Kenya

If elephants are what you came for, Amboseli should be your first stop. Here you will find particularly large bulls and you will inevitably see them in large numbers, often set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Add in five distinct ecosystems and the option to visit nearby Maasai communities, and you’ve got a place that feels both grand and grounded.

The Mara is big cat territory, and during the Great Migration (especially August–September when its rotation is particularly dramatic), it’s nothing short of wild. Even when the herds move on, the resident wildlife remains. Game viewing here is consistently excellent, and outside peak season you will compete less with other visitors.

Just north of the Equator, Samburu is home to animals you won’t see elsewhere, like Grevy’s zebra and the exotic long-necked gerenuk. The landscapes feel wilder here, and time with Samburu guides adds a deeper layer to the experience. Their tracking skills and cultural insights are second to none, as is their storytelling ability and delightful sense of humor.

Tsavo is vast and untamed, one of the largest parks in Africa. With wide plains in the east and rolling hills in the west, it’s home to just about everything: lions, leopards, hippos, rhinos, and some truly epic birdlife. It’s also great for hiking with a local guide, which adds something different to the usual safari routine. Though wildlife is less dense here, so is the human population so you are able to experience the wilderness in a more private way.

Laikipia, Kenya is where adventure, wildlife, and meaningful travel converge. You’ll explore vast, uncrowded landscapes that stretch from the slopes of Mount Kenya to the arid northern frontier, offering a safari experience that feels deeply personal and wild. This region is a sanctuary for some of Africa’s rarest and most endangered species, like the Grevy’s zebra, African wild dogs, reticulated giraffes, and nearly half of Kenya’s black rhino population. What sets Laikipia apart is its mosaic of private conservancies and community-run reserves, where tourism directly supports conservation and local livelihoods.

Kenya’s lively capital makes a great first stop, especially if you’re keen to meet a baby elephant or hand-feed a giraffe. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre are more than photo ops—they’re doing the real work of conservation, and visits here often leave a lasting impression.