Considered by many to be the original home of the safari, Kenya offers a huge choice of safari adventures, including several luxury tours.
(Photo: Bookallsafaris)
Taking in such diverse landscapes as savannah, lakelands, valleys, dense forests, coastal coral reefs, and glacial mountain highlands, safaris in the East African nation of Kenya are about a whole lot more than the famous Big Five. Perhaps best known for its annual wildebeest migrations, the country is quite simply one of the finest safari destinations anywhere in the world. And if you’d like to embark on a Kenya safari in style, there are numerous luxurious excursions available. Here are 7 of the best.
Maasai Mara Luxury Sopa Lodge Safari (3 days)
This private safari involves three days of exclusive game drives around the Maasai Mara national reserve, a famed area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya. Starting and ending in Nairobi, you’ll spend your first day making the leisurely journey to the reserve, stopping for scenic views of the Rift Valley and lunch in Narok Town. Once in Maasai Mara, you’ll embark on your first game drive on the way to checking in for dinner and your overnight stay at the luxurious Sopa Lodge. Over the next two days, you’ll enjoy more game drives, with the chance to see some of the Big Five and get a glimpse of the vast savannah vegetation surrounding the reserve, plus views of the Serengeti National reserve on your final day before your return journey to Nairobi. From $1,163 per person.
Photographic Safari – Premium Adventure (7 days)
(Photo: Bookmundi)
Led by award winning photographer and passionate conservationist Paul Goldstein, this week-long guided wildlife adventure will see you will travel through Nairobi and Masai Mara National Reserve as part of a small group. The whole trip is designed with style and comfort in mind, with overnight stays in premium tented Kicheche camps set within a private conservancy where it’s not uncommon to see wildlife from the veranda. The upscale tour also includes internal flights transporting you into the wilderness at quick speed, and state-of-the-art safari jeeps designed with photography in mind to help you get some great shots. From $7,279 per person.
Samburu, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara Luxury Safari (8 days)
This all-inclusive 8-day safari is designed for those who want ample time and comfortable accommodation to explore the most popular parks in Kenya including Masai Mara, Mount Kenya, Samburu, and Lake Nakuru. In a small group of no more than six guests, you’ll enjoy incredible game drives in a safari pop up roof minivan, with the chance to witness the Great Migration, the Big Five, and a number of rare species too. At the end of each day, you’ll retire to your luxury lodge with options to watch the fiery sunset with a cocktail by the pool, or simply listen to nature play its nocturnal tunes as you drift off into an African dreamland. From $7,579 per group (minimum and maximum 2 people).
Honeymoon Safari in Top Luxury Lodges and Camps (10 days)
(Photo: Bookallsafaris)
Curated to attract honeymooning couples keen to mark the occasion with a memorable adventure, this 10-day safari takes you to several famous spots in Kenya including Amboseli National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and Maasai Mara National Reserve. You’ll get to witness the abundant elephant population in Amboseli, visit the rhino sanctuary in Lewa, and embark on exciting game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve, keeping watch for lions and cheetahs as they prepare to hunt. There’ll also be plenty of downtime, with the chance to enjoy a swim in heated pools, or try one of the many optional activities available, such as horseback riding, golfing or trout fishing. All accommodation is either in upscale safari lodges or luxury hotels. From $8,068 per group (minimum and maximum 2 people).
Premium Uganda, Rwanda & Kenya (13 days)
Starting in Kampala and ending in Nairobi, this 13-day excursion takes you across borders, through Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, to visit some of Africa’s most acclaimed safari destinations, including Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and more. Highlights include catching spectacular views of zebras, giraffes, antelope and buffalo lounging near the waterhole in Nairobi National Park, getting close to Uganda’s rare mountain gorillas, sitting down to dinner with a local park ranger to learn about life in the wilderness, and visiting a local Maasai community known for championing Maasai women’s health and education. There’ll also be the chance to stay overnight in a unique carbon neutral lodge in in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. From $8,782 per person.
Premium Kenya & Tanzania (15 days)
(Photo: Bookmundi)
For a truly indulgent safari experience, this tour of Kenya and Tanzania runs over more than a fortnight, giving you time to explore the region’s best wildlife spots at a leisurely pace. Starting in Nairobi and ending in Arusha, you’ll travel through Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Arusha and several other destinations. Enjoy a front row seat as the spectacular landscapes unfold in front of you on a series of four-wheel drive game drives. Travel to the waters of lakes Naivasha and Nakuru, meet Maasai warriors at a traditional village, and explore with local leaders eager to show you the best of their countries. Dine beneath the stars, sip drinks at sunset and fall asleep to the magical sounds of East Africa. From $10,090 per person.
Grand African Safari (23 days)
Reserved for those with ample time and a hefty budget, this grand adventure is a veritable continental odyssey, taking in five separate countries over more than three weeks (Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique & South Africa). During the Kenya leg of the trip, you’ll enjoy a two-night stay in an elegant Nairobi hotel on a private acreage. During the day, you’ll experience an encounter with a giraffe and learn how these animals are endangered, before travelling to Kiambethu Tea Farm, where you’ll wander through the tea fields and hear the stories of the first commercially grown tea in Africa. Later, choose to dine at a local restaurant famous for its meat roasted on a traditional Maasai sword over a fire pit. From $17,924 per person.