Affordable luxury Kenya - Upcoming Tour | Gourmet Kosher Safaris

KENYA

GREAT MIGRATIONS AND NORTHERN KENYA

-8 days
Thursday 17 – Thursday 24 July 2025
‘Birthplace of Safari Travel’

Kenya is a safari destination that offers incredible natural beauty, stirring cultural encounters, sensational game viewing and, of course, the thrills of the Wildebeest Migration. No wonder it is the birthplace of safari travel!

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ITINERARY

The remarkable herds of animals that migrate around this region by far outnumbers anything of its kind on the planet. Those few who are lucky enough to witness this spectacle can testify to what a life-changing experience it is.

BIRTHPLACE OF SAFARI TRAVEL

Considered the ‘Rolls Royce’ of all safaris, Masai Mara is the ultimate place on earth to witness the incredible phenomenon of the mass migration of wildebeest mega-herds and legendary elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

DATES & PRICES

This is a unique opportunity to take part in an incredible safari adventure during peak migration season . This bucket-list trip from GKS includes luxury accommodation at hotels and private villas with all the trimmings of GKS signature freshly prepared gourmet kosher cuisine and personal hosting for a pampered safari experience.

Itinerary

Welcome to Kenya!

Our team will ensure a seamless transition from the airport to your top-tier hotel for check-in followed by a light lunch and some time to relax and refresh at the hotel’s facilities.

Today, if time allows it, we will try to start our adventure with a late-afternoon safari in the Nairobi National Park, a unique park forming part of the city limits but open on its southern boundary and home to all the Big 5!

This evening, a gourmet dinner will be served with time to recharge and rest easy to get ready for the excitement ahead tomorrow when we head off to explore the wonders awaiting you in Kenya!
Each region on our itinerary is unique, and north of Nairobi is famous for the iconic Mount Kenya, the country’s highest peak and Africa’s second highest, as well as the private conservancies along the high plateaus bordering the mountain, including the magnificent “Ol Pajeta,” one of the last strongholds of the highly endangered rhino.

Today, we rise early to embark in an enchanting leg of your Kenya adventure as we fly from Nairobi to Northern Kenya. As soon as we land, we drive West to the unique “Ol-Pajeta” conservancy where we enjoy the safaris in search of the Big-5 and many other species. Our special focus will be on the endangered rhino, as well as an unforgettable visit to the protected enclosure where the last 2 surviving Northern white-rhinos are kept! This small but unique conservancy also has a Chimpanzee sanctuary!
We’ll drive to our hotel in time to prepare for an uplifting Shabbos in this beautiful scenery of Northern Kenya.
On Sunday morning, we have the chance to enjoy a day hike in the foothills of the magnificent Mount Kenya and enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery. Alternatively, we can choose to enjoy another exciting safari experience in Ol Pajeta.
On Monday, after breakfast, we get ready to enter the world-renowned Masai Mara National Park. Here, the spectacle of the migration herds and their vigilant predators unfolds against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes.
Immerse in the magic of this peak migration season, where the Mara comes alive with an abundance of wildlife. Brace yourself for the rare possibility of witnessing legendary river crossings, a testament to the resilience of these magnificent creatures facing the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara or Sand River.
However, the wonders don't end here- even if the massive herds are elusive, The Masai Mara boasts one of the planet's highest concentrations of resident wildlife. From antelopes, gazelles, and zebras to the famed "pumba" (warthog), cheetahs, leopards, lions, elephants, buffaloes, and graceful giraffes – each day promises an exhilarating search for these extraordinary creatures.
This morning, we can choose between an unforgettable hot air balloon safari,a final morning safari by jeep (both at extra cost) or sleeping in a little and relaxing at our camp. During the day, we return to Nairobi for our international flights home on Thursday evening bidding farewell to the memories etched in the heart of Kenya's wilderness.
Thank you for embarking on this tour with us; may your memories be as lasting as the beauty we've witnessed together. Safe travels back home!

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DATES:

Thursday July 17 – Thursday July 24, 2025 (8 days)

PRICE:

from $7,500 (per person sharing). Single supplement from $2500 pp.
Accommodation in luxury hotels, lodges, and villas:

- Nairobi: 5 Star Fairmont Norfolk Hotel ( 1 night)
https://www.fairmont.com/norfolk-hotel-nairobi/

- Nanyuki: Sarova Maiyan Luxury Resort ( 3 nights)

https://www.sarovahotels.com/maiyan-nanyuki

Masai Mara: Mara Intrepids Luxury Tented Camp (3 nights)

https://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/maraintrepids/ or best available equivalent.

Deluxe Kosher Cuisine: 3 freshly prepared high standard kosher meals daily including packed lunch when out for the day, under strict hashgacha of the Johannesburg Beis-Din

Snacks and plenty bottled water on excursions; drinks during meals

Quality kosher wines served on Shabbos

Experienced English-speaking guides throughout the trip

Airport transfers

Excursions and activities and entrance fees per itinerary except when explicitly excluded

Park fees for reserves

Government tax & Service charge
What is not included in the tour price:

Tips – 6% ($450 per person service levy)

International airfares (approx. $1000)

Compulsory Local flights: (Nairobi - Masai Mara - Nairobi)

Optional Hot Air Balloon ride (approx. $500 per person)

Last day park fees for optional additional safari (from $200 per person)

Visas and airport taxes

Travel insurance

Optional flights

Hotel upgrades, bar laundry and other hotel extras

Personal expenses
50% non-refundable deposit and signed contract to secure booking.

50% final payment 3 months prior to tour

All amounts non-refundable once due. Please purchase suitable travel insurance in case of emergency

Schedule, hotels and other items are subject to change based on availability, group size and other factors, however, in the event of any change, the overall standard of the trip will be maintained as best as reasonably possible.

Please note National Parks are not zoos and no wildlife sightings can be guaranteed.

All guests are required to provide proof of full vaccination against yellow fever (or exemption certificate if over 65 or shot is not indicated for medical reasons), complete registration forms, and apply online for Kenya electronic travel authorization (in place of visa)
To arrive by:

Thursday early-afternoon at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport/Nairobi

To depart no earlier than:

Thursday evening from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport/Nairobi

Kenya

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Frequently Asked Questions

On 12 December 2023 the President of Kenya announced that Kenya would be visa-free from January 2024.

Visitors to Kenya are now required to apply online for an electronic travel authorisation in advance of travel, which takes about a week (please allow a bit longer in case.) Some exemptions apply and can be found in full on the website of the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority.

Travelers who currently hold a valid visa can continue to travel using their visa until its expiry.

As GKS cannot take responsibility for accuracy of visa information, it MUST be verified by the consulates of these countries well in advance of travel.
To enter Kenya, your passport must have:
an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive
at least 2 blank pages
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

East Africa has an equatorial climate and the temperatures are fairly similar throughout the year. At this time in particular, temperatures are generally still high. Also, August is quite a dry month for most of the country making it one of the best times to visit Kenya, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra.
The weather does change though depending on where exactly you go, especially with elevation and precipitation. At sea level it will most likely be extremely hot and humid, and cooler as elevation increases. So, although usually pleasantly warm, the higher areas of the Serengeti, Arusha, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro regions can be a little windy, rainy, and cool, and a sweatshirt and jacket are always recommended, particularly for early morning drives.

Prior to traveling anywhere, we recommend seeking a qualified medical practitioner’s advice about vaccinations and up to date precautionary medicine based upon your itinerary and personal situation.
Yellow fever inoculations are required.
Malaria is a risk in all of East Africa throughout the year, and you should consult your doctor for a prescription for prophylactic drugs.
Women who are pregnant, infants, children under ages of 4-5 should consult their doctor before visiting malaria areas.
Kenya has a rather basic health-care service and the nearest modern private hospital is in Nairobi, Kenya. The regions we visit are very remote, and anyone with serious medical issues should discuss them with their doctor before signing down to this trip.
All travelers should take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to travel that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation.
If you require a particular medication, ensure that you take an adequate supply as it may not be available locally.

The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling.
When you’re buying currency for Kenya, look out for the currency code KES. And once you’re in Kenya, you’ll see the symbol KSh used to show prices.
Kenyan banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 - although the 10 and 20 KES notes are seldom used.
Kenyan coins come in 1, 5, 10 and 20 Ksh and 40 and 40 cents.
ATMs are widely available across the country. KCB, Barclays, and Citibank are among the more reliable banks in Kenya that accept MasterCard, Maestro, and Visa. Bring additional cards, as the daily uptake with a foreign card is limited at the ATMs.
US Dollars and Euros can easily be changed to Kenyan Shillings at any Forex Bureau in most provincial towns.
Many vendors in the region will only accept cash, but many are all too eager for $US.
The good news is that being on an organized trip, you only really need cash for the small things, so it’s nothing to worry about!
*For your convenience, click here for updated currency conversion rates.

In Kenya, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type G are used, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.
The standard voltage is 240 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.
You can use all your equipment in Kenya if the outlet voltage in your own country is between 220V-240V. This is the case in most of Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom and most countries in Africa and Asia.
If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100V-127V (which is most common in the US, Canada and countries in South America) you might need a voltage converter in Kenya. Newer devices can most probably function regardless of the type of electric energy system, but there is no harm in checking, especially in the case of more sensitive or expensive personal devices.