Kenya Safari FAQs: Your Ultimate Guide

At Annest Kenya Safaris, we understand that you came to safari in Africa to view our varied and numerous wildlife and to be immersed in our natural world. We will make sure that prime game viewing times will be utilized so you can view as much as possible.

Your safari tour driver/guide and 4×4 Jeep are at your disposal at all possible times for the most exciting game viewing.

We however must respect the national park authorities’ park rules. This means we can only participate in game drives from the hours of 6:30 am to 6 pm.

The viewing time and pace of your game drives are also flexible. You can choose to add game drives or skip some, shorten or lengthen others, and also enjoy the relaxing facilities of your safari lodge/ tented camp accommodation.

Almost all safari tours operated by Annest Kenya Safaris are private per booking and are operated in our own pop-up top 4×4 Jeeps with a dedicated tour driver/guide.

Our guests can form their own private groups to travel together as families or friends.

We do not offer tour groups from individual bookings for medium/long-range safari tours. This is to allow for flexibility, customization, pace, and choice of safari lodge/camp preference.

However, Annest Kenya Safaris does offer short/small group tours which we operate on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of every week. 

We are Kenyans and known throughout the world for our hospitality!

Wherever and whenever possible we always bring this spirit of hospitality and complimentary services to our safari guests. For instance, we provide Meet and Greet services at the Nairobi airport and hotel shuttle transfers during your arrival and departure in Nairobi.

Other complimentary tourist services include general Kenya destination and safari assistance as may be requested/required by you.

Almost all safari lodges/tented camp accommodations during your safari provide free Wi-Fi. You’ll find this available in all three accommodation levels – economy, comfort, and luxury.

Wi-Fi is provided in the public areas of the safari lodges/tented camps including the reception, dining areas, and lounge. It is not provided in the individual rooms/tents.

We also provide free Wi-Fi in our 4×4 Safari jeeps that receive a Wi-Fi signal about 70% of the time, depending on network coverage

East Africa is within the tropics and near the Equator, separating the northern and southern hemispheres. The tropical temperatures are relatively high on the safari route and even within the national parks/game reserves.

Because you’ll need to frequently hydrate during your safari, we ensure unlimited supplies of drinking water.

All Annest Kenya Safari vehicles are fitted with a cooler box or mini fridge with a constant supply of cool, bottled water.

We replenish our supplies of drinking water during stops along the safari route.

Here’s everything you need to know about packing for your safari trip.

It is usually not possible to extend your group sharing safari.

This is because you share your safari peep with the other travelers in your group. And you need to leave and return to Nairobi as a group.

Additionally, an extension would be subject to the availability of extended time at your accommodation.

If all group tour participants agreed to such an extension and if there is availability at the accommodation, then it would be possible.

An extra day on safari would also require an additional charge.

We carefully research and choose our selection of safari lodges and tented camps to offer the best in terms of comfort, relaxation, amenities, and atmosphere during your safari.

We fully understand the need for your protection against mosquitos and other insects.

All rooms/tents during your safari are fitted with mosquito nets or are insect-proofed to protect you against bites.

You are also advised to use insect repellent to further protect yourself especially outdoors in the evenings.

The maximum number of persons allowed in one room/tent is 3 and can be accommodated in a double bed and a single bed or with 3 single beds.

Where 4 persons or more are traveling together and prefer to stay in one room/tent, we may book them in 2 rooms with interconnecting doors.

For those that prefer to stay close to family or friends, we will try to book them in adjacent tents/rooms.

Some safari lodges/camps have family units that will accommodate a maximum of 4 persons. This however includes an extra charge.

All safari rooms/tents are private with their own bathroom/toilet.

Annest Kenya Safaris is a friendly and sensitive tour operator. We appreciate our guests’ special life moments such as anniversaries, birthdays, and special events.

Whether you are holidaying as honeymooners or a family traveling with kids, we are happy to extend a discount or offer other extras to enhance your holiday safari experience.

Please let us know about any events, special occasions, etc. happening during your safari tour when you make your booking.

Kenya welcomes visitors from all over the world and their diverse diet preferences. These preferences may be due to religious beliefs, lifestyles, or health concerns.

The menus in all safari lodges & tented camps are continental cuisine however, vegetarian, kosher, halal, gluten-free, etc. meals are also provided.

We request you indicate your special diet needs during safari booking/confirmation.

We cannot guarantee that all listed safari accommodations and other facilities will be available for those with special needs such as those in wheelchairs. However, we will do our best to reserve equal value/standard properties and facilities that conform to the special needs of our guests.

We request that guests specify any special needs or requirements including special diet preferences at the time of booking.

Our safari guides are experienced in the requirements of those guests with special needs and are more than happy to accommodate all guests during their safari tour

As part of our safari tour services, Annest Kenya Safaris provides free pickup and return to the airport/hotel for any guests who are booked for a 3-day or more safari tour with us.

The transfers are provided even if you arrive or depart several days before or after your safari start/end.

Please let us know your arrival & departure flight details including airline codes and arrival/departure times. We will provide you with the name of your driver and telephone contact in advance of your arrival/departure.

If you are arriving in Nairobi earlier than your safari starting date or are intending to stay a few days more after your safari finish, you will require a Nairobi hotel.

Our listed safari tours and advertised prices do not include your Nairobi hotel.

Nairobi has a wide range of hotels in the economy, comfort, and luxury categories suitable for your 1 night or extended stay.

As part of your safari tour, Annest Kenya Safaris will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your respective Nairobi hotel or residence. This includes most areas around Nairobi.

We suggest that you look up and book online your preferred Nairobi hotel. If you should require advice, suggestions, or booking assistance for your Nairobi hotel, we will be happy to assist.

We can make suggestions depending on your budget and what area of the city you are interested in staying.

SAFARI LODGES

An African safari lodge is located in a remote wildlife area and is made up of several cottages spread out over the property. There is a main building which houses a restaurant, bar, and other amenities, together with the reception area and also administration facilities. On most properties, there may also be a swimming pool on the grounds.

The lodge’s en-suite guestrooms are in separate cottages, clustered around the main building.

The atmosphere is usually rustic, complementing the natural surroundings and nearby wildlife.

Safari lodges vary in size, design, location, and standards. Lodges are found in economy, comfort, and luxury categories.

SAFARI CAMPS

Safari tented camps share some similarities with safari lodges in layout, purpose, and location.

A tented camp is composed of the main building (housing the public areas) usually in a thatched African style design. It may also be a large tent. The en-suite guest tents are grouped around the main building maintaining a private atmosphere.

The tented camp structure is a large en-suite tent, set upon a solid floor base and is complete with private bathrooms and a small terrace or veranda.

Essentially, the tents are rooms with exterior walls of canvas rather than wood or brick.

The tented camp complex may also have a swimming pool.

Tented camps range in amenity levels from comfort, superior comfort, luxury to the super luxurious.

If you are booked on any of our Nairobi to Mombasa safaris, you can catch the Nairobi to Mombasa SGR train at the Emali, Mtito Andei, or Voi train stations, depending on your final national park visit.

You need to book and pay for your first-class train tickets in advance. You will just need to print out your travel ticket once you arrive at your train station.

This takes only a few moments and your safari driver/guide will be at hand to assist.

Upon arriving in Mombasa, we will pick you up from the train station and transfer you to your beach hotel in Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Watamu, or Malindi as part of our safari service.

The SGR train between Mombasa and Nairobi and now being extended to near Lake Naivasha is the newest and safest way to travel in Kenya.

It is also the most exciting means of travel between the Kenya interior and the Kenya Coast.

This new, modern train is air-conditioned, with wide windows for the best scenic views.

From Nairobi to Mombasa and back, the train meanders through the national parks of Tsavo West & Tsavo East.

Tip: The best 360-degree landscape views can be experienced from the train’s restaurant car.

Tourists visiting Kenya must have a valid visa. Your passport must also be valid for at least six months after the date of your arrival in the country. In 2017 Kenya introduced ‘eVisa’, the electronic tourist visa CLICK HERE.

In the field where you are requested to state your Kenyan address, please enter the name of the hotel/lodge where you are spending your first night. (we shall provide the safari lodge/camp name if starting safari from the airport on arrival)

Electronic visa application for Kenya:

Please use the website www.evisa.go.ke to apply for an electronic eVisa. You may pay by credit card. The visa processing fee is USD 50, and there is a service charge of USD 1. The earliest you can apply for a Kenyan visa is three months before your travel date.

The visa application process involves uploading your passport picture along with your passport photograph. Your visa will be issued approximately five days after you register. You will be required to print a copy of your electronic visa and bring it with you for presentation along with your passport on arrival in Kenya. If you have any problems or inquiries related to applying for an electronic visa, please contact the Kenyan Embassy in your country/region.

Other things you need to bear in mind concerning your visa:

• You will be required to complete a landing card that will be issued to you on the plane, or at the visa desk when you enter Kenya.
• You will be required to complete an exit card, which will be provided to you in the departure terminal when leaving Kenya.

Please note that your Kenya Tourist Visa is valid for 3 months with an allowance for multiple entries. You can use the same Visa permit if combining a Kenya / Tanzania Safari, or gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda.

Spotting specific animal species usually cannot be guaranteed on safari, as animals are in their natural habitat. Our safari itineraries are, however, designed and operated to bring out the best opportunities for game viewing.

There are a few national parks/game reserves with almost guaranteed spotting for certain animal species.

These include Amboseli Park to see elephant herds, hippos in Tsavo West, and Lake Naivasha Parks and rhinos at Lake Nakuru Park and Ol Pejeta Sanctuary.

You’ll come to appreciate that in national parks and reserves, game viewing drives are exciting because of the “search” and “find” aspects of animal tracking.

Distances and driving times in Africa vary from the European and American concepts. In Kenya, roads are narrow and may not be well maintained. The roads immediately leading to the National Parks and Game Reserves are not well developed.

Please note that noted driving times on safari itineraries/programs on the website are estimates and may vary depending on road conditions and road traffic.

Annest Kenya Safaris operates a wide range of East African safari holidays.

Our selection of economy, comfort, and luxury accommodation options for lodges and tented camps are all comfortable choices for your safari tour. Amenities vary according to the tier you select.

Luxury Safari Lodges and Tented Camps

In almost all instances, luxury lodges & tented camps are located at the best locations within the national parks and game reserves. They are unique in architecture and design and provide easy access to the game viewing areas. The facilities and comfort levels are of a higher standard. Rooms/tents are private and en-suite. There is usually a swimming pool in most of the luxury facilities.

Comfort Safari Lodges and Tented Camps

Comfort lodges and camps may be located inside or near the borders of the national parks and game reserves. They are less than 30 minutes from the park entrance. The facilities are comfortable though slightly less than the luxury accommodation level. The rooms and tents in this comfort level category are also private and en-suite. Most comfort-level lodges / tented camps have a swimming pool.

Economy Safari Lodges and Tented Camps

Almost all economy lodges and tented camps are located outside of the National park boundaries and but near the park. They are easy, comfortable, and adequate for relaxation and meals although more basic compared to the luxury and comfort options. Rooms and tents are private and have en-suite bathroom facilities. Most of the economy options also have a swimming pool.

A single room supplement is an extra fee imposed on single occupancy of a double/ shared room, by hotels, safari lodges, and tented camps. Our safari tour prices are based on two persons sharing in a double room/tent.

If you choose the single occupancy of a room, the single room supplement will apply. Single room/tent extra charges are indicated in the price section of each tour package page.

Our standard safari travel & game viewing drive vehicle is a custom designed 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeep with a pop-up top for ease of photography and viewing during game drives. The vehicle seats a maximum of 6 persons to guarantee all passengers a window seat and access to the pop-up top.

Our 4×4 safari Jeeps are fitted with long-range radios for easy communication, cooler boxes, and first aid kits. This is in addition to the other extras included in the Jeep.

The 4 x 4 Land Cruiser Jeep has several advantages on safari. These include a higher elevation, better navigation on rough terrain, deeper reach into the landscapes, more comfort, and a more authentic African safari experience.