ELMAG SAFARIS
Kenya safari planning guide.
When to travel, how far everything is, what a day looks like and what to budget for — written by a company that drives these roads.
Start here
Five things that decide a safari.
When you travel, how long you have, how much driving you accept, where you sleep and whether you go private or shared. Get those five right and the rest is detail.
This guide is general guidance for planning, not a quotation. Live details — park fees, lodge availability, road conditions and current entry requirements — are confirmed with your itinerary.
On this page
How a safari day usually runs
Most game drives happen in the cool hours: out before sunrise with a packed breakfast or back for a late breakfast, a rest and lunch through the middle of the day, then out again in the late afternoon until the gates close. That rhythm exists because it is when wildlife moves — and because the middle of the day is genuinely hot.
How much driving a trip needs
This is the part first-time visitors underestimate. A Kenya safari is as much a road trip as a wildlife trip. Nairobi to the Maasai Mara is roughly five to six hours depending on the route; Samburu and Meru are longer still. A good itinerary breaks those drives with stops and overnight stays rather than treating them as dead time.
Private or group?
A private safari means the vehicle is yours: you set the start time, how long you sit with a cheetah and when you stop for photographs. A group safari shares the vehicle and the cost, and usually follows a fixed route. Both are available from ELMAG SAFARIS.
Choosing where to stay
Inside a reserve or conservancy means you are in the park at first light, which is worth more than a higher star rating. A lodge outside the gate can mean an hour of driving before you see anything. Tell us what matters more to you — location or comfort — and we will plan accordingly. Property names, ratings and amenities are confirmed on enquiry.
Children on safari
Family safaris work well with the right route: shorter driving days, accommodation with space to run around, and activities with sensible age limits. Some lodges have minimum ages for walking safaris or certain activities. Give us the children’s ages in your enquiry and we will plan around them.
What to bring
Neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early mornings at altitude (Iten and the Rift Valley get genuinely cold at dawn), sun protection, insect repellent, binoculars, and a camera with more battery than you think you need. Dust is part of the deal on unsealed roads.
Money, tips and extras
Budget for drinks, tips, laundry and optional activities such as balloon flights or extra boat trips on top of your safari price. Payment methods, deposit terms and the tipping guidance we give guests are.
Health and travel documents
Kenya requires an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) for most visitors, and some nationalities need a visa — check the current rules before booking. Yellow fever and malaria advice depends on where you are travelling. We do not give medical advice: speak to a travel clinic. Travel and medical insurance is required and is your responsibility.
Accessibility
Game drives are largely done from the vehicle, which makes much of a safari workable for guests with reduced mobility. Lodges vary considerably. Tell us the requirements and we will confirm what is genuinely workable rather than promise it.
Kenya by season
| Period | What to expect | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| January – February | Hot and dry in most of the country. Short grass and good visibility; a strong time for the Rift Valley lakes and the Mara. | High season for lodges in some areas |
| March – May | The long rains. Green country, fewer vehicles, lower lodge rates, but some roads and tracks become difficult. | Low season — best value, plan for rain |
| June – October | The main dry season. Prime game viewing, and the wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara from around July into October. | Peak season — book well ahead |
| November – December | The short rains, followed by dry, clear conditions into the Christmas period. Green scenery and good birdlife. | Christmas and New Year are busy |
Not sure which month suits you? Tell us the window you can travel and what you most want to see. We will tell you honestly what that window gives you.