Tips for visiting national parks, transport, and accommodation in Kenya

Hello,

We’re heading to Kenya from July 14 to August 3, 2025. We’ve swapped our house to get our first base in Nairobi.

I’d like to know if the Severin Safari Camp is well located relative to the entrance of Tsavo National Park? From what I’ve read in another discussion, it’s better to hire a driver (rather than renting a car)?

Same question for Maasai Simba Camp?

And finally, what do you recommend for the Masai Mara: how many days should we plan? Any accommodation tips?

Thanks so much in advance.

The Brittons from the 56 🙂

Hello dear neighbor 😉 (we live in Plœmeur),

We spent 2 nights in January 2025 at Severin Safari Camp in Tsavo West. It’s very comfortable—even quite luxurious. However, it’s relatively far from the center of the park, especially the sanctuary where you can see rhinos. Given the sanctuary’s opening hours, the travel time is too long to visit it comfortably.... On the other hand, it’s close to Mzima Springs.

I don’t know the Maasai Simba Camp and won’t give you advice for the Maasai Mara, as it’s a reserve we’ve been avoiding in recent years (over-tourism, especially in July–August, excessive prices, and landscapes that are rather monotonous compared to other areas in Kenya like Samburu and Meru NP).

For renting a car locally, it all depends on your experience driving in Africa...... Booking a car with a driver won’t cost you much more.

So, if you’re exchanging your house, there will be Kenyans in Lorient this summer?

Happy planning!

PS: The photos were taken at Severin Safari Camp