Wondering how much a safari in Kenya costs? Given the many possibilities available, it's difficult to answer this question outright. To help you get a clearer picture, we break down the different factors to consider and reveal the average budgets to plan for each component of your safari.

In summary:

A safari budget in Kenya depends on many factors: traveling during high or low season, type of accommodation, park and reserve entrance fees, vehicle rental, guide/driver services... Generally speaking, plan for between €150 and €400 per person per day depending on the option you choose, or between €1,200 and €3,200 for an 8-day safari. You'll also need to add the cost of airline tickets and any extra activities. Of course, the more you opt for luxury options (accommodations and activities), the higher your budget will be.

How to Calculate Your Kenya Safari Budget?

The price of a safari in Kenya depends on many elements. Here are the things to consider when defining your safari budget:

• The time of year (high or low season),

• The cost of airline tickets,

• Entrance fees to national parks and reserves,

• Type of accommodation,

• Transportation costs,

• Driver and guide services,

• Extra activities...

What Budget Should You Plan for Airline Tickets?

Kenya has several airports, with the main ones located in Nairobi and Mombasa. You can find direct flights (expect around 8 hours of flight time) and connecting flights. Obviously, airline tickets are more expensive during high season, particularly during July and August.

As a general rule, expect a minimum of €500 return (for a connecting flight in economy class). Fares can climb to more than €1,000 return if you want a direct flight and prefer to travel in first class.

In any case, we recommend booking your tickets at least 6 months in advance to benefit from more favorable rates.

Note:

Planning to use a travel agency to organize your Kenya safari? Keep in mind that airline tickets are never included in tour packages. You'll need to budget separately for flights.

What Budget Should You Plan for Entrance Fees to Kenya's Parks and Reserves?

To go on safari in Kenya's national parks and reserves, you'll need to pay an entrance fee. Each park and reserve sets its own price. Prices can vary significantly depending on the location of the site, its size, and what it contains. For example, the Masai Mara Reserve, where the great migration takes place, is Kenya's most expensive park.

Also note that in addition to entrance fees, parks and reserves also charge vehicle entrance fees. These start at around 400/500 KES and increase depending on the vehicle's capacity (number of seats).

Here are the entrance fee rates in USD* for Kenya's main national parks and reserves:

*The prices indicated are given for reference only. They apply to non-resident visitors and correspond to the prices set for 2024-2025. They are subject to change.

What Budget Should You Plan for Accommodation During a Kenya Safari?

There are severalaccommodation options in Kenya. During a safari, you can opt to stay in public campgrounds (the most economical option) or in a lodge or canvas camp for a more comfortable and luxurious experience. As you might have guessed, your choice of accommodation can significantly influence your budget.

To give you an idea, here are the average prices for each type of accommodation during a Kenya safari:

• Cost of a night in a public campground during a safari: expect between €20 and €50 per night.

• Cost of a night in a lodge or canvas camp during a safari: expect between €150 and €300 per night for mid-range accommodations and up to more than €1,000 per night for the most luxurious establishments.

What about food?

Most lodges and canvas camps offer all-inclusive meal plans. Moreover, you won't have to pay anything extra if you choose this type of accommodation.

What Budget Should You Plan for Transportation During a Kenya Safari?   

Transportation is one of the major expense items to anticipate during a Kenya safari. In addition to transportation within the country, you need to budget for movements within the parks and reserves.

Although it's possible to rent your own vehicle for a self-drive safari, we can only recommend renting a vehicle with a driver/guide. Not only will they be your best ally in spotting wildlife more easily, but you'll also be able to fully enjoy your safari without worrying about driving.

Generally speaking, expect to pay between €60 and €200 per day for a vehicle rental (4x4s being the most expensive option, but best suited for a safari). Add approximately €20 to €50 per day for a guide/driver (the price can vary depending on the parks and operators). Add to this the cost of fuel (around €1.40 per liter of petrol).

Good to know:

It's customary to tip your guide/driver during a safari. Budget at least $10 per person per day.

What Budget Should You Plan for Activities During a Safari?

In addition to taking a wildlife safari, Kenya's parks and reserves offer the opportunity to experience unforgettable moments through several types of activities such as:

• Hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara,

• Cultural visit to a traditional Masai village,

• Night safari,

• Horseback safari,

• Bird watching,

• Boat ride...

So budget an additional amount if you want to treat yourself. Note that this type of activity costs on average between €10 and €100 (except for the hot air balloon ride, which costs between €350 and €500).

Using a Travel Agency to Save Money on a Kenya Safari

A wildlife safari is not something to improvise. You need to plan everything in advance to ensure you have an unforgettable and hassle-free experience. Not only does this require good organization, but it's never easy to establish a precise budget. To save time and money, it's worth using a travel agency to organize your safari.

With Nomadays, you can benefit from preferential rates on many accommodations and excursions. All our safari circuits include transportation with an English-speaking guide, airport transfers, entrance fees to parks and reserves, and full-board accommodations. All you have to do is enjoy every moment of your journey…

For example, our 8-day lodge safari package starts from $1,290 (per person), which is only €160 per day and per person.

Need inspiration? Discover all our safari packages in Kenya and don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to arrange a custom safari.