Travel Guides

Stories from the bush.

Insider tips, destination guides, and slow-told stories from the people who know East Africa best.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Maasai Mara safari packages: how to choose the right one

Reserve or conservancy, road or light aircraft, three nights or five — the choices that actually shape a Mara safari, explained plainly.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Luxury Kenya safari lodges worth the splurge

What a genuinely luxury Kenyan camp buys you is privacy, a dedicated guide and a quiet piece of land — not just a bigger bathroom.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Amboseli safari: elephants beneath Kilimanjaro

Amboseli pairs some of Africa's most studied elephant families with the continent's best Kilimanjaro views, and fits neatly into a short Kenya trip.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Samburu safari and the Samburu Special Five

Red earth, doum palms and a river full of elephants — Samburu offers species the Mara simply doesn't have, reachable with one short flight.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Ol Pejeta rhino safari: seeing rhinos up close

Rhino are the hardest of the Big Five to find anywhere in Africa; Laikipia's conservancies give you the best realistic chance in Kenya.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Tsavo safari: Kenya's wild, uncrowded giant

Red elephants, lava fields and genuine solitude — Tsavo rewards travellers heading between Nairobi and the coast.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Lake Nakuru and Naivasha: Rift Valley safari stops

The Rift Valley lakes turn a long transfer into part of the safari, adding rhino, hippo and birdlife you won't see on the open plains.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Kenya beach holiday after safari: Diani, Watamu or Lamu

Diani, Watamu and Lamu offer three distinct moods for ending a Kenya safari, each a short flight from the Mara or Nairobi.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Serengeti safari tours: which area and when

The Serengeti is huge, and the area you choose matters more than the lodge — matching it to the month makes all the difference.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Ngorongoro Crater safari: what to expect

A collapsed volcano packed with wildlife — one descent into Ngorongoro Crater can realistically deliver lion, elephant, buffalo and black rhino.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Tarangire and Lake Manyara: the underrated start to Tanzania

Most northern Tanzania itineraries rush past Tarangire and Lake Manyara — give them a night each and they hold their own against the headline parks.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Southern Tanzania safari: Ruaha and Nyerere

Ruaha and Nyerere offer genuine wilderness and far fewer camps than the northern circuit, for travellers who prioritise solitude over convenience.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Kenya honeymoon safari ideas

A Kenya honeymoon safari works best as two halves: a handful of intimate nights in the bush, then a slower finish on the coast.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Family safari in Kenya and Tanzania

Safari can be one of the best family trips available, provided the itinerary is built around children's energy levels, age limits and travel time.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Safari photography tips for better wildlife photos

Good safari photographs come more from light, positioning and patience than from expensive camera gear.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Private safari vs group tour: which is right for you?

Private safaris cost more per person in small groups, but the real difference is in pace and the quality of sightings, not just comfort.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Fly-in safari: why flying beats driving

Road transfers between East African parks can eat a full day; light-aircraft flights turn that into an hour and hand the time back to game drives.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

All-inclusive safari packages: what's really included

"All-inclusive" means different things to different operators — checking the fine print before booking avoids unpleasant surprises later.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

7-day Kenya safari itinerary

Seven days is the practical sweet spot for a first Kenya safari — enough time for two or three areas without feeling rushed.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

10-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar itinerary

Ten days gives Tanzania's northern circuit room to breathe, with enough time left over for a proper stretch on Zanzibar.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Rwanda gorilla trekking tour: a step-by-step guide

A practical, step-by-step look at trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda, from permit to the hour spent with the family.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Uganda gorilla safari in Bwindi

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest pairs mountain gorillas with chimpanzees and savannah game, making Uganda the richest single-country primate and wildlife trip in the region.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale and Nyungwe

Chimpanzee trekking trades the calm of gorillas for noise, speed and high drama, and Kibale and Nyungwe are the two best places in East Africa to try it.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Murchison Falls safari: the Nile in full force

Murchison Falls combines a thunderous stretch of the Nile with open savannah game viewing, making it one of Uganda's most complete short safaris.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Kidepo Valley: Uganda's most remote safari

Kidepo Valley rewards the journey to Uganda's far northeast with dramatic mountain scenery and some of the emptiest game drives left in East Africa.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth: easy Uganda savannah

Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth turn the drive to and from Uganda's gorillas into a proper safari, adding zebra, boat rides and tree-climbing lions along the way.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Akagera National Park: Rwanda's Big Five safari

Akagera shows a side of Rwanda most visitors miss: lakeside savannah, reintroduced lions and rhino, and a genuine Big Five safari close to Kigali.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Kigali: making the most of Rwanda's capital

A day in Kigali eases you into Rwanda and gives essential context before heading into the forest for gorillas.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Zanzibar honeymoon: beaches, spice and Stone Town

Zanzibar is a classic honeymoon finish after a safari, and the coast you choose — north, east or Stone Town — shapes the mood of the whole stay.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Best Zanzibar beaches compared

Zanzibar's beaches vary more than they look on a map, since tides and wind patterns change sharply from one coast to the next.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Pemba and Mafia: Tanzania's quiet islands

For travellers who find Zanzibar's main island too busy, Pemba and Mafia offer a slower, greener and far quieter alternative just a short flight away.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Great Migration river crossings: how to see one

Watching wildebeest plunge into the Mara River is one of Africa's great wildlife spectacles, but seeing one takes the right timing, location and patience.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Big Five safari: where to see all five

Seeing lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino in one trip is realistic in East Africa, provided your route includes somewhere rhino actually live.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

How much does a safari cost per person?

Safari prices swing enormously between operators and camps, and understanding what actually drives the cost helps you spend your budget where it counts.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Best time for gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking happens year-round, but the season you choose changes trail conditions, permit availability and how forgiving the forest feels underfoot.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya with a safari

Pairing a Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya climb with a safari turns an already memorable trip into a genuinely active East African adventure.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Kenya and Tanzania combined safari

The Mara and Serengeti are one unbroken ecosystem split only by a political border, and combining both countries gives a fuller picture of the migration and the landscapes around it.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Safari packing essentials

Packing light and sensibly makes a safari noticeably smoother, especially once light-aircraft luggage limits come into play on multi-park itineraries.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Romantic safari experiences in East Africa

For couples, it's often the small touches that define a safari: a sundowner over the plains, a private dinner under the stars, a night spent sleeping in the open air.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Why book with a local East Africa safari specialist

Booking through a specialist based in East Africa means planning advice from people who know the camps, guides and seasonal changes first-hand, not from a brochure.

7 October 2026 · 3 min read

The Great Migration calendar — month-by-month

A month-by-month look at where the wildebeest herds actually are, so you can time your trip to the drama you want to see.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Best time to visit Kenya & Tanzania

A clear-eyed guide to the dry season, the two rainy seasons, and how timing changes what you'll actually experience on the ground.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Top private conservancies in the Maasai Mara

Why travellers who've already done the main reserve keep coming back to the conservancies that border it — and how to pick between them.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Luxury vs budget safari — what you actually get

An honest look at what changes between a simple tented camp and an exclusive-use villa — because the wildlife itself isn't one of them.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

What to pack for your first African safari

What actually earns a spot in a 15kg duffel bag, and the items first-timers almost always regret bringing — or forgetting.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Honeymoon in the Mara: a complete guide

How to plan a Mara honeymoon that balances adventure with the privacy and romance newlyweds actually want.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Kenya vs Tanzania: which safari is right for you?

Two world-class safari countries, and a practical way to decide which one should get your first trip.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Beyond the safari: 7 days in Zanzibar

A week-long plan for the island that turns a safari trip's final stretch into proper decompression.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Photography safari: gear & tips from the pros

What's actually worth packing for wildlife photography, and the habits that matter more than any piece of equipment.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

How much does a Kenya safari cost? An honest breakdown

What actually drives the price of a Kenya safari, and where your money goes between a mid-range lodge and an exclusive-use camp.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

What to wear on safari in Kenya and Tanzania

The colours, layers and footwear that work in the bush — and the common mistakes that catch first-timers out.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

How many days do you need on safari?

How to match trip length to what you actually want, instead of cramming too many parks into too few days.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Serengeti National Park: the complete safari guide

The Serengeti is roughly the size of a small country, so where and when you stay matters as much as the park's reputation suggests.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Is gorilla trekking worth it? What the hour is really like

What actually happens on the day — safety, difficulty and the hour itself — so you can decide if it belongs on your itinerary.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Safari with kids: what works at every age

Realistic, age-specific advice for bringing children on safari, from toddlers to teenagers who want more than a vehicle seat.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Bush and beach: the best safari-and-coast combinations

Which coastline suits which safari circuit, how the flight connections work, and a sensible way to split your days.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Tipping on safari: who, when and how much

A straightforward guide to who gets tipped on safari, roughly how, and how to avoid awkwardness at the end of a trip.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Ngorongoro Crater: how to do Africa's Eden properly

How to time a visit to Africa's densest wildlife arena so you beat the midday convoys rather than join them.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Hot-air balloon safaris: is the Mara from the air worth it?

What the dawn flight over the Mara or Serengeti is actually like, and who gets the most out of booking one.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Laikipia: walking safaris, camels and conservation

Kenya's highland plateau trades vehicle-bound game drives for walking, camels and genuine community-run conservation.

7 October 2026 · 3 min read

Masai Mara vs Serengeti: which should you choose?

Two names for one ecosystem, but two very different holidays. A plain-spoken look at how the Mara and the Serengeti differ so you can pick the right one for your week away.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

The perfect 7-day Kenya safari itinerary

A week is enough time to see several faces of Kenya properly, provided the days are arranged in the right order. Here is a route that builds momentum rather than fizzling out.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

The perfect 10-day Tanzania safari itinerary

Ten days is enough to take on the northern circuit at an unhurried pace, moving from a gentle introduction to a long, satisfying finish on the plains.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

The best time to see the Great Migration, month by month

The herds are always moving somewhere across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Understanding which chapter of the journey is happening each month is the real key to timing your trip.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

What a luxury safari actually includes

The word luxury gets attached to almost every safari brochure. Here is what it should genuinely mean, and the questions worth asking before you commit to a camp.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

9 safari packing mistakes almost everyone makes

The same handful of packing errors show up at the airstrip every season. None of them are complicated to avoid once you know what to expect.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Solo safari travel: how to do it well

Structured days, sociable camps and plenty of company when you want it make safari one of the more forgiving solo trips. Here is how to plan one sensibly.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Kenya vs Tanzania for safari: an honest comparison

Kenya or Tanzania is usually the first real decision a safari traveller faces. Both are outstanding; the right choice depends on your budget, timeframe and what kind of trip you want.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Gorilla trekking permits: how they work and how to get one

Permits are deliberately scarce, which is exactly what protects the gorillas and makes the hour you spend with them feel so rare. Here is how the system actually works.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Planning a safari honeymoon: the complete guide

A safari honeymoon offers something few other trips can: real privacy, shared adventure and days that feel cinematic. The details are what make or break it.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Safari with teenagers: how to keep everyone happy

Teenagers can be some of the best safari travellers going, old enough for every activity and still genuinely thrilled by what they see. The trick is choosing the right camps and activities.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Safari photography: the gear that actually matters

Coming home with strong safari photographs has less to do with an expensive kit and more with bringing the right few essentials and leaving the wrong ones behind.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Zanzibar after safari: how to plan the perfect beach finish

After a week of dawn starts, Zanzibar offers warm water, spice-scented streets and days with no schedule at all. Here is how to plan the beach half of the trip properly.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

The Big Five: what they are and where to see them

The term Big Five was coined by hunters, not conservationists, and today simply describes the five animals everyone most wants to see. Here is where each is realistically found.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Uganda beyond gorillas: chimps, shoebills and savannah

Most visitors fly in for one hour with the gorillas and fly straight out again, missing a country many seasoned travellers consider East Africa's best-kept secret.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Rwanda: the complete safari and gorilla guide

Rwanda fits an astonishing amount into a small, well-run country: mountain gorillas, a recovering Big Five savannah park and one of Africa's oldest rainforests, all within easy reach of each other.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Safari health: vaccinations, malaria and travel insurance

Health preparation for a safari is more straightforward than most people fear, but a few items are non-negotiable and one insurance detail catches travellers out every season.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

How to safari on a budget without ruining the trip

A poorly planned budget safari can be a miserable trip, but done thoughtfully it delivers most of the experience for a fraction of the price. The key is knowing where it's safe to save.

7 October 2026 · 2 min read

Is a hot-air balloon safari worth it?

The balloon flight is usually the single most expensive activity on a safari itinerary, and also the one guests most often name as the trip's highlight. Here's how to decide if it's for you.

7 October 2026 · 3 min read

Safari etiquette: the unwritten rules of the bush

Safari carries its own quiet code of conduct, mostly common sense, some of it only learned through experience. Following it tends to lead to better sightings and warmer welcomes.