Types Of Safaris

Types of safaris: How many types of safaris are there?

Let’s start with what is a safari? A safari is a Swahili word that refers to the travels or journey to watch, photograph or even hunt with animals in their natural home ranges. Over time, hunting has been overtaken by time and replaced by Eco-friendly safaris. Trophy hunting no longer exists in Kenya.  Nature enthusiasts flock to East Africa to enjoy wildlife holidays with the big five topping the list of what to look for. These are Buffalo, Elephant, lion, Leopard and Rhinoceros.

Here is a list of guided safaris that you can enjoy during your Kenya safaris:

1. Cycling safaris
2. Walking safaris
3. Special photographic safaris
4. Camping safaris/mobile safaris/Budget safaris
5. Family safaris
6. Honeymoon safaris
7. Fly-in safaris
8. Self-drive safaris
9. Gorilla tracking safaris
10. Deep sea fishing safaris
11. Specialized Birding safaris
12. Lodge safaris

 

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How you will do your above safari comes down to three components of a safari.

• Type of safari you want enjoy
• Type of safari accommodation
• How to get there/Kind of vessel to use for your safari

 What types of safaris are there?

There are several types of safaris that you can participate in, depending on what you love in nature. As much as nature is beautiful, we sometimes have a hobby of a particular activity in nature. Here are several options.  They can be engaged on their own or as part or components of a bigger holiday package deal.

1. Cycling safaris: An absolute adventure for nature enthusiasts who love cycling. There are many places that you can engage in cycling and have a lifetime experience. Cycling safaris can be done as a stand-alone trip whereby the excursion will be done solely for cycling trip. The crew is normally members of specialized cycling trips with a lot of experience in this field. Carrier vehicles are on standby for those not able to carry on or those who wish to take a break and catch up with the rest of the team later. Stop overs for resting and meals are organized by the crew at specific convenient places. Other cycling trips can be done as part of a bigger trip. Cycling will be included in your holiday as part of the package. For example one day cycling in Hell’s Gate National park as part of your holiday and stretching after long drives.
2. Walking safaris: These trips are for those seeking to enjoy their holiday on foot. From climbing Mount Kenya, Walking in Aberdare, walking in Hell’s Gate, Walking in Masai Mara, but outside the reserve. Some of these walks will need an armed escort to in case of wild animals. These are fun trips and just like above cycling trips, they can be done as part of a safari package to spice up your holiday.
3. Special photographic safaris: This is where the dedicated nature photographer comes in. He needs a lot of space for the equipment and space to jump from side to side. Open safari jeeps comes in handy. In these trips we recommend a maximum of four people in the safari vehicle to allow each person enough space for both the equipment and moving within. Needless to say, sometimes the times will not be standing still waiting for your clicks. And as such it is important for each person to have enough space to move within as per the need. The drives start very early in the morning to get the best of the morning golden sun. Some may take a break in the mid-day hours as the sun creates some shade on subject and return to the parks in the late afternoon to utilize the late afternoon light just before the sun goes down.
4. Camping safaris/mobile safaris/Budget safaris: Camping safaris take you closest the wilds of Africa. The safaris offers the best flexibility in the sense that everything you have is with you in the safari vehicle. You can add, amend or even change your tentative itinerary without incurring any cancellation fees as applied in the hotels. Besides, camping our gives you the best feeling of adventure. The safari cook accompanies you and makes your homely African cuisines as part of your adventure. These camping safaris are also budget friendly, but besides that, they can be enjoyed by anyone who feels adventurous and can cope with minimal standards. Works best with families that spend a lot of time outdoor and friends who like to have their fun out together.
   

   

5. Family safaris: The need to classify a ‘family safari’ as a separate kind of a safari is the fact that we love to travel with our children. Depending on the age of children, the family trip is crafted with the specific family in mind. This is because the children need to be taken into consideration so that they don’t get bored or tired easily from the trip. Some activities need to be added to alternate or to relax from long drives. This way, both the parents and children will have a great time, crafted solidly for them.
6. Honeymoon safaris: Without a doubt, this is a very special trip, once in a lifetime holiday. It is that holiday that couple will remember, ‘where we did our honeymoon’. As such a lot of care is taken to make sure that the couple gets that safari of a lifetime that they will treasure and tell stories for years to come. Obviously this trip is meant for two so unless they have come together, it cannot be shared, making it a special safari on its own.
7. Fly-in safaris: As the name suggests, these kinds of safaris use the domestic flights to move from one location to another. For example from Diani beach to Masai Mara, From Nairobi to Masai mara, From Nairobi to Amboseli, From Nairobi to Samburu. The domestic flight saves you a lot of time that you could have spent on the road crossing the country in long drives. Although you get to see a lot as you drive by, it is recommended for senior travelers and very young children who could easily get very tired and bored from long drive. Fortunately there exist many airstrips in the parks and reserves conveniently locate for your service. Also the big towns in Kenya have airports whereby you can start or end your safaris in Kenya. When you fly to these park airstrips, a safari guide will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel and for game drives.
8. Self-drive safaris: Off course this means that you drive yourself around. Our self-drive vehicles need to be booked in quite in advance so that you can have guaranteed availability. You will drive yourself wherever you want and enjoy your holiday your own way. The great advantage is the convenience it gives you and a sense of adventure as you explore new territories. You are flexible with you own timings as everything is at your own pace. The main disadvantage is spending time and energy wondering where to turn next. Off course it is manageable if you feel you want to be the master of your safari destiny.
9. Gorilla tracking safaris: Gorilla tracking or primate safaris happen in Uganda or Rwanda mostly. The safari is a nice walk in the forest to look for the big primates. Rwanda is so far the best place and more organized. It is a thrilling experience coming face to face with these giants. It is worth the effort, very fulfilling. Besides, it feels good to know you have contributed towards their conservation efforts through entry permits.
10. Deep sea fishing safaris: Fishing is a lot of fun and definitely an adventure worth experiencing. The fishing boats leave the dock early in the morning and head into the deep sea for the fishing expeditions. Fishing can be your add-on beach holiday activity or your main activity at the Kenyan coast. In addition, it can be an extension of a wildlife safari.
11. Specialized Birding safaris: Birders all over the world flock to Kenya to enjoy the amazing birding trips in Kenya. There are many locations within Kenya that are superbly rich habitats with different varieties. From Arid and Semi-areas, savannah grasslands, water birds, forest birds and riverine birds. The safari is one of the most exciting trips because of the different varieties of birds recorded every day. Good quality binoculars are one of the tools you must have.
12. Hot Air balloon safaris: This is not a stand-alone trip. It is an add-on adventure to your safari. You get picked early in the morning from your hotel by the hot air balloon crew. You will be taken to the launch pad where you will get some instructions from your pilot. The on air flight takes about one hour. You then land to a champagne breakfast in the savannah. It is such a beautiful setting and a memory to remember. Soon after breakfast you can continue with your safari drive or head back to the hotel for a rest.
13. Lodge Safaris: Lodge safaris simply refer to enjoying your safaris in safari lodges. There are several categories of lodges that you can use for your accommodation while on safari. Just like the Kenya wildlife, the lodges come in different classes and levels. From Luxury Tented camps to budget safari lodges and camps. See below.

• Types of Safaris: Accommodation facilities

Luxury lodge safaris in Kenya can be classified into three (3) categories.

1.  Exclusive Luxury tented camps: These are tented camps that are state-of-the art level. They are smaller in size compared to the normal lodges. They are usually more private and exclusive with minimal guests, most of the times not exceeding 50 persons. The services are more specialized because of the minimal capacity. Food is mainly al carte menu but this varies with the capacity at given time. The budget is higher than any other accommodation, but the service offered is worth every penny.
2. High end Safari lodges: These are accommodation facilities that have more capacity. They can accommodate hundreds of persons. Some have slightly low quality service in terms of 3-5-star levels. Some of them offer international cuisines, while others food is good quality to standard, off course depending on the level of the hotel.
3. Midrange Safari camps and lodges: They outnumber all other facilities. They are located next to the park entrances or within a short drive from the reserve gates. The facilities offer decent accommodation with down-to-earth friendly service. Food is homely but very good service. Here you can mingle so freely with the crew and the neighboring villages.

So,  you have a number of choices on the types of Safari you can enjoy. There exist different types of safaris in Kenya including varieties of luxurious trips, mid-range and budget safari options. It all depends on how you want to experience your safari holiday and how deep you want to dig into your pocket.

Some of the activities or safari types can be combined and packaged in your trip. That means you can book a Safari in Kenya that uses different travel options or add-ons including options like fly-ins one way, and back to Nairobi by road or vice versa.

• Kenya Safari transport modes

The three components of a safari are: Type of safari, type of accommodation and lastly the type of transport mode you will use. Transport options range from luxurious open Jeeps, Long distance closed safari jeeps, safari mini-vans, domestic flights and boats.

Here are the choices:

• Domestic flight: As the name suggests, these are domestic flight that operate more like air taxis. They are small aircraft mainly for tourism purpose. You can fly from Nairobi to almost any National park or reserve. Likewise, you can fly from the Kenyan coast to the big cities in Kenya and national parks. They save you a lot of time and are recommended for the senior citizens, children or simply persons who want to avoid long drives.
• Safari jeep: Whether you fly in to your safari destination, you will definitely need the services of a vehicle. A safari jeep is one of the field safari vehicles. The jeep can either be open-side vehicle. Both open and closed jeeps are heavy duty 4 Wheel drive. The closed jeeps are convenient for long haul trips.
• Safari van: The vans come in two modes. The 4 wheel drive and two-wheel drive. Majority of budget safaris use the safari van because it is cheaper for the long haul trips. The safari van is however limited to what kind of rough terrain it can access. It is a comfortable vehicle for the tarmac 
• Boat: The boats come in different sizes and shapes. This depends on the purpose. For example, for the deep sea fishing, strong twin engine boats are used. For hippo watching, one engine small boats are used. In other shallow waters, canoes are used, and for the fast moving rivers, rafting canoes are used.

At the time of arranging or booking your safari, you will first need to look at the budget you want to spend. Then together with your agent or travel consultant, you will craft your safari holiday within your budget. You will be advised accordingly by your assigned consultant so that you can make an informed decision as you plan your Kenya safari holiday.

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