How Many Days Do You Need For A Safari In Kenya?
How Many Days Do You Need For A Safari In Kenya for? If you only have time to visit one country in Africa, it should be Kenya. One of the most well-known wildlife reserves in this region of East Africa is the famous Maasai Mara. Lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, hippos, and other wild creatures abound in this enormous reserve. Lake Nakuru, which boasts some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country, is another highlight. Nairobi, the vibrant city, is a mingling pot of different cultures and races in the meantime.
Organizing Your Safari Vacation to Kenya
Many visitors come to Kenya specifically to experience a safari and witness the rich Maasai culture. There are ways to achieve both on short journeys and longer, more leisurely ones. Since most people would fly into Nairobi, the capital, how far you can travel beyond the city will depend on how many days you have available. Staying near to Nairobi makes sense for shorter vacations, as there are still plenty of excellent possibilities to observe wildlife within a few hours of driving. With lengthier itineraries, you can go farther and more afield.
It’s important to schedule your vacation to coincide with the ideal season for the sites and activities you want to experience in Kenya, regardless of how long you want to stay there. If you want to climb Mount Kenya or witness the Great Migration, you can only go on safari during the dry season. It’s also peak season, so costs will be at their highest. If you want to save money, visit Kenya at off-peak times, but be advised that the weather won’t be great for seeing wildlife. If you want to climb Mount Kenya, you need consider safety measures, and it’s not a good idea to go during the off-season.
What is the ideal duration of stay in Kenya?
We suggest extending your stay in Kenya as much as you can if you’re not sure how long to remain. We advise you to plan a vacation to Kenya that includes the must-see sights of the southern safari circuit and lasts at least five days, even though this is not an option. A long weekend trip to Kenya might not be worth it, even though there are shorter safari packages available.
We suggest taking a trip that lasts 10 to fourteen days if you have more time. This time range sufficiently covers both well-known and lesser-known animal destinations. If you have more time, you can travel to Samburu, which is further North, to witness rare kinds of animals such the East African Oryx and the Somali Ostrich.
Five days in Kenya
Select the wildlife safari loop that is the quickest and most likely to be popular during your five days in Kenya. Take a safari from Nairobi into the Maasai Mara, home of the Big Five. Spend two days exploring the game reserve before continuing on to Lake Nakuru. We recommend spending at least one day at Lake Nakuru. But if you are an avid birdwatcher, you may want to spend two days here, as tens of thousands of flamingos line the shoreline and many bird species gather here annually. Drive back to Nairobi on the last day to catch your flight home.
A week in Kenya
You can fit in a few extra locations on your itinerary if you intend to stay in Kenya for seven days. Drive south from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park, which is renowned for its large herds of wild elephants and its majestic views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Proceed to Lake Naivasha to witness the extinct volcano Mount Longonot. Explore the verdant plains of the Maasai Mara on an off-road safari. You can visit Shaba National Reserve after a few days and a safari, where large prides of lions gather during the day under thickets.
A week in Kenya
In addition to the locations listed above, if you want to spend 10 days in Kenya, you should also include a visit to the Aberdares range, which is located approximately four hours from Nairobi. Hiking across the highlands will reveal you to huge moorlands, rushing waterfalls, woodland ravines, and breathtaking summits. If you’re lucky, you may get to witness long-haired colobus monkeys and mountain bongos.
From there, you can proceed to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the majority of Kenya’s great species, including the endangered Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. Make one final stop at Lake Naivasha before returning to the capital.
Two weeks in Kenya
You can easily travel through Kenya in two weeks, making nine stops to get from the southern to the northernmost tip of the country. Spend a day seeing the sights and sounds of the country’s capital before moving on to your first destination, the archeological site of Olorgesailie. Take a guided journey here to learn more about the way of life of the first Homo sapiens. Proceed to Magadi Lake after that, where you may enjoy a picnic lunch in the Soda Ash hot springs.
Lake Elementaita and Sleeping Warrior Hill are located in the Great Rift Valley; allow two days to visit each. The borders of the lake serve as a haven for a variety of animal species, including elands, zebras, gazelles, and the critically endangered Rothschild giraffe. If you wish to take a break from your weary muscles, Lake Bogoria’s hot springs and geysers are less than three hours away from the lake.
Next, take a detour and visit Iten, home to some of the best distance runners in the world. See Lake Turkana and learn more about why it’s an important crocodile breeding area before heading back to the city.
Affectives on the possible length of stay on Kenya Safari
Your Kenya safari duration will depend on a number of factors. A few of the most significant ones are:
Your spending plan: Planning an African safari may require careful consideration of this, if anything. The cost of a safari depends on several factors.
How many parks are you planning to visit?
The kind of lodging that you intend to use
Whether your transportation will be exclusive to you or shared with other passengers
Travel time: Occasionally, it takes a full day to get from one park to another. You need to factor in the time it will take you to get from one park to the next when estimating how long you’ll need for your Kenya safari. While traveling between these sites can be shortened by using one of the light aircraft that serve them, doing so will increase your expenses and may not be an option for many guests.
Jetlag: You need to factor in how long it will take you to become used to East African time after you arrive. For American tourists, midday in East Africa is the same as nightfall back home. If you want to enjoy your safari without getting tired and cranky, give yourself a day or two to relax once you’re there. You are welcome to stay in Arusha or Nairobi during this time.
Beach time: Many travelers choose to spend a few days at one of East Africa’s white sand beaches before heading back home.