Time. Plan on at least two weeks. That should allow for at least three different camps in different areas, for three nights each. Generally, you get an early morning game drive and a late afternoon game drive each day, so two full days in each camp almost guarantees that you'll see a lot.

For a fulfilling safari holiday in 2026, the "golden rule" is to spend at least 3 to 4 days in a single national park or conservancy. If you include travel time to and from major hubs like Nairobi or Arusha, a total trip of 10 to 12 days is ideal. This timeframe allows you to visit two or three different ecosystems (e.g., the savanna of the Maasai Mara and the volcanic crater of Ngorongoro), which maximizes your chances of seeing the "Big Five." Spending only one or two days on safari is often disappointing because wildlife sightings are never guaranteed; animals are most active at dawn and dusk, and you need multiple "game drives" to catch them hunting or interacting. Furthermore, a longer stay allows you to "slow down" and appreciate the smaller details of the bush, such as birdlife and flora, rather than just "ticking boxes" for the large predators. If you are traveling with children, a slightly shorter 7-day "taster" safari is often recommended to avoid "safari fatigue" from the long hours spent in a bumpy 4x4 vehicle.