FAQ

We plan safaris across Kenya, including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha, Tsavo and Nairobi National Park, and combine them with the Kenyan coast. We also arrange trips to Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Zanzibar, so you can see more of East Africa in one journey.

Kenya is a year-round safari destination. The long dry season from late June to October is peak time and covers the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. January to March is also dry and good value. April, May and November are the rainy months, with fewer vehicles and lower rates. See Kenya weather by month.

The herds usually arrive in the Masai Mara in July and stay until around October, with Mara River crossings most likely from late July to September. Timing changes every year with the rains, and crossings are never guaranteed. Our Great Migration guide explains how to plan for the best chance.

Three days (two nights) is the minimum we recommend for the Masai Mara. Five to seven days lets you combine two or three parks, such as Amboseli, Lake Naivasha or Nakuru and the Mara, without spending too long on the road. Add a few beach days on the coast if you have 10 days or more.

Lions, elephants and buffalo are seen on most Masai Mara safaris, and leopards are often spotted with a patient guide. Rhinos are the hardest; Lake Nakuru and Nairobi National Park give the best chances. Combining parks raises your odds. Read will I see the Big Five in Kenya.

A private safari gives you your own vehicle and guide, flexible timings and stops for every sighting. A shared group safari costs less and suits solo travellers and tight budgets. Both use the same parks. Our guide to private vs group safaris compares them.

Yes. Every itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, budget, pace and interests, whether that is big cats, photography, birding, culture, honeymoon touches or time on the beach. Tell us what matters most and we will design the route and accommodation around it.

Driving from Nairobi takes about five to six hours and is the better-value option, with stops on the way. Flying takes about 45 minutes from Wilson Airport and gives you more time in the reserve, but costs more and has strict luggage limits. See Masai Mara from Nairobi: fly or drive.

Both are excellent. Kenya is easier to reach, has shorter drives between parks and is usually better value for shorter trips, while Tanzania has the vast Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Many travellers combine both. Read our honest Kenya vs Tanzania safari comparison.

Choose the Masai Mara for big cats, open plains and the Great Migration. Choose Amboseli for large elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro behind them. With five days or more you can do both. See Amboseli vs Masai Mara.

A five- to seven-day trip combining the Masai Mara with Amboseli, Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha is ideal for a first safari. It gives you big cats, elephants, rhinos and varied landscapes without too much time on the road. Our Kenya safari planning guide explains the best routes.

Send us your dates, number of travellers, budget and the places you would like to see by WhatsApp on +254 799 160 081, by email to info@senseofadventure.co.ke or through our contact form. We send a tailored quote, adjust it with you, then confirm your booking once the deposit is paid.

Your travel dates, number of adults and children (with ages), nationality or residency, preferred accommodation level (budget, mid-range or luxury), the parks you are interested in and any special occasion. The more we know, the more accurate your quote will be.

For July to October and the Christmas holidays, book four to nine months ahead, as the best camps fill early. For other months, two to three months is usually enough. Short-notice trips are often possible too. Read how far in advance to book.

Yes. Sense of Adventure is a Nairobi-based tour operator licensed by Kenya's Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA Licence No. TRA1/47/C01/77087). Our office is at Mountain Mall, Thika Road, 3rd Floor, Office D39, Nairobi, and you deal directly with the team that runs your safari.

Yes, changes are usually possible, depending on availability at the camps and any costs they charge. Let us know as early as possible and we will tell you clearly what can be changed and whether any extra cost applies before we make the change.

Cancellation charges depend on how close to travel you cancel and on each camp's own policy. The exact terms are set out in writing before you pay a deposit. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation. Learn more about safari cancellation policies.

Yes. We include airport pick-up and drop-off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and can book Nairobi hotels, domestic flights to the parks and the coast, and onward trips to Tanzania or Zanzibar. International flights you book yourself, and we plan around your arrival times.

Booking directly with a licensed local operator usually means lower prices, faster answers and direct contact with the people running your trip. Overseas agents can add convenience and home-country protection. Compare both in our guide to booking locally or through an agent.

Check that the company holds a Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) licence, has a physical office, real reviews on Google or Tripadvisor, and gives you a written quote and payment terms. Never pay into a personal account. Read how to choose a trustworthy safari operator.

The price depends on your dates, group size, accommodation level and number of park days. Shared budget safaris cost the least, private mid-range safaris are the most popular, and luxury camps and fly-in safaris cost the most. See our honest Kenya safari cost guide, or message us for an exact quote.

Our safari packages normally include airport and hotel transfers, a 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide, park entry fees, game drives, accommodation on full board as listed, drinking water in the vehicle and government taxes. Your quote lists every inclusion. Read what is included in a Kenya safari.

International flights, visas or eTA fees, travel insurance, drinks unless stated, tips, optional activities such as balloon safaris or village visits, and personal expenses are usually not included. Your quote shows exactly what is and is not covered, so there are no surprises.

A deposit, usually 20 to 30 percent of the total, secures your camps and vehicle. The balance is normally due 30 to 60 days before travel. We confirm the exact amounts and dates in writing before you pay. See safari deposits and payment plans.

We accept bank transfer, M-Pesa, and credit or debit card payments. Your invoice shows the payment details and amounts, and we confirm every payment in writing as soon as it reaches us.

Yes. Kenya citizens and residents qualify for lower park fees and many camps offer resident rates. A valid Kenyan ID or resident permit must be shown at check-in and at the park gate, otherwise the non-resident rate applies.

Plan for drinks, souvenirs, optional activities and tips for your guide and camp staff. Tipping is not compulsory but is customary and appreciated. Carry some US dollars or Kenya shillings in small notes. Our spending money guide gives realistic daily budgets.

April, May and early November are usually the cheapest months, when many camps offer low-season rates and the parks are quieter. January, February and early June can also be good value. See the cheapest time for a Kenya safari.

Yes. A sunrise balloon flight over the Masai Mara can be added to most itineraries and usually ends with a champagne bush breakfast. It is booked separately and fills up early in peak season. Read our Masai Mara balloon safari guide.

Most visitors from outside Africa need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online at the official site etakenya.go.ke before you fly. Apply at least two weeks ahead and check the latest rules for your passport, as they can change. See our Kenya travel tips.

A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with yellow fever risk, and many travel clinics recommend the vaccine for Kenya anyway. Routine vaccines should be up to date. See a travel health clinic six to eight weeks before you travel for advice based on your plans.

Yes. The Masai Mara, Lake Victoria region and the coast have malaria risk, while Nairobi and the central highlands are lower risk. Ask your doctor about antimalarial tablets, use insect repellent and cover up at dusk. Read malaria and Kenya safaris.

Yes. Travel insurance with medical cover, emergency evacuation and trip cancellation is strongly recommended for every safari, and Kenya has introduced travel health insurance requirements for visitors. Check the latest rules in our guide to Kenya's travel insurance requirement.

Kenya welcomes well over a million international visitors a year, and safari areas are generally safe. As in any country, take normal precautions in cities, avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables out of sight. Check your government's travel advice before you go. Read is Kenya safe for tourists.

Yes, as long as you follow your guide. Stay inside the vehicle unless your guide says otherwise, keep your voice low, never feed animals and keep arms inside when animals are close. Animals are used to safari vehicles and rarely pay attention to the people in them.

You do not need to be very fit for a Kenya safari. Most of the day is spent in the vehicle, so being able to climb in and out and sit on bumpy roads is enough. Walking safaris and hikes need more fitness. See safari fitness explained.

We use 4x4 safari Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, so everyone can stand up for wildlife viewing and photography. On a private safari, every guest gets a window seat, and the vehicle and driver-guide are yours for the whole trip.

Most days start with an early morning game drive when animals are most active, followed by breakfast, a midday rest at camp, lunch, then an afternoon drive until sunset. Some days include a full-day drive with a picnic lunch. See a typical day on safari.

Lodges are permanent buildings with solid rooms, often with a pool. Tented camps use large canvas tents with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms, so you feel closer to nature without giving up comfort. Both are safe and comfortable, and we can mix them in one itinerary.

Most camps serve a full breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner, often buffet style. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and other diets can usually be catered for if we know in advance. Read food and dining on safari.

Most lodges and camps have Wi-Fi in the main area and charging points in rooms, although some remote camps run on solar power or generators with set hours. Mobile signal is available in many parks but can be patchy. See electricity and Wi-Fi at safari camps.

On road safaris, a medium suitcase per person is fine. On light-aircraft flights to the parks, the limit is usually 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in a soft bag. Read safari luggage limits.

Pack light layers in neutral colours, a warm fleece for early mornings, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries. Avoid camouflage clothing. Our Kenya safari packing list covers everything.

Yes. Kenya is a great family destination, with many family rooms, pools and child-friendly activities. Some camps set minimum ages for children, and private vehicles let you set your own pace. See our family safari guide.

Yes. You can join a shared group safari to keep costs down or take a private safari with your own guide. Private rooms usually carry a single supplement. Read our solo safari guide and our explainer on single supplements.

Yes. We plan honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays and proposals, with touches such as bush dinners, sundowners, balloon flights and romantic camps. Let us know the occasion when you enquire. See our honeymoon safari guide.

Yes. We handle friends' groups, clubs, schools and corporate groups, with several vehicles travelling together, group rates and one point of contact. See our group safari packages.

Yes. Diani, Mombasa, Watamu, Lamu and Zanzibar all combine easily with a safari, usually by a short domestic flight from Nairobi or the Masai Mara. Read combining a safari with a beach holiday.

Yes, if you have enough time and your eTA allows you to leave the airport. With about six hours or more, you can visit Nairobi National Park and be back at the airport in time. Read leaving JKIA on a layover.

Yes. We work with travel agents and tour operators worldwide as a local ground handler, with NET rates, quick quotations, private safaris and group handling across Kenya and Tanzania. Contact us on WhatsApp +254 799 160 081 or info@senseofadventure.co.ke to request our B2B rates.