Kenya’s road less travelled

Nairobi hides many an interesting pastime under it’s not-so-shiny reputation and, if you find yourself in the city, you may even wish you had a few more nights to spare.

Most of the action happens in the luxurious garden suburb of Karen. A typical day might include a morning with the orphaned elephants at the David Sheldrick Trust, time at the Karen Blixen museum (and a coffee and a slice of cake), and end with a giraffe ‘kiss’ at the centre at Giraffe Manor. We recommend hiring a driver to take you around the sights, and perhaps adding a dinner stop at one of the up-and-coming restaurants.

If you’re missing your daily wildlife fix - or desperate to get started – Nairobi is one of the only cities in the world to have a national park on the doorstep. It’s home to four of the Big Five (no elephant), game viewing is good, and there’s even a short walk at the entrance. A half- or full-day trip from the city is easy to arrange and your driver will stay with you for the duration.

Samburu isn’t the Kenya of the postcards, but there’s something equally as enchanting about the dramatic scenery and enchanting culture. Like most reserves, early morning and afternoon game drives are always on the cards and will usually reveal sightings of four of the Big Five (no rhino), unique desert wildlife and plains game (oryx, kudu and zebra in particular) as they gather on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. The Samburu Special Five are also a big draw, as is the chance to head out on night drives from most lodges.

For a different perspective, try a camel safari. Options include multi-day expeditions led by Samburu warriors, fly-camping (spending the night in a simple tent in the bush) and walking safaris are only available at certain lodges, but shorter 3- or 4-hour camel treks are also possible. Alternatively, swap your camel for a horse and explore by horseback, or ditch your four-legged friend completely and explore on foot, on a multi-day trips or a shorter morning stroll. Lastly, a visit to a traditional Samburu homestead offers a humbling and unique chance to uncover a fascinating way of life

Among Kenya’s safari greats, Meru is often forgotten. The setting for the real-life story of Born Free, it’s one of the few places in the country where it’s possible to see black rhino in the wild. The biodiversity is astounding with giant herds of elephant, prides of lion, buffalo, hippo and over 400 species of birdlife (you may even see a Pel’s fishing owl) congregating along the swampy riverbanks.

Apart from being a hard-won sanctuary for both black and white rhinos, Meru is also home to rare species like gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. Take in this epic scene (mostly free from other tourists) on game drives and walking safaris, punctuated by picnics along the river.

The King of the Kenyan safari, the Masai Mara is bucket-list travel down to a tee. The iconic wildlife (think big cats, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra and the famous river crossings of the Great Migration from July to September) is matched by some of the most beautiful scenery in Africa – and there’s a lengthy list of activities to help you discover it all.

Morning and afternoon game drives are the bread and butter of a Masai Mara safari, and all-day expeditions are common especially during the Great Migration. There’s usually a bush breakfast under a shady tree or a mobile sundowner bar to complete the experience too. Specific to the private Mara Conservancies are walking safaris and night drives, both allowing you to get to grips with the landscape in different ways. In specific locations, early-morning hot air balloon flights are possible – definitely worth booking in advance – as are horseback safaris for varying capabilities. Finally, many camps have partnerships with local Maasai communities for a chance to join them in their daily life.