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Kenya Shared Group Safaris

4.6/5  –  1,365 Kenya Reviews

Whether you’re looking for a group or private safari, a Kenyan holiday is without a doubt an experience of a lifetime. You might have been on safari before and maybe you know what it is all about. Or maybe you’ve never set foot on African soil before. Either way, planning a trip can be confusing. Luckily, there are many tours on offer. The country’s big wildlife densities and varied landscapes make it perfect for first-time and repeat visitors alike. And why not end the holiday with some time on one of Kenya’s picture-perfect beaches.

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1-20 of 387 group tours, packages and holidays to Kenya

5 Questions About Kenya Group Safaris

 
 

5 Questions About Kenya Group Safaris

Answered by Ariadne van Zandbergen

What are the pros and cons of a Kenya group safari?

“When choosing between a private or a group safari in Kenya, you should be aware of the pros and cons of both. The main consideration is arguably one of budget. If you are a single traveler or part of a couple, joining a group will be cheaper than booking a private safari. Some of the costs on safari are shared, for example, the guide fees and the vehicle. An operator might also decide on a smaller profit margin per person when putting together group tours. Many people enjoy the social element of a group tour. Especially if the alternative is traveling alone. Some group tours come with a tour leader as well as a local guide. Their task is to make sure that everything runs smoothly and all your needs are looked after. In some cases, the tour leader might bring their own expertise, such as photography or bird watching, which adds value for those who share that interest. The main negative of a Kenya group safari is that you’ll have to fit around set dates and that you won’t have any flexibility in the program.”

1

What is a good size for a Kenya group tour?

“The ideal group size is one that fits into one vehicle, so up to seven people. Having said that, a tour consisting of two or three vehicles (up to about 20 people) should be fine as well. Independent of group size, most safari packages in Kenya are conducted in 4x4 minivans with a pop-up roof. The terrain doesn’t really allow for larger vehicles. These vehicles typically take up to seven guests. At a push they sometimes take eight passengers. Larger group sizes are usually split up over more vehicles. There are advantages to joining a small group tour. The logistics at check-in and check-out are less chaotic and less time is spent getting everybody together at various stops or briefings. A smaller group size allows the operator to choose smaller lodgings, which have a different feel to big hotels. The group tours described above differ from tours conducted in big overland trucks. These mostly aim for young clients on a tight budget. Participants might have camp duties and camping tends to be very basic.”

2

How old should the children be to go on a shared trip?

“Compared to some other safari destinations, there are not many limitations on traveling with children in Kenya. However, some group tours have a minimum age. The age limit can be as low as one or three years, but it can be higher too. The main reason is that children might become a burden on the group. Not all visitors are child-friendly, and having young children in the group might create friction. It might also be that age restrictions apply to some of the lodges you’ll stay at or the activities you’ll undertake. That said, if your children have successfully been on safari before and you know they will do well in the group environment, there is no reason not to take them on a group safari, age limitations permitting. However, if you intend to take small children on a first safari, it might be better to book a private tour, which will give you more flexibility to cater to their needs. A safari can be a wonderfully enriching experience for children, but as their attention span is relatively small, a Kenyan group safari might just be too demanding for them.”

3

What type of vehicle can I expect?

“There are three main types of safari vehicles used by tour operators in Kenya. Most popular is the minivan with a pop-up roof. These vans are modified for safaris and they usually have eight passenger seats. There is one seat in the front next to the driver and three rows in the back. The front and middle rows have two seats and the back row has three seats. Many operators only fit a maximum of seven visitors in the van so everybody has a window seat. If they fill the vehicle to full capacity somebody will have a middle seat. Most safari vans have 4x4, but not all do. The 4x4 vans are fine on most roads, but they don’t have the power of a Toyota Land Cruiser. These customized Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs are more expensive and therefore less popular than the vans. Some operators offering luxury tours use them as they offer more comfort and versatility. The seating capacity is usually six, which gives everybody a window seat. The third type of vehicle is the overland truck. These customized trucks usually carry large groups, between 12 and 30 people. The seating varies. Some trucks have a line of seats looking inwards on each side of the truck and other ones have front-facing seats. The trucks are often used on longer trips covering several countries. These are usually budget camping trips.”

4

How much will a Kenya group safari cost?

“There are many factors determining the price of a Kenya group safari. A 7-day shared camping tour starts at about US$700 per person. Going up to mid-range, prices are around US$1,700 per person for one week and luxury tours start at around US$2,300 per person. You can use the filters on the SafariBookings website to narrow down your priorities, but these are some approximate figures to give an idea of prices. Using the SafariBookings filters, you can choose between a budget, mid-range and luxury safari. This usually comes down to the type of accommodation. Camping safaris are fun and cheaper than lodge safaris. Mid-range accommodation is usually no-frills but offers all the comfort you need. Luxury lodges are often more exclusive; some camps consist of only six or eight units. Fly-in safaris are a great choice on the luxury end of the range. Last but not least, consider traveling out of season to get a discounted rate. This corresponds with the rains, but it is also the most beautiful time of the year and the ultimate bonus is that there are fewer visitors around at that time.”

5

Kenya Reviews

4.6/5 1365 Reviews
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 which will fulfill...

Full Review

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 hotspots 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

Margot Thorpe  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Apr 23, 2024
Amazing experience
4/5

We visited Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. Our safari company was Unscripted Safaris who were very helpful and professional throughout. A special mention for our guide/driver Daniel who was exceptional - very knowledgeable and went...

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Anush  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Apr 21, 2024
Excellent Safari Experince
5/5

I booked a trip with Leisure Escape Safari. They did an excellent job. The trip to Kenya was very good. Hospitable people. I visited four national parks. I started in Nairobi and first visited Amboseli, then Naivasha Lake, Nakuru Lake and...

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Ariko Odero Ochola  –  
Switzerland CH
Reviewed: Apr 21, 2024
It was simply beautiful
4/5

We really enjoyed the tour. The vastness of the parks is impressive. There is something to discover everywhere. The landscape alone is fantastic. Watching the animals makes it even more exciting. Our driver Maromaro was very friendly and...

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Jason  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Apr 19, 2024
Great sights on the Mara
4/5

I had a great stay in Masaai Mara. It was my second time and there are so many incredible sights. We got very close to a group of elephants and saw an interesting encounter with a pack of hyenas following a big cheetah. I really enjoyed it!...

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