Destination Guide

Kenya

The Maasai Mara, Mount Kenya and the Indian Ocean — the birthplace of the modern safari, where conservancies pioneer the future of African wildlife travel.

Best months
Jul – Oct · Jan – Feb
Climate now
Equatorial highland · Coast humid
Currency
KES / USD
Languages
EN · Swahili
Visa (SA)
eTA required
Flight time
5h to Nairobi
Time zone
EAT (+1h)

Why visit Kenya

Why East Africa’s classic destination keeps reinventing itself.

The Maasai Mara

The northern end of the Serengeti ecosystem — but with conservancies (Mara North, Naboisho, Olare Motorogi) that limit guests and allow off-road driving and walking.

Amboseli’s elephants and Kilimanjaro

Iconic Kilimanjaro-backdrop photography. Big tusker elephants. Easily combined with Nairobi airport.

Samburu’s special five

Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich — northern wildlife you won’t see further south.

Lake Nakuru’s flamingos

Vast flocks (when water levels favour them), plus rhino sanctuary and Rothschild giraffe.

Laikipia conservancies

Private community-owned land — Lewa, Borana, Ol Pejeta. Rhino conservation success stories, riding safaris, wild dog research.

Indian Ocean coast

Watamu, Diani, Lamu — combine your safari with white sand, Swahili culture and easy reef snorkelling.

When to go

Kenya offers two clear high seasons.

Jan
dry · clear
Feb
dry · hot
Mar
shoulders
Apr
long rains
May
long rains
Jun
drying
Jul
Mara crossings
Aug
peak migration
Sep
peak migration
Oct
good
Nov
short rains
Dec
festive
Prime — ideal for all activities
Good — shoulder season, fewer crowds
Do not recommend — weather or seasonal limits
Prime · Jul – Oct

Migration in the Mara. Dry, clear, predator-rich. Camps fill — book ahead. Coast humid but bearable.

Good · Jan – Feb · Dec

Hot, dry, fewer guests. Excellent wildlife. Great alternative to the migration season.

Do not recommend · Apr – May

Long rains. Many camps close. Some tracks become impassable.

What Kenya is known for

The signature experiences this country is famous for.

M
Maasai Mara

Predator concentration like nowhere else. Wildebeest crossings Jul–Sep.

A
Amboseli

Big-tusker elephants against Kilimanjaro. Iconic photography.

S
Samburu

Northern dryland wildlife you won’t see further south.

L
Lewa & Laikipia

Private community conservancies — rhino strongholds.

N
Lake Nakuru

Flamingos and rhino sanctuary in the Rift Valley.

T
Tsavo

Vast, red-dust wilderness — Tsavo East & West together are Kenya’s largest.

K
Mount Kenya

Africa’s second-highest peak. Technical climb or trek the lower routes.

C
The Coast

Watamu, Diani, Lamu — Swahili culture meets Indian Ocean.

How to travel Kenya

Two signature ways we travel Kenya.

Fly-in Safari

Fly it

Light aircraft between Maasai Mara, Laikipia, Samburu and coast. Maximises wildlife time, minimises road transfers. Our preferred mode.

Plan fly-in →

Bespoke

Safari + Beach

The classic Kenya combo — Mara + Amboseli + Diani or Lamu. Add a Lewa night for rhino conservation. Family-friendly or honeymoon.

Design my trip →

Did you know?

A few things about Kenya most visitors don’t expect.

01
The conservancies invented modern safari.

Maasai-owned conservancies bordering the Mara Reserve cap guest numbers, allow off-road driving and night drives. Community land rights pay for wildlife protection.

02
Karen Blixen’s farm is still there.

At the foot of the Ngong Hills outside Nairobi. The Karen Blixen Museum sits on her original coffee plantation. ‘Out of Africa’ fans, take note.

03
Kenya has more black rhino than any other country.

Largely thanks to Lewa Conservancy and Ol Pejeta’s intensive protection programmes. Both can be visited.

Photo gallery

Kenya through our travellers’ lenses.

Imagining your own Kenya?

The original African safari, reinvented.

Our consultants know the conservancy managers, the best camps for your dates, and how to time your visit for the migration. Tell us what you imagine.

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