What to expect when you go on a safari in Kenya

What should I expect on a Kenya safari? Is one of the frequently asked questions from several tourists. Safaris are different depending on the safari destination of your choice and with each destination you visit; the experience is worth the visit. Safaris are an opportunity for visitors in Kenya to witness the diverse wildlife species including animal and bird species and although they are often associated with game drives/wildlife viewing, several activities can be carried out during your safari and these include bird watching, guided nature walks, cultural trips, Mountain hikes, boat rides and traveling to the coast for a beach day among others. Going on a Kenyan safari is an incredible experience one that you cannot get enough of and after the first time, you will want to go for more. Below are some of the things that you expect when going for your first and other safaris in Kenya.

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Early wake-up calls

Expect to wake up before sunrise when it’s still dark for better game viewing which has to be done after breakfast. You will be woken up by the staff in time to get ready for the morning drive and they will confirm with your breakfast dinner the evening before so that no one is left out when it comes to the morning drives. Note that no matter where your destination is in Kenya, it is safe to note that it is always cool in the morning hours and you will be in an open safari vehicle for hours and this means that you will have to dress in clothes with extra layers to keep warm. The early morning hours are when most of the wildlife is active as compared to the afternoon hours when it’s hot.

Closer look and proximity to the animals

Safari game drives are often carried out in open safari vehicles and this gives tourists proximity to the wildlife. Sometimes the animals walk close to the vehicle and even though you are not allowed to touch them, you will have great views of the animals. There are however rules that you need to follow during your game drive in the different national parks in the country and these are:

• You are not allowed to make any noise when near the animals, turn off your radios, put your phones in flight mode and communicate in low tones so as not to agitate them.
• Do not alight from the vehicle at any one point to keep safe. It is important to stay in the vehicle at all times with all your limbs and you will not be allowed to leave without a ranger’s permission.
• Avoid littering the national parks and keep all rubbish in the vehicle.

No toilets in the wild

Game drives in the different national parks in Kenya take 3 hours or longer and during this time, you will notice that there are no toilets in sight, so all tourists are advised to go to the toilet before the start of the drive to avoid inconveniences. In case of emergencies, the rangers will park in a safe place and you will be guided to go either behind a tree or bushes to ease yourself. An armed ranger will be around to keep you safe in case an animal approaches.

Not all animals will be spotted on your game drive

Game drives also known as safari drives can be entertaining but not all animals will be spotted especially the big five. There are no guarantees that you will be able to spot all the wildlife promised because this is the wild and animals are unpredictable and you need to go with an open mind and not too high expectations. Although it will be a lovely surprise if you get to see most of the wildlife especially the big five which include rhinos, leopards, lions, elephants and buffaloes.

Game drives are not smooth and get bumpy

The roads that lead to the different national parks and the same applies to the roads within the national parks so you expect a bumpy ride throughout your game drive through the national parks. It’s like a massage as you enjoy the great views of the surrounding areas and the wildlife.

What to pack for a Kenya safari

This is one of the most important aspects of a Kenyan safari because if you do not pack right, it might not be easy for you to enjoy your safari. We have a list of items that we know are the right package to bring on your safari to Kenya and these include:

• Comfortable hiking boots, evening shoes and sneakers.
• A day backpack to carry all your essential items including insect repellent and sunscreen among others.
• Snacks and drinking water
• First aid kit
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses
• Long-sleeved and trousers.
• Rain jacket and warm sweater.

Activities to expect on a safari in Kenya

Game drives in Kenya

Game drives in Kenya are conducted in the different national parks in the country and are one of the most participated in safari activities on a safari. Game drives generally mean wandering around the national parks in 4x4 safari vehicles in search of wildlife. There are different safari vehicles that are used for game drives and these depend on what the client prefers however the most commonly used is the land cruiser which provides good views of the wildlife around it. Most of the safari vehicles have an open roof which allows travelers undisputed views of the surrounding areas including animals and bird species.

Game drives are conducted in two sessions that is one in the morning and the second in the afternoon after lunch. The drive can take about 3 to 5 hours depending on the national park that you are to visit and with prior request, you can go for the night drive that takes about two hours.

Game drives in Kenya are grouped into two: guided game drives which are common and self-drives. A guided game drive is carried out under the supervision and guidance of experienced guides who are familiar with the destination and know the best spots for watching the wildlife. Self-drives on the other hand do not have any guide and tourists drive themselves around the park.

Morning drives start as early as 6:00 or 6:30 am after breakfast and are considered the best time to spot the many different animal species in the different national parks. This is the best rewarding time for a game drive and it usually ends around 10:00 or 11:00 am depending on the provided itinerary. 

Afternoon drives start in the afternoon hours after lunch and usually end around 5:00 pm. It provides tourists with an opportunity to spot and watch the wildlife that might have been missed during the morning session.

Night drives are not carried out in all the national parks in the country and are only offered at Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park and Samburu National Park among others. It usually starts at 7:00 pm and with the help of a spotlight, tourists can spot the different nocturnal animals in the different national parks. It’s the best time to spot the different animals like hyenas, wild dogs, leopards, bush babies, porcupines and genets among others.

The best time to go for game drives in Kenya is during the dry season experienced from June to October and December to February. During this period, many animals gather around watering holes making it easy to spot them during a game drive.

Bird watching

Kenya is one of the African countries that is famous for bird watching safaris in the different safari destinations in the country. The different safari destinations where you can go for birding safaris include Masai Mara National Reserve, Samburu National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park and Nairobi National Park among others. Kenya has over 1150 bird species and these include both endemic and migratory bird species.

Some of the bird species that you should expect to see during a bird watching safari in Kenya include the common ostrich, Fulvous whistling Duck, Somali Ostrich, Knob billed Duck, Egyptian Goose, White-backed Duck, Eurasian Widgeon, African pygmy Goose, Blue billed Teal, Northern Shoveler, African billed Duck, Green Winged Teal, Coquil Francolin,  Red winged Francolin, Crested Francolin, Yellow necked spurfowl, Greater Flamingo, Red necked spurfowl, Lesser Flamingo, Lemon Dove, yellow throated sand grouse, Arabian Bustard, Kori Bustard, Heuglin’s Bustard, Black coucal, white browed coucal, Senegal Lapwing and Tibetan Plover among others.

Birding is an all-year-round activity but the best time to go for bird watching in Kenya is during the wet season which is from March to May and October to November. Book with us.

Cultural trips to Kenya

A safari to Kenya is incomplete without a cultural trip to the Masai group of people who live around the different National Parks like Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park. You can also visit the Samburu people who live around the Samburu National Park. The best way to learn more about the culture of the local people is by visiting their local communities with the guidance of an experienced local guide who is fully aware of the customs of the local people.

During the cultural trips, you will be welcomed by the locals through songs and dance, get a chance to participate in the day to day activities with the locals, you get to shop for locally made souvenirs from the locals, learn about their unique culture like the best food, how to hunt and interacting with the locals on a one on one basis.

Hot air balloon rides

Although not offered in all the national parks in the country, hot air balloon rides are part of the safari activities that you should expect during a Kenya safari. Mainly carried out in Masai Mara National Reserve, hot air balloon rides are carried early morning and each basket carries a maximum of 8 people. It is a good way to see and enjoy the wildlife from a different perspective above the ground but be sure to carry with you some warm clothes. Balloon rides take about an hour and after the balloon ride, champagne and a bush breakfast are served to the participants.

What to expect on a safari in Kenya during the dry and wet season

The best time to go for a safari in Kenya varies depending on your interests in the safari activities and the experiences. There are two main seasons in Kenya and these are the dry and wet season.

The dry season (June to October) is generally considered to be the best time for wildlife viewing in Kenya and it coincides with the wildebeest migration witnessed in Masai Mara National Reserve. During the dry season, you have a chance of spotting the dramatic Mara crossings with infested crocodiles waiting on the wildebeests, the less vegetation in this season also makes it easy to spot the wildlife and due to the heat, wildlife gathers around the watering holes. It is the peak season and many of the popular destinations are crowded.

The rainy season (March to May) is also known as the green season because of the lush vegetation and the new calves born during this period. The cost of the safari during this period is low and it is hard to spot most of the wildlife due to the abundant water sources across the parks and reserves, however, it is the best time to go for a birding and photography safari experience.

 Kenyan safaris are a must for all tourists, the experiences are wild, and you have to make sure that you respect all the customs of the locals for more information about what to expect on a Kenyan safari, get in touch with us, our staff are always ready and willing to help you every step of the way to help you get the best safari experience in Kenya.