From Riyadh to Kenya for a Safari- How to Plan the Perfect Kenya Safari

From Riyadh to Kenya for a Safari- How to Plan the Perfect Kenya Safari

Most novice travelers dread grappling with the issue of how to plan the perfect Kenya safari. This breakdown gives you useful Kenya travel information to make planning your safari easier. 

When it comes to vacation and safari spots, Kenya is a global icon. The country’s savannahs, always teeming with wildlife, are some of the most picturesque locations. 

On several occasions, the World Travel Awards (WTA) recognized Masai Mara, as one of Kenya’s premier game parks and as Africa's top game park. The Mara is also the center stage where the legendary annual wildebeest migration occurs; an event frequently cited as the eighth wonder of the world.

In Kenya, you find wildlife in its natural setting. Besides bountiful wildlife, Kenya boasts some of the planet’s best beaches, rich, robust culture and is a melting pot of heritage tourism. All of the activities in the parks are spontaneous. 

As far as beach destinations are concerned, the WTA has repeatedly recognized Kenya’s Diani Beach as the best beach in Africa. Further north of Diani, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to Kenya's Watamu every year, swimming a distance of 4000 kilometers.

The warm hospitality of its people is yet another of its most attractive features, alongside a pleasant climate that is great for vacations. There are numerous benefits to selecting Kenya as your vacation location, and once you've been to Kenya, you'll always want to return. In other words, there is hardly a dull moment on the Kenya safari circuit.

So, how do you go about scheduling your Kenya safari? Here are some valuable pointers.

Choosing a guide 

One of the top Kenya safari tips you should know about is picking a reliable travel agent. 

It's essential to consider a trustworthy tour operator with verifiable safari business experience. These are advisors with registered offices whose professional websites reflect what past clients say about them. Your travel agent should be well-traveled and have visited the locations you are interested in. 

With a travel agent in your corner, you will enjoy a guided tour upon arrival and get some terrific travel advice before booking your Kenya safari. Besides being a repository of vital Kenya safari information, a travel agent gives you the confidence of knowing that your Kenya safari itinerary is crafted around your preferences.

They will also advise you on the top-notch, time-tested lodgings and excursions you should book and which ones to avoid. 

The fact that Africa is difficult to navigate is yet another one of the reasons you should opt for a professionally guided tour. It also liberates you from the hassle of formulating and managing a hectic Kenya safari itinerary. These may include airport transfers, domestic travel to the middle of the jungle, and getting picked up by the appropriate lodge at the proper time, all while trying to have a fun time.

Besides helping you develop customized Kenya safari itineraries, your agent will provide you with suitable transport comprising customized safari vehicles. If you are desirous of taking domestic flights to the Mara and other attractions, the agent will handle the bookings and all the other logistics on your behalf.

Choose your activities 

Almost any activity you can think of is available somewhere in the world of safaris, so there are many different activities you may do on your Kenya safari. Most safaris center on game drives because they are the quickest and most efficient way to see wildlife. 

However, if your ideal safari involves something less conventional, you may consider including a horseback safari, animal tracking, or dolphin watching in your Kenya safari itinerary. Other exciting options include a hot air balloon ride, mastering 4x4 off-road driving, walking safaris, and even visiting a Masai village.

Game drives and hot air balloon safaris allow you to watch the big game, such as elephants, wildebeest, and lions, while aboard a moving vessel. Meanwhile, walking safaris are an opportunity to get up close with smaller creatures. 

In the Masai Mara, for instance, a walking safari is a chance to see the bat-eared fox, bushbaby, crested porcupine, common eland, and hartebeest, among others.

Other safari activities worth looking into include skydiving in Diani, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, dhow rides, and kite surfing. One of the most useful Kenya safari tips when deciding on activities is to consider your preferences and those of your travel companions.

Know the travel requirements

Equally important when planning your Kenya safari from Riyadh is to know the country’s travel requirements. These include the travel documents required for your trip, medical tests and vaccinations, and all other immigration bureaucracies necessary.

Travelers from Saudi Arabia need a visa to visit Kenya. Besides the visa, every traveler needs a valid passport and a couple of medical/ health documents.

You will be required to furnish a COVID-19 vaccination certificate on the medical front. Travelers must have received the recommended doses of a particular vaccine at least 14 days before their arrival (not including the day of vaccination). Before boarding a flight to Kenya, passengers must upload their vaccination records to the Global Heaven Platform.

Alternatively, you may be exempted from producing the Covid-19 vaccination certificate if you produce a negative Covid-19 test result. However, to be valid, the test must have been conducted within the last 72 hours before arrival in Kenya.

Aside from Covid-19 testing or vaccination, travelers must also provide a Yellow Fever certificate, signifying that they have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever. Please visit the Kenya immigration and Ministry of Health websites to get the most updated information on these requirements.