Swahili is one of the indigenous languages native to Kenya, and one could view as divine coincidence the fact that the word 'Safari' is the Swahili word for 'A Journey'. Nevertheless, Kenya is indeed that iconic destination which evokes a sense of nostalgia for the earliest and most romantic origins of the African Safari. Stories from the classics such as Out of Africa and Born Free, tell of romance and adventure - all set against the majestic Kenyan landscape.

 

Kenya’s rich wildlife and immense landscapes are, quite simply, iconic. The oft-pictured imagery of an African safari comes to life as you traverse the sprawling plains of the Maasai Mara or drive in the legendary shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The country’s prolific wildlife offers incomparable opportunities to observe these magnificent creatures up close in their natural habitats. Experience both the quintessential and the singular allure of Africa's ultimate safari destination. 

 

Perhaps the best known of all Kenya's game parks, the Maasai Mara is deservedly popular, with its wide-open rolling grasslands and majestic big cats. Imagine drifting over the plains at dawn on a hot-air balloon flight, or watching in wonder as thousands of wildebeest thunder past during the Great Migration, the experiences here are truly awe-inspiring. But this captivating country offers so much more, from the vast wilderness of Tsavo to unique Samburu and its dry landscape providing habitat for rare wildlife. Mount Kilimanjaro provides the dramatic backdrop for Amboseli, home to over 1,000 elephants, whilst Kenya's incredible lakes are a birdwatcher's dream, with over 400 species found at Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru playing host to over one million flamingos.

 

Kenya’s brightly clad and intricately adorned Maasai warriors are among the continent’s – and the world’s – most recognizable indigenous tribes. These semi-nomadic pastoralists have lived in Kenya and Tanzania since the 17th century, including in several areas designated as national parks. The Maasai preserve components of their rich tribal culture by sharing their communities, bomas (homesteads), and prized cattle herds with tourists. A visit to a Maasai village offers many unique opportunities to learn about their vibrant history and ancient beliefs, from boma tours and traditional dance performances, to lessons in medicinal plants and bush survival, and wilderness walks with some of the world’s wiliest trackers.

 

The above are just some of the iconic and remarkable experiences that define a Kenyan safari – whether you’re visiting for the first or the fiftieth time, making this wonder of nature, truly one of the great African experiences.