Masai Mara and Conservancies
The Masai Mara is home to the thundering wildebeest migration and world class predator sightings.
Read moreKenya is where the safari concept began. The word ‘safari’ itself even stems from the local Swahili dialect for ‘journey’. However Kenya safari holidays are no ordinary journey. Here, wildlife roams the grassy open plains in front of majestic snow-capped mountains, nature's wilderness contrasts with absolute luxury, and safari adventure combines all too well with a relaxing stay at the beach. It’s the combination of wildlife, natural beauty and value that has seen Kenya flourish spectacularly to justify its position as one of the best-known safari holiday destinations in the world.
Located in the heartland of the Masai in southwest Kenya the Masai Mara National Park, covering over 1,000 square miles, is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest and most infamous reserves, offering great concentrations of wild game. Opportunities for first-timers to Africa to view the ‘Big Five’ and the big cats remain some of the best on the African continent. The Masai Mara is centre stage for one of the world’s greatest animal spectacles, the Great Migration, where herds in excess of 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and gazelle, begin their epic journey from the Serengeti plains to the lush grasslands of the Mara, under the watchful eye of hungry predators. The Greta Migration is a sight to behold for any safari-goer, seasoned or not, as these wild animals sprawl the plains and cross crocodile infested rivers on their 500km round trip between the Southern Serengeti and northern edge of renowned Masai Mara.
The local tribal culture of the Masai is another highlight of any Kenyan safari holiday. Mainly situated in the southwest of the country, the Masai are characterised by their distinctive red robe costumes, jewellery and beading. Their traditional life as nomadic cattle herders, who shun the modern world and live a much more primal existence, is a fascinating insight to any inquisitive traveller. The Masai are traditionally a proud and independent tribe and the sense of community and togetherness you feel when around them is awe-inspiring, to say the least. Joining in with their dances and singing is a privilege and not to be missed by anyone with an interest in other cultures and lifestyles.
The type of itinerary on offer in Kenya has evolved somewhat. Following its independence in 1963, a modest tourism industry grew, which had generated from the Big Game hunters in earlier years. This developed rapidly during the 80's and 90's to such an extent that the various parks became overcrowded. This has been remedied in recent years with new circuits and new community backed conservancies being founded that are developing a key role in conservation, resulting in the pressure being taken off certain hotspots. This enables the team at Natural World Safaris, to use first-hand knowledge to tailor your Kenya holiday so it steers clear of the mass market and takes you to some of the most authentic low-key lodges in which you can truly enjoy the sights and sounds of this magical country. Our excellent range of personally and privately run camps, lodges and bespoke experiences, means you can tailor-make your own unique itinerary, ensuring you can truly enjoy the sights and sounds of this magical country. So, whether you want to visit a variety of reserves or are just looking for a few days of wildlife viewing as part of your family holiday, prefer a luxurious private safari or a romantic getaway, we are confident we can tailor something to meet your specific requirements.
For a 7-day safari in Kenya, we recommend a starting price of £6000 per person. This will generally include accommodation at two camps, transfers and excursions including a hot air balloon ride. If you are looking to stay in some of Kenya’s most iconic and best loved lodges, you’ll need to increase the budget to £15000 per person including top quality guides, private light-aircraft transfers and access to three of the country’s most impressive reserves.
The Masai Mara is home to the thundering wildebeest migration and world class predator sightings.
Read moreAngama Mara is roughly translated as ‘suspended in mid-air’ which perfectly describes the camp itself. The suites appear to be floating above the Mara Triangle and have uninterrupted panoramas of the Mara plains and beyond.
Read more about Angama MaraAn exciting family safari, exploring the Masai Mara and Ol Pejeta Conservancy before relaxing on the Kenyan coast, surrounded by the beautiful Indian Ocean. Spend some quality time with your family within idyllic private camps.
From 9000 per personTake in the best of kenya in ultimate luxury. starting inNairobi where you can stay in one of the most exclusive properties in town, before heading out to the Chyulu hills located between kenyas tsavo and amboseli parks, take part in some unique safari experiences such as on horseback or by mountain bike and spot elephants and big cats. Head up to the Laikipia Plateau for more exlusivity and adventure Your days here will be spent exploring the vast terrain on game drives, nature walks, camel safaris or on horseback. Finally head to the iconic masai mara and stay here or in one of the surrounding private conservancies.
From 14000 per personEnjoy a tailor-made safari to Kenya taking in the big cats and game of the Masai Mara and the private Olare Orok Conservancy. Your first stop on this adventure will be the Masai Mara Reserve. After catching a flight here, you will be able to spot game en route during your transfer to Naribor Camp. Due to the stunning location of the camp there may even be a number of resident game wandering through the grounds as you arrive.
From 6200 per personDespite being Africa’s most celebrated safari holiday destination, there are a variety of experiences offering huge scope of choice in Kenya and we endeavour to place you away from the tourist hordes whilst ensuring you experience it in all its breathtaking glory. Kenya safari holidays incorporate the fly-in safari, with light aircraft transfers between destinations to maximise your time and affording terrific views over the wild landscape. In certain concessions walking safaris are popular, often on privately owned land where you can learn about bush life, and family safaris with activities geared towards children.
You may wish to include the following in your Kenya itinerary:
Kenya enjoys a huge variety of accommodation types to suit anyone from families to honeymooners. Whether you are looking for something rustic or more luxurious, we have knowledge to deliver the most authentic safari experience to suit you. To us, setting is paramount, and our chosen lodges are expertly placed to ensure they perfectly complement the natural environment, some of which are ideal for walking or riding safaris. From the better known luxurious Governor's Camps and Elsa's Kopje to the community run luxury camps of Ilngwesi and Kioja Starbeds and idyllic barefoot beach retreat of Funzi Keys, we can select those that will enhance your itinerary, in the perfect spot for wildlife or outstanding natural beauty. Read more about where to stay in Kenya.
The best time to visit Kenya is between June and October. Due to Kenya’s equatorial setting, the country enjoys year-round warm weather and relatively low annual rainfall. However, with a range of altitudes and the country’s two rainy seasons, it is possible you will experience some variation depending on when and where you visit. The temperatures vary greatly from Nairobi to Laikipia, and from Nakuru to the coastal regions. Read more about when to go to Kenya.
Giraffe Manor is one of the most exclusive hotels in Africa, normally booked up a year or two in advance. A wonderfully exclusive boutique property, set in 12 acres of private land, in the suburbs of Nairobi, just 20km from the city centre. It was initially built in 1932.
Read more about Giraffe ManorDavid Shepherd was a British artist, conservationist and founder of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, a conservation charity which funds projects across Africa and Asia, with a mission to protect the natural environment, engage local communities in wildlife conservation, and help tackle wildlife crime.
Read more about DavidBorn in Kenya and raised in the Maasai Mara, Richard Roberts had an incredible passion for this part of the world. His love for the people and wildlife that call it home is evident through his incredible stories that resonate with a lifetime of knowledge and the personal rapport he built with the locals of the region.
Read more about RichardIf the thought of spending a night in a bird’s nest isn’t your idea of fun, you may just miss out on one of Africa’s most remarkable safari lodges.
Read moreRenowned photographer David Yarrow has travelled across the globe to capture his inimitable black-and-white images of the world’s wildlife, from polar bears in the High Arctic and emperor penguins in Antarctica to the magnificent megafauna that range across the plains of Africa. One of his more recent assignments took him in search of the largest of the large: Africa’s “big tusker” elephants, so called because of their huge tusks that each weigh in excess of 50kg and reach almost to the ground.
Read moreDo you want to learn about the conservation work to save the endangered Rothschild Giraffe, but can’t afford the price tag on staying at Giraffe Manor? We can book you a driver to take you to Giraffe Centre, where you can learn about these incredible animals and get the chance to feed them with the beautiful manor house as the backdrop!
This was an incredible trip and all thanks to Phoenix who organised it! Everything went to plan as soon as we arrived in Kenya. All the accommodation booked was superb, the staff incredible & the food a really high standard throughout. The highlight was the game drives with our two local guides. We were able to see a vast array of wildlife with early morning/late afternoon game drives. In addition a night drive and walk in the savannah accompanied by game wardens. I can't recommend Natural World Safaris enough!
Phoenix was always quick to respond to any emails or phone calls. If she was going to be out, she sent me a note for who her backup was if I had any questions in the meantime. If I could give a 20 out of 10, I would! And trust me, especially due to the cost of this trip, my expectations were high! All of the accommodations were fantastic!
This safari way exceeded our expectations in every way; the wildlife experiences were amazing & will remain with me forever. Everything was a ten-out-of-ten.
We greatly enjoyed our trip. Our arrangements in Mauritius were good and Lakaz Chamarel was great! Everything went well in Réunion and we greatly enjoyed the helicopter trip. Madagascar was great, particularly our guide Njiva who accompanied us on our road trip from Tana to Andasibe, Ranomafana and down through Isalo to Tulear. Definitely impressed by him. He went out of his way to make our trip very successful. Air Madagascar did not prove problematical at all - in fact we took off 20 minutes early one flight. Charter flights were good. We loved most of the accommodation here – Masaola Forest Lodge,
All communication was prompt and all questions were well-answered! This trip was easily a 10/10 - all staff bent over backwards to make sure this trip was perfect!
Our destination specialist was wonderful! She was so helpful and really listened to what we were looking for and within our budget. We would love to travel again! The guidance was fantastic!
Our destination specialist was excellent with great levels of detail and communication. All service was amazing, everyone was always quick to respond with any questions or queries. The trip was perfect.
I enjoyed my safari outings and was impressed with the great variety of wildlife that was about. My guide was very knowledgeable and instructive with his observations. I was very happy with the overall service provided by NWS!
Ellen was absolutely fantastic - great advice and patience while planning and then assistance before, during and after. Nothing was ever too much trouble and she did the most fantastic job for us. I will definitely plan another safari with Ellen's help. Overall - amazing. Naboisho the jewel of the trip - completely faultless and quite the best safari experience we have ever had. Brilliant advice, amazing choice, fantastic organisation. From start to finish, Ellen and the team looked after us superbly.
Everything was just perfect! Nothing else to ask for! The accommodation, the food, the staff, the guides. And the wildlife sightings were amazing! A trip we will never forget. I love that you focus on sustainable travel and that the wildlife is at your heart. The quality of service is amazing and everything is so well organised.
It is advisable to avoid wearing brightly coloured clothes on a Kenyan safari. They can attract insects and attract too much attention from wildlife (often scaring them away). Instead, choose trousers, tops, jumpers, and jackets in neutral hues. Whether you are traversing through the bush or seated in a safari vehicle, comfort should be a priority. A jumper or fleece is essential, particularly for the early morning and late afternoon/evening game drives when it can get a bit chilly. During the wetter months, a light waterproof garment will suffice. Don't forget to pack a sturdy pair of walking boots, especially if you intend to embark on walking safaris.
The ideal duration for a Kenyan safari hinges upon your preferences, available time, budget, and whether this marks your initial safari experience. It is recommended to allocate 7 to 9 days within parks to enhance the likelihood of encountering a diverse array of wildlife. National Parks provide exciting day game drives, while concessions offer additional options like walking safaris, night drives, and cultural visits. Safaris start early and involve two activities daily, like morning and night game drives. For families with kids, shorter stays in locations with diverse activities are advised. Lodge guides are excellent with children, ensuring an engaging experience.
Yes, Kenya safaris are generally considered safe for tourists. The country offers well-organised safari experiences facilitated by experienced operators. By adhering to park regulations, staying informed, and exercising common sense, you can enjoy a secure and pleasurable trip.
Unfortunately, we cannot recommend you drink the tap water in Kenya as the supply is not reliable. Travelers who drink the water may get ill due to contamination so stick to bottled water.