These Kenya Safari Guides Are The Cream Of The Crop

Kenya has long been a very popular safari destination and the quality of the field guides to be found there is high.

The list below showcases some of the top Kenya safari guides according to their qualifications and experience in the safari industry, but it's more than just a ranking of the best and the brightest...

It also provides a useful way to ensure that you have the best possible experience on your African safari trip, by being able to go on safari with these excellent guides. Click on the guide photographs below to find out more about them in detail.

Get The Very Best Kenya Safari Company and Guide For Your Trip

My Top Six Tour Operators and Top Two Travel Agents lists pinpoint exceptional operators and guides for your safari based on your own unique requirements. Here's exactly how the Top Safari Guides recommendation process works...

BEST KENYA COMPANY & GUIDE RECOMMENDATION

To get an idea of what using a Top Safari Guide will cost you, they are sorted into different rates categories based on what the companies that employ them (or that the guides themselves own), charge.

The rate indications below are in US Dollars and exclude international and inter-Africa airfares but include accommodation, food, activities and guiding.

  • Rates: = BUDGET & MID-RANGE Up To $250 pppn*
  • Rates: = LUXURY: $250+ to $450 pppn*
  • Rates: = ULTRA-LUXURY: $450+ to $1000 pppn*
  • Rates: = PALATIAL: $1000+ Upwards pppn*

(*pppn = per person per night spent on safari)

Kenya photo safari guide 1

Photography

Rates: $$$$$
Kenya photo safari guide 2

Photography

Rates: $$$$$
Kenya photo safari guide 3

Photography

Rates: $$$$
Kenya photo safari guide 4

Photography

Rates: $$$$
Kenya photo safari guide 5

Photography

Rates: $$$$
Kenya family safari guide 1

Family

Rates: $$$$
Kenya family safari guide 2

Family

Rates: $$$$$
Kenya family safari guide 3

Family

Rates: $$$
Kenya family safari guide 4

Family

Rates: $$$$$
Kenya family safari guide 5

Family

Rates: $$
Kenya birding safari guide 1

Birding

Rates: $$$
Kenya birding safari guide 3

Birding

Rates: $$$$$
Kenya birding safari guide 4

Birding

Rates: From $$$ To $$$$$
Kenya birding safari guide 5

Birding

Rates: $$
Masai Mara safari guide 1

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 2

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 3

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 10

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 11

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 21

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 13

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 14

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 15

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 16

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 17

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 18

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 19

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 20

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 22

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 23

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 24

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Masai Mara safari guide 7

Masai Mara

Rates: $$$$
Kenya luxury safari guide 1

Luxury

Rates: $$$$$
Kenya luxury safari guide 3

Luxury

Rates: $$$$$
Kenya walking safari guide 2

Walking

Rates: $$$
Kenya horse safari guide 2

Horseback

Rates: $$$$$
Kenya golf safari guide

Golf

Rates: $$$$
Kenya honeymoon safaris guide

Honeymoon

Rates: $$$$
Kenya cultural safari guide

Cultural

Rates: $$$$
Kenya cultural safari guide 2

Cultural

Rates: $$$$
Qualification

Kenya Safari Guide Grading And Assessment Certification

The KPSGA is the independent, non-profit body responsible for grading and assessing guides in this country. They award bronze, silver and gold level certification after an examination process.

Bronze certification is considered to be an introductory level with only basic guiding knowledge needed to pass the exam. Silver is an intermediate level with three years of practical experience needed and knowledge of more than just the basics. Gold is the highest level possible, needing at least six years of practical experience and a high degree of knowledge to pass.

To qualify for the Kenya Top Safari Guides list, guides need a silver or gold level KPSGA certification plus a minimum of six (6) years experience or a bronze level KPSGA certification plus a minimum of eight (8) years experience.

Qualifications

There are several institutions in Kenya where it's possible to obtain a diploma in tourism and wildlife studies such as Moi University and Utalii College. A diploma in tour guiding and administration can be obtained from Tsavo Park Hotel Institute and the Air Travel and Related Studies Centre. The Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) also provides a diploma in tourism management.