A private Kenya safari means your own 4×4 safari vehicle and your own driver-guide for the whole trip, with no strangers, no fixed group timetable and an itinerary built around you. It is the most flexible way to see the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Kenya’s other great parks, and it often costs less per person than travellers expect once two or more people share the vehicle.
Sense of Adventure is a Nairobi-based safari company licensed by Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority. We plan and run private safaris for couples, families, friends and small groups from Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. This page explains what a private safari includes, what it costs, our most popular private itineraries and how to book one with us.
✅ Private Kenya Safari: The Quick Answer
- What it is: your own vehicle and guide for the whole trip, with flexible timings every day.
- Best for: couples, families with children, photographers, honeymooners and friends travelling together.
- Ideal length: 3 days for the Masai Mara alone; 6 to 9 days to combine three or four parks.
- Price guide: our private-ready itineraries start from USD 520 per person for 2 days; the per-person price drops as more people share the vehicle.
- Best time: all year; July to October for the Great Migration, January to March for dry weather and good value.
Planning a private Kenya safari?
Tell us your dates, group size and budget, and our Nairobi team will send a tailor-made private itinerary.
What Is a Private Kenya Safari?
A private Kenya safari is a trip where the vehicle, the driver-guide and the daily plan belong to your party alone. You are not sharing seats with other travellers, waiting for strangers at breakfast or leaving a leopard sighting because someone else wants to move on. Your guide adapts each day to your interests and energy.
On a shared or join-in safari, by contrast, you travel with other guests on a fixed route and timetable. Shared trips are a good budget option, and we explain both in our guide to private vs group safaris in Kenya. But if you value flexibility, comfort and time at sightings, private is the better choice.
What a private safari with us includes
- A private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for game viewing and photography.
- A professional, English-speaking driver-guide who stays with you from start to finish.
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi.
- Accommodation in the lodges or tented camps you choose, usually on full board.
- Park and reserve entry fees and game drives as listed in your itinerary.
- Drinking water in the vehicle and all government taxes.
- Complimentary AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover on every safari.
Private vs Shared Safari: Which Is Right for You?
Private safaris give you control over time and pace, while shared safaris trade flexibility for a lower price. The table below shows the key differences so you can decide quickly.
| Feature | Private Kenya safari | Shared (join-in) safari |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Your party only | Shared with other travellers |
| Daily timings | Set by you and your guide | Fixed for the whole group |
| Time at sightings | As long as you like | Group decides |
| Window seats | Guaranteed for everyone | Not always |
| Start dates | Any day of the year | Fixed departure dates |
| Itinerary | Fully tailor-made | Set route |
| Best for | Couples, families, photographers, groups of friends | Solo travellers and tight budgets |
| Price | Higher for 1 to 2 people, good value for 4 to 6 | Lowest per person |
Expert tip from our Nairobi team: for a group of four to six, a private safari is often only slightly more expensive per person than a shared one, because the vehicle and guide cost is split between you. Always ask for a private quote before assuming it is out of budget.
Our Most Popular Private Kenya Safari Itineraries
Every itinerary below can be run privately for your party, on any start date, and adjusted to your budget and choice of lodges. Prices shown are the published starting price per person; for a private vehicle the exact per-person rate depends on your group size, travel dates and accommodation level, and we confirm it in writing.
2-Day Amboseli Safari
2 days · Amboseli
The quickest overnight safari from Nairobi: elephant herds and Kilimanjaro at sunrise.
From USD 520 per person
View itinerary →3-Day Masai Mara Safari
3 days · Masai Mara
Big cats, plains game and the best Big Five chances in a short trip.
From USD 650 per person
View itinerary →Kenya Family Safari
5 days · Nairobi, Naivasha, Masai Mara
Baby elephants and giraffes in Nairobi, hippos at Naivasha and lions in the Mara.
From USD 1,290 per person
View itinerary →Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Naivasha
6 days · 3 parks
Kenya’s classic circuit at a relaxed pace, with rhinos at Lake Nakuru.
From USD 1,390 per person
View itinerary →Amboseli, Naivasha & Masai Mara
7 days · 3 parks
Elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, Lake Naivasha’s hippos and three nights in the Mara.
From USD 1,650 per person
View itinerary →Kenya Highlights Safari
9 days · Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Nakuru, Mara
From the dry north to the open plains: four of Kenya’s best wildlife areas.
From USD 2,350 per person
View itinerary →15-Day Kenya Safari & Beach
15 days · 5 wildlife regions + Diani
Kenya’s complete journey, ending with two nights on Diani Beach.
From USD 3,950 per person
View itinerary →How Much Does a Private Kenya Safari Cost?
The cost of a private Kenya safari depends mainly on four things: the number of people sharing the vehicle, your accommodation level, the season and how many days you spend in the parks. Park fees are a fixed cost per person per day, while the vehicle and guide cost is shared by the group.
What changes the price
- Group size: two people share the vehicle cost between two; six people share it between six.
- Accommodation: budget camps, comfortable mid-range lodges or luxury tented camps.
- Season: July to October and the Christmas holidays are peak season, with the highest camp rates and park fees.
- Road or air: flying to the Masai Mara saves time but costs more than driving.
- Parks chosen: private conservancies charge their own fees but give more exclusive game viewing.
For a full breakdown by budget level, read our Kenya safari cost guide and Masai Mara safari cost guide. When you send us your dates and group size, we price your private safari exactly, with every inclusion listed.
Best Parks to Include on a Private Kenya Safari
Most private safaris combine two to four parks, chosen for the wildlife you most want to see and the time you have. These are the parks our guests ask for most.
Masai Mara National Reserve and conservancies
The Masai Mara is Kenya’s top reserve for lions, cheetahs and leopards, and the stage for the Great Migration from about July to October. Staying in a private conservancy next to the reserve adds fewer vehicles, night drives and guided walks. See our reserve vs conservancies guide.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is famous for large elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro behind them. It is about four to five hours from Nairobi by road and works well as a first or last stop.
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha
Lake Nakuru is one of the best places in Kenya to see rhinos, while Lake Naivasha offers boat rides among hippos and walking safaris on Crescent Island. Both sit on the road between Nairobi and the Masai Mara, which keeps driving days short.
Samburu and Laikipia
In the drier north, Samburu has species you will not see further south, such as Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe, while Laikipia’s conservancies, including Ol Pejeta, are excellent for rhinos and quieter game drives.
A Typical Day on a Private Kenya Safari
Every private safari day is flexible, but most follow a natural rhythm set by the wildlife. Animals are most active in the cool early morning and late afternoon, so that is when you will spend most of your time on game drives.
- 6:00 am: coffee and a light snack, then an early game drive while predators are still active.
- 9:00 am: breakfast back at camp, or a bush breakfast out on the plains if you prefer to stay out.
- Midday: lunch and a rest at the lodge pool or on your tent veranda during the hottest hours.
- 3:30 pm: afternoon game drive until sunset, with a sundowner stop if you wish.
- Evening: dinner at camp, stories around the fire and an early night.
Because the vehicle is yours, you can change this plan at any time: take a full-day drive with a picnic lunch, skip the afternoon drive to relax, or head out early to wait for a river crossing. Read more about a typical day on safari in Kenya.
Who Is a Private Kenya Safari Best For?
A private safari suits almost anyone who values flexibility, but it is especially good for the travellers below.
- Families: set your own pace, stop when children need a break and choose family-friendly lodges. See our family safari guide.
- Honeymooners and couples: romantic camps, sundowners and no shared vehicle.
- Photographers: stay with a sighting for as long as the light is good.
- Older travellers: gentler timings, shorter drives and easy-access vehicles.
- Friends and small groups: share the cost of the vehicle and travel together.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team: tell us your must-see animals and your travel style when you enquire. A good private itinerary is built around what matters to you, not around a fixed route.
Get a free, no-obligation private safari quote
Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will reply with a tailor-made private itinerary and price.
When Is the Best Time for a Private Kenya Safari?
Kenya is a year-round safari destination, so the best time depends on what you want to see and your budget.
| Months | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | Dry, warm, good game viewing, fewer visitors | Value, photography, families |
| April to May | Long rains, green landscapes, lowest rates | Budget travellers, quieter parks |
| June | Dry season begins, rates start to rise | Early dry-season game viewing |
| July to October | Peak season, Great Migration in the Masai Mara | River crossings, big cats |
| November | Short rains, green and quiet | Value and fewer vehicles |
| December | Festive peak, green and lively | Holiday trips with family |
For month-by-month detail, see Kenya weather by month and our guide to the best time to visit the Masai Mara.
How to Book Your Private Kenya Safari
Booking a private safari with Sense of Adventure is simple and personal. You deal directly with the Nairobi team that runs your trip.
- Tell us your plans: dates, number of travellers, budget and the animals or parks you most want to see.
- Receive your itinerary: we design a private route with lodge options and a clear price.
- Refine it together: adjust parks, lodges and pace until it is right.
- Confirm with a deposit: a deposit, usually 20 to 30 percent, secures your camps and vehicle. See deposits and payment plans.
- Travel with confidence: we meet you on arrival and stay in touch throughout your safari.
Before you travel, check the latest entry rules on the official Kenya eTA website and your government’s travel advice, such as the UK Foreign Office advice for Kenya.
Why Book Your Private Kenya Safari With Sense of Adventure?
- Local and licensed: a Nairobi-based operator licensed by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA1/47/C01/77087).
- Direct contact: you plan with the same team that runs your safari, with no overseas middleman.
- Honest pricing: written quotes with every inclusion and exclusion listed.
- Flexible itineraries: any start date, any combination of parks and lodges.
- Safety first: experienced guides and complimentary emergency evacuation cover.
Read what other travellers say on our reviews page, and find quick answers on our Kenya safari FAQs page. For official park information, visit Kenya Wildlife Service and Magical Kenya.
Private Kenya Safari FAQs
How much does a private Kenya safari cost?
Our private-ready itineraries start from USD 520 per person for a 2-day Amboseli safari and USD 650 for 3 days in the Masai Mara. The final per-person price depends on group size, season and lodges, and we confirm it in a written quote.
Is a private Kenya safari worth the extra cost?
For most travellers, yes. You get your own vehicle and guide, flexible timings, a window seat for everyone and as long as you like at each sighting. For groups of four to six, the extra cost per person is often small.
How many days do I need for a private Kenya safari?
Three days is the minimum for the Masai Mara. Six to nine days lets you combine three or four parks, such as Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and the Mara, without long driving days.
Can a private safari start on any date?
Yes. Private safaris are not tied to fixed departures, so you can start on any day of the year, subject to availability at your chosen lodges and camps.
What vehicle is used on a private Kenya safari?
We use 4×4 safari Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs. On a private safari the vehicle is for your party only, and every guest gets a window seat for wildlife viewing and photography.
Can we choose our own lodges and camps?
Yes. We suggest lodges and tented camps that match your budget and style, from comfortable mid-range options to luxury camps, and you can change any of them before booking.
Is a private safari good for families with children?
Yes. A private vehicle lets you set your own pace, take breaks when children need them and choose family-friendly lodges with pools and family rooms.
How do I book a private Kenya safari with Sense of Adventure?
Send us your dates, group size and budget by WhatsApp on +254 799 160 081 or email info@senseofadventure.co.ke. We send a tailor-made itinerary and quote, then confirm once your deposit is paid.
🏕 Plan Your Private Kenya Safari With Sense of Adventure
Kenya-based experts. Real local knowledge. Transparent pricing. Tell us your dates and we will build your private safari around you.