Affordable Kenya Amboseli Safari: Essential Lightning Safety Tips for Budget Travelers

When a group of friends decides to travel together, there’s no need to splurge on expensive tours that can cost hundreds of dollars per person. These prices are often based on the number of participants. For instance, a two-day, one-night trip to Amboseli can set you back over $500 per person, and a three-day excursion to Masai Mara might cost more than $1,000 per person.

However, by organizing your own adventure, you can significantly cut costs. Essentially, it comes down to a single hotel pick-up and drop-off, and sharing rooms can further reduce expenses. Hiring a private driver and splitting the car fare is another smart move. Plus, choosing your own accommodations offers more flexibility and comfort compared to what tour packages typically provide.

Joining a group with strangers is not ideal, as it wastes time with multiple pick-ups and drop-offs, so we opted for a more personalized experience.

In the end, I arranged a round trip from Nairobi to Amboseli, including a safari in Amboseli National Park, through a Chinese travel agency. This arrangement did not require a guide, making it even more cost-effective.

Car rental ⚠️: Each person should budget an additional $10 per day for tipping the driver. It’s important to inquire beforehand whether the vehicle is a van or a safari jeep; the jeep is slightly more expensive. Since we traveled during the low season, the total cost, including fuel, tolls, and all the driver’s expenses, was a flat rate of $440, which we split among the five of us.

Hotel selection ⚠️: A big shoutout to the 🇨🇳 travel agency for securing two rooms at Ol Tukai for us. Initially, there were no available rooms online, and we had read many reviews praising Serena for its superior food. We were planning to book Serena at the same price, but Ol Tukai offers breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro (weather permitting). When booking, be sure to request a room with a mountain view! 🥳

Safari route ⚠️: The roads in Amboseli are incredibly dusty [laugh-cry]. We specifically instructed our driver to avoid following the exact same routes as other jeeps just to spot an animal. The dust at the back of the car can be quite uncomfortable, and visibility is poor. We preferred to see fewer animals and maintain some distance from the other vehicles.

Market avoidance ⚠️: The driver will ask if you want to visit any markets. We enjoyed a visit to a charming Karen community market, but we weren’t fond of the roadside markets. We made it clear that we didn’t want to stop at these. If we needed a restroom break, we would buy coffee, nuts, snacks, and drinks. Generally, we found the items in the markets unappealing and didn’t want to waste time. Prices are in US dollars, and it’s straightforward to understand.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Hotel service: The service at Ol Tukai was excellent. Every time we went on a safari, the room was cleaned. I even treated myself to a facial for only 6500 shillings.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Food: I mostly stuck to fruit, as I was there for the scenery, not a gourmet meal. After a week in Nairobi, I realized that even the fanciest local dishes (like those enjoyed by Obama or Zuckerberg) didn’t suit my taste. The outdoor BBQ steak 🥩 at the hotel was delicious! The coffee is a must-try!

[facepalm][facepalm] Mosquitoes: The natural park is home to lush wetlands, making mosquitoes an inevitable part of the experience. Be sure to wear long sleeves and pants in the evening, and don’t forget to pack some mosquito repellent!

The jeep journey is a lengthy one, taking over four hours each way, with some stretches on bumpy dirt roads that can be quite exhausting. If I were to visit again, I’d definitely consider flying to Amboseli for a more comfortable and time-efficient trip.