What determines your safari budget? An Honest Safari Budget Guide
Kenya in East Africa is world famous for its exciting African wildlife safari tours and excellent game viewing drives.
Say the word “safari” and you’ll picture the grasslands, bush and wildlife of Kenya. This is the place where the safari was born. In fact, even the word safari comes from our local language ‘Swahili’.
Safari is the main reason for holiday travel to East Africa for tourists from Europe, America, Middle East countries and Asia.
Free roaming wildlife in their natural scenic habitat coupled with wonderful all year warm weather, cultural diversity and friendly people make Kenya the ultimate natural holidays destination.
Kenya safari packages range in duration, national parks and game reserves on list of visit, tour booking composition and more.
Safari tours range from the 1 day Kenya tours to any maximum days that tour participants would love to spend in the country.
Safari packages can be low priced , moderate priced or expensive depending on the following related outlined factors.
A Kenya safari budget is determined by duration / length of safari, choice of safari lodges and tented camps, safari vehicle choice, safari year seasons, number of persons booking together, national parks visited and extra activities included.
Kenya safari tourist seasons fall into three categories. The tourist seasons are a considerable factor in the determination of your safari tour package budget
1.a) Low tourist season (April – June)
This is during the anticipated long rains season in Kenya which coincides with Spring season in Europe and most of North America. Few tourists visit Kenya during this period and thus its reference as low tourist season.
The rainfall doesn’t adversely affect the quality of the safari game viewing drives and also lowers temperatures.
Accommodation prices in the safari lodges and tented camps are low which reflects on the total safari package price.
The advantage with travel during this period is the uninhibited movements and more intimate moments with wildlife and nature due to little tourists’ presence
If you’re looking to go on a safari during the long rains season, you will get the benefit of enjoying low safari package rates, as this is a time period with few tourists.
The low tourist season period is when tour package prices are at their lowest and you can enjoy a low budget safari
1.b) Peak tourist season (June – October)
June, July, August and September are regarded as the peak tourist season in Kenya and coincides with summer season in Europe, North America and elsewhere.
The weather in Kenya is generally cool and dry as it is after the long rains season
It also happens to be the period during which one of the most famous wildlife spectacle Kenya has to offer occurs when the Wildebeest migration, where huge herds of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras, enter the Masai Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania.
Herds make regular swims across croc-filled rivers, creating a once in a lifetime opportunity to capture the true essence of Kenya’s wildlife.
The Kenya safari tour package prices are high during this period due to the dictates of supply and demand as most tourists find this the best time to tour Kenya.
The Kenya safari package budget is relatively high during this period
1.c) High / Shoulder tourist season (November – March
Once the tourist peak season is over, Kenya enters its shoulder or high season from October to March with a little peak period during Christmas / New year holiday from 22nd December to 2nd January.
The short rain season hits several regions of Kenya making the national parks and game reserves to regain their lost vegetation cover.
The rainfall doesn’t usually affect the quality of the safari and can often be a refreshing break from the high temperatures in previous peak seasons. This makes it an ideal habitat for migratory birds and new born animals.
Game viewing drives are still excellent during this tourist season of the year, it is a good opportunity to secure excellent value for money safari tours at a low budget.
Safari accommodation is a main component of your tour package cost and thus a consideration on your Kenya safari budget.
2.a) Luxury level safari Lodges and Tented Camps
In almost all instances, luxury lodges & Tented camps are located at vantage locations within the national parks and game reserves. They are unique in architecture and design. They enjoy proximity to the wildlife viewing areas. The facilities and comfort levels are of higher standard. Rooms/, tents are private and en -suite. There shall most likely be a swimming pool in most of the luxury facilities.
If you choose to stay in the luxury lodge / tented camp category, your safari budget shall be relatively higher
2.b) Comfort level safari Lodges and Tented Camps
Comfort level lodges and tented camps may be located inside or just at the boundaries of the national parks and game reserves. Others may be slightly further. In all instances, they are less than 30 minutes from the park entry gate. The standard of comfort levels are sufficiently adequate although relatively lower than for luxury accommodation level. The rooms and tents in this comfort level category are also private and en suite. Most comfort lodges / tented camps shall have a swimming pool.
If your choice of accommodation level falls under the comfort category, your safari package budget shall be moderate.
2.c) Economy safari Lodges and Tented Camps
Almost all economy lodges and tented camps (except a few) are located outside of the National park boundaries and just next to the park. They are simple, comfortable and sufficiently adequate for relaxation, overnight and meals although relatively basic compared to the luxury and comfort options. Rooms and tents are private and have en -suite bathroom facilities. Most of the economy options may also have a swimming pool.
Your safari package budget shall be lowest if you choose to stay in the economy accommodation.
Your choice of safari vehicle to journey through Kenya is important due to the nature of roads and the rough terrain of the safari country in the national parks and game reserves.
The safari vehicle is the direct link between your wildlife dreams and actualization of the same. It brings you right where the wild animals are and gets close enough for the most memorable photographs.
The safari Jeep as part of the safari package price is a considerable factor in your Kenya safari budget
Kenya national parks , game reserves and conservancies charge an entry fee based on 24 hours stay. The entry fees is a considerable component of your Kenya safari budget.
The National parks and game reserves you choose to visit during your safari budget also play a role in the determination of your safari package budget.
National parks are classified as class A ,B,C D according to their popularity which is based on access and wild game visibility opportunities.
Park entry fees for the national parks are charged per day with validity of 24 hours.
Premium parks have a higher entry fee than the lower premium parks.
During your Kenya safari booking planning, the number of persons in your travel group is also a strong determinant of your Kenya safari budget.
The larger the group, the cheaper per person price for each individual.
Family groups, student groups, same interest travel groups travelling together enjoy better safari package prices. This is because the vehicle and room cost which are constant are shared between trip participants.
Our safari cruisers seat a maximum of 6 persons with guaranteed window seats and safari rooms in lodges and camps sleep a maximum of 3 persons.
Children prices are lower in family safari packages with 3 year olds and less travelling free while the above 3 and below 12 years aged pay 75% of the adult tour price.
There is a further slight safari price discount for those over 12 years and lower than 18 years
Enquire and discuss about your next Kenya safari budget by contacting Natural World Kenya Safaris.
If you would like to find out more about any of our amazing safari tours, please do not hesitate to contact our team today. We can help you find the right safari to suit your budget, and ensure you experience the trip of a lifetime! Please enter your details and contact us online.
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