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Ultra Luxury Journeys in Eastern & Central Africa by Oluokos
Tailormade Kenya Luxury Family Safaris
- Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Best Bespoke Kenya Luxury Safaris Destinations Guide
Tailormade Kenya Luxury Family Safaris...
Well dubbed that the concept of the safari holiday experience started in Kenya. This could be true remembering that even the word ‘safari’ itself even stems from the Swahili dialect for ‘journey’ that is well known from the East African Coast. With all these in mind, Kenya safari holidays are no traditional journeys, with wildlife roaming its open plains of grasslands, scale up the majestic snow-capped mountains, indulge yourself in nature contrasts with absolute luxury and adventure combines all too well with a relaxing stay in the beach, wilderness or with a host community.
The combination of diverse culture, wildlife, natural beauty, and value for money has seen Kenya shine spectacularly as one of the best-known safari holiday destinations not only in Africa but also in the world.
The most revered of Africa’s safari destinations, Kenya is Located in East Africa, Kenya is the most revered of Africa’s destinations and boasts the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is arguably renowned for its abundant wildlife throughout the year and phenomenal annual Great Migration that brings the world at its feet during the months of July and October.
Best Tailormade Kenya Luxury Family Safari Experiences...
Unlike its competing destinations, Kenya brims with charm, romance, adrenaline and adventure. To the best of our knowledge, nothing defines better the old age of vacation like the classic safari fashion of Kenya.
A safari in Kenya isn’t only about the spectacular natural beauty in one of the most unspoiled places on earth, but it also brings you up close and personal with Africa’s most sought-after big and small game alike alongside its warm and ever-welcoming tribes.
At Oluokos Signature, we ensure that your experience is a blend of both luxury accommodation, the finesse of our destinations and the collective expertise of our team. Be it a family holiday, special romantic honeymoon or a special interest safari that’s the magnet to Africa, we are confident that you will enjoy the timeless magical Kenya.
Luxury Safaris Par Excellence
Discover Kenya on a Tailormade Luxury Family Safaris with Oluokos Signature
The kaleidoscopic country of Kenya is justified and known for its wilderness, and as landscapes go, there aren’t many other places that offer so much variety of wildlife within a short time.
From its wildlife-rich savannahs are where rhinos, elephants, lions, giraffes and many more species roam freely. Alongside Tanzania, Kenya also hosts the iconic annual Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest sweep through the Maasai Mara in Kenya, making their way to the Serengeti in Tanzania. The best way to experience this vast with many magical wonders is by going on a tailormade Kenya luxury family safari. Having so many enchanting destinations, it’s hard to narrow down where the best place is for the most rewarding family safari.
In this curated pocket guide, we bring you the best Kenyan luxury family safari destinations according to our team of luxury family expert safari designers.
Kenya’s diversity ensures that its destinations have everything to suit every taste and every type of guest, whether it’s your first safari or many of the numerous ones in Africa.
Begin Planning Your Tailormade Kenya Family Luxury Safaris
With Oluokos
Our guests tend to ask what the perfect tailormade Kenya luxury safari itinerary looks like and to be honest, we don’t have a straight-forward answer.
To answer you in brief, each family has a unique taste when it comes to enquiring about an African a tailormade Tanzania luxury safari and this could be based on personality that’s strongly influenced by expectations and cliche. We have given a few good to check itineraries to serve as Tanzania luxury travel inspirations.
We don’t offer Africa as a bucket list destination, but a rich continent with diversity, meaningful purpose to travel, cultural mosaic and of course, unmatched habitats that have given room for nature. We have identified Tanzania’s most intriguing safari destinations that you should consider during your tailormade Tanzania luxury safari planning.
Community & Tourism
Properties and experiences that uplift and empower local communities in our destinations.
Conservation & Tourism
Supports wildlife projects, protected areas and ecosystem regeneration through tourism.
Culture & Tourism
We strengthen intercultural understanding and relations, safeguarding cultural heritage.
Commerce & Travel
Commerce affects the sustainability of our destinations the people who live in these natural areas.
Concious Travel
The state of being aware of and responsive to one’s surroundings – as a business, our staff and guests.
The World's Most Spectacular Wildlife Migration
Every year, from mid-July to October, more than a million wildebeest migrate from the plains of Serengeti National Park in the neighboring Tanzania to Kenya’s compact Maasai Mara. On the migration trail, hundreds of thousands of Thompson’s Gazelle, Burchell’s Zebra and Eland accompany the Wildebeest. When the timing is perfect, nothing comes close to comparison from witnessing the happening in person the mass movement of animals, lumbering, strutting and swaying in one of the great wonders of the natural world. The wildebeest migration is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles.
Perhaps the greatest single influence on the country’s tourism was the Danish writer Karen Blixen, whose book Out of Africa was made into an award-winning film. This has contributed to an entire generation to yearn for Kenya not only as tourists but as resident and some are now even Kenyan citizens. Both begin with the words, ‘I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills’. Oluokos Signature will help you to arrange for a visit to this house in the Karen district of Nairobi, where it has been turned into a museum.
Also, while in Karen, why not stroke a giraffe at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Centre or cuddle a baby elephant at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Elephant Orphanage? All these are possibilities if your time permits.
With over 1,100 recorded bird species, Kenya is a birders’ magnet. From the flamboyant conglomeration of pink flamingos whose massing makes for surreal photographs.
They have been driven from Lake Nakuru in the past half-decade because of industrialization and rising water levels, and many have moved to Lake Bogoria, Lake Magadi and other alkaline lakes within the region.
Apart from matchstick-legged birds that can be seen feeding on the algae that gives them their candy floss hue, Kenya birds range from the small but unmissable finches to the bulk Turaco song master of the tree tops, the elegant Secretary bird that catwalks the plains and the bold Ostrich that poses with ease for photography.
Also visit Lake Naivasha, home to Golden-winged Sunbirds, and Superb Starlings. Further to Lake Victoria home to African Fish Eagles and numerous specialties in the swamps, you can stretch it further to the new birding frontiers of the Aderema and Katotoi Hills where some of the most sought-after birds can be found. From here find your way back through Kenya’s only rainforest, Kakamega where birding is your ordinary cup of tea – Oluokos Signature runs small group bird watching tours.
This is an entirely different side of Kenya and that is not well known by many safari operators. Western Kenya is famous for its green quilt of tea bushes that blankets the landscape and rolls down almost to the plains of the Kavirondo.
On these plains, sugarcane growing is interspersed with rice and other crops that continue to the shores of the world’s second largest water body, Lake Victoria. Take a sip of your special tea in Kericho, you’ll never regard this delicious drink in quite the same light again anywhere else.
The elephants of Mount Elgon – High in the mist-wreathed hills of Western Kenya, stands Mount Elgon. This is Kenya’s second highest peak only after Mount Kenya yet again, now often visited. This is a towering volcanic giant, honeycombed by bat-filled, labyrinthine caverns where the world-famous ‘troglodyte’ elephants come to mine for salt.
A place of wild moorland, dense forests and stark basalt cliffs, this is about as far off the beaten track as you can get. It’s ideal for a gentle stroll or strenuous trek alike. While on Mount Elgon, an exploration of the Kitum cave, the most famous of them all would be recommended.
Forests, Lakes, Swamps, Mount Elgon and Communities
Kenya’s profound wildlife is second-to-none, the stargazing experience is definitely worth mentioning. On a clear night, the stars in the sky are crystal-clear and quite often constellations can be seen.
It is said that a naked eye can see up to 2000-3000 stars at a time when you gaze into the sky. In remote parts of Kenya, with no city lights or pollution nearby, it may feel like you can see almost double that amount.
In Kenya, there are several ways you can sleep under the stars. Some luxury camps and lodges have ‘sleep out’ facilities. These can be areas of the camp or lodge that allow you to sleep under the stars, such as a balcony or private cliff side.
There is also an option to do fly camping. This term, regularly used in the safari industry, is a unique experience where you sleep in the wilderness under a mosquito net alone. Here are a few of the best places to sleep under the stars in Sleeping Under the Stars Kenya.
Take to the skies for a bird’s-eye view of the traditional safari. Look down on a lion kill from the basket of your hot-air balloon, set out on a helicopter safari around Laikipia, the Chalbi Desert or the Matthews Range, or fly around the snowy peaks of Mount by Kenya in an executive jet or a helicopter.
It’s also possible to extend flight safaris to many other national parks and game reserves in Kenya. Here are some of the destinations; Maasai Mara National Reserve, Ruma National Park through Kabunde Airstrip, Amboseli National Park, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya’s coast, Tsavo East and West National Parks, Chyulu Hills, Taita Hills, and Lodwar.
There are also Maasai Mara to Entebbe, Uganda flights via the lakeside city of Kenya, Kisumu operated by Air Kenya. Alongside flying, and for those who’d like to add some spice to their flight, there are hang-gliding, paragliding, microlight flying and kitesurfing.
Kenya By Air Safaris
Balloon, Helicopter or a Light Flight and Paragliding in Kenya
At The Equator Line In Kenya
Sundowner at the Equator or on Lake Victoria
A relic of the Edwardian big-game hunting days, the sundowner still remains a modern-day safari must. Ideally, set out at 4 pm as the afternoon cools, the sun lowers in the sky and the nocturnal creatures begin to come alive.
Be sure to arrive at your chosen scenic spot by 6 pm to set out your chairs and sit back, cocktail in hand, to enjoy the a dance with the horizon. There are several pick of sundowner spots in Western Kenya, Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria and Kenya’s Coast or in Tsavo West National Park, where you can either climb Poachers’ Lookout or sip with the raptors at Roaring Rocks. Let us know what your take is and we will advise you further.
Popularly known as the ‘Safari Capital of the World’, Kenya’s Nairobi city is the only known city to have a national park just ten minutes away from its economic nerve. The rolling plains of Nairobi National Park in the expansive Athi plains harbors over 100 recorded mammal species, including giraffes, buffalos rhino, lion, leopard, crocodile and hippo. Easily accessible by any good off-road vehicle, Nairobi National Park offers a mini Kenyan safari that can be enjoyed in one morning.
• Afterwards head to the city’s world-famous Carnivore Restaurant, where you can sample everything from crocodile to ostrich.
Nairobi, Kenya's Capital In the Sun
Nairobi Luxury Daytrips; Urban Safari, Explore and Fine Dinning by the evening
From mid-July to October, more than a million wildebeest migrate from the plains of Serengeti National Park in the neighboring Tanzania to Kenya’s compact Masai Mara. On the migration trail, hundreds of thousands of Thompson’s Gazelle, Burchell’s Zebra and Eland accompany the Wildebeest. When the timing is perfect, nothing comes close to comparison from witnessing the happening in person the mass movement of animals, lumbering, strutting and swaying in one of the great wonders of the natural world. The wildebeest migration is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles.
Days 5 - 8
La Cloche Silhouette Trail
In The Heart of Nature Conservation
Jeunes Animaux Confisqués au Katanga in French, J.A.C.K
From mid-July to October, more than a million wildebeest migrate from the plains of Serengeti National Park in the neighboring Tanzania to Kenya’s compact Masai Mara. On the migration trail, hundreds of thousands of Thompson’s Gazelle, Burchell’s Zebra and Eland accompany the Wildebeest. When the timing is perfect, nothing comes close to comparison from witnessing the happening in person the mass movement of animals, lumbering, strutting and swaying in one of the great wonders of the natural world. The wildebeest migration is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles.
Other Luxury Trips
Find Your Tailormade Kenya Luxury Family Safaris
If you imagine standing on an African escarpment with your loved one, overlooking its vast plains as the setting sun paints the horizon… Then, you’re our kind of guest that wer’e looking for. Browse through our ideal luxury itineraries and get in contact with our tailormade Kenya luxury family safaris experts to start planning your very own inspiring safari.
"Can Definately Recommend"
I had Joseph as my guide during a stay at Lake Elementaita, when the company was called Oluokos Expeditions. This man, he knows EVERYTHING about birds!
I'm not particularly interested in birds, but he's so engaging that you can't help but to be curious about the birds in Kenya. Other than that he is also a very kind and friendly man, so all in all I can only recommend doing yours with him.
Lea K from Denmark
"Amazing!"
Our guide Joseph was the best. He showed us all animals, big and small. Knew every species of bird. A conservationist at heart. We told him where we wanted to go and our budget and he planned it all for us. We always felt very safe. I am from the UK, I taught in Kenya for a while and went on a few different safaris. This was definitely the best tour operator. I went with him several times. Recommend to all my friends traveling to Kenya!
Nia Gibson from United Kingdom
"Birding With Oluokos"
My friends and I had a blast spending the day birding around Malaba and Busia with Ouma Oluoko's guidance! Ouma is such a kind and friendly guide, not to mention very knowledgable on not only the birds of the area but also the landscape, cultures, and communities that we encountered. He and his wife Awuor (or Christine) clearly have very good relationships with the people who live in the areas we visited and are doing great work trying to educate locals on the importance of conservation and conserving the land themselves where possible.
The Oluokos had us over to their home for a wonderful home-cooked meal (I unfortunately couldn't only eat so much as I was suffering from a stomach bug) and gracious hospitality that I haven't encountered with other guiding companies before. I can highly recommend using Oluokos Signature for your birding adventures in western Kenya and beyond!
Nathan M from USA
"Great Experience at Ruma National Park"
Our group was on a business trip to Kenya, and we were able to take a Saturday off from work and took a safari trip to Ruma National Park with Oluokos Signature Ltd. We had a great time! We had the pleasure of being the only tour group in the park on the day we went, and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Ouma and Christine were so lovely, and made sure we enjoyed our day. Ouma happens to be one of the top birders in Kenya too!
Sarah G from USA
"Once In Lifetime"
What can I say? We had the most incredible safari trip of our lives. Ouma was polite, professional, friendly, thoughtful and extremely knowledgeable. He went to every effort to ensure we made the most out of our trip, and ensuring we were comfortable and happy throughout. He liaised with hotel staff to ensure everything was perfect ahead of our arrivals, he planned our route taking into account what we wanted to see and do, ensuring we never took the same road twice (!!) and he taught so much about the African wildlife, culture and landscape.
He made the trip for us, and I have no doubt that had we have chosen another guide; we wouldn’t have had such an incredible and memorable experience. We felt very lucky to be in such capable hands. In addition, Big John, our driver - he was brilliant. We made quite the little team and we were very very sad to leave when the journey ended.
Ouma was not just our guide, he was our friend and we can’t wait to come back and do it all again with members of our family.
Thank you Ouma for giving us memories, which will last us a lifetime.
Charlotte from United Kingdom
"Best Birding Guide"
Great birding day on Lake Victoria and at the Impala Preserve! Oluokos was great with experienced and novice birders in our group. Very professional and bird knowledge was excellent.
Valerie M from USA
"Not Your Regular Safari/Tour Guide.... So Much More!"
I can't begin to describe what an incredible day I spent in Ruma National Park with Oluokos Signature and Mr. Ouma Oluoko recently. Ouma is way more than a safari guide. His knowledge of wildlife, birds and the region created not only a memorable experience but one where I learned a tremendous amount. The customised agenda for our day allowed us to make the most of our time in Ruma while also not feeling rushed. As we visited during low season for tourism, we literally had the park to ourselves and what a treat! I'm delighted to provide this review and wholeheartedly recommend Oluokos Signature and Ouma for any safari or other wildlife/outdoor adventure you may want to do while visiting Africa. I can't wait for my next trip!
Kelly B from USA
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Our Photos' Credit
In addition to our images, Oluokos Signature is fortunate to have access to a number of image galleries through our partnerships with our guests, wildlife photographers and properties in each destination. Some of the photographs on our website come from these galleries, and where possible, we cite these sources. However, due to layout limitations, at times citation is not possible.
We’re very grateful to the following photographers to allow their photographs to be used on our website. In addition, our website showcases photographs of numerous camps, hotels and lodges. Photo galleries in each itinerary are provided courtesy of each featured property.
- Adarsh Nagda
- Doc. Victor Ikawa
- Laure Dupont Benjamin
- Steve Methu
- Oystein Storkesen
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