When planning a Kenya Safari Holiday.

April 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Virgin Content Ltd are excited to share their expertise of planning,  going for and enjoying a Kenya wildlife holiday safari. With the need by their clients to access handy tips, ideas, suggestions on prices ever increasing, Virgin Content believes that customers or folks desiring to go for a safari holiday will derive great benefits herein.

Kenya is an approachable nation in Africa and easy to navigate around too. The tourism infrastructure here is well developed, accessible wildlife parks, plus lodges, lots of domestic flights to these safari destinations, a selection of trips and affordable holidays too.A Kenya safari is an adventure on its own. With plenty of wildlife, panoramic views, awesome sunsets, the annual wildebeest migration, the mountains and lakes, private wildlife ranches and the like.

Ideally enjoyed as a package holiday (because you will need flight/ transport, park tickets, food, accommodation, a guide etc) an averagely good low end safari starts from the price of USD 250 per person per night. Accommodation will be in normal lodge or safari camp. Remember that costs for Kenya safari holiday packages do not come with international flights.

So what will determine how much you pay for a safari?

Accommodation:
Where you stay is the top factor in deciding the price of safari. Is it an average lodge or camp? A high end, plush, small and intimate safari camp? Is it in the park, fringes etc? Is it owner hosted? Does it come as all inclusive with things like laundry, all beverages thrown in? Do you get a personal butler? Such conveniences while will give a royal treatment ups up your prices. Here are some suggested holiday accommodations http://virgincontent.com/hotels-and-lodges.html

Your safari destination:
Doing your safari in national parks is comparably cheaper than having a holiday adventure in private parks and ranches. Private conservancies and wildlife ranches like Loisaba, Il Ngwesi give added value to your safari with experiences like a limited number of visitors per day, walking safari, night game drives, horse and camel treks etc. More so this community ranches go a long way in alleviating the livelihoods of the local tribes around. See http://virgincontent.com/destinations.html for suggested destinations.

How you get there:
How do you get to your safari spot once you have arrived in Kenya matters a lot in pricing your vacation. Is it by sharing transport (sit in car safaris) in van or four wheel drive cruiser? (Cheapest), Private van or cruiser (price increased) by scheduled flight (high price) or charter plane? FYI a safari van is cheaper than a safari jeep or cruiser!!

International flights:
When you book your ticket at the last minute, you are bound to pay more than when you do that in advance say a month or more. Who are you booking with? Get travel agents who are specialized in travel to Kenya, they'll get you a good deal or as we have noted, airlines do give special rates when you book directly with them online. Is it business class you travel or economy?

The season of travel:
When they say stay at home that is when you ought to travel. Kenya's low travel season is April to mid June. We have some rain but if you do not mind, then take advantage of the ridiculously very low prices. The peak holiday travel season from July to October always costs more than double in accommodation prices and a higher increase in airfare.The low side of a safari in low season is you will get rained on in the afternoon. But you get an awesome experience nevertheless.

Kenya safaris are best enjoyed with an experienced safari guide and not just the safari driver. You will pay more yes but the benefits are worth the price. Apart from pointing out the animals, will also decipher the tracks, teach you how to listen and interpret the various calls and much more. Safari guides are diverse and each has own strengths e.g. one experienced is leading families with kids, a birding guide, a guide strong in plants (Faunal guide), a walking safari guide, camel trekking guide etc. Always ask with your preference in mind.

How do you best enjoy your safari?
Make sure you have your binoculars with you. Reason you may not get so close to animals sometimes.

Don't miss the bigger picture; put your camera on the side. Are you interested in your photo gallery or the safari experience itself? Did you come this far to just take photos? Then we can send you some just ask!!

Study the animals, especially those that excite you. Even a Chameleon has something on offer.

Listen to the sounds, there is a great mix of sounds on a Kenya safari. What a beautiful rhythm the animals, birds and insects compose.

Have an open mind as you are on vacation. Do not expect to see everything you've seen on television, those guys on spend lots of time compiling that film.

Ask questions, your driver guide will be informative only when you ask questions.

Interact with the local communities, what a lose it is for you to come on safari just for the sights and sounds and fail to experience the warmth of the local people. See http://virgincontent.com/holidays-and-safaris.html for various holiday packages

Remember:
To stick to the khakis, brown and light greens and the like. This is not Hawaii, Malibu etc for those screamers.

Don't shout when an animal has been sighted. You will scare them away.

Let your cologne wait for the beach or city breakaway. Animals have a strong sense of smell; they will notice you from several miles away and hide.

Oh. Drink water please.

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Virgin Content Ltd is an onsite tour operator well versed in the art of luxury wildlife safari and beach holidays in and to Kenya.