Your Guide to Planning a Safari in Kenya
Our guide to choosing a safari in Kenya answers the key questions that you may have when planning your trip, such as where to get the best wildlife viewing opportunities, what activities you should include, accommodation choices and transport options.
The Guide has been written by the Founder of Gamewatchers Safaris, Jake Grieves-Cook, who has been involved in the Kenya tourism industry for many decades.
This is a must-read before booking any safari tour to ensure you make the most of your time and budget and get the best possible experience.
Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
laurence s1 November 2026Verified
Best Porini Camps A once in a lifetime experience ( if you have the money you WILL go back with them) we felt safe, up early long days lots to see, good food, great drivers great spotters, fantastic team. It all went like clockwork, this is in the wild , not the Zoo so ever day is different , you might see something in the first 5 minutes or it takes them an hour to find the game, but on the way you will see something even if it’s a sunrise, Sunset, you meet local people, they speak English, may be French Spanish or German. They are knowledgeable, and are willing to share, max 6 people ( plus driver and spotter) but most day it was just us 2, fully air conditioned ( no windows!) but safe. Just ask questions, tell them what you want! Only 5 jeeps allowed around the Animals at at mostly it was only us, but if they find A kill you will get others just be wait your turn. They will be 3 m ( 10 feet) from you! You are safe we were never worried, saw some great yhingsyPosted on Tripadvisor![]()
Saurabh S13 October 2026Verified
A very memorable experience My partner and I visited in late September/early October of 2026. We had a really wonderful time and the entire trip surpassed all our expectations. We are greatly appreciative of the warmth, kindness and hospitality we received and will certainly plan to come back again. Thank you for the memories!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Meander23187812 October 2026Verified
Epic adventure! Our experience at both the Nairobi Tented Camp and Giraffe camp were outstanding! Africa has been on my bucket list for some time and it did not disappoint! From our initial inquiries to Gamewatcher Safaris with our rep here in Ontario, to all of the well executed pickups etc., to the lovely, friendly and professional staff at both camps, the delicious food and lovely accommodations, the totally amazing game drives and seeing soo much wildlife up close(even the great migration), to getting to know our Maasai guides and being so very well taken care of…it was truly an experience of a lifetime! And, now that Kenya has gotten under our skin we are hoping to return in 2 years to experience more of Kenya and likely Tanzania!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
gcherian1303212 October 2026Verified
What a great experience This was a wonderful experience for us (first-time safari-goers) - everything from the moment we landed in Nairobi was handled in the most professional way, and the stay at both the camps (Rhino camp and Mara camp) was beyond exceptional. The amount of opportunities to view wildlife was endless, and we saw everything that we were dreaming about seeing and beyond. There were zero surprises - everything was included, and the scheduling and logistics were done with zero issues. The camp food was the most surprising part - every day we had great food and drink options. Beyond all this, it was the staff, their dedication and friendliness, that made this trip memorable for us. Thank you, Gamewatchers and Porini team. We will be back soon to enjoy your hospitality.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Fearless685004457456 October 2026Verified
Highly recommend Game watchers safari Our first trip to Africa was with Gamewatchers safari and it was to Masai Mara. We absolutely loved the way our trip was organized. Everything was taken care of and there were zero issues to complain about. Special shout to out Pranay who was very patient in addressing all our queries. He used to call us during the trip to check if things were going as per plan. We enjoyed the first time experience very much and choose game watchers safari again for our next trip to Botswana. Needless to say, this was also exceptionally handled. Highly recommend Game watchers safariPosted on Tripadvisor![]()
Yvette W30 September 2026Verified
Excellent safari with an emphasis on sustainability and ecotourism Another excellent safari from Gamewatchers safaris.Exceptional and professional service from the time of booking to the final farewell at the end of the trip. The warm and personal welcome from the office staff to greet us on our arrival into Kenya sets the tone for the trip. Knowledgeable, friendly and experienced guides to support us on game drives and trips between lodges. Gamewatchers is an ethical company with an emphasis on eco tourism and sustainability which is also an important element to us , when booking a safari to ensure conservation is at the heart of our visit.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Kate H15 September 2026Verified
Incredible safari experience and everything was taken care of Gamewatchers looked after us so well, and everything was fantastic, from the booking experience with Tom, to the quality of the lodges. We only had time for a short (three-day) safari in Nakuru and the Masai Mara, and it was incredible. From the moment he picked us up from Nairobi, our guide Antony was incredible - welcoming, patient and kind, and his love for the animals and the landscape was clear. He made us feel so comfortable and we didn't want to leave. We couldn't have wished for a better experience. Gamewatchers even organised a few days for us by the coast after the safari, and transferred us back to Nairobi. We will definitely be back!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Brett D3 September 2026Verified
Amazing Safari Experience Gamewatchers team designed the most amazing holiday and looked after us every inch of the way...lovely people, camps and food not to mention excellent game drives and very knowledgeable game spotters and drivers. 5 star service at affordable prices.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
monicasteinolson20 August 2026Verified
An Unforgettable Maasai Mara Safari with Gamewatchers We had an absolutely incredible safari experience in the Maasai Mara with Gamewatchers. From beginning to end, the whole trip was beautifully organized, and the team made our time in Kenya truly unforgettable. A huge thank you to Wycliffe, Wayne, Sammy, James, Stanley, Joseph and Anthony. Everyone was warm, knowledgeable, professional and genuinely passionate about the Mara and its wildlife. The game viewing was spectacular. We saw so many cats — lions, cheetahs and leopards — and every drive seemed to bring another amazing encounter. One of the biggest highlights was witnessing the wildebeest crossing, an experience we will never forget. What really made the safari special, though, were the people. Their knowledge, patience and enthusiasm added so much to every sighting and every day. Thank you, Gamewatchers, for an extraordinary Maasai Mara adventure. We came hoping for a great safari and left with memories that will stay with us forever. Highly recommended!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Mandy M13 August 2026Verified
Seamless We had an absolutely seamless trip. Every single member of staff we met from Gamewatchers Safaris were superb. I would highly recommend using Gamewatchers to plan your trip.