I have of late been going through a number of Kenya travel sites and it seems to me more and more travelers to Kenya are opting for budget safaris. Travelers want to book their safaris last minute to enjoy discounts and want to avoid using a tour agent so that they can save a buck here and a buck there. I feel i should give some insights to both travelers and agents on the same.

Firstly doing your own safari booking may be costly in the long run since hotels and lodges usually give huge discounts to there travel partners that is the tour agents which a one time booking client may not enjoy. In-fact tour agents that have been in the industry for a longer period and have a high turnover will get a bigger discount than newer players in the market this is meant to encourage tour agents to send more travelers to the hotel or lodge.

Secondly if you are planing to book a cab or hire a car please also hire a tour guide . Most Cab drivers especially in Nairobi are more familiar with travelers moving between the central business district and their residence or office and may not necessarily have good knowledge on the tourist attractions in Kenya as compared to a tour guide.

Finally Some of the cheap hotels and lodges in Nairobi may not have the basics you expect and hence you will be frustrated in the long run.

One popular option is a home stay. This is staying with a family when in Nairobi. however as much as it is a cheaper alternative ensure that the location of the home is in a relatively safe neighbourhood you are also more likely to enjoy your stay, feel more at easy, save some money and learn about the Kenya culture