By opting for a single supplement safari in Kenya, solo travelers gain the opportunity to share game drives in customized safari vehicles with other like-minded individuals.
This enables interactions that would otherwise not take place if navigating the renowned wildlife reserves entirely alone. Shared camping experiences also facilitate quick bonding over meals and evening conversations around the fire.
Camping in the wild alongside newfound companions enhances the cultural experience that many solo travelers seek in Africa. The social aspect of such arrangements nicely balances periods of reflection in extraordinary natural surroundings.
Single Supplement Safari Package Comparison
But safaris can come with a hidden cost: the single supplement. This fee applies when you occupy a room meant for two. Fear not! Here's a comparison of three top Kenyan safari destinations offering single-friendly options:
| Destination | Itinerary (4 Days/3 Nights) | Accommodation | Activities | Price (Single Occupancy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara National Reserve (Offbeat Mara) | Day 1: Arrive at Offbeat Mara, afternoon game drive. Day 2 & 3: Morning & afternoon game drives, optional guided bush walk. * Day 4: Morning game drive, depart. | Offbeat Mara Tented Camp (Luxury) | Shared 4WD game drives with experienced guides, meals included. | Starting at $4200 USD (all-inclusive) - Single supplement waived for solo travelers (limited availability). |
| Laikipia Conservancy (Kicheche Laikipia Camp) | Day 1: Arrive at Kicheche Laikipia Camp, afternoon game drive. Day 2 & 3: Morning & afternoon game drives, horseback riding safari (optional). * Day 4: Nature walk, depart. | Kicheche Laikipia Camp (Mid-Range) | Shared 4WD game drives with expert guides, horseback riding adventures (seasonal), meals included. | Starting at $3500 USD (all-inclusive) - Single supplement waived on specific dates (check with operator). |
| Samburu National Reserve (Samburu Intrepids Camp) | Day 1: Arrive at Samburu Intrepids Camp, afternoon game drive. Day 2 & 3: Morning & afternoon game drives, visit a Samburu village (optional). * Day 4: Bush breakfast, camel trek, depart. | Samburu Intrepids Camp (Budget) | Shared 4WD game drives with knowledgeable guides, optional cultural visit, meals included. | Starting at $2800 USD (all-inclusive) - Single supplement with a discounted rate. |
What to Consider When Choosing Your Safari
- Luxury vs. Budget
- Activities
- The Great Migration
- Single Supplement
When booking a single supplement safari, it's important to consider your budget and interests. For luxury accommodations, look into camps like Offbeat Mara in the Masai Mara, which waives single supplements on certain dates.
Kicheche Laikipia Camp provides a more affordable mid-range option, sometimes with single supplement discounts and Samburu Intrepids Camp caters well to budget travelers.
Regardless of budget, all spots offer classic game drives. Kicheche adds horseback riding, while Samburu offers unique camel treks.
If visiting from July to October, choose the Masai Mara to experience the world-famous wildebeest migration. Be sure to book well in advance for the busiest season. Flexibility on dates can also help secure the best single supplement rates.
Remember: Prices can vary depending on the season and tour operator. Always check for the latest deals and confirm single supplement policies before booking.
Solo Safari Pro-Tip: Shared game drives are a fantastic way to meet fellow adventurers and share the safari experience!
Benefits of Single Supplement Safaris in Kenya
Solo travelers seeking value will appreciate the cost-savings afforded by single supplement safaris. On a typical one-week trip to the Masai Mara and other prominent reserves, opting for a single room could slash upwards of $500 compared to standard two-person rates.
Further, going solo allows for a personalized itinerary tailored to one's specific interests. Photographers may spend extended periods in lesser-visited parks, while hikers can incorporate multi-day trekking.
Tour operators skillfully match individuals to form small customized groups with aligned passions, whether nature photography, cultural exploration, or active itineraries. This level of customization remains difficult for larger, pre-packaged safaris.
Top Single Supplement Safari Destinations in Kenya
Masai Mara National Reserve
Home to spectacular wildlife encounters year-round, the Masai Mara National Reserve makes for one of the top solo safari destinations in Kenya.
Spanning over 1,500 square kilometers, this famous northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem delivers large populations of zebras and wildebeests that sustain massive prides of lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
Aside from the famous migration between July and October, the reserve has remote wilderness camps deep in its swamplands and forests.
Self-drivers can enjoy mornings and evenings of game drives from these exclusive eco-lodges with only the sounds of the wild to keep them company.
Amboseli National Park.
Another prime location for solo travelers is Amboseli National Park, recognized for its close encounters with elephants. Situated at the foot of towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli has front-row views of Africa's highest peak towering over swampland and wildlife.
In addition to abundant elephants, solitude-seeking travelers can spot lions, giraffes, and nearly 400 bird species along rocky picnic sites. Guided walks beyond the park boundaries also provide opportunities to interact with the indigenous Maasai people and learn about their pastoralist traditions.
Under wide open savanna skies, Amboseli presents majestic views ideal for solo reflection and photography around its delightful Lake Amboseli.
Tsavo National Park
With its conspicuous scenery changing from fluvial forests to arid plains, Tsavo National Park covers over 20,000 square kilometers suitable for multi-day solo safaris. Its rocky outcrops are prime vantage points to spot elephants and lions congregating around waterholes.
More adventurous travelers can opt for guided overnight walking safaris led by experienced Maasai warriors. For close encounters, the park's famous man-eating lions that once terrorized Tsavo can be observed with relative ease from open-top vehicles in its southern sector.
Solitude-seekers are also drawn to its remoteness, coming across few other tourists even during peak season.
Accommodation Options for Solo Travelers
Luxury tented camps
Luxury tented camps in key reserves cater especially well to solo travelers. Sabuk Lodge in the Masai Mara pitches luxurious tents on a private conservancy with frequent game drive access into the famous reserve.
The lodge provides the intimacy of a boutique stay alongside amenities like a swimming pool and common areas to mingle with small groups.
At the central Serian Camp, solo guests can opt into daily guided activities led by experts or explore the 83,000-acre private reserve independently on provided mountain bikes.
Meals at both properties offer the opportunity to bond with fellow safari-goers from around the world over gourmet cuisine featuring regional ingredients and wines.
All luxury camps ensure comfortable, safe, and memorable experiences for independent travelers in Kenya.
Boutique lodges
Boutique lodges provide an intimate experience well-suited for solitude-seeking travelers. In the Lamu archipelago, Peponi Hotel occupies a historic mansion tucked away on a palm tree-fringed beach.
The nine-room property allows for personalized itineraries like watersports, cooking classes, and cycling tours led by a dedicated staff.
Meanwhile Mpala Research Centre is a unique opportunity to blend a safari with hands-on research alongside scientists studying wildlife ecology.
Luxury tents and cottages scattered on the property's 57,000 acres provide sweeping views over grazing herbivores on this working ranch. Meal times among a maximum of 18 guests foster meaningful connections.
Tips for Booking Single Supplement Safaris in Kenya
When preparing for a solo safari, planning early is key. Popular destinations and periods such as the Great Migration often book up months in advance. Check operator policies on single supplements, which can vary considerably based on season and exact dates.
Contact lodges directly as some offer discounts for last-minute bookings from solo travelers.
Group safaris where a single traveler joins a package tour can also provide substantial per-person savings compared to regular rates designed for double occupancy.
Booking package tours also removes worries about securing a vehicle and guide. Flexibility and diligence will help you manage the Rift Valley on a budget.
