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Top 20 Best Kenya Safaris - Compare 2,415 Tours

4.6/5  –  1,764 Kenya Safari Reviews

Kenya is the birthplace of the East African safari and it remains a fabulous place to fulfil your safari dream. The country has an excellent mix of world-class national parks and reserves, stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife viewing, fascinating cultural experiences and a highly experienced safari industry. Safaris here come in all shapes and sizes, and all budgets are well catered for. More than that, Kenya safaris are astonishingly varied, taking in a whole continent’s worth of possibilities in just one country, from tropical coastal idylls to vast savannahs (mixed woodland/grassland ecosystems) and from lush rainforests to desert volcanoes.

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6 Questions About Best Kenya Safaris

1. What makes Kenya the best place to go on safari?
2. Which parks and reserves should I visit to have the best Kenya safari?
3. What kinds of safaris are possible in Kenya?
4. How should I plan my Kenya trip if I want to see the great migration?
5. How much time will I need to have the best possible Kenya experience?
6. What is the cost of a Kenya safari?
 
 

6 Questions About Best Kenya Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

What makes Kenya the best place to go on safari?

“A Kenyan safari is how many of us always imagined safaris to be. All of the major animals are here, from big cats (lion, leopard and cheetah) to the big-tusked elephants of Amboseli National Park, and from the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) to the vast herds of plains animals like zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and a full cast of antelope species. Many of these come together in the annual great migration in the Masai Mara National Reserve, when the earth swarms with nearly 2 million prey species, with plenty of predators in tow. Many of Kenya’s best safari experiences occur in the south, which is the land of the Maasai people, one of Kenya’s many cultural groups whose presence brings depth and interest to iconic African landscapes. Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, may lie across the border in Tanzania, but easily the best views are from Amboseli in Kenya’s south. Then there’s the glorious Rift Valley (a series of depressions containing some of the continent’s best-known lakes), the dense forests of Kakamega, and sweeping savannahs just about everywhere. And Kenya’s portfolio of parks and reserves ranges from world-famous national parks to private or community conservancies. These conservancies are where conservation best practice goes hand in hand with safaris that showcase both wildlife and cultural highlights.”

1

Which parks and reserves should I visit to have the best Kenya safari?

“If I had to choose just three parks and reserves to visit in Kenya, I would pick the Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park. The Masai Mara is home to the great migration, but affords exceptional wildlife experiences year-round. Although the national reserve can get busy, the surrounding Maasai-run conservancies – Mara North, Naboisho, Olare-Orok and others – are more exclusive, much quieter, and promise incredible wildlife possibilities. Sitting in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is surrounded by Maasai-run conservancies or group ranches. It is one of the best places to see elephants in Africa. And between the two, Lake Nakuru is compact and offers almost guaranteed rhino sightings, with leopards and tree-climbing lions also possible. Others will have different favorites, such as Tsavo West National Park with its elephants bathed in red dust, Tsavo East National Park for its big cats, or Samburu National Reserve for a wonderfully wild experience in the north. Meru National Park is a much-underrated treasure, while Ol Pejeta Conservancy is also first-rate. There are, of course, many more fine parks and reserves, and wherever you go you should spend time in Nairobi National Park on your way there. It’s a compact, world-class wildlife park known for rhinos and big cats set against the distant backdrop of city skyscrapers.”

2

What kinds of safaris are possible in Kenya?

“Almost every kind of safari is possible, including private, group, self-drive, fly-in and camping safaris. In a less-expensive group safari, you will share a guide, vehicle and many activities with other travelers; it’s a great way to meet like-minded people. On a private safari trip, you and your party will have all of these things to yourselves, and you will have more control over where you go and what you do. Self-drive safaris are less popular in Kenya than they are in southern Africa, but they are still possible. The advantage of a self-drive safari is that you have control over everything from where you go to how long you stay at each wildlife sighting. On the downside, Kenya’s roads can be very busy. You will also need to decide whether you wish to fly between Kenya’s different parks and reserves (all of which have airstrips for small planes) or make the same journey by road. If you fly everywhere, it will cost more, but you will be able to cover more territory and see more places in the time you have available. On the other hand, if you travel by road, you’ll see more of the country and meet more locals. Whichever way you go on safari, you can also combine it with a beach holiday along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast. There are lots of tours offered that combine the two.”

3

How should I plan my Kenya trip if I want to see the great migration?

“I strongly recommend that you join an organised tour if you wish to see the great migration as it passes through the Masai Mara. Most of these tours offer packages that include all accommodations within (or close to) the reserve, as well as expert guides, all meals and transport. If possible, try to join a small-group tour. It is also extremely important that you book many months in advance of your visit. Local safari operators can advise you on the best timing, as it may be different from one year to the next. As a general rule, the migration is in the Masai Mara from August to October. However, as always with the natural world and the unpredictable behavior of its animals, sightings are never guaranteed. Some years the migration arrives from Tanzania earlier and stays longer, but the reverse can also be true. This means that making an advance reservation involves a degree of unavoidable risk.”

4

How much time will I need to have the best possible Kenya experience?

“The minimum for going on safari in Kenya is 1 week, but 2 weeks is ideal. Provided you fly between parks, in a week you could visit Nairobi, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara, although 10 days will feel less rushed. With a few extra days, consider flying north to Samburu National Reserve for a different cast of animals and to experience Samburu culture. Or visit the two Tsavos for a taste of the wild south. And if money is no object, you could instead factor in time in the community conservancies of Laikipia Plateau and the Masai Mara.”

5

What is the cost of a Kenya safari?

“A Kenya safari could start at US$150 to US$200 per person per day if you’re on a simple camping safari. In contrast, for a luxury safari staying in high-end lodges and tented camps, prices start at around US$500 per person per day, but can cost much more than this. Apart from accommodations, variables that will impact the price of your safari include whether you’re traveling in high season, shoulder season or low season, and whether you will be traveling on a private, group or self-drive safari. Also make sure that you understand what is included in the quoted price of your safari. Rates should include park and reserve entry fees, accommodations, transfers, vehicle, game drives, guide and driver (unless you’re self-driving) and some activities.”

6

Kenya Safari Reviews

4.6/5 1,764 Reviews
Expert
Nana Luckham  –  
United Kingdom UK

Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.

From Game-Packed Hot Spots to Little-Known Wilderness
5/5

Kenya’s stunning landscapes include rainforest, beaches, deserts and mountains, but it’s the first-class wildlife watching that keeps so many visitors flocking back. Not only is it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five,...

Full Review

Expert
Alan Murphy  –  
Australia AU

Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.

A Safari Behemoth
5/5

In some ways, Kenya rates as the best country for safaris in Africa. That is a contentious statement and many would argue that Tanzania should be given that title. Whichever way you go, Kenya is undeniably a destination that will fulfill...

Full Review

Stephen W  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Oct 9, 2026
Kenya the friendly destination
5/5

We had a great time from start to finish from the wildlife of the Masai Mara and Amboseli to the incredible soft white sand beach at Diani. Everybody we came across was polite, helpful and friendly. Getting around can be a bit hairy at...

Full Review

Kevin McC  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026
An amazing once in a lifetime experience!
5/5

I’ve been to Kenya before and it’s always incredible but to see my wife’s face on every game drive was so special. She was amazed at the wildlife and I’m so glad that she got to experience it as everyone should once in their...

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John Fuller  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026
Beautiful
5/5

We loved Kenya this is my second time and the place we stayed and the hospitality was superb One thing that may help travellers in future is really look at time of year for animals you want to see , we have done 4 safari’s in different...

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Julen Millan Garcia  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026
Best experience of our lives
5/5

We had the best safari experience ever. We went for 6 days safari to Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli and it was absolutely amazing. We were extremely lucky with our guide, George. He was absolutely perfect. He made sure we had the...

Full Review

All 1764 Kenya Safari Reviews