Kenya safari for Indian travellers is easier than many people think and a Kenya safari for Indian travellers starts with simple steps. There are direct flights from Mumbai. The visa is an online eTA. Lodges cater for vegetarian guests. And the wildlife is some of the best on earth.
- FromUSD 850about INR 72,000 per person sharing, 3 day Maasai Mara Big Five safari, land only
- DurationRead time 10 min
- StartsNairobi, after a direct flight from Mumbai or Delhi
- Best forIndian families, couples, seniors and groups planning a first Kenya trip
- StyleFamilies, couples, seniors and friends travelling together
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
This guide to Kenya safari for Indian travellers covers food, the visa, the best months, the budget in rupees and what a trip looks like for a family or a group. We use plain numbers so you can plan with confidence.
All rupee figures are converted at about INR 85 to the dollar. We confirm every price in writing on WhatsApp before you pay.
Highlights
- Direct flights from Mumbai take about 6 to 7 hours
- Vegetarian meals are easy to arrange at lodges and camps
- The Kenya eTA costs about USD 30, around INR 2,550
- The best months are July to October and January to March
- A 3 day Maasai Mara safari starts at USD 850, about INR 72,000
- Carry a yellow fever card for the flight home
Kenya safari for Indian travellers: sample budgets
| Trip | USD | Rupees |
|---|---|---|
| 3 day Maasai Mara Big Five | USD 850 | about INR 72,000 |
| 5 day Great Migration safari | USD 1,450 | about INR 123,000 |
| 6 day Mara and Diani, mid range | USD 2,180 | about INR 185,000 |
| 8 day Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli, Tsavo | USD 2,200 | about INR 187,000 |
- Prices are per person sharing, land only. International flights from India are extra and change often.
- Rupee figures use about INR 85 to the dollar. Rates move, so we confirm the amount when you book.
- Park fees rise in the July to December high season, so prices rise too.
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Why Kenya works well for Indian travellers
Kenya has a long link with India. Many Kenyans have Indian family roots and you will find Indian food, temples and shops in Nairobi and Mombasa. A Kenya safari for Indian travellers feels familiar in a way that few African trips do.
The flight is short, the time zone is close and English is spoken everywhere, so a Kenya safari for Indian travellers is simple to plan. For a first trip to Africa, that is a good start.
Getting there from India
There are direct flights between Mumbai and Nairobi and many more with one stop from Delhi, Bengaluru and other cities. A direct flight from Mumbai takes about 6 to 7 hours. Routes change, so check the airline before you book.
Nairobi is 2.5 hours behind India, so jet lag is mild. Most flights land at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, where our driver meets you with a name board. See our airport transfers Nairobi page.
Vegetarian food on a Kenya safari for Indian travellers
Vegetarian food is easy to find on safari if you tell us early. Lodges and camps serve rice, lentils, vegetable curries, chapati, salads, soups and fresh fruit. Many kitchens cook Indian style dishes for guests who ask.
Jain guests and strict vegetarians should send their needs before the trip. For a Kenya safari for Indian travellers, a few days notice lets the camp prepare food with no meat, eggs or root vegetables. In the Maasai Mara, camps are far from town, so notice matters.
Indian restaurants in Nairobi and Mombasa
Nairobi has many Indian restaurants, especially in Westlands and Parklands. You can find North Indian, South Indian and Gujarati food and several places serve pure vegetarian thalis.
Mombasa and Diani have Indian restaurants too. On a Kenya safari for Indian travellers, we plan your first and last nights in Nairobi so you can enjoy a familiar meal before and after the bush.
Do Indians need a visa for Kenya?
Yes. Indian passport holders apply online for a Kenya eTA before they fly. The fee is about USD 30, around INR 2,550 and the approval comes by email. Rules and fees can change, so we confirm the current rule when you book.
Apply at least a week before you travel. You need your passport, a return ticket, proof of accommodation and a photo. Print the approval and carry it with your passport.
Yellow fever and health
India usually asks for a yellow fever card when you come back from Kenya, because Kenya is a risk country. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before you fly and carry the original card.
Talk to your doctor about malaria tablets, repellent and other jabs. See our Kenya vaccinations and malaria guide. All our guests should have travel insurance with medical cover.
Best time for a Kenya safari for Indian travellers
The best months for wildlife are July to October, when the Great Migration is in the Maasai Mara. January to March is warm and dry, with fewer people and lower park fees. These months also match school breaks in India.
April and May are the rainy months and some camps close. If you can only travel in the Indian summer break in May and June, ask us for the best camps. See our best time to visit Maasai Mara and Great Migration calendar.
Diwali, Christmas and school holiday travel
Many Indian families travel at Diwali, in the May and June break and at Christmas. These weeks are busy and the best camps sell out early. Book at least 3 months ahead for these dates.
Peak season brings higher park fees and higher prices for a Kenya safari for Indian travellers. See Kenya safari in December and Christmas holiday packages in Kenya.
What a Kenya safari for Indian travellers costs
A 3 day Maasai Mara Big Five safari starts at USD 850, about INR 72,000. A 5 day Great Migration safari costs USD 1,450, about INR 123,000. An 8 day Mara, Nakuru, Amboseli and Tsavo trip costs USD 2,200, about INR 187,000.
Prices are per person sharing and exclude flights. For a Mara plus Diani plan, see Kenya tour packages from India. For all prices, see Kenya safari packages and prices and the price calculator.
Budget, mid range and luxury options
Budget trips use simple tented camps and shared vehicles. Mid range trips use comfortable lodges with private bathrooms and a pool. Luxury trips use top camps with fine service and larger tents.
Most families on a Kenya safari for Indian travellers choose mid range. It gives good food, clean rooms and a short walk to the dining tent. See Kenya budget safaris, Kenya private safaris and Kenya luxury safaris.
Safaris for families and large groups
Kenya is very good for families and a family Kenya safari for Indian travellers works well. A private 4×4 means that children can stop when they need to and parents can set the pace. Big joint families can travel in two vehicles with a guide for each.
For tips and trip ideas see Kenya family safaris and Kenya group joining safaris. Our guides are patient with children and happy to explain the animals.
Safaris for seniors and honeymooners
Older travellers do well on a 3 to 5 day plan with short drives and a comfortable lodge. A flight into the Mara saves the long road. See safaris for seniors.
Couples can add a private dinner in the bush and a beach stay at Diani. See Kenya honeymoon safaris. A Kenya safari for Indian travellers on honeymoon is a popular choice.
Money, tipping and Mpesa
Kenya uses the shilling. Bring US dollars in clean notes for tips and small buys. Cards work in towns and big lodges. Indian cards may not work everywhere, so carry some cash.
Tipping is normal. We explain the right amounts in our Kenya safari tipping guide. For exchange tips see Kenya currency for tourists.
What to pack
For a Kenya safari for Indian travellers, pack light cotton clothes in neutral colours, a warm fleece for early mornings, a hat, sunglasses and good walking shoes. Bring a power adapter. Kenya uses the UK style three pin plug.
Bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens. Add any medicines you need. See our what to pack for a Kenya safari list.
A sample 5 day plan for Indian families
Day one is arrival in Nairobi, a vegetarian dinner and an early night. Day two is the drive to the Maasai Mara, with a game drive in the afternoon. Day three is a full day in the Mara with a morning and an afternoon drive.
Day four is another full day, with a visit to a Maasai village if you wish. Day five is the drive back to Nairobi and an evening flight home. This is a simple Kenya safari for Indian travellers who have a week of leave.
Customs, culture and respect
Kenyans are warm and friendly and Indian visitors are welcome. Dress is relaxed and shorts are fine in the park. In towns and at the coast, dress modestly when you visit a mosque or a temple.
Ask before you photograph people. Many Maasai families are glad to pose for a small tip, but some prefer not to. Your guide will help. A good Kenya safari for Indian travellers is one that respects local people as well as the animals.
Safety and medical help
Kenya is safe for visitors who use common sense and a trusted operator. Keep valuables in the lodge safe and avoid walking alone at night in town. See our is Kenya safe guide.
Our trips include a first aid kit and a driver guide who knows the nearest clinic. For serious cases, Amref Flying Doctors offers an air rescue plan. See our Amref Flying Doctors guide.
Staying in touch from Kenya
Mobile signal is good in Nairobi and in most lodges, but weak in remote parks. Indian roaming plans can be costly. A local SIM card, bought at the airport, is cheaper and works with Mpesa.
Most lodges have Wi Fi at the main building. Tell your family that the signal may drop for a day. On a Kenya safari for Indian travellers, many guests enjoy the break from their phones.
Planning your Kenya safari for Indian travellers step by step
Step one is to choose your dates and your budget. Step two is to apply for the eTA and book the vaccine. Step three is to book flights once we confirm the safari dates.
Step four is to send us your food needs and any special wishes, such as a birthday cake or a sunrise breakfast. Step five is to pay the deposit and relax. We send a clear plan with every lodge, every drive and every meal.
How we help guests from India
We plan every Kenya safari for Indian travellers from our office. We are Authentic Adventures, based at Pili Trade Centre, Mombasa Road, Nairobi. Message us on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957 and we reply with a written quote in rupees and dollars.
You can pay by card on Pesapal, by Mpesa or by bank transfer. See book a trip and pay to get started.
Turn this Kenya safari for indian travellers guide into a real trip
Reading about Kenya safari for indian travellers is the fun part. Planning around it is where most people get stuck. Here is how we take you from an idea to a confirmed trip, step by step, with no surprises.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every Kenya safari for indian travellers plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good Kenya safari for indian travellers into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
Is Kenya good for vegetarian Indian travellers?
Yes. Lodges and camps cook rice, lentils, vegetable curries and chapati and many serve Indian style dishes. Tell us early so the camp can prepare vegetarian or Jain meals.
How much does a Kenya safari cost from India?
A 3 day Maasai Mara Big Five safari starts at USD 850, about INR 72,000, per person sharing. A 5 day Great Migration safari costs USD 1,450, about INR 123,000. Flights from India are extra.
Do Indians need a visa for Kenya?
Yes. Indian passport holders apply online for the Kenya eTA before they fly. The fee is about USD 30, around INR 2,550. We confirm the current rule when you book.
What is the best time for Indian travellers to visit Kenya?
July to October for the Great Migration and January to March for warm, dry weather. The rainy months of April and May are quieter and some camps close.
How many hours from India to Kenya by flight?
A direct flight from Mumbai to Nairobi takes about 6 to 7 hours. Flights from other cities with one stop take longer. Nairobi is 2.5 hours behind India.
Do I need a yellow fever card for the flight home?
India usually asks for one when you return from Kenya. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before you fly and carry the original card with your passport.
Official information: Magical Kenya, official tourism board.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
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