If you’re growing bored with vacations at yet another beach, or you’re sick of tagging along behind exhausting tour groups, you may be looking for something totally over the edge, totally exciting, and if desired, totally costly – like an East African safari. (Swahili word for “journey”) If this is the case, then grab your safari hat, your camera, and your wallet because here’s an example of what that journey could cost you.

There are three main regions in Africa for safaris – East Africa (Tanzania and Kenya), southern Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana), and South Africa. This article focuses on East Africa. All safaris come in many different shapes and sizes. There are walking safaris, Land-Rover safaris, canoe safaris, gorilla tracking safaris, elephant-back safaris, flying safaris, camping safaris, and horseback safaris, to mention only a few. With so many different safaris to choose from, one must first select a safari that will be both rewarding and reasonable considering the cost. Safaris can be even custom-designed to your own specifications. The “economy” safaris are ideal for the adventurers who boast that a real safari experience is not to bed down in a cozy lodge before a blazing fireplace but where one can “rough-it out” in the bush zippered into their own sleeping bag. And since “roughing it out” means little of the creature comforts one’s accustomed to, the costs are somewhat lower. Accommodations are usually 2-person pitched tents by an open campfire, bucket showers, and long drop latrines. Dining-tent meals, cleaning-up, and hot water for showers are taken care of by the staff. Setting up and tearing down your tent is the responsibility of its inhabitance. 6-8 passenger mini-vans or other small vehicles are used for transportation and game-viewing.

The more “moderately-priced” safaris offer amenities somewhat more comfortable such as lodges with a bar, swimming pool, dining room, and en suite bathrooms. Transportation through the bush is usually in a Land Rover, all meals each day may be included, most meals, or just some.

On the other hand, most of the “luxury” safaris offer more lavishness up-scale accommodations such as luxury full service lodges with private rooms and balconies. These hotel-like facilities offer buffet and barbeque dining, a fireplace bar and lounge to relax in, swimming pool, gift shops, etc. All meals are provided and in some cases with china and crystal dining service. Small aircraft are sometimes used to ferry customers to various outlying parks.

Since East Africa is blessed with both the Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve, it’s without a doubt, the most popular destination for viewing wild game in all of Africa.

Kenyan Safaris

In Kenya, the highlight is the very popular Masai Mara Game Reserve. Predominately an open savannah where the Maasi herdsmen still live and tend to their animals, the Reserve is considered the best wild game viewing sanctuary in the country. Also located in Kenya are such parks as the Samburu Game Reserve, home to zebras, antelope and giraffes; the Amboseli National Park, renown for its lions, cheetah, baboons, and elephant herds; and Lake Nakuru, a Rhino sanctuary and home to hundreds of thousands of flamingoes. The three levels of Kenyan safaris include the following examples:

Economy

• $500 for 3-Days - This camping safari includes r/t transportation from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley for wild life viewing in the Masai Mara National Park. Also contains visits to the Samburu National Park and the Lake Nakuru National Park. Campsite accommodations.
• $1,100 for 8-Days - Travels to Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tsavo National Park, Lake Naivash in the Great Rift Valley, and a full day at Masai Mara. Campsite accommodations.

Moderate

• $1,100 to $1,400 for 5-Days - Drive from Nairobi to Aberdares, then to Lake Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara Game Reserve for excellent game viewing. Lodge accommodations.
• $1,100 for 8-Days - Travels to Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tsavo National Park, Lake Naivash in the Great Rift Valley, and a full day at Masai Mara. Campsite accommodations.

Luxury

• $4,200 to $4,500 for 8-Days - Visits Mt. Kenya, Borana Game Ranch, and Masai Mara. Accommodations at a Country Club, luxury lodges and tented-camps.
• 5,500 to $6,700 for 12-Days - Travels to Tsavo National Park, Amboseli National Park, Mt. Kenya, Ssmburu National Park, and Masai Mara. Luxury Lodges and private luxury-camps.