KENYA

Kenya is the original home of safari, meaning “journey” in Swahili. Today’s safaris cover the country’s epic, wide-open spaces and its rocky mountains. These are places where you may encounter leopards prowling through the bush and rare wild dogs hunting in vast packs. Or you can witness the remarkable annual great migration of two million wildebeest through the Maasai Mara, cheetahs and lions hiding in the tall grass eyeing prey as it passes.

While Kenya’s safari scene is known for being busy, you can find peaceful lodges and conservancies away from more well-worn routes. Here you’ll experience the expertise of the best rangers and guides in the country, as well as have the chance to learn about the fascinating indigenous cultures of the Samburu and Masai peoples. And with a remarkable coastline lined with old Swahili towns, beaches and traditional dhows sailing over the water, you’ve also got the ideal destination for some post-safari relaxation.