Masai Mara
An area of open savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Home to an abundance of wildlife including lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Most famous for the huge herds of wildebeest traversing the plains plains during their annual migration.

Amboseli National Park
Located in southern Kenya, Amboseli National Park is well known for its large herds of elephants and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania.

Samburu National Park
Samburu is different from many of Kenya’s other parks with its dry and dramatic terrain and specially adapted wildlife such as oryx, Somali blue necked ostrich and Grevy’s zebra.

Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s finest parks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for the thousands of pink flamingos scattering the shoreline.

Naivasha
Home to a huge array of bird life making it a true bird watchers’ haven .The waters of the lake attract a big range of game including  giraffes, buffalo and hippos.

July through September is the prime time to visit Kenya and its neighbouring Tanzania. This is the dry season and the height of the great migrations which see the thousand heads of wildebeest and other wildlife moving between the Mara in Kenya to the Serengeti in Tanzania. The season is dry, meaning more comfortable travel if travelling by road and wildlife will be easier to encounter as the flora is not as lush, allowing better viewing. January and February is the peak season in terms of tourism, however the prices are highest, the national parks are crowded and the temperatures at their hottest.

The Great Migration
The Great Migration is a nine-month cycle of movement where wildebeest accompanied by zebras, gazelles and impalas are on the move, crossing rivers with hungry crocodiles lurking in the waters, all in search of fresh grazing. Between late June and October the river crossings take place (sometimes backwards and forward over the same rivers!) but it is also good to know that there is wonderful wildlife viewing year-round.

Life and death is played out beneath the great East African skies and to witness this is a spectacle you would never forget.

Since I had not been to Kenya for many years, it was definitely time for a re-visit and refresh my memory of this wonderful safari destination. My first safari was at Elsa’s Kopje in the Meru Game Reserve. Who wouldn’t love this – a 5 star experience without being over the top. As this is the only lodge in Meru National Park you feel like the reserve is all yours. There is also a Rhino Sanctuary here where you can get up close to both the white and black rhino. This is very rare, where you are able to view rhino in their natural habitat as they are protected.

Saruni in the Samburu Game Reserve was next on my list. This is my new favourite place in the world. Set on a granite hill with sweeping views of the 500km2 reserve, each cottage is private and huge and with a stunning outlook.

You can see for miles, the scenery is spectacular, and as the owner is Italian-Kenyan, the place is pure style. A surprise bush dinner was spectacular – imagine crisp white tablecloths, candelabras, a divine meal cooked over an open fire, and a school choir to entertain during cocktails. Game drives are twice daily in the Samburu National Park so you can follow the game where it happens to be.

The highlight for me was a visit to the local school – I have done this before but this was unrehearsed and a bit more special as our guide, Chris’ son attended kindergarten and it was a pleasure to meet him. The Headmaster was very proud to show us his 8 room school whilst I was horrified to hear that most girls drop out by 8 as they are usually married off by that age to reduce dependence on the family to feed them! I took an English class with Octavia in the Year 1 room which descended into total chaos and then even played soccer with the round bag they called a ball. The Samburu people are so proud of their history and traditions – this was a very special day for me.

I will always remember this place, not just for the stunning lodge and location but for the local Samburu people who work in the lodge – always smiling – quite comfortable being in their local dress. I will return and build the dormitory they need for their school so that the girls can receive a proper education!

Brett Barclay, Director

Currency Kenyan Shilling

Language Swahili and English are the official languages

Why we love it Kenya is THE original safari destination – the stuff of “Out of Africa” which has inspired many to travel on a safari (co-incidentally safari being a Swahili word meaning journey).  Endless plains, huge herds of wildlife with many predators, colourful cultures, famous national parks and home of balloon safaris.  A typical safari in Kenya will be between 7-12 days and may include the Masai Mara, Great Rift Valley, Lakes Nakuru & Naivasha, Mt Kenya, Samburu and/or Amboseli National Parks.

Weather Kenya is blessed with a fairly temperate climate year-round. January and February are the summer months, with March to May and to a lesser degree October through December the rainy seasons. Although there is usually only one shower every afternoon. June to September is one of the best times to travel being the “shoulder” seasons when it is very temperate weather.

Social customs & quirks There are over 40 different ethnic groups in Kenya ranging from Bantu to Masai to Samburu, each with typical values and customs of their own. The similarity of many of the tribes is that they are nomadic peoples relying on a subsistence lifestyle who still mostly reject the urban way of life. Although some 70% of the country is rural, there is of course also urbanism and settler history passed down as the country was first settled by Portuguese and then colonised by Britain in the 1800’s.

Festivals & events One the world’s most famous natural “festivals” is the spectacular wildebeest migration between Kenya and Tanzania. This annual circuit sees over 1.5 million wildebeest migrating between the Serengeti plains to the Masai Mara in search of food and water. Between July and October are when the animals usually reside in the Masai Mara before heading south again into Tanzania.

Health* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required on entry by any person over 1 year of age arriving from an infected country. Malaria precautions are recommended for travelling in Kenya throughout the year.

Notes *Please be aware that Health information is subject to change at any time and you should always double check these requirements at the time of booking and before travel.