Kenya
Travel to Kenya for a Luxury Safari
Kenya is one of Africa’s prime game viewing areas, renowned for its dramatic scenery, magnificent game parks and abundant wildlife. Cut through by the Rift Valley with its steep escarpments, volcanoes and soda lakes, the country offers incredible variety of landscapes and ecosystems. The hot coastal plains on the Indian Ocean rise to the temperate subtropical highlands around Nairobi which is 1795m above sea level. Snow-capped Mount Kenya is the second highest in Africa, whilst the highest, Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, straddles the southern border.
The Samburu Game Reserve to the north of Mt Kenya is a semi-arid region of great beauty with lots of exciting big game species such as lion and elephant. The region is also home to some rare desert-adapted species including the blue-legged Somali ostrich and strange gerenuk antelope – also known as the Giraffe Gazelle for its long neck. The gerenuk has the ability to stand on its hind legs when feeding from bushes and small trees. By contrast, the famous Masai Mara in the south is a wide open landscape of undulating grassland and plays host to the annual wildebeest and zebra migration from July to October each year. These herds attract predators from lion and leopard to cheetah and wild dog, and their intense interactions are a thrill to watch. Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro is another iconic safari area which is famous for its large elephant herds.
Other highlights include the country’s flamingo-rich soda lakes and model wildlife conservancies like wildlife-rich Lewa and the Laikipia concessions, famous for rhino. The country is also home to semi-nomadic tribes such as the Maasai and Samburu which still retain much of their traditional way of life. A cultural village visit is a worthwhile addition to any safari itinerary.
Best Kenya Safaris
Get inspiration from these featured wildlife safaris. We custom design all our clients’ itineraries to suit individual interests, budget and time frame. Our knowledge of Africa is unmatched and our Destination Specialists are experts in creating bespoke dream holidays.
Best of Kenya and Tanzania
This safari combines the best wildlife experiences of Kenya and Tanzania, including the Samburu, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara and Serengeti.
Highlights of Kenya
Discover the Highlights of Kenya on this classic safari itinerary, taking in the Samburu National Reserve, Mt Kenya, Lake Nakuru and the renowned Masai Mara.
Inspiring Sights of Kenya
This superb safari incorporates the popular Giraffe Manor in Nairobi and 3 luxury camps situated in sensational gameviewing areas throughout Kenya.
Kenya at a Glance
This tour combines two of Kenya's most famous wildlife areas: Lake Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley, and the game-rich plains of the Masai Mara.
Kenya Family Adventure
Explore the highlights of Kenya with the family, from Giraffe Manor in Nairobi to fantastic kid-friendly camps and lodges in the Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara.
Wings over Kenya
Maximise the time that you spend exploring Kenya’s game parks on our Wings Over Kenya safari, flying into the Samburu and Masai Mara.
Best places to stay in Kenya
Like many popular safari countries in Africa, Kenya offers a high standard of guest accommodation, from comfortable to very luxurious. The country boasts a wealth of open-air, sophisticated canvas-style tented camps reminiscent of classic 1920’s style luxury or Moroccan elegance. These include spacious guest tents with fans or air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, outdoor decks or even private plunge pools. However most importantly of all is location – for the best game viewing experience. We offer a portfolio of hand-picked safari camps and lodges which offer exclusivity, good guiding and good game. We also have a select range of boutique country and city hotels. Quite unique is the renowned Giraffe Manor, a grand manor house built in 1932 in the Nairobi suburb of Karen.
Mara Plains Camp
In the heart of big game country, ultra-luxurious Mara Plains Camp sits on a bend of the Ntiakitiak River on the northern border of Kenya's Masai Mara.
Elephant Bedroom
Shaded by doum palms on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, upscale Elephant Bedroom Camp occupies a prime position in the stunning Samburu National Reserve.
Kicheche Laikipia
Kicheche Laikipia is a small eco-camp set in shady indigenous forest in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, with iconic Mount Kenya as a backdrop.
Governors’ Camp
Governors’ Camp was once exclusively reserved for Kenya's colonial rulers. Today, it remains one of the Masai Mara’s best safari camps.
Little Governors’ Camp
At the edge of Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, Little Governors’ Camp offers a peaceful setting to view the wildebeest migration.
Kicheche Mara Camp
Located in the Mara North Conservancy, seasonal Kicheche Mara Camp offers a classic Kenya safari experience and views of the annual wildebeest migration.
Kicheche Bush Camp
A classic tented camp in a private conservancy bordering Kenya's Masai Mara, Kicheche Bush Camp offers an African safari experience without the crowds.
Giraffe Manor
This boutique hotel is a Nairobi icon and offers one of the city’s most unique experiences: the opportunity to feed and walk with rare Rothschild's giraffe.
Angama Mara
Suspended between the famous grasslands of the Masai Mara and the Kenyan skies, this lodge is built on the Rift Valley Escarpment with breathtaking views.
Mara Nyika Camp
Meaning “Large Plains” or “Great Plains” Mara Nyika Camp is located in the 50,000 acre Naboisho Conservancy bordering the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Mara Expedition Camp
Set amid a grove of acacia trees in the Masai Mara Game Reserve this rustic camp draws inspiration from intrepid explorers of a by-gone area.
Talk to one of our Africa Experts
When is the best time to visit Kenya?
Kenya is definitely a year round destination for wildlife, however there are distinct seasons. The dry season (June-October) is one of the best times to go when there is little rain and the skies are (generally) clear. It is during this time the annual wildebeest and zebra migration usually makes its way to Kenya. As a natural event, the exact arrival of the annual wildebeest migration can never be guaranteed. For a more visual representation of the migration route, please click here. Kenya also has two rainy seasons – the ‘short rains’ (November-December) and the ‘long rains’ (March to May). Most rain falls as afternoon thunderstorms but roads can be muddy and difficult to navigate. It is at this time visitor numbers and prices are at their lowest, but there is still terrific game viewing to be had.
Considered Kenya’s peak months. July marks the traditional beginning of the migration when the first wildebeest start to arrive in the Masai Mara National Reserve. August, September and October are the peak months to visit when the weather is dry and the temperature ranges between 25-30°C. Game viewing all over the country is excellent during this time of year.
November marks the beginning of the ‘short rains’ which last for around 5 weeks until mid-December. The rain heralds the beautiful “green season” when migrant birds return and the antelopes begin calving in their thousands. With the exception of the Christmas/New Year period, this is usually a quieter time of year to visit with fewer travellers.
January and February are the height of summer in between the ‘short’ and ‘long’ rains. It’s a good time to see wildlife whilst visitor numbers are still relatively low.
Mid-March is often the beginning of the ‘long rains’. Game viewing is still good in March however April and May can be very wet, some camps are closed and the dirt roads can get quite muddy and slippery.
Kenya FAQ
JOIN OUR
E-Newsletter
Sign up to receive updates about exciting journeys, special offers and more
"*" indicates required fields