A Kenya safari is where the safari began: the open grasslands of the Masai Mara, lions and cheetahs on the plains, and from about July to October the Great Migration thundering across the Mara River. Our Travel Designers plan Kenya safaris around your dates, and we also sell escorted tours that run on set dates.
Kenya is easy from the UK, with direct overnight flights from London to Nairobi and light aircraft to the reserves. Beyond the Mara are Amboseli under Kilimanjaro, the arid north at Samburu, rhino sanctuaries in Laikipia, and the Indian Ocean beaches of Diani and Watamu for the end of the trip.
This page is about the safari itself: where to go, when, the private conservancies, and the trips we sell. For the wider country, see our Kenya holidays page.
Masai Mara safari: the reserve or a private conservancy?
The Mara is Kenya’s best-known reserve, but where you stay in it matters as much as when you go. Around the national reserve are private conservancies leased from Maasai landowners, and they change the experience completely.
| Where you stay | Vehicles at sightings | Off-road, night drives, walks | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masai Mara National Reserve (main reserve) | Can be busy, especially July to October | No off-road, no night drives, no walking | First safaris, escorted tours, being close to the main crossing points |
| Mara Triangle (western reserve) | Usually quieter than the eastern side of the reserve | Off-road only to approach big cats in low-use zones; no night drives or walking | River crossings with a well-managed, quieter feel |
| Private conservancies (for example Naboisho, Olare Motorogi, Mara North) | Limited by the conservancy; usually only a few vehicles | Usually all three, with each conservancy's rules | Second safaris, honeymoons, photographers, families who want flexibility |
Why the conservancies matter
In the busy months, a leopard in the main reserve can draw a long line of vehicles. The conservancies limit the number of camps and vehicles, so sightings are usually shared with just a handful of others. Because they are private land, they can also offer what the national reserve doesn’t allow: driving off-road to get closer, night drives with a spotlight for the animals you never see by day, and walks with Maasai guides. The money from guests goes to the landowners, which is a large part of why the wildlife stays.
The catch is that the biggest river crossings are on the Mara River inside the reserve. Most conservancy camps can take you into the reserve for a day in crossing season, so in July to October many people split their stay between the two.
How long in the Mara?
Three nights is the minimum to make the flights worthwhile, and four is better, especially in crossing season, when you may wait at the river for hours. A dawn hot-air balloon flight over the plains is a popular extra.
Beyond the Mara: Kenya’s other safari areas
A first Kenya safari often pairs the Mara with one contrasting area. These are the ones we send people to most.
Amboseli
Big-tusked elephant families crossing the plains beneath Kilimanjaro, which rises just over the border in Tanzania. The mountain is clearest early in the morning.
Samburu and Buffalo Springs
Hot, dry country along the Ewaso Ng'iro River, with species you won't see in the Mara: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.
Laikipia and Ol Pejeta
Private ranches and conservancies under Mount Kenya. Ol Pejeta is East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary, and walking, night drives and riding are common.
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha
Rift Valley lakes: Nakuru for white and black rhinos (flamingo numbers vary with the water level), Naivasha for boat trips among hippos and walks on Crescent Island.
Tsavo East and West
A huge wilderness between Nairobi and the coast, with red-dusted elephants and far fewer visitors. It pairs naturally with a beach stay near Mombasa.
Nairobi
Nairobi National Park has lion and rhino with the city skyline behind, and the elephant orphanage and giraffe centre are easy half-days before an evening flight home.
Three good Kenya safari routes
- Classic, 7 to 8 days: a night in Nairobi, three or four nights in the Masai Mara, then Amboseli or Laikipia. Add a week on the coast to finish.
- North and south, 10 to 12 days: Samburu or Laikipia for the northern species and rhinos, Lake Nakuru or Naivasha in the Rift Valley, then the Mara.
- Mara and Tanzania, 10 days or more: the Mara and the Serengeti on one trip, by road or air. See our Tanzania safari page.
When to go on a Kenya safari
Kenya has two dry seasons and two rainy ones. The long dry season, June to October, is the classic safari time and brings the migration to the Mara. January to March is the second-best window, with good game and the coast at its finest.
| Month | What is happening | Mara avg high / low | Rain, Masai Mara | Rain, Amboseli | Rain, Diani | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Short dry spell; resident game, calving season for many antelope; coast hot and dry | 28°C / 15°C | 75 mm | 85 mm | 30 mm | Very good |
| Feb | Driest early-year month in the Mara; the coast is at its best | 29°C / 16°C | 50 mm | 90 mm | 20 mm | Very good |
| Mar | Rains building; still good game, fewer visitors | 29°C / 16°C | 85 mm | 100 mm | 80 mm | Good |
| Apr | Long rains; some camps close, roads can be muddy | 27°C / 16°C | 135 mm | 210 mm | 235 mm | Low season |
| May | Green and quiet in the parks; the wettest month on the coast | 27°C / 15°C | 60 mm | 115 mm | 310 mm | Fair (parks) |
| Jun | Dry season starts; herds may reach the Mara late in the month | 26°C / 15°C | 45 mm | 40 mm | 110 mm | Good |
| Jul | Migration herds arrive; Mara River crossings begin | 27°C / 14°C | 15 mm | 15 mm | 95 mm | Excellent |
| Aug | Peak migration in the Mara; book early | 28°C / 15°C | 25 mm | 25 mm | 75 mm | Excellent |
| Sep | Crossings continue; excellent for big cats | 29°C / 15°C | 35 mm | 20 mm | 85 mm | Excellent |
| Oct | Herds start to head back south late in the month | 30°C / 16°C | 55 mm | 70 mm | 120 mm | Very good |
| Nov | Short rains; quieter, greener, good for birds | 28°C / 16°C | 120 mm | 165 mm | 125 mm | Fair |
| Dec | Rains easing; festive weeks book up early | 28°C / 15°C | 90 mm | 155 mm | 80 mm | Good |
Weather: 2014–2023 averages from ERA5 reanalysis (via Open-Meteo) for the Masai Mara (Talek area), Amboseli and Diani Beach, rounded. The Mara is at about 1,500 to 1,700 metres, so early mornings are cool all year. The migration months are typical, not guaranteed: the herds follow the rain.
For the weather month by month, region by region, see the best time to visit Kenya. For visas, getting around and more planning tips, see our Kenya holiday guide.
Kenya safari tours we sell
Escorted safaris on set dates. The Kenya-only tours include flights from the UK; the East Africa tours add Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda or southern Africa.
Grand Tour of Kenya with Flights – 12 Days
Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island, three nights in the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and three nights in Buffalo Springs, next to Samburu.
Kenya Grand Safari & 4-Night Mombasa Beach Stay with Flights – 13 Days
The Ark in the Aberdares, Samburu, Lake Nakuru and two nights at Keekorok Lodge in the Mara, then four all-inclusive nights on the coast.
Kenya Grand Safari & 7-Night Mombasa Beach Stay with Flights – 16 Days
The same classic safari circuit with a full week of all-inclusive beach time north of Mombasa to finish.
East Africa Highlights: Maasai Mara to Ngorongoro – 10 Days
Nairobi to Arusha overland: the Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Eyasi.
East Africa Safari & Zanzibar: Maasai Mara to Nungwi – 13 Days
The same Mara-to-Ngorongoro safari, then a flight to Zanzibar for Stone Town and three days on the beaches of Nungwi.
Luxury Uganda, Rwanda & Kenya: Gorillas & the Maasai Mara – 13 Days
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, then Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and three nights at a camp in the Maasai Mara, in comfortable lodges.
Luxury Kenya & Southern Africa: Maasai Mara to Chobe – 15 Days
Naivasha, Nakuru and three nights at Zebra Valley Camp in the Mara, then by air to Kruger, Victoria Falls and the Chobe River.
Gorillas & East Africa Safari: Bwindi, Mara & Serengeti – 18 Days
Four countries: a gorilla trek in Bwindi with the permit included, then the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Overland camping trips starting or ending in Nairobi
See every trip in escorted tours in Kenya. Want a conservancy camp, a private vehicle or your own dates? Our Kenya safaris are tailor-made too.
Kenya safari and beach
A light aircraft from the Mara, usually via Nairobi Wilson airport, reaches the coast in a few hours, so a week on the Indian Ocean after the early safari starts is easy to arrange.
Kenya Safari & Diani Beach
Four nights in the Masai Mara with light-aircraft flights, then seven nights on Diani Beach. Direct flights from London to Nairobi.
Kenya Grand Safari & 4-Night Mombasa Beach Stay with Flights – 13 Days
The Ark in the Aberdares, Samburu, Lake Nakuru and two nights at Keekorok Lodge in the Mara, then four all-inclusive nights on the coast.
Kenya Grand Safari & 7-Night Mombasa Beach Stay with Flights – 16 Days
The same classic safari circuit with a full week of all-inclusive beach time north of Mombasa to finish.
Diani Beach
A long white beach south of Mombasa, sheltered by a coral reef. Snorkelling and dolphins at Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and colobus monkeys in the coastal forest. The best all-round choice, and the one our multi-centre trip uses.
Watamu
North of Mombasa, smaller and quieter, with a marine national park offshore and the ruined Swahili town of Gede in the forest nearby. Good for families and snorkellers.
Lamu
A car-free island of dhows, donkeys and a UNESCO-listed old town. Check the FCDO travel advice for Kenya before you book.
When the coast is best
December to March is hot and dry (Diani averages 20 mm of rain in February). April to June are the wettest months, with 310 mm in May. July to October is good for a safari-and-beach trip, with some showers.
More pairings in our guide to safari and beach holidays.
Luxury Kenya safaris, families and where you stay
Luxury Kenya safaris
For a luxury Kenya safari, the upgrade that matters most isn't the thread count, it's the location: a small camp in a private conservancy, a private vehicle and an experienced guide. Pair the Mara with a Laikipia ranch for walking, riding and rhino tracking, and fly between them by light aircraft. Read our guide to luxury safari holidays for how the top camps compare.
Where our trips stay
Our Kenya Safari & Diani Beach trip is priced with Mara Serena Safari Lodge in the Mara Triangle and Leopard Beach Resort & Spa on Diani, or similar. The Kenya Grand Safari tours stay at the Ark in the Aberdares, Keekorok Lodge in the Mara and the Fairmont Norfolk in Nairobi, and the Luxury Kenya & Southern Africa tour uses Zebra Valley Camp in the Mara. Any tailor-made trip can swap in a conservancy camp instead.
Family safaris in Kenya
Kenya is one of the easiest safari countries for families: direct flights, short light-aircraft hops and a beach to finish. Many camps set a minimum age for game drives, often around six, while some conservancy camps welcome children with private vehicles and junior ranger activities. Laikipia ranches are good for older children, with walking, riding and plenty of space. Our group tours that cross into Uganda for gorillas are for ages 15 and over.
Gorillas and Tanzania
Nairobi is the hub for East Africa, so it's easy to add gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda (see Uganda or Rwanda for gorillas) or the Serengeti on our Tanzania safari page.
What to wear on safari in Kenya
Soft, neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige), layers for cold early mornings and evenings, a warm fleece, a hat, sunglasses and comfortable closed shoes. Light aircraft to the reserves have strict luggage limits and usually need soft bags, so pack light; most camps offer a laundry service.
Before you go: entry rules, health and flights
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). British passport holders must apply online for an eTA before travelling. Kenya recommends applying at least two weeks before you leave.
- Government travel health insurance. From 5 October 2026, most visitors must also buy the Kenyan government's travel health insurance, as part of the eTA application. Your own policy doesn't replace it, but you still need your own full travel insurance.
- Health. We don't give medical advice. Speak to your GP or a travel clinic at least eight weeks before you go about vaccinations and malaria tablets, and check whether you need a yellow fever certificate for your route. Kenya is currently running extra health screening for some arrivals, so check the latest guidance.
- Flights. Kenya Airways and British Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Nairobi, and many other airlines connect through the Gulf or Europe.
Read the latest FCDO travel advice for Kenya and its entry requirements before you book and again before you fly, and see TravelHealthPro for health information.
Kenya safari FAQs
When is the best time for a Kenya safari?
June to October is the best time for most people: it is the long dry season, the bush is thin and the Great Migration is usually in the Masai Mara from about July to October. January to March is also very good, with fewer visitors and the coast at its best. April and May are the long rains, when some camps close.
Is a private conservancy in the Masai Mara worth it?
For most people, yes. Conservancies limit the number of vehicles, so sightings are quieter, and they allow off-road driving, night drives and guided walks, which the national reserve largely does not. The main river crossings are in the reserve, so in July to October many people split their stay or take a day trip into the reserve.
How many days do I need for a Masai Mara safari?
Three nights is the minimum to make the flights worthwhile, and four is better in crossing season. A classic first Kenya safari of seven or eight days adds Amboseli or Laikipia, and a week on the coast if you want a beach.
Can I combine a Kenya safari with a beach holiday?
Yes. Light aircraft link the Mara to the coast, usually via Nairobi, in a few hours. Diani Beach south of Mombasa is the most popular choice, Watamu is quieter, and the best beach weather is from December to March.
Is Kenya good for a family safari?
Yes. Direct flights from London, short light-aircraft hops and a beach to finish make it one of the easiest safari countries for families. Many camps set a minimum age for game drives, often around six, so choose a family-friendly camp and ideally a private vehicle.
What do I need to enter Kenya?
British passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online in advance. From 5 October 2026 most visitors must also buy the Kenyan government travel health insurance as part of the application. Check the latest FCDO advice before you book and before you fly.
Is Kenya or Tanzania better for a safari?
Kenya has direct flights from London, shorter transfers and private conservancies in the Masai Mara with fewer vehicles. Tanzania has the bigger parks, the Ngorongoro Crater and the migration herds for most of the year. For the river crossings from July to October both are excellent, and many people combine them.
What should I wear on safari in Kenya?
Soft, neutral colours such as khaki, olive and beige, layers for cold early mornings, a warm fleece, a hat, sunglasses and comfortable closed shoes. Light aircraft have strict luggage limits and usually need soft bags, so pack light.
Keep planning
Plan your Kenya safari
Tell a Travel Designer when you want to go, who is travelling and what matters most: the river crossings, a quiet conservancy, a family-friendly camp or a beach to finish. We will come back with honest camp advice and live prices. Holidays with flights are ATOL protected.
Travel guides for Kenya Safari
Our hand-picked guides to help you choose: compare the best hotels by style, budget and who you’re travelling with.
