Safari deposit payments in Kenya usually secure your camps, vehicle and guide the moment you confirm, with the balance due a few weeks before you travel. At Sense of Adventure, the deposit is 30 to 40 percent of the trip cost, and the balance is due 4 to 8 weeks before your safari starts. Every amount and date is confirmed in writing first.
Sense of Adventure is a TRA-licensed private safari company based at Mountain Mall on Thika Road, Nairobi. Because a safari involves real money and third-party camps, we believe you should understand exactly how a safari deposit works before you pay anything. This guide explains our published terms, what is normal across the industry and how to pay safely.
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Send my payment scheduleHow a Safari Deposit Works
A safari deposit is the first payment that turns a quote into a confirmed booking, allowing your operator to secure rooms, vehicles and permits on your dates.
Most good camps in Kenya have a small number of tents. In busy months they will only hold rooms for a short time without payment. Your operator in turn must pay camp deposits, book flights and arrange guides. The safari deposit covers those commitments. The balance follows later, once the itinerary is final and closer to your travel date.
The Typical Booking Sequence
- Enquiry and quote. You share dates, group size and style; we send an itinerary and itemised price.
- Adjustments. We refine camps, routes and extras until you are happy.
- Written confirmation and invoice. We confirm availability and issue an invoice.
- Safari deposit. You pay the deposit and we secure camps, flights and vehicles.
- Balance. You pay the remainder 4 to 8 weeks before departure.
- Final documents. We send vouchers, contacts and a pre-departure briefing.
Our Safari Deposit and Balance Terms
Our published terms set a safari deposit of 30 to 40 percent on confirmation, with full payment due 4 to 8 weeks before the trip begins.
| Stage | What you pay | When |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | 30 to 40 percent, depending on how far ahead you book | On written confirmation and invoice |
| Second instalment | Sometimes requested for larger bookings | As stated on your invoice |
| Balance | The remaining amount | 4 to 8 weeks before the start date |
| Last-minute bookings | Full payment | At confirmation |
Services begin only once payments due have been received. You can read the full wording on our terms and conditions page. If you have a question about any clause, ask before you pay, and we will explain it in plain language.
Paying a Safari Deposit for a Group or Family
When several households travel together, agree early who will act as the lead booker. One person receiving the quote, the invoice and the payment reminders keeps everything clear, even if the cost is shared privately afterwards. Make sure every traveller has seen the itinerary and the terms before the safari deposit is paid, because cancellation charges apply to the booking as a whole.
If some of your group are still deciding, tell us before you confirm. It is easier to plan the right number of tents, seats and vehicles at the start than to change them after camps have been paid.
Why the Safari Deposit Percentage Varies
The closer you book to travel, the more camps and airlines need paid up front, so the safari deposit is usually higher. Peak-season trips, private charters and exclusive-use houses can also require more at booking, because suppliers ask operators for larger deposits.
A Worked Safari Deposit Example
Here is how the percentages work, using a simple round figure rather than a real price. For every US$1,000 on your written quote, a 30 percent safari deposit is US$300 and a 40 percent deposit is US$400. The remaining US$700 or US$600 is then due 4 to 8 weeks before the first day of your trip, on the date printed on your invoice. Multiply by your own total to see what you would pay at each stage.
Your own figures depend on your camps, season, group size and how far ahead you book, so treat this only as a way to read your invoice. Before you send money, check that the deposit, the balance and the balance date on the invoice add up to the total on your quote, and ask us about anything that does not match.
What Your Safari Deposit Pays For
Your safari deposit secures the parts of your trip that sell out or must be paid early, mainly camps, flights and peak-season vehicles.
- Camp and lodge rooms. Many camps ask operators for deposits when they confirm rooms.
- Domestic flights. Bush-flight seats are often paid at booking.
- Vehicles and guides. Private vehicles and experienced guides are committed to your dates.
- Special activities. Balloon flights, gorilla permits and exclusive dinners may need early payment.
Park and conservancy fees are part of most quotes and change from time to time. See our Kenya national parks entrance fees 2026 guide and our explainer on conservancy fees in Kenya. For full budgets, read Kenya safari cost 2027.
Deciding which camps to secure first?
Tell us your must-have camp or month. We will check availability, then show you exactly what your deposit would hold and when the balance falls due.
Ways to Pay
You can pay us by bank transfer, by card through a secure online link, or in cash in US dollars, euros or Kenya shillings.
| Method | How it works | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | International or local transfer to our account | All bank charges are paid by the client; ask your bank about fees and rates |
| Card | Online payment through Direct Pay Online (DPO); we send you a link | A processing surcharge may apply and is confirmed in writing first |
| Cash | US dollars, euros or Kenya shillings | We confirm the exchange rate before payment is due |
Card Payments and Consumer Protection
Card payments can give extra protection, depending on your card and country. In the UK, for example, purchases between £100 and £30,000 on a credit card may be covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Check with your card provider before you pay your safari deposit, and keep every invoice and receipt.
Currency, Exchange Rates and Bank Charges
Most international safari quotes are priced in US dollars, because camps, airlines and many park fees are priced that way. If your bank account is in pounds, euros or Swiss francs, your bank converts the amount and may add a margin on top of its transfer fee. Compare the rate your bank offers with a specialist transfer service before you send money, and make sure the full invoiced amount arrives, since charges deducted along the way can leave a shortfall. If you pay in cash in Kenya, we confirm the exchange rate in writing before payment is due.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team
Before any transfer, call your operator on a number you found yourself, such as one on their official website, and confirm the account details by voice. Payment scams often rely on a changed bank detail in an email. A real operator will never mind you checking, and will always issue a proper invoice with their registered name.
Cancellation and Your Safari Deposit
Under our terms the safari deposit is non-refundable, and further charges rise as the departure date gets closer.
| Notice before departure | Cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| More than 90 days | Deposit forfeited |
| 90 to 60 days | 50 percent of the trip cost |
| 59 to 31 days | 75 percent of the trip cost |
| 30 days or less | 100 percent of the trip cost |
Cancellations must be made in writing. These charges reflect the money already paid to camps, airlines and guides on your behalf. Date changes are a separate matter: if you need to move your trip, tell us as early as possible and we will ask suppliers what is possible.
Changing Dates After Paying a Safari Deposit
Moving a trip is not the same as cancelling it, but it is not automatic either. Each camp, airline and activity provider has its own rules, and some treat a late change much like a cancellation. The earlier you ask, the more options there usually are. Send your request in writing, give us two or three alternative date ranges if you can, and wait for written confirmation of any new dates or charges before you treat the change as agreed.
Why Travel Insurance Matters
Good travel insurance with cancellation cover is the best way to protect your safari deposit against illness, family emergencies and other covered events. Buy it as soon as you book, not just before you fly. Our Kenya travel insurance guide explains what a safari policy should include, and every trip with us includes AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation cover, which is separate from cancellation cover.
Ready to hold your dates?
The best camps book early for July to October and the festive season. Ask for a written quote and invoice, and pay your deposit only when you are happy with every line.
How to Pay a Safari Deposit Safely
Pay a safari deposit only to a licensed operator, against a written invoice, after checking the bank details by phone.
- Check the licence. Kenyan tour operators must be licensed by the Tourism Regulatory Authority.
- Get an itemised quote. It should name camps, nights, vehicles, park fees and exclusions.
- Ask for a proper invoice. It should show the company name, deposit, balance date and payment details.
- Read the terms. Know the safari deposit rules and cancellation scale before paying.
- Confirm bank details by voice. Never act on a last-minute change of account by email.
- Keep records. Save every quote, invoice, receipt and message.
- Insure early. Buy cancellation cover as soon as you pay.
Our guide on how to choose a trustworthy safari tour operator in Kenya covers warning signs in more detail. Check the UK government travel advice for Kenya and current entry rules, and browse Magical Kenya for ideas.
When to Book and Pay
For peak dates, book and pay your safari deposit six to twelve months ahead; for quieter months, a few months is often enough.
| Travel period | Demand | Suggested booking time |
|---|---|---|
| July to October | Very high in the Mara during the migration | 6 to 12 months ahead |
| Late December to early January | High; festive season | 6 to 9 months ahead |
| January to March | Moderate to high | 3 to 6 months ahead |
| April to June | Lower; long rains, some camps close | 1 to 3 months ahead |
| November | Moderate; short rains | 2 to 4 months ahead |
Booking early mainly gives you choice. It does not change our payment structure: the balance is still due 4 to 8 weeks before travel. Browse our Masai Mara safari packages or a tailor-made private Kenya safari, and use Plan My Safari to request a quote.
Safari Deposit Terms for Travel Agents
Travel agents and tour operators work on trade terms agreed per contract. Our guide to safari payment terms for travel agents explains how deposits, balances and commission usually align with client terms. More answers are on our Kenya safari FAQs page.
Common Safari Deposit Mistakes to Avoid
Most payment problems we hear about come from a handful of avoidable mistakes. Run through this list before you pay any safari deposit, with us or anyone else.
- Paying before the itinerary is final. Agree camps, nights and inclusions first, so the deposit secures the trip you actually want.
- Skipping the terms. The deposit rules and cancellation scale matter most if plans change, so read them before you pay.
- Underpaying through bank charges. Fees deducted along the way can leave a shortfall, so make sure the full invoiced amount arrives.
- Trusting a new account number by email. Always confirm a change of bank details by phone on a number you found yourself.
- Leaving insurance until later. Cancellation cover protects you best when you buy it as soon as the deposit is paid.
- Missing the balance date. Put the due date in your calendar with a reminder a week earlier, as services begin only once payments due have been received.
If any of these sound familiar, pause and ask us. Explaining an invoice or a clause before you pay takes a few minutes and saves real worry later.
Safari Deposit FAQs
How much is a safari deposit in Kenya?
Deposits vary by operator, season and how close you book. Sense of Adventure asks for 30 to 40 percent of the trip cost on written confirmation, with a second instalment sometimes requested for larger bookings. Last-minute trips and exclusive camps may need more, or full payment, at the time you confirm.
When is the balance due for a Kenya safari?
With Sense of Adventure, the balance must reach us 4 to 8 weeks before your safari starts, as stated on your invoice. Bookings made inside that window are usually paid in full at confirmation. Services begin only once all payments due have been received, so plan your transfer with time to spare.
Is a safari deposit refundable?
Under our terms, the deposit is non-refundable once paid, because it covers money committed to camps, flights and guides. Further charges apply as departure approaches: 50 percent from 90 to 60 days, 75 percent from 59 to 31 days, and 100 percent within 30 days. Travel insurance can protect you.
What is the safest way to pay for a safari?
Pay a licensed operator against a written invoice, and confirm bank details by phone using a number you found yourself. Card payments may offer extra protection depending on your card provider and country. Keep every quote, invoice and receipt, and never act on a last-minute change of bank details sent by email.
Can I pay for my safari by credit card?
Yes. We accept card payments through a secure Direct Pay Online link that we send you. A processing surcharge may apply, and we confirm any surcharge in writing before you pay. You can also pay by bank transfer, with bank charges paid by the client, or in cash in dollars, euros or shillings.
Does travel insurance protect my safari deposit?
A good policy with cancellation cover can reimburse a lost deposit if you cancel for a reason the policy covers, such as illness. Check the cover limit matches your trip cost and buy the policy as soon as you pay. Evacuation cover alone does not protect your deposit against cancellation.
Can I change my dates after paying a safari deposit?
Often, but it depends on the camps, airlines and activities already booked, as each supplier has its own rules. Ask in writing as early as you can and suggest alternative dates. We will check with suppliers and confirm any new dates and charges in writing before the change is agreed.
Should I pay a safari deposit before my itinerary is final?
No. Agree the camps, nights, vehicle and inclusions first, then pay once you have a written invoice showing the deposit, balance and balance date. Paying early for an unfinished plan can lead to change charges if you later decide to swap camps or move dates.
Book With Clear Terms and No Surprises
Get an itemised quote, a proper invoice and a payment schedule you understand before you pay a single shilling. Sense of Adventure is a TRA-licensed Nairobi safari company.
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