Kenya Safari Experience

The Kenya Safari experience is as memorable as it sounds. If you’ve never been to Africa, then prepare yourself for an assault on the senses the likes of which you’ve never encountered. The countryside, the sounds, smells, the animals, the risks and the reality of encountering wild animals in their natural environment, the types of animals you usually see in zoos, is mind blowing. Don’t feel that you can’t go because of the kids either, between us we took five children who all had a wonderful time.

The parks

If you’re visiting Kenya, Safari is a must. There are a number national parks and game reserves to visit. One of the most beautiful, and less well known outside Kenya is Tsavo West National Park and this is the one we’re going to talk about today. Although not as famous as Masai Mara and Amboseli, this park has several advantages. It is much nearer to Mombasa than the other two, it is cheaper than them, far fewer tourists visit the park every year so the experience is much wilder with fewer trucks crowding out the animals and finally the scenery is utterly breathtaking. All the major game is on show, depending on your luck and how long you have to spend at the park, and there are some wonderful Bandas and hotels located inside t he park, some, like Kilanguni Lodge offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and purpose built flood-lit waterholes laid out so you can watch the animals drink whilst eating your dinner.

Bandas

For more modest accommodation, how about staying in a Banda? These small cottages contain a small kitchen, bathroom and beds with mosquito nets, plus an outside eating area which backs right onto the park itself. Kitani Bandas is a good example. Here you can have dinner with your friends whilst listening to the sounds of the bush animals. This is not for the faint hearted though, lions do occasionally stray into the camps which are not protected by fences, so it’s best to keep your eyes open.

Game

So, what are you likely to see here? Well, all of the big five: Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Leopard and Rhino inhabit the park. There are numerous species of Gazelle and Impala, cheetah, baboons, giraffe, zebra, hornbills, wild dogs etc. If you’ve always wanted to see these animals in their natural environment then this is a wonderful place to do so. Here are a few pictures taken in the park.

Transport

It seems the Nissan van is the vehicle of choice for most of Kenya. The colourful and numerous Matatu private busses which clog the streets of Mombassa, shooting around at ridiculous speed, all seem to be Nissan vans and the same is true of safari vehicles. Don’t worry though, you’re perfectly safe in one of these robust little movers, and with a pop-up roof you’ll get a good view of the game. Health and Safety aren’t words you hear much in Kenya so if you’re overly worried about child seats or seatbelts then this kind of holiday isn’t for you. You’re most likely to spend the trip sat on top of a seat hanging out of the roof trying to take pictures … but it’s great fun. Despite the quality of the roads in the parks, which varies from fine to four-wheeled-mountaineering, the trucks can handle it and the drivers are able to cope with it. Be prepared to get up early in the morning and spend the day bombing around the park as the driver picks up traffic from the other drivers on the CB radio about what game has been spotted and where to go. Depending on the company you use, they will pick you up from your hotel and drive you out to the parks. A typical journey from Mombassa to Tsavo West takes about three to four hours, Amboseli and the other parks can take longer. Along the way they’ll stop off for comfort breaks. Once inside the parks it’s up to you. If you like you can arrange for the driver to take you to a hotel for lunch where you can often watch game drinking at the purpose built waterholes whilst having your lunch. Some hotels will also allow you to use their pool for a fee which is a welcome relief from the dust and heat of the safari. The length of your safari depends on you … it can be a day trip or a matter of weeks.

Prices

In Kenya, as in any third world country, it is pointless to suggest an exact price because such a thing doesn’t exist there. If you’re a local resident you’ll get cheaper rates, if you’re an ex-pat you’ll pay more than a black African, if you’re a tourist you’ll pay considerably more than everyone. If you’re able to hook up with some locals or ex-pats then you’ll make a saving … however the way to look at it is that you would pay a whole lot more for a similar experience in the western world. Some things are cheaper than others … a buffet lunch at some hotels can be as cheap as 800 Kenyan shillings per head (about £6.50) and for that you’ll get all you can eat and a great view. Others cost more and quality varies. The safari trip itself is not the expensive thing, it’s the park fees that cost the money.

Park fees: Tsavo West

ENTRANCE FEES/DAY

Source : K.W.S. park tariffs

Adult resident - 500 Kshs

Children resident - 200 Kshs

Adult non resident – 23$ US

Children non resident – 10$ US

Accommodation

Banda’s will set you back about 25$ US per night but this can vary. The big hotels such as Kilaguni Lodge can be very expensive, rooms vary from 100$ US for a single right up to 290$ US for a double … but this is listed as a 5 star hotel and there are others. Please see this link for a full list of accommodation in Tsavo West.

There’s a lot more to say but essentially that covers the basics. You get there and you drive around looking at fantastic scenery and fantastic animals all day. For me it was an unforgettable experience. For more info about my trip and the things we saw along the way, please read:

Last Night David Attenborough saved my life

Tsavo West animals