The Big Five

Fabled for being the five most dangerous and difficult animals to hunt, the Big Five are now the most sought-after animals to capture on a point-and-shoot. Whilst sitting firmly at the top of every safari checklist, nature’s most magnificent animals are as elusive as ever before, making tracking them an exhilarating and unforgettable adventure. Home to all five showstoppers, the national parks of South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia and Botswana, are excellent destinations for a chance to see them all. On foot, by horseback or in the comfort of a 4x4, traversing the plains of sub Saharan Africa in search of these celebrated animals is the undisputed original safari experience.

Blog: Safari from a first timer’s point of view

Capturing the spirit of adventure that Africa is famous, our Marketing Executive Suzie recounts her first time on safari in Kenya’s famous Mara Reserve. Read how Suzie caught the safari bug…

Why we love the Kenyan coast

Safari and beach is a winning holiday combination and as the home of the big five safari, Kenya is a leading light. Increasingly after a safari on the Kenyan plains we look to more exotic climes such as the Seychelles, Zanzibar and Mozambique for our beach R&R. Here our Kenya specialists say why we should stay closer to home and stick to the Kenyan coast for beautiful beaches and top watersports.

Kenya and Zanzibar

Combining the wildlife rich plains of Kenya with its own palm flanked coastline or the shores of Zanzibar makes for a truly unforgettable safari and beach holiday. Offering wildlife encounters and ultimate relaxation in equal measure, this tried and tested combination promises the best of both in eastern Africa.

Day in the life of a safari guide

With over a decade of experience, Mara guide William Ole Santian has to be one of the most knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming guides we have come across on safari. He tells us what it is like to be a safari guide in the Masai Mara.

Family favourites

A safari holiday with the family has adventure at its core, and there are few better places to explore with children in tow than the home of safari itself, Kenya. From spotting the Big Five in the Masai Mara and camel riding in Laikipia to enjoying some down time on its tropical beaches, Kenya is a brilliantly varied destination; perfect for a family getaway.

Exploring Kenya’s Rift Valley Lakes

The Great Rift Valley, stretching from Lebanon to Mozambique, is formed by diverging continental plates. The East African Rift, east of Lake Victoria, slices dramatically through Kenya, containing stunning freshwater and saline lakes, volcanoes (both active and extinct) and breath-taking wildlife. Here’s a lowdown on the lakes of Kenya’s Rift Valley…

Kenya's conservancies

Established in 1962, the Masai Mara is one of the world’s best known nature reserves and its wildlife rich plains provide the setting for some of nature’s greatest spectacles. Home to the Big Five, a catalogue of unique safari experiences and a number of fantastic lodges and camps, the Mara is arguably the poster boy of Kenya’s reserves. Yet, the emergence of private conservancies throughout the last 15 years marks the changing face of safari in Kenya, bringing you closer than ever to the call of the wild.

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Often described as “The Greatest Show on Earth”, the annual migration of over a million wildebeest and around 300,000 zebra is a natural phenomenon like no other. Following the rains, the wildebeest and zebra travel in search of lush grass and grazing lands whilst moving in a clockwise rotation up through the Serengeti. They will spend a couple of months in the Masai Mara before heading back to Tanzania in time for calving season – all whilst trying to evade the many predators en route.

Kenya weddings

Offering an outstanding safari experience, spectacular scenery and stunning Indian Ocean beaches, Kenya is a popular choice for weddings. From romantic ceremonies for just the two of you to traditional African jamborees lasting several days, here are our top three wedding spots in Kenya.

Blog: Kenya riding safaris

Kenya has long been regarded as the home of safari and offers an excellent big five safari experience. Here, our Kenya expert Emma gives us the low-down on riding safari options in Kenya, where you can make the most of the outstanding game viewing and spectacular scenery whilst galloping along with the wind in your hair.

Day in the life of a safari guide

With over a decade of experience, Mara guide William Ole Santian has to be one of the most knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming guides we have come across on safari. He tells us what it is like to be a safari guide in the Masai Mara.

If William’s tales inspire you to explore the Masai Mara yourself then call our Kenya specialists on 020 3141 2810 to tailor-make your very own trip.

For me, the Masai Mara is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. For a wildlife experience it is number one – there is no better place to be – it is paradise for game-viewing. The density of game is great, and the open plains are amazing. It is full of lions, my favourite animal. They are not too different to other cats – they are very social and look very similar to each other. However if you look a bit closer they are very different individually – you can identify lions by their whisker spot patterns.

One of my most exciting animal encounters was seeing a pangolin (a scaly anteater) being rolled like a ball by a group of lions. Amazingly it survived! For our guests, an average day usually starts with an early morning game drive, with a stop for a picnic breakfast, then back to lodge for lunch and a well-earnt rest. Do another game drive in the afternoon combined with a refreshing sundowner, and then back to the lodge for more drinks around the campfire and dinner.

While my guests relax, I am always busy behind the scenes making sure my vehicle is maintained and that the cool box is always fully stocked. It might sound like a routine, but the best part of my job is that every day is different. Every day on safari is unique and you are never certain what you will see, no matter how long you have been a guide. The Mara is a wonderful office. I also love learning all the differences between my Maasai culture and the western culture of my clients. I get to know each of them individually as they have the same guide for the duration of their stay. Some even add me on Facebook afterwards so I have many friends around the world!

William is the manager at Saruni Wild and can be requested as a guide for guests staying here at an additional cost and subject to availability.