Home of the Maasai Mara and the single greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth: the Great Migration.
"There are no words to describe our time in the Mara — the guide our operator matched us with knew every pride by name. Genuinely the best trip of my life."
— Maddy, Kenya traveller"AfricaSafariPlanet matched us with an operator inside a day, and the quote came back more detailed than anything we'd gotten from three agents."
— Tom & Amie, first-time safariKenya is where the modern safari was born, and it remains the benchmark against which every other destination is measured. Its parks span vast open savannah, forested highlands, and the shores of the Rift Valley lakes — each with a distinct character and cast of wildlife.
The country's reputation rests on the Maasai Mara, but Kenya's range goes far beyond it: the tusker elephants of Amboseli framed by Kilimanjaro, the flamingo-lined lakes of the Rift Valley, and the rhino sanctuaries of Laikipia. For most first-time safari travellers, Kenya offers the most complete introduction to East Africa.
The northern arm of the Serengeti ecosystem and stage for the wildebeest crossings each July–October.
Kenya's largest elephant herds, photographed against Mount Kilimanjaro's snowcap.
Private conservancies with strong rhino populations and walking & night safaris permitted.
A soda lake famed for flamingos and one of Kenya's rhino sanctuaries.
Arid-north species found nowhere else on a classic circuit: Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe.
Indian Ocean coastline, popular as a post-safari extension.
July–October (dry season): The Great Migration crosses into the Mara. Peak wildlife visibility, peak prices, peak crowds.
January–February: Warm, dry, and quieter — good value with excellent game viewing and calving season on the southern plains.
March–May (long rains): Lush landscapes, dramatic skies, and the lowest rates — but some roads become difficult and rain can interrupt drives.
The Big Five, wildebeest and zebra migration herds, cheetah, hyena, hippo, and over 470 recorded bird species.
Land at Jomo Kenyatta International, transfer to a Nairobi lodge, optional visit to the elephant orphanage.
Fly into the Mara for three nights. Twice-daily game drives, sundowners on the plains, optional hot-air balloon safari.
Transfer south to Amboseli for elephant herds against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro. Two nights, dawn and dusk drives.
Fly back to Nairobi and connect to your international departure, or extend to the coast.
Canvas suites with private decks overlooking the river, full board, twice-daily drives.
Comfortable en-suite rooms with Kilimanjaro views and a waterhole in front of the lounge.
Small-group camping with a dedicated cook and guide, moving between parks.
Kenya's safari circuits — Nairobi, the Mara, Amboseli, Laikipia — are visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists yearly and are well set up for it. As with any destination, follow standard travel precautions and your operator's guidance.
Most nationalities require an eVisa, applied for online before departure. Your safari partner can advise on the exact process for your passport.
A minimum of 5–6 days lets you properly experience two parks. 7–10 days is ideal for a relaxed pace with a coastal extension.
Yellow fever, hepatitis A/B, and typhoid are commonly recommended; malaria prophylaxis is advised for most regions. Consult a travel health clinic before booking.
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