Kenya’s top luxury safari and beach combinations

Kenya is on the up – the Foreign Office are slowly but surely dropping their warnings, new ebola cases in West Africa are slowly being gotten under control (although it never reached Kenya, touch wood). Kenya remains one of the top safari destinations in the world mainly due to its exceptionally varied habitats – this means luxury safari guests can travel from one area to another and see completely different landscapes, wildlife species and cultures. Kenya also boasts some of the most beautiful tropical beaches in the world with your quintessential white sand and warm turquoise waters. Of course one can never forget Lamu which is one of Africa’s most unique cultural destinations – this stunning island with its Arabic and Moorish architecture and donkeys for transport has a tranquil atmosphere that cannot fail to leave you relaxed. Here are our top three luxury Kenya safari and beach combinations: Elephant Pepper Camp & Water Lovers Elephant Pepper Camp has just been completely refurbished and is now even more luxurious than before – this camp is also located in a more remote area of the Masai Mara so you can have game drives with few other people around, and an authentic Masai cultural experience if you want one. Its location on the plains means that game often passes right through camp. Water Lovers is a small boutique hotel on the stunning Diani Beach which offers a wonderful chance to relax in an exclusive and tranquil lodge, whilst having access to fantastic restaurants and bars. Saruni Samburu & Funzi Keys Saruni Samburu is one of the most luxurious lodges in all of Africa and has sweeping views of its own private Kalama Conservancy, and the sacred Samburu mountain Ololokwe – the charming and hilarious Samburu are your guides here and are experts and spotting everything from leopards to the smaller species. Here you will also experience some of the best elephant viewing in Africa as they congregate to play, drink and cross the Ewaso Nyiro River. Funzi Keys is a remote beach lodge on the far South Coast of Kenya – its enormous suites are set into a beautiful set of mangroves, with daily boat rides taking you out onto arguably one of the most beautiful sand spits in the world. Tassia & Kizingo For those who really want to get off the beaten track there is no better combination than this – walk to your hearts content through game rich Northern Kenya, whilst staying at the stunning Tassia who’s rooms are elevated to the same height as the birds of prey soar. The food and atmosphere at Tassia are also complete highlights and the team who look after you there are some of the most charistmatic in Kenya. Kizingo then offers an exceptionally romantic beach break in Lamu, with access to all of the culture and history you could need in Lamu Town and Shela, but remote enough than you feel like Robinson Crusoe – this is remote Kenya at its best and both lodges have a huge social conscience so it’s always nice to feel that you’ve done a little bit to help by staying at these amazing places. Rose Hipwood is Managing Director of The Luxury Safari Company. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.