Kenya Safari Guide (2025) -Country, Currency, Religion & People
Kenya Safari Guide 2025 -this comprehensive travel guide to Kenya safaris includes currency, religion, destinations, visas, people, and more.
Embark on a journey to unearth the wonders of Magical Kenya with Flawless Adventure Planners Limited. Adventure in the wilderness of Kenya starts perfectly by booking a captivating Kenya safari and tours.
Our complete Kenya safari guide encompasses everything a traveler on Kenya wildlife tours or adventure seeker would like to know when planning a vacation.
The Kenya travel guide includes useful travel information including budget-friendly Kenya safari packages ranging from wildlife tours, and adventures to unique cultural safaris. Expect to explore the premier National Parks and other enriching travel destinations.
Our safari guide to exploring Kenya also includes travel tips on the best time to visit, health, currency, weather/climate, wildlife in Kenya, safety and security, a brief history of Kenya, and more!
A deep look into our Kenya safari guide is essential to any enthusiastic wildlife traveler, adventure seeker, first-time visitor to Kenya safaris, or if you intend to be in Kenya for leisure-related activities and other purposes.
Kenya Safari Guide (2025)
Location
Kenya is located on the Equator in East Africa. It shares borders with Uganda and Tanzania. It is strategically located on the coast, thus providing access to the scenic Indian Ocean and its beautiful sandy beaches. Kenya is geographically located in the East African region where the Great Rift Valley passes. It covers over 580367 sq. km. This country is the same size as Texas/Spain.
The people
Over 52 communities are in Kenya and each speaks their language. However, the majority speak Kiswahili and English. You can easily interact with staff in hotels, lodges, towns, or destinations using English or Kiswahili.
But even if you speak another language, there is an option of finding you a guide who understands and can easily interpret for you things on your Kenya safari tour.
Top Kenya safari destinations to explore in 2025
- Amboseli National Park
- Masai Mara National Reserve.
- Samburu National Reserve.
- Aberdare National Park.
- Nairobi National Park.
- Hell’s Gate National Park.
- Lake Nakuru National Park.
- Tsavo East National Park.
- Tsavo West National Park.
- Mount Kenya National Park.
- Arabuko Sokoke National Park.
- Lake Naivasha National Park.
Kenya coastal towns/cities
To experience the best of Kenya’s coast holiday, then consider visiting Kilifi, Malindi, Mombasa, Watamu, and Voi. You can also pay a visit the Wasini Island, Lamu Archipelago, and Shimba Hills National Reserve.
Best Kenya safari packages worth booking
3 Days Amboseli Game Safari
3 Days Kenya Wildlife tour to Lake Nakuru National Park.
3 Days Wildlife tour to Nairobi National Park.
10 Days Best of Kenya big 5 game safari
Climate/weather in Kenya
Kenya enjoys varied climatic conditions. It is located on the Equator crossing and its weather conditions are influenced by altitude or terrain variations. The highland areas experience cool weather conditions and other areas often record temperature rises of 35 degrees Celsius.
The short rainy season is recorded from October to November and long rainy months run from March to early June. The long dry months start from June to September then short dry seasons occur from December to mid-March.
History of Kenya
Kenya is officially recognized as the Republic of Kenya (Swahili: Jamhuri ya Kenya). It is located in East Africa and gained its independence in 1963. The earliest inhabitants were the hunter-gatherers like the Hadza people. Nairobi is the capital city and Kenya is an East African Community member state.
Obtaining Kenya passport/Visas
A valid visa and passport are essential for anyone with plans to go on Kenya wildlife safaris. You can obtain a tourist visa through the Kenya High Commission/e-visa portal at www.ecitizen.go.ke.
The visa approval can take about 7 days to be ready. Visitors can register or apply before the actual date of visiting Kenya. Alternatively, if you plan to visit more than 2 countries in East Africa for instance Uganda & Rwanda inclusive of Kenya, then you can secure the East African tourist visa.
Safety & Health precautions
Kenya as a destination prioritizes visitor safety and health first. It is a safe and healthy destination to explore on East African safaris. However, it is essential to have medical or holiday insurance.
When you think about embarking on Kenya wildlife tours or safaris in general, it is also essential to consider other medical priorities. These include taking the recommended vaccines like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and typhoid, etc.
A tin of insect repellent is also essential, especially if you intend to go to have a vacation in the remotest destinations like National Parks or reserves.
Domestic flights
When it comes to fly-in safaris, Kenya is by far more developed. There are options for connecting to most Kenyan destinations by flight. Visitors can embark on 3 days fly-in safari to Maasai Mara, 6 Days Maasai Mara and Amboseli flight wildlife safari, etc.
Currency & Money Matters in Kenya
The local currency used in Kenya is Kenya Shilling. Having Kenya shillings can save you when doing local transactions. But most safaris are quoted in US Dollars and even when it comes to booking accommodation services in the hotels, camps, lodges, etc –you require a US Dollar. Use of credit or debit cards is available but may be limited to developed premises like Banks, Hotels, and restaurants.
Best time to go for Kenya safaris
Kenya wildlife tours and safaris can be arranged and enjoyed at any time of the year. However. The dry season/months offer the best conditions for visitors to experience the most of Big 5 safaris or the Great Migration.
The notable dry months in Kenyan safari destinations run from December to February or June to September. The Great Migration is best experienced around July to October.
Getting around
Rental cars are the best options available for visitors to safely get around Kenya. Contact Flawless Adventure Planners Ltd to book a comfortable car ready for your road trip to any destination.
Our car hire services extend beyond Kenya including Uganda thus making it possible for visitors to connect to their destinations. This is especially for visitors who may need to have a combined Big 5 game safari or wildlife tour and primate safaris like gorilla safaris or gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, golden monkey tracking, or chimpanzee tracking safaris.
What to pack
The essentials to include on your Kenya safari packing list include insect repellents, a safari hat, sun protection gear, comfortable shoes, a camera, and comfortable safari clothes.
Family safaris
Planning to visit Kenya as a family? Family road trips are the perfect way for you and your dear ones to connect together. Interestingly, Kenya is one of the few family-friendly destinations. Book a wildlife tour to Maasai Mara National Reserve to experience the unusual with your family.
Best road trips to enjoy
Kenya is a destination with a wealth of unique things for everyone to experience. Take some scenic road trips on self-drive or guided driver safaris, weekend road trips, city tours, wildlife tours to the premier game parks, and more.
Things to do
Key things to do in Kenya include game drives, birding or bird-watching, exploring the Giraffe Center, Great Migration, beach vacations, camping, and mountaineering.
You may also want to know
Tsavo East National Park Guide
Most popular for its captivating wildlife safari experiences, huge profusion of mammals (elephants); Tsavo East National Park is 13747sq.km Park in the Magical Kenya.
Located in the Southeastern side of Kenya, at proximity to Voi in Taita Taveta County lies a splendid Tsavo East National Park. Taking its name from Tsavo River, the Tsavo East National Park is most popular for its huge concentration of elephants and the legend of the Man-eaters of Tsavo.
Tsavo East National Park is part of the extensive Tsavo National Park/Conservation Area and what divides it from Tsavo West, is just a railway line. It is set mid-way between Nairobi capital and Mombasa, Kenya’s famous coastal town. The Galana River also flows through the Tsavo East NP, making it one of the sources of water for the park’s wildlife.
Established in 1948, Tsavo East Park Kenya safaris destination is a home to diverse wildlife species. These roam freely in the park’s vast 13,747sq.kms land area, consisting of many habitats.
- Location: Southeastern Kenya close to Taita-Taveta District of Coast Province
- Size: 13,747 sq.km
Tourist Attraction to explore at Tsavo East Game Park
Mudanda Rock
Located in Tsavo East Park is Mudanda Rock, an inselberg of stratified rock measuring about 1.6kms. This is one of the significant water catchment areas found in the park with natural dam located right below it. It is a major draw of the park’s wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, wildebeest, etc.
Animals
Tsavo East National Park is a complete wildlife safari destination in Kenya, East Africa protecting a huge concentration of wild animals. These include leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, hartebeest, elands, blue duikers, cheetahs, yellow baboons, aardwolf, rhinos, lions, jackals, dik-dik, plain zebras, wild cats, African hunt dog, spotted hyenas, caracal, slender mongoose, Egyptian mongoose, waterbucks, African dormouse and more.
Birds
About 500 bird species make Tsavo East National Park an outstanding birding destination. The birds to expect to encounter: lesser kestrel, black-faced sandgrouse, slender-tailed nightjars, Taita falcon, Somali ostrich, golden pipit, martial eagle, Northern brown bull, Rufous chatterer, vulturine guineafowl, fisher’s starling, African finfoot, Pangani longclaw, golden breasted starling, to mention but a few.
Best time to visit for birding in Tsavo East National Park is around March, May, November when you get great sight of migratory birds as well. This is when majority of coastal species of birds also concentrate around the park thus guaranteeing you amazing bird sightings.
Yatta Plateau
This is one of the unique attractions awaiting exploration while you are on Kenya safaris in Tsavo East National Park. It is at Yatta Plateau where the world’s longest lava flor measuring up to 290 km lies, creating Ol Doinyo Sabuj Mountain following eruption effect. The plateau runs its water on the Western border above Athi River.
Lugard Waterfalls
Lugard Waterfalls is another treasure in Tsavo East Park and it is best explored on guided walking safaris. It comes with remarkable white-water rapids and its formation originates from Galana River.
Other Rivers that flow in the Tsavo East Park include Galana & Tsavo River. While at Tsavo East N/P, other key places to visit include Aruba Dam and Kanderi Swamp (at this swamp, a range of wildlife can be spotted on a guided game drive including hartebeest, elephants, buffaloes, and more.
Amboseli National Park Guide
Amboseli National Park, a UNESCO Man and Biosphere covers 392 sq.km, home to large herds of elephants. The park boasts of its unique ecosystem characterized by mix of swamps and arid areas; marshlands, acacia woodlands, open plains, rocky-thorn bush. These are 4 of the 5 key wildlife habitats and in addition, there are 5 swamps.
It was gazetted as Kenya National Park in 1974. It upgraded from being a Game Reserve which it was since 1906 and in 1991, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the background, there is a breathtaking view of free-standing volcano mountain – Mount Kilimanjaro.
History
Prior the migration of the Maasai to the Amboseli area, it was inhabited by the Kamba and Chagga, about 1500 years ago. The Maasai occupied the Amboseli area and they lived alongside the wild animals. Cattle grazing and water collection was disrupted and they were forced to vacate the area.
The area was declared as a Reserve and the Maasai people were forced to leave. As a result, wildlife population began to increase. In 1883, Amboseli region was visited by Jeremy Thompson, the British explorer & geologist. In 1906, it became a reserve, Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve.
In 1948, after the second World War, it changed to Amboseli National Reserve and its boundaries were expanded. In 1961, Amboseli Reserve was managed by Kajiado and Maasai counties. In 1974, it was established as a National Park in Kenya.
Location
Located in Kajiado County South of Kenya, Amboseli is 4 hours’ drive/240kms. It is also located in the Northwestern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and it is possible to access the park via two routes. From Nairobi-Mombasa and form coastal area of Mombasa, Tsavo West National Park or Tsavo East N/Park, Amboseli NP is accessible at 460kms and the key entry is via Kimana gate.
Wildlife
Amboseli National Park is popular for not only its huge tusked herds of elephants, but also a myriad of other wildlife. The park features abundant population of hippos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, black-backed jackals, leopards, African wild cats, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, black-eared foxes, lions, and others.
Birds of Amboseli Kenya
Estimated population of about 500 bird species, including 40 predatory species live in Amboseli Park. On Kenya safaris in Amboseli, the birds to identify:
Kori bustards, pygmy falcons, lanner falcon, black-shouldered kite, African fish eagle, martial eagle, secretary bird, hamerkop, African swamphen, steel-blue whydah, rufous chatterer, African jacana, ostriches, lapwings, pangani longclaw, herons and more.
Other attractions at Amboseli National Park Kenya include Amboseli Lake a popular spot to find a huge concentration of elephants, buffaloes, plus other wildlife. The observation hills located in the central area of Amboseli National Park; Sinet Delta.
Kenya Safari Activities in Amboseli National Park Explore More
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Mara Reserve joins the Serengeti Wildlife Area forming one of the most dramatic wilderness areas in the African continent. Wildlife can be spotted freely roaming between the Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Park.
The Masai Mara began as a wildlife sanctuary in 1948, occupying the land area of about 520 sq. km and in 1961, its area coverage increased to currently 1510 sq. km.
Masai Mara National Reserve derives its name from the Maasai people who occupied the area for long. The Mara word in Maasai is translated as spotted. It is known for its sweeping plains, with umbrella acacia trees, bushes and wildlife clearly spotted.
The reserve also has a number of incredible features including River Talek, the Mara River. It is naturally rich nature reserve, consisting of diverse wildlife, floral species, over 570 bird species. The Maasai Mara National Reserve lies at altitude 1500 to 2170m.
Unique Tourist Attractions – Maasai Mara Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve features as the top visited Kenya safari destination for a good reason. A huge profusion of wildlife freely roams in the Mara Reserve making it the most sought-for wildlife safari destination in Kenya.
Wildlife
The Maasai Mara National Reserve hosts a range of valuable wildlife and flora. They include 90 mammal species, reptiles, amphibians, 1000 plant species, more than 570 species of birds etc.
All the African big 5 game are found in the Maasai Mara National Reserve that is elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffaloes. These roam in the same habitat with other wildlife including the wildebeest, impalas, cheetahs, gazelles, zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and more.
Birds
A total of 570 bird species exist in the Maasai Mara alone. The bird check-list in the Mara Reserve: long crested eagles, usambiro barbet, lilac breasted rollers, black kite, yellow billed storks, secretary birds, great white egret, kori bustards, Madagascar squacco, martial eagle.
Other birds to identify here include Hildebrandt’s starling, African wood owl, African finfoot, grey penduline tit, lazy cisticola, cinnamon breasted bunting, and tabora cisticola, red throated tit.
The reserve also holds purple grenadier, yellow mantled window bird, ostriches, rosy throated longclaw, ross’s turacos, rufous bellied long claw.
Birding in the Maasai Mara National Reserve can be done at any time of the year, although the best time is from November to April. These are the months when migratory birds flock into the Maasai Mara Explore More.