Nairobi airport welcomes every arrival with a bold “Welcome to Magical Kenya” sign. It sounds like a slogan, but after my recent Educational Trip, I can honestly say: magical it truly is.

Kenya had been on my travel wish list for a very long time. It is not only one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, but also a place of personal significance for me as it’s the resting place of my great‑grandfather. Experiencing it first-hand felt both deeply special and long overdue.

Throughout my journey I was hosted by the Elewana Collection lodges. Each one had its own distinct character and stunning setting perfect for exceptional game viewing, but they all shared a few important things in common: beautifully prepared food, warm professionalism, and a team of staff who quickly felt more like friends. Saying goodbye at each stop was genuinely hard.

I visited intimate, romantic hideaways that are perfect for honeymoons and anniversaries, as well as lodges that are ideal for families and multi‑generational trips. Along the way we met solo travellers, couples, groups of friends and extended families, all drawn by the same desire: to see wildlife in its natural habitat and to learn more about the conservation stories behind the scenes. Every guest contributes to that work through conservancy fees and park levies, and you can feel the positive impact in each place you visit.

This remarkable trip was seamlessly put together with my trusted local partners on the ground Cheli & Peacock, and by staying with the Elewana Collection I was able to experience a range of landscapes, accommodation styles and conservation initiatives. That first‑hand insight means I am now in an even stronger position to design thoughtful, well‑paced and truly special Kenyan safari itineraries for my clients.

Below is a taste of the route I followed and the experiences that made Kenya feel so unforgettable.

Jambo Nairobi

Overnighting in Nairobi should not be treated as an unnecessary extra.  I am so glad we planned two nights here, as it gave me a full day to explore a side of Nairobi that many safari visitors miss. Nairobi has far more to offer than most people realise and is well worth including at the beginning  (&  end of) a Kenyan itinerary, ideally for at least two nights.

Meru National Park: Wild, Remote and Rewarding

Our safari began in the lesser‑visited Meru National Park. Landing at Kinna airstrip immediately gives you a sense of remoteness and exclusivity. Around an hour’s flight north of Nairobi, Meru covers roughly 215,000 acres and is home to just one lodge: Elsa’s Kopje.

If your dream is to escape the crowds and feel as though you have the wilderness to yourself, Meru is a wonderful choice. Game drives here are incredibly peaceful; during our 48 hours we rarely saw another vehicle. The park is home to the Big Five, as well as rarer species such as the elegant gerenuk antelope, reticulated giraffe, both white and black rhino, and over 400 species of bird. We were extremely fortunate and managed to see all of the Big Five during our stay.

Meru feels like a best‑kept secret: wild, authentic and perfect for those who want to experience something a little bit different from the classic safari circuit.

Lewa Conservancy: Conservation with Heart

A short hop by light aircraft took us to the rolling, undulating hills of the Lewa Conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau. On clear days you can see the outline of Mount Kenya in the distance, which adds even more drama to the landscape.

We were greeted at the airstrip by our guides in traditional Maasai dress, their huge smiles and a warmth immediately made us feel at home. Conservation is absolutely at the heart of Lewa’s story. The conservancy operates a highly successful model where tourism revenue is reinvested into community projects that focus on education, healthcare, water provision and women’s empowerment. More than 2,100 women in the surrounding communities are supported through microloans, which was incredibly inspiring to learn about.

Lewa is renowned for its rhino population and everyone is guaranteed sightings, which arrived in abundance. We also had our hearts well and truly melted by a cheetah and her four playful cubs, which we were lucky enough to see on two separate occasions.

There is a wide array of activities here: e‑biking, horseback and camel safaris, day trips to the enchanting Ngare Ndare Forest, and visits to local communities. A visit to the Lewa Conservation Centre is a must for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how successful & collaborative their conservation is.

Kifaru House, with its thatched cottage‑style rooms set in beautiful gardens overlooking a natural waterhole was my personal favourite stay. On the drive up you pass a large kitchen garden bursting with fresh produce, which explains the wonderfully fresh menus. The team here are exceptional and create a real “home from home” feeling. I would happily have stayed far longer.

Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy: Starry Skies and Powerful Stories

Loisaba, in northern Laikipia, is a powerful example of conservation‑driven tourism in action. The conservancy is owned in partnership by the Loisaba Community Trust, The Nature Conservancy and the neighbouring Masai and Samburu communities, so local people are truly at the heart of its future.

Even the modest airstrip “terminal” tells a story, with displays about the land’s history, anti‑poaching efforts and ecological goals. With only three lodges spread across 57,000 acres, game drives feel wonderfully exclusive. You have space, silence and time to really soak up the environment.

If you can, I highly recommend adding a night at the unique Star Beds, where you sleep under the vast Kenyan night sky to a soundtrack of the bush. It is a magical, unforgettable experience. We stayed at the luxurious Loisaba Lodo Springs, with uninterrupted views over the conservancy and a team whose farewell singing and dancing had us all in tears.

Some of my standout memories from Loisaba include spending time with the anti‑poaching dog unit, watching a pair of teenage leopard brothers, observing a lioness and her cubs feasting on a warthog, and privileged sundowners with Loisaba’s CEO, Tom Silvester, an exceptionally inspirational man. This was the point in the trip where I realised just how deeply Kenya had started to get under my skin.

Mara North Conservancy: The Classic Masai Mara Magic

No Kenyan itinerary feels complete without time in the Masai Mara or one of its neighbouring conservancies, and Mara North does not disappoint. The sheer density and variety of wildlife here is extraordinary.

The short drive from the airstrip to Elephant Pepper Camp, our final home on this incredible journey, delivered a steady stream of sightings: hippos wallowing in a pool, topi antelope, a sitting Maasai giraffe (quite different from the reticulated giraffes of northern Kenya), and a magnificent male cheetah, one of only four currently in the area.

The wide‑open plains are made for long gazes and binoculars are a wonderful companion here. One morning we set off on a guided walking safari, learning about the smaller details of the bush, from plants and tracks to insects and birdlife. I was quietly relieved that we did not have any very close encounters that day, but it was fascinating to appreciate the ecosystem at ground level.

Our grand finale was a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Masai Mara National Reserve. Floating silently above the plains as the first light touched the horizon, we saw herds of antelope, hippos, giraffes, elephants and, incredibly, a leopard moving through the grass far below. It was a breathtaking way to end what had been a truly magical journey.

Planning Your Own Magical Kenyan Safari

Experiencing Kenya in this way has given me invaluable first‑hand insight into how different regions, conservancies and lodges can fit together to create a seamless, deeply memorable trip. Whether you are dreaming of a romantic escape, a family adventure, a multi‑generational celebration or a once‑in‑a‑lifetime wildlife experience, there is a combination of places in Kenya that will be just right for you. Let’s start a conversation!