The Ultimate Photographic Safari
He was our expert naturalist, animal behaviour expert, tracker, trip planner, geographer, cultural advisor, communicator par excellence, and one heck of a nice guy. Our granddaughters all called him “Uncle Warren” and teased and entertained him constantly with chatter and songs. He is such a charming gentlemen! Having him with us freed all of us to simply marvel at all we saw. Yes, we took pictures/videos but we trusted him to record our trip. Thank you for including Warren in our trip. I can’t imagine it without him.
To conjure an image of Africa – of an endless heaving throng of life migrating across golden plains stretching beneath a burning sunset, or the peaceful grazing of a giraffe under the watchful eye of mighty Kilimanjaro – is to think of Kenya.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.To conjure an image of Africa – of an endless heaving throng of life migrating across golden plains stretching beneath a burning sunset, or the peaceful grazing of a giraffe under the watchful eye of mighty Kilimanjaro – is to think of Kenya.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
Nothing prepares you for the staggering sight of over 1.5 million wildebeest, accompanied by thousands of zebra, giraffe and antelope. The Great Migration is, with no exaggeration, the single greatest wildlife spectacle on the planet.
From your sumptuous tented camp you will be absorbed in the romance of a Kenyan safari as you look out across plains, herds in their thousands stretching as far as the eye can see. But the migration can be a treacherous journey. Heading to the banks of the Mara River, you may catch sight of an infamous river crossing where mounting pressure sees hundreds of wildebeest crash through the crocodile infested waters in search of fresh grass.
Get the goggles on and step into a scene from Out Of Africa, flight in the beautiful biplane that was used in the film.
The gipsy moth was bought by Jochen Zeitz, owner of the Segera Retreat, and now is available for enthusiasts to experience the grand vistas of Kenya, and the wildlife below, from a piece of aviation history. For a calmer bird’s eye view, enjoy the silence of a balloon trip over the Masai Mara. From the balloon, you will see undisturbed graceful giraffe browsing the umbrella canopies of acacia trees, and the assembled throngs gathering at water holes.
We’re at our best when we connect with our fellow humans, learning about each other and appreciating our similarities despite different traditions, beliefs and ways of life. You’ll love spending time with the Maasai, Samburu and Turkana people of Kenya; all the more so because the fascination will be both ways.
You’ll also find that most of your guides come from the local area offering valuable insights into their culture, if you show an interest. An unforgettable anthropological experience is to travel up into the Mathews Mountain Range to Sarara Camp where you can enjoy the privilege of visiting the Singing Wells: so private is this encounter that guests respectfully agree not even to take photographs.
The majesty of the African night sky, the full stretch of the Milky Way and the excitement of the Southern Pleiades are all yours from the comfort of a Star Bed in the Loisaba Conservancy of central Kenya. Your hand-crafted four-poster bed is rolled out onto your deck looking onto the Laikipia Plains all the way to Mount Kenya and the Mathews Mountain Range.
Alternatively, you could spend a night atop Segara Retreat’s Nay Palad Bird Nest; from your deck surrounded by a thick tangle of woven tree branches, you’ll have a truly avian experience of the stars. You’ll also love the option to sleep out in the tree house at Ol Malo, in the heart of Samburuland.
Snorkelling and swimming amongst a myriad of tropical fishes in the warm Indian Ocean, you will be experiencing a different type of safari from the rest of your Kenyan adventure. From luxury properties including Alfajiri Villas, Kinondo Kwetu and Manda Bay, you can enjoy the variety of water-based pleasures that the Indian Ocean has to offer.
Step aboard a traditional sailing Dhow at sunset, visit fishing communities, experience the thrill of deep-sea fishing or just snooze in a hammock. Turquoise waters, the sounds of the breakers and the feel of white sand between the toes are the ingredients for complete relaxation.
There’s nothing like reliving your safari experience with the help of awesome photographs, and there are plenty of options at Kenyan properties to help you achieve this, from photographic hides, to the loan of professional equipment, to advice from seasoned professionals.
With the help of BBC Big Cat Diaries photographer Warren Samuels, you stand the best chance to optimise your photographic memory. With specialised vehicles, high-spec equipment and insider knowledge of the best locations and times, your album will be perfect. If you like, he can take your photos so that you can concentrate on enjoying your safari whilst appearing in the best shots.
At Journeysmiths we work with properties that take a proactive approach to conservation, including community engagement, and just by visiting these spectacular locations you are contributing to conservation efforts. A stay at Lewa will give you a front-row seat to the running of a modern conservation initiative, including seeing the work of anti-poaching patrols, demonstrations of tracker dogs, and conservation education in local schools.
For those with a particular interest in elephants, spend a day paired with an elephant keeper at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary . Looking after orphaned and abandoned elephants, the keepers – all of whom are locally recruited – care for and rehabilitate the young elephants until they can be released back into the wild, where they belong.
Adventurers in Africa speak of the Big Five, the most iconic five animal species to view on safari. Here’s a new take on safaris: five (or more) modes of travel. Yes, you could relax in a vehicle, but on the back of a horse or a camel, on foot or even on an all-terrain bike you will get a totally different experience.
You’ll feel the fresh air on your face and the ground under your feet, your senses alive as you engage with the natural world. For the truly adventurous, take to the skies by helicopter above the dramatic northern frontier landscapes, or venture out by quad bike across private wildlife conservancies.
A Super Tusker is a bull elephant with tusks that can grow up to 2.5m long and weigh up to 45kg (almost 100lb).
Very few populations still carry the gene for these massive tusks as they have been targeted by poachers over the decades, but some remain in the Amboseli region of southern Kenya. With the backdrop of mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro, a view of a Super Tusker puts you in the land of the giants.
To see a leopard can be the highlight of anyone’s safari experience, but how many people ever see a black leopard? These mysterious creatures - black because of a rare genetic mutation - can be found in Laikipia, specifically the Loisaba Conservancy. Here we can arrange for you to go out with the very researchers who have rediscovered them, having not been seen for almost 100 years in Africa.
The Masai Mara’s private wildlife conservancies are superb for spotting other big cats too, from prides of lion, to leopard sleeping in trees, and stalking cheetah. Human visitor numbers on these private conservancies are low, so there’s little chance that you’ll have to share your long awaited sighting with other vehicles.
More so than any other camp in East Africa, Cottar’s manages to combine simplicity with a real sense of relaxed style and inspired guiding, mouthwatering cuisine, and attention to detail. All of this comes together to create an unforgettable Kenyan safari in the Masai Mara.
Ol Donyo Lodge is one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, and also an esteemed member of Relais & Chateaux. Such accolades are warranted: it’s in a truly stunning location, and capitalises on it with meticulous attention to detail and high levels of service.
Lewa Wilderness is one of the oldest safari ventures in Kenya, and the property and experience have been passed down through generations of the Craig family. For over 100 years, the Craigs have helped to protect the country’s landscapes and wildlife and to share them with fortunate guests.
Saruni Samburi sits in a private conservancy and offers beautiful, uninterrupted views of the wilderness. The vastness and purity of this African landscape combined with the untouched local culture makes for a genuinely different experience.
The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is a magnificent private collection of fully-serviced private houses perched on a wooded rocky kopje in the heart of a private conservation area.
In the heart of the 35,000 acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy lies Mara Plains Camp. Access is over a bridge across the river, and when you cross it feels as if you are entering a private kingdom, a world apart from the norm. The standard of food and service here is of international class, being the only Relais & Chateaux accredited property in the Masai Mara and one of only three in the country.
An expedition that marries the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Great Migration with lesser-known treasures. Explore iconic wonders and uncover hidden gems, blending bucket list adventures with thrilling discoveries for an unforgettable journey of contrasts.
Merge thrilling safari experiences amid iconic wildlife-rich landscapes with tranquil beachfront relaxation along the pristine shores of the Indian Ocean, creating an unforgettable journey of contrasts and indulgence.
From the iconic Masai Mara to the awe-inspiring Laikipia, explore Kenya as a family. Witness breathtaking wildlife and immerse yourselves in rich traditions for an unforgettable adventure in a land where the untamed wilderness thrives alongside vibrant cultures.
We will ensure you can enjoy the best of Africa in the exclusivity of Kenya’s private conservancies where walking, riding and other expertly guided activities enable the richest safari experience.
Kenya has the ingredients for an amazing family safari. Your children will love seeing vast numbers of animals in iconic African settings. Stay in amazing and exclusive accommodation on private reserves. Enjoy adventures on foot, horseback and by open vehicle with Africa’s finest guides. Your children can see pioneering conservation work in action and meet remote tribal communities. Maybe end with a few days by the coast.
What To Do In Kenya With Children? We’ve chosen our best experiences for a luxury family safari to Kenya.
When one of TV’s best-known wildlife enthusiast, Steve Backshall, tasked us with crafting an unforgettable father-son safari in celebration of his son’s 5th birthday, we knew exactly how to create a trip that would excite and inspire both in equal measures.
Chloe’s trip took her off well-trodden paths and into the remote corners of Northern Kenya. Staying in Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and Laikipia, the trip’s slow pace allows time to forge deep connections with the remote, wild landscapes and its people.
The only travel company to have access to a huge moment in conservation history, our Kenya Conservation safari group got to watch a rhino release!
An Exploration of Unforgettable Experiences at My Favourite Camps in Kenya
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. 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 crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.
An experienced team of well-travelled individuals, passionate about crafting journeys that are as exceptional as they are personal, while maximising our positive impact on the places in which we work.
While the evolution of travel and technology has seen much change at Journeysmiths over the years, our fundamental beliefs about the perfect holiday have not.
Journeysmiths mission is to inspire and expand peoples horizons through exceptional travel experiences, while preserving the natural world for future generations.