The Masai Mara might be the most iconic of Kenya’s safari destinations, and for good reason, yet there are also a number of lesser-known conservancies which promise a more intimate safari experience. Take to the waters of Lake Naivasha for a safari from an alternative perspective; spot giraffes, gazelles and zebras from the comfort of a canoe, as you drift towards Crescent Island Reserve. Here you’ll find an impressive array of birdlife, including pelicans, herons and ibises. Rise with the sun in the Samburu Reserve to enjoy dawn game drives, and watch creatures emerge from their slumbers as the sky is streaked with ochre-hues.
Set against the backdrop of Mount Kenya, Laikipia is home to the Borana Wildlife Conservancy, a pioneer of animal conservation, where it’s possible to explore the acacia savannahs and rolling plains on foot; this allows you to experience the landscape without any separation. Kenya luxury safari holidays can also include a slice of island life in idyllic Lamu or on the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar. After the adrenaline-inducing rush of seeing the famed ‘Big Five’ up close, the tranquillity of icing-sugar beaches offer some well-earned relaxation. Embrace this change of pace by spending your final days in a private villa, nestled within a sun-dappled coconut grove and bordered by unspoilt beaches.