Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Ancent Tours provides reliable 24/7 airport transfer services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Wilson Airport. Our services include: Nairobi hotel transfers (30-45 min to CBD, Westlands, Karen), direct safari transfers to Amboseli (4 hours), Tsavo (3-4 hours), Maasai Mara (5-6 hours), and Mombasa-bound connections. We offer private sedans, vans, and group shuttles with meet-and-greet service (name sign). Rates start from $30 for hotel transfers. Share your flight details for a confirmed quote.

Our JKIA airport transfer rates (2026): Private sedan (1-3 pax) $30-40, private van (4-7 pax) $50-70, group shuttle (per person) $15-20. Wilson Airport transfers are $25-35. Late-night pickups (10 PM - 5 AM) add $10. Airport to Amboseli starts from $180, to Maasai Mara from $250. All rates include meet-and-greet, baggage assistance, and bottled water. No hidden fees—confirm your booking online.

Absolutely! We offer transfers from Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Diani Beach (45-60 min), Nyali, Bamburi, Watamu (2 hours), and Tsavo East safari departures (2-3 hours). Rates: Diani private transfer $40-60, Watamu $80-120. Combine airport pickup with a Tsavo safari for better value. Perfect for beach & bush combinations.

Booking is easy! Use our online booking form, email info@ancenttours.com, WhatsApp +254785851808, or call our office. Share your travel dates, group size, budget range, and preferred parks (Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Nakuru, Naivasha, Samburu). We send a tailored quote within 24 hours with deposit and confirmation steps.

We accept bank transfers (USD/KES), M-Pesa (local bookings), Visa/Mastercard (via secure payment link), and PayPal. A 30% deposit secures your booking, with balance due 30 days before travel. Corporate clients can request invoice terms. Always use official payment details from our email—never trust unsolicited requests.

Standard packages include: accommodation (lodges/tented camps/budget camping), transport in safari van or 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, professional English-speaking driver-guide, game drives, bottled water, government taxes. Excluded: park fees ($52-100/day), international flights, visas, tips, alcoholic drinks, premium meals, travel insurance.

Yes, fees apply: Cancellation 60+ days before travel = refund less 10% admin fee. 30-59 days = 50% refund. Less than 30 days = no refund. Date changes allowed 30+ days before travel (fees may apply). Travel insurance is strongly recommended for unexpected cancellations, medical issues, or flight delays.

Most nationalities require an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before arrival—apply via Kenya's official immigration portal ($30 approx). Required: Yellow Fever certificate if arriving from endemic country. Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Cholera, Tetanus, routine vaccines. Consult a travel clinic 6-8 weeks before departure. Malaria prophylaxis recommended for safari areas.

Yes! Kenya welcomes millions of tourists safely each year. National parks are very safe—wildlife is wild so you stay inside vehicles with professional guides. In cities (Nairobi, Mombasa): avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables hidden, use hotel safes, use reputable transport. Your Ancent Tours driver-guide briefs you on safety throughout. Travel insurance recommended.

Required: Passport (valid 6+ months beyond departure, 1+ blank page). eTA (apply online before travel, $30). Yellow Fever certificate (if required). Recommended: travel insurance, return flight confirmation, hotel/safari booking confirmations, copy of eTA. We provide a "Pre-Departure Checklist" PDF after booking.

Essential safari packing: neutral clothing (khaki, olive, beige—no bright colors), warm layers for early mornings, comfortable closed walking shoes, wide-brim hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 50+), insect repellent (DEET), binoculars (8x or 10x), camera with extra batteries, reusable water bottle, personal medications, headlamp, power bank. We send a detailed packing PDF after booking.

Best time: June to October (dry season) for the Great Migration and dramatic Mara River crossings (July-September peak). January-February = calving season (excellent predator action). Avoid April-May (long rains = muddy roads, lodge closures). Budget travelers: November and March offer lower rates with decent wildlife. We offer year-round packages—ask for month-specific advice.

Top Nairobi day trips: Nairobi National Park (lions, rhinos with city skyline—30 min drive), David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (11 AM viewing), Giraffe Centre (feed Rothschild giraffes), Karen Blixen Museum, Bomas of Kenya (tribal dances), Ngong Hills (hiking). Further (1-2 hours): Lake Naivasha (boat ride, crescent island walking), Hells Gate (cycling among zebras/giraffes), Ol Pejeta (chimpanzees, rhinos). Private or group day tours available—minimum 2 pax.

Top weekend escapes: Lake Naivasha & Hells Gate (1-2 hours, budget-friendly, cycling, boat rides), Amboseli (3.5 hours, Kilimanjaro views, elephants), Ol Pejeta (3 hours, chimpanzees, rhinos), Maasai Mara (5-6 hours, fly-in packages), Watamu/Diani Beach (1-hour flight), Mount Kenya region (3 hours, hiking). We offer 2-night, 3-day packages departing Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Ask about "Nairobi Quick Escape" deals.

Tsavo East = vast open savannah, red-dusted elephants, Yatta Plateau, best for big herds and dramatic sunsets, budget-friendly, less crowded. Tsavo West = diverse landscapes, Mzima Springs (underwater hippo/croc viewing), lava flows, Shetani Caves, guaranteed rhino sightings. For first-timers: Tsavo West offers classic safari variety. For pure wildlife volume: Tsavo East. Many do a combined 3-4 day safari. Contact us for a side-by-side itinerary.

Kenya = Maasai Mara (migration crossings, excellent infrastructure, shorter drives), ideal for 5-7 day trips, more affordable. Tanzania = Serengeti (larger, more remote), Ngorongoro Crater (unique caldera), better for 10+ day luxury safaris. For most: Kenya is more accessible, affordable, time-efficient. For serious enthusiasts/honeymooners: Tanzania offers deeper wilderness. Combine both via Namanga or Isebania border posts—we arrange cross-border safaris!

Same ecosystem, different countries. Masai Mara (Kenya) = smaller (1,510 km²), higher wildlife density, better roads, more lodge options—ideal for short safaris. Serengeti (Tanzania) = massive (30,000 km²), remote, wilder—best for longer expeditions. Migration moves between them: calving southern Serengeti (Jan-Feb), Mara River crossings (July-October). We design trips visiting both!

Lake Bogoria = BEST for flamingos (1-2 million lesser flamingos), quiet, natural hot springs, best June-September and Jan-Feb. Lake Nakuru = fewer flamingos recently, but excellent for rhinos, lions, leopards. Lake Naivasha = few flamingos, best for boat rides, hippos, Crescent Island walking. For pure flamingo experience: choose Bogoria. Combine Bogoria + Baringo for a 2-3 day birding safari.

Our budget safaris start from $150-200 per person per day. Best options: Nairobi to Amboseli (2 days, elephants, Kilimanjaro views), Nakuru & Naivasha (2-3 days, flamingos, rhinos, boat ride), Tsavo East (2-3 days from Mombasa). Save money by: traveling low season (April-May or November), sharing vehicle (6-7 pax), choosing camping/budget tented camps, booking direct. Ask about "Safari Shuttle" shared departure tours from Nairobi.

Corporate packages fully customizable for team building, strategy retreats, incentive trips, client entertainment. Share: group size (min. 6 pax), preferred dates, budget per person, goals (e.g., "team bonding" or "strategic planning"). We propose venues: Naivasha (budget, close), Amboseli (Kilimanjaro views), Maasai Mara (luxury migration), Diani Beach (coastal retreat), Mount Kenya (adventure). Includes meeting facilities, safari activities, transport, accommodation. Request a custom proposal.

Yes! Mount Kenya (5,199m) = Africa's second-highest peak. Routes: Sirimon (easiest, scenic), Chogoria (most beautiful), Naro Moru (shortest but steepest). Climbing takes 3-5 days. Best seasons: January-February and August-September (dry periods). Good fitness, warm gear, and guide (mandatory) required. Technical experience NOT required for Point Lenana (trekking summit). We organize Mount Kenya treks with experienced guides, porters, and camping gear.

Yes! Our popular "Beach & Bush" packages combine Kenya safari with coastal relaxation. Options: Maasai Mara + Diani Beach (5-7 days), Amboseli + Watamu (4-6 days), Tsavo East + Mombasa (3-5 days). Fly from safari to coast (1 hour) or drive. Perfect for honeymoons, family vacations, or extended holidays. Request a combined beach-safari quote with your dates.

The Great Migration = 1.5+ million wildebeest, 200,000+ zebras, gazelles moving in a circular route through Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Key moments: Calving season (Jan-Feb, southern Serengeti), rutting season (April-May, western Serengeti), Mara River crossings (July-October, Maasai Mara—most dramatic!), return south (Nov-Dec). The crossings are the highlight—crocodile-filled rivers, stampeding herds. Best viewing: July-September in Maasai Mara. We offer migration-focused safaris.

Yes! Educational safari packages for schools, universities, and study abroad groups. Includes: wildlife conservation lessons, Maasai cultural visits, bush survival skills, birdwatching classes, photography workshops. Customized for curriculum needs. Minimum 10 students. Competitive group rates. Request a student group proposal with your learning objectives.

Romantic honeymoon safaris featuring: luxury tented camps (Maasai Mara, Amboseli), private vehicle game drives, bush dinners under stars, hot air balloon safaris with champagne breakfast, beach extension to Diani or Watamu (private villas), spa treatments, sundowner cocktails. 5-10 day packages from $1,500 per couple. Tell us your dream and we design it. Free honeymoon planning consultation.

Yes! Accessible Kenya safaris with: modified safari vehicles (ramp access), wheelchair-friendly lodges (step-free rooms, roll-in showers, wide doorways), trained guides. Best parks: Nairobi National Park (close to city), Lake Nakuru (paved roads), Amboseli (flat terrain), Ol Pejeta. Advance notice required (minimum 30 days). Contact us to discuss specific accessibility needs—we ensure an inclusive safari experience.

Yes! Sign up for our Last-Minute Safari Alerts. Discounts 20-50% for departures within 14-30 days. Available when lodges have cancellations or unsold inventory. Destinations: Maasai Mara (migration season deals rare), Amboseli, Tsavo, Naivasha, Diani. WhatsApp/SMS alerts for instant booking. Follow our social media for flash sales. Terms: non-refundable, immediate payment required.

Photography-focused safaris with: private open-vehicle 4x4 (unobstructed views), expert driver-guides trained in animal behavior, golden hour game drives (sunrise/sunset), hide/blind photography (waterholes), night drives (with spotlights), post-processing tips. Best parks: Amboseli (Kilimanjaro backdrop), Maasai Mara (action shots), Tsavo West (volcanic landscapes), Lake Bogoria (flamingo reflections). Bring telephoto lens (200-400mm+). Custom itineraries for pros and amateurs.