Lake Naivasha

This is the quintessential Kenyan experience, often conducted in robust 4×4 vehicles with open roofs for optimal viewing and photography.

Description: Professional guides, utilizing their deep knowledge of animal behavior and tracking skills, lead guests through national parks and conservancies. Day drives focus on maximizing sightings of large herds, predators, and unique regional species. Night drives (often restricted to private conservancies) offer a completely different perspective, searching for nocturnal creatures like aardvarks, bush babies, and lions on the hunt.

Imagine floating silently above the Maasai Mara as the rising sun paints the plains in gold—it’s an almost spiritual experience.

Starting before dawn, guests board a massive hot air balloon. As the sun rises, the balloon ascends, offering a panoramic, bird’s-eye view of the landscape below. This is an unparalleled way to witness the sheer scale of the savannah and observe animals like elephants and giraffes from above. The activity usually culminates in a champagne breakfast served right in the bush upon landing.

A safari in Kenya is incomplete without engaging with the people who call this magnificent land home.

Many reputable camps and lodges partner with local tribes, most famously the Maasai or Samburu. Guests are welcomed into genuine villages (enkangs) to learn about their traditions, including fire-making, herding practices, traditional dances, and the meaning behind their distinctive brightly colored shukas (robes) and intricate beaded jewelry. This offers invaluable insight into the symbiotic relationship between the communities and the wildlife.

Kenya is a photographer’s dream, and specialized activities help capture magazine-worthy shots.

While all safaris are suitable for photography, dedicated photographic safaris often use specialized vehicles designed to offer low-angle shots and stable platforms (bean bags or custom mounts). Additionally, some lodges feature underground hides built near active watering holes. These hides allow guests to sit safely at eye-level with animals, offering incredible, unobstructed views as they come to drink.

A beloved safari ritual, the sundowner elevates the simple act of having a drink into a magical photo opportunity.

As the day’s drive concludes, the guide drives the vehicle to a scenic spot—often a kopje (small hill) or overlooking a watering hole—just as the African sun begins its dramatic descent. Chairs are set up, and drinks (often including gin and tonics or Tusker beer) and snacks are served. It’s a moment of quiet reflection, allowing guests to absorb the beauty of the sunset and the surrounding wilderness before heading back to camp.