What image comes to mind when you hear of the word Safari?
Sitting in the bush on a moonlit night, so close to a lion that you can feel the rumble of its roar in your chest?
Many travelers might conjure up visions of tented camps, gourmet meals in the wild bushes, game drives through the golden savanna, relaxation under a tree enjoying the spectacular views of the vast landscapes and sundowners at the end of the day.
Kenya, famous for its breathtaking scenery and rich biodiversity, has some of the most memorable safari tours in Africa. From the iconic savannahs to wetlands of lush greenery, each destination offers exclusive opportunities to experience the beauty of nature.
When preparing for your safari in Kenya, there are key decisions you need to make whether opt for group shared safari or a private safari, budget, midrange or luxury accommodation. Each choice offers distinct experiences and the best option will depend on your personal preferences, budget and desired adventure. Below is an overview of both private safari and budget shared joining group safari:
Group Joining Safari
A Group Joining Safari is a budget-friendly tour where you travel with other tourists, sharing a guide, vehicle and set itinerary. It’s a carefully curated travel experience designed specifically to be both enriching and affordable by bringing together a small group of similar travelers, couples, or solo travelers who all share a similar desire to witness the amazing wildlife and scenery of Kenya.
A group joining shared safari is not merely an inexpensive alternative. It’s an opportunity at shared experiences and human interactions. You’ll be heading out on game drives in groups, eating meals together and sharing the day’s highlights with fellow travelers perhaps with different backgrounds, culture and languages – adding a new dimension of enrichment to your experience.
Below are the key elements of a group joining safari:
A Budget-Friendly Safari Option
Group Joining Safari is an affordable way to experience a safari, as costs are shared among all travelers going for safari. Traveling with a group is cost friendly as the expenses for the driver guide, vehicle and accommodation in some instances are shared making it a budget-friendly option compared to private safari. This allows travelers to enjoy the safari experience without the higher costs.
Hassle Free Safari: Less planning
By sharing the costs of the guide, vehicle and accommodations, travelers enjoy the safari experience without the hassle of organizing every detail. It’s a great option for those seeking adventure without a lot of preparation.
It’s Less flexible
A group joining Safari comes with less flexibility as the travelers follow a set itinerary and schedule with limited control over the activities. It is ideal for those who want an easy and organized experience without the need for extensive planning.
It has Limited Accommodation Options
One of the disadvantages is the limited accommodation options, as the group stays in budget-friendly lodges or camps. The accommodation may not be as luxurious or customizable as in private tours as the main focus of the group joining safari is to ensure a great safari experience while cutting on costs.
Limited Activities
The itinerary is set in advance, meaning visitors follow the same schedule as other participants and may not align with your personal interests or preferences. This can limit your flexibility in choosing specific game drives or additional activities.
Social Interaction
A Group Joining Safari offers a chance to meet new people and share the excitement of the adventure. Chatting and learning new cultures, languages and way of life – while enjoying game drives offers for a more memorable safari experience – especially for solo travelers.
A group joining Safari is perfect for travelers looking for a cost-effective and hassle free way to explore Kenya’s wildlife. It’s the ideal choice for visitors looking for an unforgettable safari experience at a budget-friendly price.
Private Safari
A private safari is a personalized safari tour experience to you, your family or anyone traveling with you – with a dedicated driver guide and more flexibility in schedule and activities. It offers a custom tailored and intimate experience.
Unlike participating in group safaris, a private safari is tailored solely to your personal needs, interests, and desires, providing an unprecedented level of flexibility, intimacy and control over your safari experience.
Imagine having a private safari vehicle and driver guide all to yourself, so that you can dictate the pace of your game drives, linger longer on interesting wildlife sightings and explore areas that maybe are not included on standard group tours.
A private safari is about crafting an experience that reflects your own tastes, whether you’re a keen photographer seeking optimal light, a family with kids wanting a relaxed and family-friendly experience, or a couple marking an anniversary.
Below are the key elements of a private safari:
Flexible itinerary
Flexible itinerary allowing you to adjust your travel plans, activities and schedule based on preferences or offering more freedom and personalization throughout your trip.
Unlimited game drives
It means you can embark on as many game drives as you want, with no limits and other activities such as nature walks. You also have the ability to choose on whether to embark on game drives or enjoy relaxation at your camp or lodge, with an option to also add a night game drive to the list of your activities.
Curated Safari experience
A private Safari offers freedom to customize your experience allowing you to choose what to do, where to stay and activities to enjoy. You are able to spend more time in areas of interest and adjust the schedule at your own pace. You are able to choose accommodations that match your style from luxurious lodges to intimate campsites.
Unparalleled Privacy and Comfort
Private Safari offers high level of privacy and comfort. This allows you to enjoy an intimate safari experience without sharing spaces with strangers. The exclusive access to your private tour vehicle and guide ensures a more intimate and relaxed journey.
Custom-Tailored Itinerary
A private Safari is designed with a custom-tailored itinerary based on your preferences. You select parks and reserves to visit and decide how long to stay in each location. This flexibility ensures that your experience is as personal and as memorable as possible.
Personalized Service from the driver guide
A private Safari offers a high level of personalized service, with a dedicated driver guide who tailors your safari experience to your interests. The guide ensures you get to sight most if not all of the wildlife you wanted to see while on your safari, while providing an in-depth knowledge and attention to detail throughout the safari. This one on one experience makes your adventure more informative, engaging and memorable.
Family Friendly Experience
A private Safari is an ideal choice for families, offering more relaxed and personalized experience. The guide adjusts the pace to suit young children or older family members, ensuring everyone is comfortable and engaged. The flexibility to choose family-friendly accommodations and activities such as nature walks, educational game drives or visits to local communities.
High Cost and More Planning Required
A private Safari offers unmatched flexibility and personalized experiences, the exclusivity of having your own guide, vehicle and tailored itinerary adds to the expense. A private safari requires more planning and coordination to arrange accommodations, activities and transport to match your preferences.
The choice to choose between a group shared joining safari and private safari depends on your budget and preferences. Group joining safaris are budget-friendly, social but less flexible while private safaris provide tailored and exclusive experience at higher cost. The best option depends on your travel style and desired level of flexibility with both offering an unforgettable adventure in heart of the wild.
Whether you seek the camaraderie of a group joining safari or the bespoke luxury of a private expedition, Bison Safaris is the best place to craft your unforgettable Kenyan adventure. Our expertise in organizing both group and private tours ensures a hassle-free and gratifying experience, crafted within your means and sensibility. From budget-friendly shared group joining safaris to elite, individualized retreats, we provide unparalleled access to Kenya’s breathtaking landscape and wildlife.