How Much Money Should I Budget for a 10-Day Safari?
Planning your first African safari is exciting, but one question usually comes up before anything else: How much money should I budget for a 10-day safari? For a 10-day safari in Kenya or Tanzania, a realistic budget can range from roughly $2,500 per person for a budget trip to $10,000+ per person for a luxury…
Should I Do Masai Mara or Serengeti First?
If you’re planning a Kenya and Tanzania safari, one of the first itinerary questions you’ll probably face is: Should I visit the Masai Mara or Serengeti first? The good news is that there isn’t one universally correct answer. The better choice depends on your arrival airport, the time of year you’re traveling, your safari priorities,…
First Safari From America: What Nobody Tells You Before Your First African Safari
Your first African safari is likely to be one of the most memorable trips you ever take. You may already have the picture in your head: waking before sunrise, climbing into a safari vehicle, watching elephants cross the road, seeing lions resting beneath an acacia tree, and ending the day with a sunset over the…
How Jet Lag Affects an East Africa Safari: What First-Time Travelers Should Know
A safari in East Africa is often the trip of a lifetime. But for travelers flying from the United States, there is one challenge that is easy to underestimate: jet lag. Flying thousands of miles to Kenya or Tanzania can disrupt your sleep, energy levels, appetite, concentration, and overall mood. When your itinerary also includes…
What Does a Typical Day on an African Safari Actually Look Like?
If you’ve never been on an African safari before, you may have a lot of questions about what the experience is actually like. What time do you wake up? Do you spend the entire day in a safari vehicle? When do you eat? How many game drives do you do? Do you have time to…
Tipping on Safari: How Much Should You Tip Guides & Drivers?
Tipping on safari can feel confusing, especially if it’s your first trip to Kenya or Tanzania. How much should you tip your safari guide? Should you tip the driver separately? Do you tip lodge staff every day? Should you use US dollars or local currency? And what happens if you’re on a group safari rather…
Do You Need US Dollars in Kenya and Tanzania? What American Travelers Should Know
If you’re traveling from the United States to Kenya or Tanzania, you may be wondering whether you should bring US dollars with you. The short answer is: You do not need to carry large amounts of US dollars in Kenya and Tanzania. However, US dollars can be useful on an East Africa trip, particularly for…
How Much Cash Should You Carry in Kenya? A Practical Guide for Travelers
If you’re visiting Kenya for the first time, one of the most common questions is: How much cash should you carry in Kenya? The good news is that you probably don’t need to travel around Kenya carrying a large amount of cash. Credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, and ATMs are widely used in many…
Serengeti vs Masai Mara: Migration, Wildlife, Price & Travel Logistics
Choosing between the Serengeti vs Masai Mara is one of the biggest decisions you can make when planning a first African safari. Both destinations are world-famous for spectacular wildlife, big cats, open savannahs, and the annual Great Migration. They are also part of the same larger ecosystem, separated by the Kenya-Tanzania border. But the safari…
Nairobi vs Arusha: Where Should You Start Your Safari?
Planning your first African safari can be exciting, but choosing where to begin can make a surprisingly big difference. If you are deciding between Nairobi vs Arusha, you are essentially choosing between two of East Africa’s most important safari gateways. Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and one of the region’s biggest international travel hubs.…