Avoid peak season.
This mainly applies to safaris. The peak season for Kenya and many of the wildlife heavy countries in Africa runs from June until October. The most expensive time to travel revolves around the wildebeest migration which typically occurs during May through November and December through March. The migration is dependent on the rains though, so it doesn’t follow a set schedule or route.
Africa, in general, can be quite expensive when it comes to transportation and Kenya is no different. Depending on your plans, it can be easier and cheaper to join an overland tour with one of the many quality outfits.
If you don’t want to join an official tour
Try to travel with several other people; taxis and private safari operators will charge more for a single passenger. You can get noticeable discounts when traveling with overland safari companies during the offseason. The weather may not be as nice, as you may get substantial rains or hotter days, but if you are enjoying the beauty of the land, it doesn’t matter so much.
Eat street food
It is easy to find cheap, plentiful meals in Kenya, usually consisting of some kind of meat, rice, and assorted vegetables. Lamb and goat are very common although not my personal favorite. Shop at the farmers’ markets. Just be sure not to buy or eat anything peeled and to wash it before cooking.
There are highly rated hostels in Kenya, around Nairobi, Mombasa, and Diani.
Definitely try to buy flights and book hotels in advance.
Take local transportation. Matatus in Nairobi and tuk-tuks in the smaller towns are the cheapest way to travel.
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