Trip to Kenya and excursion prices

Hi, For my husband's 50th birthday, we're going to Mombasa for 10 days and 8 nights in March 2026. I found a hotel, the Kappa Club Crystal Bay Resort, and online reviews for this hotel recommend a guide named Omar. I contacted him via WhatsApp, and he's offering a 2-day, 1-night safari in Tsavo East, a "blue safari," and a Marafa Canyon day trip for 400 € per person. I’m asking for help from people who’ve already done these excursions because I have no idea what these offers entail. Thank you for any advice you can give me about this trip. Caroline

Hi Caroline,

I did a private 4-day, 3-night safari in Tsavo and Amboseli during my stay back in 2010. That was a while ago, so I don’t remember the price—and it’s probably not relevant anymore.

To help guide your search, you can find similar activities on GetYourGuide or even Booking.com to compare services and prices. Or you could wait until you’re there to book—there are plenty of agencies in Mombasa (which is what I did at the time).

Hello, For my husband's 50th birthday, we're going to Mombasa for 10 days and 8 nights in March 2026. I found a hotel, the Kappa Club Crystal Bay Resort, and the online reviews for this hotel recommend a guide named Omar. I contacted him via WhatsApp, and he’s offering a 2-day, 1-night safari in Tsavo East, a "blue safari," and a Marafa Canyon day trip for 400 € per person. I’m asking for help from people who’ve already done these excursions because I have no idea what these offers entail. Thank you for any help you can provide regarding this trip. Caroline

Hello, 400 € per person per day is a total rip-off—more than half the real price. If you book this way, the hotel takes an extra cut because this guide is in cahoots with them. Renting a car in Mombasa and talking to the rangers at the national park entrances would cost you much less, plus you’d have the freedom to explore Kenya between the parks. [;]

Hi, Thanks for your message, I’ll do some more research 🙂 Caroline

Hi, It’s true that the price seemed a bit steep to me, but I don’t know Kenya at all, so I have no idea about the value of things there. I’ll keep looking into it. Thanks a lot! Caroline

Hi Caroline,

A few details would be helpful:

"he’s offering me a 2-day, 1-night safari to Tsavo East, a Blue Safari, and a Marafa Canyon day trip for 400 euros per person."

If I understand correctly, the offer includes 3 different excursions: the Tsavo safari, the Blue Safari (a boat excursion, I assume), and the Marafa Canyon (??).

For the Tsavo safari, the package includes entry (one or two entries per person, depending on arrival and departure times the next day), the hotel/lodge in Tsavo, meals, and a guide with vehicle. The hotel is likely the most expensive part, as there are many quite luxurious lodges in Tsavo, and drivers/guides often steer you toward these upscale hotels.

I don’t know about the other two excursions. So it’s hard to say if this is a good deal!

Don’t forget that anything related to safaris in Kenya and Tanzania isn’t exactly "low-cost." Also, keep in mind that the Tanzanian government has significantly increased fuel prices in recent years...

So personally, I’m not totally surprised by the price quoted...

Best regards.

Don’t forget that anything related to safaris in Kenya and Tanzania isn’t exactly "budget-friendly." Also, keep in mind that the Tanzanian government has significantly increased fuel prices in recent years...

My apologies—I meant to say (and write): the Kenyan Government... Of course!!

...

Hello, For my husband’s 50th birthday, we’re spending 10 days (8 nights) in Mombasa in March 2026.

Hi Caroline,

So!!! Now that your trip to Kenya is over, maybe you could tell us a bit about how those excursions went?!

Thanks for sharing the details with us.

Puma2A

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