Private vs shared safaris from Nairobi
A private safari gives your group its own vehicle and driver-guide. A shared safari sells you a seat on a fixed departure. Here is how they compare on price, flexibility and comfort, and which one fits your trip.
| Private safari | Shared safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Only your group | Seats sold to individual guests |
| Schedule | Your pickup time, your pace, stay as long as you like at a sighting | Fixed departure days and meeting time |
| Pickup | From your Nairobi hotel or residence | Kencom in the CBD on weekends, or hotel pickup for KSh 1,500 per booking |
| Nairobi National Park price | $300 (about KSh 39,000) half-day, $380 (about KSh 49,400) full day, per group | KSh 4,500 or $55 per person, weekend Land Cruiser |
| Kenya safaris (Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Nakuru, Naivasha, Tsavo) | Yes, quoted for your dates and lodge budget | Ask us about joining dates |
| Children | No extra tour charge on Nairobi National Park drives | Per-person seat, child rates on request |
| Best for | Families, couples, groups of 3 or more, photographers, layovers | Solo travellers, Kenyan residents, budget trips |
When private is cheaper
Private prices are per group, for your group only. Split among more of you, each share is smaller. In Nairobi National Park, a private half-day beats the shared non-resident seat price at 6 guests, and gives you hotel pickup and your own schedule from the first guest.
| Guests | Private half-day | Shared weekend seats, non-resident | Shared weekend seats, Kenya resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $300 total, $300 each | $55 total | KSh 4,500 total |
| 2 | $300 total, $150 each | $110 total | KSh 9,000 total |
| 3 | $300 total, $100 each | $165 total | KSh 13,500 total |
| 4 | $300 total, $75 each | $220 total | KSh 18,000 total |
| 5 | $300 total, $60 each | $275 total | KSh 22,500 total |
| 6 | $300 total, $50 each | $330 total | KSh 27,000 total |
Want park, Sheldrick and Giraffe Centre in one day? The weekday 3-in-1 tour is priced per person, from $75 or KSh 6,000, Monday to Friday, with hotel pickup.
Which should you book?
| You are | Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Travelling solo | Shared weekend Land Cruiser drive | Lowest price for a guided drive, KSh 4,500 or $55 |
| A couple | Private half-day | Your own vehicle for $150 each |
| A family | Private tour | Children add nothing to the tour price |
| A group of 4 to 6 | Private group vehicle | $50 to $75 each |
| On a flight clock | Private layover safari | Timed to both flights |
| Going to the Mara or Amboseli | Private Kenya safari | Your dates, your lodge, your pace |
Work out your exact total, park fees included, in the safari cost calculator.
Quick answers
What is the difference between a private and a shared safari?
On a private safari the vehicle and driver-guide are only for your group, and you set the times and stops. On a shared safari you buy a seat and travel with other guests on a fixed departure.
Is a private safari more expensive?
For one or two people, yes. For a group it is often cheaper: a private half-day in Nairobi National Park is 300 US dollars per vehicle, so 6 guests pay 50 US dollars each, less than a 55 US dollar shared seat.
What is the cheapest shared safari from Nairobi?
The weekend Land Cruiser game drive in Nairobi National Park: KSh 4,500 per Kenya resident or 55 US dollars per non-resident, plus the park fee.
Are your Masai Mara and Amboseli safaris private or shared?
Private, from your Nairobi hotel, quoted for your group size, dates and lodge budget.
Related pages
Book this safari
Send the date, the group, and the pickup. We confirm availability on WhatsApp or email, with the tour price and the park fees to budget. See our deposit and cancellation policy.