How much does a safari cost in Kenya? (2026 estimate)
A 7-day Kenya safari for two adults sharing a vehicle costs about $1,505–$4,210 per person in a mid-range lodge/tented camp, excluding international flights – the low end is a lower-fee month (April), the high end is peak season.
Kenya’s Maasai Mara is a county reserve run by Narok County, so its fees are set separately from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) national parks such as Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Tsavo. The Mara non-resident adult fee doubles from USD 100 to USD 200 per day on 1 July in the 2026 tariff.
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Cost per person by trip length
Two adults, shared vehicle, tips included, no flights, no extras. Low–high range per person in USD.
Peak month (August)
| Lodging tier | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days | 10 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget camping Sourced | $345–$720 | $690–$1,435 | $1,040–$2,155 | $1,555–$3,230 |
| Mid-range lodge/tented camp Sourced | $500–$1,405 | $1,005–$2,810 | $1,505–$4,210 | $2,260–$6,320 |
| Luxury camp/lodge Estimate | $1,510–$6,485 | $3,015–$12,970 | $4,525–$19,450 | $6,785–$29,180 |
Lower-fee month (April)
| Lodging tier | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days | 10 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget camping Sourced | $345–$580 | $690–$1,155 | $1,040–$1,735 | $1,555–$2,600 |
| Mid-range lodge/tented camp Sourced | $500–$885 | $1,005–$1,770 | $1,505–$2,650 | $2,260–$3,980 |
| Luxury camp/lodge Estimate | $1,510–$4,345 | $3,015–$8,690 | $4,525–$13,030 | $6,785–$19,550 |
Private 4x4 instead of a shared seat raises the cost for small groups; use the calculator to compare. Data status: Verified read in the official tariff of the body that sets the price · Sourced published by a lodge, operator or reseller (or a mirror of an official tariff) · Estimate our own assumption or an unconfirmed figure. Every figure has a source URL and last-verified date on the Data page.
Itemised: a 7-day mid-range lodge/tented camp trip in August
| Item | Per person (low–high) |
|---|---|
Park & conservation fees VerifiedHow this is calculatedAdult about $87–$167 per day (low = KWS-park circuit (Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo); high = Maasai Mara-focused (Mara 70%, Amboseli 15%, Nakuru 15%)), 6 park days. | $520–$1,000 |
Lodging – mid-range lodge/tented camp SourcedHow this is calculated6 nights at $120–$410 per person per night sharing (peak month). Full-board tented camp to lodge, per person sharing (Ol Moran USD 120 pp all year; Mara Serena USD 200-220 pp, USD 410 pp mid-Jun to Sep). | $720–$2,460 |
Vehicle & driver-guide (shared) SourcedHow this is calculated2 shared seats × 6 days at $29–$90 per person per day. Private 4x4 with driver-guide: USD 200 (fuel extra, short hire) to USD 290 (USD 260 fuel included + USD 30 driver night). Shared seat: low = USD 200 / 7 seats; high = USD 90 per seat (Mara Serena day game drive). | $175–$540 |
Tips (driver-guide & lodge staff) SourcedHow this is calculatedDriver-guide $10–$20 per person/day; lodge staff $5–$15 per person per night. Kenya-focused guidance used for all countries. | $90–$210 |
| Total per person | $1,505–$4,210 |
| Total for the group of 2 | $3,010–$8,425 |
Park and conservation fees in Kenya
| Fee | Adult (non-resident) | Child | Status & source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara National Reserve Calendar 2026 (USD 100 Jan-Jun, USD 200 Jul-Dec). 2027 not yet published when verified. | $100 (changes by month: $200 in Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec) per day (6am-6pm ticket) | $50 Ages 9-17 pay USD 50; 8 and under are free (we charge the child rate to every child, so this is slightly high for under-9s). | Verified Narok County Government masaimara.travel verified 2026-10-16 |
| Amboseli National Park KWS Conservation Fees, October 2025 schedule. | $90 per 24 hours | $45 KWS 'child/student' rate. | Verified Kenya Wildlife Service Kenya Wildlife Service verified 2026-10-16 |
| Lake Nakuru National Park KWS Conservation Fees, October 2025 schedule. | $90 per 24 hours | $45 KWS 'child/student' rate. | Verified Kenya Wildlife Service verified 2026-10-16 |
| Tsavo East / Tsavo West National Park KWS Conservation Fees, October 2025 schedule. | $80 per 24 hours | $40 KWS 'child/student' rate. | Verified Kenya Wildlife Service verified 2026-10-16 |
Lodging costs in Kenya
| Tier | Per person / night (sharing) | Status & sample properties |
|---|---|---|
| Budget camping | Off-peak $40–$65 Peak $40–$65 | Sourced
Full-board camping/tented camp near the Mara gate (Kambu Campers). Single-property sample. Kambu Campers Masai Mara |
| Mid-range lodge/tented camp | Off-peak $120–$220 Peak $120–$410 | Sourced
Full-board tented camp to lodge, per person sharing (Ol Moran USD 120 pp all year; Mara Serena USD 200-220 pp, USD 410 pp mid-Jun to Sep). Ol Moran Tented CampMara Serena Safari Lodge 2026 rates |
| Luxury camp/lodge | Off-peak $625–$1,950 Peak $625–$2,950 | Estimate
Upper bound from Angama Mara's official all-inclusive rates (USD 1,850-2,950 pp); lower bound from a search-summary figure for Governors' Camp (~USD 623 pp) that we could not open, hence labelled estimate. Angama Mara ratesGovernors' Camp Collection 2026 recommended selling rates |
Flights to Kenya (estimate)
International flights typically add roughly $650–$1,500 per person from the UK or US (see table). Flights are not included in the figures above.
| Flying from | Return economy, per adult |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom Estimate | $650–$1,100 |
| United States Estimate | $900–$1,500 |
| India Estimate | $350–$750 |
| UAE (Dubai) Estimate | $350–$700 |
| Nairobi / elsewhere in Africa Estimate | $150–$500 |
| Other (Europe, Asia, Australia...) Estimate | $700–$1,700 |
Flight figures are rough estimates (search-summary fare ranges and our own assumptions), not live fares. Check Google Flights or an airline for real prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a safari in Kenya cost per person?
For a 7-day safari for two adults sharing a vehicle, our estimate is about $1,505–$4,210 per person for a mid-range lodge/tented camp (excluding international flights), depending on the month. Across all tiers shown the range runs from $1,040 to $19,450 per person. These are estimates, not quotes.
What is the cheapest way to do a safari in Kenya?
Budget camping with a shared vehicle in a lower-fee month. In Kenya, budget camping lodging is sampled at $40–$65 per person per night (sourced), and park fees are the largest fixed cost.
Are park fees included in lodge prices in Kenya?
Usually not. The lodge and camp rates we sampled exclude park or reserve entry fees, which are charged per person per day (or per 24 hours) on top. Our calculator adds them as a separate line.
When is the cheapest time to go to Kenya?
Our model treats July–September as peak. In the 2026 tariff the Maasai Mara fee is USD 100 per adult per day from January to June and USD 200 from July to December, so January–June is cheaper on fees.
How accurate is this Kenya safari cost estimate?
Park fees come from the published tariff (status shown per line). Lodging, vehicle and flights are sampled or estimated and shown as ranges. Operator margins, domestic flights, visas and insurance are not included, so real packages often cost more. Data last checked 2026-10-16.
Do children pay less on safari in Kenya?
Park fees have a child rate (see the table above) and lodges usually charge children 50–75% of the adult rate (we use that range). Child age bands differ by park.
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