Kenya

With a flight time of just 8 1/2 hours from London to Nairobi, Kenya is a natural choice for a first-time safari; if you catch an overnight flight from Heathrow you can transfer to a light aircraft the next morning and be in the Masai Mara in time for brunch. All this is possible thanks to an established and efficient safari industry that has grown over the years to provide visitors with a superb choice of accommodation and experiences.

Kenya delivers variety in spades. Nairobi is a thriving metropolis – ideal as a stopover before or after a safari. We recommend combining the Masai Mara with the contrasting North around Lewa, Laikipia and Samburu, famous for elephant conservation. 

There are high concentrations of game throughout Kenya. In the Central and Northern Regions, the Laikipia plateau at the foot of Mount Kenya is firmly on the safari circuit with good populations of rhino and rare species of zebra, giraffe and antelope. It also has the appeal of game-drive alternatives, such as riding safaris and walking with camels.

For dramatic landscapes and glittering lakes, the Great Rift Valley cuts through Kenya from North to South. And there’s more than just wildlife and scenery – this region is packed with culture. It’s fascinating to see the different tribes in all their finery wherever you go, and a visit to a Masai village is a highlight.

Finish with some time on the beautiful Kenyan Coast, with its white-sand beaches and azure-blue ocean.

Please note this country is malarial.