What Happens on a Typical Day on Safari in Kenya?

Before your first safari in Africa, it is hard to imagine what to expect. You may have some ideas about the day-to-day routine and the general Kenya safari experience– but you could still have some unanswered questions.

This article will advise what you will do on a typical day on safari in Kenya. You can also use this information in this article to learn about other safari destinations in Africa.

My understanding of a typical safari day in Kenya is based on visits to Sasaab Lodge in Samburu, Sala’s Camp in Masai Mara, and a visit to Nairobi National Park. It was my first time on safari, so I incorporated all my queries and concerns into this article.

The lodges I visited on this Kenya safari holiday were luxury camps; therefore, there could be a slight difference in services and inclusions compared to budget safaris.

I also travelled to Victoria Falls, so I drew some experiences from that stay. However, my trip to Victoria Falls was more about the post-safari experience and relaxing.

Each safari lodge runs its camp differently. Therefore, this outline of what to expect on safari in Kenya may vary from your experience. Additionally, each day is different on a Kenyan safari – you will never come across exactly the same situation twice.

Your safari will be customised to your preferences. You may want to adjust your wake-up times, mealtimes, and length of game drives or arrange additional experiences such as hot air balloon rides.

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Summary of a Typical Day on Safari in Kenya

Time	Activity
5:30 – 6:00 AM	Wake-up call
6:00 – 6:30 AM	Morning game drive
9:00 AM	Bush breakfast
10:00 AM	Morning game drive continued
12:00 PM	Return to camp
1:00 PM	Lunch at the lodge
2:00 PM	Chill time
4:00 – 5:00 PM	Afternoon game drive or cultural activity
8:00 PM	Dinner at the lodge
9:30 PM	Bedtime

Wake-Up Call on Safari

The time of your wake-up call will depend on several factors. You may need to wake up earlier in warmer destinations to avoid the mid-day heat.

For example, in Samburu, our wake-up call was at 5:30 AM, and we would leave for our morning game drives at 6:00 AM. During the hottest time of the year in Samburu National Reserve, the warmest part of the day can reach over 35 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, one reason you leave the lodge early is to have the best chance of seeing wildlife. As the sun gets hotter, more animals will hide away in the shrubs and trees.

Another reason for the early start is that the temperature is cooler for guests on the game drive and provides an opportunity to have a break and stay out of the midday heat.

Alternatively, in Masai Mara, we would be woken up at 5:45 – 6:00 AM to leave between 6:15 AM and 6:30 AM.

At first, our Maasai guide recommended that we start our morning game drive at 6:30 AM, but then we decided to leave a little earlier to catch the sunrise at 6:15 AM in October.

With your wake-up call or in the main mess area of the camp, staff will offer drinks and a small snack, such as biscuits/cookies. You can request tea, coffee, or juice.

You could also bring a flask with a warm drink or fill up your water bottle with cold water.

You may be escorted from your tent to the mess by a guard if it is still dark.

Read this article to learn what to wear for your safari activities, plus what to take in your bag on game drives.

You can also read about what to take on safari in Kenya here, including luggage suggestions, recommended toiletries, and essential electronics.

Morning Game Drive

When you start your morning game viewing session, the air will be chilly, even in hot places like Samburu from 6:00 – 6:30 AM. The safari vehicle may be equipped with blankets to keep you warm. Some lodges even provide fleeces or ponchos for guests to use during their stay.

For those that are unclear, a game drive is a search for wildlife in a safari vehicle.

Most guests staying at luxury safari lodges will have a driver-guide and a spotter on their game drives. These two individuals are crucial in helping you see as many animals as possible and enjoying the game drives.

Keep your camera or binoculars out from the start of your safari game drive because you never know when you will come across a spectacular sighting.

During the game drive, your driver-guide will travel around the national park or reserve looking for animals. Your guide and spotter will look around the area for any tracks in the earth or other tell-tale signs that there are animals in the area.

Your guide will also communicate with other guides from your lodge in case they have spotted some action in another part of the park or reserve.

The morning is considered the best time for safari viewing, especially to see what the big cats have been up to overnight and the result of their hunting.

It is easier to find animals in some parks than in others. In Samburu National Park, you may need to look around longer to spot some of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo).

Whereas in Masai Mara and Nairobi National Park, you may come across these animals more quickly. It is possible to see many animals in Masai Mara or Serengeti, Tanzania during the wildebeest migration.

If you visit during the best time of year for African safaris, you will see plenty of animals. For example, the best season for Kenya safaris in Masai Mara is between July and October to see the Great Migration.

Bush Breakfast

At 9:00 AM, your stomach may rumble, meaning it is time for breakfast.

Some lodges will return you to camp for breakfast, while other lodges offer you the chance to eat breakfast while out in the savannah.

A bush breakfast is wonderful for many reasons.

Firstly, it is an adrenaline-filled experience eating in the bush. Your guide and spotter will seek out a safe location for you to exit the vehicle and set up breakfast.

One day during a bush breakfast in Samburu, we stopped along a riverbed, and several curious baboons were lurking around. They left us alone, but it was rather exciting.

We also got to watch a river filled with hippos while eating our breakfast in Masai Mara, which was exhilarating to say the least.

Secondly, it is remarkable that your guides can assemble such a delicious breakfast using contraptions on the vehicle that turn into kitchen equipment.

For example, your vehicle may have several tables and counters onboard, a stove stowed away, and there are coolers filled with food and beverages.  

A typical bush breakfast may include food such as eggs, bacon, pancakes, vegetables, fruit, juices, coffee, and tea. You will sit on camping chairs.

You will have a chance to use the bush bathroom during breakfast, a.k.a – sneaking behind a tree to relieve yourself.

Mid-Morning Game Drive

Following your safari refreshment stop, you will have the opportunity to continue looking for more animals.

Then, as the sun starts to reach the peak of the day, you will begin your journey back to camp. You may have travelled far from the lodge, so enjoy the drive and wear sunscreen and a hat.

At the end of your morning game drive, you will discuss your afternoon activity with your guide.

Return to Camp

At around midday, you will arrive back at your safari lodge. You have the chance to freshen up in your tents.

You may want to change into other clothes for lunch and throw on some sandals.

Lunch Time at the Lodge

Enjoy lunch served in the mess area of your camp at approximately 1:00 PM.

At Sasaab Lodge and Sala’s Camp (both Safari Collection properties), each day there was a starter of cold soup and bread, followed by various salads, meats, and savoury servings.

Finally, there would be a light dessert.

You will not go hungry while on safari – there is plenty of food to be eaten.

However, if you are still not full after lunch, you may take some biscuits or cakes that are left in the main lobby before your afternoon game drive.

Chill Time

After your early morning start, you will be ready for a period of relaxation. Take this time to nap, look through your photos, or dip in the pool.

Also, remember to charge any devices if they are getting low.

Afternoon Game Drive

If you are continuing your day with another game drive, you can return to your safari vehicle. You will have discussed with your guide what time to resume activities. This time will likely be between 4:00 – 5:00 PM.

Remember to bring all your belongings again, such as your fleece to keep warm and your camera.

Your lodge may offer other evening activities, such as walking safaris, cultural village visits, or special food and drink set-ups.

The late afternoon and evenings are another great time to look for wildlife because the temperature has started to cool down, so the animals will reappear.

In Samburu, it is possible to look for wildlife on the way back from your evening activity. Therefore, you can do a short evening game drive on the way back from your sundowner to look for animals that are easier to find at night, such as a leopard or a bush baby.

Your spotter will have a spotlight to help you see the animals. Plus, you could bring some night-vision binoculars.

Alternatively, Masai Mara forbids anyone from being in their safari vehicles at night to prevent night-time poachers. Therefore, you will return to the lodge before nightfall.

For many, one of the most enjoyable parts of an African safari is the sundowner drinks. This activity involves watching the sunset with a cocktail or other drink of your choice after all your safari activities.

The sundowner usually takes place in a spectacular location, such as on top of a large cliff with a stunning view across the flatlands. You may be served some tasty snacks too.

Dinner at the Lodge

Upon return from the game drive or your other evening activity, you can retire to your room to freshen up for dinner. Most people use this opportunity to shower and change into clean clothes. You can also go straight to dinner since it is generally not a formal affair.

Read about what clothing to wear in the evenings on safari holidays here.

Depending on what time you returned to the lodge, you will have around 45 – 60 minutes to get ready for dinner. Dinner is usually served around 8:00 PM.

A guard will meet you outside your tent and escort you to dinner. Some camps offer communal dining options where you share your table with other guests staying at the lodge.

You can opt to dine with your group alone too. The lodge staff may be able to set up a special dining arrangement for you. For example, we ate a candlelit dinner by the river edge or in the reserve with a roaring fire. 

Dinner is usually a set three-course meal. So, make sure your lodge knows all your dietary requirements and any extreme dislikes.

Bedtime

As tempting as it is to stay up late and enjoy the unlimited drinks served at the lodge, it is best to head to your tent after dinner. Depending on how long you take to eat dinner, this may be around 9:30 PM.

You should lay out your outfit for the next day ahead of your early start.

A laundry service is typically offered at luxury lodges. Make sure you have put any items of clothing that require the laundry service in the basket provided. Housekeeping will collect laundry in the morning. The clothes will be returned by the evening.

On return to your tent, you will have received turn-down service and there may be a hot water bottle in your bed (depending on the time of year and outside temperature).

Fall asleep to the sounds of various creatures. On your first night, you will likely wake at every noise, but you will soon get used to it.

Is an African Safari Safe?

This question feels like an important one to discuss for newcomers to safaris.

One of my biggest concerns about going on safari was that I feared being charged by animals. I had seen a viral video on social media of an elephant charging a safari vehicle. Plus, I had seen many videos of big cats biting people’s hands through fencing at zoos.

However, you do not need to worry about this because it is such a rare occasion, or it happens because the animals are provoked. I never had any circumstances or experiences where I felt threatened.

Your guide and other safari team have your safety at the forefront of their mind. They will never put you in a dangerous situation and know the best behaviours and precautions to stay safe.

Your guide and spotter are knowledgeable and familiar with groups of animals or solo creatures. They see some of the same animals and get to know their behaviour. For example, we saw Luluka – a well-known leopard, featured on National Geographic several times.

One of the main safety rules is that you are to remain in the safari vehicle for the entire game drive unless permitted to exit the vehicle for breakfast or sunset drinks.

Given that you will remain in the vehicle for most of the time you can wear comfortable clothing and footwear. If you will not be doing any guided walking safaris and it is not rainy season, you do not need to wear any technical footwear, such as walking boots.

I wore white converse for much of the trip, and when I got home, I put them in the washing machine, and they came out good as new.

The animals generally see the safari vehicle as a large object rather than the individuals inside it.

You can aid this by remaining as still and quiet as possible when viewing the animals. Plus, you can wear your safari-neutral colours to blend in with the vehicle and the background.

Is it Safe to Go on Safari in Kenya?

If you are seeking information related specifically to whether is it safe to visit Kenya, you should visit your home country’s travel advisory website. For UK citizens this is the GOV.UK website and there is page on foreign travel advice for Kenya.

Additionally, you should speak to the company arranging your safari because they will have boots on the ground advice. For example, I was able to speak to one of the Operations Managers at The Safari Collection who were able to give me their experiences, which eased our minds.

How Close Do You Get to Animals on Safari?

There is no rule on how close you can get to animals on safari in Africa; your guide will assess the situation and decide what distance to keep without disturbing the animals.

Your guide will park the vehicle where you can watch the animals from a safe distance. Nonetheless, the animals are often on the move and could walk closer to you.

We had lions, cheetahs, elephants, and leopards walk right next to us – it was breathtaking.

At first, I was nervous, but soon I realised the animals were not interested in me or the vehicle. You cannot prepare yourself for that feeling of first coming eye-to-eye with a majestic animal like a lion.

What if I Need the Toilet on Safari?

During your safari, your guide will find a safe location whereby you can use the “bush bathroom”, which involves finding some privacy behind a tree or a bushy area.

Additionally, all safari lodges have facilities at the camp, so you can use the restroom when you return from game drives or other activities.

What Months are Best for Kenya Safari?

The best months for a Kenya safari are between July and October. During this time, you can witness the Great Migration in Masai Mara, which is a spectacular wildlife event. The weather is generally pleasant, and wildlife viewing is excellent, making it the best time for safari in Kenya.

It is important to note that March to May and November to December are the wet periods in Kenya, which can make animal sightings more challenging. However, these off-peak months often come with lower safari costs, making it a more budget-friendly option for those willing to tolerate rainfall and fewer wildlife sightings.

Conclusion

Should you wish to learn about other aspects of a safari in Kenya, you can find other reading materials on my blog.

For example, learn how to spend 1 day in Nairobi, if the Meet and Assist service in Nairobi airport is worth it, where to stay in Nairobi, and about seeing baby elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

If you are looking for the ultimate experience in Nairobi, make sure you look into a stay at Giraffe Manor.

FAQ – Typical Day On Safari in Kenya

If you are looking for more reading material on what to pack for Masai Mara safaris, check out these other Kenya travel guides:

• Packing List for Safaris in Kenya
• One Day Itinerary for Nairobi
• What to Wear in Kenya for a Safari
• Are Nairobi Airport Services Worth it?
• What to Expect Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage?
• Nairobi National Park Tours – Are They Worth it?

For more inspiration on travels to see wildlife, read this article about visiting Guanacaste in Costa Rica.