What budget to travel Kenya? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Kenya?

National park fees. Kenya's national parks are centrally managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the rules are largely the same from park to park. For practical information, the KWS website is very good (www.kws.go.ke). Each person must pay an entrance fee to each park; each vehicle is also subject to a fee. The good news is that park entrance fees have been revised downwards and are now capped at US$60 for adult foreign visitors (US$35 for non-resident children/students). For Maasai Mara (which is not managed by KWS), it will cost US$70/day/person if you stay inside the reserve. Since 2017, with some exceptions (Samburu, for example), parks and reserves no longer take cash, payment is made at the entry points via Mpesa (Safaricom), Visa/Master Card or via direct deposit into KWS accounts in Kenyan shillings or US dollars. If you wish to camp in the park, you will also pay for your nights directly at the park entrance. Always keep your tickets with you, as there is always the possibility of a check.

Safari budget. Safaris are generally expensive, but there is a very wide range of prices. A typical week-long safari costs between €1,300 and €2,500 per person (prices quoted do not include airfare). These prices vary according to the tour, the mode of transportation and the quality of the accommodation. Especially if you stay in the parks or conservancies, to the accommodations are added the rights to visit the park, the bill climbs quickly! Some particularly luxurious or more original safaris can cost much more. If you organize your own safari, your budget will obviously depend on the options you choose on site. Without the rental of a basic all-terrain vehicle (minimum €75 per day), you should expect to pay around €1,000 per person for a week's safari (based on two people traveling together). The longer your safari is with more than one person, the less expensive it is

Kenya offers many activities for the more active and adventurous seeking new experiences. Here are a few inspirations

: Train to run at altitude.

Running enthusiasts can schedule a training trip to Iten, the city of marathon champions. Traininkenya.com offers 15-day trips to Iten.

Climb the peaks.

Mountain enthusiasts can climb Mount Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro. But Mount Kenya National Park also offers many opportunities for trekking and trout fishing. Count on one or two nights on site, three to four days if you want to reach the summit (5,199 m).

Discover a passion for kitesurfing.

Kenya is a favorite destination for kitesurfers! The best period is from December to February, then from July to September. The spots all along the coast, from Lamu to Mwambweni, Watamu, Nyali Beach and Diani Beach, offer ideal conditions for kitesurfing and learning in a postcard setting. You will find many kitesurfing centers, to rent equipment, start or improve your skills (Diani concentrates the largest number). The Kenya Kite Cup brings together champions for two days of competition at the end of January each year (www.facebook.com/kenyakitecup/).

Recharge your batteries with a yoga safari.

For the "downward dog" enthusiast, some establishments offer (luxury) retreats that combine discovery, safari and yoga practice. On the coast, we recommend the Banana House and Wellness Center in Lamu and Watamu Treehouse in Watamu. Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages (central region) offers luxury immersion stays in the Ol Pejeta Private Game Reserve, close to the wildlife.

Fly over the Masaai Mara in a hot air balloon.

Floating in the air, above the endless plains of Kenya, watching the sun rise in the sky and awaken the savannah, is an unforgettable experience. Shivers of happiness guaranteed.

In Kenya, especially in Nairobi, there is enough to warm up the credit card. The pretty boutiques and brands of Kenyan designers (fashion and accessories, design, decoration, leather goods...), which can be found in the capital, charge European prices. The local handicraft is rich and varied. Items that can be purchased in stores, hotels or shopping centers are generally priced higher than in the markets; the products are selected and you will not have to haggle. In the markets, however, haggling is still the rule, there are fewer middlemen and you can get a good deal, but prices are always up for discussion.

What budget to eat Kenya?

Food and catering are generally very cheap, but not in restaurants or in luxury lodges and hotels. However, there are many small restaurants where you can get a hearty meal for as little as €5 (especially in Indian restaurants or in local "nyama choma"). Most establishments (hotels, restaurants, cafes, gas stations, stores, etc.) accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.). However, some small shops or restaurants may refuse it, and this will probably be the case as soon as you leave the cities. So remember to withdraw cash in these cases

What is the budget for accommodation Kenya?

Budget. Generally speaking, spending always exceeds the budget: visitors are constantly asked to buy this or that, and it must be said that mzungus ("whites" in Swahili) almost always pay a higher price than Kenyans. Hotels and lodges have different rates for "residents", "non-residents" and "East African residents". Travel to Kenya has become more affordable, however, and has long been reserved for wealthy travelers. In particular, you can stay in the superb hotels on the coast for reasonable prices, but they are still quite expensive when you consider the standard of living of the population.

In Kenya, there are all ranges of accommodation: camping, guest houses, 3 or 5 star hotels, luxury lodges, and tented camps. From a few dozen euros for a small urban hotel with shared showers and toilets to 700 € for a night in a luxury camp, depending on the season. With an average budget of 300 US$ per day, there is plenty of room to experiment

Campsites. This is the most authentic and exciting way to discover Africa. It is also the only way to visit Kenya without spending a fortune on accommodation. All parks and reserves have camping sites. They are most often located near the lodges or near the park entrances and offer almost no facilities. It is therefore necessary to be totally autonomous and to take care of the logistics, which requires a certain amount of organization because of the dangers that wild animals can represent. On the coast, campsites are few and far between, but more comfortable. To know the best sites, ask the rangers at the entrance of the parks. However, you should expect to pay between US$20 and US$50 per night per person (for non-residents and depending on the site). Camping in the middle of the savannah is an unforgettable experience, but it requires some precautions.

Tented camps. These are closely related to lodges. They have the same qualities and services: exceptional location, attentive staff, tranquility. But here, the huts and bungalows are replaced by large tents, provided with an unexpected comfort and refinement (careful decoration, excellent bedding, bathroom, hot and cold running water, candlelight, atmosphere "Out of Africa" guaranteed ...). Even more than the lodges, the tented camps organize many activities (walking safari, night safari, birding safari...) and allow a more direct contact with nature. On the other hand, the prices are a little higher. In the parks, all-inclusive packages with transportation from Nairobi, one or two nights on site, full board, game drives, sundowner... are offered by most camps and lodges.

House rentals. It is becoming increasingly easy to rent houses in Kenya, and this is a godsend for small groups, as the rates are very low and the accommodations are often outstanding. These range from small, simple bungalows for four people to beautiful colonial homes for fifteen. Most of these houses are rented with house staff (cook, maid, guard...). On the coast, in Lamu in particular, many Swahili houses have been renovated, superbly furnished, and can be rented for one or more days.

Travel budget Kenya and cost of living

Compared to European countries, daily life in Kenya is cheap (public transportation or market food, especially in supermarkets, and if you buy imported products, it will of course be more expensive). However, tourists often use expensive services: car rental and/or air transport (essential if you intend to discover the country and you don't have two months to spare), tours and excursions organized by travel agencies, hotels with comfort equivalent to those in Western countries, international restaurants. In these cases, the bill can quickly rise. Visitors are constantly being asked to buy this and that, and it must be said that visiting mzungus ("whites" in Swahili) almost always pay a higher price than Kenyans. Hotels and tourist sites routinely charge different rates for "residents", "non-residents" and "East African residents". Even for travelers who use local transportation and eat and sleep in inexpensive hotels or guesthouses, Kenya is still a fairly expensive destination, especially since access to most parks requires a vehicle.

A city car will cost at least 40 € per day; a small 4x4, such as a Suzuki Sierra, will cost around 75 € per day (minimum), including insurance and unlimited mileage; an Isuzu Trooper or a Toyota Landcruiser will cost 95 € or more. Minibuses can be an economical solution for a small group. Rentals are widespread and easy to undertake (unlike some other African countries).

The train between Nairobi and Mombasa (Madaraka Express) is rather cheap. In addition, it allows you to make a stop in Voi, if you wish to make a stop in the Tsavo National Park. Nairobi-Mombasa economy class is Ksh 1,000 and first class is Ksh 3,000 (adult fare), Ksh 500 and Ksh 1,500 for a child up to 11 years old. Reservations can be made online (https://metickets.krc.co.ke/).

If you choose to travel by air, be aware that low cost airlines (Jambojet, Fly 540, East African...) are reliable and help to reduce the cost of domestic flights significantly. For round-trip flights from Nairobi, count on 50 to 150 € one way to Mombasa, Lamu, Amboseli or Massaï Mara, depending on the company.

Entrance to the parks costs between 15 and 35 US$ per day for an adult (70 US$ for the Maasai Mara). Visiting several parks and reserves can therefore be expensive