With over 40 parks and game reserves, Kenya has long been known as “big-game” country. Kenya has always viewed its wildlife as a national treasure. And the movie “Out of Africa” did much to cement the romance of Kenya in our minds. A diverse country, Kenya offers many rewards for the first-time, as well as the seasoned, safari traveler. Magnificent wildlife, excellent accommodations, palm-fringed beaches and a warm and friendly population await you. An infinite landscape of varying climates, Kenya is punctuated by two distinct rainy seasons from April to May and late November to December. Discover the dramatic Rift Valley and its soda lakes, snow-capped mountains on the Equator, the gigantic Lake Victoria and the beach-lined coast with its magical islands. Encounter the greatest concentration of free-ranging wildlife on earth and explore the customs of the proud Maasai people. It is the birthplace of the Swahili word “safari”, meaning “to journey”.

  • Location: Kenya is located in East Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.
  • Size: Kenya covers 224, 961 square miles, slightly more than twice the size of Nevada or slightly bigger than France.
  • Capital City: Nairobi
  • Population: Just over 44 million people live in Kenya.
  • Languages: Kiswahili and English are both official languages in Kenya, however more than 60 indigenous languages are spoken in the country.
  • The Flag: The Kenyan national flag was adopted at independence from Britain in 1963. The color black represents the people of the Republic of Kenya, red for the blood shed during the fight for independence, green for the country’s landscape and the white was added later to symbolize peace and honesty. The traditional Maasai shield and two spears symbolize the defense of all the things symbolized in the flag.
  • Currency: The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the local currency, however most high-end lodges and luxury safari camps will accept US Dollars. The exchange rate hovers around USD $1: 90 Kenyan Shillings.
  • Getting to Kenya: The main point of entry for most visitors traveling from the US is Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi (NBO). There are no direct flights from the US to Nairobi, but almost all the major European cities offer direct flights (Amsterdam, London, Paris, Istanbul), or you can transfer in Dubai, Addis Ababa or Johannesburg. Getting to Kenya from Tanzania by land is OK to and from the Amboseli area, but crossing to or from the Mara (Kenya), to the Serengeti (Tanzania) gets complicated
  • Combine Kenya with: Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda
  • Download these before you go… Books: An African Love Story – Dame Daphne Sheldrick; A Guide to the Birds of East Africa – Nicholas Drayson; West with the Night – Beryl Markham; The Flame Trees of Thika – Elspeth Huxley; Out of Africa – Isak Dinesen; White Mischief – James Fox; Unbowed – Wangari Maathai; Matigari – Ngugi Wa Thiongo; I Dreamed of Africa – Kuki Gallman.
    Movies: Out of Africa (1985); Constant Gardener (2005); Born Free (1966); BBC’s Big Cat Diary series.

NAIROBI
Nairobi is the city at the heart of Kenya and the primary gateway to the vast game reserves and national parks of East Africa. The name Nairobi comes from the Masai words enkare nyarobe meaning sweet water, as this area was a watering hole for the Masai and their cattle. One of the largest cities between Cairo and Johannesburg, Nairobi is cosmopolitan, lively and interesting. The city center is modern and prosperous and the services are well organized and efficient. Places of interest include Kenya National Museum, Snake Farm, Nairobi National Park, Railway Museum, National Archives, McMillian Memorial Library, Parliament House, Kenyatta Conference Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, Kiambethu Farm, Langata Giraffe Centre & Bird Sanctuary. There are also many colorful markets to explore as well as the famed Carnivore Restaurant.

MASAI MARA
Rich in game and birds, the Masai Mara is the scene of the spectacular annual migration of wildebeest and zebra, when millions of animals follow the unbroken cycle of survival as they move between Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh grasses. The sight of more than a million of these creatures moving as a great mass across the savannah is one of the most breathtaking sights in nature. Visitors to the Masai Mara from August through September are certain to see the great herds of wildebeest and zebra. From the Rift Valley escarpment, to the rolling plains and the groves of woodlands, the Masai Mara is a vast and varied landscape. The Mara River bisects this great reserve and provides a rich habitat along its banks. And everywhere, the seemingly endless herds of animals live out their daily lives to the rhythm of nature. The Mara, host to lion, cheetah, hippo, elephant, leopard, buffalo, warthog and giraffe, to name a few, holds splendor and surprises within its boundaries. The visitor is sure to see why the Masai Mara is Kenya’s most famous, and favored, park.

LEWA DOWNS
Lewa Downs is a 40,000 acre ranch, home to the Craig Family since 1924, hosting a diverse array of wildlife in some of Kenya’s most spectacular scenery. The snowcapped peaks of Mount Kenya dominate the views to the south, where the southern boundary rises to an altitude of some 6,500 ft above sea level. To the north, the terrain drops away rapidly with breathtaking views of Samburu, Ololokwe and the Mathews Range beyond. The Lewa Downs Conservancy supports a myriad of plains game species, all perfectly adapted for the semi-desert environment. The thinly striped and endangered Grevy’s zebra and the chocolate brown reticulated giraffe are common. The lance-like horned Beisa oryx and the rare greater kudu are seasonal visitors. Gunther’s dikdik, with its huge nasal swellings, the giraffe-necked gerenuk and the beautiful blue-legged Somali ostrich are resident all year. The swamp has become a sanctuary for the fascinating semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope and its primary predator, the leopard. Birdlife is equally rich with numerous species of Bustards, Plovers, Coursers and birds of prey. At night, leopard are frequently encountered along with bush babies, aardvarks, bat-eared foxes, caracal and various mongooses, genets & civets – a few days at Lewa Downs is a unique combination of hospitality, spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.

SAMBURU
In the semi-desert bush country of the northern frontier are Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba Game Reserves. These three reserves lie 325 kilometers from Nairobi in hot and arid fringes of the vast northern region of Kenya. The reserves are within the lands of the colorful Samburu tribe, relatives of the famed Masai. Furthermore, this region is noted for the unique species that live here, such as the Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk and reticulated giraffe. Some of these species are so well adapted to the dry area that they can go for long periods of time without water, surviving only on moisture obtained through their food. The Uaso Nyiro River runs through the park and guarantees an abundance of wildlife the year around. It is also not uncommon to see a hundred different species of birds throughout the park. The rugged splendor of this region is accented by the colorful dress and beauty of the Samburu tribe. These nomadic people allow a glimpse into their way of life and how they have adapted to this mysterious and adventurous region.

AMBOSELI
Amboseli is equally famous for its big game as well as its views of Mount Kilimanjaro. This park is one of the best places in Kenya to view large herds of elephant and buffalo as well as lion, cheetah, giraffe and plains game. The scenic landscape is dominated by the sparkling, majestic snowcap of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 19,340 feet. Within Amboseli National Park, you will find the Cynthia Moss Elephant Research Center which has been instrumental in our ability to understand and, ultimately, to help save these magnificent beasts. A wild region where the pastoral Masai and their cattle can be seen living in harmony with nature, Amboseli is a rich introduction to Kenya.

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
The Central Highlands lie to the north of Kenya and include two national parks, Mount Kenya and the Aberdares, forming an eastern boundary to the Rift Valley. It is a very densely populated area, being fertile and well watered. This is also the heartland of the Kikuyu people who make up the largest tribal group in Kenya. Mount Kenya rises to a height of 5200 meters. Above the 3200 meter contour, it forms a biosphere reserve. The mountain consists of three principal zones: the rocky peak with its crown of glaciers, tarns and snowfields; the alpine zone with its distinctive giant vegetation; and the vast gentle slopes covered in upland forest and bamboo jungle. These differing environments provide opportunities for all levels of adventurers from leisurely bush walks, to more rigorous hikes as well as serious outfitted climbs. The area around Mount Kenya is also accessible to those wishing to explore its alpine peaks. Wildlife is still common here and many private reserves and sanctuaries are found in this area. The famous Mount Kenya Safari Club is located at the foot of Mount Kenya and offers a variety of activities.

ABERDARES
The Aberdares is a range of mountains to the west of Mount Kenya in the central highlands region and is one of Kenya’s only virgin forests. The Kikuyu call these mountains Nyandarua (drying hide) and they were the home to guerilla fighters during the struggle for independence. Today the mountains are home to leopard, bongo, buffalo and elephant and the lower lying areas are the territory of the lion, serval cat and even bushbucks. Aberdare National Park is known for its tree hotels and the thrill of night game viewing. Deep ravines cut through forested slopes and animals venture down at night to waterholes situated next to these hotels.

THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY AND THE LAKES
The Great Rift Valley is one of the most dramatic features of the planet, stretching some 3600 miles from the Dead Sea in Jordan to Mozambique in the south. In Kenya, the Rift Valley starts at Lake Turkana in the north and crosses the center of the country to Lake Natron just across the southern border into Tanzania. It is up to 60 miles wide in places and features cliffs, escarpments, rivers and arid plains, which support an amazing diversity of fauna and flora. The Rift Valley’s system of deep freshwater lakes includes Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo. Lake Nakuru is known for its stunning pink vision as millions of flamingos congregate to feed in the alkaline waters. Visitors to this area will be taken with the beauty of the fever trees and the richness of the wildlife, which includes a rhino sanctuary. Lake Naivasha is home to over 400 species of birds, which are drawn to the papyrus reeds that line its shores. Lake Baringo, to the north, is also rich in bird life and other aquatic animals, such as hippo and crocodile.

LAIKIPIA
Laikipia is a plateau between the North Kenya deserts and the Aberdare Mountain Range. The Laikipia wildlife sanctuary is home to the largest elephant population in Kenya and was made famous by Kuki Gallman in her book, “I Dreamed of Africa”. Safaris are conducted on a private ranch of 50,000 acres of wilderness, on the edge of an escarpment overlooking plains, valleys and acacia and wild olive forests. Game drives, bush walks and horseback rides offer views of herds of zebra, eland, elephant, hartebeest, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Grant’s gazelle, and of course the predators such as leopard, lion, cheetah and the rare caracal.

TSAVO
Tsavo was opened in 1948 as the first of Kenya’s wildlife reserves. Located halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa, the park is divided into two sections, West and East Tsavo National Parks. Together with adjacent Chyulu Hills National Park, they cover an area of 8,217 square miles. Considered one of the world’s premier bio-diverse microcosms, Tsavo is the largest park in Kenya. The alternately hilly, rocky and flat landscape is dotted with giant baobab trees and the desert rose. Along the riverbanks you find a thriving animal population in and around the acacias and raffia palms. This area is famous as the home of the ‘red’ elephants – colored by the park’s red dust. Game here is quite varied including ostrich, gazelle, giraffe and zebra accompanied by the predatory cats, as well as 500 species of birds.

MOMBASA
Mombasa is Kenya’s second largest – and oldest – city, with a history that dates back nearly 2,000 years. Mombasa is a mystical mixture of the ancient and the modern with a cosmopolitan population of African, European, Arab and Asian. The old town is a maze of narrow streets and pedestrian lanes lined with quaint shuttered houses and open fronted shops. The smell of spices is always present. Dominating the entrance to the Dhow harbor and overlooking the old town is Fort Jesus built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. A museum in the fort displays antiques from the length of the Kenyan coast, and is always open to visitors.

LAMU
As Kenya’s oldest living town, Lamu has a rich and colorful history. Lamu is a town, an island and an archipelago. The physical appearance and character of the town have changed little over the centuries. The architecture of the houses and buildings dates back to the 18th century. The villages of Shela and Matondoni, Lamu Fort, the Swahili House Museum, and the Donkey Sanctuary should also be included on every traveler’s itinerary. Today, Lamu offers an excellent opportunity to experience an ancient and fascinating town, inhabited by friendly and colorful people as well as the sea, beaches, antiquities, marine life and nearby islands. Take a dawn swim on the world’s most beautiful beach, explore the shipyards of nearby Matandoni, shop in Lamu Town or plunge into crystalline waters to scuba or snorkel.

Plan Your Safari
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Kenya Suggested Safaris


Highlights of Kenya and Tanzania

13 Days 12 Nights$17000 - $22000

Your safari begins in Nairobi, East Africa's most cosmopolitan city, featuring some fascinating attractions: its cafe culture, unbridled nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and we strongly recommend a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for a once in a lifetime experience. From Nairobi you fly to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, spanning thousands of hectares of vast open savannah grasslands in northern Kenya, and home to the world’s largest population of Grevy’s zebra. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as an important sanctuary for a large selection of wildlife including the endangered black rhino as well as the white rhino. Activities while staying at Lewa Wilderness include game drives, game walks, a camel safari, horseback riding, and a visit to the nearby Ngare Ndare Forest and waterfall. From Lewa you continue on to the Mara North Conservancy, a beautiful private wilderness area covering more than 30,000 hectares situated in southwest Kenya. It is home to a spectacular array of plants, reptiles, birds and mammals including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and large concentrations of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and other migratory wildlife. Hugging the banks of the Mara, Ngare Serian is cozy and intimate. It can only be reached on foot, over a narrow rope bridge. The cornerstone of a safari experience at Serian is that each group has their own open-top safari vehicle, and their own dedicated guide and spotter. The freedom this grants you is key to getting the most out of your stay: go where the day takes you. Your safari experience continues in the Northern Serengeti, a remote African wildlife wonderland. This vast, rolling savannah is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterized by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Lamai Serengeti sits tucked amongst the rocks of Kogakuria Kopje with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, only a few miles from where the wildebeest cross the Mara River. Game drives allow you to get closer to the big game and cover greater distances so that you can explore further afield in this beautiful part of the Serengeti. Located in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife; which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations and a wonderful conclusion to your Tanzania safari. Surrounded by Tanzania’s highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. You can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp offers breathtaking views of the spectacular surrounding scenery and will be a relaxing, yet spectacular final few days on safari.

East Africa Explorer

13 Days 12 Nights$13000 - $15000

Your East Africa Explorer begins in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, where you can adjust to Africa time, with a night at Hemingways. Enjoy a dawa on the terrace as the sun sets over the Ngong Hills, made famous by Isak Dinesen’s “Out of Africa”. Fly north to the Lewa Conservancy for 3 nights at Kifaru House, where you'll enjoy some wildlife unique to this stunning region, including the reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra, as well as being home to some endangered species, both black and white rhino. Then it's on to the iconic Maasai Mara, at Sand River Mara Camp, located close to the Tanzanian border – this is a lovely camp, in a superb location with excellent wildlife viewing. You'll spend 3 nights enjoying game drives and if the migration should have arrived in the Mara, perhaps a chance to witness a river crossing. In addition to the superb resident game viewing, you will have a further opportunity of witnessing the world's greatest wildlife phenomenon, the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra, as you cross the border into Tanzania for 3 nights in the world famous Serengeti, at Serengeti Pioneer Camp (Migration Camp is seasonally substituted). Your adventure concludes with a final two nights at the Manor at Ngorongoro, an ideal location from which to visit the Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The caldera formed by this extinct volcano is home to rich landscapes and the largest population of permanent wildlife anywhere in Africa. You'll enjoy a picnic lunch during your full day excursion into the Crater itself. Then relax at The Manor or participate in the other activities at the lodge.

Rafiki Safari

11 Days 10 Nights$9000 - $12000

Our Rafiki Safari is a wonderful, family friendly 11 day, 10 night adventure in Kenya. Each of the camps and lodges in this itinerary has its own individual style and charm, offering experiences that make it completely unique. Amboseli is known for its magnificent elephants (a population of over 1000 elephants reside in the parks eco-system), while walking safaris with local Maasai guides provide intimate insight into the local Maasai culture. In the Lewa Conservancy, you are privy to some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing that Kenya has to offer: lion, leopard and jackal thrive on the rich diversity of prey that inhabits the area. Your last three nights on safari are at elegant Sand River Camp in Masai Mara, on the border with Tanzania and if the timing is right, there is a chance of witnessing the migrating herds of wildebeest crossing the Sand River, right from your tent.

Kenya’s Supreme Safari

8 Days 7 Nights$6500 - $7500

This 7 night/8 day itinerary combines Kenya’s most exciting, wildlife-rich wildernesses - The Samburu and the Masai Mara. Delight in unending views of pristine wilderness, from the teeming plains of the Masai Mara to the rugged Samburu landscape. Discover two of Africa’s most authentic and fascinating tribes – the Maasai and Samburu – learn first-hand about their ancient customs and local knowledge. Encounter Africa’s classic and diverse wildlife up close in their natural habitat, from the most wildlife-abundant ecosystem in the world – the Masai Mara, to the rare species only found in Samburu. This is one of our clients' favorite safaris because the Saruni teams makes each guest feel like they are part of the family. In the Land Rover you are accompanied by your professional guide and by a tracker, a team that will help you to read the book of nature. They don’t rush while on safari and there will be time to observe the wild animals, to see how they interact and to study their behavior and their habitats. Days can be hot or cold, sunny or rainy but the wildlife of the Masai Mara is always in action. They will not only take to the famous spots but also to the secret corners where you never meet another vehicle. It is the Masai Mara without the minibuses, as the first hunters and explorers discovered it. They love to take you to the secret spots, especially for a bush dinner or lunch. Deep in the forest or by the river Mara overlooking a “hippo beach”, a nicely decorated table is waiting for you, providing us with the thrilling experience of a gourmet meal in the middle of the bush. On a game walk you will feel, touch and smell the trees, the bushes, the rocks and the tracks – and even the animal droppings – that make this area unique. To walk with the Masai warriors in the African bush is a fantastic experience and you will learn how they use the berries and the leaves, about their traditions and about their life. We guarantee a most memorable and personal experience.

Out of Africa

12 Days 11 Nights$15000 - $20000

Your itinerary starts in Nairobi, with 1 night at House of Waine providing a chance to adjust to Africa time. You will then head north to Laikipia, home to some of Kenya's most unique wildlife including the reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra, for 3 nights at Ol Lentille in one of their four private villas. This region is also home to the Samburu people and a wonderful opportunity to learn about their culture. Your safari will continue in the world famous Maasai Mara, at Mara Bushtops for a further 4 nights at this beautiful camp offering excellent wildlife viewing year round. You can also enjoy armchair safaris from private deck as an abundance of wildlife congregates around the adjacent salt lick. Other activities include bush walks, sundowners and relaxing at the spa. Lastly, you travel to Kenya's beautiful coast for 4 days/ 3 nights of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation at Alfajiri Beach Villas. You can choose to swim, sunbathe and enjoy the spa or venture out to some local excursions, on the shores of the Indian Ocean.