Discover Africa

Kenya

Home of the original East African safari, Kenya beckons with iconic wildlife and fascinating cultures, as well as one of nature’s greatest wild spectacles – the Great Wildebeest Migration.

WILD & UNTAMED SAFARIS

Explore a Kenya safari

Unrivalled wildlife experiences.


In so many ways, Kenya is the original African safari country, rich in lore and legend. The country lies on the equator and its vibrant array of cultures and ethnicities is echoed in a wide diversity of natural habitats and the innumerable species they support. From the distinctive grassy plains of the Masai Mara, to white-sand Indian Ocean beaches, forested highlands, acacia-strewn plateaus, towering Mount Kenya, the waters of Lake Victoria and the arid landscapes of the north, the country plays host to an almost unrivalled array of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The enormous wildebeest herds of the Great Migration, so well-known across the world, are just one of the drawcards of this quintessential safari destination.

Wilderness Kenya Intro Wildlife Lion
KENYA

Overview of key regions

The Masai Mara, known locally as ‘the Mara’, is Kenya’s crown jewel among its many wildlife reserves. Some 1,550 square kilometres (nearly 600 square miles) of vast, untamed open plains and acacia is threaded dramatically by the Mara River – home to one of the highest wildlife densities in Africa, and the site of the spectacular annual Great Migration. Within this, the Mara Triangle is the most exclusive and sought-after destination, offering a uniquely exclusive safari experience, thanks to its low visitor density and strict conservation management by the Mara Conservancy. Here exceptional wildlife encounters await year-round – and with limited vehicle numbers, pressure on wildlife is reduced and sightings are more authentic, unhurried.

Wilderness Kenya Migration Hero Image

Governors' Camp Collection

Governors’ Camps pioneered the high-end permanent tented safari in the early 1970s, and we’re delighted to call them our partners in Kenya. Alongside our own properties in the Masai Mara, their portfolio includes camps and lodges, all options for Wilderness guests, in three of Kenya’s most beautiful and game-rich areas: the Masai Mara, the Great Rift Valley and Laikipia.

Create an East African circuit with our partners

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Kenya at a glance

Kenya’s Great Rift Valley formed 35 million years ago, creating a multitude of exceptionally diverse habitats, resulting in one of the greatest safari destinations on Earth. Explore this celebrated African spectacle on a luxury safari – from the Masai Mara, with its fascinating plains, streams and mountain ridges, to the lush flamingo-haven of Lake Nakuru, and the sweeping Laikipia Plateau.

Plan your luxury Kenyan safari

Key Facts

Kenya key facts

Kenya is one of Africa’s top safari destinations, with over fifty national parks and reserves, including the iconic Masai Mara. Home to the spectacular annual wildebeest migration and Africa’s second highest peak, Mount Kenya, this is a landscape rich in natural beauty and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

POPULATION SIZE

55 Million

CURRENCY

Kenyan shilling (KES)

GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE

582,646 km²

BEST TIME TO GO

All year round

LANGUAGE

Swahili & English

Habitats

Wildlife

Weather

Seasonality

Kenya’s diverse geography means that temperatures, rainfall and humidity vary, with more humid conditions in the low-lying areas and cooler, more moderate climates on the Laikipia Plateau. In Kenya, the migration is typically seen from July to October, when the herds cross the Mara River into the Masai Mara National Reserve. These months offer dramatic river crossings, intense predator activity, and excellent wildlife viewing.

 

 

 

Dry Season (July to October):

  • Peak migration season in Kenya. 
  • Wildebeest cross the Mara River, often dramatically, as crocodiles and predators lie in wait.
  • The herds remain in the Masai Mara until about October before heading back into Tanzania.
  • Wildlife congregates around shrinking water sources, making game viewing easier.
  • The weather is cooler and less humid, with minimal rainfall.

 

Green Season (March to June):

  • The rains bring lush landscapes and great photographic conditions.
  • Views of Mount Kenya are especially crisp, with less haze than in the dry season.
  • Fewer tourists make this a great time for peaceful safaris and value-for-money travel.
  • Migratory bird species are abundant, making it excellent for birdwatching.

 

Conservation efforts and Wilderness' contribution

For our teams in Kenya, conservation is a way of life, anchored in the belief that protecting nature must benefit both people and planet. Our “Educate, Empower, & Protect” Impact framework guides hands-on efforts at every level: from hosting lion monitors in camp to supporting predator tracking and coexistence, to educating schoolchildren in environmentally threatened areas through tree planting and other sustainability awareness programmes. Nationally, we help safeguard key ecosystems like the Nyekweri Forest, home to Kenya’s only giant pangolins, and back vital wildlife initiatives including elephant conflict response teams and raptor conservation projects. Through practical, inclusive partnerships, we aim to build a resilient future for Kenya’s wildlife and communities alike.

Wilderness Kenya supports Mara Predator Conservation Programme – lion collaring

Kenya Experiences

Drift over golden plains at dawn in a hot air balloon, watch lions stir in the morning light on game drives, and listen for the songs of over 470 birds in the Mara Triangle. Feel the heartbeat of Kenya on a community visit to a local Maasai manyatta, rich in tradition and vibrant in colour. Every moment stirs the senses and the soul.

Local culture

Learn. Share. Enrich. Wilderness offers unforgettable cultural experiences across eight African countries.
Local Culture

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda

Game drives

Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions and see creatures big and small on morning and afternoon game drives.
Game Drives

Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Explore the desert from the skies in a hot air balloon

Hot air ballooning

Be a bird for an hour or so. Fly high in a hot-air balloon for an unparalleled perspective on the wildlife and landscape below.
Hot Air Ballooning

Namibia & Tanzania

African fish eagle at sunset

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.
Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Wilderness Experiences Star Bed Jao

Designed for intimacy

Our honeymoon safaris are designed for romance, blending effortlessly into natural surroundings. Many have private plunge pools where you can cool off with cocktails while watching wildlife beyond. Outdoor baths and alfresco showers offer romance with only nature for company. For once-in-a-lifetime experiences, choose Star Beds, drifting safely to sleep under mosquito nets and blankets of stars.
Romantic accommodation

Africa

Explore regions & camps in Kenya

Framed by the Oloololo Escarpment and the sinuous Mara River, the Mara Triangle a sanctuary of staggering biodiversity lies. It is home to celebrated African wildlife including resident black rhino, vast herds of grazers, and rarer species like servals and bat-eared foxes. Managed by the Mara Conservancy, this remote wedge of the Masai Mara is exceptionally well-protected and less crowded.

FAQ

General

Visas

Vaccinations

The male lion is the king of the Wilderness

Let’s plan your next journey

Ready?

When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit, to private inter-camp transfers on Wilderness Air, and easing you through Customs. We’re with you on the ground, at your side, 24-7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.