Planning a Kenya safari
When to travel, and the questions I am asked first
Kenya has no single best month — only trade-offs between wildlife, weather, visitor numbers and cost. Here is how the year genuinely behaves.
Kenya month by month
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| January – February | Hot, dry and clear. Excellent game viewing and superb photography light. Good for Amboseli and Kilimanjaro views. Peak-ish prices around New Year. |
| March – May | The long rains. Green, lush and much cheaper, with fewer vehicles. Some camps close in April and May, and road conditions get soft. Best value if you don't mind afternoon downpours. |
| June | Rains ease, the grass is still green and the crowds haven't arrived. One of my favourite quiet months. |
| July – October | The Great Migration in the Masai Mara and the driest, most reliable game viewing. Also the busiest and most expensive — good camps need booking 6 to 12 months ahead. |
| November – December | Short rains in November, then clear skies and green landscapes into December. Mid-December onwards climbs steeply in price for the festive season. |
Planning FAQ
What does a Kenya safari actually cost?
As a working range per person per night, sharing: mid-range lodges and small group vehicles roughly $250–$400, good private-vehicle safaris $450–$700, and premium conservancy camps $800 and up. Park and conservancy fees, internal flights and Nairobi nights sit on top. I give you a realistic figure for your dates before anyone asks you for a deposit.
How long should I stay?
Seven to ten nights is the sweet spot for a first Kenya trip: two parks plus either a coast stay or a Nairobi day. Five nights works if you fly between parks. Under four nights and you spend most of the trip in transit.
How far ahead should I book?
For July to October in the Masai Mara, or the Christmas and New Year period, six to twelve months. For the green season, six to eight weeks is usually fine. The camp you want is almost always the constraint, not the flights.
Do I need a visa?
Kenya uses an online Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) that you apply for before travelling, rather than a visa on arrival. Apply through the official government portal a few weeks ahead, and check the current requirement for your passport before you book flights.
What about vaccinations and malaria?
Speak to a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you fly. In practice most travellers discuss routine vaccinations, hepatitis A and typhoid, and malaria tablets for the safari areas. Yellow fever certificates are only required in some circumstances, usually depending on the countries you have travelled through. Your doctor's advice overrides anything on a website, including mine.
Is Kenya safe for travellers?
Safari areas and the main coastal resorts are generally straightforward, and camps take guest safety seriously. Nairobi calls for normal big-city caution, particularly at night and with valuables. I use operators with well-maintained vehicles and drivers I know, and I tell you plainly if something on your wish list is a bad idea.
Is it suitable for children or older travellers?
Yes, with the right choices. Some camps have minimum ages, some game drives are long and bumpy, and conservancies often suit families better than busy reserves. Tell me the ages and any mobility needs and I plan around them.
What should I pack?
Neutral, layered clothing, a warm fleece for early morning drives, a wide-brim hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a power bank and any medication in your hand luggage. Light-aircraft transfers usually limit you to about 15kg in a soft bag, so pack lighter than you think.
Do you book the safari yourself?
No, and that is deliberate. I plan and price the trip independently, then introduce you to vetted Kenyan operators who hold the bookings and are contractually responsible for delivering the trip. My consulting fee is separate from what you pay them.
Visa, vaccination and safety requirements change. Always confirm the current rules with the official Kenyan eTA portal, your travel clinic and your own government's advice before booking.
Still weighing up dates?
Send me the window you're considering and I'll tell you what it means for wildlife, crowds and cost.
This is a paid consultancy. Every service is quoted up front and payable in full before the work is delivered.