Answered: Do Safari Lodges in Kenya have Wi-Fi?

WiFi isn’t essential for a safari but you might need the service for planning your itinerary, learning, entertainment, or sharing your experiences with friends and family back home. To upload photos and videos or catch up with your favorite show on Netflix, having good internet access is crucial.

Most safari lodges in Kenya have reliable WiFi. There are just a few, particularly in remote areas that might not have internet connectivity. If you intend to use WiFi during your safari, it’s best to enquire directly from your chosen lodge or tour operator.

Kenya is one of the countries in Africa that has good internet coverage. Most parts of the country have 5G, 4G, and 3G wireless connectivity. The majority of the citizens access the internet using their phones or through USB network adaptors. 

Several homes, lodges, and commercial establishments near major cities and towns in Kenya are also connected to fiber optic internet which boasts reliability, quality, and affordable internet. A range of internet service providers (ISPs) cater to client’s needs and budgets.

Major internet providers in Kenya

Most safari lodges won’t charge you for using their Wi-Fi since the costs are already included in the accommodation rates. For travelers relocating to Kenya or staying longer, it’s worth knowing who provides internet in Kenya and what are the cost of the Wi-Fi packages.

Safaricom

Safaricom is a leading telecommunications company in Kenya offering internet services with various packages and speeds. The company’s Fibre-To-The-Home service is available in select cities and suburbs. Its WiFi packages are considered one of the most reliable in the country.

Here are Safaricom internet packages for home fiber and their prices valid 30 days (billed monthly).

Name	Package	Price Ksh
Bronze	10 Mbps	2,999
Silver	20 Mbps	4,100
Gold	40 Mbps	6,299
Diamond	50 Mbps	12,499

In addition to the home fiber service, Safaricom has 5G and 4G+ routers with remarkable internet speeds. The portable devices can work as a Wi-Fi hotspot in your home, office, or restaurant. The routers containing a dedicated SIM card are purchased from a Safaricom dealer.

The 4G+ Wi-Fi coverage in the country is wider allowing even individuals in the remote areas to have access. Charges are as follows:

Plan	Price (Ksh)	Validity
140GB	2,999	30 days
180GB	4,100	30 days
250GB	6,299	30 days
500GB	12,499	30 days

The 5G Wi-Fi is only available in select regions and charges are as follows:

Plan	Cost
400GB Unlimited	3,499
800GB Unlimited	5,999
1,500GB Unlimited	9,9000

To get Safaricom home fiber or the portable 5G and 4G Wi-Fi, dial *400# on your phone and follow the steps. 

Zuku

Zuku, under the Wananchi Group, provides high-speed internet connections for both residential and commercial use. The fiber-optic internet Covers selected regions in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru. Some Zuku internet packages also include television and telephone services.

Here are charges for Zuku internet with and without TV and telephone for 30 days validity.

Package	Prices Ksh (Internet only)	Prices Ksh (Internet With TV and Telephone)
10Mbps	2,799	2,899
20Mbps	4,199	4,399
60Mbps	5,999	6,299

Airtel Kenya

Airtel Kenya is another major player in the Kenyan internet market. The 4G WiFi service is powered by a portable router that offers fast internet speed for commercial or home use. Here are the charges for Airtel 4G Wi-Fi internet packages.

Plan	Price	Validity
40GB	2,000	30 days
70GB	3,000	30 days
100GB	4,000	30 days

Airtel Kenya also has 5G Wi-Fi that offers superfast download speeds. The 5th generation mobile network boasts high-quality streaming, low latency, increased availability, improved reliability, higher performance, and stable connectivity.

Bundle	Price (Ksh)	Validity
5G Unlimited 10Mbps	3,500	30 days
5G Unlimited 20Mbps	5,000	30 days
5G Unlimited 30Mbps	6,500	30 days

Jamii Telecommunications Limited (JTL)

JTL is a renowned internet provider in Kenya with great reliability for speeds. The company offers a wide range of unlimited monthly Wi-Fi plans as shown below.

Plan	Price (Ksh)
40Mbps	5,000
65Mbps	10,000
90Mbps	15,000
140Mbps	20,000

Jamii Telecommunication Limited also offers a Faiba business internet package ideal for multiple users.

Plan	Price per month (Ksh)	Idea Users
30 Mbps	10,000	1-10
45Mbps	15,000	11-20
60Mbps	25,000	21-30
75Mbps	30,000	31-40
90Mbps	40,000	41-50
120Mbps	55,000	51-65 users

TelKom Kenya

Telkom Kenya is another prominent internet provider in Kenya. Its 4G network router allows customers to enjoy fast internet speeds at affordable prices. Here are the Telkom data plans and prices.

Plan	Price (Ksh)	Validity
5GB	250	24Hrs
12GB	1,000	30 days
30GB	2,000	30 days
50GB	3,000	30 days
Capped at 13.3GB FUP, 400GB/ month	4,000	30 days
Capped at 16.6GB FUP/ 500GB/month	5,500	30 days
1,000GB	6,000	90 days

Factors to Consider When Choosing an ISP

When selecting an ISP, there are a few important things to consider.

• The speed of the internet connection is crucial for activities like streaming, gaming, uploading and downloading large files.
• Ensure the internet service provider and the packages they are offering have coverage in your area. 
• Compare the pricing of different packages and look for any hidden fees or charges.
• Consider the ISP’s reputation for reliability and customer service.
• Some ISPs may offer bundled services like home phone or TV and it might be worth considering such additional services.

Final thought

Wi-Fi is commonly free in most of the safari lodges in Kenya. If you are relocating to Kenya or planning for a longer stay it’s worth opting to subscribe to any of the above internet service providers. Fiber-to-the-home installations are typically free but for wireless connections, customers often have to purchase the routers.