What wildlife can I expect to see on a safari starting from Nairobi?

From Nairobi, you'll get to see the "Big Five" - lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo - plus many other animals like cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and hundreds of bird species. The Masai Mara is especially good for seeing large groups of lions, and if you time it right, you can watch the incredible wildebeest migration. Over at Lake Nakuru, you'll spot flocks of pink flamingos and rare Rothschild's giraffes. As one TourRadar traveler put it: "We saw all that we wanted to see and more - from herds of majestic elephants to graceful giraffes silhouetted against the golden sunset."

What are the most popular national parks visited on safari tours from Nairobi?

When you take a safari from Nairobi, you'll likely visit the Masai Mara National Reserve, known for the great migration, and Amboseli National Park, where you get amazing views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Lake Nakuru National Park is great for seeing flamingos and rhinos, while Lake Naivasha offers a different landscape. Some tours also take you to Tsavo West and Samburu National Parks. You can stay at places like Mara Sopa Lodge or Amboseli Sentrim Lodge while visiting these parks.

What's the best time of year for a safari tour starting in Nairobi?

The best wildlife viewing is from July to October during the dry season. This is when you can catch the great wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara. If you're interested in birds and baby animals, plan your trip between December and February. Most people book their safaris in July and August when the weather is perfect, with temperatures usually between 68-77°F (20-25°C).

How much should I budget for a safari tour starting from Nairobi?

You'll find safari tours ranging from 890 USD to 8,990 USD, but most people spend between 2,500-3,500 USD for a good mid-range tour. This usually covers your lodging, meals, game drives, and park fees. Don't forget to budget extra for tips (about 10 USD per person each day), and optional activities like hot air balloon rides over the Mara (450 USD) or visiting a Maasai village (30 USD).

What cultural experiences are available on safari tours from Nairobi?

You can visit Maasai villages to learn about their traditions, watch traditional dances, and see how local people live day to day. Many tours stop at these villages in the Masai Mara area, and some visit community projects like Café Ubuntu near Naivasha. These cultural visits usually cost about 30 USD extra. Here's what one TourRadar traveler said: "We experienced the wildlife, Maasai culture, local food and generally all there is to know about Kenya."

What's the typical length of safari tours starting from Nairobi?

Most people choose tours that last 5-7 days, though you can find trips ranging from 3 to 14 days. Shorter tours focus on must-see spots like the Masai Mara and Amboseli, while two-week trips often include more parks and might extend into Tanzania to see places like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "We saw all the parks and animals, and the 7-day duration felt perfect to experience the highlights without feeling rushed."

Safari Tours from Nairobi

Nairobi is mysterious and bustling, the perfect starting point for a safari adventure. Head to the iconic Maasai Mara, Amboseli, or Samburu. Nairobi National Park sits next to the city, visit Giraffe Centre, the elephant orphanage, or Karen Blixen Museum during your stay. Nairobi isn’t just a gateway to the parks, it’s a city that begs to be explored in its own right.

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Safari
12 Day Best of Kenya and Tanzania Circuit Group Safari
5.0 (22 traveler reviews)
"The quality of the experience far exceeded our expectations. For the price we paid, it honestly felt like a luxury safari."
Nelson, traveled in July
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara National Reserve,Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Lake Manyara,Tarangire National Park,Amboseli National Park+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Pam Tours and Travel
10% Off
From $9,278
NZ$8,350per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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9 Days, 8 Nights Kenya And Tanzania Budget Group Camping Safari Package
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Namanga, Arusha,Lake Manyara,Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+3 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Perfect Safari Africa tours and safaris
10% Off
From
NZ$4,161per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Road to Zanzibar (from Nairobi to Zanzibar)
4.8 (10 traveler reviews)
"Wonderful experience of Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater, Omoroko mountains and Zanzibar. Camping was fine, good food, great people."
Elizabeth, traveled in January
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Mto Wa Mbu, Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Serengeti National Park,Usambara Mountains,Dar es Salaam,Stonetown,Zanzibar+5 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
20% Off
From $4,490
NZ$3,592per person
Price based on Shared Room
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The Great Kenya and Tanzania Explorer (Private 13 Days and 6 Game Reserves)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"I am so glad they did. I would highly recommend using Professional Safari Africa for any safari needs in Kenya and Tanzania."
Elissa, traveled in November
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park,Maasai Mara National Reserve,Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Tarangire National Park,Arusha,Amboseli National Park+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
Professional Safari Africa
20% Off
From
NZ$13,956per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Affordable 3-Day Budget Luxury Masai Mara Safari in Kenya - With Free Night at Nairobi Hotel
4.0 (25 traveler reviews)
"The landscape was stunning, with vast plains and rolling hills as far as the eye could see. The wildlife was incredible."
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Bonvoyage Kenya Safaris
20% Off
From
NZ$594per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Affordable 5-Day Amboseli & Masai Mara Kenya Budget Joining Tour for groups
4.1 (12 traveler reviews)
"Kenya and Tanzania were such beautiful countries. The 4-star luxury lodges in Masai Mara and Serengeti were beyond expectation."
Justin, traveled in January
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Naivasha,Amboseli National Park+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Bonvoyage Kenya Safaris
20% Off
From
NZ$818per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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13 Days Kenya And Tanzania Budget Camping Safari 4x4 Jeep
4.4 (18 traveler reviews)
"The van was comfortable, with great visibility for spotting animals. The experience was personal, authentic, and absolutely worth every coin."
Jill, traveled in September
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru,Amboseli National Park,Arusha,Tarangire National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Serengeti National Park,Lake Manyara+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Exciting Africa Holidays
20% Off
From $6,806
NZ$5,445per person
+$1,740 local payments
Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
9 Days Best of Kenya and Uganda Gorilla Safari
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The Gorillas in Uganda, i have heard about them and how close and candid you get with them."
JennyLidki, traveled in August
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru,Amboseli National Park,Kampala,Bwindi Impenetrable National Park+3 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Africa Venture Safaris
20% Off
From
NZ$8,270per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
13 Day East Africa’s Golden Savannahs Year-Round Migration Safari
4.9 (27 traveler reviews)
"The sheer noise of hooves thundering was unforgettable. The animals seen were beyond anything I've experienced."
rayonx, traveled in August
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara National Reserve,Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Tarangire National Park,Amboseli National Park+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Exciting Africa Holidays
20% Off
From $11,027
NZ$8,822per person
+$3,187 local payments
Price based on Shared Room
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Safari
Kenya Tanzania and Zanzibar Safari + Beach
4.8 (5 traveler reviews)
"The beach was awesome, it actually relaxed our bodies especially everything up was the beach holiday in Zanzibar."
Emeka, traveled in August
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli National Park,Lake Manyara,Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Zanzibar+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Africa Venture Safaris
20% Off
From
NZ$9,993per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Safari
Kenya AND Tanzania Classic Safari – Two Birds with One Stone **Sustainable Approach to Travel
4.9 (10 traveler reviews)
"We saw the BIG FIVE and this certainly wouldn't have been possible without our amazingly knowledgeable and experienced tour guides."
Dirk, traveled in May
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru,Maasai Mara National Reserve,Ikoma,Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area,Lake Manyara,Arusha+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
World Adventure Tours
20% Off
From
NZ$6,375per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania
4.3 (76 traveler reviews)
"Both our safari guides were fantastic; very knowledgeable about the animals, people and culture."
Deborah, traveled in July
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru,Amboseli National Park,Arusha,Tarangire National Park,Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Africa Venture Safaris
20% Off
From
NZ$4,135per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania Luxury Lodge Safari
4.3 (32 traveler reviews)
"Accommodations, food and transport were top overall. The hotels and lodges we slept in were wonderful with the best meals."
Valentine, traveled in October
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru,Amboseli National Park,Arusha,Tarangire National Park,Serengeti National Park,Ngorongoro Conservation Area+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
The Great African Rift ValleyNorthern Circuit TanzaniaLake Naivasha+2 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French+2 more
Operator
Africa Venture Safaris
20% Off
From
NZ$8,442per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Kenya Maasai Mara BIG 5 Safari 7 Days **Sustainable Approach to Travel
4.6 (5 traveler reviews)
"The animals are abundant and the lodges within the park very good. I loved the way Hamisi scheduled the trip in cyclical route."
Patricia, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru,Maasai Mara National Reserve+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, French
Operator
World Adventure Tours
20% Off
From
NZ$6,008per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Safari
6 Days Kenya Budget Tours (with Free Night at Nairobi Hotel)
4.1 (37 traveler reviews)
"It is the most interesting tour I have ever had. I really enjoyed."
FRANCIS, traveled in November
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Nairobi, Lake Naivasha, Maasai Mara National Reserve,Lake Nakuru National Park,Amboseli National Park+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Bonvoyage Kenya Safaris
20% Off
From
NZ$939per person
Price based on Shared Room
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