Things to Do in Kenya: Safaris, Lakes and Nairobi

Quick answer

The essential things to do in Kenya are game drives in the Maasai Mara, a Mara River crossing between July and October, a sunrise balloon flight, Amboseli for elephants under Kilimanjaro, and a boat ride on Lake Naivasha. In Nairobi, see the elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre. Six days covers Nairobi, the Mara and one lake.

13 things worth your time in Kenya

01
Game drives in the Maasai Mara
Nature
Kenya's best-known reserve has lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and buffalo on open grassland that makes sightings easy.
2–4 daysPark fee USD 100–200 (₹8,800–17,600) per day, usually in your package
Insist on a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof rather than a minivan; the Mara's tracks get rough.
02
Mara River crossing
Nature
Thousands of wildebeest plunge into a crocodile-filled river. It is the moment most migration travellers come for.
2–6 hours of waitingIncluded in a Mara safari (July–October only)
Pack lunch, carry patience and keep quiet; herds turn back if vehicles crowd the bank.
03
Hot-air balloon safari
Experience
An hour drifting over the Mara at sunrise, followed by a bush breakfast where you land.
3–4 hours with breakfastAbout ₹40,000–48,000 (USD 450–550)
Book when you book your lodge; flights in August sell out. Pickups start around 5 am.
04
Maasai village visit
Culture
See a Maasai homestead, the jumping dance and fire-making, and learn how families live alongside wildlife.
1–1.5 hoursAbout ₹1,800–4,400 (USD 20–50) per person
Agree the fee beforehand and expect a beadwork market at the end. Ask before photographing anyone.
05
Amboseli National Park
Nature
Big elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro behind them, plus swamps that draw wildlife in the dry season.
2 nightsPark fee about ₹5,300–7,900 (USD 60–90) per day at the time of review
The mountain is usually clearest at dawn and just before sunset; clouds cover it by mid-morning.
06
Lake Nakuru National Park
Nature
A fenced park with good odds of black and white rhino, Rothschild's giraffe and tree-climbing lions.
Half to full dayPark fee about ₹5,300–7,900 (USD 60–90) per day
Flamingo numbers have dropped since lake levels rose, so come for rhinos, not pink shorelines.
07
Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island
Nature
Hippos and fish eagles from a boat, then a walking safari among giraffe, zebra and wildebeest on Crescent Island.
Half dayBoat ride about ₹1,800–3,500 (USD 20–40); island walk about ₹2,600–3,500 (USD 30–40)
A good break after the Mara: no vehicle, no dust, and easy for children and seniors.
08
Cycling in Hell's Gate National Park
Experience
One of the few parks where you can cycle among zebra and giraffe, past cliffs and into a narrow gorge.
Half dayPark fee about ₹2,600 (USD 30) plus bike hire ₹900–1,300
Hire a guide for the gorge walk; flash floods are a risk after rain.
09
Sheldrick elephant orphanage
Wildlife
Watch orphaned baby elephants being bottle-fed and mud-bathed during a one-hour public visit each morning.
1 hourAbout ₹1,000–1,800 (USD 12–20); book online
Visits are around 11 am and need advance booking. Pair it with the Giraffe Centre nearby.
10
Giraffe Centre, Nairobi
Wildlife
Feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform, a favourite with children.
1 hourAbout ₹1,000 (KES 1,500)
Go at opening time on arrival day; it is 30–40 minutes from most Nairobi hotels.
11
Nairobi National Park
Nature
Lions and rhinos with city skyscrapers behind them, 20 minutes from the centre.
Half dayPark fee about ₹5,300–7,000 (USD 60–80) plus vehicle
Useful on a departure day with an evening flight, as the park is close to the airport.
12
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Nature
Home to the last two northern white rhinos, a chimpanzee sanctuary and night drives not allowed in national parks.
1–2 nightsConservancy fee about ₹8,000–10,600 (USD 90–120) per day
Best on a longer trip combined with Samburu in the north.
13
Diani Beach or Mombasa
Beach
White-sand Indian Ocean beaches after the dust of safari, and Mombasa has a large Gujarati community and food.
3–4 nightsNairobi–Ukunda flight about ₹7,000–13,000 one way
The Madaraka Express train from Nairobi to Mombasa takes about 5–6 hours and is a comfortable alternative.

How many days do you need in Kenya?

Six days is the minimum for a satisfying first safari: one night in Nairobi, three in the Maasai Mara and one at Lake Naivasha or Nakuru. With eight or nine days you can add Amboseli for elephants under Kilimanjaro. A beach extension to Diani adds three or four more.

Road or flight to the Maasai Mara?

The drive from Nairobi takes 5–6 hours, with a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. It is the cheaper option and most packages use it. Light aircraft from Nairobi's Wilson Airport reach Mara airstrips in about 45–60 minutes and add roughly ₹35,000–55,000 per person return. For seniors or anyone with back trouble, flying is worth the money.

What to know before you go

Yellow fever certificate: India requires one from travellers arriving from Kenya. Get vaccinated at an authorised centre at least ten days before departure.
Vehicles: a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof is far better than a minivan for photography and rough roads.
Luggage: light aircraft allow about 15 kg in soft bags.
Tipping: guides and camp staff expect tips, usually USD 10–20 per day per group for your driver-guide.

Most of the cost of a Kenyan safari is park fees and lodge rates, not flights. Travelling between January and June roughly halves the Mara fee.

Plan the rest of your trip

Get your eTA through our Kenya visa guide, check the best time to visit Kenya for migration timing, and budget with the Kenya safari cost breakdown. Our vegetarian food guide to Kenya covers Jain and Gujarati options, and we can arrange travel insurance that covers evacuation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for a Kenya trip?

In practice, yes. India requires a valid yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from Kenya, and you may be quarantined on return without one. Get vaccinated at an authorised centre at least ten days before departure. The certificate is valid for life, so keep it with your passport.

Should I fly or drive to the Maasai Mara?

Driving takes 5–6 hours each way from Nairobi and is included in most packages. Flying from Wilson Airport takes about 45–60 minutes and adds roughly ₹35,000–55,000 per person return, but saves a full day and a bumpy road. Seniors and families with small children usually find flying worth it.

Is a Kenya safari suitable for children and senior citizens?

Yes, with planning. Many Mara lodges welcome children and offer family tents, though some exclusive camps set minimum ages and balloon flights usually need children to be at least seven. Seniors should expect early starts and bumpy tracks; flying in and choosing a lodge close to the gate helps.

How much should I tip on a Kenyan safari?

As a guide, budget about USD 10–20 per day per group for your driver-guide and a similar amount per day for the lodge's shared staff tip box. Tip in US dollars or Kenyan shillings at the end of the trip. Tips are a meaningful part of staff income.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.