low season costs approximately 350 to 400 USD per person per day. For this price, you have yourself a jeep with a private guide, access to the national park, a luxury lodge or tented camp, and a full board meal plan (including lunch boxes during the safari) and drinking water in the jeep.

The price can go up depending on the level of luxury and the season of travel. We offer our safaris to Kenya with hotels in three price categories: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Silver is the most affordable, but it is most definitely not a backpacker’s vacation. To give you an idea of the price differences between categories and seasons, see the average prices for 5 or 6-day safaris in Kenya for two people staying in the different category accommodations: 

Low season*

Silver: 1750 USD
Gold: 2150 USD
Platinum: 2500 USD

High season*  

Silver: 2200 USD
Gold: 2840 USD
Platinum: 3200 USD

Key elements of the price
The cost of a safari in Kenya consists of a few key elements that make up the biggest part of the safari price: 

• Transport
• Hotels
• Entry fees for the national parks 

If you wish to add excursions or supplements, that of course adds to the price as well. But keep in mind that international plane tickets are never included. You always pay for your own international plane ticket and visa. And it’s good to keep in mind that the prices for both the safari and the plane ticket depend on the season you choose to travel.

Transport during your safari

Of course, the costs of transport are unavoidable when going on a safari. The good thing about a safari with us, however, is that the cost of transport is fixed no matter how far you drive within the national park boundaries. After all, you have a private vehicle with an appointed driver and the price for this includes gas and an unlimited amount of kilometres on your safari. This means that you won’t feel restricted in the kilometres you are driving because the cost remains the same. This complete package is especially beneficial when going to remote places within the park. Or when you go to huge parks such as Masai Mara National Reserve or Samburu National Reserve. 

So, it doesn’t matter how long you drive or where you go – as long as you are within your itinerary, the boundaries and the opening hours of the park, the transport price is fixed! To give you an idea of the high-season-prices of transport:

Transport per day for 2 people*
160 USD per person

Transportation per day for 4 people*
80 USD per person

Transportation per day for 6 people*
54 USD per person

As you can see, a way to crank down the price of a safari quite a notch is to share the vehicle with other people. We do not organize group safaris but when you book your journey, you can always consider gathering some more people to join your safari in Kenya. Even if you had a romantic safari for just the two of you in mind, why not triple that romance by adding two more couples on the trip?
Keep in mind that there is only space for seven people in the vehicle. So if you book for a family that exceeds the maximum capacity of one vehicle, think of adding some more friends or family members. You fill a second vehicle and bring down the price in that way. More people get to enjoy a safari in Kenya and the price is acceptable. It’s a win-win situation!

Entry fees for national parks

Those who choose to go on an adventurous vacation and opt for a safari will always have to pay the fees of national parks. You can’t go around it and it’s unfortunately not cheap either. Each park has its own rates for entry fees and if you decide to spend the night at the park, there will be extra costs as well. Though these prices are inevitable, it is also very reasonable seeing that this keeps the amount of visitors regulated. 

If you therefore wish to go on safari in Kenya, but don’t want to burn your pockets on the park fees, you can then consider picking just one park that’s a bit more expensive or maybe two parks that are a bit cheaper. Or you choose the most expensive park (Masai Mara National Reserve) but do so in the low season. Either way – you can still bet on having the experience of a lifetime…! To give you an idea of the Masai Mara prices: 

Masai Mara National Reserve – high season*
240 USD per person + 35 USD for the car with a guide

Masai Mara National Reserve – low season*
130 USD per person + 35 USD for the car with a guide

Safari Kenya cost: hotels and meals

Whoever goes on safari in Kenya with us, will book their safari based on full board. This means that all meals are included in the price of your safari. Keep in mind that drinks such as tea and coffee are generally included with the meals, but other beverages will be at your own expense.
Most people choose to stay in the same category of hotels for the entire trip, but if you like to spend some time in a more luxurious hotel in between, that is possible too. To give you an idea of the average prices (full board, low season, per night):

Silver hotel*
200 – 500 USD, per two-person bedroom

Golden hotel*
300 – 700 USD, per two-person bedroom

Platinum hotel*
More than 700 USD, per two-person bedroom

Silver hotels are great choices because you still have everything you need. You have a decent and well-equipped room, a nice restaurant and oftentimes a pool or beautiful scenery to enjoy. Golden hotels will not differ that much, other than by boasting a more luxurious décor and amenities. The bar will have a greater assortment and the buffet will most likely have much more variety.

Our Platinum hotels are even more luxurious – nothing has been spared on that! These hotels are in the most beautiful locations, the restaurants often serve à la carte and the rooms are equipped with the most comfortable beds and lush décor. Bathrooms might come with outdoor showers (in the heart of the Masai Mara!) or a bathtub with an amazing view.

As for Silver, Zebra Plains Masai Mara is a great example and in the Golden category, you can think of Emara Ole Sereni in Nairobi. As for our Platinum category, the Elephant Bedroom Camp in Samburu National Reserve will give you a beautiful example.

What are the cost of excursions?

Excursions, aside from the safari, are a great way to get to know the land of Kenya better, to connect with the locals or to experience the natural sights in a slightly different way. For example, you can visit the traditional tribes (the Maasai or the Samburu), do a bike ride amid African wildlife, soar in a hot air balloon over the savannah, or go on a boat safari on a lake full of hippos. The cost of the excursion depends on the type of excursion of course, but prices range from anything between 10 to 500 USD per person, per excursion.

Plane tickets

The price of a safari in Kenya obviously also depends on the actual travel to Kenya. And plane tickets are not cheap, especially during the high season. So those who like to save on their budget should not be travelling in July, August or December. The other months give lower prices for plane tickets. When favour is on your side, you can find super cheap tickets, but most likely with a layover. If you prefer a direct flight, that automatically means you pay more. 

The seasons

You might have noticed it already, but the cost of a safari in Kenya very much depends on the seasons. The high season in Kenya starts at the beginning of June and runs to mid-September. It then kicks back again around mid-December until mid-January. This correlates with the European vacations and holidays. At the same time, July, August and September are the months that the Great Migration runs through the Masai Mara which makes these months extra popular for a visit to Kenya. And that also drives the prices up.

Low season months are March, April, May, November and the first half of December. This correlates with the rainy season, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see the sun! Mostly, it’s just more green and less busy.

Safari Kenya cost: conclusion

We will not deny it. Going on safari in Kenya or any other East African country is fantastic, but not cheap. But whoever has saved up for a sunny day and has booked smartly, will be able to experience an amazing safari for a reasonable price. Pay attention to the season (high season or low season), and consider how many people you wish to include in your booking and in what hotels you prefer to stay. In the end, the Kenya safari cost might just surprise you. Have a look at our travel itineraries and the corresponding prices per category to see which safari fits within your budget!

 

*Please note that prices above are indications and cannot be used to correct the price of a proposal. All prices on our website are subject to change, as they are continuously influenced by things like varying exchange rates and sudden changes in government regulations.