Frequently Asked
Questions

We require a 30% deposit to confirm your safari booking and reserve your accommodation. The remaining 70% is due no later than 14 days before your departure date, or on arrival for last-minute bookings.

For gorilla trekking permits and certain high-demand periods (July–October), we may request a higher deposit to secure the permits, which must be purchased well in advance.

We accept the following payment methods:

• Bank Transfer — to our Nairobi bank account (details provided on request)
• M-Pesa — convenient for payments from within Kenya
• Cash — USD, KES or GBP accepted on arrival
• Western Union / WorldRemit — for international transfers
• PayPal — available on request (3% processing fee applies)

All prices are quoted in USD. Payments in KES are converted at the prevailing exchange rate on the day of payment.

Our standard cancellation policy is as follows:

• 60+ days before departure: Full refund minus bank transfer fees
• 30–59 days before departure: 50% refund
• 14–29 days before departure: 25% refund
• Less than 14 days: No refund (costs already committed to parks and accommodation)

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation cover. In exceptional circumstances (e.g. medical emergencies with documentation), we will do our best to reschedule your safari.

Absolutely — this is one of our strengths. All our tours can be fully customised to match your budget, interests, travel dates, group size and accommodation preferences. Whether you want to add an extra park, extend your beach stay, combine a gorilla trek with a Masai Mara safari, or request a specific guide, we will tailor the itinerary for you.

Just let us know what you have in mind and we will build a personalised quote at no extra charge.

Yes. For groups of 6 or more travellers, we offer discounted per-person rates. The larger the group, the better the value, as fixed costs (vehicle, guide, park fees) are shared across more people. Contact us with your group size and we will prepare a competitive group quote.

We also offer special rates for NGOs, research teams, school groups and corporate incentive trips. Please mention your group type when enquiring.

Africa Budget Tour is a fully registered Kenyan tour operator and a member of KATO (Kenya Association of Tour Operators). We have been operating since 2007 with thousands of satisfied guests from around the world.

We recommend verifying our reviews on TripAdvisor, SafariBookings and Google before booking. We are happy to provide references from past clients on request. Our offices are located at Kenya House Complex, 1st Floor F36, Koinange Street, Nairobi — you are welcome to visit in person.

Kenya offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round, but the best periods are:

• July–October (Peak Season): The Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings in the Masai Mara. Dry season means thin vegetation and easier wildlife spotting. This is the most popular — and most expensive — time to visit.
• January–March (Green Season): Fewer crowds, lower prices, lush landscapes and excellent predator action. Calving season on the Serengeti.
• June: The migration begins moving north into the Mara. Good wildlife and improving weather.

The long rains (April–May) and short rains (November) are quieter and cheaper, with still-excellent wildlife viewing if you are flexible.

Kenya is home to some of the most diverse wildlife on earth. Most of our safaris offer excellent chances of seeing the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. You will also commonly spot cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, hyena, jackal and over 500 species of birds.

In Samburu, you can see the unique Samburu Special Five: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich — species found nowhere else in Kenya.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the world's most spectacular natural events. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, travel in a continuous clockwise circuit between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya, following the rains and fresh grass.

The most dramatic moments are the Mara River crossings (July–October), when massive herds leap into crocodile-filled waters. These crossings are unpredictable — they can happen multiple times a day or not at all — but when they do, it is an unforgettable spectacle.

We use 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers or Land Rovers with pop-top roofs for all our safaris. The pop-top roof opens to give you 360-degree, unobstructed views and standing room for photography. Each vehicle is equipped with a charging socket, a cool box for drinks and snacks, and a first aid kit.

Our standard Land Cruisers carry a maximum of 6–7 passengers. On shared group safaris, you may share with other travellers up to this maximum. On private safaris, the vehicle is exclusively yours regardless of group size.

All our guides are Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) certified and hold Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association (KPSGA) qualifications. They are Kenyan-born, speak fluent English and Swahili, and have extensive knowledge of local wildlife, ecosystems, birdlife, and Maasai culture. Our senior guides have 10–20 years of experience in the parks.

Yes — Kenya is a wonderful destination for families with children. Most national parks have no minimum age requirement for game drives. We can tailor the itinerary to suit your family's needs, including shorter drives and more relaxed pacing.

Children aged 3–12 typically receive a 50% discount on accommodation and park fees. Infants under 3 are usually free.

Kenya is a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. The national parks and safari areas are safe and well-managed by Kenya Wildlife Service rangers. Our guides are experienced in wildlife safety protocols and will always brief you on how to behave around animals.

Africa Budget Tour is fully insured, KATO-licensed, and has an excellent safety record over 15+ years of operation.

The official currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). US Dollars are widely accepted in safari camps, lodges and major hotels. We recommend carrying a mix of USD cash and KES. Note that USD bills must be dated 2009 or later — older notes are often refused.

Kenya operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3. Kenya does not observe daylight saving time. Nairobi is 3 hours ahead of London (GMT) in winter and 2 hours ahead in summer.

Kenya's two official languages are English and Swahili (Kiswahili). English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and by all our guides and staff. You will have no difficulty communicating in English throughout your safari.

Tipping is not mandatory but is warmly appreciated. As a general guideline:

• Safari guide / driver: $10–20 per person per day
• Camp / lodge staff (shared tip box): $5–10 per person per day
• Porter or personal helper: $2–5 per service

Mobile coverage (Safaricom network) is available in most parts of Kenya including Nairobi and many park areas. However, coverage can be patchy in remote areas such as deep Samburu and some Mara conservancies. Wi-Fi is available in most mid-range and luxury lodges, though it may be slow or limited.

Kenya uses Type G sockets (three-pin rectangular plug, same as the UK) at 240V / 50Hz. We recommend bringing a universal travel adapter. Power banks are very useful on bush drives.

We handle all transfers as part of your safari package. Options include:

• Road transfer: Our 4x4 safari vehicle drives you directly to the park. Masai Mara is 5–6 hours; Amboseli is 3–4 hours; Nakuru is 2–3 hours.
• Domestic flight: Scheduled flights from Wilson Airport to airstrips in the Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Lamu take 45–75 minutes. We can arrange all domestic flights on request.

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya. Kenya operates an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system — there is no visa on arrival. You must apply online before travelling at etakenya.go.ke.

The ETA costs approximately $30 USD and is typically approved within 3 business days. Citizens of East African Community countries do not require a visa.

Kenya replaced the visa-on-arrival system with the ETA in January 2024. To apply: visit etakenya.go.ke, complete the online form, upload your passport photo, valid passport, proof of accommodation and onward flight details, pay the $30 USD fee, and receive approval by email within 3 business days.

The standard ETA / tourist authorisation allows a stay of up to 90 days per visit.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country (including Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, DRC and most other sub-Saharan African nations). If you are flying directly from Europe, North America, Australia or Asia, you do not need a yellow fever certificate to enter Kenya.

Yes — combined Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda itineraries are very popular and we specialise in these multi-country safaris. The East Africa Tourist Visa (approx. $100 USD) covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda in a single multiple-entry visa. Tanzania requires a separate visa (approx. $50 USD). We will advise on the best visa strategy for your specific itinerary.

Clothing:

• Neutral-coloured clothing — khaki, beige, olive, grey (avoid bright colours and blue)
• Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and trousers for mornings and evenings
• A warm fleece or jacket for early morning game drives (especially June–August)
• Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses

Essentials:

• High-SPF sunscreen and insect repellent (DEET-based)
• Camera with extra memory cards and batteries
• Binoculars (essential for wildlife spotting)
• Power bank for charging devices on game drives
• Reusable water bottle

Malaria is present in Kenya, particularly in low-lying areas including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo and the coast. It is not present at high altitudes (above 2,500m), including Nairobi city centre.

We strongly recommend consulting a travel health professional before your trip. Common precautions include taking antimalarial medication, wearing long sleeves at dusk and dawn, using DEET-based insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito nets (provided in all our camps).

Do not drink tap water in Kenya. Always drink bottled or filtered water. All our safari camps and lodges provide safe drinking water. On game drives, we supply drinking water in the vehicle.

Consult a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure. Commonly recommended vaccinations include: Yellow Fever (if arriving from endemic countries), Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Rabies (if planning wildlife activities), and antimalarial medication. Always seek professional medical advice.

Yes — travel insurance is strongly recommended. We require all our clients to have valid travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, as emergency medical care in remote safari areas can be very expensive. Look for a policy covering: medical expenses and emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost luggage and personal liability.

Tented camp: Canvas-walled tents on raised platforms, often with en-suite bathrooms and solar lighting. They offer an authentic bush experience — you can hear the sounds of the savanna from your bed. Tented camps range from basic budget camping to luxurious "glamping."

Safari lodge: Permanent stone or wood buildings with all the facilities of a quality hotel — private rooms, restaurant, bar, swimming pool. Lodges feel slightly less "wild" than tented camps but both offer excellent wildlife access.

Full board means all three meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — are included in your safari package price. Drinking water, tea and coffee are also typically included. Alcoholic beverages are usually charged separately unless specified as "all inclusive."

Most mid-range and luxury camps run on solar power with reliable electricity. Budget camps may have limited electricity. Hot water is available in virtually all our camps, even the most basic ones — usually via solar-heated water systems.

Many bush camps are unfenced and have wildlife passing through. Never walk alone at night without a camp escort. All reputable camps have trained Maasai or camp staff who will escort you safely between your tent and the dining area after dark. Always follow all camp safety briefings given on arrival.

Yes. Please inform us of any dietary requirements — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, food allergies — at the time of booking. We will communicate these to all accommodation providers along your route. Most safari camps and lodges are well accustomed to catering for a wide range of dietary needs.