Ethical Safaris are Luxury and NOT the “rough guides” we grew up with

An ethical safari is when you get close to wildlife, but you do not abuse it. Photo by @gitaukabue

From Rough Guides to Conscious Travel: My Journey to Kenya

I used to buy a “Rough Guide” for every destination I went to. It was a no-brainer for me, as my first solo travel started young. The guide was my security, more so than the phone is today. It told me where to go, where to save money, and what accommodation I needed. 

When I was 18 and went to Ibiza, I had the guide, did the research and knew everything cultural about the city. However, when I got to Ibiza, I made friends quickly. I spent every day sprawled out like a lifeless chicken on the beach. Every afternoon, drinking gallons of water due to the heat, and every night clubbing till 4 am.

Me at 19 not needing much when travelling across Europe

But the rough guides, not the love bites, were my memento of the trip, and so many of them sat together on my bookshelf. Mementos of my travel and great conversation pieces with my friends before we headed to the student union. 

I don’t know when my Rough Guide fetish stopped. Maybe in the 2000s, when I didn’t understand carbon footprint and made non-green bad choices for the first decade. I guess that was my travel heyday. Student loans paid, great job, not married… the glamorous life that I always wanted in the palm of my hand. 

Fast forward to today, and Rough Guides went to a charity shop. The children are working, or at University, the Bridget Jones cluttered house is no more. My house is minimalist and I worry more about the toxins in plastic bottles than clubbing, drinking or going out. My life is a bit boring, except for one adventure I can’t stop dreaming about. 

Kenya. 

Safaris in Kenya. Or, to be more precise, Ethical Luxury Safaris in Kenya with cultural experiences. This time, real culture and not clubbing.

The obsession started for lots of middle-aged reasons, which I will not go on about now. But this hobby of Safari travel is about to be the cornerstone of my new life and project. 

Something happened to me on a Safari in 2023. I cried a lot, had a bit of a detox, and suddenly found myself back to my caring, green era mentality. All that had changed was that I didn’t want to sleep on beaches and needed some comfort and a good bed with white linen. Also, I needed good food. A can of tuna and a can of sweetcorn did not cut it. 

Meals. No. Good quality meals were important to me. 

Good meals are essential when travelling.

So, I spent a few months experimenting with several types of Safari, from budget to bespoke. Ethical to not ethically responsible. Then I utilised some great contacts that I made in the two years of discovery… and voila.

In 2026, I will start an ethical luxury safari adventure for women. 

Beautiful barrier free animal rich locations

When I said “women-only,” my husband rolled his eyes. 

But every time I travelled in my life (now 64 different countries), I bonded with women. I still have friends whom I used to send postcards to and now chat with via social media from 1998. 

In the over 50 bracket. I wanted to do something for myself. To share my love of Kenya and Africa with women like me who have ethical values and want sustainable lodges, but also without roughing it. 

Why Ethical Luxury Safaris are the Modern Woman's "Detox"

What on Earth is an Ethical Luxury Safari?

Stunning imagery on Safari by @gitaukabue

So a Safari is an adventure where you can see and watch wildlife in their natural habitat. 

Ethical means respecting that habitat and not trying to destroy it by throwing litter around and beeping at animals to get better pictures. 

Sustainability is going to a camp that invests in the local community and environment. For example, solar panels. No plastic policies and water recycling are the bare minimum.

Soroi Samburu Lodge - Location on the River for amazing Reiki Sessions

Now, you know the basics. The Ethical Luxury Safari also offers more community insights. This means you visit a school or Trust, make jewellery with the Maasai women, and cultivate local honey. 

Defining Ethical & Sustainable Safari Standards for 2026

Let me be clear. 

I have visited every place in Kenya and created only two itineraries that uphold my values and beliefs

The first is my Signature 10-day Safari, where I am the host. 

Exclusive Kenya Itineraries: The Signature 10-Day vs. Soul of the Savannah

The second was created with 57Hours, it's a 7-day WOW luxury adventure I named Soul of the Savannah!

57 Hours 7 Day Safari

Soul of the Savannah tour. 

That is it. Not mass tourism. Not 1 zillion packages. Just two are offered in Green Season times. 

Basically, this means April, May, October, and November. This, for me, is when you have the best weather and the fewest tourists. So, you get a better experience in Kenya. 

Want to know why I think the Travel Industry's Eco-tourism label needs investigation? Read my Medium Article about Ethical Safaris here. 

Holding up my ethical safari jewellery in Milan when I visited the Winter Olympics in 2026.

Quick Facts: Ethical Luxury Safaris in Kenya

What defines “Ethical” here?	Direct community investment, fair wages, and strict “no-harassment” wildlife viewing protocols
Sustainability Standards	Gold-rated Eco-Lodges featuring solar power
Exclusive 2026 Itineraries
The Signature Host Tour	A 10-day immersive journey personally hosted by Bena Roberts
Soul of the Savannah	A 7-day “WOW” luxury adventure in partnership with 57Hours
Best Time to Visit	The “Green Season” April, May, October & November
Target Audience	Women who want luxury without compromising on ethical values