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Kenya Safari - late July

Hi all,

I am planning a family safari with my kids (ages 17 and 19) in late July 2024. Looking for a highly engaging experience that includes animals, cultural activity, ​​​and some level of physical participation (walks, bikes, etc). We opted to stay in one country to keep it on the 'simpler' side. A travel agent suggested the below - - which looks pretty lovely to me, but I am interested in any additional feedback.
2 nights in Nairobi (Sheldrick, Giraffes, and more TBD)
2 nights in Ol Pejeta at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
3 nights in Masai Mara at Encounter Mara Camp
4 nights in Diani at Kinondo Kwetu
ALSO, a friend of mine recommended a lovely Airbnb in Naivasha - not sure if I should 1) add 2 nights to the trip from/to Nairobi (explore/bike Hells Gate and explore the Lake), 2) do that INSTEAD of Ol Pejata, or 3) not at all.

Any guidance based on experiences you may have had is welcome.

Posted by
8243 posts

My wife, son and his friend and I did a fantastic safari in Kenya and Tanzania in early August (we hit the GREAT MIGRATION perfectly).

We used Good Earth Tours and they were wonderful. We had a private guide/driver for each country, top rated lodgings with super wildlife.

Two thirds of the safari was in Tanzania (Serengeti, volcano crater and more) and frankly, the wildlife was a bit better there than in Kenya (Masa Mari). We had a day tour of Nairobi prior to the safari, the to Masai Mari, then cross the border to the Serengeti (the best wildlife of all), the volcano crater, then not to more preserves. Total of 9 days coast per person was about $4500 per person, lodging, meals and all the essentials included.

Not sure where you plan to ride bikes or take walks, but that can't happen in the nature preserves unless you want to be eaten.
Perhaps you are planning this outside a preserve?

The very best part of the safari was in Northern Tanzania where we saw the Great Migration with hundreds of Wildebeasts crossing the river. It may happen in late July, but better in early August.

Posted by
1740 posts

I haven't been to Kenya. I went to Namibia. However, I found the Safari Talk forums invaluable in planning my trip, so you might want to check those out in addition to this one.

https://www.safaritalk.net/