Kenyan Safari

You are really spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding upon what to see and do in Kenya. Considering how big the country is, there is certainly an extraordinary amount to experience. With mountains, deserts, tribal communities, coral reefs, beaches and some of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife; there are a million and one different reasons to come and visit Kenya.

For some the idea of choosing what to see and do on a Kenyan safari can be a very daunting task, as there are so many different options to choose from. To help you make the most out of your Kenyan safari, I have put together a few helpful tips to make sure you get your safari experience right first time.

Decide what the main focus of your trip should be, it can be changed dramatically by choosing to see either the big five or to go off exploring other wildlife. I would strongly recommend researching into the type of wildlife you want to see before hand to avoid disappointment. The Great Wildebeest Migration for example is best seen around the Masai Mara in August and early September.

Because the weather conditions can vary so much when you’re out on safari I would suggest trying to balance your packing and have a small selection of clothing to choose from. You can easily pack too much for a safari trip, so I would take time to consider what items to pack and what items to leave behind. After all when you go on safari you’re there to take pictures of the animals and experience the Kenyan wildlife at first hand, not to be having four costume changes a day to look good in your holiday snaps.

Unless you have a lengthy holiday, please don’t try to see all of Kenya’s safari parks in one go. Take the time to really enjoy a few places in Kenya rather than sift through too many places.

This brings me onto my next point of considering the length of your safari. Things to take into consideration when choosing how long you wish to be out on your Kenyan safari can be how far into the wilderness and away from the traditional tourist spots you want to get. Or, indeed, if you would like to combine your stay with a beach break to the Kenyan coast or perhaps the Seychelles then you may want to consider the overall timing of your experience.

Another key aspect when you’re planning your Kenyan safari is what accommodation style you would like to stay in. For some the notion of residing in a tented camp (albeit a luxury one) for the entire trip wouldn’t necessarily present an ideal situation, whereas for others it may be considered as the ideal introduction to the adventure. With an incredible array of lodges, villas, hotels, camps and many other accommodations the choice of where and how you spend your time in Kenya is truly up to you

My last tip would be to make sure that you attain comprehensive travel insurance before you embark on your Kenyan Safari, no matter how many precautions you take, accidents can happen on any excursion or holiday so its always better to err on the side of caution.

For more information on safaris in Kenya Craig recommends contacting Mahlatini, specialists in African travel