There are lots of wonderful ways to experience Kenya, but none quite so wonderful as a Kenya Luxury Safari. For me, the best way of exploring an area is to have the most amazing guide to bring the region to life for you – the guide is in fact the most crucial aspect of any safari! Then – one of my favourites is a  private camp in the Mara which is set in a truly game rich area – and one of the best for the migration. Here you have wrought iron candelabra in the bathroom to add a sense of occasion and the sitting area which overlooks the bush and is open on all sides with a huge candelabra to give a warm light in the evenings. Having no electricity creates a wonderful atmosphere. The days are spent viewing some of the finest and most concentrated wildlife in Africa, whilst the evenings are spent laughing and chatting about what you have seen during the day. Perhaps even go out on a sundowner flight across the Mara, arriving as the sun begins to set. This truly is spectacular!

Kenya Luxury Safari with AfricanExplorations.com

Then perhaps travel to Meru or Samburu National Parks, north of the equator and stay in a beautiful lodge or tented camp – whichever takes your fancy! Perhaps go and visit an elephant research station or take a walk with a Samburu warrior, learning all about their culture as well as seeing superb elephant and other wildlife in the park. In the evening, at sundowners, watch the Samburu guides dance and become mesmerised with their simulanteous chanting and the finery of their clothing. This truly is Africa – and the continent delivers a pulsation that no other can equal!

Kenya Luxury Safari with AfricanExplorations.com

Luxury honeymoons – well, this is one of the moments in life which should be treasured – and – how better to do this than with a luxurious honeymoon? Most people would agree that the lead up to their wedding is nothing short of traumatic – exciting of course and the highlight is your special day – but then, you need to be rewarded for all that hard work in making your day such a success!

luxury honeymoons at Sasaab with AfricanExplorations.com

If choosing the continent of Africa – quite where does one start? Most people need a break right at the beginning – somewhere to acclimatise and simply let the entire magnificent experience sink in! Then, once you have regained your breath, so to speak, move on to a wonderful safari – where it can be just the two of you in a vehicle, or on foot, savouring the moments together. Perhaps you might like to start in Kenya, staying somewhere romantic at the beginning, with infinite views, a little riding for those that do, picnic lunches and bush breakfasts set up as a surprise, after a walk. Flycamp for a night, where you sleep beneath the stars, an entire camp erected just for the two of you…. or walk, ride or take a camel to a treehouse where you will sleep for the night! Then move off to the Masai Mara or Samburu (or we suggest both!) and sleep in an enormous tent, bedouin style, with persian carpets and lots of big cushions and day beds, either overlooking a river or the plains. Have sundowners on a large rock, with miles of savannah plains and wildlife sprawling out in front of you. End up on the coast, either the Kenyan coast, where there are some gorgeous, romantic boutique hotels, who arrange dining in a different place each night for you. Perhaps in a cave one night, lit with lanterns,  or on the beach, or around a swimming pool or on your own verandah? The Tanzanian coast is especially good for those that dive, or if a large, opulent hotel is more your style, then combine it with Mauritius or the Seychelles.

luxury honeymoon at Zarafa Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

Namibia is another amazing country, with beautiful deserts and one can spend time in a beautiful lodge which is open sided, with views of sand dunes surrounding one, or perhaps a skylight so one can view the stars. The piece de resistance is taking a hot air balloon ride over the dunes at dawn as the dunes change hue!

Luxury Namibia with AfricanExplorations.com

South Africa also offers some amazing designer style lodges, where comfort is the keyword and then one can move on to either Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar or the Seychelles from there!

In Tanzania, stay in a gorgeous, luxurious lodge or camp in the Serengeti, followed by a stay in the Ngorongoro Crater, where fresh roses are flown in daily for you and placed next to your bath that your butler has run for you, a glass of wine on the side, and views of the Crater from your bath!

Botswana is fabulous too, one can walk with elephants, learning all about these magnificent pachyderms, and stay on a gorgeous island, with just a handful of luxurious tents, and a lagoon surrounding you, so that you fall asleep to the gentle snort of the hippos. Or even spend time riding an elephant and staying at a luxurious lodge with fabulous views of the Okavango Delta.

Luxury Banyan Tree Seychelles with AfricanExplorations.com

There are so many dreamy places that one could spend months – let alone days – with your treasured partner – you simply wont want to leave! Remember though, that to spend longer at a place is better, as it means you dont have to undertake the early morning game drives, but rather participate on them as you wish – remember, this is all about fun and relaxation – in equal measures!

A Kenya Madagascar honeymoon! What an amazing combination!  Start off by having a truly  fantastic safari in Kenya, I would suggest a gorgeous, romantic Bedouin styled camp, either in the Masai Mara or Samburu – although I would probably recommend both, as the areas are so incredibly different. The one park is north of the equator and is semi-desert, arid landscape with unique, indigenous species whilst the other is south of the equator with entirely different terrain and landscapes.  Whilst in the Mara, go hot air ballooning or take a low level flight across the plains, culminating in landing for champagne at sunset! Just how romantic is that! Alternately, start off with a real favourite of mine, Shompole Lodge, where each villa is on three levels – the first is your bedroom which is entirely open fronted with the most amazing views, and deck with dining chairs and table and a large Arab daybed, then the next level is the largest bathroom you have ever seen, again completely open fronted (yet completely private) and lastly, on the third floor is your very own, private, cool pool where you can relax in privacy. Have a look at the December issue of Tatler, on the website where there is a piece on Shompole and ourselves!

Kenya Madagascar Honeymoon with AfricanExplorations.com

Then fly to Madagascar, where you can stay at the gorgeous Relais et Chateaux Anjajavy, or another of my favourite places around Nosy Be, situated on a private island. Have the most stunning  food, fantastic massages and spa treatments, five different beaches to yourself and some wonderful lemurs and sifakas. Perhaps take a kayak through the mangoves where the birdlife is spectacular! Otherwise there is amazing fishing and snorkelling and diving.-

Kenya Madagascar honeymoon with AfricanExplorations.com

Luxury Safari Kenya- It is so easy these days to have a luxury safari in Kenya. What the Kenyans have is style, and bucketloads of it! Nothing over the top, just simple and tasteful, ensuring that whatever is done merely complements the amazing scenery and views.

Shompole Lodge with AfricanExplorations.com

Luxury also comes in many guises. For some, it is taking a family or a group of friends getting together and hiring a private vehicle in the most beautiful, pristine wildlife abundant region in Laikipia or Meru. For others, it is having a helicopter on standby to fly them to Mount Kenya where they can fit in a day’s fly fishing or perhaps doing a low level flight in the Masai Mara during the wildebeest migration.  Again, for some, it will be having Frette linen, the finest of freshly prepared food and good wine, whilst for others, to have an unending supply of hot water for their bucket shower whilst they are on a luxury camping trip will do the trick!

Ol Donyo with AfricanExplorations.com

There are truly beautiful houses from Lake Naivasha, t0 Meru, Laikipia and Magadi. There are architectural places of beauty in Samburu and Magadi. It all depends upon your style!

The game is simply wonderful in Kenya, one simply needs to know when the best times are to be there and to maximise it. The mobile or luxury camping is fantastic as one has complete flexibility for the entire day, doing exactly as one wishes and establishing a wonderful rapport with one’s guide. The tents are furnished with oriental carpets, have cupboards to hang clothes and proper en suite bathrooms with tremendous showers and porcelain loos.

On the coast, we have such delights as Kiwayu which is Robinson Crusoe in style, but serving lobster and crab and delicious fish and fine wine! Why not take a dhow for three days between Kiwayu and Lamu? Stay at a new luxury boutique hotel called Red Pepper. Perhaps take a villa?

Madagascar Kenya Honeymoon – This is a really amazing combination. Start off by having a truly  fantastic safari in Kenya, I would suggest a gorgeous, romantic Bedouin styled camp, either in the Masai Mara or Samburu – although I would probably recommend both, as the areas are so incredibly different. The one park is north of the equator and is semi-desert, arid landscape with unique, indigenous species whilst the other is south of the equator with entirely different terrain and landscapes.  Whilst in the Mara, go hot air ballooning or take a low level flight across the plains, culminating in landing for champagne at sunset! Just how romantic is that! Alternately, start off with a real favourite of mine, Shompole Lodge, where each villa is on three levels – the first is your bedroom which is entirely open fronted with the most amazing views, and deck with dining chairs and table and a large Arab daybed, then the next level is the largest bathroom you have ever seen, again completely open fronted (yet completely private) and lastly, on the third floor is your very own, private, cool pool where you can relax in privacy. Have a look at the December issue of Tatler, on sale now, where there is a piece on Shompole and ourselves! (We are also in November’s Tatler with a fabulous large piece on Bhutan – if you’ve missed it, then click on to our India blog page where it has been loaded!)

Shompole with AfricanExplorations.com

Then fly off to Madagascar, where you can either stay at the gorgeous Relais et Chateaux Anjajavy, or another of my favourite places around Nosy Be, situated on a private island. Have the most stunning  food, fantastic massages and spa treatments, five different beaches to yourself and some wonderful lemurs and sifakas. Perhaps take a kayak through the mangoves where the birdlife is spectacular! Otherwise there is amazing fishing and snorkelling and diving.

anjajavy with AfricanExplorations.com

Kenya Madagascar Honeymoon with AfricanExplorations.com

Lemurs in Madagascar! Speak to one of our experts, we’d love to arrange your very special honeymoon for you!

Kenya Safari- Kenya is still overall my favourite East African country. Its the sort of country that when you land at the airstrip, your feet touch the soil, you feel that wave of heat on your skin, you smell that wonderful air, that magical vibrant atmosphere and you can’t help but think – yes, I have arrived. I am home, or words to that effect! Interestingly enough, most people I have spoken to who have absolutely no connection with the country at all, always feel as though they have come ‘home’.  But that’s what this country does to you. Its the warmth of the people, that amazing welcome, those huge smiles.

Elephant Watch Camp with AfricanExplorations.com

Add to that the most gloriously romantic tented camps and lodges that you have ever come across, the sort of places where you could simply fall in love with someone all over again, all bedouin styled with persian rugs and sublime views that you simply drink in!

Shompole with AfricanExplorations.com

Then you have the wildlife – and oh, what wildlife! Not only does one have an astonishing array of both animals and birdlife and vegetation, but add to that the extraordinary, widely covered wildebeest migration, which traverses from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti in their quest for water.1.5 million wildebeest, 500 000 zebra and a multitude of predators – a sheer wildlife phenomenon!

Kenya Safari with AfricanExplorations.com

Add to that the incredibly rich and colourful culture and wide array of tribes, from the nomadic Samburu to the Maasai, the Turkana, the Rendille, The Luos, the Kikuyu and so on. The list is endless and especially for family safaris, one can learn all about them, spend time with them, and find out what is entailed in becoming a warrior. There is nothing contrived here!

For the adventurous, Kenya offers everything – apart from world class wildlife, there is trout and big game fishing, both fly and rod, horse riding, camel trekking, walking and climbing Mount Kenya.

There is a beautiful coastline, where you can take an Arab Dhow and sail to islands or parts of the mainland, or snorkel and dive off a catamaran, or perhaps stay at a wonderful Robinson Crusoe Lodge with no windows or doors and dine on the freshest lobster, crab and fish, with hand made pasta and gorgeous wine or stay at a private villa which is beautifully designed in Moorish architecture. Perhaps stay at a state of the art spa overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Kenya Safari with AfricanExplorations.com

Whatever your fancy, Kenya can meet your challenge – and surpass it! This will truly be a holiday of a lifetime!

A luxury Kenya safari is something that many people dream of! The world is divided by those who love wildlife and really want to get up close and personal. This means to sleep in a tented camp, listening to the amazing night calls of the whooping hyaena or a lion calling to its mate in the distance, or defending its territory. With the wind blowing gently through the gauze windows, one sleeps so soundly! For other people, this may be seen as a complete nightmare. They may not feel very comfortable sleeping at night, knowing that wildlife is walking around their tent. For them, they may love wildlife, but feel safer viewing it from a distance. They feel comforted by the fact that their lodge or tent is on a wooden deck, several feet from the ground!

shompole house with africanexplorations.com

I have covered this in a period article when I say that luxury means different things to different people. To some, it means space and not seeing another soul (or tourist!). To have thousands of hectares to simply spend time walking in and absorbing, to traverse through by open vehicle or on horseback.  Others feel it is flying everywhere by private aircraft, not having to wait for anyone or join any queues! Some feel it is having unlimited hot water whilst others, it is to have the champagne or wine of one’s choice at hand, together with superb food. A private guide who accompanies your safari and is at one’s beck and call  is, for some,  a necessity – and undoubtedly, this increases the enjoyment of one’s overall safari.

Sasaab with AfricanExplorations.com

There are still other people who simply insist upon opulence and decadence. A masseuse must be on hand, rooms or villas with the finest linen, lodges which have that inimitable designer touch.

luxury Kenya safari with AfricanExplorations.com

Whatever your idea of luxury is, Kenya can certainly deliver it!

It is very easy these days to have a luxury Safari in Kenya, as there are just so many lodges and beautifully appointed tented camps to choose from. As any African afficionado knows, tents have moved on a long way in the last twenty years! Forget about pup tents, (unless one is flycamping), and any negative thoughts on boy scout camping should be banished! No, we are talking about lovely, spacious, sexy tents (yes, they can be!), as large as most apartments, with 360 degree views should one wish, persian rugs scattered on the floor and big cushions. Fantastic views and some with their own plunge pool! The most gorgeous tent I recently stayed in was at Sasaab, in Kenya. Sadly I was on my own, but this was somewhere to be shared with your partner – it was romance and bliss personified!

Luxury Kenya Safari with AfricanExplorations.com

The tents are set in the bush and one watches pairs of dik diks pronking through the trees. During the day, the tent is open fronted and open to the side, where the plunge pool is situated, overlooking the river. The front has equal views over the river with a couple of sun loungers placed on the grass. In the bedroom is a large sitting area with lots of cushions and bird and mammal books for perusing. There is even a yoga mat and plenty of places to practice yoga! There is a large bathroom with sliding tented doors with an inside shower and twin basin unit.  You also have your dedicated room steward.  If you feel like having more of a workout in a proper swimming pool,  then one can walk up to a mezzanine area outside with lots of large chairs and cushions  for relaxing and having a glass of wine, overlooking the swimming pool. There is also a spa.  Apart from game viewing in Samburu National Park, which is superb and excellent for elephant specifically (as well as having five different species which only occur north of the equator), they also offer camel walking and riding,  as well as walks, visits to the local community and the school. There are so many other lovely properties – in Lake Naivasha, we have a folly, which one takes over – and one can go for walks, visit Lake Nakuru  and take a boat around the lake whilst birdwatching.

Luxury Kenya safari with AfricanExplorations.com

There are umpteen gorgeous houses in Laikipia where one can stay – my favourite being a homestead which has been decorated by an Argentinian interior decorator – called the Italian cottage. Here one can ride, track wild dog, game view and walk and the wildlife is superb. Or perhaps take a private cottage in Laikipia with infinite views across the escarpment. On the coast, in Lamu, take a private villa – complete with your own skipper and boat for the day! Dine on lobster, crab and fresh fish each night! At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, there is a gorgeous lodge called Ol Donyo Wuas. This is the perfect place to acclimatise to Africa – sleep outside in your sala for a night or two, beneath the stars! They have elephants with the largest tusks here.  Go for wonderful walks, horse ride, have lovely picnic lunches and breakfasts laid out for you on a walk – the opportunities are endless, as are the views, luxury safari Kenya at its best!

Luxury Safari Kenya with AfricanExplorations.com