Are your African safaris private and customizable?

Yes. Most One Big Planet safaris are designed as private trips for you and the people traveling with you. Our published tours are starting points, not rigid packages. We can adjust the route, dates, accommodations, activities, trip length and budget. Guided tours normally include a private local guide or driver-guide. We can also arrange independent options, including self-drive travel through Namibia.

Which African country is best for a first safari?

Kenya is a strong choice for travelers who want the classic East African safari experience. Namibia is better for travelers who enjoy road trips, deserts and scenery in addition to wildlife. South Africa is easy to combine with Cape Town, food, wine and the coast. Botswana is best for remote wilderness and water-based safaris, while Zimbabwe combines excellent wildlife with Victoria Falls.

How much does an African safari cost?

A safari can cost approximately $150 per person per day for a simpler self-drive or camping-style trip and more than $1,000 per person per day for an exclusive luxury safari. The final price depends on the destination, season, accommodation, park fees, transportation, guide, activities and number of travelers.

How many days do I need for my first African safari?

For most first-time travelers, seven to ten days is a good starting point. A five- to seven-day safari can work for a shorter introduction. Ten to fourteen days is better when you want to experience more of the country or add beaches, cities and cultural activities.

When is the best time to go on an African safari?

There is no single best month for every country. Dry periods often make wildlife easier to find around permanent water sources, but they can also bring higher prices and more visitors. Green-season travel can offer quieter parks, better value and beautiful landscapes, although rain may affect some roads and activities.

How far in advance should I book a safari?

For most trips, beginning six to twelve months ahead gives you a better choice of lodges, rooms, guides and routes. Consider starting twelve months or more in advance when traveling during migration season, Christmas, New Year, school holidays or when you need specific small camps and fixed travel dates.

What is normally included in a safari package?

Inclusions vary by itinerary, but a guided safari may include accommodation, ground transportation, a safari vehicle and driver-guide, national park fees, game drives, listed meals, airport transfers, drinking water and selected excursions. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and optional activities are often separate.

Can I combine a safari with a beach, city or another country?

Yes. You can combine a Kenya safari with Diani Beach, add Cape Town to a South African safari, connect Victoria Falls and Hwange with Chobe in Botswana, or combine Namibia with another Southern African country. We can also plan multi-country routes when the transportation and available time make sense.

Can children go on an African safari?

Yes, but the right itinerary depends on the children's ages, interests and ability to handle long drives and early mornings. Some lodges and safari activities have minimum-age rules. Family trips can include pools, beaches, shorter game drives, cultural experiences and rest days.

Can I take a safari by myself?

Yes. A private safari can be arranged for one traveler, although solo travel is often more expensive per person because accommodation, vehicle and guide costs are not shared. Some lodges charge a single supplement, while others occasionally offer better solo rates during quieter periods.

Do you offer self-drive African safaris?

Yes. Namibia is particularly well suited to travelers who want to explore independently. A Namibia self-drive safari can include the rental vehicle, accommodations and a planned route through destinations such as Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and Etosha National Park.

Do I need vaccinations or malaria medication for a safari?

Health recommendations depend on the country, route, time of year and your personal medical history. Malaria precautions may be recommended for some safari areas, while yellow fever documentation can depend on where you are traveling from or transiting. Speak with a healthcare provider or travel-health specialist before departure.

Is an African safari safe?

No international trip is completely without risk, and conditions vary by country and region. One Big Planet works with trusted local partners, experienced guides and established accommodations. Travelers should review current government travel information, purchase suitable travel insurance and follow the instructions of their guide.

How many days do you need for a Kenya safari?

For most first-time travelers, six to nine days provides a good introduction to Kenya. A six-day itinerary works well for a focused safari, nine days allows time to visit more regions, and approximately two weeks gives you enough time to combine wildlife with the Kenyan coast.

When is the best time to visit Kenya for a safari?

Kenya can be visited throughout the year, but the best time depends on the experience you want. Dry periods generally make wildlife easier to locate around permanent water sources, while greener months often offer fewer visitors and beautiful scenery. Travelers interested in migration activity in the Maasai Mara often consider July through October, although wildlife movements and river crossings are never guaranteed.

Can I combine a Kenya safari with a beach vacation?

Yes. Kenya is one of the easiest destinations for combining a traditional safari with time on the Indian Ocean coast. After visiting wildlife regions such as Samburu, the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru or Amboseli, travelers can finish the trip at Diani Beach or another coastal destination.

Which Kenya safari parks should I visit?

The right parks depend on your interests and available time. The Maasai Mara is known for classic savanna scenery and predators, Amboseli for elephants and views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Samburu for northern wildlife species, Lake Nakuru for rhinos and birdlife, and Lake Naivasha for boat trips and a break from vehicle-based game viewing.

What is normally included in a Kenya safari package?

Depending on the itinerary, a private Kenya safari may include accommodations, private ground transportation, a safari vehicle and driver-guide, game drives, national park and reserve fees, listed meals, airport transfers, drinking water and selected excursions. International airfare, travel insurance, tips, travel authorization, optional activities and personal expenses are normally separate unless specifically stated.

Is Kenya suitable for families with children?

Yes, but the itinerary should be designed around the children's ages and interests. Family safaris are often more comfortable when they include shorter drives, two- or three-night stays, pools, boat trips, cultural activities or time at the beach. Some lodges and activities may have minimum-age requirements.

Can I see the Big Five in Kenya?

Yes. Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino are found in Kenya, but seeing all five during one trip is never guaranteed. Combining different wildlife areas can improve the range of sightings, but cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, antelope and birdlife can be equally memorable.

Guided Tours to Kenya

Kenya is one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations, known for its dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife, and unforgettable travel experiences. From the vast plains of the Masai Mara to lakes, mountains, and beautiful coastlines, Kenya offers a wide variety of attractions for travelers seeking nature, adventure, and culture. Whether you are dreaming of classic game drives, scenic luxury lodges, or a more active safari experience, Kenya is a destination that delivers some of the continent’s most iconic moments. The tours below can be tailored to your interests, travel style, and preferred dates.

Choose Your Guided Tour to Kenya

6-Day Kenya Safari: Solio, Naivasha & Maasai Mara FROM USD $1,495 PP

6-Day Kenya Safari: Nakuru, Naivasha & Amboseli FROM USD $1,495 PP

9-Day Kenya Safari: North, Lakes and Masai Mara FROM USD $3,395 PP

14 Days Kenya Classic Safari & Beach 14 Days from USD $4,895 PP

About: Kenya is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, offering the kind of wildlife experience many travelers dream about when they imagine the continent. Its famous parks and reserves, including the Masai Mara, Samburu, Amboseli, Tsavo, and many others, are home to an extraordinary variety of animals. Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, cheetahs, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species can all be part of the journey. For many visitors, Kenya is the place where the idea of a classic safari truly comes to life.

What makes Kenya especially rewarding is not only the wildlife, but also the diversity of landscapes you can experience in one country. Wide open savannahs, acacia-dotted plains, mountain views, lakes filled with birdlife, rolling highlands, and coastal areas all create a spectacular setting for travel. In some regions you can wake up to views of elephants moving across the plains, while in others you may find dramatic dry country, green hills, or the unforgettable atmosphere of the Great Rift Valley. Kenya offers scenery that feels grand, cinematic, and deeply connected to the safari experience.

The Masai Mara remains one of the country’s greatest highlights, especially for travelers hoping to witness rich wildlife concentrations and the famous wildebeest migration season. Samburu offers a more rugged and distinctive feel, with its own unique species and landscapes. Amboseli is loved for its open plains and classic views of elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Tsavo, one of the largest protected areas in Kenya, adds a sense of scale and remoteness that makes the safari feel even more adventurous.

A trip to Kenya with One Big Planet is about more than game drives alone. It is also a chance to connect with the culture and spirit of the country. Encounters with communities such as the Maasai can add another dimension to the journey, giving travelers a better understanding of local traditions, heritage, and daily life. Kenya is a destination where wildlife, landscapes, and culture come together naturally, making the experience feel rich and complete.

Kenya also offers memorable safari moments beyond the standard drive. You may choose to watch the plains from a hot air balloon at sunrise, enjoy a quiet sundowner in the bush, take in the sounds of nature from a well-placed lodge, or simply spend time observing animals in their natural habitat without rushing. These are often the moments that stay with travelers long after the trip is over.

Choose Kenya as your safari destination and let One Big Planet guide you through one of Africa’s most unforgettable countries. Whether you are looking for a first classic safari, a wildlife-focused adventure, or a beautifully paced journey through some of East Africa’s most celebrated landscapes, Kenya offers an experience that feels timeless, exciting, and deeply rewarding.

Who will love it: nature and wildlife lovers, food lovers, photographers, first-time safari travelers, and those who want to experience a classic African safari.

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Kenya Safari Frequently Asked Questions

Planning an African safari involves more than choosing a lodge. The destination, season, travel distances, park fees, guide, accommodations and number of safari days can all change the experience. Here are answers to the questions travelers ask us most often.

For most first-time travelers, six to nine days provides a good introduction to Kenya. This allows time for two or more wildlife areas without making the trip feel like a constant series of long transfers.

A six-day itinerary works well for a focused safari. Nine days allows you to see more regions, while approximately two weeks gives you enough time to combine wildlife with the coast.

Our six-day Solio, Lake Naivasha and Maasai Mara safari is suitable for a shorter introduction. Travelers who want greater variety can consider the nine-day Kenya safari through northern Kenya, the lakes and Maasai Mara.

Our guide to the best African safari destinations for first-time visitors compares each destination in more detail.

Kenya can be visited throughout the year, but the best time depends on the experience you want. Dry periods generally make wildlife easier to locate around permanent water sources, while greener months often offer fewer visitors, dramatic skies and beautiful scenery.

Travelers hoping to see the most famous stage of the Great Migration usually consider the Maasai Mara between July and October. River crossings are never guaranteed because wildlife movement depends on rainfall and grazing conditions. Kenya’s official tourism board describes the country as a year-round destination and identifies July through October as the most iconic migration period in the Mara.

Yes. Kenya is one of the easiest destinations for combining a traditional safari with time on the Indian Ocean coast.

After several days of early mornings and game drives, you can relax at Diani Beach or another coastal destination. This works especially well for first-time travelers who want wildlife to be an important part of the vacation without spending every day in a safari vehicle.

Our 14-day Kenya safari and Diani Beach itinerary combines several major wildlife regions with time at the coast. Kenya’s official tourism website also highlights the country’s beaches, cities, cultural experiences and wildlife as part of a broader trip.

The right parks depend on your interests and the amount of time available.

The Maasai Mara is best for classic savanna scenery, predators and seasonal migration activity. Amboseli is known for elephants and views toward Mount Kilimanjaro. Samburu offers a drier northern landscape and wildlife species not commonly seen in southern Kenya. Lake Nakuru is often included for rhinos and birdlife, while Lake Naivasha adds boat trips and a break from vehicle-based game viewing.

Trying to visit too many parks in one short trip can result in excessive driving. A carefully planned route with fewer stops is usually more enjoyable.

Inclusions depend on the itinerary, but a private guided Kenya safari may include:

Accommodations
Private ground transportation
A safari vehicle and driver-guide
Game drives
National park and reserve fees
Meals listed in the itinerary
Airport transfers
Drinking water during the safari
Selected boat trips, excursions or cultural activities

International airfare, travel insurance, tips, visas or travel authorization, optional activities and personal expenses are normally separate unless specifically stated.

Park fees can represent a significant part of the safari price. Kenya Wildlife Service advises travelers to confirm whether these fees are already included in the total cost of a tour.

The price depends on the number of days, parks visited, travel season, accommodations and number of people sharing the private vehicle.

Current One Big Planet Kenya itineraries start from approximately $1,495 per person for six days, $3,395 per person for nine days and $4,895 per person for a 14-day safari-and-beach trip. These are published starting prices and may change based on dates, lodge availability and customization.

You can also read our African safari cost guide for a broader explanation of park fees, accommodations, transportation and other expenses.

Yes, but the itinerary should be designed around the children’s ages and interests.

Long road transfers, very early game drives and several one-night stays can be tiring. Family safaris are usually more successful when they include shorter drives, pools, two- or three-night stays and activities such as boat trips or time at the beach.

Some lodges and activities may have minimum-age requirements. These should be checked before booking. Kenya’s official tourism website describes the country as welcoming to families and multigenerational travelers.

Yes, the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino—are found in Kenya, but seeing all five during one trip is never guaranteed.

Your chances improve when the itinerary combines different habitats. For example, Solio or Lake Nakuru may provide strong rhino opportunities, while the Maasai Mara is known for predators and large plains wildlife.

A good safari should not be judged only by completing a checklist. Cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, unusual antelope species and hundreds of bird species can be just as memorable.

Yes. You can change the number of days, parks, accommodations and activity level.

A shorter itinerary may focus on the Maasai Mara and one additional area. A longer trip may add Samburu, the Great Rift Valley lakes, Amboseli, Nairobi or Diani Beach. Kenya can also be combined with another East or Southern African destination when the flight connections and available time make sense.

Contact One Big Planet to discuss your dates, budget and preferred travel pace.