Discover Kenya Safari: Explore Amboseli, Masai Mara, and Luxury Hotels

The overall difference in Safari prices ultimately comes down to the type of vehicle and the hotel. The hardware conditions basically determine the overall comfort of the trip.

✍️ General principle – Stay inside or near the park to minimize “travel time” and enhance the experience; hygiene and environments with too many mosquitoes are a definite no-no ❌

💡 For those aiming for ultra-luxury or taking an “off-the-beaten-path” budget travel approach, you can skip this. An overly budget-friendly safari might be quite tough, and there’s no need to seek out hardship.

💡 Tipping culture: 100 KES or 1 USD.
Generally, give a tip when your luggage is brought to your room upon check-in; leave 1 USD in the morning or afternoon as a tip for cleaning and evening turndown service; if you don’t want to carry your luggage at check-out, call the front desk for assistance.

Additionally, from the front desk to the guide’s vehicle, a group of people will appear to help with your luggage, in which case you might only give 50 KES.

🏨 First round of shortlisted options
Amboseli: Kibo; Ol Tukai; Sopa
Maasai Mara: Zebra; Neptune; Serena Lodge; Sopa
Lake Nakuru: Sopa Lodge; Nakuru Lodge; Sarova Lion Hill

🖊️ Reviews
Amboseli Kibo 🐘
Kibo is highly recommended, offering the best and most enjoyable experience with the happiest staff.
Location: 2 minutes’ drive from the park entrance; also one of the best spots to view Kilimanjaro.
Note that Kibo is divided into tented camp and club camp. The club camp has mountain views and slightly better room facilities; make sure to ask the travel agency for details.

However, after staying and touring around, apart from a few rooms with excellent locations, the differences are not significant. The truly picturesque spots still require a short walk.

Kibo’s tents are very large, with many windows that open and close via zippers. In the evening, staff will check for any animals that may have entered and set up mosquito nets, and ensure all curtains are securely closed.
The staff is extremely enthusiastic and speaks good English. Every night, the restaurant staff gather to sing.

Occasionally, there’s a bonfire outside where Maasai people sing and dance (somewhat interesting but also a subtle way to get tips).
Catering – the lunchbox is quite good, and the food in the restaurant is okay. Be sure to try the freshly baked pizza.

Maasai Mara – Serena 🦁
Choosing a hotel in Maasai Mara was the most challenging part of the trip. In the end, we chose Serena because we wanted to experience a night safari.
However, Serena is located in the delta, close to Tanzania and the Mara River. During the dry season, many animals migrate to Tanzania, so it takes about 45 minutes of driving each day to see a significant number of animals.
The hotel itself is beautifully decorated and has many small wild animals around.