All About Safari Accommodations

The choice of accommodation plays a vital role in enhancing your Safari tour experience. It is worth noting that the hotels and lodges available during safaris, particularly those situated in or around national parks, differ significantly from city hotels. We highly advise our clients to thoroughly review the accommodations' websites, TripAdvisor pages, and visual materials, such as pictures, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the lodging facilities provided.

Categories variation

In Kenya, a diverse range of safari accommodations is available, with the majority situated within national parks or reserves. These options encompass budget camps and lodges, as well as luxurious high-end camps and lodges. We collaborate with all types of accommodations.

Our properties are categorised into three types: Deluxe, Premium, and Luxury. During the sales process, our dedicated sales consultant will furnish you with a package featuring all four accommodation types for each location included in your itinerary. The selection of accommodations is based on the following criteria:

Location and accessibility
Food & Service Quality
Space & Quality of rooms with interiors
Lodge Amenities such as pool, bathtub, fridge, etc.
Feedback from previous clients

As the price for accommodations increase, all or most parameters mentioned above, tend to improve.

We have curated a list of accommodations that we believe offer excellent value for their price at each location, creating a comprehensive package across all categories. This approach streamlines the decision-making process by providing you with a more manageable selection of accommodations.

However, we also welcome our clients to share their preferred accommodations that may not be included in our shortlist. We are more than happy to provide a customised quote and make the necessary arrangements for booking them on your behalf.

Different types of Accommodation - Tented Camps & a Safari Lodge

When comparing a tented camp to a lodge, a key differentiating factor lies in the choice of building materials. Lodges are typically constructed using concrete, stone, or wood, whereas tented camps are built with a mix of canvas and concrete, It creates a unique and unforgettable camping experience. These tents are often furnished with comfortable beds, furniture, and various amenities to provide a touch of luxury. Moreover, staying in a tented camp offers a deeper immersion in nature, allowing guests to embrace the ambient sounds of wildlife and the feeling of being intimately connected to the natural surroundings. While both options provide opportunities to embrace the beauty of the outdoors, a tented camp offers a more distinctive and authentic experience, enhancing one's appreciation for the natural world.

Food & Beverages

During a safari, all accommodations are reserved on a Full Board basis, which means that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided and served by the accommodation. However, it's important to note that alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages are typically not included in the package and will be charged separately to clients at the time of checkout.

To accommodate various dietary preferences, most accommodations offer a diverse range of meal options. They can cater to vegetarian, non-vegetarian, halal, and other specific dietary requirements. In terms of meal plans, we provide options such as full board, half board, and bed and breakfast. Additionally, for guests who wish to include drinks and beverages in their package, we also offer an all-inclusive basis package.

Power & Electricity

In the wilderness of Kenya and Tanzania, most safari camps and lodges don't have electricity from power grids. Instead, they rely on solar power and generators. These generators have set times for running.

They start at 5:00 AM until 9:30 AM to power up the camp for the morning. Then they're turned off until 12:30 PM when they run again until 3:30 PM for lunchtime. In the evening, they're back on from 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM to provide power for the camp's evening activities.

Connectivity

In certain safari hotels, due to their remote locations, access to WiFi and phone networks may be limited or unavailable. Even in cases where connectivity is accessible, it might not be consistent across the entire lodge and may be restricted to certain common areas. To address potential connectivity challenges during the safari trip, we strongly advise guests to consider purchasing a SIM CARD (Safari com or Airtel) upon arrival at the airport. This will help ensure reliable communication throughout their safari experience.

Location & Accessibility

Certain lodges and camps can be found within national parks or reserves, whereas others might be positioned outside these protected areas, or in nearby towns or villages. It's important to be aware that certain accommodations could be up to an hour's drive away from the nearest park entrance.

If you prefer accommodations in close proximity to a park entrance, in a wilderness setting, or nearer to your intended destination for the following day, kindly notify your sales representative ahead of time. They will be able to recommend accommodations that align with your preferences.

Drinking Water

Most accommodations offer 1 litre drinking water per person per night. These bottles are usually found in your room by the time you check-in and are usually complimentary.

If you need additional drinking water you can either buy from the accommodation or carry drinking water from your vehicle to your accommodation. Bottled water ordered in restaurants is usually charged at hotel rates.

Please check with the accommodation staff during check in for exact details as each accommodation is different and operates differently.

Safety from Wildlife

Certain lodges and camps situated within National Parks are unfenced, allowing wildlife to come into close proximity to the rooms. However, these accommodations employ Masai guards to protect the premises during the night. It is important to note that despite the presence of wildlife, these establishments are considered safe. Every night, numerous tourists, including families with young children, stay in such camps across Africa. By adhering to the basic safety instructions provided by the hotel staff, any potential conflicts with wildlife can be avoided.

Laundry Service

The majority of accommodations provide laundry services for their guests, subject to certain conditions. To utilize this service, guests are required to stay at the same accommodation for a minimum of 2 consecutive nights. Please be aware that additional charges will be applied for this service, and these fees are to be settled directly by the clients.

AC Availability

We kindly inform you that air conditioning is not commonly available in most safari camps as a conscious effort to minimize the impact on the natural environment in their remote locations. However, many accommodations are equipped with fans that can be provided upon request, ensuring guests' comfort during hot weather conditions.

Room Configuration

A room designated for double sharing typically includes one large bed, such as a king size or queen size bed. On the other hand, a twin sharing room features two single beds within the same room.

When booking accommodations for two individuals sharing a room, we usually arrange a double sharing room. However, if clients specifically require a twin-sharing room, it is important to communicate this in advance. The price remains the same whether it's a double sharing or twin sharing arrangement.

For families with children, the majority of accommodations allow one child to share a room with two adults, and many also permit two children to share a room with two adults. Furthermore, numerous accommodations offer family rooms or interconnected rooms that can be reserved at an additional cost. These options cater to families with kids, enabling parents and children to stay in close proximity while still maintaining privacy.

Problems with Service at Accommodation

If you encounter any problems concerning your room, food, service, or any other matters while staying at the accommodation, please inform your camp manager and also reach out to your Host at Marvels of Africa. If necessary, your guide can assist you in contacting your briefing manager.

Although we cannot assure an immediate solution, our team will make every effort to address the situation by contacting the camp's senior management, if needed.