afrika safari experts

African Safari Experts

After decades of experience in Africa, our expert safari designers have come out of the bush to reveal and offer you some of Africa’s most beautiful lodges and locations. We are the Africa safari specialists!

Creating “Exceptional Safari Experiences” since 2006.

Get in touch with one of our expert African safari designers who will work closely with you to create your dream African safari package. Our safari experts will assist you every step of the way to ensure a seamless experience free of any hassles.

Kenya and Tanzania have been declared safe destinations for travel. Zambia and Botswana are also open for you and your family, for honeymoon or simply to get away from it all. Namibia is also open for international tourists. These countries all have very low COVID infection rates, very low population densities and all the camps and lodges have strict safety measures in place for your peace of mind.

&Beyond Bateleur Camp

&Beyond Kleins Camp

&Beyond Mnemba Island

&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Whether you want to visit the Okavango Delta in Botswana, explore the infamous “Valley of Leopards” in Zambia’s South Luangwa or roam the endless plains of the Tanzania’s Serengeti, take a safari through the Masai Mara in Kenya or the Kruger National Park in South Africa, anywhere in Africa, your dream African safari package with our expert advice is a winning combination. 

African Tours And Accommodation

Your family safari to africa.

Looking for an African safari tour package for you and your family? We know the best places where you can relax, unwind and let the staff entertain your children. Whether it’s a malaria free safari lodge or not, we can design your safari package for safety, security and peace of mind. We have a host of Big 5 safari lodges all over Africa to suit your family and budget. Read our information on malaria free areas in South Africa.

Get in touch with us for expert family safari advice.

Choose your adventure...

The type of African safari advenure you’re looking for is your choice. Do you want a raw African experience camping out on the roof of your 4X4 to the sounds of Lion’s roaring close by? Or a luxury safari package to iconic destinations sampling the finest cuisine and wines? Experience the star beds of Africa and sleep under the stars in the Okavango, Kalahari or the Namib deserts? Whatever it is you are looking for, we will design a safari package that suits your budget and makes all your African safari dreams come true.  Get in touch with us to find out more.

Choosing your African safari tour package

If you would like to plan your own unique safari tour, explore our accommodation listings that cater to needs both luxurious and down-to-earth. Our expert safari designers will help you combine different countries, lodges and experiences arranging all your transfers and flights so you can sit back and relax. We are the African safari specialists!

“Exceptional Safari Experiences”

African Safari Experts designs and creates nothing short of “exceptional safari experiences” for our clients. We design tailor made safari packages, safari bookings and journeys throughout Africa. With our extensive experience we are able to put together seamless safari packages where from the moment you land, to the sad farewell, everything is completely taken care of. Specialized 4X4 expeditions are offered each year that give you a chance to explore the wilder parts of Africa. Our safaris are designed for both relaxation and exploration. Our team has been to all the places we recommend so we know how to deliver on your expectations.

Our Range of expertise

Our African safari tours and packages cover 8 beautiful African countries, with each package or tour being split up by budget, area and experience. We can design safari tours to any of these countries on any budget to ensure you get the most, and more, from your safari to Africa. 

Even the most hardcore travelers we know—the sort of people who plan their own hikes through Patagonia , ride motor scooters up and down Vietnam, and bareboat charter in the BVIs—get a little skittish when it comes to that most bucket-y of bucket trips, the ultimate African safari . And who can blame them? It’s tough to find legit info, the geography’s confusing, there’s a bunch of indecipherable lingo, and the price tag— oh, the price tag . When you’re spending more than $1,000 a day for what’s supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, even the most intrepid travelers are gonna get skittish.

Which is why we always advise travelers to book their next African adventure with the help of a travel specialist , somebody who’s actually stayed in the tented camps, walked through the bush with the guides, and been on those puddle-jumpers you’re planning to take. These experts know what’s up, because they’ve already been where you wanna go—and the other places you hadn’t even considered that may even be a little bit better. So whether you want to see the big five, track the Great Migration, paddle through the Okavango, or cruise the Skeleton Coast, these are the go-to experts that can help you pull it off.

Dan Achber, Trufflepig Achber knows Botswana particularly well—he’s organized multiday paddles on the Selinda Spillway and game counts with zebra researchers working in the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Cherri Briggs, Explore, Inc. Briggs has spent more than two decades planning trips to Africa , and her latest focus is lesser-known but awe-inspiring places like Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Zambia.

Deborah Calmeyer, Roar Africa With her far-reaching network that includes some of the region’s savviest guides, she can get you into private homes, gardens, and art collections you can’t otherwise see.

Linda Friedman, Custom Safaris She’s planned lots of multigenerational family safaris, and she’s also expert at gorilla tracking in Rwanda .

Julian Harrison, Premier Tours He’s arranged trips with wildlife film-makers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, as well as with lion and rhino researchers.

Ryan Hilton, AuthentEscapes He’s planned photography workshops in the bush, connected travelers with anti-poaching teams, and coordinated a ten-day, 62-mile walking safari through raw wilderness.

Will Jones, Journeys by Design A native of Africa, Jones has been working in safaris since 1994, managing camps, guiding trips, and planning way-out-there expeditions into tribal villages and stretches of untouched wilderness.

Michael Lorentz, Passage to Africa Lorentz shines at back-of-beyond trips to Ethiopia and mobile safaris in Botswana, where you’ll spot meerkat, hyena, and other wildlife.

Henrietta Loyd, Cazenove + Loyd She’ll arrange safaris through tribal regions of Kenya, art tours in Cape Town , and meetings with politicos in Ethiopia.

Mark Nolting, The Africa Adventure Company For off-the-map safaris led by researchers in places like the rarely visited Mabuasehube Game Reserve, Nolting is our guy.

Wil Smith and Karen Zulauf, Deeper Africa They take walking safaris seriously, pairing you up with leading researchers, game wardens, anti-poaching teams, and guides for itineraries in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Teresa Sullivan, Mango African Safaris Sullivan knows which routes, camps, and game reserves are best suited to families, and she’s coordinated multiday walks in the Kenyan bush.

Phoebe Weinberg, Greatways Travel Weinberg can get you the best rooms (like No. 6 at Singita Lebombo Lodge or No. 1 at Vumbura Plains), plus over-the-top extras like helicopter flights above the Okavango Delta.

Nina Wennersten and Daniel Saperstein, Hippo Creek Safaris This duo pulls off spectacular trips in Kenya (to the Segera Retreat, for example), South Africa (where they’ll arrange private wine tastings), and Tanzania (where they recommend Roving Bushtops).

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TOP DESTINATIONS

• Kruger Park
• Okavango Delta
• Serengeti National Park
• Victoria Falls

TOP COUNTRIES

• South Africa

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SOUTHERN AFRICA

East africa, indian ocean islands, top experiences.

• Beach Holidays
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WILDLIFE SAFARI

• Big Five Safaris
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Luxury African Safaris

Discover africa, your most trusted safari partner.

• Botswana  (50) Cape Town  (25) Etosha National Park  (8) Kenya  (21) Kruger National Park  (15) Masai Mara  (21) Mauritius  (4) Mozambique  (8) Namibia  (11) Okavango Delta  (36) Rwanda  (7) Serengeti National Park  (40) South Africa  (50) Tanzania  (47) Uganda  (9) Victoria Falls  (36) Zambia  (23) Zanzibar  (5) Zimbabwe  (29)
• Budget  (33) Mid-range  (67) Luxury  (110)

Dreaming of a Remarkable African Safari?

Discover Africa is a team of safari travel experts who have travelled extensively throughout Southern and East Africa. Founded in 2002, our first-hand experience and a trusted network of lodges, guides, and ground handlers across the continent can perfectly tailor your luxury African safari. Thousands of travellers have already chosen us as their exclusive luxury safari partner. Come discover the magic of Africa!

Steve Conradie & Andre Van Kets Co-founders, Discover Africa Safaris

How it Works

View our recommended safaris for inspiration and get ready to plan your dream safari

Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

Enjoy an authentic African experience.

African Safari Trips to Inspire You

These popular african safari itineraries can be customised to match your budget and how many people you're planning to travel with..

Kruger Park Safari

Southern Africa South Africa Kruger National Park

From $ 2100 /USD

Fly Namibia Desert & Safari Adventure

Southern Africa Namibia Sossusvlei Swakopmund Twyfelfontein Etosha

From $ 5180 /USD

Botswana Bush Camps Discovery

Southern Africa Botswana Chobe Okavango Delta

From $ 4700 /USD

Luxury Explorers Safari in Botswana

Southern Africa Botswana Selinda Game Reserve Okavango Delta

From $ 5080 /USD

Highlights of Southern Africa

Southern Africa South Africa Cape Town Sabi Sands Zimbabwe Victoria Falls

From $ 5940 /USD

Start Planning your Trip with our free Safari Expert Advice!

Why book with discover africa.

• 24/7 Support Our Africa safari experts are with you at every step of your epic journey.
• Flexibility Sometimes life happens. Whether it’s an unforeseen circumstance or an emergency, your peace of mind is always our top priority.
• Authenticity Discover Africa is more than just a name; it’s a promise of authentic African safari experiences. Owned and run by passionate Africans, we have an intrinsic love and understanding of the continent.
• Personalization Africa is beautifully diverse, and so are the dreams of those who want to explore it. While our website showcases just a few of the best ways to experience the continent, we believe in crafting safari tours that fit your exact needs.

Top African Safari Destinations to Discover

You're a step closer to your dream african safari. explore any of these top destinations and start planning your trip with our safari travel experts..

• Kruger National Park

Our Popular African Safaris & Tours

These popular african safari itineraries can be customised to match your budget and how many people you're planning to travel with, click on the tabs below to see more african safari destinations..

Photographic Tour of Botswana

Botswana Chobe Moremi Okavango Delta Southern Africa

From $ 3615 /USD

Young Explorers Safari in Botswana

Botswana Central Kalahari Game Reserve Moremi Okavango Delta

From $ 8900 /USD

Zimbabwe and Botswana Ultimate Safari

Southern Africa Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Mana Pools Hwange Botswana

From $ 15700 /USD

Kilimanjaro Climb with the Machame Route

East Africa Tanzania Arusha Kilimanjaro

From $ 4490 /USD

Herdtracker Migration in Central and North Sere...

East Africa Tanzania Serengeti

From $ 8390 /USD

Best of Africa

Botswana Okavango Delta South Africa Johannesburg Kenya Nairobi

From $ 19690 /USD

Enchanted Kenyan Safari

East Africa Kenya Chyulu Hills Maasai Mara

Highlights of Kenya Luxury Fly-In Safari

East Africa Kenya Nairobi Chyulu Hills Maasai Mara

From $ 10068 /USD

Family Safari in Kenya

East Africa Kenya Laikipia, Lewa and Ol Pejeta Conservancy Maasai Mara

From $ 15300 /USD

Best of South Africa and Botswana Safari

Southern Africa South Africa Cape Town Kruger National Park Johannesburg Botswana

From $ 7450 /USD

Bespoke Luxury Safari in South Africa

South Africa Cape Town Johannesburg Kruger National Park

From $ 13100 /USD

A grandiose journey through Cape Town, the Wine...

South Africa Cape Town Franschhoek Sabi Sands

From $ 14000 /USD

Namibia Self-Drive Adventure

Southern Africa Namibia Swakopmund Windhoek Etosha

From $ 1575 /USD

Namibia Highlights Group Tour

Southern Africa Namibia Sossusvlei Damaraland Etosha Swakopmund

From $ 2290 /USD

Affordable Namibia Adventure

From $ 4400 /USD

South Africa Big 5 Safari and Victoria Falls Jo...

Southern Africa South Africa Timbavati Sabi Sands Zimbabwe Victoria Falls

From $ 4090 /USD

Vic Falls, Hwange and Matusadona Safari

Southern Africa Zimbabwe Hwange Victoria Falls

From $ 4820 /USD

Untamed Botswana and Zimbabwe Safari

Southern Africa Botswana Okavango Delta Zimbabwe Hwange

From $ 6820 /USD

When to Go on Safari

January highlights:.

• Big game viewing in Tanzania and Kenya, still in their dry seasons.
• Gorilla trekking in Rwanda during its dry season.
• Cape Town and the Garden Route are at their best, even in the rainy season.
• Lush vegetation, spectacular scenery, and fewer visitors in many safari countries.
• Wildebeest calving season in Southern Serengeti, Tanzania, attracting numerous predators.
• Zebra migration in Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana.
• Ideal gorilla trekking conditions in Uganda during its drier period in January to February.

February Highlights:

• Exceptional big game viewing in Tanzania and Kenya, escaping the heavy rains of other regions.
• Thrilling predator action in the Southern Serengeti during the wildebeest calving season.
• Ideal gorilla trekking conditions in East Africa during a dry spell between the long and short rains.
• Botswana’s salt pans filling up and attracting an array of wildlife.
• Cuteness overload with the presence of numerous baby animals in various regions.

March Highlights:

• The Great Migration in Tanzania, with huge herds of wildebeest on the move.
• Newborn wildebeest calves join the migration in the Southern Serengeti.
• Excellent wildlife viewing in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Kruger National Park.
• Fewer visitors in South Africa , providing a more exclusive experience.

April Highlights:

• Witness the peak of the Great Migration’s activity in the Serengeti despite East Africa’s unpredictable weather.
• Southern Africa’s safari areas thrive after the passing of the rains, offering lush green landscapes and exceptional birding opportunities.
• Explore Botswana’s Okavango Delta as floodwaters arrive, providing unique dugout canoe experiences and rewarding walking safaris.
• Victoria Falls reaches its peak flow, offering a humbling and awe-inspiring sight.
• Enjoy walking safaris and game drives on Chief’s Island as wildlife retreats due to rising water levels in the Okavango Delta.

May Highlights:

• The end of the green season in southern Africa, leading to clearer views and animals congregating around permanent water sources.
• East Africa’s rainy crescendo: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania see their heaviest rainfall which presents a golden opportunity with low-season deals.
• Beach getaways beckon : Mauritius and Mozambique offer dry days with comfortable temperatures.

June Highlights:

• The transition from rainy to iconic ‘dry season’ across Africa.
• Exceptional game-viewing experiences in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
• Mystical gorilla trekking opportunities in Rwanda.
• Prime safari encounters in southern Africa, notably in Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
• Perfect beach retreats with clear days in Mozambique.
• Dramatic wildebeest migration in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti, particularly the Grumeti River crossings in June and July.
• The unparalleled sardine run on South Africa’s east coast, with billions of sardines being trailed by sharks, dolphins, whales, and seabirds.

July Highlights:

• July is the optimal time for safaris across Africa, with every park in full swing.
• Ideal conditions in Rwanda make gorilla trekking a prime activity in July.
• The Indian Ocean boasts warm and calm waters in Mozambique
• The Okavango Delta in Botswana has high water levels in the dry season, perfect for dugout-canoe trips.
• Victoria Falls offers great photo opportunities with moderate water volumes
• Massive herds of elephants convene in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park and around the Chobe River in Botswana.

August Highlights:

• The Great Migration progresses from the northern Serengeti into Kenya, competing as the continent’s top safari spectacle.
• Rwanda offers pristine gorilla trekking conditions with clear skies.
• Southern territories, especially Botswana and Zambia, provide world-class safari experiences in August.
• Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park attracts thousands of elephants.
• The end of the dry season in Mana Pools is perfect for walking safaris .
• Namaqualand, situated on the west coast, transforms from a semi-desert into a vast expanse of vibrant flowers.

September Highlights:

• Exceptional wildlife viewing across the continent due to high concentrations of game in many parks.
• Thrilling climax of the wildebeest migration, with epic river crossings in northern Tanzania and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.
• Experience the annual whale festival in Hermanus  offering the best opportunities to see these majestic giants.
• Long dry season ending in Rwanda around mid-September, providing an optimal climate for various activities.
• Rising temperatures in the Indian Ocean as the region moves out of winter, make it a great time for beachside activities.

October Highlights:

• Exceptional wildlife viewing, with animals congregating at water sources.
• Massive elephant herds gather along the Chobe River, offering incredible sightings.
• Diverse species share waterholes in Namibia’s Etosha National Park , creating unique photo opportunities.
• Thousands of hippos crowding the remaining river pools in Tanzania’s Katavi National Park.
• Continuation of the wildebeest migration across the Masai Mara National Reserve.
• The first rains of the season provide a refreshing break from the high temperatures of the dry season.
• Rising temperatures in Mozambique and Mauritius as these countries move towards their summer months.

November Highlights:

• Low visitor numbers for a more exclusive safari experience.
• Discounted rates at lodges offer excellent value.
• Lush landscapes and the return of vibrant greenery.
• Fantastic birding with migratory species and birds in breeding plumage.
• Sea turtles laying eggs on South Africa’s sandy beaches.
• Start of summer in Mozambique and Mauritius with high temperatures and occasional afternoon thundershowers.

December Highlights:

• Low visitor numbers for a more exclusive safari experience .
• Discounted rates at safari lodges offer excellent value .
• Start of summer in Mozambique and Mauritius.

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you tailor your itinerary to your perfect adventure., 24/7 support, personalized, want to make your african safari unforgettable, african safari experiences you won’t forget.

We offer a range of experiences to suit every traveler and every interest. From luxurious railway journeys across countries to romantic holidays in remote island locations. Discover Africa with our unique experiences, from her savannahs and her cities to her ridges and her roads.

Why travel with us?

Recent reviews from travellers who planned and booked their africa trips with discover africa safaris, an amazing week in kruger organised by discover africa.

6 Day Kruger National Park Safari Review

Reuben, Malta 19 Sep 2023

Made our safari dreams come true.

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Frances, South Africa 07 Mar 2023

Excellent service.

Cape Town Holiday & Safari Review

Rahul, United States 28 Jan 2023

Fantastic tour all arranged by discover africa.

Cape Town, Garden Route and Safari in South Africa Review

Alison Hilk, United Kingdom 03 Oct 2022

Discover africa organized a perfect botswana safari for us..

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Friedrich, Germany 22 Jun 2015

Megan was amazing with all our travel planning..

An Amazing Safari Review

Charles Brownlee, South Africa 01 Mar 2013

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari.

Antoinette Booyse, Safari Travel Planner

Free safari planning advice from destination experts

Meet our african safari partners, discover africa collaborates with the finest safari operators, offering you a premier luxury african safari experience. embark on an unforgettable journey with the experts in african safaris..

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POPULAR DESTINATIONS

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• Cape Town Holidays
• Etosha National Park
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TRAVEL BLOGS

• Transformative Journeys: From South Africa’s Red Desert to Antarctica’s Crystal Glaciers
• Travel News Digest, 10 May: Airlines Warned to Cease Greenwashing, Free Wi-Fi at Victoria Falls
• How to Plan a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
• AI Trip Planning Tools Making Travel Easier
• Travel News Digest, 3 May: Flooding in the Maasai Mara, Turtles Rescued in Cape Town

OUR LOCATION

• 2nd floor, Tygervalley Chambers One, 27 Willie van Schoor Avenue, Bellville, Cape Town , 7530

Moments of greatness

Safari Experiences

May 10, 2024

Fabulous and efficient service by Shann…

Fabulous and efficient service by Shann Shaw, highly recommend her services! Made the process simple and stress-free.

May 9, 2024

Great experience- very well organised…

Great experience- very well organised and trustworthy. 5 Stars

professional service

professional, courteous and prompt service from Heleen at all times.

Patient help and guidance to find just…

Patient help and guidance to find just what I wanted.

May 8, 2024

Pascal is a travel angel! Highly recommend him.

We started planning for our safari trip contacting a bunch of different travel advisors but Pascal's service truly stood out to us as the best in the industry. He took care of planning everything from start to finish for our very last minute honeymoon trip (literally a month out and during the busiest safari season). He is extremely meticulous and very responsive to our 100 questions. He shared first hand experiences at each of the different lodges, personal pictures and gave us solid recommendations within our budget. He hopped on a call with us initially to explain all the differences to us first time safari goers, and continued to be very flexible and patient with us as we couldn't decide! We are very excited for our trip and cannot thank Pascal enough for being our first interaction on our upcoming trip.

Tanya was very efficient with helping…

Tanya was very efficient with helping ME get the correct booking.

Pascal was so responsive

Pascal was so responsive, informative and delightful!! I am grateful for Pascal’s expertise!! Many thanks!! 🙏🏽🦋☮️

May 7, 2024

Very helpful even with ever changing trip!

Anja was very helpful in getting our tour booked for our group. With date changes, time changes, even up to the last minute flight changes, she was on top of things! We will use Safari.com in the future for our Kenya safari trips.

Wonderful experience with Safari.com

Wonderful experience with Safari.com. My Safari Agent, Dolan, has 20+ years of experience in booking a memorable safari. He guided me in picking the right lodging and safari within my budget. He offered several options and answered all my questions. His response time was fast, regardless of the international time difference, and we were able to make quick decisions. Highly recommend.

Where Your Magical Africa Luxury Safaris Begins!

Africa luxury uncovered, top africa destinations.

Want to see Africa’s most popular and iconic destinations? Or perhaps you are more interested in the remote retreats and hidden gems. Whatever your travel needs and wishes are, our Africa Safari Experts will tailor-make your dream vacation. Browse our recommended countries and let us guide you on where to go in Africa.

South Africa

Luxury safaris & tours, trips to inspire.

You’re a step closer to your dream safari. Explore these tour ideas from our Africa travel experts and start planning your trip of a lifetime.

Top Luxury Explore Safari

Top luxury kenya experience, wilderness discovery luxury safari, luxury experience, discover africa with us.

Whether it's your first safari or your twentieth, our Africa Safari Experts can tailor-make any vacation to make it the trip of a lifetime, every time. We know and love these destinations, and hope the guides will be a great starting point for your safari planning.

Safaris & Tours

Mount kilimanjaro, places to visit, accommodations, gorilla & chimp trekking, wildebeest migration, how it works, let us plan your dream african safari.

Enquire now and a Travel expert will get back to you within 24 hours.

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Tailor Made Safaris

Popular safaris, east & central africa, southern africa, set departures, top destinations, indian ocean islands, safari frank, experience the wild, champion its future., frank steenhuisen, co-founder of safarifrank, let's be frank:.

You’re not just looking for a safari, you’re yearning for an authentic, transformative experience.

Our mantra is simple: “Experience the wild, champion its future”. This means we design every safari not just to thrill you with the grandeur of Africa’s wilderness but to foster a deeper understanding and respect for the people and ecosystems you will explore. It also means that our safaris change you for good. We’ve experienced it firsthand – getting out in the wild brings people closer to each other and to nature. That’s because there’s a bit of wild in all of us, and a safari brings it out. When it does, we naturally want to keep that wildness safe – in the world and in ourselves.

At SAFARI FRANK, we think of our customers as mates, and we’re all about being frank with our mates.  That means we offer honest, personalized, and unvarnished advice, and strive to create experiences that are as unique as you are.

Let’s make the world a little wilder, one safari at a time.

WHAT SEPERATES US FROM THE PACK

Why travel with safari frank.

African Heritage

We’re conservationists, educators and storytellers, and we’re proudly born and bred Africans with over 25 years of experience navigating and exploring the African wilderness.

You Come First

We’re an Australian family owned business and a team of safari experts. We start by listening to your wishes, then tailor make itineraries to exceed your wildest travel expectations.

Fiercely Independent

We design safaris to suit you without the influence of commercial agreements or cooperations. We work with ethical providers to give you the most authentic African safari possible.

COVID safe & flexible terms

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Trusted by guests

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Destinations, experiences and trip types

What would you like to experience, safari guide training, family safaris, the great migration.

• Solo Travellers

BIG 5 Safaris

Frank's top 5, gorillas & chimps, beach holidays, romantic getaways, mobile tented safaris, dreams to reality, how it works.

Start dreaming and explore our collection of hand picked African safari experiences, a perfect blend of luxury and adventure, with destinations across Africa to entice every intrepid traveller.

Let’s chat! Fill in our enquiry form online or call us to discuss your ultimate African journey. We’ll connect you to one of our African safari specialists for firsthand knowledge and valuable insight into each destination.

Our safari experts will compare deals, liaise with our industry partners and design a bespoke safari itinerary focusing on your specific interests and travel wish list.

We’re on hand to discuss and fine tune your tailor-made safari at any time. We’re passionate about creating authentic and life changing African experiences with genuine support and guidance so you can book and travel with confidence.

Be immersed in your experience without a worry in the wild. Our trusted partners and dedicated SAFARI FRANK team members are on call when you touch down in Africa and throughout your adventure for peace of mind.

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Latest reviews un-edited, africa for all seasons, when to travel.

Truth be told, there’s no bad time to Africa, just different times! The variety served up by Africa’s diversity means unique experiences throughout the year. See the Wildebeest Migration in East Africa, go gorilla trekking in Uganda, track the BIG 5 in Botswana or honeymoon in the Seychelles; SAFARI FRANK will give you ‘frank’ advice on what to expect when, as well as options for the experience of a lifetime.

Cape Town and the Garden Route

As the new year descends on Africa so does the much-anticipated rain in the south. January in Southern and East Africa tends to be quieter making it a great time to take advantage of competitive rates, making safaris more accessible and affordable. A stay in fabulous Cape Town and self-drive up the Whale Coast & Garden Route is a great option and don’t forget the Cape Vineyards…..

Timbavati, Klaserie & Sabi Sands Private Reserves

In South Africa the ‘green season’ is a magnificent time to go on safari in the private reserves around the Kruger with abundant wildlife offering plenty of game viewing, a truly special time with the migratory birds also around. Combine this with a stay in Cape Town where the weather is perfect and the crowds gone, making it an ideal time to visit!

Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara

In east Africa there is some respite from the short rains, leaving the landscape green and lush with wildebeest herds moving to the southern section of the Serengeti. It is ‘secret season’ in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara, making for wonderful wildlife experiences void of the crowds, highly recommended.

Uganda or Rwanda Primate Safaris

It is also one of the best times of the year to go in search of the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda’s mountain gorilla trekking take place in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas in existence. It is the only national park where chimpanzees co-exist with mountain gorillas.

Zanzibar, Mafia Island and the Kenyan Coast

January is also the perfect time to relax on the beaches of Zanzibar and Mafia Island in Tanzania, and the Kenyan coast. These destinations all offer unique cultural experiences and historical insights and you can decide if you want to just relax on the beach or be ‘busy’ with snorkelling, diving, fishing and lots more!

Zanzibar and Mafia Island, Tanzania

February is a great time to visit Mafia Island off the Tanzanian Coast for some whale shark interaction. Snorkelling with these giants makes for a once in a lifetime experience! There are a range of great accommodation options available here from affordable to barefoot luxury!

Kruger, Cape Town and Garden Route, South Africa

In South Africa the weather is still great in the whole of the country and a safari in the Greater Kruger National Park, including the Timbavati and Sabi Sands Private Game Reserves, is still superb. Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Whale Coast remain fabulous extensions to the safari. The vineyards around Cape Town and the beaches along the Garden Route offering some spectacular accommodation options.

Ndutu, Southern Serengeti, Tanzania

East Africa is still enjoying its mini dry season, with sunny, clear days and excellent game viewing all round. The herds are now gathering in the far south of the Serengeti and calving season is about to start in the Ndutu area making for some extraordinary interactions with the resident predators!

Makgadikgadi NP, Botswana

In Botswana, it is the rainy season, which brings the arid areas of the Makgadikgadi Pans and the Kalahari to life. These areas are spectacular at this time of year with lots of grazing and water around – the perfect combination for game viewing. Nxai Pan in the Makgadikgadi National Park is particularly magical in February with thousands of zebras on the pans and some impressive predator action.

Okavango Delta and Savuti, Botswana

By March most of the safari destinations in southern Africa are moving towards the end of their wet season – but for us, it is all about Botswana! The days are glorious, tourist numbers are low and great value packages are available. The summer rains floodwater from further upstream has not yet flooded the Okavango making this the best time to visit the Delta and the Savuti region of Chobe National Park.

Timbavati, Klaserie and Sabi Sands, South Africa

South Africa is still a very good place to travel to at the beginning of March, as the weather remains good in Cape Town and the safaris continue unabated in the Greater Kruger including the Timbavati, Klaserie and the Sabi Sands. In these private reserves night game drives are a great option for spectacular predator viewing.

In March as the heat is easing, lush grass covers the plains, sunsets are spectacular and storm clouds create a dramatic backdrop. A self-drive road trip from Sossusvlei to Etosha in the north is a great way to explore this vast landscape, some of the most spectacular on the planet! Namibia offers fantastic accommodation and March is still low season.

In East Africa in the southern Ndutu section of the Serengeti the calving season for the wildebeest is now in full swing, with up to 8 000 calves born each day! This is a time of plenty for the predators of the area, especially the healthy cheetah population that call this home. The calving season of the great migration is as special as the river crossings, and well worth considering especially for avid photographers.

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa

In South Africa, it is autumn with temperatures cooling from previous months. In general, the days are still warm, but the evenings and mornings are chilly. April is undoubtedly one of the best months for a safari in South Africa, the weather is mild in the Kruger National Park and the game viewing is fantastic. World re-known Sabi Sands private reserve almost guarantees sightings of the BIG 5!

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Botswana is a fantastic destination in the shoulder season as its still relatively quiet, prices remain competitive and the weather is great. Large herds of elephant are beginning to congregate around the Chobe River, and the Delta’s waters are on the rise marking the start of great boat and mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) activities.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

During April the Zambezi River is starting to flood and Victoria Falls is moving to its peak, both from Livingstone and Victoria Falls town. The mighty waterfall is in flood with enormous clouds of spray rising up to the sky, making for a phenomenal sight. It’s high-water season on the Zambezi so there is a wide range of adrenalin activities available for the adventurous at heart.

In Botswana, the rains may be over, but the Okavango Delta is filling up fast making it arguably the most spectacular place in Africa (something we argue to be true at any time of year!). Regarded by those in-the-know, as the ‘secret season’, there is a huge advantage to travelling Botswana during May as safari rates are low which makes Africa’s most expensive safari destination more affordable.

May is the beginning of Namibia’s winter and you’ll find plenty of sunshine, long, dry days and low humidity. In Etosha, the BIG 5 gather around the waterholes making them easy to view. The dunes at Sossusvlei are particularly special as the lower sections and surrounds can still be covered in a layer of grass which attracts desert-adapted animals from near and far. Damaraland and Kaokoland are pleasantly warm, and in the South, the slightly cooler weather makes this an excellent time to explore the spectacular Fish River Canyon.

Mana Pools NP, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is still technically in ‘shoulder season’ in May with clear, fresh days. Excellent wildlife sightings are common as animals begin to congregate around the permanent water holes, and other travellers are few and far between. In Mana Pools, the bush camps are re-opening and walking safaris are starting up. As with many other locations in May, good rates and specials are available.

Lower Zambezi NP, Zambia

Zambia’s famous Luangwa National Park’s bush camps tend to open in late May, and the wonderful Lower Zambezi National Park and Kafue National Park’s see the majority of camps re-open. This is really the start of Zambia’s season and is a lovely time to visit before peak season hits. Lower Zambezi NP is a SAFARI FRANK favourite and walking, boating, fishing, canoeing and game driving at Tusk and Maine is truly special!

Northern Botswana

Our beloved Botswana is superb throughout June, and the majority of camps are still offering mid-season rates, a great time to visit and save a few dollars. As the land dries animals make their way towards the life-sustaining waters of the Okavango Delta. The Delta is now in flood with phenomenal game viewing and the start of the best time for water-based activities. Why not do a mobile safari through northern Botswana, it is our favourite!

Etosha National Park, Namibia

June in Namibia is dry with very little chance of rain. The days are warm, but the nights can be cool. This is the time of year which marks the start of prime game viewing season, as wildlife is forced to remain close to permanent water sources. This creates the ‘Noah’s Ark’ scene Etosha is famous for!

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa is well known for walking safaris in the now-dry riverbed, fly camping under the stars, big cats, and an all-around fantastic wildlife experience that is hard to beat. The Lower Zambezi offers a multitude of activities that are second to none, whilst Busanga Plains in Kafue is one of the best places in Africa for predator action.

Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania

In East Africa most of the parks will be open and game viewing is exceptional. The southern Tanzania circuit is starting to dry out and in Ruaha National Park animals slowly move from the miombo highlands to the plains around the great Ruaha River. Ruaha has arguably the highest density of lions in the whole of Africa and with low visitor numbers this gem of a park is an exceptional experience.

Northern Serengeti, Tanzania

In East Africa the migration is moving north from the Grumeti and depending on the rainfall could be entering the northern sections of the Serengeti around the Mara River and even the Masai Mara across the border. This is the start of peak season and it can get quite busy so travellers should choose accommodation carefully to avoid the crowds. Mind you it is the Greatest Wildlife show on Earth!

Laikipia, Samburu and Meru Kenya

July is also a great time of the year to visit the lesser-known parks in Kenya such as Laikipia, Meru, Samburu and Amboseli. Combining these with Lamu on the Kenyan coast makes for a fantastic trip! The camel supported walking mobile safari in Laikipia is arguably one of Africa’s best walking safari experiences

July is the peak season in Botswana with visitors flocking to the famous areas of the Okavango Delta, Savuti, Linyanti and Chobe River. Wildlife is prolific including regular sightings of painted wolves and white rhinos in certain areas, through to huge herds of elephants and great predator action! The Delta offers some of the most luxurious lodges in Africa so now is the time to have the best of both worlds for a lucky view!

Zambia’s parks are now all open with every camp available to visit in peak season. The bush has thinned out and the grass has been trodden down, meaning that Africa’s finest walking destination, the Luangwa, is at its finest. The Lower Zambezi National Park is also exceptional at this time of year with a variety of game viewing activities on offer with Tusk and Maine a firm favourite for a truly immersive experience.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Hwange is famous for the congregation of enormous numbers of elephants around waterholes in the dry season. There are some amazing close-up experiences to be had at camps in Hwange which are equipped with decks and hides in close proximity to water sources, these are probably the best in Africa!

Greater Masai Mara, Kenya

The main event is undoubtedly the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti and the Masai Mara! The herds are congregated around the Mara River on both sides of the border between Tanzania and Kenya. River crossings take place on a daily basis through the fast-flowing Mara River and make for spectacular sightings, but expect some crowds, especially in the smaller Masai Mara. Travellers are advised to select accommodation carefully.

Kruger Park, Northern Botswana and Vic Falls

In South Africa the Greater Kruger experience remains exceptional, however Cape Town may still be cold and wet. Consider this safari that combines the best in South Africa and Botswana at this time of the year, including Vic Falls which is now just spectacular!

Mauritius and the Seychelles

August is a great time to visit the Indian Ocean Islands. Mauritius is home to the mega beach resorts, ideal for a great family holiday. The Seychelles offer some fantastic accommodation options both on Mahé as well as the inner islands including Praslin and La Digue. For a lucky few the private islands provide a truly exceptional world class experience. If you prefer to be active and dive or fish some of the best locations on the planet the outer islands are for you!

Whale Coast, South Africa

Spring is in the air, the Indian Ocean temperatures are rising and with the high humidity still weeks away, the climate is sublime. Cape Town is also warming up and there are still whales migrating along the Whale Coast. There are superb accommodation options available along the coast from private houses on the beach to one of the best eco-lodges at Hermanus, the whale capital of Africa!

Serengeti, Northern Tanzania

In East Africa the migration is still in full swing and although the river crossings can never be guaranteed, September is widely regarded as the ‘safest’ time of the year to experience it. This is also a wonderful time to combine the northern Tanzania circuit with the southern circuit, notably Ruaha NP. This safari can be combined with some ocean activities with stay at Zanzibar and Mafia Island, making for one of the best ‘bush and beach’ holidays!

Zambia & Lake Malawi

One of the best bush and beach combinations is Zambia and Lake Malawi, and September is the ideal time. In Zambia, large mammals can be found close to the Luangwa River and the big cats are easy to spot along the riverbanks. Traditional Zambian bush camps offer walking safari which is a great way to explore the area. At Lake Malawi, the temperatures sit at a pleasant 28℃ making it the ideal location to enjoy amazing freshwater snorkelling.

Damaraland, Kaokoland, Etosha, Caprivi, Namibia

If you’re exploring Namibia, consider expanding your itinerary beyond large game viewing in Etosha. For extra adventure add an expedition to the remote Kaokoveld and Damaraland regions in the country’s north, before heading east to the Caprivi and even Vic Falls! These all offer world-class landscapes, scenery and photographic opportunities. Consider this extended self-drive trip of a lifetime!

Gonarezhou and Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

Starting in the remote Gonarezhou NP one of the few true wilderness areas with stunning scenery and wildlife, followed by an air transfer to the famous Mana Pools where you embark on a safari along the Zambezi river and 3 nights at Chitake Spring – a place known as Africa’s most hard-core campsite where you are in and amongst the wildlife as they gather around the only water source in the area. There is no safari which is more RAW and authentic!

October is the hottest and driest month in Botswana, but it is also one of the best times to visit. The higher temperatures drive the game towards water sources and predators congregate around the waterholes and rivers. Chobe and the Linyanti see vast herds of elephant and buffalo, whilst the Okavango Delta offers the herds a permanent source of water. In the south of Botswana, the Boteti River area sees large herds of zebra on its banks; an incredible sight to behold

Victoria Falls and Northern Botswana

A great journey combination for October is the spectacle of Victoria Falls alongside a Botswana safari. By this time Victoria Falls is starting to dry out however it’s still impressive and a few days chilling out on the banks of the Zambezi is a great way to start or end any trip – especially in the heat of October. The concentration of game in Botswana at this time will leave you amazed when you arrive on the banks of the Chobe River and beyond.

South Africa & Mozambique

Combine Kruger, Cape Town and Mozambique. In Cape Town you’ll find the Mother City bathed in crisp sunshine and clear blue skies. It is ideal for wine-tasting, fine dining and mountain-climbing. Game viewing in the Kruger in October is excellent with animals congregating around waterholes. Round off all this adventure at the beach as you enjoy some rest and relaxation against a backdrop of clear calm water and nice temperatures.

Busanga Plains, Kafue NP, Zambia

In Zambia, this is the last chance to experience the magic of Busanga Plains, best done from above in a hot air balloon over the vast expanse of Kafue National Park. Kafue is best combined at this time of year with Liuwa Plain National Park where the annual wildebeest migration is about to start. This is one of the best remote experiences for the seasoned safarier!

Nyerere and Ruaha NP, Southern Tanzania

October sees the start of the small rains in east Africa and the herds heads south. It is still a great time to visit the Masai Mara and northern Serengeti as the tail end of the herds are likely to still be around and off course all the usual non-migratory species are there. The southern circuit of Tanzania is now at its best with spectacular game viewing around the remaining water sources. Ruaha National Park will blow your mind!

Kasanka & Liuwa Plains

In Zambia two unique wildlife events take place. The second largest wildebeest migration in Africa occurs in Liuwa Plain NP from November onwards. Animals are enticed to migrate by the promise of short fresh grass! And largest mammal migration in the world… the bat migration at Kasanka NP in the north of Zambia. An incredible 10 million fruit bats congregate in a very small parcel of land. This is an amazing, must-do experience for the seasoned African traveller.

Kalahari and Makgadikgadi, Botswana

November in Botswana is also very special, particularly across the Makgadikgadi and in the Kalahari Desert. It’s a time of new life after the early rains and the layer of fresh grass attracts animals from far and wide. Baby animals are aplenty with predators in attendance too. All over southern Africa, migratory birds arrive and for the seasoned safari traveller and twitchers amongst you, that is always a special time to be in the region.

Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger, South Africa

If you are seeking some sunshine, you can’t do much better than Cape Town and the Garden Route in South Africa which really come into their own at the start of summer in November and before the crowds arrive. Combining that with a safari in the Timbavati or Sabi Sands for the best of both worlds!

In Botswana, December is considered low season, but most lodges and suppliers are still operating which paves the way for some great specials and promotions. Game viewing is still superb which provides travellers with an excellent experience for a great value. The Kalahari Desert is temporarily transformed into a lush wonderland with grazing animals and their young in abundance and predators following.

Cape Town and the Garden Route are amid a picture-perfect summer. However, it is summer holidays for all South African schools, so the Cape area can be very busy from mid-December to mid-January. The Kruger’s private reserves still offer excellent big game viewing, with Timbavati Game Reserve and Klaserie Game Reserve our favourite destinations for a South African safari.

Serengeti, Tanzania and Masai Mara, Kenya

In East Africa December is the small dry season but the land is left lush and green after the small rains. It is a fabulous time to travel in the Serengeti and the Mara as game viewing is still superb, but the absence of other travellers is the true luxury. One can literally travel in the northern Serengeti without seeing another vehicle for days in areas where it is ‘bumper to bumper’ in peak season, safari heaven as far as we are concerned!

Inner and Outer Islands, Seychelles

December is also beach time for many and there is nothing better than the Indian Ocean islands! Mauritius offers some fantastic options for families and couples looking for serious down time doing as little or as much as you like, while the many islands of the Seychelles offer plenty of opportunity to explore!

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Native Afrika Voyages is an authentic African tour operator offering the finest hotels, safaris, tours and experiences in Africa. Our experienced African safari experts are qualified to arrange all aspects of your travels in Africa. Our goal is to make your journey into Africa simply amazing. We take pride in showing off our beautiful continent, and helping others experience the best attractions that Africa has to offer. We make luxury travel in Africa, simple. We are proud partners of Safari Bookings .

The Best Game Drives

Africa is the continent for game drives. These are surprisingly expensive and challenging to plan however. What you need is a holiday carefully planned by experts with the very best itinerary. Africa Safari Trips is 100% focused on Africa and provides the best experts, first-hand information and a fair price.

Our African safari experts are in direct contact with our customers. We offer beautiful itineraries for a fair price and an even better service. For this reason, Native Afrika Voyages has been a well-known brand in Europe for many years. Most of our sales consultants live in Africa and frequently check the lodges and parks. We advise our customers based on our own experiences.

Prices Explained in a Nutshell

• We’ll work with you to create a journey that makes the most of your time and money.
• As a rule, our African safari experts prefer to include as many of the costs up-front so that there are no unpleasant surprises once you’re on safari.
• Pricing depends on the destination , your accommodation, how big your group is and the time of year you travel.
• Not all companies price with everything included which means your holiday becomes unnecessarily expensive.

Accommodations

We only feature hotels and lodges that we have stayed in or our clients have requested and believe to be the best in the area of travel, always looking for value, character, and good service. In some of the secluded and undeveloped regions, the obvious trappings of comfort may not be immediately apparent, but something special is everywhere: a unique style, a remarkable setting, wholesome comforts, and a dedication to protect their natural setting and to please every guest.

Transportation

Our priority is to ensure our clients a 100% safe and comfortable trip. This is why we continually invest in new cars, which are maintained on a daily basis.  Our custom safari vehicles come with a pop-up roof to ensure you a front-row seat to that oncoming herd of elephants or a leopard bearing down on its prey. These are all crucial for a memorable Africa safari holiday tour experience.

Included In Our Safari Vehicles

Pop up roof hatches.

Our safari vehicles come with a pop up roof hatch to ensure unobstructed 360 degrees game viewing experience and photography.

Power Inverters

All our safari vehicles have power adapters for electrical charging to make it possible to charge your camera batteries and phones.

First Aid Kit

Every safari vehicle is equipped with a first aid kit. Our driver guides are trained to use this in case of an emergency.

All our safari vehicles have a cooler box to keep beverages cold. This is not to be taken for granted especially after a long day out in the savannah.

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We're a team of locals who grew up together in a small village in Tanzania (+ one American) sharing a love and passion for the wildlife & nature, people & culture, and beauty of our home and we want to show it off to the rest of the world! We take pride in our reputation for hosting visitors and treating people like family. We are working towards uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel by employing locals, giving back to the community and partnering with other locally owned and eco-friendly companies. We may be a newer company but our staff shares a combined experience of over 40 years in tour operations so you are sure to have a safe, fun and a once in a lifetime adventure with us!

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Whether you're looking for an adventure through the plains of the Serengeti, a trek up Mt Kilimanjaro, an eye-opening cultural tour, relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar or volunteering in the local community, we can help you make that happen! Simply let us know where you want to go, and we'll help you figure out the rest. We work directly with other companies to get the best deals and ensure you have a fun and life-changing experience!

Why Book With Us?

When you book with us you're not just going on Safari. You are making an impact on the lives of kids in our local community. A portion of the proceeds of every trip goes to Christ Hope Orphanage in Arusha. We support a total of 80+ kids ranging from primary school to local universities and beyond. While working with us we want you to be completely happy with the experience. If you have questions about us or our services, get in touch! We hope you continue to book with us for many years to come. 

Witness the Great Migration!

THE GREAT MIGRATION. Afrika's race for life. The journey for the key players in the Great Migration, the roughly two million wildebeest, starts in the southern portion of Serengeti, with the birth of half a million calves between January and March. Serengeti National Park is the #1 safari destination in the world, the only place where you can witness millions of migrating wildebeest over the Acacia plains and probably the closest you will ever get to an untouched Afrikan wilderness!

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The 10 Best Safari Lodges in Africa in 2022

The best safari lodges, according to Travel + Leisure readers, go beyond the traditional game drive with a wide range of cultural experiences.

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite safari lodges in Africa.

For Travel + Leisure readers, the best safari lodges in Africa aren't necessarily traditional safari properties — though plenty of those did make this list. Take, for example, Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge — a luxurious base for tracking mountain gorillas in the cloud forest of Rwanda. It seems that this once-in-a-lifetime experience elevated guests' memories beyond those of Big Five safaris: the word amazing appears repeatedly in Bisate reviews.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city hotel, resort, or safari lodge based on their locations and amenities.

This year's World's Best list reveals a growing interest in nontraditional safaris. In addition to Bisate at the top spot, there's another Rwandan lodge, One&Only Nyungwe House (No. 3), where the highlights are tracking chimpanzees, bird-watching, and visiting a tea plantation. "A gorgeous property in an incredible location," said one voter. And there's a second gorilla-tracking property on the list: Bwindi Lodge (No. 10), in Uganda. "How special to stay at Bwindi Lodge," wrote one guest, "and be so well cared for when setting out to see the magnificent gorillas."

At No. 2, Gibb's Farm is "the most unique lodge of any kind in East Africa," claimed one reader. Overlooking Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater, a protected area known for its incredible density of wildlife, the 17-cottage property offers activities around its coffee plantation and gardens, as well as bush walks from the property and wildlife drives in the crater. One guest loved that it was "fun for adults and kids." It's "an incredibly beautiful hotel," said another. "The food was amazing, and I loved the farm-to-table philosophy."

Classic safaris are still well represented, with guests favoring wildlife-rich areas such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya, and the South African Kruger National Park. As well as wildlife sightings and luxurious rooms, it was the people who made an impact on T+L readers. Of andBeyond Bateleur Camp (No. 6), in Kenya's Masai Mara, one reader said that "the guides are truly spectacular," while another described "warm, welcoming service."

1. Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

On the edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bisate Lodge has six stylish and cozy villas, each overlooking the surrounding villages, forests, and misty mountain peaks. The main activity there is trekking into the national park to spend some time watching the mountain gorillas, but there are also opportunities to see golden monkeys, go hiking in the mountains, or visit the grave of renowned primatologist Dian Fossey. The staff are "amazing," said one reader, who added the food was "delicious," especially the homegrown vegetables. Another fan said staying at Bisate was "the absolute best...experience we have ever had. The food, service, and rooms were beyond amazing."

Score: 98.29

More information: wilderness-safaris.com

2 Gibb's Farm, Karatu, Tanzania

Score: 96.63

More information: gibbsfarm.com

3. One&Only Nyungwe House, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda

Score: 96.36

More information: oneandonlyresorts.com

4. andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Score: 95.80

More information: andbeyond.com

5. Angama Mara, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Score: 94.95

More information: angama.com

6. andBeyond Bateleur Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Score: 94.88

7. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Score: 94.00

More information: fourseasons.com

8. andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park Area, South Africa

Score: 93.09

9. Lion Sands Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

Score: 92.47

More information: more.co.za

10. Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Score: 89.68

More information: volcanoessafaris.com

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AFRICAN EXPERTS

We have lived in Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia for the last 25 years.  

From our home in the foothills of Mt Kenya, together with my team, we design itineraries for photographers, families, couples and groups.

ANYWHERE IN AFRICA...

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Exploration.

We have been lucky to live on the continent long enough to build a deep understanding of its places and people. We've explored many corners of Africa, but have lived in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and are particularly well positioned to create itineraries for these extraordinary places.

While we specialise in family safaris, having been on so many ourselves, we can also advise on the best spots for those more interested in photography-based travel, or who are especially focused on culture. We also have a company that offers the ultimate gap experience for young adults looking for adventure before (or after!) they head to university. 

Send us an email or give us a call and we can begin planning your perfect safari. 

+254 (0) 727 804 926

+ 254 (0) 721 523 714

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2025 August Safari Advice - Kenya Forum

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2025 August Safari Advice

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My niece at 52 years old just learned her breast cancer has recurred. She is starting chemo next week. I would like to give her something to wish on to get through chemo and to anticipate the rest of her life.

Two possible itineraries are under consideration at present:

Through Expert Africa "Black Kite Safari"

Starts: JKI Airport Nairobi

1 night The Emakoko - Kenya Full Board & Activities

3 nights Elsa's Kopje - Kenya Full Board & Activities

3 nights Elephant Pepper Camp - Kenya Full Board & Activities

3 nights Tortilis Camp - Kenya Full Board & Activities

Ends: JKI Airport Nairobi

I have written but not heard yet and asked about the possibility of Giraffe Manor .

Through Kicheche

Conservancy Safari ( Laikipia & Mara )

7 Days / 6 Nights

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

•Mara North Conservancy

Kicheche could arrange to add 3 nights at Amboseli before or after and would handle all of the internal arrangements in Kenya. If I bring everyone (5) they can share the family suite. They would have exclusive vehicle use.

There are 3 different camps through Kicheche: Mara, Valley & Bush. Bush's open dates are not as convenient for college calendar.

Could anyone offer insight on differences between the camps or on preferences between these two alternate itineraries?

I had hoped to include a night at Giraffe Manor. The concept is so appealing as a first experience before the safaris. I probably could do that through either company but the availability dates at Giraffe Manor are difficult if the larger party goes since their son will most likely have an internship ending ~Aug 11th (based on this year's dates).

Do you think that experience is special enough to weigh heavily on planning. Lastly a year after chemo therapy what are your thoughts on a couples trip vs a family trip. Realizing it is a very personal decisions I'd appreciate thoughts on whether my niece be best healed & rejuvenated in a smaller group?

11 replies to this topic

Thanks AmyBatt. Very thoughtful of you to mention.

Insurance is essential for this particular trip and I have already asked Alexandra about particulars.

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Kenya Hotels and Places to Stay

• A guide to some of the most popular tented camps and safari lodges
• What will the weather be like?

Why the Best African Safaris are a Mixed bag

In the southeastern corner of Zimbabwe, 50 miles from the border of Mozambique, the scars of cattle ranching and mid-century clear-cutting, a failed war against the tsetse fly, are still legible in the bush. Decades of hard, often Sisyphean conservation work have succeeded in showing the resilience of the savanna's low acacia and fever trees, thorny shrubs, and monumental baobabs. Today, this wild place has a happier problem: an abundance of rhinoceros. Within the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, they are a daily, no-binoculars-needed sight. The lodge here is Singita Pamushana , one of the most superlative in Africa, set high in the jagged exposed rocks above the Malilangwe Dam and its rainwater lake, where hippos bellow and elephants bathe. Comprising only eight house-sized suites with working wood fireplaces and private pools, it's also an exclusive booking that draws in-the-know families back year after year.

Many travel from Europe or the US simply to stay here and enjoy the better-than-you'd-expect wine cellar, central pool, and water views from a mountain lodge surrounded by some of the world's best-managed safari animals. Others come here as a part of a wider trip through Zimbabwe-after a jaunt to Victoria Falls, say. 

But, Elizabeth Gordon, CEO of Extraordinary Journeys , a private excursion operator, recommends something a little more gourmet: pairing the yin of Pamushana with the yang of Loapi, a new ultra-luxury safari camp in the Kalahari's Tswalu game reserve (and one of Robb Report's 50 best hotels in the world ). 

Opened in July, Laopi's six tented safari homes-each with personal butlers, private chefs, and plunge pools-are set within 281,700 acres of otherworldly desert landscape in South Africa's largest private game reserve. 

Not only does the land here give an antithesis to the water and foliage of Pamushana, but so does the game. The big five-even elusive leopards-can be found in Malilangwe. But the desert is for creatures more elusive still: wild dogs, cheetahs, aardvarks, brown hyenas, porcupine, and pangolins. There are desert rhinos here, as well as massive dark-maned lions, leopards, buffalo, and many other familiar safari species-but no elephants. Meerkats are the stars, here. The contradiction is the point. 

"Don't be afraid to mix and match," says Gordon, who was born in Kenya. "I'm always looking for places that are unique, more interesting, that aren't a typical hotel. They have to have heart and soul." 

Gordon is an expert at creating zebra-stripe safaris: high-contrast adventures with dueling landscapes and experiences. But more than merely emphasizing difference, her philosophy of safari is one all world wanderers can take to heart: "Luxury" alone is too easy, and therefore, less luxurious. You need to "earn it" through discovery.

"You have to try something new because that's what Africa is all about," she says. "To see the ruins of Great Zimbabwe you have to stay at a really simple hotel. Canoeing the Zambezi is not comfortable, but it's exciting. Walking for three days through Lewa with tents and bucket showers is nothing fancy but it is very experiential. Sure, going to a Four Seasons is luxury, but it's easy."

That doesn't mean white-glove service in a five-star hotel isn't your reward-but to create an extraordinary journey, Gordon recommends skipping the Marriott and booking hotels that offer something authentic. There's the resort-style Fairlawns in Johannesburg where every room is unique, or Cape Town's residential urban boutique Cape Cadogan and the art-filled Ellerman House. A four-night sojourn at the jewel-box-sized Clarendon in Bantry Bay is better appreciated between exhilarating game drives in Makanyi Private Game Lodge in Greater Kruger National Park and andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia. 

Getting to and between the richest private camps and imaginative hotels in Africa offers its own opportunity to turn the worst part of travel into its own highlight. 

I traveled from Sydney directly to Johannesburg, thanks to the newly doubled Qantas capacity on the A380 superjumbo on that route since October. It's the first airline to fly that plane between the two commonwealth countries and it's already adding 54,000 seats.

The Australian carrier also recently made that long-haul flight a lot more enjoyable, pouring $100 million into upgrading its network of lounges and adding restaurant-style dining from a menu designed by Australian Chef Neil Perry to its 14 onboard first-class suites. 

(Speaking of "long-haul," in 2025 the airline is going to push it to the limit with "Project Sunrise:" an ultra-long-haul direct from Sydney to N.Y.C. designed by a multidisciplinary team of sleep scientists.)

Once you're in Africa and off the jumbo jet, small private charters land on dusty runways directly in or just outside the camp-provided that no zebras are on the runway. Back in Joberg and Cape Town black cars are waiting on the runway to whisk you to urban resorts. Flying so rarely feels joyful but juxtaposition between aviation styles is one way to inject it with comfort and interest. 

"When you come from the lush bush and mountains of Zimbabwe to the Kalahari you see less, but what you see is more purposeful," says Gordon. "It makes seeing that cheetah on the top of a dune all the more impressive. Cool adventures are still out there." 

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I've been on over 100 safaris across Africa and repeatedly see tourists make 11 big mistakes, from sleeping in to ignoring birds

• I've been on over 100 safaris and often see tourists make the same mistakes time and again.
• Some ignore birds, while others exit the vehicle to get closer to wildlife, which is dangerous.
• Here's my advice on what not to do on safari, plus tips to improve your chances of seeing wildlife.

I'm a travel writer living in Nairobi, and I've been on more than 100 safaris across Africa.

I currently live in Nairobi, Kenya, working as a travel writer and vlogger, and have been to about 15 countries in Africa over the last 10 years.

As part of my travels, I often go on safari where I'm always awed by how large elephants are, the cunning nature of hyenas, the agility of leopards, the social life of lions, and the beauty of lilac-breasted rollers.

I've been on well over 100 safaris for leisure or on assignment as a journalist, in countries like Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and my home, Kenya.

On many of those safaris, I've shared vehicles with other tourists, and met travelers from all over the world, from the United States to Russia and Europe. I've also observed some common mistakes that people seem to make when they take this type of trip.

Here are the biggest safari mistakes to avoid, plus my tips for how to maximize your experience.

Most often, I've observed tourists become disappointed when they don't see wildlife.

I've been to most of the wildlife parks in Kenya, like Amboseli , Samburu , Shaba , Tsavo East & West , Meru , and Lake Nakuru National Parks .

I always find the big cats impressive here, such as lionesses chasing a zebra through the plains, or a leopard hauling its prey up a tree as hyenas circle below hoping it falls.

On a recent safari, I observed two-month old lion cubs, still too young to eat meat, lapping up blood from a gazelle that their mother hunted and dragged under the shade of bushes. This sighting was, however, at the end of a three-hour morning game drive.

Whenever I'm sharing a vehicle with other tourists, particularly first timers, I see some becoming impatient after a few hours without such sightings.

It's understandable; you've come to Africa for the safari of a lifetime, and want to see and photograph it all. But as I've learned, you can't set up an appointment with wildlife. Sometimes, a leopard remains elusive. 

I think you'll have a better time if you're able to relax and enjoy the sightings as they come.

In addition to being patient on drives, I don't think visitors communicate what they hope to see to their guide, or make enough attempts.

If there's an animal you really want to see, speak up.

Guides can use their expertise and knowledge of the landscape to drive to the areas where they know that you're more likely to spot the animals that you hope to see.

You should also plan to go on more than one game drive. For a two to three-day trip, I recommend going for both morning and evening drives, every day, to maximize your chances. 

One of the biggest mistakes tourists make is thinking they can get out of the vehicle to take photos with wildlife. It could risk your life.

While on safari, I've seen tourists in other vehicles get out in areas to try and get close to wildlife where park rules prohibit them to do so.

You should always stay in the safari vehicle, and if you need to get out, communicate that to your guide who knows the landscape and will advise if it's safe.

Rather than risk your life, there are other places you can go if you want to get up close with animals.

In Nairobi, I like to spend time with orphaned baby elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and watch them mud bathe and guzzle milk formula. Another option I recommend is to feed pellets to Rothschild Giraffes at Giraffe Center.

And at Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia, visitors may join rangers to track the endangered southern white rhinos on foot, which will place you within a few feet of the animals.

Not only are experiences like these safe, but they still provide the thrill of an up-close encounter, and proceeds usually go back to the continued protection of the wildlife. 

Often, I meet tourists who only go to the most popular parks, and in the high season. Then, they complain about how crowded it is.

Some of Africa's best-known parks are Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, and Kruger National Park in South Africa. And I understand the popularity — all of these destinations have an abundance of wildlife and stunning landscapes.

According to Safari Outfitter & Beyond , who I've been with on safari a few times in Serengeti and Maasai Mara, the best time for a Kenyan safari is the high season from June to October, when sparse vegetation and limited water draws wildlife to waterholes making them easier to spot.

But because of this phenomenon, I've always found this time period to be busy and crowded, which can take away from the experience.

In my experience, guides tend to work collaboratively and radio one another whenever there's a sighting, and when word gets out that a coalition of cheetahs were spotted, soon there are 20 cars charging to surround them at the same time. I also find the parks become particularly busy during the annual wildebeest migration season, and lodges get fully booked as tourists travel to witness it.

I've seen first-timers then become frustrated that the experience isn't the remote safari they pictured.

If you prefer less crowds, choose a less popular park, or consider a visit at another time.

I've seen many tourists wrongly assume that Africa is hot all the time, and fail to pack warm clothing.

In my experience, visitors to Africa tend to have the perception that it will be really hot, all the time. I think this is probably because of documentaries and movies they might have watched where people are dressed as such, and that's how the landscape is portrayed.

But I've found that isn't always the case. I've experienced many cold nights in some parks, even if it's not the rainy season when it can be cold and wet.

According to Masai Mara , temperatures in that park can range between 52 and 82-degrees Fahrenheit, and I know it will feel quite cold when it hits that lower end.

I suggest that visitors bring warm clothing to layer like jackets, scarves, and even gloves. Plus, some safari vehicles are open on the sides, and in my experience, this can make it feel really cold when driving fast during the day, too. 

Another big mistake I've witnessed is choosing not to wake up early for game drives.

Guides have explained to me that the best times for game drives are the cooler hours of the day, around sunrise and sunset.

They say this is because it's when the weather is more comfortable for animals. During later parts of the day, guides have said that animals prefer to stay tucked away under the shade to avoid the scorching heat. This means it's less likely you'll see much action if you choose to head out only in the afternoon.

To increase my chances of seeing wildlife, I choose morning drives that require wake-up calls as early as 4:30 a.m. On those drives, I've shared a vehicle with others where I heard them complain that it's too early.

It definitely is, and the roads can be rough, and the drives can be long and tiring, particularly if it's several days back to back. But I know morning is the best time to go if you want to see as many animals as possible.

I've spotted wildlife later in the day, too, but whenever I've come across a pride of lions around midday, for instance, they're usually sleeping.

Discuss with your guide to figure out a schedule that works best for you. If you can wake up early, though, I find the sunrises over the African bush are always so spectacular. Why would you want to miss such beauty?

Ignoring bird life is another commonly-made mistake.

It took me around 30 game drives to finally get into birdwatching.

I started off indifferent, but now I squeal with excitement when I spot a Marshall Eagle with its large wing-span perched atop a tree at Shaba National Reserve in Kenya, or if I've eyed a small gazelle, or a kettle of vultures stealing a zebra carcass from a hyena.

I wish I knew sooner that birds are really cool, and I think many visitors make this same mistake because they become too focused on just large wildlife.

I finally came to this realization thanks to helpful guides I met who helped me learn interesting facts about birds and their social life, and now I'm always left wanting to know more. 

I don't think many people realize that there are many ways to do a safari.

With over 100 safaris under my belt, I've been on so many game drives that I started getting a little jaded about driving around and seeing animals from a land cruiser, every time.

So I decided to switch things up recently, and I don't think many people know there are other ways to see wildlife besides from a car.

I've now been on several hot air balloons, from which I've spotted elephants in Amboseli National Park with Mt. Kilimanjaro's snow-capped peak in the background. And it was from a balloon that I tracked black rhinos through the mud one rainy morning in Borana Conservancy .

I've also enjoyed camel-back safaris, boat cruises, and sunset walking safaris, and recommend working them into your itinerary to experience different perspectives.

Please stop bringing plastic bags and bottles into the parks.

Countries like Kenya and Rwanda have banned single-use plastics including water bottles, straws, disposable cups, and cutlery in protected areas like parks, forests, and beaches.

You're often not even allowed to bring your plastic bag carry-ons through the airports. According to section 144 of Kenya's Environmental Management and Co-Ordination act , if you're caught breaking this law, there are severe fines of one to four years in jail, or a $16,000 fine.

And while I haven't heard of cases of tourists being charged or fined, I still often see them trying to bring these items into the parks, where they're usually confiscated.

I think it's better to just plan ahead and adhere to the law, and also to make more efforts to be respectful of the land to preserve it for generations to come.

I wish lodge guests would be more considerate of others and keep the volume of their music down.

In my experience, many rooms at overnight lodges are located really close to each other.

In a few instances, I've struggled to sleep or relax as guests next to me played really loud music.

I can appreciate a good playlist as much as the next person, but I wish more tourists would be more considerate of other guests.

I find going to the bush to be a time for serenity and disconnecting from the bustle of city life. Returning to blasting music detracts from that feeling, in my opinion.

Instead, turn your music off and take your stay as a chance to listen to the sweet cacophony of nature. And should you strongly desire to still listen to Drake over the hippos grunting in the distance, please just keep your volume at a reasonable level.

Finally, I think too many tourists don't take advantage of the low season when it's much easier to plan a safari on a budget.

In the low season between March and May when there is often heavy rain, the roads get muddy and vegetation grows tall and thick.

In my experience, this draws less tourists, and as a result, lodges tend to reduce rates to attract visitors. I've found you can save a lot of money if you visit then instead of high season.

So if you're looking to go on safari on a budget and don't mind getting wet from time to time, you might want to come during this period, since I've seen firsthand that the wildlife is still visible. I also think it's a unique time since the vegetation is lush and green, the bird life is abundant, and new calves are birthed. 

I've also seen that fewer tourist numbers means less congestion of vehicles in parks for a more isolated experience.

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More From Forbes

Richard branson adds exclusive safari lodge to virgin limited portfolio.

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The exclusive retreat is tucked away in Africa's only Shetani lava flow.

Sir Richard Branson, renowned for his strategic business moves, is adding a wild new safari experience to his exclusive Virgin Limited Edition portfolio. The award-winning Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp in Kenya, nestled in Africa's only Shetani lava flow, has officially joined the Virgin family. This addition enhances the unique offerings of Branson's carefully curated collection of resorts and strengthens his presence in Kenya, making Finch Hattons the second property in the country.

Finch Hattons, a jewel in the crown of the Gehlot family's three decades of safari expertise, offers 17 tented suites. Nestled in Africa's only Shetani lava flow, it provides stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and an opportunity to explore the unique Shetani lava flow. This is a destination that beckons anyone with a thirst for an African adventure, coupled with the modern comforts of a luxury safari camp.

"Africa is one of my favorite parts of the world," Branson said. "Each corner offers something entirely unique, surrounded by rich heritage and culture. I'm delighted Finch Hattons and all of the incredible wildlife in the Tsavo National Park will join our Virgin family, and I can't wait to visit soon."

Get up close and personal with wildlife.

The camp joins other African destinations in Virgin Limited Edition's collection, including Mahali Mzuri, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard, and Kasbah Tamadot. Together, they showcase Africa's rich landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant cultures.

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James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels Collection, added, "Finch Hattons is a family-owned luxury tented safari camp, and I could not be more delighted that our guests will now be able to experience the very best of Kenya in two equally beautiful safari camps, each with its own unique offering."

At the heart of Finch Hattons are family values, community connections, and sustainability, which perfectly align with Virgin Limited Edition's ethos. Leena Gehlot, Managing Partner of Finch Hattons, expressed,

"Finch Hattons is not just a luxury tented safari camp, it is a deeply-rooted part of our entire family and our family group of businesses, KG Group. For over five generations, our family has had firm roots in Kenya, and we are immensely proud of our very special safari camp." This shared commitment to family, community, and sustainability is what makes the addition of Finch Hattons to the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio a perfect match.

Spend your nights in a luxe safari tent.

Bringing Finch Hattons into the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio is a significant step for the Gehlots. "We could not have asked for a better brand that shares the same values as us," Leena Gehlot continued. "Our team looks forward to sharing their local wisdom and culture, as well as our beautiful luxury tented safari camp, to continue creating the incredible individual experiences a Virgin Limited Edition property is known for."

Starting July 1, 2024, Finch Hattons will officially join the Virgin Limited Edition family. Rates start at $796 per person per night, which includes accommodations, all meals and drinks, and activities like game drives, Shetani lava flow excursions, Oldonyo Larami volcano hikes, yoga, nature walks, and return airstrip transfers.

James Bermingham added, "Growth is very much part of our plan for the entire collection over the coming years, and this is just the start as we look to expand our guest choice across the globe. We are privileged to have a very special portfolio, and it's incredibly important to protect this and grow carefully with those that offer the same extraordinary and personal experiences our guests have come to love and expect."

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Kenya Safaris

Kenya invented the safari: with its spectacular wildlife, cultural diversity and breathtaking landscapes, this is an utterly dazzling destination.

“Wonderful, but very hard to describe”: that was one recent traveller’s summary of an Expert Africa safari in Kenya, his first visit to Africa. “The impact is emotional and spiritual as well as literal. Yes, there are many animals and birds and these are real wild creatures in their natural habitat, but it is so much more than that. I will never forget this trip. It was one of the great experiences of my life.” With the Indian Ocean lapping its coral-fringed coast and Mount Kenya rising from the middle of its extraordinarily beautiful natural environment, Kenya is one of Africa’s most rewarding countries to explore. The remarkably diverse scenery, the rich variety of its wildlife and its ever-stimulating social tapestry – from traditionally dressed Maasai herders on the plains to sarong-wrapped Swahili fishermen on the coast – could keep you enthralled for months. Think of Kenya like the Maasai do – as a land formed especially for them by God. Imagine he pulled the land up in the middle – that’s Mount Kenya, with its glacier-covered peaks, dominating the highlands – then tore the east and west apart leaving the great trough of the Rift Valley with its lakes. The Maasai Mara lies in the southwest and its fabled grasslands can reveal scenes that sometimes look like a children’s animal wall frieze, as a dozen or more species of megafauna – from elephants to lions and from buffalos to zebras – mingle on the plains in front of your camera. On the Kenya coast you could be in a different country, with mosques and palm trees, crystal-blue sea and a coral reef. Wherever your trip takes you, Kenya is hard to beat as a country to thrill and impress, whether you’ve been on safari before or it's your first visit to Africa.

Kenya's top safari and holiday destinations

Kenya's key areas for visitors are spread across the country.

In the southwest, bordering the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, lie the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Maasai Mara Conservancies . This is the land of the Great Migration .

North of Mount Kenya lies Kenya's second best wildlife region, the plateaux and wild bush lands of Laikipia , where you can see hunting dogs and black leopards. Laikipia is also Kenya's rhino stronghold, with all three African species present.

To the east lies Meru National Park , where a tiny handful of camps and lodges in a huge wilderness make for a magical safari.

Further north is the Samburu National Reserve , with its dry-country mammals including reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Grevy's zebra, and beyond that the deserts and semi-deserts of Northern Kenya , and the largest desert lake in the world, Lake Turkana.

In southern Kenya, head to Amboseli for those fabled views of Kilimanjaro framing "big tusker" elephants, or to Tsavo East for giant landscapes and baobabs or Tsavo West for hilly scenery and a plethora of wildlife – though you may have to look harder for it.

Finally, Kenya's coast is everything you could wish for in a tropical beach - with the bonus of a fascinating cultural tapestry.

Kenya Coast

32 places to stay

Kenya’s coast is an alluring region and – relatively – little developed. As well as beautiful beaches and a coral reef, it has fascinating historical sites and forest safari areas.

Mara Conservancies

29 places to stay

The wildlife-rich private conservancies are the Maasai-owned lands outside the national reserve. They tend to be much less busy than the reserve, but no less rewarding.

26 places to stay

Laikipia is an extensive region of large ranches and rolling, semi-arid savanna and bush country that is growing in importance for wildlife conservation and adventurous and luxury safaris.

21 places to stay

Capital of Kenya and East Africa’s biggest city, Nairobi has large hanty towns and wealthy suburbs, as well as a many green spaces, including the magnificent Nairobi National Park.

Maasai Mara

The Maasai Mara is the northern extension of the Serengeti-Mara eco-system. Together with the Mara conservancies outside the public reserve, this is Kenya’s most wildlife-rich region.

Northern Kenya

10 places to stay

Northern Kenya – split by giant Lake Turkana – is one of the country's best regions for cultural contact, and the forest-cloaked mountains have local micro-climates and much wildlife.

Amboseli & Chyulu Hills

8 places to stay

This region encompasses one of Kenya's most iconic national parks and a little known district of volcanic hills topped with misty cloud forest.

Rift Valley

4 places to stay

Most visitors take in the Great Rift Valley – embellished by a string of beautiful lakes – during the course of a road safari. It's also possible to use one or two airstrips for a fly-in safari.

2 places to stay

This extensive park of volcanic landscapes encompasses rolling savannah, woodland and streams, and the magnetic attraction of Mzima Springs.

3 places to stay

This rejuvenated national park on the well-watered side of Mount Kenya has excellent game-watching, Kenya's best KWS-run rhino sanctuary, and barely a handful of camps and lodges.

5 places to stay

This richly rewarding dry-country ecosystem depends on the seasonal Ewaso Nyiro River to support its elephants and many other species.

The largest park in Kenya is a vast area of dry bush, inhabited by huge herds of brick-red elephants, and dramatically cut through by the Galana River.

Our top ten Kenya safaris and holidays

Every one of Expert Africa's tailor-made itineraries is as individual as the traveller undertaking it.

The itineraries we have put together here are just examples of what is possible, with costs and details included. They are not set plans, or indeed set in stone at all. You can pick any combination of camps and lodges that is logistically possible, and start your trip on any date you like, subject to availability. See all 24 Kenya safari ideas here .

Most of our trips in Kenya are based around Fly-in Safaris , on which you fly by scheduled light aircraft between the different areas on your trip, typically staying for a few days at a camp or lodge in each place, and exploring the area in an open safari vehicle, guided by a seasoned driver-guide based at the camp, accompanied on daily safaris ("game drives") by other guests staying at the camp.

On a Guided Safari , you’ll travel by private closed safari vehicle, with a pop-top roof and sliding windows, led by the same driver-guide all the way.

Our Beach Holidays showcase ideas for stays along the Kenya coast's beautiful beaches.

Call Expert Africa now to speak to a Kenya expert who can address your questions and craft a trip for you that’s perfectly tailored for you.

Black Kite Fly-in Safari

10 days • 4 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Explore Kenya in-depth with visits to Nairobi and Meru national parks, the Mara Conservancies and Amboseli. Nestled in remoter regions, four camps provide fantastic access to rich game, a range of activities and beautifully diverse landscapes.

US$9,260 - US$11,960 per person

Gabar Goshawk Fly-in Safari

Experience Amboseli, the Maasai Mara ecosystem and Laikipia during this economically priced safari. Two simple camps offer adventure before a stopover in Nairobi and a final stay in the charming, wildlife-rich Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge.

US$5,800 - US$6,090 per person

Elephant Safari

10 days • 3 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

This example of a mid-range Kenya safari and beach trip explores the wildlife of Tsavo West's volcanic plains and woodlands, Tsavo East's immense plains and the white-sand beaches and lush environment of Diani Beach.

US$5,120 - US$5,780 per person

De Brazza Monkey Fly-in Safari

9 days • 3 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Enjoy a range of activities in the remote wilderness of northern Kenya before exploring the wildlife-rich plains of the Mara ecosystem. Private vehicles and guides heighten the personalisation of this highly immersive safari.

US$12,310 - US$16,320 per person

Hamerkop Fly-In Safari

8 days • 2 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Different wildlife, contrasting camps and a whole host of activities, this is a safari for those wanting to get out and about and not just sit in a vehicle.

US$6,350 - US$10,960 per person

Rothschild Giraffe Safari

8 days • 3 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

A example of a luxury Kenyan safari, starting at the iconic Giraffe Manor before fabulous stays on the spectacular Solio Reserve and Sala’s Camp in a remote corner of the Maasai Mara.

US$11,720 - US$16,510 per person

Big Cat Fly-in Safari

Combining two of Kenya’s best wildlife-viewing areas, this slow-paced safari to the Lewa Conservancy and Maasai Mara guarantees iconic wildlife. The long-established, well-rated camps are great value, too.

US$5,010 - US$8,190 per person

Golden Jackal Fly-in Safari

A contrasting safari of a lodge and a tented camp, with action-packed activities in Laikipia and wildlife-filled game drives in the Maasai Mara, offers a consistently high-quality experience.

US$9,730 - US$13,080 per person

Lanner Falcon Fly-In Safari

Three sister camps offer access to wonderfully remote regions across northern Kenya and the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Enjoy an exclusive safari experience focused on great wildlife, superb guiding and considerable comfort, with a range of activities.

US$6,620 - US$8,400 per person

African Finfoot Fly-in Safari

7 days • 3 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

After a unique start in Nairobi National Park, classic, luxurious camps combine for a high-end and exclusive safari in fantastic wildlife destinations.

US$9,900 - US$16,050 per person

View all holidays

Expert Africa's 10 most recent Kenya trip reviews

Feedback from Expert Africa's thousands of travellers is extremely important to us.

The reviews they send us are a real help to future travellers planning their trips. The feedback helps us stay up to date with changes to the camps and lodges we book, and it's also very valuable to our partners across Africa who appreciate that it is guaranteed genuine. It is often very constructive for the management of their properties and guiding operations.

All our Kenya trip reviews are published in full without any edits by Expert Africa. See all 597 Kenya safaris reviews here , or click on a card below to read one of our ten most recent reviews in full.

Arrived 29 Mar 2024, 10 nights

"My Mar 2024 trip"

Overall rating: Excellent

Arrived 29 Feb 2024, 10 nights

"Perfect Kicheche camps "

Arrived 11 Mar 2024, 19 nights

Arrived 22 Mar 2024, 9 nights

Arrived 27 Feb 2024, 6 nights

"My Feb 2024 trip to Lewa and Naboisho"

Arrived 13 Mar 2024, 10 nights

"March 2024 - Lewa and Maasai Mara"

Arrived 26 Feb 2024, 7 nights

"My Feb 2024 trip"

Arrived 24 Jan 2024, 26 nights

"My Jan 2024 trip"

Arrived 5 Feb 2024, 15 nights

See all Kenya reviews

Our travellers' wildlife sightings across Kenya

When travelling through Kenya, many of our travellers document their wildlife encounters – be they of lions, leopards or black rhinos – and generously share their records with us.

This "citizen science" gives us a unique picture of the distribution of species, enlightening you on where you have the best chance of seeing a particular species during a Kenya safari ( Learn about this survey's methodology .)

The percentages below signify the average probability of a safari-goer seeing various large mammals where they naturally occur. Note that species with limited distributions, such as the black rhino, can attain high scores in the regions where they reside. For further insights into a specific species, click on its picture below and follow the link in the pop-up window.

For a broader perspective on Kenya's wildlife sightings, explore our interactive wildlife map of Kenya showing the prime locations for encountering various species.

99% success

98% success

93% success

92% success

91% success

89% success

83% success

81% success

79% success

77% success

62% success

56% success

53% success

37% success

14% success

11% success

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings in Kenya

The reports our travellers send us of their large mammal sightings can be very useful in assessing the best camps and lodges for seeing some of Kenya's key wildlife .

Whether you're looking for cheetahs , lions , wild dogs , or eastern black rhinos – or any one of a score of other species – our data-driven maps highlight the most likely areas to see each animal.

If you'd like to see a map showing the top camps and lodges for a specific mammal, click on the species below.

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

81% SUCCESS

2,982 sightings from 3,660 observations

Where to see lion in Kenya

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

1,897 sightings from 4,049 observations

Where to see leopard in Kenya

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,031 sightings from 3,102 observations

Where to see cheetah in Kenya

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,509 sightings from 3,033 observations

Where to see buffalo in Kenya

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

31% SUCCESS

846 sightings from 2,721 observations

Where to see wild dog in Kenya

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,134 sightings from 3,859 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Kenya

Striped Hyena

Hyaena hyaena

The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.

14% SUCCESS

122 sightings from 902 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Kenya

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,553 sightings from 3,909 observations

Where to see elephant in Kenya

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

618 sightings from 2,006 observations

Where to see black rhino in Kenya

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

44% SUCCESS

483 sightings from 1,096 observations

Where to see white rhino in Kenya

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,446 sightings from 2,931 observations

Where to see eland in Kenya

Litocranius walleri

With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.

76% SUCCESS

89 sightings from 117 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Kenya

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,431 sightings from 3,972 observations

Where to see giraffe in Kenya

Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.

70% SUCCESS

1,290 sightings from 1,852 observations

Where to see oryx in Kenya

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,600 sightings from 2,920 observations

Where to see hippo in Kenya

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

22% SUCCESS

440 sightings from 1,966 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Kenya

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

68% SUCCESS

2,427 sightings from 3,576 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Kenya

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

3,739 sightings from 4,431 observations

Where to see zebra in Kenya

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

67 sightings from 3,255 observations

Where to see aardvark in Kenya

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

54 sightings from 3,253 observations

Where to see pangolin in Kenya

When to go to Kenya

The earths's climate crisis is making the weather in Kenya increasingly unpredictable. Our month-by-month guide helps you weigh up the options based on the weather you're most likely to get.

Do bear in mind, however, that climate charts apply specifically to the town in question, and not to larger regions or the whole country. And they are based on the annual measurements taken, in the case of Kenya, over roughly the last century. Kenya's weather in the 1950s, was more predictable and regular than it is today.

While the country lies on the equator, temperatures are determined much more by altitude than by season, with the coast and everywhere below around 1000 metres above sea level (about 3,300ft) being hot in the day time and very warm at night all year round. At high altitudes, it may rain at almost any time of year. The northern deserts are largely dry all the time. Western Kenya, including the Maasai Mara region , has a scattered rainfall pattern influenced by Lake Victoria, while the eastern half of the country, and especially the coast , are largely controlled by the Indian Ocean’s monsoon winds – the dry northeast monsoon ( kaskazi ) blowing in from November to March or April and the moist southeast monsoon ( kusi ) blowing in from May to October. The kusi normally brings the heaviest rains to the coast in May and June. As these weather systems move inland, they bring rain to the east facing highlands, but the western slopes can experience a rain shadow effect and much drier conditions.

Broadly, the seasons that apply to most of the safari areas are: a warm, mostly dry season from January to March, getting increasingly humid before the rains break; then warm and wet from April to June (the “long rains” ); slightly less warm and mostly dry from July to October (Nairobians call the relatively cool, cloudy July-August period "winter" , thought it's barely wintry in a sense that people from higher latitudes would recognise; and then warm and wet for a few weeks in November and early December – a period called the "short rains” , which typically fizzle out before Christmas, but can sometimes be prolonged into early January.

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

• On average, January is the second driest month of the year
• Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
• Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
• Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
• Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

• On average, February is the driest month of the year.
• It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
• Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
• This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
• This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult. March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

• Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
• Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
• Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
• Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
• Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions. With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

• A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
• Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
• Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
• Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
• Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all. In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

• Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
• Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
• Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
• There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
• Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors. While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

• The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
• The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
• Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
• The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
• The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens. As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

• The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
• Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
• Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
• Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
• The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions. Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

• Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
• Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
• Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
• Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
• The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer. If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

• This is still high season, with prices to match.
• Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
• Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
• The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
• With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants. While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

• This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
• Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
• Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
• Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
• The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding. Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

• Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
• Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
• The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
• Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
• This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable. Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

• Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
• Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
• Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
• Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
• Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Weather in December

Country guide

A rough guide to Kenya

This short guide includes some useful practical and background information about the country. If you book your Kenya trip with Expert Africa, we’ll send you a free copy of The Rough Guide to Kenya , a detailed travel guide written by Expert Africa’s East Africa Manager, Richard Trillo.

Where to go on a first visit

The options can seem overwhelming: with so many parks, reserves and conservancies, where to go on a first visit? Firstly, we’d strongly recommend including the famous Maasai Mara . At any time of year, the lands around the meandering Mara River host abundant wildlife and whether you’re watching a pride of lions hunting, a herd of elephants grazing in the marsh or hyenas squabbling with vultures over the carcass of a buffalo, you are conscious all the time of being in a realm apart, a human visitor to a landscape owned by the animals. Yes, the publicly accessible Maasai Mara National Reserve gets very busy, especially during holiday periods and when the wildebeest migration is on. There’s a new hard surfaced road from Nairobi which makes access easy for weekenders too. However, the former Maasai grazing lands around the reserve have mostly been converted to very successful wildlife conservancies, managed by the local community in association with small, high quality safari camp owners, and these Maasai Mara Conservancies are well worth considering if you want to avoid the crowds. The other region we very often recommend as a contrast with the Mara is Laikipia , the upland former ranches and hills northwest of Mount Kenya. Laikipia now largely consists of a patchwork of highly successful wildlife conservancies, providing extensive sanctuary to rhinos, wild dogs, leopards and most of the other megafauna of the East African plains and bush. If you want to include some beach time, Kenya's Indian Ocean coast , fringed by coral reefs, is the real deal – with the bonus of rewarding historical discoveries to be made in the old cities of Mombasa and Lamu, and the ruins of Gedi, near Watamu.

Local flight transfers

The workhorse of Kenya’s local aviation is the Cessna Caravan . It’s a turboprop plane, typically seating 9-12 passengers, plus the pilot and co-pilot. If you’re not used to flying in unpressurised light aircraft the experience can either be exhilarating or a little unexpected at first. Be prepared for the plane to be gently buffeted by wind and thermals and to drop into bush airstrips more than once in the course of your journey. Our scheduled airline partners strive to be reliable, but the final route and timings of any particular service are usually only settled the day before, when camps are notified of arrival and departure times.

Engaging with local culture

Village visits are offered as a standard activity or excursion by many safari camps, especially in the Maasai and Samburu traditional areas, often calling at a local compound – a circle of small houses – where the camp staff and guides have family contacts, during the course of a morning or afternoon game drive. You are normally expected to make a modest cash contribution, or to buy some souvenirs. These visits, which often include a few minutes inside a smoky hut built of straw and dried cow-dung, can be illuminating and rewarding, or sometimes can feel a little contrived (you only have to imagine the scenario in reverse). Villagers will sometimes put on a little dance show. Otherwise, you are likely to have the most rewarding encounters with local culture simply in conversation with your guide or camp staff: their life stories can be unforgettable.

Kenyan food and drink

Most Kenyans breakfast on the national staples of sweet, milky tea and white bread and margarine, with ugali (a stiff, polenta-like corn mash) usually eaten as the main meal of the day, with a little sauce or relish and green-leaf vegetables to liven it up. Traditionally, celebratory meals invariably focus around the consumption of huge quantities of meat . Roast meat ( nyama choma with ugali is the closest to a true national dish, but only the Swahili coast has a proper cuisine, based around the spices and ingredients of the Indian Ocean, Middle East and India. Not surprisingly, perhaps, most of the dishes you’ll be served in hotels and luxury safari camps will be quite familiar. Soups, bread rolls, tasty salads and fruit bowls (often grown in an organic kitchen garden at the camp itself), roast and stewed beef, pork, lamb and chicken, familiar vegetables, occasional fish and standards of the British-European dessert list like lemon meringue pie and profiteroles are all frequently on the menu. Many camps and lodges will have a curry night or a Swahili night (with aromatic dishes from the Indian Ocean coast) and most run menu rotations of at least five days to avoid presenting the same meals more than once. Local lager-style beer and familiar soft drinks are available everywhere, as is imported wine , often South African.

Kenya’s history

Some of the earliest fossil evidence of human ancestry has been discovered in Kenya, and the exhibits in Nairobi’s national museum and at several archaeological sites around the country are interesting, if not spectacular. The country’s original stone-tool-using hunter-gatherer inhabitants merged thousands of years ago with the first distinct migrations into the region of people from the highlands of what is now Ethiopia, who could have arrived at any time between 9000 BC and 1000 BC. The highland migrants brought an expanded material culture, including working in hard obsidian stone (better weapons) and a range of activities from refined pottery to leather and bark cloth clothing. For present-day Kenya, the key early arrivals (from around 1AD) were peoples from the forests further west, speaking languages of the huge Bantu family (including the forebears of today’s Kikuyu, Kamba and Mijikenda ethnic groups), and people from the upper Nile, who would have been the ancestors of today’s Rift Valley Kalenjin-speakers. These groups brought the knowledge of iron-working (essential for large-scale tree-felling) and by around 1000AD, most of Kenya’s peoples were engaged in an iron-age economy, with a good deal of intermarriage. On the coast, seafaring traders from the Arabian peninsula had already introduced Islam, and the cultures of the Indian Ocean were being introduced to the Bantu-speaking cultures of the coast to create the hierarchical society of the Swahili. The next big arrivals were American crops (corn, cassava, potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco) introduced by Portuguese merchant adventurers who had secured trading toe-holds on the coast, while new migrants into western Kenya included the ancestors of the Luo on the shores of Lake Victoria, and the Turkana , both groups coming from the upper Nile and hugely dependent on fishing. Finally the Maa-speakers (the Maasai and Samburu ) arrived in Kenya, again from the Nile region, and their economy was dominated by livestock and a diet largely consisting of milk and blood extracted from their living cattle. By the mid-nineteenth century, the Maasai were a dominant and militaristic force over much of Kenya. But severe droughts and civil war splintered them, so that by the end of the century, with European raiders moving rapidly across East Africa, building a railway to Lake Victoria and beginning to settle, the African peoples of Kenya were fragmented and easily subdued. Anti-colonial resistance fizzled out as Europeans flooded into Kenya between the first and second world wars. Many Kenyans fought with the British in World War II, especially in Burma, and the start of organised anti-British resistance in the 1950s included many returning servicemen. Britain fought an ugly war with the so-called Mau Mau , declaring a State of Emergency, sealing off villages and executing thousands of fighters. British atrocities have only been fully revealed in recent years. The inevitable withdrawal of the British and the return of Kenya’s independence , in 1963, were followed by decades of government corruption and mismanagement, though a greater degree of democracy has prevailed since the 1990s, together with freedom of the press. Kenya’s rampant free market economy and high birth rate, combined with tribal politics, has created a society that is forever and restlessly hopeful, but never at peace with itself. These conditions allow for a great deal of freedom for money to determine outcomes, and that includes in the fields of conservation and wildlife management . Kenya’s strict no-hunting law (applied by the first president, Jomo Kenyatta, in 1978) and its permissive land ownership laws mean that vast swathes of the country are effectively under foreign control, for the fundamental benefit of the wildlife, and tourism. Balancing this economic climate with the needs of Kenya’s millions of people living in deep poverty is the challenge for the 21st century.

Maps of the principal regions for a Kenya safari

These two quite different maps help you to understand the scale and features of Kenya: the GOOGLE MAP shows the country's diverse topography and landscapes: a country more than twice the size of the UK and 50 per cent bigger than California incorporates sweeping plains and highland peaks, arid deserts and an indented, mangrove- and beach-fringed coastline supporting coral reefs. Do click on Google's satellite view as well as the regular "Map" and "Terrain" views. Then our REFERENCE MAP is Expert Africa's own artwork map, clearly identifying Kenya's national parks, national reserves and private and community conservancies.

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Holidays and Safaris in Kenya

Expert Africa knows Kenya better than any other safari operator: our specialists combine decades of experience travelling and living in the country. So when we say we'll guide you to make the best choices for your trip from our own experience we say so with honesty and enthusiasm.

Kenya's key wildlife area is the Mara ecosystem; that includes the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the neighbouring Maasai Mara Conservancies . The majority of travellers include a visit to this region that has an iconic reputation for the Mara River that runs through it and the annual wildebeest migration – that also runs through it. We'll help you decide whether to stay inside the reserve or in one of the conservancies.

Easily reckoned as the second best wildlife area in Kenya, Laikipia consists entirely of private and community conservancies. You can easily see all the "Big Five here, as well as less obvious species such as wild dog and Grevy's zebra. And the region has also become famous among keen mammal-watchers and photographers for its black leopards.

Kenya's other principal safari areas are Samburu National Reserve and neighbouring conservancies, Amboseli National Park and the nearby Chyulu Hills, and Meru National Park (not to be confused with Mount Meru in northern Tanzania). We love them all, and many travellers have favourite camps that they return to year after year.

Please browse through our selection of safari and beach holiday itinerary examples below, then call us , so that one of our Kenya experts can help you to design an individual, tailor-made trip that will suit you perfectly..

The Highlights of Africa

17 days • 7 locations CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.

US$14,330 - US$18,190 per person

Gorillas and Maasai Mara Safari

9 days • 3 locations KIGALI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

This trip combines two of Africa's most unforgettable wildlife experiences – Rwanda's mountain gorillas and Kenya's Maasai Mara.

US$10,590 - US$13,490 per person

Purple Grenadier Fly-In Safari

6 days • 2 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Fantastic guiding from intimate, well-run mid-range tented camps, in superb conservancy locations: this safari is all about making the most of the incredible wildlife in Laikipia and the Maasai Mara.

US$5,010 - US$6,600 per person

Striped Hyena Safari

5 days • 3 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Just one example of a possible itinerary for keen walkers, this safari enables you to experience the sounds and sights of the bush, and its wildlife, in an unusually direct way.

US$5,020 - US$6,470 per person

Martial Eagle Fly-in Safari

9 days • 3 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

This stylish fly-in safari visits two of Africa’s most iconic parks, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.

US$10,740 - US$17,740 per person

Steppe Eagle Fly-in Safari

7 days • 2 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Two comfortable tented camps overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro and Mara River put you at the heart of the action. Experience spectacular diversity in species and habitat with safari in Samburu and the Masaai Mara National Reserve.

US$5,680 - US$8,620 per person

African Hawk-Eagle Fly-in Safari

Two luxurious camps provide relatively quiet game-viewing within Laikipia and the Mara ecosystem. Situated on private conservancies, both Lewa Wilderness and Naboisho offer the chance to sight all of the "Big 5" and to enjoy a range of safari activities.

US$8,510 - US$16,430 per person

Kinondo Kwetu Beach Holiday

7 days • 1 locations NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Enjoy a ‘home away from home’ on a beautiful beach, where you will be exceptionally well looked after by a superb team. This holiday can be as relaxed or as action-packed as you like.

US$3,760 - US$5,540 per person

Greater Kudu Fly-In Safari

Experience a truly authentic bush experience on this safari at two classic tented camps, in Laikipia and the Maasai Mara. These are some of the best places to spot wild dogs and big cats.

US$7,170 - US$8,410 per person

Let us help you customise your trip

All of our holidays on this site are just ideas; none are fixed. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us help you to work out your perfect trip.

Talk to an Expert

Call us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.

Set up your itinerary

Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.

Prepare for your trip

The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.

Travel with peace of mind

After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.

When you return

We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.

Kenya holiday styles & special interests

From family adventures to romantic breaks, find ideas here for your perfect Kenya safari

Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Family holidays

Hand-picked camps for an incredible family safari.

Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Photography holidays

Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Solo Travel

Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Walking safaris

Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.

Wellness escapes in stunning locations

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions

At Expert Africa we often get asked the same questions - understandably. It can be hard to imagine how it works when you mix lions and elephants with human beings, or how you'll manage charging your phone out in the bush. Here we try to provide some answers.

Is Kenya crowded with tourists?

Kenya is the country where photographic safaris originated ( safari is a Swahili word meaning “journey”) so it’s not surprising that some parts of it can be busy with visitors, especially in the peak holiday seasons. However Kenya’s visitor numbers are tiny relative to its size, and it’s nowhere near as touristy as big holiday destinations such as Mexico or Thailand. Expert Africa has decades of experience in visiting every corner of the country, including some really off-the-beaten-track locations. If you want small camps and peaceful wildlife-viewing we know how to make that happen for you.

Is it safe? What about being in an unfenced safari camp or an open-sided vehicle with animals around?

This is one of the hardest things to get your head around if you’ve not experienced a safari before: what stops the animals from attacking the people? The facts of this are disarmingly simple: very few species of Kenya’s magnificent megafauna are dangerous to people in normal circumstances. The wildlife tends to stay away from centres of human activity, and that includes unfenced safari camps. All such camps are patrolled, especially at night, by askaris (night watchmen or security guards), usually traditionally dressed and armed with alarming spears and big torches. Harmless grazers (for example impalas or zebras ) sometimes come into camp to munch on the lawn, but only solitary buffalos and elephants are considered bold enough and unpredictable enough to be worthy of serious concern and are always carefully monitored and ushered out of the camp if possible. After dark, you will always be accompanied by an askari when walking between your tent and the central area of camp. The big cats are not considered dangerous while you’re in a vehicle, and rarely come into camps. Hippos are certainly dangerous, but not unless you come between them and the water – not something that a walking guide would ever allow.

I’m not sure about camping. What are the tents like?

Back in the day, safaris were conducted with the kind of tents you might be familiar with putting up yourself; not any more (at least not for the most part). The vast majority of the tented camps in Expert Africa’s Kenya programme are permanent properties set in beautiful locations, with very large, fully furnished en-suite tents or chalets, usually set on a plinth or platform, often with a pleasant deck at the front equipped with chairs or loungers. Bathrooms, which may be solid constructions, are usually plumbed in and 24-hour hot water and electricity are the norm. The central area of the camp will include a comfortable lounge and dining area, and many camps have small libraries, gift shops, sometimes even a swimming pool. If all that sounds too much, then more rustic but still fully furnished and comfortable camps are still widely in use – please ask your specialist consultant to suggest examples of the kind of camp you’d like to stay in.

What plugs does Kenya use? Will I be able to charge my phone and batteries?

Wall sockets in Kenya take the square, three-pin plugs used in the UK (“Type G”). The standard electricity supply (220–240V) from Kenya Power and Lighting is unreliable, and most tented camps and lodges are not on the grid and generate their own electricity from solar panels, with some using backup generators. Increasingly, guest tents and rooms have 24-hour electricity and some provide USB sockets as well as plug sockets. Safari vehicles in some camps are also fitted with plug sockets. It’s a good plan to take a power bank and possibly an extension lead for convenience.

What about bugs and snakes?

If you like creepy crawlies , you may be disappointed to see so few. You do tend to have to look for them, and a bush walk will give you some opportunities to see the smaller fauna. On the other hand, if you – or a travelling companion – are horrified at the prospect of insects drawn to the lights at night, or of the smaller critters that certainly dwell in the bush, then you’ll be relieved to know that your accommodation will always be insect-proof and the afternoon turn-down service will usually include some diligent bug spraying.

Is staying in a safari camp less expensive than staying in a more hotel-like lodge?

Usually not. Safari lodges (essentially hotels in the bush) tend to work on a volume-driven model, whereas tented camps are usually smaller, more personal and more expensive.

What happens if you need to use the loo/have a comfort break while on safari?

Game drives typically last for around three hours, and driver-guides are very used to receiving requests to “mark your territory” at some point. If you stop for a bush breakfast or sundowner drink, the area will already have been judged safe for you to be out on foot. Otherwise, driver-guides will always stop for your comfort and if no suitable safe bush is available to hide behind, then “checking the tyres” at the back of the vehicle is another popular euphemism. Safari vehicles are equipped with toilet paper, shovel and hand sanitiser.

Expert Africa's other destinations in Africa

Expert Africa offers tailor-made itineraries to 12 countries in East and Southern and Africa. Click below to see where else we've been - and where you might choose for your next trip.

You might well consider Tanzania , which borders Kenya to the south. It's a good deal larger than Kenya, with a wide variety of national parks, but few conservancies.

Tucked between East and Central Africa lies Rwanda , with its outstanding opportunities to do walking safaris tracking primates in the forest-clad mountain parks, including to meet a family of mountain gorillas.

Or consider Zambia , which stands out for exceptional wildlife and intimate camps. Malawi , to the east, has little visited parks and the crystal waters of Lake Malawi.

Further south, Zimbabwe offers an experience which can be more rustic, but is enhanced by the quality of its safari guides. Botswana , too, typically offers excellent guiding and and the allure of the Okavango Delta.

For an entirely different kind of safari, consider Namibia . Its vast landscapes allow for self-drive adventures. The same applies in South Africa .

If you're thinking of pairing your safari with diving, snorkelling or seaside relaxation, consider Mozambique , Zanzibar or the Seychelles , all of which are outstanding options.

The choices are vast and varied, so contact Expert Africa to craft your perfect safari, wherever that may be.

With big game, glamorous lodges and one of the greatest unspoilt wildernesses on Earth, Botswana is perhaps Africa's most exclusive safari destination.

With tropical rivers, Rift Valley plateaux, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Malawi and a stunning lakeshore, Malawi invites relaxed exploration.

An ocean paradise protected by world-class marine parks, Mozambique’s idyllic archipelagos offer heavenly hideaways, outstanding diving and laid-back luxury.

Spectacular scenery, diverse wildlife and a rich cultural heritage await discovery by air, with a guide or on a self-drive adventure.

This small, mountainous country offers Africa’s best gorilla treks, other good safari options and a profound human element in every trip.

The ultimate glamorous getaway: the lush islands of Seychelles are enchantingly beautiful and stylish sanctuaries for both wildlife and ocean-lovers.

South Africa

Cosmopolitan Cape Town, world-class wineries, brilliant ‘Big Five’ safaris and spectacularly diverse scenery make South African holidays fabulously exciting and enjoyable.

East Africa’s biggest country has a wide range of parks to explore and some of the Indian Ocean’s best island retreats.

Home to walking safaris, exceptional wildlife, superb guiding and the mighty Victoria Falls, Zambia is Africa at its most alluring.

The ultimate Spice Island: Zanzibar’s mystique, marine life and chic beach retreats make it Africa’s most alluring archipelago.

Stunning national parks teeming with game, plus Africa's finest professional guides and the spectacular Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe is enthralling.

Elephant safari in Linyanti

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Things To Do | Popular attractions returning to African Safari…

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Things To Do

Things to do | popular attractions returning to african safari wildlife park on may 11 and 12.

The popular family destination is beginning its Extended Weekends on May 11 and 12, the release said.

During Extended Weekends, the Park’s Walk-Thru Safari — featuring kangaroos, warthogs, porcupines, lemurs, macaws and more than a dozen other species — reopens for the season; and attractions such as educational animal shows, camel rides and tortoise feedings return, according to the release.

Dinosaur Takeover, featuring more than 20 moving, roaring prehistoric creatures, also is included with general Park admission, the release said.

Extended Weekends run every Saturday and Sunday through Memorial Day weekend, when the Park beings to offer its full slate of attractions daily for the duration of the summer season, according to the release.

Discounted tickets for up to $14 off per guest are available for purchase on the Park’s website, www.africansafariwildlifepark.com, through Sunday evening.

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African delegation tells Putin 'war must' end, Russia says 'open to dialogue'

A delegation of African leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Saturday as part of its mission to try to broker peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. The meeting comes a day after the delegation met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and as Putin confirmed that he has deployed tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. Read our live blog to see how all the day's events unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).

Issued on: 17/06/2023 - 07:40 Modified: 17/06/2023 - 22:55

This live page is no longer being updated. For more of our coverage of the  war in Ukraine, click here

10:05pm: Kyiv says 16 died, 31 missing in Kherson, Mykolaiv after dam flooding

Ukrainian authorities on Saturday reported 16 dead and 31 missing from the devastating floods triggered by the destruction of a Russian-held dam, for which Kyiv and Moscow blame each other.

"Sixteen people died: 14 in the Kherson region and two in the Mykolaiv region. Thirty-one people are still missing," the Ukrainian ministry of internal affairs said, after Russia announced 29 dead in areas it controls.

9:05pm: Ukraine flood death toll, in Russian-held areas rises to 29, pro-Moscow officials say

The death toll from devastating floods in Russian-occupied areas of southern Ukraine has risen to 29, a regional official said Saturday.

"Unfortunately, the number of dead has increased to 29," said Andrei Aleseyenko, head of the Russian-installed government in Kherson. The previous toll listed 17 dead from the June 6 destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam , on the Dnipr River.

8:54pm: Russia says African peace deal difficult to realise, despite Putin’s interest

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday in televised remarks that Moscow shared the main approaches of an African peace plan, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying it was difficult to realise.

Peskov was quoted as saying Russia would continue dialogue with the African countries whose representatives brought their proposals to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday. Putin showed interest in the plan, he said.

Lavrov said the African leaders had not brought Putin any message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whom they had met in Kyiv on Friday.

8:45pm: Russia’s Putin lectures African leaders over mediation attempt

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday interrupted opening remarks by African leaders seeking to mediate in the Ukraine conflict to deliver a list of reasons why he believed many of their proposals were misguided.

After presentations from the Comoran, Senegalese and South African leaders, he stepped in to challenge the assumptions of the plan before the round of comments from all the representatives could go any further.

Putin reiterated his position that Ukraine and the West had started the conflict long before Russia sent its armed forces over the border in February last year.

The African plan includes a call for all children caught up in the conflict to be returned to where they came from, but Putin said Russia was not preventing any Ukrainian children from returning home. "We took them out of a conflict zone, saving their lives," he said.

8:25pm Putin says 'open to constructive dialogue', blames Kyiv for absence of talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin told African leaders in Saint Petersburg on Saturday Russia was "open to constructive dialogue with anyone who wants to establish peace on the principles of fairness and acknowledgement of the legitimate interests of the parties".

However, Russia has said repeatedly that any settlement must take account of "new realities", meaning its declared annexation of five Ukrainian provinces, four of which it only partially controls.

After interrupting remarks by African leaders seeking to mediate in the Ukraine conflict, Putin said Russia had never refused talks with the Ukrainian side, which had been blocked by Kyiv.

6:45pm: Putin tells African delegation global food crisis not a consequence of the conflict in Ukraine despite data proving otherwise

The crisis on the global food market is not a consequence of the conflict in Ukraine, but has been rather caused by the actions of Western countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin told African leaders on Saturday, despite an overwhelming majority of experts and all available data proving it is due to the war’s consequences.

Putin also said exports of Ukrainian grain under a deal ensuring its safe passage through the Black Sea are not helping to resolve Africa 's problems with high global food prices as only 3% have gone to the poorest countries.

6:35pm: South Africa’s Ramaphosa tells Putin 'war' has to have an end

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa , who is in Russia as part of a peace-seeking delegation, on Saturday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the conflict in Ukraine had to stop.

"This war must be settled... through negotiations and through diplomatic means," said Ramaphosa, who added that "we would like this war to be ended. We say so because this war is having a negative impact on the African continent and indeed on many other countries around the world."

We have come to listen to you and through you to hear the voice of the Russian people," said Comoros President Azali Assoumani, who currently heads the African Union . " We wanted to encourage you to enter into negotiations with Ukraine," he said.

6:05pm: Putin hails 'balanced approach' of African countries on Ukraine conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday praised the "balanced approach" of African countries towards the Ukraine conflict, ahead of formal talks with the delegation aiming to push for peace between Kyiv and Moscow .

"We welcome the balanced approach of African friends to the Ukraine crisis," Putin told African leaders from seven countries, adding: "We are open to a constructive dialogue with all those who want to implement peace based on the principles of justice and respect for the parties' legitimate interests."

5:45pm: African leaders meet Putin for talks on Ukraine war

African leaders hoping to mediate in the  Ukraine conflict were welcomed to a government palace near St Petersburg on Saturday by Russian President Vladimir Putin .

Leaders and representatives from South Africa ,  Senegal , Egypt , Zambia , Uganda , Congo-Brazzaville and Comoros were meeting Putin at the government's 18th-century Konstantinovsky Palace, on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland.

Television footage showed them shaking hands with Putin and then being welcomed into a room with a circular conference table. With all members of the delegation seated, Putin opened the meeting with a speech welcoming African countries’ "balanced stance" on the war in Ukraine.

The African delegation is seeking agreement on a series of "confidence building measures" even as Ukraine last week began a counteroffensive to push back Russian forces from Ukrainian territory they occupy.

The Kremlin has played down the chances of meaningful talks with Kyiv. It says conditions for a peace process are not in place and that any settlement must take account of "new realities", but that it is open to outside initiatives and ready to listen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had said after meeting the leaders in Kyiv on Friday that peace talks with Russia would be possible only after Moscow withdrew its forces from occupied Ukrainian territory.

4:45pm: Ukraine has 'to meet the same standards' to join NATO as other countries, Biden says

The United States won't make special arrangements for Ukraine to join the NATO military alliance, President Joe Biden said Saturday, despite Russia's invasion.

"They've got to meet the same standards. So we're not going to make it easy," the US president told reporters near Washington.

4:30pm: Shelling in flooded areas of Kherson increases as residents say Moscow's forces returning after Kakhovka dam blast

Residents on the left bank of the Dnipro River in a Russian-occupied part of Ukraine's Kherson region say Russian forces are returning to the area following the flooding that occurred after the blast at the Nova Kakhovka dam. FRANCE 24's Gwendoline Debono reports.

3:05pm: South Africa's Ramaphosa arrives in Russia amid African leaders' peace mission

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived on Saturday in Russia, as part of a mission of African leaders aiming to push for peace between Moscow and Kyiv, the South African presidency said.

"His arrival in Russia's cultural capital, follows constructive discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky," the presidency said, adding the African delegation would "meet with President Vladimir Putin to seek a road to peace to the 16 months-long conflict between Ukraine and Russia which has thus caused devastating economic impact, loss of life and global instability."

His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa has arrived at St Petersburg International Airport in the Russian Federation where he joins other African Heads of State and Government participating in the Africa Peace Initiative for peace talks with His Excellency President Vladimir… pic.twitter.com/fiHaRuEY3w — Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 17, 2023

1:31pm: African delegation to Ukraine and Russia has a 'neutrality problem', some critics say

The self-styled African peace delegation that visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday, and that is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg today, has a “neutrality problem”, some critics say, with zero chance of succeeding with its mission, FRANCE 24’s international affairs editor Douglas Herbert explained.

“You have six nations taking part in this mission, and what is interesting is that more than a dozen African nations failed to condemn the Russian invasion early on. Four of the nations on this mission abstained from that [UN] resolution condemning the invasion (South Africa, Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville and Uganda)”, Herbert said, noting that Egypt and Zambia did vote to condemn it.

“So you have a neutrality problem here,” Herbert said, adding that “all roads in this delegation really lead to its most influential member, South Africa, which last month was accused by the US ambassador to Pretoria of supplying Russia with weapons and ammunition. South Africa has denied the allegations.

>> Read more : South African ties to Russia shadow Ukraine peace mission

Aside from being seen as lacking in neutrality, Herbert said critics view the mission as “small fry” that will not be able to accomplish any kind of de-escalation.

1:19pm: Russian missile kills four in Kharkiv region, governor says

A Russian missile strike on a small village in the Kharkiv region in the east killed four people on Saturday, regional Governor Oleh Synehubov said.

Synehubov said on the Telegram messaging app that the Russian military shelled the village of Huryiv Kozachok and an anti-tank guided missile hit a car driving towards the village, which is near the border with Russia. Four civilians who were in the car died on the spot, he said.

Ukraine liberated many villages and towns in the Kharkiv region last autumn but since then the Russian military has frequently shelled the area, destroying critical infrastructure and injuring and killing residents.

11:39am: Russia says it repelled drone attack on oil refinery in Bryansk

Russia on Saturday said air defence forces had destroyed three drones targeting an oil refinery in the southern border region of Bryansk, as Ukraine pursues its counteroffensive against Russian forces.  

"Russian air defence systems repelled an overnight attack by the Ukrainian armed forces on the 'Druzhba' oil refinery in the district of Novozybkov," the governor of the Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, said.

He  did not mention any damage.

10:06am: Russian defence minister says more tanks needed in Ukraine

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday called for more tanks to be manufactured “to meet the needs of Russian forces” in Ukraine after Kyiv launched a counteroffensive with Western arms .

Shoigu, who visited a military factory in western Siberia, stressed the need “to maintain the increased production of tanks” and for better security features in armoured vehicles, the defence ministry said.

Shoigu said this was necessary “to satisfy the needs of Russian forces carrying out the special military operation” in Ukraine, it added. 

9:46am: Kremlin links granting accreditations to Western media with 'behaviour'

Russia will take into account the “behaviour” of Western media when deciding whether to accredit their journalists for major forums in Russia, the state-owned TASS news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Saturday.

Journalists from countries that Russia calls “unfriendly” did not get accreditation for the ongoing St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

7:07am: African leaders prepare to meet Putin after Zelensky rules out talks

A high-level African delegation was set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the northwestern city of St Petersburg this Saturday, a day after its calls for talks between Moscow and Kyiv were rebuffed by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

“In our view it is important to listen very carefully to what both countries have to say, and tomorrow we are now going to listen to President Putin,” said South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose delegation consists also of the presidents of Senegal, Zambia and Comoros.

The leaders of Uganda, Egypt and Congo-Brazzaville pulled out of the visit at the last moment and sent representatives instead.

The diplomatic team visited Kyiv on Friday, where Ramaphosa insisted “there should be peace through negotiations”.

But Zelensky ruled out that possibility: “I clearly said several times at our meeting that to allow any negotiations with Russia now that the occupier is on our land is to freeze the war, to freeze pain and suffering”.

10:26pm, June 16: 'Every metre' of recaptured Ukrainian land 'of utmost importance', says Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that every metre of Ukrainian territory recaptured from Russian occupying forces was "of the utmost importance" in Ukraine's current counteroffensive against them.

"Our movement forward is the most critical thing," Zelensky said in his nightly video address after meeting top military commanders.

"Every soldier, every new step we take, every metre of Ukrainian land freed from the enemy is of utmost importance."

9:27pm: Zelensky urges African leaders to press Putin on release of political prisoners

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to a group of African leaders to ask Vladimir Putin to free political prisoners from Crimea and beyond – saying it would be an “important step” in their trip to the Russian city of St Petersburg on Saturday.

Several African leaders – the presidents of Comoros , Senegal , South Africa and Zambia  – as well as Egypt ’s prime minister and top envoys from  Congo -Brazzaville and Uganda  visited Ukraine on Friday as part of a self-styled “peace mission” to both Ukraine and Russia to try to help end the nearly 16-month-old war between them. 

The tenor of the press conference soured when Comoros President Azali Assoumani floated the idea of a “road map” to peace, prompting questions from Zelensky, who sought a clarification and insisted he didn't want “any surprises” from their visit with Putin. 

Zelensky then urged them to help free political prisoners from Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. 

“Would you please ask Russia to liberate the political prisoners?" Zelensky said. "Maybe this will be an important result of your mission, of your ‘road map’.”

5:35pm: Putin says Russia sent nuclear warheads to Belarus

President Vladimir Putin on Friday confirmed that Russia had sent nuclear arms to its ally Belarus  which borders Ukraine.

“The first nuclear warheads were delivered to the territory of Belarus ... This is the first part,” Putin told the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. 

It was the first time the Russian leader confirmed the move himself.

Putin said the weapons are meant as deterrence to “those who are thinking of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia”. Belarusian troops began training on nuclear-capable Russian missile systems in April.

Key developments from Friday, June 16:

An African delegation including the leaders of South Africa, Senegal, Zambia and Comoros met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine and called on both Kyiv and Moscow to de-escalate hostilities and engage in peace talks. Zelensky ruled out the talks, saying that “ negotiations with Russia now that the occupier is on our land is to freeze the war, to freeze pain and suffering”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told an economic forum in St Petersburg that Russian tactical nuclear weapons had now been deployed to Belarus and should serve as a deterrence to “those who are thinking of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia”.

Read yesterday's liveblog to see how the day's events unfolded.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)

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The best cat brushes, according to groomers and vets

We’re celebrating National Pet Week at NBC Select by sharing our favorite pet products. Shop  puppy supplies ,  kitten essentials ,  travel carriers  and more on our  pets homepage .

Cats typically groom themselves, but a good cat brush will help keep their coat healthy , reduce matting and minimize shedding to limit pet hair around your home, according to our experts. With so many brush types on the market (some of which can be dangerous if you use them improperly), narrowing down your options can be a challenge. To find the best cat brush that is right for your pet, we spoke to a groomer and three veterinarians about the different brush types and what to look for when shopping. We included their direct product recommendations plus items our editors use to groom their own cats.

SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best cat brushes | The best cat brushes in 2024 | How to shop for cat brushes | Other factors to consider

Selected. Our top picks

How we picked the best cat brushes 

The best cat brush are safe, easy to use and well-suited for the job at hand. Our experts recommend considering the following factors when shopping: 

• Brush type : Cat brushes come in various designs, including slicker brushes for versatile grooming, pin brushes for light detangling, combs for precise jobs, rubber brushes and gloves for skittish cats, de-shedding tools to remove excess fur and de-matting tools for serious knots, according to our experts. 
• Bristles : The length of the bristles should directly correlate to the length and texture of your cat’s fur, and the bristle material should be just dense and durable enough to handle the specific job without causing your cat discomfort, according to our experts. 
• Safety : The best cat brushes are easy to clean and gentle on both fur and skin, according to our experts. All the tools you consider “should be deemed safe for use on cats” specifically, since “cats have significantly more delicate skin than humans or dogs,” says Molly Bissantz, professional groomer and owner of Grooming by Molly . 

select I have two cats — these are the must-have products I recommend for new kittens

The best cat brushes of 2024, hertzko slicker grooming brush.

• Good for detangling
• Comes in two sizes
• Retracts for easier cleaning
• No rubber tip on bristle ends

“This slicker brush is ideal for long-haired cats and will help with gentle detangling and de-shedding,” says Carol Osborne, holistic veterinarian and founder and director of Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center & Pet Clinic . Osborne loves the flexible head of fine bristles, which adapt to the contours of your cat’s body to prevent tugging and discomfort. The brush comes in two sizes and two colors, all with a button that retracts the bristles for easy cleaning. 

Type of brush: slicker | Best for: all cats

Hartz Small Slicker Brush

• Bristles prevent scratching
• Handle is comfortable to hold
• May be too small for big cats

Bissantz’ favorite tool for the past 30 years is this Hartz small slicker brush, which has gentle nubs on the tips of the pins to prevent scratching and works well for both short- and long-haired pets. “This brush is insanely durable, washable, dryable with my high-velocity dryer, [and] perfect for bath time de-shedding,” plus it’s comfortable to hold thanks to its ergonomic handle, she says. 

Coastal Pet Safari Slicker Brush

• Removes excess fur
• Curved design loosens knots
• No rubber nubs on bristle ends

NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz has used this slicker brush on his cat Zelda for over eight years. The metal pins do “a good job of removing excess fur without being too abrasive,” and the button on the back “pushes all of the cat hair forward on the brush, making it really easy to clean,” says Rabinowitz. Its curved design and thin stainless steel pins also help loosen knots and boost shine, according to the brand. 

Furminator Deshedding Tool For Cats

• Minimizes shedding
• Doesn’t damage the overcoat
• Hair-release button
• May cause overgrooming

For cats who shed heavily, three of our experts recommend the Furminator, which is an NBC Select Pet Award winner. “It does a great job of getting the undercoat and significantly cuts down on the total grooming time needed for pets that constantly shed,” says Aziza Glass, veterinarian and owner of CAWLM Veterinary Hospital . Its curved stainless steel edge reaches into the undercoat without damaging the topcoat, plus it has an ergonomic handle and a hair-release button to make cleaning easier, according to Furminator. The brand also sells a smaller version for cats under 10 pounds and a version for short-hair cats. That said, you should exercise caution with this tool, since it is possible to overgroom, says Glass. 

Type of brush: de-shedding | Best for: long-haired cats who shed

Burt’s Bees Cat 2-in-1 Double-Sided Pin Brush

Burt's Bees Cat 2-in-1 Double-Sided Pin Brush

• Designed to detangle knots
• Made from bamboo
• Nothing to note at this time

Soft pin brushes work well for cats with short hair, says Bissantz. Burt’s Bees is one of our favorite brands for pet grooming , and this two-in-one brush has rounded pins on one side to detangle minor knots and soft hemp bristles on the other to remove shedding, according to the brand. It’s designed for cats of all sizes and it’s made from bamboo and recycled materials. 

Type of brush: pin brush | Best for: short-haired cats

Shiny Pet Grooming Comb

• Great for detangling knots
• Best for small areas

“For pets with long hair it’s imperative to detangle before bathing and brushing,” says Osborne, who recommends this pet comb. Its stainless steel teeth decrease the chance of ripping out fur in long-haired pets, according to Osborne. It also has both densely and loosely spaced teeth with rounded edges to prevent scratching the skin, and the rubberized handle creates a more secure grip, according to the brand. 

Type of brush: comb | Best for: all cats

Master Grooming Tools 4.5-Inch Greyhound Comb

• Great for hard-to-reach areas
• Detangles undercoat knots
• Steel teeth for durability

Bissantz loves and recommends this greyhound comb for precision jobs: “I use this in the bath to remove eye goobers and debris, [plus it’s] perfect for getting stubborn undercoat [shedding] out and works well in awkward, tight spaces like armpits, legs, behind the ears.” Since its chrome-plated steel teeth are drilled into the spine, it’s also extremely durable, according to the brand. It has both wide- and narrowly-spaced teeth, too, so it works for all types of fur, says Bissantz.

Type of brush: comb | Best for: precision grooming

HandsOn Grooming Gloves

• Suitable for long-haired cats
• Machine-washable
• Not as effective as others

“These are some of my favorite grooming gloves for cats,” says Shannon Barrett, veterinarian and owner of Downward Paws , a blog about pet health. “They work well for long-haired cats that do not like traditional brushes” because the long rubber nodules massage your cat’s skin and remove fur at the same time, says Barrett. They’re also machine-washable. 

Type of brush: glove | Best for: skittish long-haired cats

Delomo Pet Grooming Gloves

• Adjustable wrist
• Need to hand-wash them

NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown loves these grooming gloves because they’re affordable, easy to clean and have flexible bristles that her cat Solo can’t resist: “At the mere sight of this thing, he will run ahead of me and sprawl out on the floor with his belly up, ready to be brushed and groomed,” she says. The silicone bristles come in four colors and the gloves have an adjustable strap so you can fit them to your wrist. 

Type of brush: gloves | Best for: skittish short-haired cats

Kong Cat ZoomGroom Rubber Brush

• Gentle on sensitive skin
• Rubber design is easy to clean

 “Rubber brushes are perfect for sensitive kitties,” says Barrett. “This one by Kong fits comfortably in your palm, and its rubber bristles gently massage your cat’s skin while sweeping away loose fur.” Because it’s made out of rubber, it’s gentle, easy to clean and you can dampen the bristles to make the fur stick instead of flying away, according to Barrett. 

Type of brush: rubber | Best for: skittish or young cats

select Not every cat food is nutritionally balanced — here's how to choose the best one for your cat

How to shop for cat brushes.

The best cat brush will largely depend on your cat’s fur length and specific grooming needs, according to our experts. For example, “a short-bristle, soft brush is ideal for an American shorthair, whereas long-bristled brushes can be used on Maine Coons,” says Barrett. First, narrow down the right type of brush for the job, and then consider bristle length, texture, ease of cleaning and safety. 

Types of cat brushes

Cat brushes come in various designs, which are appropriate for different fur lengths, textures and grooming concerns, according to our experts. Here are the primary types of cat brushes and their uses:

• Slicker brushes : “A slicker brush has many rows of thin pins to brush the coat,” says Bissantz. They’re ideal for daily light brushing on cats with medium to long fur and they have curved, thin teeth that help quickly pick up dirt, dander and loose hair, says Barrett. 
• Pin brushes : Similar to a brush for human hair, a pin brush has fewer straight pins to brush the coat, says Bissantz. They are also generally not as effective as slicker brushes, though they’re adequate for cats with short or fine hair, according to our experts.  
• Combs : Grooming combs have a thin row of metal teeth and are ideal for removing fleas, dislodging crust around the eyes or tackling knots in hard-to-reach spots, according to our experts. 
• Rubber brushes : These handheld brushes are great for sensitive or young cats because they fit in the palm of your hand and have soft rubber bristles that gently massage the skin while collecting loose fur, says Barrett. 
• Gloves : While they’re not as effective as other brushes, gloves with built-in grooming nodes work well for cats who won’t tolerate other tools, according to our experts. 
• De-matting tools : These tools have blades that break apart mats and extreme tangles, but because they’re sharp and can cause damage to the skin and coat if you do not use them properly, you should only use them when needed and on a cat that will sit still, says Bissantz. 
• De-shedding tools : De-shedding tools are designed to remove excess fur from the coat and come in various sizes to suit different coat types and textures, according to our experts. While they aren’t as sharp or dangerous as de-matting tools, you should still exercise caution while using them — and de-shedding a cat with fur shorter than 1 inch may cause damage to the coat, says Bissantz.

Other factors to consider when shopping for a cat brush

In addition to the type of cat brush you choose, our experts also recommend keeping the following criteria in mind:

• Bristle length : As a general rule of thumb, the length of the bristles should match the length of your cat’s fur, according to our experts. “Too long and the bristles could scratch/damage the skin, [but] too short and it will take more effort to adequately groom the coat,” says Glass. 
• Bristle materials and texture : You should use tougher bristle materials for tougher jobs (like detangling knots and mats). Soft natural fibers are best for removing excess fur without causing irritation, while metal and rubber-tipped wire bristles are ideal for detangling knots and mats, says Barrett. You should avoid nylon bristles, which cause static electricity and increase tangles, says Osborne. 
• Ease of cleaning : “Choosing a cat brush that’s easy to clean makes the task less of a chore,” says Barrett. Wider bristles trap less dirt than finer bristles so they’re easier to clean, and some designs are dishwasher-safe or have self-cleaning buttons that make the process even easier, according to our experts. 
• Safety : “If the brush has the capability of harming you, it can also harm your cat,” says Glass. Start off gently by choosing soft-bristle brushes that fit comfortably in your hand. If you need to use potentially dangerous tools for de-shedding and de-matting, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

While the technique will differ depending on the type of brush you use, you should always brush in the direction of hair growth to keep your cat comfortable. When grooming sensitive areas like the face, paws and stomach, move slowly and use gentle, soft strokes, according to our experts.

If your cat has matted fur, never bathe them beforehand; “mats must be removed first or they are twice as hard to get out,” says Osborne. A reliable de-matting tool, a de-matting spray and a cat-safe conditioner will all make the job easier, but “you must be patient and work slowly and carefully to detangle it,” says Barrett.

“It’s always best to begin with a kitten, so they get used to the procedure. The key is to start slowly and make it a routine ritual,” says Osborne. By using the same tools in the same spot at the same time of day, “most [cats] learn to love and trust your touch,” Osborne says.

“All cats have a timer, and they will let you know when it's up — most likely not in a nice way,” says Bissantz. Once your cat has reached their limit, you should not try to finish the task; instead, reward them with treats after brushing to form a positive association with the experience, says Bissantz. Last but not least, cats who do not generally like grooming tools may prefer a glove or a handheld brush with soft rubber bristles instead, according to our experts.

How frequently you brush your cat depends on your pet’s fur type and specific needs, but five minutes a day keeps most long-haired cats in great shape, says Osborne. Short-haired cats don’t require daily brushing, but weekly sessions can help distribute oils and help with dry skin, says Barrett.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. 

• Molly Bissantz is a professional groomer and owner of the Boise-based company Grooming by Molly . 
• Carol Osborne , DVM, is a holistic veterinarian and the founder and director of Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center & Pet Clinic . 
• Dr. Aziza Glass is a veterinarian and the owner of CAWLM Veterinary Hospital . 
• Dr. Shannon Barrett is a veterinarian with over a decade of experience and the author and owner of Downward Paws , a blog about pet health care. 

Why trust NBC Select?

Maria Cassano is an e-commerce writer, editor and consultant who has written about and reviewed products for almost a decade. You can find her pet-related articles in publications such as Bustle, CNN, Elite Daily and Mic. For this article, she interviewed a professional groomer and three veterinarians. 

Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Maria Cassano is a writer, editor, and consultant who specializes in e-commerce. You can find her work in dozens of publications, including Bustle, CNN, Allure, Elite Daily, The Daily Beast, Food & Wine, Better Homes & Gardens, and Real Simple.

Watch CBS News

RFK Jr. says he suffered from a parasitic brain worm and mercury poisoning

By Allison Novelo

Updated on: May 9, 2024 / 9:24 AM EDT / CBS News

The campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , the independent running for president, confirmed Wednesday that he contracted a parasite in his brain over a decade ago. 

His campaign's comment came after The New York Times reported he said in a 2012 deposition that a parasitic worm "ate a portion" of his brain and may have caused cognitive issues. 

Kennedy campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said in a statement to CBS News that he contracted a parasite after traveling "extensively in Africa, South America and Asia as his work as an environmental advocate."

"The issue was resolved more than 10 years ago, and he is in robust physical and mental health. Questioning Mr. Kennedy's health is a hilarious suggestion, given his competition," Spear said. 

Kennedy quipped in a post on X Wednesday, "I offer to eat 5 more brain worms and still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate."

During a deposition given by Kennedy in 2012 amid his divorce from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, The Times reports he stated that he faced "cognitive problems" and experienced memory loss and brain fog, leading one doctor to say he had a dead parasite in his brain in 2010. 

The Times reported that Kennedy said in the deposition that a friend pushed him to seek out medical care after noticing his cognitive issues, initially thinking Kennedy might be suffering from a brain tumor. 

It is possible that Kennedy could have contracted a parasitic worm in his brain, according to a medical expert, although it wouldn't have been "eating his brain." However, parasites such as tapeworms do not consume brain tissue, as Kennedy suggested during his deposition.

Tapeworm infections, or neurocysticercosis, can be contracted from consuming undercooked pork or drinking contaminated water, particularly in regions with poor sanitation such as parts of Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. When individuals ingest tapeworm eggs, these can travel through the bloodstream and infest various organs including the brain, muscles, liver and other tissues.

Symptoms can include nausea, headaches and seizures, said CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder on "CBS Mornings,"  although many people who suffer from this type of infection may not see symptoms. 

Treatment for tapeworm infection typically involves medications such as anti-parasitic drugs to kill the worms.

In some cases, if the worm dies, the body's immune system may clear the dead worm from the brain tissue without requiring surgery, unless complications arise. It's unclear whether Kennedy underwent surgery for this diagnosis, though he informed the Times in a recent interview that he has fully recovered from the memory loss and brain fogginess and has experienced no other lingering effects. He also mentioned that no treatment was necessary for the parasitic condition.

According to The Times, during Kennedy's 2012 deposition, he also reported having been diagnosed with mercury poisoning, which he said was the result of a diet heavy on tuna and other fish. He reportedly said, "I have cognitive problems, clearly. I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me."

Memory loss is more commonly associated with mercury poisoning than with a parasitic worm, experts say.

Kennedy told the paper that he attributed his mercury poisoning diagnosis to his diet. He said medical tests showed his mercury levels were 10 times what the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe.

" I loved tuna fish sandwiches. I ate them all the time," Kennedy said to The Times.

Kennedy has long been an outspoken activist against vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that was phased out of childhood vaccines two decades ago, falsely linking vaccinations in children to a rise in autism and other medical conditions. There is no evidence to suggest that low doses of thimerosal causes harm to people, but an excess consumption of mercury, found in fish, can be toxic to humans.

And while both parasitic infections and mercury poisoning can lead to long-term brain damage, it is also possible to make a full recovery, experts say.

Allison Novelo is a 2024 campaign reporter for CBS News.

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