Kenya Flying Safaris & 4WD Safaris - 3 Most Popular Kenya Safaris

1. Flying safaris Kenya

These safaris essentially cater for the well-off who want to fly between remote airstrips in the various national parks and stay in luxury tented camps. If money is no object, you can get around by a mixture of charter and scheduled flights and stay in some of the finest camps in Kenya, arrangements can be made with any of the Kenyan lodge and tented camp safari operators.

Flying safaris to Lake Turkana and Sibiloi National park are common, and most Kenya safari companies will be able to sort out a country wide itinerary. Safari seekers can arrange reasonably priced Kenyan flying safaris. Quite a few special-interest safari operator companies use light aircraft to save time.

2. Lake Turkana Safaris

There can be few travelers who come to Kenya who do not relish the expedition through the semi-arid wilds of Samburu National Reserve and up to the legendary Lake Turkana (Jade Sea).

These safaris all use open-sided 4WD trucks that take up to 18 people and two or three staff (cook, driver and courier). You will need to set aside a minimum of seven days to complete the journey.

There are Kenya safari companies that have 10-day Lake Turkana safaris on request. Itineraries are tailor –made ad tend to keep away from the usual routes. Trips often include guided walks, allowing meetings with Rendille and Samburu tribes’ people. The Ndoto Mountains, Mathews range, Shaba National Reserve and Chalbi Desert can all be included.

Other Kenya travel company (ies) offer 10-and eight day safari takes in Mt. Kenya, Samburu National Reserve, Marsabit, Chalbi Desert, Lake Turkana, Mararal and Lake Baringo, and costs US$550 (plus a local payment of US$110 per person in Turkana).

The eight-day option visits lake Baringo, Mararal, Lake Turkana and the Samburu National Reserve, and costs us$440 (plus local payment of $75). Both safaris use a powerboat for a short excursion on the lake and traditional Turkana huts make up accommodation beside the lake 10km south of Loyangalani. Other Kenya off-the-beaten-track companies offer a 10-day combined Lake Turkana and camel safari.

3. Motor cycle Safaris

Operating out of Diani some Kenya vacation companies run motorcycle safaris to the Taita hills and the Kilimanjaro foothills, supported by a Land rover. Large 350cc trail bikes are used and the full six day trips include a wildlife drive in Tsavo West National Park and two nights lodge accommodation.

The cost is Ksh 57,800 per rider, including meals, camping, guides, and fuel and support vehicle. The companies also rent out motor cycles and scooters and can arrange custom guided motor cycle tours for around Kshs 6,700 per day.

Other safaris offered in off-the-beaten-track Kenya include wildlife/game walking safaris, Biking safaris and truck/overland safaris. These are customized to include visits to tribal areas and wildlife walks. Some of the itineraries include sections of 10km walks. These walks go through tribal areas of the Rendille and the Samburu and end at noon. Camps are pitched at 12.30pm and no walking is done in the afternoon. Travelers spend the time relaxing and readying themselves for the next day walk or camel ride.

Request more information from a Kenyan tour or travel/safari company.

Robert is a travel expert in East Africa. He has authored many articles on travel to East Africa and Kenya here