Every year, about 2 million animals follow the rains and their ancient instincts on an epic, 3 000-kilometre (1 900-mile) journey.
Witnessing one of the death-defying river crossings is like watching a live National Geographic film.
Thanks to a mild climate, wide open spaces and an abundance of wildlife in heavyweight destinations like the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Samburu, Kenya delivers sensational safari experiences any time of the year.
From floating silently over the Wildebeest Migration’s mega-herds in a hot-air balloon to having breakfast with giraffes at a luxurious manor house, Kenya offers the kind of experiences found nowhere else on Earth.
Despite some camps being situated in remote wilderness locations, they still offer superb amenities like private plunge pools, spas and gyms.
You can even find silver chandeliers and copper bathtubs in the middle
of the Masai Mara.
There are dedicated airstrips that service most of Kenya’s national reserves and private conservancies.
The best Kenya safaris are fly-in itineraries, which eliminate the need for long road transfers – meaning more time on safari!
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your Kenya safari with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or Uganda.
The same goes for crowning your trip along Kenya’s gorgeous coast or on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
Kenya offers a vacation for every traveller. From unforgettable family safaris with child-friendly activities and services to exclusive hideaways for couples and honeymooners, Kenya has it all and then some. Whatever type of traveller you are, there’s not much that beats a Kenya safari.
The standards of service are high and Kenya’s top destinations offer luxury accommodation ranging from lavish, Victorian safari-style lodges to contemporary boutique hotels and amenity-packed resorts.
Accommodation from $500 USD
Per person per night sharing
Accommodation from $700 CAD
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Accommodation from $700 AUD
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Accommodation from €1,050 EUR
Per person per night sharing
Accommodation from £850 GBP
Per person per night sharing
Accommodation from R16,000 ZAR
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The Masai Mara National Reserve’s wide, open plains provide a sanctuary for an abundance of animals, no matter what time of the year you visit. The wide-open plains and mild climate mean that vegetation is never too dense to see animals, including the Big 5.
Highlights
With its perennial wetlands flourishing beneath towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is the best place in East Africa to see massive herds of elephant. If you’re looking for that iconic postcard image of wildlife against a Kili backdrop, this is the place to get the shot.
Highlights
Samburu is an arrestingly beautiful, rocky landscape that heralds Kenya’s vast northern deserts. It’s the traditional homeland of the Samburu people and a haven for the unique Special 5: Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, long-neck gerenuk and Somali ostrich.
Highlights

Relaxing along Kenya’s dazzling tropical Indian Ocean coastline is one of the best ways to end your safari. From family-friendly resorts to exclusive beach villas, the country’s coastline offers excellent accommodation and superb diving and snorkelling spots.

Home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and the majority of the Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s flagship conservation area and a must-add to any Kenya safari itinerary.

Home to a shallow soda lake, Nakuru is the place to go for the best chance to see Kenya’s famous flocks of flamingos.
But there’s also great game viewing on hand: rhino and hippo are among the heavyweights that can be spotted around the lake’s shores.
The weather is usually mild and dry from January to March, and most of the safari crowds are absent. June to October is safari’s high season – Kenya’s national parks and reserves see high visitor numbers, but weather conditions are fantastic and the Wildebeest Migration’s dramatic river crossings into the Mara take place.
Staying inside the Masai Mara National Reserve means you’re a stone’s throw from the Migration’s action, while staying in a neighbouring private concession a little further away from the Migration hot spots means you can easily get to all the action but also retreat to tranquillity.
The ‘short rains’ season relieve the dry mid-year winter. Clouds build up in the mornings and break in spectacular – but generally short-lived – showers in the late afternoons.
Migrant birds return from the northern hemisphere and resident plains game give birth, which means the predator action is thrilling. Landscapes are lush and green, which makes for perfect photography conditions.
The popular Mara River crossings – when the Migration moves from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara – can happen anywhere between July and October. Just as the rains are unpredictable, so too are the river crossings. The herds will enjoy the Mara’s fresh grazing until about December, when they move back to the Serengeti to give birth.
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THE EXPERIENCE:
This Kenya fly-in safari is perfect for travelers on time constraints who want to see and experience as much of the country as possible in just over a week. You’ll also stay at some of Kenya’s finest eco-lodges, leaving a minimal footprint during your safari.
Kick off your 10-day itinerary in Kenya’s ‘land of giants’, Amboseli National Park. Not only is it home to East Africa’s biggest elephant herds, but Amboseli also offers the best vantage points to see Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. You’ll stay at an elegant, tented camp, where you’ll enjoy thrilling game drives, fascinating nature walks, scenic sundowners, and delicious bush meals.
Next stop: Laikipia, Kenya’s best-kept secret. Leave the game drive vehicle behind for extraordinary experiences like camelback safaris and nature walks with Samburu guides, and unforgettable sleep-outs beneath a boundless blanket of stars.
Then get whisked off to one of the world’s most renowned wildlife destinations, the Masai Mara. The camp is located directly on the annual Wildebeest Migration route, offering guests grandstand views of the herds crossing the Sand River. Spend your last few days in Kenya on game drives to see the Mara’s plethora of wildlife like elephant, giraffe, buffalo and the Mara’s famous big cats.
Highlights
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THE EXPERIENCE:
From the moment your feet touch the ground at the Samburu airstrip, you are immersed in the abundance of wildlife around you. Saruni Samburu curls into the rocky hills of Kenya’s wild north and is the only lodge in Kalama Conservancy, on the border of Samburu National Reserve, with 200 000 acres of unspoilt wilderness for you to explore.
Perched on the edge of a crag, Saruni Samburu lodge has spectacular views over the Northern Frontier District and Mount Kenya from its decks and two infinity pools. And, for a little extra relaxation, there is the tranquil Wellbeing Space that offers massages with a view – even from the spa, you can watch the famous Samburu elephant, leopard, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and Grevy’s zebra gather to drink at the nearby waterholes.
From the Samburu to the Masai Mara – these are your playgrounds for eight days. The vast purity of the Samburu landscape is a fascinating counterpoint to the lush greenery of the forest around Saruni Mara lodge and each has their own allure.
Saruni Mara is tucked away in a secluded valley in Mara North Conservancy, a 74 000 acre concession bordering the Mara. Here, you can encounter the huge variety of game virtually uninterrupted by other vehicles in the immense quietness and emptiness of this secret corner of the reserve.
Highlights
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Rates generally depend on timing (i.e., key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity). As a guideline, safaris can range anywhere from approximately $450 USD per person per night in low season to over $4,100 USD at the finest lodges in high season.
Most accommodations are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate.
In addition, your game drives, and other excursions like walking safaris and cultural village visits will all be included. To run in such remote areas at such a high level of hospitality, it takes some serious logistics and often means guest-to-staff ratios of more than 5 to 1. Not to mention many accommodations offer services like laundry, so you can pack light and travel easily.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are special activities (like hot-air balloon rides and spa treatments) and, in some cases, imported spirits. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.

The true magic of Kenya lies in its friendly people and their passion for conservation while making a positive impact on local communities. I recommend exploring Kenya’s hidden gems – places like Amboseli and Laikipia – and combining them with the Mara for a perfect blend of experiences.
Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa. We spend our own holidays on safari, and understand what goes into making every trip a once in a life-time experience.
We have first-hand knowledge of every single destination, lodge and activity we recommend. We spend more than 365 days a year on safari to ensure you get the best, unbiased advice.
We have first-hand knowledge of every single destination, lodge and activity we recommend. We spend more than 365 days a year on safari to ensure you get the best, unbiased advice.
As an African company, we ensure 100% of the money from your safari stays in Africa, supporting local communities and conservation projects, making a difference long after you return home.
Book with us and we’ll be alongside you from our first chat, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, whenever you need it.
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