Luxury kenya safari.
When travelers think of experiencing their first safari, it’s usually South Africa that tops their wish list. But it’s time to consider Kenya, a country known for its picture-perfect savannas loaded with wildlife. In fact, the animal population is so dense in this country that even its capital, the very urban Nairobi, has its own game reserve. Herewith, a primer on two of the country’s most beautiful districts, where communing with elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo will be the most normal part of your day.
The MaraIt’s hard to find a more perfect destination for game-viewing than the Masai Mara and its unparalleled inventory of wildlife. If you’re after the Big Five, the density of animals in the Mara makes it so that it’s almost impossible not to see them. The most dynamic time to visit is during the great migration when millions of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and many other animals travel to and from Kenya. July is when they make their trek from the Serengeti to the Mara, and they return to Tanzania starting in October. The sheer volume of wildlife on view is staggering, but the migrations can also be really exciting, because these animals’ natural predators (the lions, the hyenas) follow. So prepare to witness some life-or-death drama on the plains of Africa.
Here are three exceptional ways to experience the Mara:
Tented Camps: If solid four walls aren’t your thing, &Beyond’s Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp is perfectly positioned to make reality the best version of your glamping fantasies. The camp is on the path of the migration and offers killer views of river crossings. But soaking in jaw-dropping views is one of the cornerstones of a stay here with many tents offering stunning vistas of your surroundings, especially if you splurge on one of the eight superior-view tents that face out to the sweeping plains of the Mara. In terms of activities, all the classics—night game drives, sundowner cocktails, and bush dinners—are available.
From the Sky: A hot-air balloon ride over a game reserve is pretty special, but what about taking it to the next level with a private plane? Elewana Collection, a portfolio of luxury camps and lodges in East Africa, just launched SkySafari Kenya Connoisseur, an eight-day itinerary that takes you to three diverse regions of Kenya with private flight transfers between them. There’s a lot of once-in-a-lifetime experiences included in this package, but the best perk could be saved for the end of the trip when you arrive to the Sand River Masai Mara. Elevate your game drive by taking it to the air with a Cessna Grand Caravan. Imagine aerial views of the migration or a lioness chasing after her prey—all you’ll need to complete the moment is David Attenborough narrating the action.
Tucked Away: Because of the Mara’s wildlife-packed landscape, it’s only natural for it to be popular with hospitality companies, too, who want to give you the safari of your dreams. Masai Mara National Reserve is a solid choice when trying to locate a lodge to book, and there are plenty of choices there, but for something a little more secluded, secure one of the 30 glass-walled luxury tents from Angama Mara. Located high on the Great Rift Valley’s Oloololo Escarpment at the border of the less congested Mara Triangle, the property then splits up the 30 tents into two camps of 15 to ensure privacy of the highest order. But despite its off-the-beaten-path location, Angama Mara doesn’t sacrifice access: It’s still only a 15-minute drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve.