How to avoid being scammed when planning your kenya safari online

Booking Kenya safaris online is the new African safari booking trend however there are scammers too. Every one would wish to use the service of an accredited tour company but even scammers are in the game too.

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Kenya is one of the top African safari destinations with the great wildebeest migration toping the list of most sought tour activities to see in the country. Masai Mara national Reserve which receives multitudes of wild animals from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is the star of the safari show in Kenya.

As a great African safari destination, Kenya has some of the most beautiful beaches in Africa that is Mombasa which serves as the port of the country too.

The stunning glacier top of single Mountain Kilimanjaro block is best viewed from the Kenya side especially from Amboseli National Park. This provides one of the perfect natural backdrops on a photographing location.

To avoid meeting the wrong Kenya safari booking tour operator online you need to consider some of the below details

Cross check the profile information about the tour company hoping to deal with.

Most companies that deal in Kenya safaris that are accredited are registered by the government of Kenya through bodies like Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya wildlife Society and other significant tourism bodies.

Ensure to find more about the details of the tour company’s location, verify the telephone numbers indicated on the website and more details. When planning the Kenya safari with a strange company you have seen online, be as inquisitive as you can to avoid investing your hard earned money with the wrong people (Getting scammed)

As Encounter Africa safaris we have been in African tour operations for over 10 years a period we do not take for granted because of the experience gained from each tour we complete. Our safari team is experienced and have been to most of the destinations where we operate. This gives us chance to give factual information about most destinations including Kenya safari destinations.

Check for Safari Reviews about the tour company dealing with

There are different forums online with information about a number of tour operators. Try to check for Kenya safari reviews about the company to entrust your money with at travel forum like trip advisor, safari booking, lonely planet, google search and more.

You may test your chances by asking for option of Kenya safari companies to use too as there is always someone to provide clues but do personal research too.

Use recommendations from past traveler to Kenya

Online there so many that have travelled to do Kenya safaris and are ready to share there experience with whoever cares to ask. You may request for help about which company to use from especially those who have travelled to Kenya for a safari in the most recent times.

Do not Pay for the Kenya safari quotation before verifying with the service providers included in the itinerary provided to you.

Further more, try to cross check with the hotel, lodge or campsite that is forwarded to you as one of the possible facilities to use during Kenya safari as another way to verify if your booking is real.

This background check up helps you to make follow up on the preparations for your Kenya safari.

Do not forward credit card details to a Tour operator you are not comfortable with

When requested to forward your credit card details to pay for the Kenya safari and you are not comfortable, do not continue with this or else use wire transfer. This is to avoid making errors on your credit card in case the operator is not well acquitted with the process.

Plan the Kenya safari when on ground

In case you are in Kenya or travelling to the country for another business, you can still arrange the Kenya safari when on ground. When you plan the Kenya safari when on ground especially short notice booking, you may miss out on the best options of accompanies safari amenities. During the peak Kenya tourism season, there are usually more tourists visiting the country and so fewer options of supporting logistics are left for last minute bookings.

What activities to do on Kenya safari

Kenya is a rich safari destination in African with a variety of optional activities to do. One needs to make a selection of safari activities to do in Kenya so that a working itinerary is tailored to suit the needs desired, time on safari and budget.

At Encounter Africa safaris, we have prepackaged Kenya safaris but we can also tailor an itinerary to meet your desires.

Game drives on Kenya safari

Kenya is a rich game safari destination hosting some of the best game drive experiences in the jungle. The watching the great wildebeest migration with its peak in mainly July and August is one of the best Kenya safari activities. Mara crossing where millions of wild animals cross the Mara river but intercepted by the hungry huge Nile crocodiles is the highlight of the great migration season.

During the game drives on the tracks of Kenya game parks may enable you to spot lions, wildebeests, leopards, Rhinos, herds of elephants, buffaloes giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks and more. Not all these animals are found in all the Kenya National parks but sighting of some of them is in specific parks so mention your desired animal and our safari consultant will get back to you with advise where necessary.

Some of the Kenya game parks include Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Nairobi National Park, Tsavo east And West National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park and more.

Birding During Kenya safari 

Kenya is a rich birding safari destination in Africa with more than 1000 bird species registered in the country an unrivaled record. The lesser Flamingos that flock Lake Nakuru shading it pink are amazing to watch as they deep their pink beaks into the shallow waters at the banks to catch a meal.

Other notable birding destinations in Kenya include Masai Mara national Reserve, the Kenyan cost, Tsavo east And west National Park, Meru national Park and other. Note that these Kenya National Parks are  not situated in one location so you need a well planned Kenya birding itinerary to cover a wider area.

Hot air balloon Safaris in Kenya

Enjoy the view of game parks in Kenya from a more elevated point by taking a hot air balloon safari. In Kenya National parks like Masai Mara National Reserve, the view multitudes of wild animals that visit the park during the great wildebeest migration is clearer from above.

The best time to do hot air balloon safari is during early mornings as animals emerge from night hide outs to face the day.

Community visit During Kenya safari

The Masai community visit stands out in all community visits in Kenya. The Masai are a unique community that is conservative with their customs even with the infiltration of modernity in most communities.

Masai are cattle keepers a practice they have held on to since time immemorial. The unique dress code of the Masai in red attire and well-crafted beads is amazing. While on a visit to the Masai community, you may get to participate in bead ornament making, milking, visit a Manyatta, local cuisine tasting and more.

Beach Holidays in Kenya      

Kenya has some of the stunning beaches in Africa especially in Mombasa where there is a coastline that separates the it from the Indian Ocean. Some of the beach safari activities to do in Kenya include a visit to the Kisite Marine National Park which is 40 kilometers from Diani to Mombasa.

At Kisite Marine National Park, you get to see amazing colorful corals, visit amazing Islands like Mpunguti Island and more. These are chances of spotting dolphins, schools of bonito and frigate mackerel are present. Whale spotting is possible where you get the opportunity to get a glimpse on these water giants as they do there thing.

Other beach activities you can do on Kenya’s coast include sand beach walks, destination weddings, scuba diving, snorkeling, cruise boat experience, sun bathing by the beach and more.

Mountain Climbing in Kenya

Mountain climbing on Mountain Kenya is a great adventure to test your fitness level and enjoy a view of its surroundings from a more elevated point. It is best to do mountain Climbing on mountain Kenya in the dry season when the trails up the mountain are dry and no fear of splash floods from the Rivers that flow down the slopes.

The rich fauna and flora you encounter on the way up or returning from mountain Kenya is unique. Every hiker has a different passion that pushes them to try this Kenya safari adventure. The climate, geology of Mountain Kenya tell the story of this huge upland.

The hike on mountain Kenya gets you to the twin peaks Nelions and Batian plus Lenana.

The hike up mountain Kenya may take about 5 days return trip but you need to carry the necessary supplies to support you through those days way from the ground.

Nairobi city tour

Nairobi city is the capital of Kenya where the heart beats. While on tour around Nairobi, you may visit the business centers, museums, high institutions like Nairobi University, places of worship, taste some Kenyan cuisines and continental dishes and more.

An early start to do Nairobi city tour is recommended so that you cover a wider area before jam time.

Best Time To Plan Kenya Safari Online

The dry season is the perfect timing for booking a Kenya safari when the environment is dry and animal visibility is better. In the National Park, the grass is lower especially in the game parks permitting better chances to spot animals from hard to reach spots. The dry season in Kenya is normally June to October and December to January this is the peak tourism season too.

 The great wildebeest migration season in Masai Mara National Reserve is the highlight of safari activities in Kenya but it is best to visit during this season especially when Mara crossing is expected. During Mara crossing, the Kenya side has the best view of this world natural wonder where millions of animals push there way across this river as crocodiles await to grab the weak. July to August is normally the climax of the great wildebeest migration when Mara River crossing is in high gear.

Even the beach Kenya holidays are best enjoyed in the dry season when the sun is expected to shine bright creating and clouds clearer creating a deep blue effect in the ocean water.

During the wet season, Kenya safari destinations are also open and game sightings are possible in the savannahs. Note that the grass is higher which may obstruct your view but the parks have mesmerizing surrounding. For those wishing to get no interruptions while on safari, the wet season may be the appropriate time when fewer tourists are expected to visit.

What to Expect on Kenya safari

During Kenya safari, expect to see a variety of wild animals, birds and amazing features in different parks. A visit to the Kenyan coast gives you the feel of beach life and an endless view of the blue ocean surface.

Expect to drive on quite rough roads to the different safari destinations in Kenya because the roads especially upcountry are still in a dilapidating state.

The common language spoken in Kenya is Kiswahili, so in some places you may encounter language barrier and it is best to use the assistance of a professional driver guide with knowledge of the language.

In African service is sometimes slow so you need to bear some level of patience so that you do not ruin your Kenya safari experience.

Expect to find more tourists in Kenya safari destinations like Masai Mara National Park most especially during the peak season but allow your self to co-exist with them for the time you are in the park.

In case you are using public transport to different destinations during Kenya Safari, expect to be packed in one Mattatu at least 14 passengers and some have limited leg room. 

The local currency of Kenya is Kenyan Shilling even though other currencies are also used as legal tender but it is better to exchange the foreign currency into local for on ground purchases.

Get in touch with us for more information.