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The process of planning a safari holiday is entirely different from planning other holidays. Every step, from deciding which national parks to visit and which flights to choose to determine a trusted tour company, contributes to the experience that you get. When Kenya is on your travel list, it is important to know what a tour package includes and how much it will cost you.
Kenya is known to be one of the most famous destinations in Africa and attracts many tourists from the UK every year. It is a land of unique nature and hospitality, offering an unforgettable experience unlike any other. There is no need to describe such things as the Masai Mara, the Great Wildebeest Migration, elephants against the background of Mount Kilimanjaro in the Amboseli National Park, or just a rest on the beautiful white sand beach in Diani.
The most obvious benefit of choosing Kenya tour packages from the UK is convenience. Traveling from the UK to Kenya has never been as easy with various connecting and direct flights from many major cities in the UK. There are also Kenya tour packages offered by many travel firms in the UK, which include flight tickets, accommodation, game drives, food, transportation at the airport, and entrance to the parks as well, all in one single plan, offering not only convenience but also saving you money too.
This guide will give you detailed information about Kenya tour packages from the UK, which include inclusions in packages, flights, costs, popular safari destinations, and choosing the best tour operator.
Why Choose Kenya for Your Next Holiday?
It is known that Kenya is one of the top places for safaris, but the country also has many other interesting aspects that make travel in Kenya so enjoyable. Travelers can have different types of holidays during their stay in Kenya.
Wildlife Experience
The main reason why people choose Kenya for traveling is safaris, which always satisfy expectations. The country is famous for the Big Five, which include lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo.
Safari in Kenya provides tourists with an opportunity to watch predator hunts, see herds of elephants moving across the grassy plains, take pictures of giraffes among sunset views, and see lots of bird species. Every safari is unique and interesting.
The migration of wild animals from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya is considered to be one of the best wildlife experiences in the world and one of the reasons why British tourists choose Kenya.
Enjoy Various Landscapes
In addition to endless savannahs, there is much to explore in Kenya. It is possible to visit different landscapes within one holiday - from rolling grasslands and snowy peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro to flamingo lakes of the Great Rift Valley, rough northern reserves, thick forests and the Indian Ocean coast.
It is possible to enjoy such a variety of landscapes without travelling between various countries.
If you're comparing different wildlife experiences before booking, explore our Kenya Safari Tours guide to discover the country's most popular parks, itineraries, and unforgettable safari adventures.
Combine Safari and Beach Holiday
One of the major benefits of Kenya is that it allows tourists to combine adventures in the wild with relaxation on the tropical beach. Having spent a few days on game drives early in the morning, the majority of tourists move to such places as Diani Beach, Watamu or Malindi.
There, tourists can relax in resorts situated on the beach and go for a swim in crystal clear waters.
Rich Culture and Hospitable Nature
The culture of Kenya is as rich as the wildlife here. Tourists can experience the culture of the Maasai people, visit markets, savor Kenyan food, and even pay visits to conservation centers for endangered wildlife.
English is one of the official languages in Kenya, which makes it easy for tourists from Britain to communicate.
Great Value for Money
No matter if you want to take part in a budget safari or plan a luxurious vacation, Kenya can offer something within any budget. There are plenty of all-inclusive Kenya safari packages that include not only transport, but accommodation, food, entry tickets to parks, etc.
What Is Included in Kenya Tour Packages from the UK?
Convenience is one of the main advantages of choosing a package holiday, as it will mean that all your flights, hotel, transfers, and safaris will be booked through one reservation.
Even though each tour operator has its own offer, the majority of Kenya tour packages from the UK include the following.
International Flights
The most popular packages include round-trip flights from major airports in the UK, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, or Edinburgh, to Nairobi. The higher-class tours may also include domestic flights to different safari locations in order to cut down on the time spent travelling around the country.
Safari Accommodation
Depending on your budget, you can find different types of accommodation from budget safari camping to luxurious safari lodges situated among the savannah. There are several options:
Budget safari camps
Medium-priced lodges which have private rooms with full board meals
High-class lodges with additional facilities like a spa and outstanding wildlife views
Exclusive tented camps in the private conservancies
Most of the lodges have pools, restaurants, viewing decks, and cultural entertainment programmes in the evenings.
Understanding your travel budget is essential, so read our Kenya Safari Cost guide to compare accommodation, park fees, transport, and seasonal pricing before choosing a package.
Game Drives & Professional Guides
Game drives form an integral part of all the safaris in Kenya. Game drives are offered almost on a daily basis in specially designed 4x4 game drive safari cars accompanied by professional guides who will show you where the animals are located and tell you interesting facts about the ecology of Kenya.
Entrance Fees to National Parks & Reserves
The entrance fees for national parks and reserves of Kenya are often already included in the price of safari packages, which means that guests can take several game drives without buying additional tickets for parks themselves.
Meal Plans & Transfers
Safari packages usually offer meals in the form of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as airport transfers and transportation within different national parks. Premium safari packages often include such features as bush breakfasts and sundowners.
For travellers arriving in Nairobi, our 8 Days Nairobi & Masai Mara Safari Tour Package offers the perfect blend of city highlights and world-famous wildlife experiences.
Flights from the UK to Kenya
Traveling from the United Kingdom to Kenya will be easy, and there are several airlines that offer direct and connecting flights all year round. Wherever you are in the United Kingdom, whether in London or other cities, you can easily find flight connections that can suit different people depending on different needs and budgets.
For most travelers, the first point of entry into Kenya will be through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, where one will be able to continue with the safari through road transport or fly internally to the wildlife areas like Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, or Tsavo national parks.
Direct Flights from the UK
For those who prefer convenience above everything else, direct flights are the best way to get to Kenya. Several airlines are operating direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Nairobi (NBO), and the total flight duration is estimated at 8-9 hours.
Direct flights are recommended for family travelers with kids, honeymooners, senior citizens, or anyone who wants to make good use of the vacation period without unnecessary delays.
Connecting Flights
Passengers leaving from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, or other cities in the UK have plenty of options for connecting flights. Typically, these flight connections will take you to a major international airport once, before heading onwards to Nairobi.
The major transit points include:
Amsterdam
Doha
Dubai
Istanbul
Addis Ababa
While the connecting flights will typically extend your travel duration to 11 to 16 hours, they are flexible and also often cheaper.
Popular Airlines Operating Flights to Kenya
There are several reputable airlines from which to choose, depending on which airport is your departure point, when you want to go, and how much money you have.
Some of the most popular ones are:
British Airways
Qatar Airways
Emirates
Turkish Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Each airline has different baggage allowance rules, in-flight services, and pricing plans. Do not just look at the price of the ticket when comparing options.
Cost of Flying
Flights tend to vary in price depending on whether it is high or low season, promotions by the airlines, and demand for the flights. Advance booking is advisable if you wish to fly at a reduced price, especially during the Great Migration and Christmas holidays.
The following table is an estimate of round-trip economy-class ticket prices from the UK.
Season | Estimated Return Airfare |
Low Season | $700 to $950 |
Shoulder Season | $900 to $1,200 |
Peak Safari Season | $1,200 to $1,700+ |
Options such as Business Class and Premium Economy exist but can considerably boost the entire holiday budget.
Tips for Cheaper Flights
The following methods might help you decrease the cost of the air tickets:
Plan your journey four to eight months before departure.
Travel during off-seasons with low demand.
Consider your date of departure.
Choose direct or connecting flights.
If possible, book your flight and safari tour package simultaneously at reduced rates.
If you can change the date of departure, a few days' difference can save a lot of money.
How Much Do Kenya Tour Packages from the UK Cost?
The cost of a Kenya tour depends on many factors like length of stay, quality of accommodation, the time of year, what activities will be included, and whether a private or shared safari is desired.
While there are tours that are inexpensive, Kenya also provides some of the most luxurious safaris in all of Africa, including the services of personal guides and charter planes.
See below for a list of pricing for packages.
Package Type | Duration | Estimated Price Per Person |
Budget Safari | 5–7 Days | $1,700 to $2,500 |
Mid-Range Safari | 7–9 Days | $2,600 to $4,200 |
Luxury Safari | 7–10 Days | $4,500 to $8,000+ |
Luxury Safari + Beach Holiday | 10–14 Days | $6,500 to $12,000+ |
The estimates usually comprise:
Return flights from the UK.
Accommodation on the safari
Meals on the safari
Transfers from the airport
Entry fees for the national park
Professional safari guide
Game drives
More luxurious packages might involve domestic flights, premium drinks, spa services, bush dinners, and private safari vehicles.
What Affects the Cost of a Kenya Tour Package?
There is no standard price for any Kenya safari holiday. There are various elements that determine the cost of your holiday package.
Season of Travel
The peak months from July to October, when the Great Migration occurs, are quite costly. During this time, both flight and accommodation packages tend to book out many months prior. Green season travel tends to be cheaper yet provides equally amazing wildlife game viewing opportunities.
Accommodation Package
This is one of the major price drivers. Budget camps prioritise affordability and comfort, whereas luxury lodges offer extra services such as private plunge pools, gourmet meals, spa services, and wildlife views.
Private or Group Safari
Private safaris offer a flexible itinerary, an exclusive vehicle, and personalized tours, though they are much more expensive compared to group departures.
Group tours tend to be ideal for singles or couples who want to save on cost without sacrificing much on the safari experience.
Number of Parks Visited
A tour visiting various parks including Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and Tsavo would incur more costs for transport and also for park entry fees, thus raising the cost of the entire package.
Some visitors would like to visit just two or three parks instead of many parks.
Additional Costs to Consider
While most Kenya tour packages cover all costs, certain additional costs may be incurred.
Some of them may include:
Travel insurance
Visa or electronic travel authorization (if any)
Ballooning safaris (optional)
Alcoholic drinks
Laundry
Spa
Tipping for guides and accommodation employees
Souvenir memorabilia or personal shopping
When you are booking, be sure to go through the details of the package inclusions.
Tips to Save Money on Your Kenya Holiday
An awesome safari does not necessarily have to be very expensive. All that is required to have an excellent Kenya holiday is some good planning to keep the costs down.
Some tips for cutting costs include:
Traveling in the shoulder season for discounted prices.
Booking your holiday months in advance.
Comparing prices among several safari companies before booking.
Selecting a group safari when traveling alone or as a couple.
Book flights and hotels together in packages.
Slightly going out of the expensive private conservancies when on a limited budget.
Striking the balance between price and experiences will result in value for your money during your Kenya holiday.
Types of Kenya Tour Packages from the UK
One of the best things about visiting Kenya is that there are lots of ways to travel. No matter whether you are going on your first safari trip or on a special vacation, you will be able to find a suitable Kenya travel package.
Classic Safari Packages
Classic safari tours are the most popular among tourists who visit Kenya for the first time. Such tours usually include trips to the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru, and Tsavo National Park. Tourists get a chance to see the famous Big Five and many other animals while traveling to various attractions in a car.
The duration of most classic safari packages is 6 to 9 days.
Luxury Kenya Safari Tours
There are also a lot of luxurious tours in Kenya which offer visitors to stay in the best lodges, enjoy private game drives and fine meals. Most luxury lodges are located in private reserves and provide tourists with great opportunities to watch rare wildlife.
Such tours suit honeymooners and couples perfectly well.
Vacations for Families in Kenya
Kenya is one of the best travel destinations for families. Most safari lodges provide large family suites, child-oriented entertainment, educational programs about wildlife, and game drives that are suitable for children.
Most family vacations include a combination of a safari in Kenya and a few days of relaxing on the beaches of the Indian Ocean, which gives a vacation opportunity for everyone.
Safari and Beach Vacations
Travelers interested in experiencing all the highlights of Kenya usually choose a safari combined with a beach vacation. After visiting various national parks for several days, people go to the beaches of Diani or Watamu, where they can have fun in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean or just relax there.
These kinds of vacations last from 9 to 14 days.
Best Safari Destinations Included in Kenya Tour Packages
Tour packages to Kenya from the United Kingdom usually take visitors to one or several of the well-known national parks and reserves in the country. Every single place offers a distinct experience in terms of wildlife.
Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara is the most popular safari destination in Kenya. It is famous for its wildlife and for hosting the Great Wildebeest Migration each year. There is a good chance that you will see plenty of lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, and many herbivores.
Amboseli National Park
With its views on Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is among the best locations in all of Africa for observing wild herds of elephants. Amboseli is also inhabited by buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and more than 400 kinds of birds.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Famous for its black and white rhinos and Rothschild's giraffes and for being the home of seasonal flamingos, Lake Nakuru is very small in comparison to other parks.
Tsavo National Park
This huge conservation area is split into two parts: Tsavo East and Tsavo West, and comprises spectacular scenery, lava flows, water sources, and wildlife. It is ideal for people who want to take part in a more secluded safari.
Samburu National Reserve
Found in northern Kenya, the Samburu National Reserve gives an entirely different safari adventure experience. Tourists will be able to view rare species of animals like Grevy's zebras, reticulated giraffes, Somali ostriches, and gerenuks, which are not seen in southern Kenya.
Best Time to Book a Kenya Tour Package
Kenya offers rewarding wildlife experiences throughout the year, but the ideal travel period depends on what you hope to see.
Season | Why Visit |
January to March | Warm weather, fewer visitors, excellent wildlife viewing, and ideal conditions for photography. |
April to June | Lower prices, lush scenery, and fewer crowds. Occasional rainfall can make some roads challenging, but many travelers enjoy the quieter parks. |
July to October | Peak safari season and the best time to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara. Book several months in advance as demand is high. |
November to December | Pleasant weather, migratory birds, and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing before the holiday season. |
How to Choose the Right Kenya Tour Operator
The choice of tour operator can greatly influence your entire safari experience. Cost is a very crucial consideration, but it should not be the sole determinant of your choice. Among the factors to consider when choosing tour operators in Kenya from the UK are:
Comprehensive itineraries with clear prices quoted.
Guides with local knowledge of the safaris.
Reliable 4x4 safari vehicles.
Good lodges/camps relationships.
Customization possibilities.
Customer testimonials and positive reviews.
Prompt customer service before and during the trip.
Some of the other things the chosen operator should do are inform you about what the package entails, extra charges involved, and help to customize the itinerary according to your preferences.
Why Book Your Kenya Tour Package with Travel Podium?
The process of planning a safari goes beyond making arrangements for flights and accommodation. Through Travel Podium, we will assist the traveler in organizing their Kenya holiday, ensuring that the wildlife adventure is well planned in tandem with travel arrangements.
The Kenya travel packages we arrange will be tailored to ensure that the traveler gets excellent value for money in the package he chooses to go for, which is flexible enough to suit different preferences.
Whether the traveler wants to make a luxurious or an adventurous trip or both, Travel Podium is the perfect place to find all solutions to your travel needs.
Conclusion
Taking a Kenya safari is no ordinary holiday; it is an experience of encountering some of the most amazing wildlife, scenery, and cultures in the world. Be it seeing the elephants walk under the shadow of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro or being witness to the migration of the great wildebeest herds or enjoying the warm white sands of the Indian Ocean, each day is full of life-long memories.
Nowadays, with various Kenya safari packages from the UK on offer, the job of selecting the right itinerary has become easy for tourists. By knowing the flights, package features, seasonal prices, and variety of safaris to choose from, one can easily make arrangements for the trip. The time has come to experience East Africa!
Extend your adventure across East Africa with our 10 Days Kenya & Tanzania Tour Package, combining two legendary safari destinations into one extraordinary journey.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Most Kenya holiday packages cost anything from $1,700 to well over $8,000 per person, depending on travel seasons, accommodation, type of tour package, etc. The safari and beach packages cost relatively higher.
Some holiday packages include return flights, whereas others give an option to book separate flights. Be sure to go through your holiday package details before making any payment.
7 to 10 days are recommended for all visitors, giving ample time to explore several national parks at your own leisurely pace.
It is best to visit during the dry months of July to October or during January to March.
Yes, one can combine both the safari and beach vacation in their holiday package to enjoy a wonderful time relaxing on the beaches of Kenya.
Definitely, there are family-friendly safari camps/lodges, educational animal encounters, and beach hotels, making it an ideal destination for families.
Although not required, travel insurance is highly advisable because it will cover you in case of a medical emergency, cancellations, loss of luggage, and other issues during your travel.
Certainly, Kenya is considered to be the perfect destination for first-time African safaris due to its great tourism facilities, professional guides, rich fauna, and variety of accommodation options.
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