Ever imagined yourself on a wildlife viewing safari in Kenya? If you do choose a Kenya safari, then there are some more questions to ask to ensure you choose a safari that will be just right for you. Whether you are looking to a self guided safari in Kenya or a guided trip, these essential things are important to know;
- Where in Africa do you want to safari?
Kenya is where the magic truly happens. You can spot all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant) in Ol Pejeta Conservancy and there is a wide selection of excellent wildlife parks, reserves and conservancies to choose from. Maasai warriors act as guides, enriching your experience while staying in the bush. The Great Wildebeest Migration travels through Kenya, and throughout the entire year there are hundreds of different species to see.
- When is the best time to go on safari in Kenya?
There really is no “right” answer because anytime is a good time to visit! Since Kenya is located on the equator, it is considered a “year-round destination.” It really depends on you and what you prefer.
For instance, January-March are the “hot” months. During this time, animals tend to congregate around the watering holes, which provide an excellent view of the wildlife.
April and May comprise Kenya’s rainy season—and some camps close in May when the rains are at their height. But even though there is a good amount of rain, it’s usually at its heaviest at night, so there are always some sunny days.
June is a beautiful month to visit as the vegetation is lush after the weeks of heavy rain. Many animals are having their young during this time, which would be an incredible scene to witness.
July and August are actually the cool months in Kenya. They are a fantastic time to go on safari if you are interested in seeing the Great Wildebeest Migration, but be aware that this can also be a very crowded time inside the Mara Reserve with many more tourist visitors.
September and October have wonderful weather and wildlife viewing, before a shorter rainy season begins again in November and December.
Truly, it depends on your schedule and what type of animal-viewing you prefer. But no matter when you choose, it’ll be the adventure of a lifetime.
- What animals are your “must see” while on safari in Kenya?
Could you imagine visiting Africa and leaving without having seen a herd of elephants? Or sighting all the iconic African wildlife species like Zebra, Giraffe or Rhino? What is on your “animal bucket list?” Your answer could play a huge part in where you go and when you travel. For instance, there are lots of Big Cats in the Mara Conservancies. The Mara is also the place to see the Great Wildebeest Migration.
If you aren’t entirely sure where your favorite animals are located, take a glance at this list to get a good feel of where you should go.
- What kind of lodging experience are you looking for?
When it comes to choosing where you want to stay on safari, there are lots of considerations. Of course, the first is usually budget. Keep in mind that when you plan to stay can affect the cost as well. Prices will be higher in the more popular months such as July and August.
Another point to consider some of the camps and lodges can be booked on a “game package rate” (to include game drives, meals, drinks, and transportation as a part of their price per night). And some camps and lodges are based on a Full Board basis only with optional game drives and extras payable when you are there. So do be sure to check carefully what is included before you confirm your arrangements.
Next, think about the type of lodging you’d prefer. Do you like the thought of staying under the stars, able to hear the call of the wild? Or is the idea of a hotel more enticing? You can choose either one or both on your Kenyan safari.
Finally, do you want to make sure you leave a positive mark on the environment and its inhabitants? The Porini camps are committed to responsible tourism and take extraordinary measures to be eco-friendly and conserve natural resources.
- Are you planning on adding any “extras” to your trip?
There are some awesome experiences you can add to any safari but you need to book in advance. Imagine waking up before the sun, only to watch it rise from the same eye level as the birds. A tranquil hot air balloon ride over the savannah is the perfect way to see a side of Kenya that few will ever experience. Did we mention there’s champagne included?
Another amazing add-on: ending your safari adventure with a little R&R on the white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean. After your safari you can fly to the coast for a few days before flying back to Nairobi to connect to your home-bound flight.
- What items and clothing should you pack?
Light packing is required for your safari, if possible, as there are weight limits on planes, especially the smaller aircraft that will be taking you from camp to camp. However, if you are travelling elsewhere after your safari – such as to the Coast – many tour operators offer the ability to leave your main luggage in storage and you can travel lighter to the wildlife areas.
You’ll want to wear lots of greens and khakis, but nothing that looks like military-style camouflage-print, since that is reserved for security personnel. Simple shirts and shorts, chinos, and light jackets are great to bring. Sturdy walking shoes or trainers are a must as well as a pair of flip flops or sandals for wearing around camp. And you can’t forget a good safari sun hat.
If you are going to the highlands of Kenya such as to Ol Pejeta Conservancy then it can get chilly on early morning or evening game drives, so we recommend taking some warm items of clothing, such as fleeces or sweaters, which can be peeled off, when it gets hotter later in the day.
Don’t forget important documents (passport, health cards, airline tickets), medicines (prescriptions, malaria prophylaxis, motion sickness pills), and other necessities like toiletries, but don’t bring any fine jewelry or other valuable items.
Of course you will need your camera to capture the sights and scenes of safari. Our recommendations are here.
Finally, we recommend having your own pair of binoculars for each person travelling.
- What type of safari transport should you use?
You can either travel by aircraft or road and road travel takes a lot more time than you’d expect. You can easily gobble up entire days of your trip just getting from camp to camp.
Air travel is infinitely preferable if there are more than a few miles between destinations. A fly-in safari conserves your precious time and is generally more comfortable all around.
Whilst on safari, you may see a range of different vehicles driving around. At the camps and lodges, open sided vehicles with high canvas roofs are used. These are perfect for wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities. Road safaris use closed sided vehicles with sliding glass windows and roof hatches, as these protect passengers from weather conditions and dust on the main roads.
- What can you expect as a typical day on safari?
Wake up to the song birds gently telling you it’s time to start your day. Have a hot tea or coffee and light snack before embarking on your first game drive or guided walk for the day. Mornings are a wonderful time for wildlife viewing as they are cooler and many animals are active.
After your early morning activity, return to camp for a full breakfast / brunch. During the heat of mid-day, most animals are resting, so it’s time for you to do the same. Enjoy a refreshing shower, chat with fellow travelers, or catch up on that book you’ve been trying to read for ages.
Following afternoon tea, set out for another game drive, usually concluded with a sundowner and a picture-perfect view of the sun setting over the savannah. At night, there are night game drives to search for nocturnal animals.
Finish off your evening with dinner prepared by the camp chef and cold drinks or wine, and enjoy conversation with your fellow camp-mates around the camp fire.
Conclusion
Maybe it’s been a dream or maybe it’s a new idea that sparked later in life either way, you can’t wait to get on the Kenya savannah plains and set out on a new adventure accompanied by an expert safari guide to watch the iconic wildlife
