Travel Kenya

The Pride of Africa

Every destination carries its own stories. The name Kenya is drawn from Kirinyaga, “the place of whiteness,” a reference to the snow-capped peak of Mount Kenya. Amboseli means “salty dust” in Maa. Mara means “spotted,” describing the acacia-dotted plains you seen in nearly every safari photo. Flying into Nairobi (late at night, might I add), you feel the energy of a capital that bridges modern Africa with history. The city, just like its people, is vibrant, proud, and welcoming.

This was a luxury experience, no question, with curated lodges, incredible tour guides, several sunrise and afternoon game drives, and wonderfully cinematic moments that at times felt truly unreal. It was also the kind of trip that feels worth every penny because it changes you, especially if you’ve not been “home” to the motherland before. Kenya gives you beauty, and it gives you meaning. It gives you grounding.

This page is a guide to everything I experienced, including where I stayed, what I saw, what moved me, and how I prepared for the trip of a lifetime. If you’re planning a safari, considering a trip to Kenya, or just curious about what it feels like to return to the continent in this way, let this be your starting place.

Before You Go

Best Time to Visit

The dry season is June to October when there are clear skies, easy wildlife viewing, cooler temperatures, and little rain. I would also recommend November.

Currency

The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the official currency; however, most safari camps, restaurants and even curio shops accept card. You’ll want to keep some cash for tips, markets, and small shops off the beaten path.

Language

English is the official language and Swahili is the national language. You’ll hear phrases like jambo (hello), asante (thank you), and karibu (you’re welcome) everywhere.

Typical Safari Costs

Like any destination, Kenya safaris vary depending on comfort level and travel style, but here are realistic ranges:

  • Mid-range safari: $350–$600 per person per day

  • Luxury safari: $700–$1,500+ per person per day

My personal trip was closer to $15,000 in total, which included lodging, flights, meals, luggage and wardrobe requirements, shopping and equipment.

Where to Stay: Lodges & Camps

  • Kilima Safari Camp

    Here, you get clear views of Kilimanjaro directly from your tent on a good day, attentive staff, and true safari-lodge warmth. Early mornings are quiet, soft and intentional, and you can spend evenings around firelight with other travelers. Hang out with animals that inhabit the grounds, send your laundry out each morning, and enjoy delicious buffet meals.

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  • Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge

    You’ll take a rocky ride up the mountain to reveal sweeping views high above the lake. You couldn’t ask for richer shades of blue. This lodge feels like a retreat with wide decks, a peaceful rose garden, spa and pool opportunities, and a real sense of calm experiencing the fresh air near the lake. This was a nice midpoint traveling between Amboseli and Maasai Mara.

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  • Zebra Plains Mara Camp

    This is a boutique luxury-tent experience that may have been my personal favorite. Think beautiful tents, attentive service, and incredible food. Being here feels intimate but elevated. There are no animals within the camp, so you’re able to enjoy a safe and peaceful experience close to nature without sacrificing comfort. You’ll also love the pool, lounge areas and bar.

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Things To Do Across Kenya

  • Amboseli National Park

    Amboseli is where you get the classic scenes we often see of safaris with herds walking against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro and lions lounging on the plains. The park is wide open, easy to explore with a guide, and you’ll capture all the best wildlife photos up close and personal.

  • Hot Air Balloon Ride

    This is the most dreamlike way to see the Mara. You lift off before sunrise and float over the plains, seeing prides of lions, herds of elephants and busy warthogs beginning their day. You land with a champagne breakfast in the middle of the reserve, which is truly a surreal experience.

  • Maasai Mara National Reserve

    Maasai Mara gives you sweeping grasslands and sightings of some of the more elusive animals. The game drives here were quiet but dynamic in that you never know the next wildlife surprise you’re racing toward.

  • Lake Naivasha Boat Ride

    This is a peaceful stretch of freshwater where you’ll be insanely close to hippos and you’ll have an opportunity to see anything from eagles to giraffes to gazelles everywhere. It’s a quieter side of Kenya that gives you a slight reprieve from the high energy safari days.

  • Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

    I had been following Sheldrick on social media for years, so this was a wonderful opportunity to learn in person about the sanctuary where orphaned elephants are raised with true care and expertise. You’ll watch the babies run out for their feedings and get to know more about each of their stories and personalities.

  • Maasai Village Experiences

    This experience gives you an intimate look into Maasai culture. You’re welcomed into community with songs, stories and demonstrations that give you a chance to witness tradition with respect and curiosity as shared humanity.

All Posts
My Safari Photography Setup: What Worked, What Didn’t
Kenya, Equipment, Cameras, Africa
My Safari Photography Setup: What Worked, What Didn’t
Kenya, Equipment, Cameras, Africa

Shooting in Kenya really pushed me as a photographer. With my Sony a7III, a 200–600mm lens I’d never used before, and a mix of primes and wide angles, I learned quickly what actually works on safari and what doesn’t. Here’s the setup that got me through ten days of wildlife, culture and landscapes.

Kenya, Equipment, Cameras, Africa
Zebra Plains Mara Camp Review: Service, Game Drives, and Whether It’s Worth the Stay
Kenya, Africa, Accommodations, Hotels
Zebra Plains Mara Camp Review: Service, Game Drives, and Whether It’s Worth the Stay
Kenya, Africa, Accommodations, Hotels

Zebra Plains Mara Camp was the most peaceful and luxurious stay of my entire Kenya trip. From spacious tented rooms and incredible food to warm staff, beautiful pool views, and game drives just minutes from camp, this lodge blends comfort with the magic of the Maasai Mara. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your stay.

Kenya, Africa, Accommodations, Hotels
Why Maasai Mara Is the Safari You’ve Been Dreaming Of
Africa, Kenya, Wildlife
Why Maasai Mara Is the Safari You’ve Been Dreaming Of
Africa, Kenya, Wildlife

The Maasai Mara is very dynamic and alive. I visited during the dry season when the grass thins out and the animals are clearly in view. Cheetahs hunting in real time. An elusive leopard and her cub. Lions napping and their cubs hidden not far away.

The range of animals is what makes Maasai Mara so special. Hippos, hyenas, topis, giraffes, impalas, wildebeests. It’s wild and cinematic and truly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of safari.

Africa, Kenya, Wildlife
What to Expect at Amboseli National Park: Wildlife, Weather, and Best Times to Visit
Kenya, Africa, Wildlife
What to Expect at Amboseli National Park: Wildlife, Weather, and Best Times to Visit
Kenya, Africa, Wildlife

I visited Amboseli during the dry season when the skies stayed clear and the animals are not only out but out with babies. There were elephants moving in slow, powerful herds, lions napping in the sun, and zebras and gazelles were everywhere you looked.

Between the wildlife and the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is full of life and the dreamiest safari you’ll want to embark on.

Kenya, Africa, Wildlife

The Kenya Blog Collection

For Black Women Traveling Kenya

I’ve always wanted to go home—to the motherland, I mean. I thought I would end up in West Africa first, but a tour group led me to Kenya. Although it was a new destination, arriving in Kenya felt like stepping into a space where my presence just made sense. Everywhere I went I was welcomed with familiarity, which I can’t say was unexpected. Black people are known to make everywhere feel like home. Kenyan people are friendly, warm and they’ve never met a stranger.

There was no point in the entire trip where I felt unsafe or out of place. Not in the city, not on the road, not in the national parks. With vetted drivers and guides, I could really relax into my time there and focus on making memories and capturing unforgettable moments. Kenya made that possible.

I experienced a deeply emotional feeling of returning to a land that held some part of me, even if I’d never been there before. It was like an internal click and a recognition that this is where we, as in Black people, were meant to be. In open air. Living off the land. Free.

I brought pieces of Kenya home with me in every way I could through photos, through the handcrafted goods I picked up from local artisans, through the small moments in my mind that I could never forget. What stayed with me the most was a sense of belonging and a reminder that travel can feel like homecoming when we’re intentional about the places we go. As Black women, we deserve to be welcomed everywhere with love, ease and a sense of home wherever we might land.

My Safari Photography Guide

I wanted photos that felt like being there, and this is the setup that made it possible.

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Safari Packing Essentials

  • Coreless Portable Toilet Tissue

  • Quick Dry Panties

  • Universal Travel Adapter Kit

  • Mini LED Flashlight

  • Sony FE 200-600mm Lens

  • Genuine Leather Fanny Pack

  • Passport Holder for Travel Essentials

  • Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L

  • Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40

  • Murphy's Naturals Repellent Balm

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FAQs

  • Ten days felt like a good amount of time. Within those days, I was able to experience Nairobi, Amboseli, Lake Elementaita, and the Maasai Mara without rushing. Anything shorter than this would have meant not enough time for multiple game drives and driving nonstop.

  • Each park gives you something different. Amboseli is unmatched for elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro views, while the Maasai Mara showed us all of the big cats plus other diverse wildlife, open plains, and a classic safari feel. If you absolutely had to choose just one, I would go with Maasai Mara.

  • Absolutely. I was a solo traveler within a group of solo travelers. Nearly every part of a safari trip is guided, so most of your logistics are handled for you, and you’ll meet very kind people everywhere.

  • Yes. Kenya is just like any other destination I recommend in the sense that you need to use common sense, stay on the beaten path and practice awareness anywhere you are. Most people are warm, welcoming, and create a comfortable environment for Black women traveling solo. With vetted guides and reputable safari operators, I felt safe everywhere, including Nairobi, which has an elevated crime rate. Overall, people were friendly, respectful, and genuinely happy to share their country.

  • U.S. travelers need an online eVisa before arrival. Mine was approved in less than 24 hours about a month before my trip. As for shots: yellow fever vaccination may be required depending on where you’re coming from, and it’s recommended to be up to date on routine vaccines. I ended up getting 8 or 9 shots that were not all necessary, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

  • You can expect comfort and warm service everywhere. They really cater to traveler’s needs so you’ll find delicious food readily available, great laundry service at most places, tea/coffee service, daily game drives, and safe, peaceful nights surrounded by nature.

  • Cards are accepted at most hotels and lodges. Cash (Kenyan Shillings or US dollars) is helpful for tips, small markets, and local shops. ATMs are easy to find in Nairobi; however, several travelers in my group experienced difficulty getting money out. I would recommend arriving with all the cash you plan to spend. I took about $800 in cash with me for 10 days and had about $200 left at the end of the trip, since I was able to use my card most everywhere.

  • A long lens will change your photos completely. Something in the 200–600mm range lets you capture wildlife perfectly. You can shoot with shorter lenses or just a phone, but for the shots you really want, long glass makes all the difference if you can afford to upgrade your equipment.