Nairobi: one or two nights on arrival
Most international flights arrive late in the evening and safari departures are early: sleep in Nairobi the first night, preferably near the airport or in a quiet district like Karen, close to the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen house. For details on the city, see Nairobi and Nairobi in one day. For the trip from the airport, see Nairobi airport to the city centre.
Lodges and bush camps: the safari
You sleep in a lodge (a solid building) or a bush camp (equipped tents with a bathroom, often with limited electricity). In the Masai Mara, prices per person per night, meals and activities included, seen at agencies in 2026, range from about USD 450 to 700 for a mid-range camp and about USD 500 to 1,500 for luxury; some sources give USD 350 to 900 in the shoulder season in the conservancies, and USD 200 to 500 in the low season (April to June). Reserve entry fees are often charged separately: see the Masai Mara reserve.
| Choice | For whom | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bush camp in a conservancy | Those who want few vehicles and night or walking safaris | Conservancy fee, minimum stay, tent type |
| Lodge inside the reserve | Families, first safaris | Pool, distance to the viewing areas, meals included |
| Lodge outside the reserve | Small budgets | Travel time to the park gate |
| Agency accommodation | Group safari | Hotels named in the programme, not "equivalent" |
In Amboseli and at Samburu, you find the same categories; a night outside the park can cut the bill, but lengthens the drives.
Beach hotels: Diani and the coast
At Diani Beach, accommodation ranges from small roadside hotels to large all-inclusive complexes. Aggregators give a very wide range (from a few dozen euros to over 700 euros a night depending on category and period): as an example, one source gives an average of about USD 91 in April for a resort and about USD 417 in July. April to June is the low season, July to October and December to March the high. Take a beachfront hotel if you want to walk to the sand; otherwise the main road is noisy and the beach is a few minutes away by tuk-tuk.
Further north, Malindi and Watamu offer smaller hotels and villas, with a more Italian clientele in Malindi.
Practical rules
- Book camps for the migration period (July to October) several months ahead: see the best time for a safari.
- Always ask what is included: meals, drinks, activities, park fees, air transfer.
- Keep cash for staff tips: see money and tipping in Kenya.
- Check the mosquito net and ask your doctor about malaria prevention: see vaccines and malaria.
Going further
Work out your budget in travel budget for Kenya, combine safari and beach with our guide and see the shape of a complete trip in Kenya in 10 days.
