Visiting Kenya

Traveling around the great plains of Africa’s Big Five and typically the much-loved faces involving The Lion King, or gliding throughout the air at dawn in a hot air balloon as you watch wild animals waking up

Picture yourself hiking through the bush by taking walks and tracking the big game up in close proximity, or creeping around the savannah at night with hopes of finding and catching the gleaming eyes of a leopard.

On safari Kenya, every moment is extraordinary. They have one of many worlds’ most magical experiences, and one of the top on people’s bucket list. However, when it comes to booking a safari holiday, the details can easily become really overwhelming.

Besides are many options, nonetheless several people easily don’t really know what to be able to expect when that they embark a safari holiday.

Our Africa Specialist, Thea, can be here to discuss about everything an individual can expect on a typical day on safari Kenya, and answers most of the frequently asked questions concerning safaris.

Wherever you are in Kenya, the most common experience is to do two game activities each day, which are most often game drives. According to my recent visit to the Masai Mara, here is a standard plan for a safari day. You’ll find this typical schedule for most safari activities in Kenya.

6: 00am: Wake Up call

Start the day with the smell of fresh coffee or teas served in your tent. To obtain the best game viewing of the day, an earlier start is needed to beat the heat of the sun.

It is now time that the big cats are most active and can offer one of the most dramatic photography, due to the beautiful lighting. Even though it might be tempting to stay in your bed and wait until the afternoon to explore, I assure you this is a game drive you don’t want to miss!

6:30 – 7:00am: Morning Game Drive

Climb on your safari vehicle with your expert safari guide to go on the search for cats and other game. It could be chilly in the mornings and you will need to rug up, but ensure you pack layers you can peel off as the temperature heats up with the brilliant sunrise.

In case you have any specific interests, inform your guide at the beginning of your game drive. However, they’ll typically plan their route based on recent local sightings, so just sit back and relax as you enjoy your safari adventure.

Typically the drive lasts around 2-3 hours, based upon on your sightings, and you’ll likely head back to camp with some thrilling stories to share.

9:00 – 10:00am: Breakfast

You will arrive at your lodge or do camping for a well-earned breakfast. Often offered in a public setting with your host, this is a fantastic time and energy to share your sightings with other visitors, plan your free time and enjoy the best drinks and food, freshly prepared by your chef.

10:00am – 1:00pm: Free Time

Safari Kenya can involve very long, packed days, on the other hand you’ll still have leisure time to relaxation, rest or do optional activities.

A variety of lodges and camps give a many additional programs, for instance community village visits, specialist sanctuary visits or perhaps even additional game viewing experiences.

Some lodges have day spa facilities onsite, and so you can treat yourself with a comforting massage,. Personally, My partner and I often relax raeding a good book on the viewing deck, watching wildlife pass by.

1:00pm: Lunch

Refuel at lunchtime with a delightful meal and drink. Meals are usually served over three courses and will certainly keep you full until the evening.

If you are somewhat peckish between meals, you are able to speak to your host and snacks can be found always.

1:00pm – 4:00pm: Free Time

This can be the hottest part of the day, and a wonderful time to take a drop in the pool or enjoy a siesta. In the event you favor to get lively, your lodge or camp will have a range of exciting facilities and activities to load your time.

4:00pm – 7:00pm: Evening Game Drive

Head out on a game drive once more as the particular sun sets. The particular cooler evening temperature ensures that animals are usually more active plus fewer likely to be hiding within the bushes for a few shade.

As the sun makes the gorgeous exit, your own guide will stop in a viewpoint and enhances an awesome box filled up with your own desired drinks with regard to a sundowner, the toast to the sun after the spectacular day on a safari. It is a traditional end to any safari day as well as the chosen places possess a spellbinding atmosphere — I’ve certainly experienced many unforgettable sundowner moments.

From Saruni Mara, you will watch sun proceed down over Mount Kilelioni or at Hemingways Ol Seki Mara Camp, you can view the lion pride along with a gin and a tonic in hands.

Note: Some places offer thrilling night time game drives, and these will leave later than 4:00pm. You can still combine sundowners in to your game drive, or enjoy all of them at the camp before venturing out.

8:00pm: Dinner & Evening Drinks

On returning to the camp, you will have a tasty 3 course meal prior to settling under the stars around the fire camp with a drink in hand.

It is tempting to remain up late within this beautiful area, but don’t neglect a 6: 00am wake up comes calling the following morning, therefore ensure you get a restful night time of sleep-in planning for tomorrow’s experience.

What happens on the game drive on safari?

The most common safari exercise is a game drive, but what actually happens upon a game drive?

You will find small variations among locations, but the general experience will be that a game drive is conducted within an open-sided four wheel drive vehicle, with the maximum occupancy is of eight passengers (although it is far from uncommon in order to have less travelers or even private usage of a vehicle).

Your guide (and often an extra spotter) will go with you and accompany you through the particular area, the animals and the habit. Don’t be upset if they go silent for the while – their work is to look out for wildlife and also this does demand a sizable amount regarding concentration. You can be astonished by what they might spot at this kind of great distance.

Generally there are no ceases on a game drive, unless for the bush meal or perhaps sundowner, which will be always conducted inside a safe and even pre-allocated space.

Regrettably, there are no toilet stops on safari so please ensure you go before you leave. In case there are any emergencies, always let your guide know, and they will instruct you on the best way out.

Upon arriving at a sighting, your guide will stop at a slight distance away to ensure the animal is comfortable and calm, before approaching to a closer distance. Make sure to keep as silent as possible, while you are nearby the animal.

You will have just as much time as you want at each stop to observe and take photos, and your guide will only move on once you are ready. The only exception is in certain parks which restrict a maximum number of vehicles per sighting. When the maximum is reached at, then the first vehicle to appear must move ahead.

It is sometimes authorized to reach even more isolated areas associated with the reserves. This gives a unique plus wild experience along with a larger number of animals. This means a bumpy ride or a free ‘Kenyan Massage’. Hold upon tight and make sure that all loose products are safely stowed away.

All our safari guides are professional drivers and possess often completed advanced driving lessons. You will be in safe hands through the journey, so you can relax plus enjoy this thrilling adventure.

Besides game drives, what other things do you do on a safari?

The game drives are the most common safari activity, however there are lots of other safari activities available. From bird watching to photography lessons, there are a number of safari activities to suit your interests.

We’ve detailed below a number of our favourite activities, and our top suggests for accommodations for every single activity. Speak to your Luxury African Specialist for more tailored ideas, as this is certainly not an exhaustive listing of safari activities and properties.

The 2nd most common safari activity is the bush walk. You will be accompanied by specialist guide and security personnel, as you venture into the wild to monitor big game on foot and find out the intimate info of bush.

It is also the ideal opportunity speak to your guide about their lifestyle and culture, nearby conservation projects, and even ask all those burning queries about the vegetation and animals from the bush.

Saruni Rhino is the house of the 1st rhino tracking encounter in East African continent, one of the most advanced conversation projects in Kenya. This rare, exciting experience takes through the bush to meet the 11 rhinos discovered on this 54, 000-hectare sanctuary.

Horseback safaris are a great incredible way in order to see the bush and are usually present in Northern Kenya and some parts of Southern Kenya. Ideal for novice in addition to professionals alike, together with children often let in as well, this offers a unique way to travel through the plains and spot big game.

Ol Donyo is located in the foothills of Chyulu Hills in Amboseli, and is the only lodge in the huge Mbirikani Ranch that gives exclusive access to one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Kenya. More knowledgeable riders will be assessed and will have the chance for the more freeing experience with fast riding and jumping over fallen logs.

Quad biking safaris

Quad-biking is a stimulating way to explore genuinely remote places of which aren’t easily reached in larger cars. While Namibia is definitely one of the most incredible parts in Africa intended for quad-biking, Kenya in addition offers some excellent alternatives, particularly inside the Lewa parts. You’ll roam alongside tiny tracks to be able to learn rarely-visited regions, for the true off-the-beaten-track experience.

Borana Lodge’s expert hosts, Amory and Jay can take you out on buggies as well as quad-bikes. You’ll explore typically the Kenyan Bush, experience the awe-inspiring ‘Sarara Singing Wells’, and enjoy a picnic by a remote riverbed, this really is definitely a unique experience.

Amongst the most lively variations of the typical safari, mountain-biking offers an unconventional method to explore the bush. Wildlife is usually relatively around bikes compared to automobiles and horseback, so up-close encounters usually are less likely, nevertheless biking in the bush is a great incredible experience in addition the perfect way to get a little exercise in the finest natural environments on the planet.

With low visitor numbers and spectacular landscapes to explore, Ol Malo is the perfect spot to venture out on mountain bikes. Followed by expert instructions, you’ll travel at your own speed and intimately discover the bush upon two wheels. Ol Donyo and Borana Lodge also offer you excellent mountain-biking encounters.

The hot air balloon safari is best bucket list for many tourists. Rise above the plains before dawn, watch in awe since the sun skims over the horizons, and watch the safari animals coming to life from the birds-eye view.

Most hot air balloon journeys last around a single hour and ending with a wine breakfast after returning back to Earth. It’s an amazing way to get started on every day!

Masai Mara is the best safari destination to embark on a hot air balloon safari, and Saruni Wild is the best for accommodation. You’ll be located the ballooning starting point, but will remain isolated enough to experience an off-grid stay in the Mara. You’ll also score a game drive activity to and from the balloon, as you can find abundant wildlife in the Lemek Conservancy, where Saruni wild is located.

Like a regular safari enthusiast with a great experience in the African bush, here are my essential tricks for a safe and breathtaking safari holiday in Kenya.

You will find many travelers saying a safari experience is a good time to know how to start using a new camera, just to be disappointed to take memorable well exposed images. Please don’t belong to this trap!

Even though a good camera is often a useful supplement to your packing list, you should know how to use the camera effectively to get good images and also have moment left to take pleasure in what you happen to be witnessing. If in doubt, many smart phones now take interestingly good photos. Additionally, leave the digital camera at home and just enjoy the knowledge with your own personal eye.

Don’t go on safari with a checklist of animals

It is fine to possess a rough concept of the wildlife you’d like to be able to see, however sightings are never guaranteed, and you don’t want to be disappointed with your safari experience.

All our safari guides will do their best so that you get the most thrilling sightings, however these are wildlife and the plains of Kenya are certainly not a zoo. Really a part of enjoyment of what is around the corner.

What to pack for a safari in Kenya? Not too much!

It could be tempting to overpack; however, safari vacations provide a very relaxed atmosphere — all you actually need is comfortable sneakers, light-colored, long-sleeved, loose clothing, a head wear, a camera, insect repellants and sunscreen.

If you are taking any gentle aircraft flights, the particular baggage space will certainly be very restricted, so only come with what you require.

Is it safe to go on safari?

The safari holiday in Kenya is really safe in case you proceed on a safari along with expert guides that are thoroughly trained within safety procedures. At Wayfairer, we only work with best camps and lodges in Kenya, therefore you can be certain you’ll certainly be in secure hands at almost all times.

However, the wild plains of Kenya are unpredictable, so it is important to evaluation general safari guidelines and safety suggestions before venturing on your safari experience. Read our Facts Safari Safety within Africa, to make sure you obtain the greatest out of your own safari experience.

Plan your Kenya safari holiday