17 ways to visit Kenya on a budget

Gazing out over the Rift Valley or taking a safari across the Masai Mara in search of lions, wildebeest and zebras is the stuff of travel dreams, but is it possible to visit Kenya on a budget? 

Well, there's good news: Kenya can be one of the cheaper countries in Africa to explore if you choose less pricey accommodation and transport options and take a budget camping safari, instead of staying in fly-in luxury lodges in Kenya's magnificent national parks. 

That said, if you intend to see a lot of this beautiful nation, costs can still add up – especially if you plan to take multiple safaris. Remember that you can see the same wildlife from a tent as you can from the chic lodges that have come to symbolize the safari experience in glossy travel magazines. Wildlife is so abundant here that there's plenty to see year-round, even if you visit outside of the peak season.

You can experience Kenya like a local – and make your travel money go further – by taking local buses and matatu (shared minibuses), staying in hostels and beach bungalows and feasting on street food and seafood cooked up fresh on the beaches where it was landed.

Even major centers like Nairobi and Mombasa have options for travelers visiting Kenya on a budget. Here are the best ways to save on a trip to Kenya. 

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Daily costs in Kenya

Here are some costs of common items in Kenya.

• Dorm bed at a hostel: from KSh1400

• Double room in a midrange or boutique hotel: from KSh4000

• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): from KSh10,000

• Budget 3-day Masai Mara safari package: from KSh40,000

• Public transport (matatu or minibus): KSh150–650

• Taxi with driver for sightseeing: from KSh3000 for a half-day

• Museum admission: KSh500–1200

• National park entry fees: from US$60 (priced in dollars)

• Cup of coffee: from KSh250

• Sandwich or light cafe lunch: from KSh500

• Dinner for two: KSh1500–4000

• Beer at a bar: from KSh200

1. Compare direct and indirect flights

Indirect flights to Kenya are often cheaper, so consider connecting to Nairobi or Mombasa via another African hub, such as Addis Ababa in Ethiopia or Johannesburg in South Africa, to see how much you can save. Excellent deals are not uncommon, particularly outside of the peak season (July to October, and over Christmas), and a number of African carriers have frequent flights into Nairobi.

If you’re traveling from the west coast of North America, you could also consider flying via Southeast Asia or China. Departing from Europe, look for cheap deals via hubs in the Middle East (such as Dubai, Qatar, Sharjah or Istanbul), or back-routes via a second European city, such as Brussels or Frankfurt. 

Set up flight alerts on sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to receive notifications when prices drop for your chosen routes and dates. It’s also worth signing up for airline newsletters such as the one from Kenya Airways, which often announces exclusive, time-limited offers.

Consider how close your chosen airport is to the national parks you want to visit. Nairobi is the closest international airport to the Masai Mara, but it may be cheaper to reach Tsavo East and Tsavo West and the parks along the coast from Mombasa.

2. Hop on the bus or take an Uber from the airport

If you’re landing in Nairobi, use the free airport wi-fi to log into Uber; fares via the app are up to a third cheaper than those charged by official airport taxis. It's even cheaper to get to town on the 34J matatu route, but this will involve diving straight into Kenya's slightly hectic public transport system. Uber is also your cheapest bet if you fly into Mombasa.

3. Book a car with a driver for multi-stop itineraries

Hiring a car and driver is an affordable and fun way to travel around Kenya, particularly for groups, where you can share the cost with other travelers. This will give you the freedom to stop off at viewpoints, roadside cafes and anywhere else you want.

You can also hire a 4WD vehicle and driver, or even self-drive a rental vehicle, to explore Kenya's national parks. This is usually more expensive than joining a budget group safari, but if you split the costs between several people, it can be a cost-effective way to see the wildlife. 

Arrange a vehicle and driver through a local travel agent or at your accommodation, but make sure you confirm the day rate. This can vary depending on the vehicle, distances and terrain, but expect to pay from KSh8000 Kenyan shillings (KSh) per day for a conventional car, plus the cost of any extras, such as fuel and money for the driver’s meals and accommodations. 

Some lodges and hotels have their own free or discounted lodgings for drivers, but standards can vary, so be responsible and ask what they offer in advance (either directly or through your tour operator). If it’s not up to scratch, add KSh2000 (or more) to the driver's day rate so they can find their own accommodation. 

4. Travel during Kenya’s shoulder seasons

One easy way to save money is to travel outside of Kenya’s peak tourist seasons, which typically run from July to October, and from Christmas to February, after the short rains. International flights and accommodations will both cost a little less, and you may also be able to snap up a discounted spot on a group safari.

If you travel outside of the Great Migration (July to October), look out for good deals on safaris to the Masai Mara, which is pretty fantastic at any time of year, even when the wildebeest and zebras are not marching through. For the cheapest safaris, book between the short and long rains (January to March) when prices are usually lower than during the peak vacation season.

Beach resorts and hotels offer great deals outside the peak periods too. Shop for bargains in October and November or before the long rains arrive in March. Traveling in the rainy season can also be a winner as the downpours are often short-lived, landscapes are lush, and the price difference can be significant. However, wildlife can be less inclined to come out into the open when water is abundant. 

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5. Avoid domestic flights in favor of slow travel

Prices for domestic flights are fairly reasonable in Kenya for popular routes, such as the short hop from Nairobi to Mombasa or Malindi. But it's cheaper and better for the environment to travel by long-distance bus. A Nairobi-Mombasa bus can cost as little as 1800KSh, compared to 7000KSh by air. You'll also get a better view of the landscape – and sometimes the wildlife, too.

Be prepared for crowded vehicles and your bags being tied up on the roof on some rural buses (always be watchful for bag thieves). For a slower, even more sustainable journey, take the train. Kenya Railways' routes are limited, but the fare for the Nairobi to Mombasa run starts at 1000KSh, or 3000KSh in first class. 

6. If you have to fly, book in advance

Despite a growing number of carriers, popular domestic routes still get fully booked (partly because many are serviced using tiny aircraft). Buy tickets well in advance to get lower fares and secure the days and times you wish to travel. Different airlines have different policies for releasing tickets, but try to book as soon as you know your dates – and be aware that flights are often either non-refundable or not easily changed.

Note that flights to airstrips inside the national parks are almost always more expensive than flights to commercial airports outside the parks. Balance the time saved by flying with the overall cost – if a flight saves you a day of vehicle hire and many hours of travel, it may still be worth it.

7. Try street food and korogas

Kenya has a flourishing restaurant scene, but eating at street food stalls or inexpensive local cafes can be a great way to eat well and save money. It’s hard to resist roadside snacks such as freshly grilled corn on the cob, nyama choma (roasted meat), and grilled matoke (plantain).

Kenyans will also head to restaurants that specialize in korogas (barbecues) to share large, good-value platters of meat and other foods cooked on a tawa (griddle). Also, look out for low-cost pizzas cooked on a jiko (charcoal-burning stove). When seeking inexpensive meals, look for places that are busy with locals – a sign that food is tasty and hygienic. 

8. Don’t dismiss the hostels

Hostels across Kenya have modernized and raised their standards in the last few years. It’s now standard for dorm rooms to have beds with privacy curtains, personal plug sockets, USB charging points and reading lights. Many hostels also offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms at reasonable prices, and some offer discount tours and safaris (or provide opportunities to assemble your own group to share costs). 

Kenyan hostels are usually cheaper than their hotel equivalent, with many new or recently refurbished hostels offering better-quality private rooms than some midrange hotels. A few standouts include the award-winning eco-hotel Distant Relatives above Kilifi's lagoon, sustainable eco-accommodation Kobi Farm on the border of the Masai Mara National Reserve, and Wildebeest Eco Camp, which offers everything from deluxe tents to dorm beds in Nairobi.

9. Go camping

The cheapest way to stay inside Kenya's national parks is to camp. Sleeping under the stars can be a magical experience, especially as most parks have campgrounds with showers and toilets, and sometimes even restaurants and bars. As well as campgrounds for independent campers, safari companies run numerous tented camps with semi-permanent safari tents in popular parks, reserves and conservancies.

Rates vary, but expect to pay from KSh1500 a night with your own tent and bedding, or KSh2500 upward if you stay in a tent owned by the camp. The Kenya Wildlife Service lists the amenities for each park. Because they’re much cheaper than the safari lodges, these campgrounds are very popular – book ahead, especially in the high/dry season.

10. Stay outside the national parks

Lodges and accommodations inside national parks usually come with a hefty price tag, particularly those dream properties close to remote airstrips and watering holes. If you’re looking to save a few shillings, book a safari lodge or hotel located outside the park’s boundaries (but not too far if you’re planning an early-morning game drive).

Budget lodges are often found along the park approach roads, charging lower room rates for the small inconvenience of having to travel into the park. For even cheaper digs, check out village homestays around the park fringes, or low-cost safari camps aimed at backpackers (even if you aren’t one). As well as pitches for tents, many offer permanently fixed safari tents or cabins.

11. Book a beach villa with a chef (honestly)

Staying in accommodation with its own cook might sound indulgent, but renting a private house or villa along the Indian Ocean coast or on one of the islands of the Lamu Archipelago has become increasingly popular. Costs vary depending on the quality of the property, the location, and the facilities, but you can often rent a 5-star, luxury property for around half the price you’d pay for a hotel of equivalent standard.

Many properties come with a chef and housekeeping staff to keep the place tidy. With delicious, fresh ingredients on hand in local markets, this can be  very affordable way to dine like royalty (while also saving on eating out each night). You can request meals or ask the chef to cook their own specialties for little more than the price of a grocery store shop.

We recommend tipping at the end of your stay, even if service is included in the rental cost. Villas and beach huts without staff are also easy to find, along with simple rooms in homestays set back from the beach, or sometimes right behind the sand.

12. Plan your itinerary carefully

You can save a lot of money – and time – by planning your trip carefully. The best things to do in Kenya are widely spread out across the country, and trying to visit Lake Turkana, Lamu Island and Tsavo National Park on one trip will either involve costly domestic flights or days of overland travel (and the associated cost of meals and accommodations).

Instead, pick attractions and activities that are close together, to save on transport costs and days lost in transit. Nairobi, the Masai Mara and the beach resorts near Mombasa are easy to combine into a single itinerary, even if you're only in Kenya for a short time. 

13. …and add in time for Nairobi

Whatever your proposed itinerary, factor in a few days in Nairobi. Often overlooked, the Kenyan capital is a great place for anyone on a budget. It's easy to find good hotel deals, there are restaurants and bars for all budgets, and if a longer safari is out of the question, you can always spend the day in Nairobi National Park – starting just 8km from the center, it’s the only national park in the world located inside a city.

14. Book your safari after you arrive in Kenya

Unless you insist on staying at high-end lodges, Kenya can be a very affordable safari destination, with a wide selection of midrange lodges, tented camps, eco-camps, community village stays and hotels to choose from, located in or around the country's wildlife hotspots.

Many travelers book safari packages in advance, but if safari lodges aren’t as full as expected, you can pick up excellent value packages on arrival in Mombasa or Nairobi that include transport, meals, guides and game drives for a discount price.

Consider the accommodation included with your package. Lodge stays inside the parks are the most expensive, but you'll pay less to camp, stay in semi-permanent tented camps, or stay in lodges outside the park boundaries.

Local travel agents can often find stellar last-minute deals, but you can also check out websites such as Safari Bookings, which brings together operators offering budget (and luxury) safari packages that are bookable for the next day onward, with trips for both groups and solo travelers.

15. Don’t forget about national park admission fees

If you're traveling independently, don't forget to budget for entry fees to national parks, game reserves and conservancies, which vary from park to park. Government-run national parks often have lower entry fees than privately operated reserves and conservancies, which usually target travelers with bigger budgets.

If you're watching the shillings, less-visited parks charge lower fees than the most popular parks. Hell's Gate National Park near Lake Naivasha has low entry fees and can be explored on foot or by bicycle, so you can avoid the costs associated with hiring a 4WD or joining an organized safari.

16. Be mindful of the exchange rate

Don’t lose out by changing money in a rush. While rates are generally decent in banks and official money exchange bureaus, it’s always wise to check the day’s exchange rate on an app such as Xe.com to make sure what you’re getting is reasonable. If you’re en route to Tanzania and have leftover Kenyan shillings, you’ll get a more favorable exchange rate on the Tanzanian side of the border.

17. A little friendly bargaining is acceptable

It’s standard to haggle a little in Kenya at markets and in some souvenir stores, but remember this is a friendly game, not a battle. Market stall holders may start with a higher price than the going rate, so offer a bit less and see how they respond. With a bit of back-and-forth, you should reach a price you are both happy with.

Think about what you are willing to pay – if the seller won't come down that low, you can always politely decline and try elsewhere. Remember that your price could be less than the fair price; don't fight down to the last shilling and always remain respectful.