Laikipia

Stretching across two million acres of private and communal land, Laikipia is a rising star in Kenya’s safari scene. From Mount Kenya’s slopes to the edge of the Great Rift Valley, this highland region offers one of the most diverse wildlife experiences in the country. It’s home to roughly half of Kenya’s black rhinos, increasing wild dog populations, and half of the world’s Grevy’s zebra. Additionally, over 2,000 elephants migrate across its plains.

Unlike traditional national parks, Laikipia allows freedom to explore in unique ways since it lies outside the jurisdiction of Kenya’s National Parks and reserves. Night drives, horseback riding, camel treks, bike tours, and guided bush walks are all part of the experience. Enjoy a bush walk with an expert Maasai guide or a thrilling helicopter tour about the plateau. 

Laikipia is a hub for some of Kenya’s most dynamic and successful conservation initiatives. The area features a mosaic of privately or communally managed ranches, wildlife conservancies, and small-scale farms, all coexisting peacefully with local wildlife. These efforts promote significant community engagement and provide access to the indigenous Laikipia Maasai and Samburu populations, enhancing both conservation and local livelihoods.

With top-tier lodges and impactful conservation efforts, Laikipia is the ultimate destination for personalized, meaningful luxury safaris.

Masai Mara National Park

No trip to Kenya is complete without the Masai Mara. Famed for its role in the Great Migration and home to the highest concentration of big cats in Africa, this iconic reserve offers nonstop wildlife action. From wildebeest crossings at the Mara River to lions on the hunt, every moment in the Mara feels like a nature documentary come to life.

Covering more than 400,000 acres of prime savannah, the Masai Mara is a year-round destination, though migration season (July to October) offers especially dramatic sightings. The sheer number of animals one can see during a Masai Mara National Reserve safari in Kenya is always astounding, especially during the migration season. Multiple luxury Kenya safari camps provide uncanny proximity to the movement, with strategic locations near the concentrated Mara River crossing points. Balloon safaris, Maasai village visits, and riverside sundowners enhance the luxury Kenya safari experience.

Masai Mara Conservancies

Those in search of a more private Masai Mara Kenya safari experience can often find the Masai Mara National Reserve a bit overwhelming in numbers. It is not always easy to find those pockets of exclusivity in one of the most popular safari destinations in the world. 

For a more secluded experience of the famed Masai Mara ecosystem, the private conservancies bordering the reserve are a revelation. These Masai Mara conservancies have created a rebirth of the Masai Mara, in a sense. 

Created in partnership with local Maasai communities, conservancies such as Mara North, Olare Motorogi, and Naboisho have transformed community land into thriving wildlife habitats. The effects on wildlife have been immense and immediate. Where there were once small villages, there are now leopards, lions, cheetah, and other animals living in the area. And the migration is once again growing and extending the amount of time spent in Kenya. Through relocating homesteads to peripheral areas, reducing domestic livestock herd size, and by utilizing rotational grazing practices, the area has rebounded and contains one of the highest cat densities in all of Africa. 

Here, you can enjoy exceptional game viewing—often with no other vehicle in sight. Day and night game drives, walking safaris, and cultural visits all happen at a slower, more intimate pace. Staying in these conservancies supports both conservation and local livelihoods, making your safari not only luxurious but deeply purposeful.

Samburu National Reserve

Set against the arid savannahs of northern Kenya, Samburu National Reserve is the standout among the trio of parks lining the Ewaso Ng’iro River. With exceptional game viewing and deep cultural roots, it captivates both first-time visitors and seasoned safari-goers.

Samburu is known for its unique wildlife—the “Samburu Big Five”: Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and Beisa oryx—alongside big cats like the elusive leopard, abundant elephants, wild dogs, hippos, and over 450 bird species.

Beyond the wildlife, a visit offers a glimpse into the traditions of the Samburu people, whose pastoral, nomadic lifestyle has coexisted with this rich ecosystem for generations. Encounters with local villages add cultural depth to an already remarkable safari experience.

Nearby, Samburu’s twin sister, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, sits on the opposite bank of the Ewaso Ng’iro River and offers a wide variety of animal encounters without the distraction of safari-going crowds. Camelback safaris hosted by the park’s Sasaab Camp are an unforgettable and unreal adventure into the wild, while the steep ravines, rocky kopjes, and natural springs of Shaba National Reserve next door provide by far the most beautiful landscapes of them all. 

Meru National Park

Wild and beautiful, Meru National Park is one of Kenya’s iconic safari destinations—famous as the home of conservationists George and Joy Adamson and Elsa the Lioness, immortalized in the book and film Born Free. Today, visitors still come to pay homage at their shared resting place in this historic park.

Though once among Kenya’s most visited parks, Meru suffered heavily from poaching in the 1980s and ’90s, losing over 80% of its wildlife. Thanks to a major restoration effort led by the Kenya Wildlife Service and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Meru has rebounded with improved infrastructure, enhanced security, and a poacher-proof rhino sanctuary now home to over 60 rhinos.

Despite its revival, Meru remains one of the country’s most peaceful and uncrowded parks. Spanning 540 square miles along the equator and fed by 13 rivers, its rich landscape supports diverse habitats and remarkable wildlife. From Big Five sightings to elusive species like the caracal and aardwolf—and over 420 bird species—Meru offers a truly wild safari experience rivaling Kenya’s better-known reserves.

Explore Kenya’s Safari Locations with Ker & Downey

Whether you're drawn to the iconic landscapes of the Maasai Mara, the remote wilderness of Meru, or the exclusive experiences of Kenya’s private conservancies, there's a perfect safari for every kind of traveler. From Big Five sightings to luxurious lodges and rich cultural encounters, Kenya offers unforgettable adventures at every turn. If you're dreaming of the best safari in Kenya, let this guide be your starting point. Contact a designer to start planning the journey of a lifetime.