Photo: KichecheMaasai Mara
The migration
On the Kenyan side, the wildebeest migration usually passes between July and October, according to Kenya Wildlife Service. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Explore the Maasai Mara
Destinations · Country
Kenya
Open savannah, high plateaus, dry northern rivers and the plains below Kilimanjaro. The country where our family story began, and where we plan safaris today.
Kenya and Etana
Where Etana began.
Our family story started in Nairobi in 1985, when Feeroz Jagani founded Safari Travel. Today every Etana journey has the personal attention of Arefa Jagani, who is based in Nairobi.
The country runs from the Indian Ocean coast through the central highlands to the hot, dry north. Kenya Wildlife Service describes the coast as warm and humid, the highlands as cool, and the north and east as hot and dry, which is why each safari region feels so different.
Below are the key safari regions we plan in, the destinations within them and the camps we have selected.
CapitalNairobiEtana’s home city since 1985
LanguagesKiswahili and EnglishSource: Constitution of Kenya, Article 7
CurrencyKenya shilling (KES)Source: Central Bank of Kenya
TimeEast Africa Time, UTC+3No daylight saving
EntryeTA before you travelSource: Government of Kenya, checked 19 Oct 2026
Safari regions
Where to begin in Kenya.
Every safari region offers a distinct wilderness experience, encompassing protected national parks, community-led conservancies, and the exceptional private sanctuaries nestled within them.
Photo: KichecheSafari region 01
Maasai Mara
The national reserve, its neighbouring conservancies and open grassland in the south-west.
Photo: Borana ConservancySafari region 02
Laikipia
Ranches, conservancies and protected areas below Mount Kenya.
Photo: County Government of SamburuSafari region 03
Samburu
Dry northern country along the Ewaso Nyiro River, with reserves and community conservancies.
Photo: Elewana CollectionSafari region 04
Amboseli
Open plains and wetlands below Kilimanjaro, with conservancies around the national park.
Photo: Salt Lick Safari LodgeSafari region 05
Tsavo, Chyulu and Taita
Large parks, the volcanic Chyulu Hills and the Taita Hills in the south-east.
Photo: Swahili Beach ResortSafari region 06
The Kenya coast
Indian Ocean beaches south of Mombasa, for a few quiet days before or after a safari.
1–4 of 6
Experiences
Find the Kenya that speaks to you.
From the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara to rhino tracking in Laikipia, follow the moments that draw you in. Each story opens onto its safari region, with the camps and lodges to explore there.
Photo: Kicheche
Photo: Ol Pejeta ConservancyLaikipia
Rhinos up close
Ol Pejeta is home to the last two northern white rhinos, and lists rhino monitoring and tracking among its experiences.
Explore LaikipiaPhoto: County Government of SamburuSamburu
Along the Ewaso Nyiro
Camps in Samburu National Reserve sit on the Ewaso Nyiro River and run their game drives from there, in dry northern country.
Explore Samburu
Photo: AngamaAmboseli
Below Kilimanjaro
Game drives in Amboseli National Park, where KWS lists more than 400 bird species, and walks in the sanctuaries and conservancies around it.
Explore Amboseli
Photo: The Safari CollectionOn foot and in the saddle
Walking and riding
Sasaab, in Westgate Conservancy, offers camel rides and walks. Lewa Wilderness offers walking, riding and camping, and Ol Donyo Lodge offers horseback safaris in the Chyulu Hills.
Explore SamburuPhoto: Salt Lick Safari LodgeTsavo, Chyulu and Taita
Big parks and springs
Tsavo East is Kenya’s largest national park. In Tsavo West, KWS describes Mzima Springs, where clear water rises from beneath lava rock.
Explore TsavoWhen to go
Kenya through the year.
Kenya is a year-round safari country, but the seasons change how a trip feels.
High season for wildlifeSource: Kenya Wildlife Service
Long rainsSource: Kenya Wildlife Service
Migration on the Kenyan sideSource: Kenya Wildlife Service, via Kenya News Agency
April to June brings the long rains, and a four-wheel drive is a necessity.
Parks, reserves and conservancies
Destinations in Kenya.
MountainCityCountry outlines: Natural Earth. Safari region areas are approximate.
Kenya has six safari regions. Choose one to see its parks, reserves and conservancies.
National park or reserveConservancy or sanctuaryBoundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors
11 destinations in the Maasai Mara. Select a name or a pin to see our selection of camps there.
- Explore Maasai Mara National Reserve
Tented campAngama Safari CampA private camp of four tents inside the Mara Triangle, with its own guides, chef and vehicles.Photo: Angama
Tented campThe Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari CampTwenty tented suites with plunge pools, raised among the trees on the Sand River.Photo: The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp
Tented campKinaraTwenty tented suites and a private villa above a bend of the Mara River, each with its own plunge pool.Photo: Kinara
Tented campWilderness MaraTwelve tents beside the Mara River in the Mara Triangle, rebuilt in 2026 on the site of Little Governors' Camp.Photo: Wilderness
LodgeJW Marriott Masai Mara LodgeTwenty-four tented suites on the Talek River, looking over the Maasai Mara National Reserve.Photo: JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge
Tented camp&Beyond Bateleur CampTwo small camps of nine suites each, below the Oloololo Escarpment on the western edge of the Mara.Photo: &Beyond
- Explore Mara Triangle
- Tented campAngama Safari CampA private camp of four tents inside the Mara Triangle, with its own guides, chef and vehicles.Photo: Angama
- Tented campWilderness MaraTwelve tents beside the Mara River in the Mara Triangle, rebuilt in 2026 on the site of Little Governors' Camp.Photo: Wilderness
LodgeAngama MaraThirty glass-fronted tented suites on the Oloololo Escarpment, high above the Mara Triangle.Photo: Angama
- Explore Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Tented campKicheche Bush OlareSix tents in an unfenced corner of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, run by Kicheche.Photo: Kicheche Safari Camps
Tented campMahali MzuriTwelve tents on a valley side in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, in the path of the migration.Photo: Virgin Limited Edition (Mahali Mzuri)
Tented campMara Plains CampSeven canvas suites on raised decks in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy.Photo: Great Plains Conservation
- Explore Ol Kinyei Conservancy
No camps listed here yet.
- Explore Pardamat Conservation Area
No camps listed here yet.
- Explore Mara Olchoro Conservancy
No camps listed here yet.
- Explore Enonkishu Conservancy
No camps listed here yet.
- Explore Mara Lemek Conservancy
No camps listed here yet.
National park or reserveConservancy or sanctuaryBoundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors
9 destinations in Laikipia. Select a name or a pin to see our selection of camps there.
- Explore Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
LodgeElewana Kifaru HouseFive thatched cottages on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, looking over a waterhole.Photo: Elewana Collection
Tented campLewa Safari CampA tented camp owned by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy itself, run by Elewana.Photo: Elewana Collection
LodgeSirikoiA small, family-owned lodge on a spring-fed waterhole in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.Photo: Sirikoi
- Explore Mugie Conservancy
No camps listed here yet.
National park or reserveConservancy or sanctuaryBoundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors
6 destinations in Samburu. Select a name or a pin to see our selection of camps there.
- Explore Samburu National Reserve
Tented campElephant Bedroom CampFourteen tents with plunge pools under doum palms on the Ewaso Nyiro River, inside Samburu National Reserve.Photo: Expert Africa
Tented campSamburu IntrepidsTents on raised decks beside the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve.Photo: Heritage Hotels / Samburu Intrepids
Tented campSoroi Larsens CampSixteen tented suites along the Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu National Reserve.Photo: Soroi Collection
- Explore Shaba National Reserve
No camps listed here yet.
National park or reserveConservancy or sanctuaryBoundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors
5 destinations in Amboseli. Select a name or a pin to see our selection of camps there.
- Explore Olgulului-Ololarashi
No camps listed here yet.
- Explore Selenkay Conservancy
No camps listed here yet.
Tented campElewana Tortilis Camp AmboseliA solar-powered tented camp on a wooded hill facing Kilimanjaro, beside Amboseli National Park.Photo: Elewana Collection
Tented campKibo Safari CampA large tented camp facing Kilimanjaro, about a kilometre from Amboseli's Kimana Gate.Photo: Kibo Safari Camp
Tented campKilima Safari CampTents and lodge rooms on a 360-acre site beside Amboseli's Kimana Gate, facing Kilimanjaro.Photo: Mada Hotels
LodgeTawi LodgeAn eco-award-winning lodge in its own 3,000-acre conservancy near Amboseli, facing Kilimanjaro.Photo: Tawi Lodge
National park or reserveConservancy or sanctuaryBoundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors
5 destinations in the Tsavo, Chyulu and Taita safari region. Select a name or a pin to see our selection of camps there.
- Explore Tsavo East National Park
LodgeAshnil Aruba LodgeA lodge of rooms and tents on the banks of Aruba Dam, in the heart of Tsavo East National Park.Photo: Cheetah Safaris
Tented campGaldessa CampAn exclusive-use, staffed self-catering camp above the Galana River in Tsavo East, run by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.Photo: Sheldrick Conservation Lodges
Tented campSatao CampTwenty tents among tamarind trees beside a waterhole in Tsavo East National Park.Photo: Satao Camp
- Explore Tsavo West National Park
Tented campFinch HattonsSeventeen tented suites raised above natural springs in Tsavo West, beneath the Chyulu Hills.Photo: Soul Focus Media for Virgin Limited Edition (Finch Hattons)
LodgeKilaguni Serena Safari LodgeOne of Kenya's first national park lodges, inside Tsavo West and facing a busy waterhole.Photo: Serena Hotels
Tented campSeverin Safari CampAn unfenced tented camp in Tsavo West, with views to Kilimanjaro and a spa.Photo: Severin Safari Camp
- Explore Chyulu Hills National Park
No camps listed here yet.
- Explore Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
LodgeSalt Lick Safari LodgeRooms raised on stilts above a waterhole in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.Photo: Salt Lick Safari Lodge
LodgeTaita Hills Safari Resort & SpaA resort at the entrance to the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, with its own airstrip and spa.Photo: Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa
A map of the coast is still to come. Diani Beach is its only destination so far.
1 destination in the Kenya coast. Select it to see our selection there.
Places to stay
Our selection of camps and lodges.
We personally select each camp and lodge with your comfort in mind, then match them directly to how you like to travel.
Photo: AngamaMaasai Mara · Oloololo Escarpment
Angama Mara
View the propertyThirty glass-fronted tented suites on the Oloololo Escarpment, high above the Mara Triangle.
Photo: The Safari CollectionSamburu · Westgate Community Conservancy
Sasaab
View the propertyEleven rooms with plunge pools on a ridge above a river valley, about 25 minutes from Samburu National Reserve.
Photo: AngamaAmboseli · Kimana Sanctuary
Angama Amboseli
View the propertyTen suites in a fever-tree forest with views of Kilimanjaro, about 45 minutes from the Amboseli park gate.
Photo: JW Marriott Mount Kenya Safari CampLaikipia · Solio Conservancy
JW Marriott Mount Kenya Safari Camp
View the propertyNineteen suites with private plunge pools and views of Mount Kenya, in a conservancy known for its black and white rhino.
Photo: Asilia AfricaMaasai Mara · Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Naboisho Camp
View the propertyNine tents, two of them family suites, in a private conservancy next to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Photo: JW Marriott Masai Mara LodgeMaasai Mara · Talek River
JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge
View the propertyTwenty-four tented suites on the Talek River, each with a private deck and jacuzzi, and a Spa by JW.
Photo: KichecheMaasai Mara · Mara North Conservancy
Kicheche Mara North
View the propertyNine tents and a family suite in a conservancy formed with more than 800 Maasai landowners.
Photo: The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari CampMaasai Mara · Sand River
The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp
View the propertyTwenty elevated tented suites with plunge pools above the Sand River, looking across to the Serengeti.
Photo: Great Plains ConservationMaasai Mara · Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Mara Plains Camp
View the propertySeven canvas suites on raised decks in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
Your Kenya specialists
A family business, based in Nairobi.
Photo: Jagani familyManaging Director, based in Nairobi
Arefa Jagani
Arefa gives every journey her personal attention, from the first conversation to your return home.
Photo: Jagani familyDirector · Lead Safari Consultant
Shafiq Jagani
Shafiq plans each safari individually, drawing on the family’s more than four decades in Kenyan travel.
Planning
Before you travel.
Entry
Many visitors need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation before they travel, applied for online at etakenya.go.ke. Since October 2026, visitors also need Kenyan travel health insurance, bought with the application. Rules differ by nationality, so we check yours when we plan.
Health
Malaria is a high risk in most of Kenya, and very low in Nairobi and the highlands above 2,500 metres, according to the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre. See a travel clinic well before you go about tablets and vaccines, including yellow fever.
Getting around
International flights arrive in Nairobi. Most safari regions are then reached by light aircraft or by road, and we arrange the connections as part of your journey.
Practical details checked on 19 October 2026. Entry rules can change, so please confirm before you travel.
Questions
Planning a first safari in Kenya.
When is the best time to go?
There is no single best month. Kenya Wildlife Service names July to March as its high seasons for wildlife, and the migration is usually on the Kenyan side from July to October. April to June is the long rains. Tell us what you most want to see and we will suggest when.
Which safari region suits a first trip?
It depends on what you want from the trip. The Maasai Mara is known for open grassland and the migration, Amboseli for the view of Kilimanjaro, and Laikipia and Samburu for conservancies and drier northern country.
Can we combine more than one safari region?
Yes. Many safaris combine two or three safari regions, linked by light aircraft or by road. We plan the route around the time you have.
Do we need a visa?
Kenya no longer issues visas to most visitors. Instead, many need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for at etakenya.go.ke, and since October 2026 Kenyan travel health insurance bought with it. Most African nationals are exempt from the authorisation. Rules vary by nationality, so check before you book flights.
Africa, Private & Personal
Planning a safari in Kenya?
Tell us how you like to travel, and we will suggest the destinations and camps that suit your journey.
- Phone & WhatsApp
- +254 795 887765
- Office
- The Piano Building, Brookside Drive, Nairobi
Your enquiry is answered personally by the family.