How to Choose the Best Kenya Safari Lodges & Camps
With hundreds of safari camps and lodges in Kenya, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. The truth is, there’s no single “best” lodge—what’s perfect for you depends on your travel style, budget, group composition, and safari goals. Below, we break down the main types of Kenya safari accommodations and how to decide which one suits you.
🏕️ Tented Safari Camps in Kenya
Tented camps are the quintessential safari experience, bringing you close to the wilderness without compromising comfort.
Classic Safari Camps – Permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms, proper beds, running water, and often wooden decks. Many are eco-friendly and blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings.
Luxury Tented Camps – Think copper bathtubs, plunge pools, fine dining, and designer décor—essentially glamping with an authentic bush backdrop. These camps are eco-conscious while offering a high level of indulgence.
Mobile Tented Camps – Semi-permanent camps that follow wildlife movements, especially during the Great Migration. These are more common in Tanzania but can also be found in Kenya during peak seasons in the Masai Mara.
Fenced vs. Unfenced Camps – Most Kenyan camps are unfenced, meaning wildlife can roam freely through camp. After dark, an askari (watchman) escorts guests safely.
Explore Chalo Africa recommended camps:
🏡 Safari Lodges in Kenya
Safari lodges are permanent structures built from stone or wood, offering more amenities while still being close to the wilderness.
Mid-Range Lodges – Comfortable ensuite rooms, good food, swimming pools, Wi-Fi, and beautiful views. Ideal for families or first-time safari-goers.
Luxury Safari Lodges – High-end dining, infinity pools, spas, and prime locations overlooking savannahs or rivers. Perfect for those seeking comfort and exclusivity.
Boutique Lodges are similar, but usually catering to a smaller number of guests, often hosted by the owners themselves.
Explore Chalo Africa recommended lodges:
🌿 Bush Homes & Private Villas
For families, groups of friends, or travelers seeking privacy, bush homes and villas are a fantastic choice.
Exclusive-Use Villas – Stay in a private house or villa with your own chef, guide, and safari vehicle.
Intimate & Personal – With only your group, you’ll enjoy a highly tailored safari experience.
Explore Chalo Africa recommended private safari camps, lodges and villas:
How to Choose the Right Safari Accommodation
Selecting the right safari camp or lodge in Kenya depends on more than just budget—it’s about matching your group, travel style, and interests to the right property. Here are the key factors to consider:
Travel Group
Many safari camps do not allow children under 5, while family-friendly lodges are fenced, offer childminding, and have kid-friendly activities.
Solo travelers often prefer small tented camps with communal dining for easy socializing.
Groups of friends or multi-generational families might benefit from exclusive-use bush villas with private chefs and guides.
Travel Style
Honeymooners and couples often choose intimate luxury tented camps or secluded boutique lodges with romantic settings.
Adventure seekers might prefer rustic bush camps or mobile camps that bring them closer to wildlife action.
Luxury travelers may gravitate toward high-end lodges with pools, spas, and fine dining.
Safari Interests
Wildlife photographers may want camps with specially adapted vehicles, beanbags, and expert photographic guides.
Birdwatchers can choose lodges located in key birding areas like Lake Naivasha or Samburu.
Cultural travelers may prefer conservancy lodges where they can interact with Maasai or Samburu communities.
Relaxation seekers might look for lodges with pools, wellness facilities, or a beach + safari combination.
Walking safari enthusiasts can pick bush camps offering guided walking safaris instead of only game drives.
Location & Setting
Camps near rivers, waterholes, or migration corridors offer exceptional game viewing.
Conservancy lodges provide exclusivity and fewer vehicles compared to public reserves.
Properties inside national parks give easy access to game drives but may be busier.
To Summarize
The best Kenya safari accommodation depends on your group size, style of travel, safari interests, and preferred location. Whether it’s a family-friendly lodge, a luxury honeymoon camp, a cultural conservancy stay, or a private bush villa, matching the property to your priorities ensures a truly unforgettable safari.
Planning your Kenya safari in 2026/2027
How to Get to Kenya (Flights, Airlines, Airports)
Planning a Kenya safari? Fly into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) with direct flights from Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. Connect easily via Wilson Airport to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and other parks, or head to Mombasa and Diani for a beach holiday. Read on here »
When to Visit Kenya (Month-by-Month Weather & Migration)
Wondering when to visit Kenya? From the Great Wildebeest Migration in July–September to baby season in January–March, each month offers something unique. Discover the best time for safari, photography, and beach holidays with our month-by-month Kenya weather and migration guide.
Kenya Safari Costs – How to Budget?
Planning a Kenya safari? Most packages are all-inclusive, covering accommodation, meals, park fees, game drives, and transfers. Expect to budget around $5,000 per person for mid-range safaris, $8,000 for classic camps, and $10,000+ for luxury experiences, with park fees varying by season. Read on here »
Fly-in Safari vs Road Safari — What's the Difference?
Choosing between a fly-in safari and a road safari in Kenya comes down to convenience versus experience. Fly-in safaris save time, offer scenic aerial views, and use open-sided vehicles, while road safaris let you explore the countryside, stop at landmarks, and travel with the same guide throughout your journey. Read more about how fly-in safaris differ from road safaris »
Types of Safari Vehicles in Kenya
On a Kenya safari, the vehicle you choose shapes your experience. Options include budget minibuses with pop-up roofs, closed 4×4 Land Cruisers for comfort and reliability, and open-sided 4x4s that offer the best wildlife viewing inside parks.
How to Book an African Safari (Step by Step)
Planning a safari is unlike planning a typical holiday—it requires choosing the right parks, the best time of year, and camps in prime wildlife locations. With expert guidance from specialist African safari travel agencies like KlipKlop and Chalo Africa, you’ll enjoy seamless logistics, insider knowledge, and the best rates for an unforgettable African adventure.
How to Choose the Best Kenya Safari Camps & Lodges
Choosing the best safari lodge or camp in Kenya can be overwhelming with so many options—from luxury tented camps in the Masai Mara to eco-lodges in community conservancies, private bush villas for families, and beachfront hotels in Diani. The right accommodation depends on your group, travel style, and interests, whether you’re a honeymooner seeking romance, a family needing a child-friendly lodge, or a photographer looking for prime wildlife access. Read more on how to choose the best camp or lodge »
Practical Kenya travel information – Updated 2026/2027
Kenya Visa (ETA) Guide
Wondering how easy or complicated it is to enter Kenya? Do you require a visa? What is an ETA? Read our Kenya visa (ETA) guide to get all your answers.
Vaccination & Health Guide (Yellow Fever, Malaria)
While Kenya offers world-class healthcare in Nairobi, preparing for your health and safety before departure is crucial for a worry-free adventure. Here’s your comprehensive guide to staying healthy during your Kenyan journey.
Is it Safe to Travel to Kenya?
Wondering if Kenya is a safe destination for your next holiday?
The short answer: Yes, Kenya is safe for tourists who take standard travel precautions.
Money, Tipping, SIM Cards, Power Plugs
Before you head off on safari, it’s useful to know the basics about money, tipping, SIM cards, and power plugs in Kenya. From exchanging currency and gratuity norms to staying connected in the bush, here’s everything you need to prepare for a smooth journey.
Packing List for Kenya Safari (Downloadable Checklist)
Clueless about what to pack on your Kenya safari. Checkout our Kenya packing list »
Choosing the best safari for you
The Great Migration 2026/2027
Best Camps for the Great Migration 2026/2027
Few wildlife spectacles rival the Great Migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara — over a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles tracing ancient paths across the plains. Choosing the right camp, in the right location, at the right time is key to witnessing this phenomenon at its peak.
Kenya Safari vs Tanzania Safari – Which is Better?
Planning an African safari and torn between a Kenya safari and a Tanzania safari? The choice often comes down to the Masai Mara vs. Serengeti. In Kenya’s Masai Mara, the highlight is the Mara River crossings during the Great Migration in August and September, paired with year-round big cat sightings and easy access from Nairobi. Tanzania’s Serengeti, on the other hand, offers a vast wilderness experience, from the famous calving season in the southern plains (January–March) to predator-prey drama in the north (July–October). Both destinations are exceptional, but the right safari depends on your timing, budget, and the kind of wildlife experience you seek. Read our full post here »
Family Safaris in Kenya
Discover how to plan the perfect family safari in Africa — from the ideal age to take your kids on safari to choosing the most child-friendly lodges and activities that keep little explorers engaged. Learn why most experts recommend waiting until age five and how to craft a journey that sparks curiosity, connection, and lifelong memories for the whole family.
Honeymoon Safaris in Kenya
From hot air balloons over the Serengeti to private dinners at Victoria Falls and barefoot walks on Zanzibar’s beaches, Africa is the ultimate honeymoon destination — where wild romance meets luxury and every sunset feels like your own.
Popular Kenya Safari Parks & Conservancies
- Masai Mara National Reserve
- Masai Mara Triangle
- Masai Mara Conservancies
- Amboseli National Park
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- Lake Elementeita
Explore our Kenya Safaris
Set off on an unforgettable 9-day safari through Kenya’s most iconic landscapes, blending thrilling wildlife encounters with luxurious stays. Your journey begins in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a pioneering Big 5 reserve that shelters the last two northern white rhinos. From there, travel to the serene Lake Elementeita, where golden acacias frame flamingo-lined shores and abundant birdlife. Continue on to the world-famous Masai Mara Triangle, a spectacular wilderness where lions, leopards, elephants, and great plains game roam across the rolling savannah.
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Kenya’s most iconic landscapes. From the elephant-dotted plains of Amboseli beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Elmenteita, and finally the world-famous Masai Mara Triangle, this 9-day safari is designed for those who crave both adventure and comfort.