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5-Day Kenya Safari Tours

4.6/5  –  1,512 Kenya Reviews

Kenya is one of Africa’s oldest safari destinations. Although it has come a long way from its pioneering days in the 1920s and ’30s, Kenya still provides exactly what most people expect from an African safari. Expansive landscapes form the ideal backdrop for dramatic animal interactions. With decades of experience, the Kenyan hospitality industry has safaris covered. It offers something for anyone wanting a 5-day safari, with options in every price bracket. Although it might be the wildlife that brings you to Kenya, you’ll enjoy the human interactions too. It is home to a melting pot of cultures. You’ll learn about different greetings and customs, but most of all, you’ll learn that people go out of their way to make your stay memorable.

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1-20 of 311 Kenya 5-day trips, itineraries, holidays, packages & vacations

6 Questions About 5-Day Kenya Safaris

 
 

6 Questions About 5-Day Kenya Safaris

Answered by Ariadne van Zandbergen

Is 5 days enough time for a safari in Kenya?

“Although 5 days is enough time for a safari in Kenya, a few extra days would make the experience even more special. You can see a lot on a 5-day safari in Kenya. You’ll be able to visit a few parks and reserves and see a large variety of animals, including most and possibly all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). On a road trip, you’ll have to focus on one part of the country, but on a fly-in safari you can incorporate several highlights on your bucket list. If you add on extra days, you can spend more time in each destination, which gives you a chance to settle in and get into the rhythm of a safari holiday. If 5 days is all you’ve got, you need to resist the temptation to cram too much into your itinerary. If not, you’ll spend too much time driving or flying between places, time that could be spent on game drives or at the lodges.”

1

How much will this safari cost?

“A lot of variables determine the overall price of a 5-day Kenyan safari. Expect a starting price of US$550 per person for a 5-day budget camping tour, going up to US$1,200 per person for a private mid-range lodge tour. Luxury tours start at around US$1,500 per person. At the budget end of the scale is the camping safari. Camping in the bush is lots of fun and an excellent choice if you’re up for a bit of adventure. But if you like your creature comforts at night, you might prefer a lodge safari. This doesn’t need to break the bank. Kenya offers very reasonably priced budget lodge safaris as well as luxury safaris. Road safaris are cheaper than fly-in safaris and you can save costs further by booking a group safari as opposed to a private safari. If you’re flexible about timing, consider a safari in the low season. Not only will you get a better price, there are fewer travelers around at that time as well. However, keep in mind that some Kenyan parks might experience high rainfall in the off season. I recommend getting quotations from a variety of tour operators before booking a tour.”

2

What are the options to extend my trip?

“You have a number of options for extending your 5-day Kenyan safari. Kenya, with its idyllic coastline, is the perfect destination for a beach-and-bush combo. The white sandy beaches north and south of Mombasa offer the perfect setting for some relaxation after an eventful safari. Spending time on the coast will give you the opportunity to learn about the ancient Swahili culture and sample its fragrant cuisine. Mountain addicts could consider climbing Africa’s second-highest mountain, Kenya’s own Mt Kenya, which is arguably more scenic and definitely more off-the-beaten-track than Africa’s highest mountain, Tanzania’s Mt Kilimanjaro.”

3

Where should I go on a 5-day safari in Kenya?

“If you’re planning a 5-day Kenyan safari there are some great options on where to go. Most people going on safari in Kenya want to visit the Masai Mara National Reserve. And for good reason – the open savannah is perfect for seeing plenty of predator action as well as big herds of grazers. You can easily spend 5 days and 4 nights in the Mara. Every drive is different and, with plenty of time, you can explore different areas of this vast ecosystem. However, you can also break the trip up with a night or 2 in Lake Nakuru National Park and/or Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley. Both are scenic birding hot spots, and the former is great for rhino sightings as well. Laikipia Plateau is also a great destination for a 5-day safari. Many of the Laikipia reserves offer Big Five wildlife viewing, and rhino are particularly common here. The backdrop of Mt Kenya offers spectacular photo opportunities. If you’re coming from Mombasa and its nearby resorts, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks are only a stone’s throw away. The combined area offers incredible wilderness appeal with all of the Big Five present. Slightly further afield is scenic Amboseli National Park at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro. It’s known for its herds of elephant and some of Africa’s largest tuskers.”

4

What is the best time of the year for a Kenya safari?

“The best time of the year for a safari in Kenya is from June to October, the Dry season. Animals are easier to spot then as they are attracted to rivers and other sources of water. The bush thins out as the season progresses, which makes for better sightings too. The wildebeest migration is in the Masai Mara from August to October. Most spectacular are the crossings of the Mara River and they usually take place in August, but the exact timing is difficult to predict as it’s dependent on the rains. Although the Dry season is considered the best for wildlife viewing, some of the Wet season months (November to February) can be lovely too. At this time the scenery is at its best with crisp, dust-free air and lush greenery. There are fewer visitors around, and you might get low-season rates.”

More about the best time to visit Kenya 5

Which animals am I likely to see?

“You’ll see plenty of animals on a 5-day safari in Kenya, including most if not all of the Big Five. The Masai Mara offers incredible wildlife viewing. Lion and cheetah are very common, and you have a good chance of seeing leopard too. Big herds of elephant roam most of Kenya’s popular parks and reserves, and you’ll probably also see giraffe, zebra and buffalo. Hippo pods can be seen in many Kenyan waterways and crocodile are usually basking on the sandbanks. Rhino are a bit more difficult to spot in some of Kenya’s parks. The best places to see them are Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi National Park and the Laikipia reserves, where both black and white rhino are very common, although the latter is usually harder to spot. There are lots of antelope and gazelle as well. Some are widespread, such as waterbuck and Grant’s gazelle, but others, for instance Beisa oryx and gerenuk, are restricted to specific areas.”

6

Kenya Reviews

4.6/5 1,512 Reviews
Expert
Mike Unwin  –  
United Kingdom UK

Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

The home of safari
5/5

Kenya, to most people, is safari. This is where it all began, after all, and from Out of Africa to Big Cat Diary the country has provided the images that define the visitor’s idea of Africa. Certainly, when it comes to game viewing, this...

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,...

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Divya&Pete  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Dec 16, 2024
Trip of a Lifetime
5/5

We booked a four day three night safari and it was a breath taking experience. Everything was meticulously arranged and it really took the guess work out of figuring out every detail of our trip. Our guides were very knowledgeable,...

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Anett  –  
Hungary HU
Reviewed: Dec 9, 2024
Magic
5/5

Our recent 5-day private safari through Kenya’s Amboseli, Tsavo East, and Tsavo West National Parks was nothing short of spectacular. Despite traveling during the rainy season, our experience far exceeded expectations, thanks to the...

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Glenn Crouther  –  
Australia AU
Reviewed: Dec 9, 2024
a beginners guide to east africa
5/5

from the masai mara to amboseli, the south of kenya is a wildlife enthusiasts heaven. i had never been to east africa before and this was my first trip into the dark continent. i realised very quickly it was'nt going to be a matter of just...

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Emma  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Dec 7, 2024
Beautiful culture, fantastic animals!
5/5

My partner and I travelled to Kenya for our first ever safari and were not disappointed. Paul from Ways of Africa was very friendly and helpful to create a bespoke package for us to meet our travel needs and budget. The scenery was fabulous...

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