What are the Factors That Affect the Cost of a Kenyan Safari? This is a question that runs through the minds of many travelers as they plan their Kenya safari packages. The factors that will determine the cost of your safari tour in Kenya are:
- Type of accommodation
- Mode of transport
- Extra activities such as balloon safaris, horse riding etc
- Season or period of travel
- Duration of the safari
- Number of people traveling
1. Accommodation
Every safari destination in Kenya has accommodation levels to cater for various budgets of different type of clientele and this will influence the cost of a safari package in Kenya.
You also have the option of choosing either budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation establishments. National parks and game reserves also accommodate various range of budgets.
Here are some of budget camps in Masai Mara Reserve for those looking for affordable Kenya safari packages.
Below are some of the mid range camps in Masai Mara national reserve.
Below is a list of luxurious camps.
2. Mode of Transport
While on safari in Kenya, many prefer traveling by road as this is the ideal means of seeing the beauty of the country and also allows you to interact with the locals and experience their way of life.
The common way to go on safari is to use a private tour van or safari Landcruiser. This is better because the tour company can guarantee your safety, travel at your pace and allow you to enjoy personal comfort.
Traveling by air is very fast but obviously more expensive. Flights to Masai Mara start from Wilson Airport in Langata, Nairobi. Companies that offer flight services to Masai Mara are Air Kenya, Safarilink, among others.
Based on the above information, you can see that the type of transport that you use will impact on how much a safari to Kenya will cost you.
3. Extra Activities
Besides doing a scheduled safari, clients can choose optional activities such as balloon ride over the Masai Mara. This is a beautiful adventure ride to take but it comes at an added cost.
Other options can include visiting a Masai village to learn the way of life of the Maasai. You are expected to “pay” them something as a token of appreciation
Other activities that will affect your budget would be visiting other attractions or places that are not in the game reserves/national parks such as
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust located at Langata on the outskirts of Nairobi city where you get to interact and feed orphaned elephant
Interact and feed giraffe at the Giraffe Center, located in Langata
Shopping at Kenya’s prestigious malls including Galleria Mall, Village Market, The Hub in Karen etc
There are several Epic Places to Visit in Nairobi
4. Season of Travel
Travel seasons also determine the cost of your accommodation in Kenya. Peak seasons include July to October during the annual wildebeest migration and December to early January.
During these times, there are a lot of tourists coming into Kenya and accommodation in national parks and reserves is expensive because of the demand.
To travel with lower budget, opt for off-peak months when hotels/camps/lodges have amazing discounts and also the safari destinations and attractions are less crowded.
5. Duration of Your Kenya Safari
The more nights you spend on safari in Kenya the more it will cost you.
If you are visiting Masai Mara or Amboseli only, a maximum number of 2 nights while on safari in Kenya is okay: one in Nairobi and two in Masai Mara [3 days Masai Mara adventure safari] or [3 Days Amboseli Adventure Safari]. If your visit combines Masai Mara and other place such as Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru or Amboseli, [6 Days Kenya Classic Wildlife Safari] 5 to 6 nights would be enough.
Check out our best selling Tour Packages.
6. No of Persons Traveling
If you are traveling with friends, each person contributes for the tour which in turn reduces the transportation cost reducing the overall cost per person.
If you are traveling with children, those over 12 years will pay the full adult rate. The parks also charge a lesser fee for children under the age of 12 years.
Conclusion
With these tips on Factors That Affect the Cost of a Kenyan Safari in mind, you can customize your Kenyan safari tour to meet your cost, whether you are traveling alone or with your spouse, with the whole family or as a group of friends.
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