Safari for Seniors in East Africa: Comfort, Health and the Best Destinations

There is no upper age limit for a safari, and many of our happiest travellers are in their seventies and eighties. Game drives are spent sitting in a vehicle, camps take care of every detail, and the pace can be as gentle as you like. A few thoughtful choices about the route, the accommodation and the activities make the trip comfortable and relaxed.

Set a comfortable pace

• Fewer moves: three nights in each place rather than one or two, so you can unpack and settle in.
• Shorter drives: choose parks that are close together, or fly between them to avoid long, bumpy road journeys.
• Flexible game drives: with a private vehicle you can start later, return for a rest in the middle of the day and skip the early morning drive when you want to.

Choose the right camps

Ask about access when you book. Some tented camps are spread out along long paths or have steps up to the tents, while lodges often have level paths and rooms close to the main area. Look for walk-in showers, good lighting at night, raised beds and a camp golf cart or vehicle to take you to your room. We know which camps are easiest to get around.

Flying or driving?

Flying between parks saves long drives on rough roads, which can be tiring and hard on backs and joints. Light aircraft have narrow steps and limited luggage, usually 15 kilograms in a soft bag, but staff help with boarding. A combination, driving short distances and flying the longer ones, is often best.

Health and insurance

• See your doctor or a travel clinic well in advance about vaccinations, malaria prevention and any existing conditions. Some vaccines, such as yellow fever, need special consideration for older travellers.
• Carry all your medicines in hand luggage, with copies of prescriptions, and a little extra in case of delays.
• Take travel insurance that covers your age and any pre-existing conditions, with emergency medical evacuation included.
• If you have limited mobility or a medical condition, tell us early so we can choose suitable camps and plan accordingly.

The best destinations for a comfortable safari

• Masai Mara: a short flight from Nairobi, excellent wildlife, and a wide choice of comfortable camps.
• Amboseli: flat, open and easy to explore, with elephants and Kilimanjaro views.
• Ngorongoro Crater: an extraordinary day out from a comfortable rim lodge, though the descent road is steep and bumpy.
• Serengeti: best reached by air and enjoyed from one or two well-placed camps.

Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding, but porters and the option to request a closer family help many older travellers complete it. Talk to us first about your fitness.

When to go

The dry months, from June to October and January to February, offer the easiest conditions, with dry roads and comfortable temperatures. The hot, humid coast and the long rains of April and May can be harder going.

Read our safari health guide and our 7-day Kenya itinerary, or tell us what you need and we will plan around it.

Big Five Wildlife planning team

We plan private safaris across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, and write from time spent in these parks.