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A game drive vehicle on Kenya safari tour, a herd of elephants crossing the road.

Kenya Safari Tours

Experience stunning natural beauty on our private and small group Kenya safari tours

Safari tours in Kenya

Join us on one of our exclusive Kenya safari tours to experience East Africa’s natural treasures – travel in style and stay at some of East Africa’s most spectacular lodges.

By day, our experienced guides will take you on morning and afternoon game drives in our custom-built Toyota Land Cruisers. You can expect world-class wildlife sightings and diverse landscapes in Kenya’s best national parks, such as the Masai Mara National Reserve.

As the shadows grow longer, you return to your lodge or tented camp where no creature comforts are spared, and a warm welcome awaits.

As the setting sun turns everything to gold, you can relax in the privacy of your room or mingle with other travellers at the bar. Watch monkeys retreat to the nightly treetop sanctuary, listen to chirping crickets, and, with luck, watch elephants quench their thirst at the water hole.

Prepare to enjoy some of the most romantic dinners of your life. Dine under the starry sky, savour gourmet cuisine and listen to the nocturnal calls, adding to an already dramatic atmosphere. Feeling full, return to your room to enjoy a refreshing hot shower after a day of adventures.

Private Kenya safari tours offer complete flexibility, allowing you to set the pace by choosing your dates and destinations. You will have your own vehicle and guide to enhance the private experience.

Alternatively, we offer small group lodge safaris with no more than seven guests on a series of carefully crafted itineraries. A window seat in your safari vehicle is always guaranteed. Dates are scheduled throughout the year, providing a competitive price if you are a solo traveller or a young couple.

When is the best time for a Kenya safari tour?

The dry season from June to October offers the best wildlife viewing and weather conditions for safaris in Kenya. However, it is the high season, so higher prices apply, and it’s advisable to make reservations well in advance.

We recommend early June for the best time to travel to Kenya during the high season.

Alternatively, you can opt for the green season from November to May for fewer visitors and lower prices. That said, there are some weather patterns to be aware of during this season.

The short rains occur from November to mid-December, replenishing the parched dry season landscapes and kickstarting the annual cycle of life. It is the shoulder season with slightly lower prices and visitors. Moreover, rainfall occurs in brief afternoon storms, rarely affecting morning game drives. Dust-free skies and dramatic cloud formations over green landscapes make it one of the best times to visit Kenya.

January to February is a dry period with increased temperatures and humidity, particularly on the coast. It is also shoulder season with lower visitor numbers, making it a great time to visit.

From mid-March to May, the long rains transpire, marking the low season. If you don’t mind the rain, you can see Kenya’s most popular parks with a few other visitors.

Best Kenya Guided Lodge Safaris & Tours

Three giraffes stand in front of Mt Kilimanjaro seen from Amboseli National Park. This is a popular sighting on our best Kenya safari itinerary.
A pride of lions walks along a dirt road in the Masai Mara, one of the destinations on this Kenya and Tanzania safari package.
The silhouette of two elephants with the sun breaking through the clouds seen on a Masai Mara safari.
A herd of elephants crosses the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve, a popular destination on a northern Kenya safari.
Two rhinos standing in a forested area on the shores of Lake Nakuru, seen on a one week Kenya safari.
A female lion lies in a savanna grassland at sunset, looking directly at the camera. A great sighting in the Maasai Mara on a classic Kenya safari.
Accommodations

BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED LODGES AND PERMANENT TENTED CAMPS OFFER SUBLIME LUXURY

Kenya is renowned as the birthplace of the classic safari and has a well-established safari industry.

On Kenya safari tours, expect warm Kenyan hospitality, exceptional food, ensuite rooms with views of the wilderness, and all the comfort of home. Communal spaces comprise horizon pools and large verandas with viewing decks looking towards water holes and rivers.

You can stay in either a lodge or a permanent tented camp. Lodges are permanent structures, beautifully constructed with natural materials.

Tented camps are not to be confused with “camping”. They provide the same luxury and features expected in a lodge. However, with canvas walls separating you from the outside world, you can experience a deeper connection with nature than at a lodge built of stone.

Both types of accommodation offer unforgettable experiences.

A superior guest tent at Kandili Tented Camp.

Tented Camps like the Kandili Camp in Masai Mara North offer natural luxury and an authentic safari experience.

Cottages at Rhino Watch Safarir Lodge, a popular stop on Kenya Safari Tours.

At lodges - like the Rhino Watch Safari Lodge - you overnight in comfortable guest rooms and cottages with stone walls.

The shared sundowner deck at Serenity Mara Legends.

Accommodations on Kenya safari tours blend in with their natural surroundings. Like the Serenity Mara Legends Camp.

The swimming pool at Mara Serena Lodge, often visited on Kenya safari tours.

Some even offer a swimming pool - Mara Serena Lodge is a popular choice with families.

The cosy common living room area at Lewa Safari Camp.

Each camp has its own style: from cosy elegance at Elewana Lewa Safari Camp, to...

A modern guest tent at The Cliff in Lake Nakuru National Park.

... modern exclusivity at The Cliff in Lake Nakuru National Park.

What to expect on a lodge safari in Kenya?

When you book with us at Kenya-Experience, one of our service-oriented travel experts will help you plan every detail of your Kenya safari. Their involvement doesn’t end there; they will be there to support you throughout your experience if a need arises.

Our safari tours are designed to enhance your trip by offering exceptionally well-planned and guided experiences on both private and small group safaris. That is why group safaris are limited to seven guests plus one guide, ensuring a window seat for all.

On day one, your guide will collect you in a customised 4×4 safari vehicle featuring charging points, large windows, and a roof hatch for unobstructed views. Your Kenya safari will start by driving to the first park on your itinerary. As you will quickly learn, our guides are experts in the field and will unveil a whole new world for you to discover.

Kenya is 1.6 times larger than Germany, and safaris occur in the south or north. This means that driving distances can feel long.

However, thanks to a well-established aviation industry, you can add domestic or chartered flights to your itinerary to reduce time in the vehicle and spend more time at the destination. Flights are typically scheduled from mid-morning, allowing for a morning game drive, a flight, and an afternoon activity at your next destination.

Where to stay on Kenya safari tours

Whether you choose a small group tour or private safari, you will stay overnight in lodges or tented camps within national parks or just outside the parks’ borders. Staying outside the park helps you avoid overnight national park fees.

Nevertheless, staying in the parks allows you to experience all the sounds, smells and colours, adding to the experience. Consequently, it’s worth spending a few nights in the national parks.

Regardless of the location, lodges are designed to blend seamlessly into nature. Unlike South Africa, many lodges in Kenya do not have fences, offering an authentic and long-standing experience practised safely for decades. These unique experiences will create lifelong memories.

What does a day on a Kenya safari tour look like?

A day on safari means getting in sync with nature. Predators, such as big cats, hunt at dawn and dusk, so early morning or late afternoon game drives are ideal times to see the action on the savannahs.

Additionally, the low sunlight illuminates the colour of wildlife hides, making spotting different species easier and creating perfect conditions for wildlife photography.

The day starts by rising early and leaving the lodge just before dawn. Dress in multiple warm layers because early mornings can be chilly, especially on game drives, when the windows and roof hatches are open for improved viewing.

Don’t forget to pack a day bag with binoculars, a guidebook, a camera, and sun cream.

Your guide will drive you to specific locations known for excellent wildlife spotting. You cross rivers, search for leopards in trees, and traverse the plains where grazing antelopes are the target of lions, cheetahs, and other predators.

It’s an exciting time to be in nature.

By midmorning, temperatures rise, prompting the wildlife on the grassland plains to seek shade. It’s a good idea to do the same. Depending on your itinerary, you can either return to your lodge to relax or continue your journey to the next destination.

During the hot afternoon, enjoy lunch and the lodge facilities. It’s an excellent opportunity to recharge after an early start.

In the late afternoon, you will meet up with your guide to explore the wilderness for the second time on a game drive.

As the sun sets, you’ll return to your accommodation, where you can enjoy a hot shower, a delicious dinner, and likely an early night in preparation for the next exciting day.

Safari destinations in Kenya

Regional and altitudinal variances define Kenya’s magnificent landscapes, and the Rift Valley plays a significant role in shaping these features.

The semi-arid landscapes are found in the north and east. The Rift Valley’s Lake System encompasses many beautiful destinations. The central highlands are characterised by dense mountain forests, whereas the south features wide-open savannahs. Lastly, Kenya’s north and south coasts are known for stunning tropical beaches.

Semi-arid landscapes are found in some of Kenya’s best parks, reserves and conservancies.

Rift Valley lakes are sanctuaries for numerous animals and superb birdlife. Highlights include:

Mountain forests are fascinating destinations in Kenya. Like islands in the sky, unique species have evolved to their high-altitude habitats.

  • Aberdare National Park is one of the best trekking destinations, with dense forests, open moorlands, and the option to summit Kenya’s third-highest mountain, Mount Satima (4001m). Unique and extremely rare species include the Eastern Bongo, melanistic leopards, and Serval cats.
  • Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO heritage site and one of Kenya’s most underrated parks. It has few visitors and is a haven for trekking. Trek to one of Mount Kenya’s three peaks and marvel at unique plants like the giant ostrich-plumed lobelia and the giant groundsel.

The savannahs in the south are home to high concentrations of wildlife.

Thanks to our sister company Tanzania-Experience, we are in a unique position to offer crossing-border safaris which take you from Kenya to Tanzania – so you see the highlights of East Africa on one safari. We ensure smooth logistics and a carefree experience.

What will you see and do a Kenya safari

Kenya safari tours offer more than you could have imagined. Classic safaris are the foundation of the experience, but incredible activities, treks, beach retreats and intimate experiences at a private conservancy can take it to the next level.

Classic activities on Kenya safari tours include magical balloon safaris, walking safaris, migration safaris, and bush breakfasts, which you can add to the itinerary.

For those wanting to leave the vehicle behind, Kenya is a renowned hiking destination, with treks lasting from hours to days.

Moreover, multiple mountains, including Mount Kenya, can be climbed for those with summit ambitions. The Aberdare National Park is an incredible trekking destination with moorlands, dense forest, 300-meter cascading waterfalls, and trout-filled streams to discover.

Kenya’s stunning tropical coast offers the opportunity to conclude your safari with a beach holiday to recharge before your return home. The south and north coasts are ideal destinations for visiting turtle rescue centres, scuba diving in coral gardens, kite surfing, traditional dhow trips, enjoying incredible seafood and relaxing in style.

Private Conservancies

Finally, Kenya is becoming increasingly known for its inspirational private conservancies that are changing the face of conservation and tourism in Kenya. Not only do they offer a bright future for Kenya’s wildlife and people, but they also offer unique things to do.

Private conservancies restrict visitor numbers to safeguard the ecosystem, and they reinvest profits into conservation and community projects.

Activities like lion tracking, running or horse riding in the wilderness, and visiting endangered rhinos are available. Consequently, limited visitors allow you to enjoy intimate safaris while unique activities forge lifelong memories.

Conservancies can be found on the Masai Mara National Reserve border and the Laikipia District of northern Kenya. Outstanding examples include Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Contact one of our travel experts to make your dream safari a reality.

Sopa Lodge
‘The lodges were very nice and comfortable, the food was excellent, and the staff was very friendly. We can recommend Kenya-Experience in any case. We had a wonderful holiday!’
Birgit Miess | Germany
A male lion with a large beautiful mane lying on the ground
Kenya Specialist Taher Nassrulla
A safari vehicle is driving in the Masai Mara at sunset.

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