Is It Okay to Guide a Safari Whereas in Kenya?

Is it OK to guide a safari when you arrive in Kenya or is it higher to guide prematurely? This query repeatedly comes up on numerous journey boards. Many vacationers (together with myself) like the liberty of touchdown in a rustic and seeing the way it flows with out being locked right into a set itinerary the place you’re informed when and the place to eat, sleep and go. So let’s discover how one can go on safari with some sense of freedom whereas remaining secure, comfy and inside price range.

Let’s begin with “Sure”, it’s OK to guide a safari when you arrive in Kenya. If you happen to wander the streets of Nairobi’s CBD, you can be approached by touts promoting low cost safaris. It is rather straightforward to associate with considered one of them. The automobiles are often parked close to Metropolis Market, so if you’re able to go, you would go instantly. They settle for money so that you simply must go to the ATM, withdraw, hand it over and also you’re away. Easy.

For many who are pleased with doing issues shortly, merely and are versatile of their expectations, that is excellent. For others, this would possibly sound a bit dodgy. I had a good friend who went for this technique and it wasn’t till her and her comrades had withdrawn the cash from the ATM that they realized they have been about to stroll via downtown Nairobi and no less than one individual knew they have been carrying lots of money. It out of the blue appeared a foolhardy method.

So we transfer to “No” it’s maybe not a good suggestion to guide a safari while you arrive in Kenya. Safaris aren’t low cost… otherwise you positively get what you pay for! If you happen to discover a deal on the road that appears too good to be true, then it most likely is. You would possibly end up consuming zikuma (kale) and ugali (maize meal) for per week and day by day coping with the outcomes of a poorly maintained car. Keep in mind, gasoline is similar worth as at residence and the roads are in dangerous situation (like, worse than you would even think about), so working a car right here is an costly proposition.

You need to belief your tour operator. You might be about at hand over a big amount of cash to make this once-in-a-lifetime safari the one you’ve all the time dreamed of. Why would you danger that by choosing any Joe off the road? Take time to do your analysis. Learn critiques of tour operators (Journey Advisor, Safari Bookings and Your African Safari all assist), and begin an electronic mail dialog to get a really feel for the way they reply to your needs. Whereas it’s not obligatory, you may additionally need to examine with business our bodies such at KATO (Kenyan Affiliation of Tour Operators) whose members are typically extra dependable and competent than non-members. You additionally need to know who you’re coping with – an agent or an operator. After all if you’re coping with your journey agent at residence then they are going to join you with a good tour operator. However some Kenyan brokers can look very very similar to operators on their web sites. This implies they won’t be liable for car upkeep and be “promoting you” to a tour operator. On this case you continue to don’t know who shall be liable for your consolation and security whereas on safari and whether or not you belief them. And brokers in Kenya aren’t held by the identical guidelines and ensures as brokers at residence, so in the event that they disappear together with your cash there’s not a lot recourse.

Kenya just isn’t all dangerous!

Nevertheless it’s not nearly avoiding shady individuals (I don’t need to sound like Kenya is filled with conmen!), it’s additionally about availability. Most individuals need to come for the Wildebeest Migration in July and August. These months are additionally summer season holidays within the US and Europe so lodging in Maasai Mara is round 97% booked all through the interval. Christmas can also be a peak interval, with numerous Kenyans travelling at the moment in addition to worldwide vacationers. Lodging and automobiles might be troublesome to supply in these peak occasions when you depart it to the final minute.

If you’re not fussy about meals, the car, or which recreation park you go to and are on a price range, then you may take an opportunity with reserving your safari while you get to Kenya. However I like to recommend you spend a while researching respected tour operators with good critiques so you’re secure. Sadly, Kenya is maybe not the most effective nation to belief strangers on the road who’ve “the most effective safari deal for you!”

Overland Journey Adventures has wonderful critiques on Journey Advisor and we love working with our friends to personally design their dream safari. We’re a family-run enterprise with husband and spouse staff, Tracey and Francis, taking good care of you from planning via execution. Electronic mail [email protected] to start out planning your vacation at the moment.