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The African travel and safari industry is undergoing transformation as travelers increasingly want unique, personalized and meaningful experiences beyond traditional game drives. Whether you're below your radar destination or going to your favorite safari hotspot like Kenya, expectations change among travelers, whether you're looking for a totally different experience.
Northern Kenya
Take Kenya, a destination that has long been running safari hotspots. Sean Stanley, owner of Stanley Safaris, considers Northern Kenya to be the next place to explore.
“Safari participants can combine the popular Masai Mara with the lesser known North Kenya region, while tourists can combine the Big Five Wildlife Experience with the cultural safari and conservation work carried out in the north. You can check the box,” Stanley says.
Stanley Safaris works exclusively in small, privately owned camps and lodges with strong conservation and community spirit.
In Nairobi, it means House of Waine, Waine, a boutique facility with only 11 rooms that was once a private home. It was then bought by local families and renovated to create a quiet retreat on a 2.5-acre property.
From Nairobi, many travelers head to Masai Mara, but Stanley suggests heading north to Sambleland, a wilderness location east of Kenya's Lift Valley. Here, Sambull relies on camels, cows and goats for its livelihood. There is Karepo Camp against the background of the Matthews Mountains. While most safari camps focus on wildlife, Karepo focuses on cultural safaris. Activities here include a giji (village) visiting with herdsmen and strolling to see and experience “singing wells.” Located at the northern tip of Namnyak Conservancy, the area has far fewer tourists, making the experience unique for tourists here.
Another northern spot in northern Kenya is the Laikipia region, replacing the busy Masai Mara. Home to the Big Five, the area offers numerous experiences and activities without the large number of visitors that are occasionally discovered in national parks. Game drives and walking safaris are also offered here, but my favourite is the horse safari. This is a place where travelers can experience wildlife such as giraffes, ostriches and zebras through different lenses. Laikipia is located east of the Great Lift Valley and north of Mount Kenya. Here, conservation projects, local cattle ranches and the ecotourism industry are working together to generate sustainable income for local Samburu, Raikipiak and Maasai Mokogodmasai communities.
The Ol Lentille Safari Lodge is located in a 40,000-acre privately protected area owned by the community. A large wildlife migration corridor, Conservancy is tolerated and managed in collaboration with local communities receiving tourism revenues. Ol Lentille's close partnership with the local community provides travelers with authentic access to the culture of Maasai and Samburu. Yes, there are traditional game drives and walking safaris (the area has wild African dogs, elephants, barchel zebras, kudoo, leopards and hyenas) but serve camel trekking and dinner with the Elders I will. .
Then there is the Borana Reserve, located at the foot of Mount Kenya, between the arid landscapes in the north and the ancient indigenous forests in the south. This 32,000-acre conservation area features both black and white rhino rhinos, along with the Lewa Conservancy, with over 200 rhinos, the largest adjacent Rhino habitat in East Africa.
The Lengishu home is located on 32,000 acres of Borana Conservancy, the country's most successful Rhino Sanctuary. The property is built with locally produced materials, and the conservation fees paid by guests at Lengishu are invested in the sustainable conservation of the land and wildlife, particularly the endangered species of black rhinoceros and their habitat.
What's next?
Kenya and Tanzania have long dominated the safari market, but Stanley emphasizes Zambia as an outstanding destination. “Zambia is gaining traction for its affordability and accessibility. Domestic airline Proflight connects remote locations, making travel easier and cheaper. Lodges near national parks cost of maintenance Share and enable lower prices and more affordable luxury camping. For example, the South Luangwa region offers no-high prices, providing access to remote areas and intimate wildlife encounters. I will.
Slowing down is another important trend. “Travelers are improving quality over quantity,” Stanley says. Rather than flying across multiple countries, more visitors are spending extended stays at one or two locations. Stanley predicts that long stays, such as five nights at one lodge, will become the norm, allowing travelers to make the most of their diverse activities and experiences.
Covid has also created another trend to limit overcrowding. “The dedicated lodge is increasingly popular with families and honeymooners, providing flexibility and personalized services,” Stanley says.
Travelers also focus on ethical travel and want to see travel dollars that impact conservation and benefit the community. “Because of our focus on thoughtful planning and sustainability, modern safari brings not only wildlife encounters, but deeper connections between the land and its people,” says Stanley.
