Greeting adventurers! The Great Migration is here but the safari game (and fees!) ain’t the same – Here’s our guide to uncover the best of Kenya for less!
Read on for our Top 5 safaris to suit every budget:
1. The Maasai Mara
Need to KnowPark entry fees: $200 per 12 hours for non-residents, Kes 4,500 for Residents & Kes 3k for Citizens (Kids go half-price)
As Mara is a private park, fees must be paid at entry gates, not eCitizen portal!
NB Self-drive safaris are no longer permitted in the Mara, so you’ll have to hire a registered driver-guide from the entry gates.
Travel: Approx 4.5h drive from Nairobi or 1 hour flight with Safarilink and ALS to various airstrips (Ask us for discounts!)
Accommodation Guide
High Season: Aug – Nov, Dec 20 – Jan 7
Low Season: Apr – Jul, Nov to Xmas
Below are full board rates for standard double tents in well-rated camps – Game drives, conservancy & park fees are extra!
| High Season | Affordable | Mid-Range | Premium |
| Residents | Kes 15-25k pppn | Kes 25-35k pppn | Kes 35-60k+ pppn |
| Non-res | $150-250 pppn | $250-$350 pppn | $350-$1000+ Pppn |
| Low Season | |||
| Residents | Kes 10-15k pppn | Kes 15-25k pppn | Kes 25-50k pppn |
| Non-res | $120 – 200 ppnn | $200 – 300 ppnn | $300-$800 pppn |
Private safari driver-guides are $250 – 300 per day for standard 7 seater safari Landcruisers – Make sure they have a roof rack, radio, cool box, blanket and binos!
Uncover’s Top Picks
$ Affordable: Kobe Mara, Oldarpoi Camp, Kimana Mara, Tor’s Glampsite
$$ Mid-range: Serenity Mara, Kandili, Olive Bush, Ol Kinyei, Villa Dominik
$$$ Premium: Soroi Bush Camp, Saruni, Elephant Pepper Camp
$$$$ Luxe: Migration Camp, Angama Mara, Cottars 1920’s camp
Chat with our concierge for more info & discounted rates!
2. Amboseli National Park
Need to Know
Famous for stunning views of Mt Kilimanjaro, BIG herds of elephants, buffalos and growing big cat numbers – You can see all The Big Five except for Rhinos.
Park entry fees:
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- Non-res $60 per day, Kes 1k for citizens & residents (Kids go half price)
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- Pre-pay via your eCitizen account
Travel: 4.5 hour drive from NBI, or 1 hour direct flights with ALS and Safarilink (We get discounts!)
Accommodation Guide
High Season: Jul – Sept 30, Easter, Dec 20 – Jan 7
Low Season: Jan – Jul, Oct to Xmas
Full board rates for standard double tents in well-rated lodges – Game drives, conservancy & park fees are extra!
| High Season | Affordable | Mid-Range | Premium |
| Residents | Kes 10-15k pppn | Kes 15-25k pppn | Kes 25-40k+ pppn |
| Non-res | $100-150 pppn | $150-$250 pppn | $250-$400+ pppn |
| Low Season | |||
| Residents | Kes 8-12k pppn | Kes 12-20k pppn | Kes 20-30k+pppn |
| Non-res | $80-120 ppnn | $120-200 ppnn | $200-$300+pppn |
Uncover’s Top Picks
$ Affordable: Little Amanya Camp
$$ Mid-Range: Kibo Safari Camp
$$$ Premium: Tawi Lodge
$$$$ Luxe: Angama Amboseli
Chat with our concierge for more info & discounted rates!
3. Tsavo East & West
Need to Know
A lower-cost alternative with plenty of big game and fewer crowds – Tsavo West boasts the scenic Chyulu Hills and denser shrub, whereas East has the Galana river and open savannah plains.
Travel time: 4h drive to Tsavo West, 5h drive to East
Park entry fees:
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- Residents: Kes 515 per day for adults, Kes 215 for kids
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- Non -Res: $52 per day for adults, $35 for kids
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- Pre-pay via your eCitizen account
Uncover’s Top Picks
Tsavo West
$ Affordable: Cheetah Tented Camp from Kes 19.5k (Res) and $220 (Non-res) Pppn on full board
$$ Mid-Range: Leopard’s Lair Lodge from 21k (Res) and $300 (Non-res) Pppn on full board
$$$ Premium: Lion’s Bluff Lodge from Kes 39k (Res) and $700 (Non-res) Pppn on full board
$$$$ Luxe: Finch Hattons from Kes 46k (Res) and $795 (Non-res) Pppn on full board
Tsavo East
$ Affordable: Ngutini Lodge from Kes 10.5k / $80 Pppn on full board
$$ Mid-Range: Shoroa River Camp from Kes 20k / $150 Pppn on full board + daily game drive
$$$ Premium: Kudu Safari Camp from Kes 42k / $325k Pppn on half board
Chat with our concierge for more info & discounted rates!
4. The Aberdares
Need to Know
The Aberdares has something for everyone: Lush forests and waterfalls, fly fishing, stunning hikes through Dragon’s Teeth & Mt Satima and unspoiled game viewing.
Travel: Approx 3.5h drive to Mutubio West gate
Park entry fees: Kes 300 per day for Citizens & Residents, $52 for non-residents (Kids go half price)
Uncover’s Top Picks
$ Affordable: Castle Forest Lodge from Kes 12k (Res) or $130 (Non res) Pppn on full board
ii) Aberdare Cottages & Fishing Lodge from Kes 10k (Res) or $255 (Non-res) Pppn on full board
$$ Mid-Range: Cedar Retreat from Kes 34.5k (Res) and $345 (Non-res) Pppn on full board
$$$ Premium: Ndongoro Log Cabin From Kes 10k (Res) and $130 (Non-res) Pppn on self catered basis (Chef can be arranged at extra cost)
$$$$ Lux: Solio Lodge from Kes 133k / $1025 Pppn on full board
Chat with our concierge for more info & discounted rates!
5. Ol Pejeta
Need to Know
Ol Pej is great family safari option with a good mix of boutique tented camps & bush homes. As well as DIY safaris, you can also track lions, do night drives and see the ‘Big Five’ – Including Black rhinos and the last 2 Northern White rhinos in the world!
Park Entry Fees:
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- Kes 3,500 per day for residents, 2k for citizens
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- $110 per day for non-residents
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- Kids go half price
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- Kes 1k vehicle entry, 2k for a 7-12 seater
Accommodation Guide
High Season: June – Oct 31, Dec 15 – Jan 6
Low season: Jan 7 – May 31, Nov – Dec 14
$ Affordable: The Stables double rooms from Kes 18k / $140 per night on full board
Dreamwood Container Home from Kes 15.6k / $120 per night for 5 people, self catered
$$ Mid Range: Pelican House from Kes 9k / $100 pppn for non-res, self catered basis, sleeps up to 12 people
$$$ Premium: Mutara Tented Camp from Kes 22k (Res) / $499 (Non-res) Pppn on full board
Chat with our concierge for more info & discounted rates!
Uncover Tips for Safari’ing on a Budget
1. Self-drive safaris will save you $ but NB private vehicles are no longer allowed in the Mara, and some conservancies (Lewa, El Karama) require specific car types & colours
Uncover works with Black Leopard 4×4 Hire – Modern, inspected safari cars from $150 per day (self drive)
If you want a private Landcruiser on your schedule, we work with great local guides from $235 per day all inclusive (Fuel, driver-guide, their accom & entry fees, inspected 7-seater Landcruisers with open roof, coolbox, blankets & binos).
2. Minimise park entry fees by staying just outside of National parks, so you’ll only pay when you enter. Many camps and lodges will have their own conservancy fees but these are significantly lower.
3. Safari during off / shoulder seasons to beat the crowds and peak pricing, and try some of the alternative parks!
4. Rally a posse! Group safaris work out more affordably as you’re splitting costs, and we can sometimes get group discounts.
5. Ask your lodge if you can BYO, and bring a safari cool box / hip flask!
NB All info is accurate as of August 2024
For more info and expert advice, chat with our concierge team here!
Stay Tuned for our Uncover Alternative Safaris, Pt 2 – Coming soon!