Best luxury safaris in Kenya

From the incredible landscapes, cultures and wildlife of the majestic Maasai Mara, to the serene, off-the-beaten track wonders of Shimba Hills National Reserve in the coastal region, here we present some of the best luxury safaris in Kenya.

How to add luxury to your Kenya safari

Before we share intel on where to enjoy the best luxury safaris in Kenya, and highlight experiences that’ll enhance your appreciation of the country in fine style, here are a few general tips for how to make your trip more special.

Private game drives

When exploring Kenya's national parks and reserves, opt for a private vehicle with a dedicated guide. This will deliver a personalized, flexible safari experience tailored to your interests.

Specialty guides

Enhance your experience by employing guides who specialize in birding, photography, or cultural history — whatever most floats your boat.

In-camp amenities

Choose lodges that offer the likes of spa services, gourmet dining, and private plunge pools for relaxation after game drives.

Exclusive access

Some lodges provide special access to restricted areas or private reserves for more secluded and intimate wildlife-watching experiences.

Dining experiences

Arrange for bespoke dining experiences such as bush breakfasts, sundowner cocktails, or dinners under the stars.

Tempted to take a trip to Kenya? Browse our customisable Kenya itineraries before talking to our local experts to kick-start curating your dream trip. They’ll know exactly how to add luxury to every element of you trip.

Luxury safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Renowned for the Great Migration that sees millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals migrate here from the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Maasai Mara National Reserve also offers opportunities to see the Big Five. Namely, lion, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos.

And all this against an iconic East African safari backdrop of rolling grasslands and riverine forests.

Exclusive lodges and tented camps

• Angama Mara lodge: perched on a rift valley ridge, this delivers breath-taking views and luxurious tented suites.
• Mara Plains Camp: this small, high-end camp on a private conservancy offers excellent game viewing, and very few other tourists. How's that for an exclusive experience?

Exclusive activities in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Alongside enjoying a few private games drives at different times of the day, make your Maasai Mara experience all the more special — and memorable — through taking advantage of some rather unique excursions.

One of Africa’s most renowned safari destinations, Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve offering a variety of exclusive activities that provide unique and unforgettable experiences. Here are some of the best.

• Go on private personalised game drives: enjoy the flexibility of customized game drives tailored to your interests, whether that’s photographing the Big Five, tracking a specific animal, or learning about the ecosystem. 
• Walking safaris: explore the Mara on foot with an experienced guide. Walking safaris offer more intimate encounters with nature, and a chance to learn about the smaller details of the ecosystem.
• Hop on scenic helicopter flights: take a helicopter or small plane flight over the Maasai Mara to get a bird’s-eye view of the landscape. Such flights can access more remote and less-visited areas, making for a unique perspective and more exclusive experience.
• Sunrise hot air balloon safaris : experience the Maasai Mara on a sunrise hot air balloon ride. After enjoying panoramic views of the vast plains, rivers and wildlife, round-off the experience with a champagne breakfast in the bush.
• Exclusive bush meals and sundowners: at the other end of the day, enjoy private gourmet meals in a secluded spot in the bush while watching the sunset over the savannah.
• Be inspired by conservation activities: participate in behind-the-scenes conservation activities, such as tracking collared animals, learning about anti-poaching efforts, or visiting research projects. There’s no better way to gain exclusive insights into the challenges and successes of wildlife conservation in the Maasai Mara.
• Cultural visits: visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about the customs, traditions, and daily life of the Maasai people. Such experiences typically include traditional dance, craft making, and insights into community projects

Editor’s tip: in order to maximise your experience, you’ll want to wise up on the best time to go on a Kenya safari so you don’t miss what’s top of your wildlife list. For example, the Great Migration happens during the June-October dry season.

Oh, and if the Great Migration is on your mind, consider taking a trip that covers Tanzania and Kenya.

Luxury safari in Amboseli National Park

Known for its stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large elephant herds, Amboseli National Park is also home to huge numbers of zebras, cheetahs, and hundreds of bird species.

In addition to going on private game drives, special experiences around these parts include private picnic lunches with views of Kilimanjaro, and sipping sundowner cocktails in the bush. Read on for more detail on where to stay, and what do in Amboseli National Park

Exclusive lodges and tented camps

• Tortilis Camp: this stunner provides exclusive tented accommodations with private views of Kilimanjaro.
• Tukai Lodge: offering unparalleled views of the wetlands where elephants roam, Tukai Lodge is a top choice for luxury-loving, conservation-minded travellers.

Exclusive activities in Amboseli National Park

• Enjoy private nature walks and talks with Maasai guides: often done on the edges of the park, such walks offer a different perspective of the landscape at a slower pace. In addition, many lodges in and around Amboseli offer talks and demonstrations by local Maasai people, and opportunities to buy traditional crafts directly from the artisans.
• Elephant conservation experiences: visit the Amboseli Elephant Research Project — the longest-running elephant research project in Africa, no less — to learn about elephant behaviour and conservation efforts. You might also get to participate in activities like tracking and monitoring elephants.
• Personalised safaris: customize private game drives to focus on your interests, whether that’s photography, tracking specific animals, or learning about the park's ecosystem.
• Soak up scenery on private flights: take a scenic flight over Amboseli National Park for breath-taking aerial views of the landscape, including iconic Mount Kilimanjaro and huge herds of elephants.
• Hot air balloon safaris: experience the beauty of Amboseli from above with a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. After enjoying panoramic views of the park and Mount Kilimanjaro, indulge in a champagne breakfast in the bush. 
• Private dining: end the day with a gourmet dining experience in the bush while watching the sunset over the savannah, with Mount Kilimanjaro as your breath-taking backdrop.
• Horseback safaris: for a thrilling experience, and unique perspective, explore the park on horseback with an experienced guide.

How long have you got? Check-out our suggested itineraries for spending 7 days, 10 days, and 14 days in Kenya.

Luxury safari in the Laikipia Plateau

Located in northern Kenya, the Laikipia Plateau is a series of private conservancies that roughly total the size of Wales. 

Sitting in the shadows of Mount Kenya, the landscape serves a stunning mosaic of rolling hills, grasslands, and wooded river banks.

Home to the Big Five, wildlife thrives here. It's also a place that sees conservation and community development work hand in hand, especially when it comes to protecting endangered species like black rhinos, wild dogs and Grevy's zebras. 

In fact, it’s home to the biggest rhino sanctuary in East Africa — Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Exclusive lodges and tented camps

• Arijiju: this gem offers wellness facilities, conservation, and adventure activities from a peaceful retreat that blends into the landscape. 
• Kicheche Laikipia Camp: located in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, this intimate, eco-friendly camp is known for its abundant wildlife, conservation efforts and fine dining .
• Borana Lodge: boasting beautifully designed cottages with private verandas and stunning views, this luxurious accommodation option has a a strong focus on conservation — including rhino and elephant protection — plus an infinity pool, spa treatments, and a yoga platform.

Exclusive activities in the Laikipia Plateau 

• Exclusive fishing expeditions: enjoy a private, expert-led fishing excursion to the rivers and lakes of Laikipia. Many fishing spots offer stunning scenery and the chance to see wildlife along the banks.
• Private mountain biking trips: explore Laikipia’s rugged terrain on a mountain bike, with trails offering varying levels of difficulty, and beautiful landscapes.
• Take to the skies on helicopter and hot-air balloon trips: there’s no better way to access more remote, lesser-visited areas for a unique perspective and more exclusive experience. Add more than a touch of lux to your trip by booking a sunrise balloon trip followed by champagne breakfast. 
• Conservation activities: gain insights into the challenges and successes of wildlife conservation in Laikipia on excursions that include the likes of tracking collared animals, and learning about anti-poaching efforts. We especially recommend booking a rhino-tracking experience in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Editor's tip: our customisable Family Safari includes a stay at the luxurious Sweetwaters Tented Camp in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. You'll even have your own private veranda overlooking the water hole. 

Luxury safari in Tsavo National Parks

Covering 20,812 square kilometres of dry bush country, the combined area of Tsavo West and Tsavo East national parks makes it by far the biggest wildlife reserve in Kenya. 

For context, it’s two-and-a-half times bigger than Yellowstone National Park.

With the Galana River cutting through Tsavo East and the Mzima Springs in Tsavo West, the semi-arid bushland landscapes are home to huge herds of elephants, lions, and Tsavo lions, which are famous for their lack of manes.

Both parks offer opportunities to enjoy private game drives, spa services from the comfort of your wilderness lodge, and fine dining under the clear, star-lit sky.

Exclusive lodges and tented camps

• Finch Hattons Luxury Camp, Tsavo West: this award-winning luxury camp offers a blend of elegance and wilderness adventure, with opulent tents, private decks. a wellness center and stacks of expert-led activities, including guided bush walks, visits to Mzima Springs, and bird watching.
• Voyager Ziwani Safari Camp: located on a private sanctuary on the western edge of Tsavo West, near the Tanzanian border, this features comfortable tents with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas facing the Sante River.
• Kipalo Hills: located on a private conservancy bordering Tsavo East and West, this is great if you want to mix luxury and adventure. With a focus on sustainable tourism, the tents are spacious, and the activities exhilarating, from game drives and guided walks, to cultural visits and bush breakfasts.

Exclusive activities in Tsavo National Parks

• Private game drives: enjoy the flexibility of customized game drives tailored to your interests such as photography, bird watching, or tracking specific animals.
• Dusk and night-time game drives: discover lesser-seen sides to Tsavo through night game drives, where you can spot creatures that are more active after dark, among them leopards, hyenas, aardvarks, and nocturnal birds.
• Bespoke bird-watching tours: given that Tsavo is home to 500+ bird species, specialisedbird watching tours will satisfy and delight experience bird-watchers and newbies alike. 
• Visit Mzima Springs: known for its crystal-clear waters and underwater viewing chamber where you can see hippos and crocodiles, we can’t recommend booking a private excursion to Tsavo West’s Mzima Springs more highly.
• Helicopter rides and scenic flights: for a fabulous bird’s-eye view of Tsavo’s dramatic landscapes — we’re talking vast plains, rivers and mountains — take a helicopter or small plane flight over the parks.
• Visit Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary: located in Tsavo West, visiting this protected area offers immersive opportunities to learn about efforts to protect and conserve these majestic animals, and possibly spot rhinos in their natural habitat.

Luxury safari in Shimba Hills National Reserve

Located in the coastal region of Kenya, Shimba Hills National Reserve offers a serene and somewhat off-the-beaten-path safari experience. 

Known for its rolling hills, rich biodiversity, and stunning views, we can personally vouch for the fact that it’s a fantastic destination for those looking to enjoy luxury in nature.

While in the reserve, you might get to see the rare sable antelope, elephants, giraffes, and numerous bird species. 

If that wasn't enuogh, Shimba Hills’ proximity to the coast also makes it easy to combine your visit with a beach break. 

For example, you could spend time around the Diani Beach on the south coast  — think white-sand beaches backed by palm trees and fronted by clear-blue Indian Ocean.

Exclusive lodges and tented camps

• Shimba Hills Lodge: we personally recommend staying in Shimba Hills Lodge. Nestled in the heart of the reserve, it’s the perfect a treehouse lodge, constructed from wood and overlooking a waterhole. The food and service here is truly outstanding, as are the private bush walks and game drives.
• Kutazama Lodge: located on the edge of Shimba Hills, this luxury boutique lodge offers breathtaking views of the hills and forest, and an exclusive, personalized experience. By which we mean individually designed villas with private terraces and infinity pools, private dining, tailored excursions, and an on-site spa.
• Kutazama Camp: offering spacious tents with comfortable furnishings and private verandas, gourmet meals are served in a central dining area or private settings.

Exclusive activities in Shimba Hills National Reserve

• Go on guided nature walks: in addition to booking private game drives in a vehicle, Shimba Hills is an especially rewarding place to enjoy immersive nature walks that allow you to explore the forested areas, grasslands, and waterfalls with an experienced guide.
• Visit Sheldrick Falls: take a guided hike to the beautiful Sheldrick Falls, a stunning 25-meter waterfall within the reserve. The hike offers a chance to enjoy the lush landscape and spot wildlife along the way. At the end of your hike, you can cool off in natural pool at the base of the falls.
• Cultural immersion: visit nearby Mijikenda villages to learn about the culture, traditions, and daily life of the local communities. You’ll get to learn about traditional dances and craft, and listen to local storytellers.
• Go on private night game drives: discover the nocturnal side of Shimba Hills on a night game drive, during which you can spot the likes of animals bush babies, genets, and nocturnal birds.
• Spa and wellness retreats: many lodges and camps in the Shimba Hills offer spa and wellness facilities where you can enjoy massages, yoga, and other wellness treatments amidst tranquil natural settings.

Want the best of both worlds during your trip to Kenya? See our customisable Bush to Beach Safari.

Best luxury safari accommodation

From stylish lodges, to tented camps and peaceful private reserves, here’s an overview of the types of luxury accommodation available in Kenya.

Luxury lodges

Luxury lodges in Kenya are known for their high-end amenities, exceptional service, and prime locations within or near national parks and reserves. As such, they provide a comfortable and immersive experience in nature.

What to expect

• Spacious, elegantly furnished rooms or suites.
• Private decks or patios with stunning views.
• En-suite bathrooms, often with outdoor showers or bathtubs.
• Fine dining with gourmet cuisine and extensive wine lists.
• Swimming pools, spas, and wellness facilities.
• Game drives, guided walks, and other activities led by expert guides.

Tented camps

Offering a closer connection to nature while still providing high levels of comfort, tented camps provide a blend of luxury and adventure. Think spacious, well-appointed accommodation with the amenities of a luxury hotel room.

What to expect

• Large, canvas tents with comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms.
• Private verandas with scenic views.
• Fine dining experiences, often served in a communal dining area or under the stars.
• Activities such as game drives, guided nature walks, and cultural tours.
• Often located in remote and picturesque settings for an intimate, exclusive experience.

Private game reserves

Typically offering exclusive wildlife experiences with a focus on conservation, private game reserves feature luxurious accommodation and provide a sense of exclusivity.

What to expect

• Exclusive lodges or tented camps with limited guest numbers.
• Private game drives and guided activities tailored to guests' interests.
• High levels of service with dedicated staff and experienced guides.
• Opportunities for close-up wildlife encounters.
• Conservation-focused experiences, such as visiting research centers or participating in conservation projects.

Eco-Lodges

Offering experiences that highlight the significance of their surroundings, eco-lodges in Kenya focus on sustainability and environmental conservation while providing luxurious accommodation.

What to expect

• Sustainable architecture and design, often using local materials and renewable energy sources.
• Low-impact tourism practices and conservation efforts.
• Educational programs and activities that promote environmental awareness.
• Luxurious yet eco-friendly amenities and accommodations.

Best luxury safari experiences in Kenya

Covering spa and wellness treatments, hot-air balloon trips and bespoke night-time safaris, here’s an overview of some of the best exclusive luxury safari experiences in Kenya.

• Fly-in safaris: providing access to remote and exclusive areas — thereby maximizing your time in Kenya —  fly-in safaris also enable you to enjoy breath-taking aerial views of Kenya’s diverse landscapes, including the Maasai Mara, Samburu, and the Great Rift Valley.
• Spa and wellness retreats: many luxury lodges and camps offer spa facilities that allow you to combine your safari adventures with experience with wellness activities.
• Hot air balloon safaris: experience the majesty of the Maasai Mara from above on a sunrise hot air balloon ride followed by a champagne breakfast.
• Walking safaris: for a more intimate, immersive experience, explore the wilderness on foot, accompanied by an experienced guide and armed ranger. 
• Cultural experiences: visit Maasai and Samburu communities to learn about their customs, traditions, and daily life. 
• Night-time game drives: discover the nocturnal side of the bush on thrilling private night game drives.
• Join conservation efforts: participate in conservation activities such as tracking collared animals, learning about anti-poaching efforts, or visiting research projects.

Inspired to visit Kenya for a safari? Get The Rough Guide to Kenya to help you plan your trip.

Not keen on planning? Browse our customisable Kenya itineraries, and talk to our local experts.