Kenya
For more than a hundred years, Kenya has epitomised the archetypal African safari. Few countries can offer such an astonishing variety of climate and habitat with such a profusion of fauna and flora. This is the country that inspired masterpieces such as Karen Blixen's 'Out of Africa' and Elspeth Huxley's 'The Flame Trees of Thika' and Kenya's many game reserves are legendary, ranking amongst the finest in the world.
As always we most recommend staying in intimate, owner managed, Kenyan homesteads, camps and lodges where one actually comes away not only with a real taste of the area but also as friends of one's hosts. One could perhaps start a safari at a Kenyan homestead on Lake Naivasha, relaxing prior to setting off on the rigours of a safari! There is so much to see in Kenya: In Samburu, stay at Iain and Oria Douglas-Hamilton's beautiful, unique, tented camp (staffed by very informative Samburu) and visit the research station of their charity, Save The Elephants. Here the resident team will show you how they identify each elephant group and track their daily activities and progress. They also have a wonderful Kenyan homestead on the shores of Lake Naivasha which serves some of the most wonderful Mediterranean food outside of Italy! In the south, bordering Tanzania, you can wake up to astounding views of Mount Kilimanjaro at a lovely tented camp in the foothills of the mountain and, as well as game-viewing, learn about the culture of the Maasai tribe with whom the camp is jointly run.
Perhaps one might undertake a private combined walking and vehicle safari in the Masai Mara with renowned guide Alex Hunter, during the wildebeest migration; there is a vast amount of choice in Kenya. At the end of your safari you might relax, somewhere off the beaten track, on the shores of Lake Victoria where one can fish for Nile Perch, or perhaps on Samatian Island on Lake Baringo or, of course, one might elect to explore the Arab Swahili coast of Lamu or, further north and very remote, Kiwayu. We also have some superb cottages (and gorgeous villas) on the coast nearer Mombasa.
Kenya has something for everyone, from the exciting game filled areas of the Masai Mara, Samburu, Amboseli and Meru, to the beautiful Laikipia plateau with its magnificent views and homely (and some very luxurious) lodges, where one can ride either horses or camels amongst a wide range of activities. One should not forget the lakes and coast, either! We even offer lion tracking with one of Kenya's finest guides.
The Masai Mara Game Reserve is renowned for its wildebeest and zebra migration, occurring during the months from July to October as the ungulates flow from (and back to) the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is an area of vast, rolling plains and rounded hills and has the largest lion population in Africa. We can also offer horse riding in the Masai Mara during the wildebeest migration, which is one of the most exhilarating experiences ever!
Samburu is a good combination with the Mara. Situated north of the equator, it boasts five species not found south of the equator and is a small, scenic, park with diverse vegetation, dotted with doulm palms which follow the water course of the Ewaso Nyiro river. The river attracts a large variety of animals including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, elephant, lion and many antelope. The bird life is excellent here, too.
Meru, in our opinion, is one of the most beautiful parks in Kenya and the least frequented. Situated along the Tana River, it is noted for its grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe. It is also famous for being the park where George Adamson rehabilitated his lioness, Elsa. There is a beautiful lodge, Elsa's Kopje, which overlooks this park. Of course, no visit to Kenya is complete without a visit to the Daphne Sheldrick elephant orphanage! Finally, there are some very remote and far flung corners of Kenya - we feature some quite adventurous safari ideas to visit these areas.
