Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Kenya Embodies 'Out of Africa' Safari Nostalgia
Kenya delivers the best safari experiences Africa has to offer in a relaxed manner rooted in generations of tourism tradition. You can expect thundering wildebeest migrations, the legendary Big 5 and unique "Samburu Special 5", fascinating cultural encounters, and spectacular but understated luxury lodges, all wrapped up in impeccable, discreet service.
With iconic destinations such as the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Laikipia, Samburu and Lamu, you cannot go wrong by including Kenya in your next safari. And Kenya offers year-round wildlife action and coastal barefoot relaxation on white-sand beaches. Even Nairobi, Kenya's capital city and international flight hub, has a national park on its doorstep, with lions, elephants and cheetahs living against the backdrop of the city centre skyline.
We love adding Kenya to our handmade safaris because, well, it sells itself.
5 Reasons We Love Kenya
The Great Migration. The Mara River crossings during August to October are fraught with danger and excitement. One gets caught up in the drama, chaos, and the celebration of life.
Authentic Maasai and Samburu Culture. Kenya offers exceptional access to authentic cultural encounters with local tribes.
Birthplace of the Classic Safari. Modern Kenyan safaris have retained the romance of the 1800s and 1900s when explorers set out from the coast on their expeditions.
Incredible Predator Sightings. A Kenya safari always delivers excellent encounters with lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs and other predators.
Bush and Beach in One Country. Safari time is undoubtedly the perfect balm for the soul. Early mornings and exciting wildlife viewing are best complemented by barefoot luxury on a Kenyan beach.
Our favourite Kenya safari ideas
All you need to know about Kenyan safaris
Where to go in Kenya
Nairobi and surrounds. Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya and the main arrival hub for most tourists. This vibrant, modern city also offers many unique tourism experiences, from a national park within the city limits to wildlife rehabilitation centres, museums, markets, shops and restaurants.
National parks and reserves.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, home to the Great Migration and the Big 5, features dramatic Great Migration river crossings.
Tsavo East & West National Parks, a vast wilderness with big-tusked elephants, maneless lions and hirola, the world's rarest antelope.
Amboseli National Park, with giant tusker elephants and a stunning Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop.
Laikipia County, a land of staggering beauty and biodiversity – a mosaic of wildlife conservancies, ranchlands and commercial farms
Samburu National Reserve, featuring the unique "Samburu Special Five" including Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe.
Beaches and islands. Kenya’s best beach and island escapes include Diani Beach, Watamu, Malindi, Lamu Island, and the Lamu Archipelago, each offering beautiful white sand and warm Indian Ocean waters.
Things to do in Kenya
Unique Wildlife Encounters: Enjoy the drama of Great Migration river crossings and spot the Big Five (rhino, lion, elephant, leopard and buffalo). Seek out the Samburu Special Five (gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich) in the arid north. Search for super tusker elephants in Tsavo and Amboseli, and rare black leopards in Laikipia.
Active Safari Adventures: Step out of the traditional 4x4 for hot-air ballooning in the Maasai Mara, quad biking and horse or camel safaris in Laikipia or guided walking expeditions in Tsavo.
Authentic Cultural Immersion: Engage meaningfully with the Maasai and Samburu people, visiting their homes, discussing their traditions, or even receiving a traditional Maasai blessing.
Nairobi's Urban Safari: Visit the acclaimed Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (an ethical elephant orphanage) and the Giraffe Centre, explore markets with locally made goods, art galleries, and museums, and enjoy tea garden brunches and fine dining at numerous excellent restaurants. And go for a game drive in Nairobi National Park.
Toes-in-the-Sand Barefoot Luxury: Conclude your Kenya safari by relaxing on one of Kenya's many white-sand beaches along the warm Indian Ocean.
Kenya hotels, lodges and camps
Luxury on your Kenya safari comes in many inspiring forms, from stylish boutique hotels in vibrant cities to elegant wilderness lodges that evoke the romance and adventure of Africa’s golden safari era.
Every property we select for your handcrafted journey meets our exacting standards for comfort, character, and service. Just as importantly, each lodge is deeply committed to protecting Kenya’s wildlife, supporting local communities, and preserving the extraordinary ecosystems that make your safari possible.
Check out our Kenyan safari ideas above to see some of the hotels, lodges and camps with proven track records that we regularly send our guests to.
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Why choose Africa Geographic to plan your safari?
Our second trip with Africa Geographic to Samburu and Amboseli in Kenya was well organised, as was our first trip to Maasai Mara ... Our Safari-link flights all went smoothly, and our accommodation was excellent. We would certainly use Africa Geographic again.
Africa Geographic takes time to get to know its clients and uses its wide experience of Africa to suit the safari arrangements to their preferences - whether accommodation, transport, or the all-important guides.
We travelled to Rwanda - a first-time visit - and then to the familiar ground of Kenya.
We organised a 12-day trip through Uganda and Kenya with Africa Geographic for our honeymoon and wouldn't hesitate to use Africa Geographic again for future trips! ... If you're considering Africa Geographic for your first or tenth trip to Africa, don't hesitate and book with them today!
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Frequently asked questions
Kenya offers excellent safari experiences year-round. The dry seasons (June to October and January to March) are ideal for wildlife viewing, whilst the Great Migration occurs in the Maasai Mara from August to October.
DRY SEASON (January to March) | DRY SEASON (June to October) |
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LONG RAINS (April to May) | SHORT RAINS (November to December) |
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Kenya offers an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, ranging from the iconic Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and the massive herds of the Great Migration in the southwest to rare, desert-adapted species in the arid north. Across its varied ecosystems, visitors can encounter everything from famous big cat prides and "super tusker" elephants to elusive black leopards and over 500 species of birds per park.
Most popular wildlife sightings:
The Great Migration & Predators: The Maasai Mara hosts vast herds of wildebeest and zebra, alongside exceptional densities of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas.
The Samburu Special Five: The arid northern reserves feature unique, highly adapted species: the gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich.
Rare & Exclusive Sightings: Laikipia is home to the breathtaking black leopard, African painted wolves (wild dogs), and the only chimpanzees in Kenya at the Sweetwaters Sanctuary.
Super Tuskers: Amboseli and the vast Tsavo parks are globally renowned for their massive, big-tusked elephants, as well as unique species like the critically endangered hirola antelope (the world's rarest antelope)
Urban Wildlife: Nairobi National Park offers remarkably accessible sightings of heavily guarded black rhinos, while nearby sanctuaries allow for ethical encounters with baby elephants and Rothschild's giraffes.
Tanzania (Serengeti National Park) | Kenya (Maasai Mara National Reserve) |
Ten times larger than the Maasai Mara | Dense wildlife in a smaller area |
Migration present year-round, including river crossings in the north (July-October) and peak calving on the southern plains (February–March) | Migration August to October with Mara river crossings, which occur simultaneously in Tanzania's northern Serengeti during this period |
Vast, open landscapes result in more opportunities to avoid the crowds | Private conservancy system offers exclusive, crowd-free viewing. Note that river crossings occur in the main reserve and are subject to crowding |
Big 5 are present, but combine with an Ngorongoro Crater safari for higher chances of seeing rhinos | Very high likelihood of sighting the entire Big Five (especially with Laikipia and its rhino sanctuaries as an add-on) |
Best for: photographers, wilderness seekers, experienced safari-goers | Best for: first-timers, families, shorter trips |
Please get in touch with your local GP or travel clinic well before your trip to obtain professional medical advice and discuss up-to-date vaccination requirements for the areas you will visit.
Yellow fever
Kenya is not a yellow fever country, so a yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory. However, if you are entering Kenya from a yellow fever country (such as Rwanda), you will need to present your vaccination certificate upon entry.
Malaria
Malaria is prevalent in many parts of Kenya, and we advise you to consult your GP before you depart about taking prophylaxis. It’s also essential to cover up in the evenings when the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito usually feeds. The malaria incubation period is 1-3 weeks, so if you experience any flu-like symptoms, headaches, aching joints and back or nausea and diarrhoea, it is recommended that you get tested at the earliest opportunity and let the medical people know you’ve recently travelled to Africa.
Kenyan safaris typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level, time of year and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team.
You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 105 days before you travel.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Click here to schedule a no-obligation call with one of our Safari Experts or fill in our 2-minute form with your questions. Our team of experts are here to help! Whether you’re curious about the best time to travel, want to hear first-hand about an experience or need help planning your safari.
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