The best accommodations Kenya

Budget & Tips

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.

To be booked

It is good to know that during the off-peak period (April, May, June and November) most hotels and lodges lower their rates, sometimes significantly. This also means that there are opportunities for the budget traveler who should look twice before traveling to Kenya during the holiday season or in July and August. Depending on the availability of each person, it is possible to visit the country at times when the parks are less crowded and the accommodation less expensive. In the parks and reserves, especially the Maasai Mara, some camps close during the rainy season, known as the low season, in April and May. Others remain open and offer the possibility of a safari at low cost. Of course, you risk a more capricious weather, but the animals remain visible and the number of visitors considerably reduced. Lodges charge the highest rates in the high season, from July 15 to September 30 and from December 20 to about January 5. Be aware that the great migration takes place in July/August, when the Maasai Mara is in full swing. It is recommended to book for this period several months in advance.

What's very local

Self Catering Bandas. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) operates cottages in most national parks (not in the reserves) that are more or less well-equipped and offer a comfortable stay at reasonable prices. This formula is particularly advantageous when traveling with a small group because the bungalows are usually rented in their entirety. The bungalows are called "Self Catering Bandas", which means that they have a fully equipped kitchen. There are three categories: guesthouses (the most comfortable), cottages and bandas (the most basic). All of these accommodations are described in detail in the sections on the parks in which they are located, namely the Aberdares, Nakuru, Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon, Mount Meru and near Malindi Marine Park. Rates and information: www.kws.go.ke

Tipping on safari. At the end of your safari, it is customary to leave a larger tip for your driver, guide or even cook. In all cases, the amount will be calculated according to the services rendered and the quality of the personnel. As an indication, it is recommended to give 5 to 7 US$ (4 to 6 €) per person traveling per day of safari for your driver-guide. In Kenya, tipping is a tradition in most services. The prospect of a good tip is often the best incentive.

For food lovers

What can we say about the breakfast in the savannah, after the first game drive in the morning at dawn, that all the lodges organize in the parks and reserves, for the greatest happiness of their clients? These are privileged moments that leave a memorable impression. Simply magical, just like the famous sundowners, which are one of the tasty features of a safari in Kenya and give your beer a unique flavor.

Smokers

Most of the hotels are non-smoking, but some have smoking rooms.