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A Journeysmiths Travel Story: Kenya

3 Private Luxury Safari
Experiences in Kenya

Kenya is a vibrant tapestry of interlocking landscapes, climates, ecosystems, villages, communities and ethnic groups. Our teammate Julia travelled to three very different locations to experience how varying ingredients combine to create unique adventures. Kenya is a vibrant tapestry of interlocking landscapes, climates, ecosystems, villages, communities and ethnic groups. Our teammate Julia travelled to three very different locations to experience how varying ingredients combine to create unique adventures.

Tales From the Field

Just as Africa is not a country, Kenya – with its lush forests, savannahs, towering mountains, lakes, deserts, and beaches – is too diverse to simplify or pigeonhole. It certainly can’t be defined by Nairobi, Mount Kenya, or even Amboseli alone. Kenya is a land of striking contrasts, where remote conservancies offer some of the world’s most exclusive safari experiences.

Our Head of Product, Julia, journeyed from the iconic Maasai Mara to the dramatic Southern Rift Valley and the untouched wilderness of Northern Kenya, revealing how no two private safaris are ever the same. Each destination blends seclusion, luxury, and raw adventure in a way only Kenya can.

At Journeysmiths, we know that you could return to Kenya time and again, always uncovering something new. We craft tailor-made safaris to immerse you in these extraordinary landscapes, ensuring every visit offers a fresh perspective on the Great African Adventure.

Koros Camp Jules View From The Pool Area

Shompole Wilderness River Crossing 2 Photo Credit Shay

1. Shompole Wilderness Camp

Near the border with Tanzania, the Shompole Conservancy sits below the towering escarpments of the southern Rift Valley close to the saline endoreic Lake Magadi; a place of flamingos in their thousands wading in the water bubbling through hot springs. If you have had the ‘usual’ safari experience of game drives in famous honeypot areas, a visit to Shompole is an antidote and a tonic that you may only realise you needed until you arrive.

Here at Shompole Wilderness, it’s about activities and fun, about connecting with an inspirational family and their love of the community around them. And ever-present as the background to the experience of guests are the landscape and wildlife in this remote and little-visited region of Kenya.

Julia’s Experience – Immersive Culture & Unique Wildlife Experiences

"My memories of Shompole Wilderness will have the constant theme of Johan and Samantha du Toit and their kids, not just for their vision in creating this magical experience, but also for their warmth, energy and utter devotion towards both their guests and the people in the communities around them. Wildlife encounters here are, of course, magical, but getting out into community projects is just as important. "

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Julia’s Top Reasons to Visit Shompole Wilderness

Authentic Connections with the Maasai – Time spent with local people was magical and genuinely authentic. The links between the du Toit family and their neighbouring communities are so numerous and diverse that they can vary and tailor who they take their guests to so that enthusiasm goes both ways in any mutual encounter. Helping to herd the cattle home with the Maasai puts a daily commute into a whole new perspective.
Riverside Safari Luxury – The six tents at Shompole Wilderness have a gorgeous and peaceful riverside setting. I loved the fairy lights on the shower! Tents are easily configured for families, and the whole setup is geared for all generations

Up-Close with Wildlife – I loved observing the habituated baboons and learning about their foraging behaviours, social interactions and the male battle for dominance from a guide who had been studying them for more than a decade.
Drifting Through the Wilderness – I never thought that floating down a river on an inflatable tube could be so much fun. We laughed so much and were also a great source of amusement to curious local goat herders on the bank.
A Photographer’s Dream: The Sunken Hide – The stand-out wildlife experience here is the incredible sunken hide. It sits beside a floodlit waterhole, and you can even stay in it overnight to get phenomenal photographs of nocturnal visitors. Lions lapping the waters are frequently snapped.
Aerial Spectacle Over Lake Magadi – Flying over the enormous pink carpet of flamingos in Lake Makadi was better than any high-definition wildlife documentary. The vibrant colours of the birds, the water and the vegetation, all set within an epic landscape, made it a dreamlike experience.

Shomploe Wilderness Maasai Village Visit Gina With Kids 2

Jules On Safari Photo Credit Honour Schram De Jong

2. Koros Camp & Remote North

If you think you know Kenya and you’ve ticked it off because you’ve seen a view of the Aberdare Range or Mt Kenya, think again. The primordial and arid landscape of the country’s northern region near Lake Turkana is completely different and, to put it mildly, stunningly spectacular.

The journey to South Horr, home to Koros Camp, involves a flight along the tectonically active Sugata Valley, a rift of austere grandeur where geological forces are plain for all to see. Though it may be hard to believe from the air, there are people in this region, and they are a mixture of fascinating and hardy tribes who have rich traditions honed to the limits set by their environment.

Julia’s Experience – Untamed Wilderness Adventure & Cultural Discovery

"Flying to the exclusive-use Koros Camp was a journey that blew my mind. The landscape changed from open plains of savanna to being one of rugged mountains, volcanic calderas, multi-coloured lakes and parched desert wilderness. It was staggeringly beautiful and I was in awe of its proportions and obvious severity. The camp itself, however, was an oasis and I soon found myself soaking in the pool while taking in the grandeur of the landscape in comfort. I felt so lucky to be there because this is a really remote place where very few visitors ever venture."

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Julia’s Extraordinary Experiences at Koros Camp

Quad Biking Through the Wild – Though I was a novice, I found myself converting completely to the concept of using quad bikes. Driving up the sandy, dry riverbeds on the quadbikes was the best way to cover lots of ground and see the variety of the landscape. You can go out just for the day or take equipment to fly-camp, there’s a great sense of freedom with the help of these amazing vehicles.
A Desert Feast – In a desert, you may expect the food to be rather paltry. Think again. The spread at Koros Camp was just to my taste: a Middle-Eastern array featuring lovely spices, hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, aubergines, fresh bread; indeed, all the things that are healthy and appetising.

Stargazing Like Nowhere Else – I’ve had a few stargazing experiences in my life, but the night skies here seemed to be of another level altogether. You can see stars that just aren’t visible in other places and there’s a sense of the infinite.
Meeting Kenya’s Northern Communities – Coexisting (though often somewhat suspiciously of each other) in this landscape are four tribal groups: the Samburu, Turkana, Pokot and Gabra peoples. Our evening with the exuberant young Samburus, in their multi-coloured finery, was absolutely magical, and we were struck by the fortitude of the Turkana people living on the parched shores of their arid lake. Very few westerners get a chance to meet the Pokot and the Gabra, so Koros Camp should be on the bucket list of any budding anthropologist.
Fishing on the Jade Sea – We went out onto Lake Turkana to do a spot of fishing on the camp’s boat, the Fiametta. This is the world’s largest permanent desert lake, and it’s often called the ‘Jade Sea’ because of the colour of the algae in its alkaline waters. It’s almost an unspeakably harsh place, but there are enormous Nile perch to catch, fun for the novice right through to the experienced angler.

Koros Camp Quad Biking 3 Photo Credit Honour Schram De Jong

Koros Camp Lake Turkana Boat Crossing Jules Photo Credit Honour Schram De Jong

3. Roca River Camp

Midway between Nairobi and Lake Victoria, and spreading southwards through Tanzania to the Serengeti, the Masai Mara is one of Africa’s iconic safari destinations. The annual Great Migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest across its plains, and specifically the treacherous crossing of the Mara River, is one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

Forming the boundary between the Mara Triangle and the Mara North Conservancy, the bank of the sinuously meandering Mara River is the site of Roca River Camp, the very epitome of a luxury tented safari location. The name ‘Roca’ derives from a combination of the names of the hosts: Ross and Caro, who are both from families with deep ancestral roots in Kenyan safari pioneering. They honed their expertise in mobile safaris but have settled down at Roca to provide their guests with an authentic experience that is splendidly luxurious.

Julia’s Experience – Luxury Safari & Exceptional Wildlife in the Masai Mara

"Ross and Caro are completely involved in their river camp. It’s their baby and they want to show it off and make sure that you’ll go home with memories of end-to-end enjoyment. They’re no novices either; their families have been in Kenya for generations, and they effectively grew up by campfires in the bush. There are plenty of ways to experience the Mara, but there aren’t many that are as personal and luxurious as this."

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Roco River Camp Kenya Elephant On Game Drive

Why Roca River Camp is a Must-Visit in the Masai Mara

Safari Chic: Tented Luxury in the Mara – The tents at Roca River Camp are the definition of elegant and luxurious safari style. I particularly loved the comfort and high-quality finishes; from the fresh-cut flowers in vases and colourful kilim rugs on the floor to the beautiful quilted bedspreads and hand-painted porcelain basin, it created a sense of calm and tranquillity.
A Front-Row Seat to Nature – Some of the tents look out over the river, and some over Paradise Plain. The camp is unfenced, so whatever your view, you’re likely to have passing animals. You almost don’t need to head out on safari, but obviously you do, and it’s even better. Each booking has its own dedicated vehicle and expert guide, so there’s wonderful flexibility.

Gourmet Dining in the Wilderness – The food at Roca River Camp is exceptional, and I would define it as ‘bush food but done to perfection’. Caro’s background is of growing up with her legendary parents Willie and Sue Roberts at Sirikoi Lodge, and she has certainly matched their exceptional gastronomic standards.
Bush Lunch with a View – A bush lunch is a must-do experience and an essential factor for those who want to spend a whole day out game-viewing! After marvelling at a 1,000-strong herd of buffalo, Ross suggested we find a quiet spot for lunch. Within 10 minutes the team were setting up tables and chairs under the shade of an acacia, before we settled in for an incredibly tasty lunch, all the while keeping an eye on the buffalo herd, quietly grazing on the distant plain. Extraordinary!
Big Cats & Beyond: A Wildlife Safari at Its Best – The wildlife viewing is second to none in the Mara. Many visitors come here from July to October for the main migration of herds, but the year-round resident game is equally extraordinary, particularly for big cats, and travelling in January to March provides a more private experience, without the crowds.

Lioness Roca River Camp Masai Mara Mobile Expeditions Jack Swynnerton 23

Bush Lunch River Woman Roca River Camp Masai Mara

Masai Mara Sunrise Wildebeest Balloons Istock Credit Rixipix

Connect with nature like never before

Your Kenya Safari Awaits

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Why Travel with Journeysmiths

We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.