Sustainable Travel to Kenya
I used to buy a Rough Guide for every destination I visited. Starting my solo travel adventures young, that chunky guidebook was a no-brainer. It was my security blanket... way more reliable than a smartphone is today. It told me where to go, how to save pennies, and exactly what budget accommodation I needed to survive.
When I was 18 and headed to Ibiza, I had my guide in hand. I did the research. I knew everything cultural there was to know about the city.
However, when I actually got to Ibiza, I made friends quickly. Suddenly, the culture went out the window. I spent every day sprawled out like a lifeless chicken on the beach, chugging gallons of water to survive the heat, and every night clubbing until 4 AM.
Trading the Backpack for a bit of luxury
I don’t know exactly when my Rough Guide fetish stopped. Maybe it was in the 2000s, back when I didn’t quite understand carbon footprints and spent a decade making non-green choices. That was my travel heyday: student loans paid off, a great job, not married... the glamorous, carefree life I always wanted right in the palm of my hand.
Fast forward to today, and the Rough Guides have long been donated to a charity shop. The children are working or at University, and my Bridget Jones-style cluttered house is no more.
Today, my home is minimalist. I worry more about the toxins in plastic bottles than I do about clubbing or drinking. My life is delightfully peaceful (maybe even a bit boring) except for one wild adventure I simply cannot stop dreaming about.
Kenya. Specifically, Ethical Luxury Safaris in Kenya. (And this time, I’m soaking up real culture, not clubbing!)
The Safari Detox of 2023
My obsession started for a lot of middle-aged reasons, which I won’t bore you with now. But this "hobby" of Safari travel has become the cornerstone of my new life and project.
Something profound happened to me on a Safari in 2023. I cried a lot. I had a bit of an emotional detox. Suddenly, I found myself reverting to my caring, green-era mentality.
The only difference? I no longer wanted to sleep on sandy beaches. I needed comfort. I needed a brilliant bed with crisp, white linen. And I really needed good food. A can of tuna and a tin of sweetcorn just doesn’t cut it anymore.
So, I spent months experimenting with every type of Safari out there from budget to bespoke, from the highly ethical to the not-so-responsible. I utilized the amazing contacts I made during those two years of discovery, and voila.
I started as women only.. but the fact that I sold more Safaris to couples and retirees than single women... has made me re-group
Think a luxury safari has to be stuffy or tense? Think again.
What on Earth is an Ethical Luxury Safari?
At its core, a Safari is an adventure where you watch magnificent wildlife in their natural habitat.
Ethical means respecting that habitat. We don't abuse the privilege. There is no throwing litter, and absolutely no beeping at animals to scare them into giving us better photos.
Sustainability means staying at a camp that actively invests in the local community and environment. Solar panels, strict no-plastic policies, and water recycling are the bare minimum.
Luxury means doing all of this without sacrificing an ounce of comfort.
Defining Ethical & Sustainable Safari Standards
Let me be clear: I have personally visited just about every camp in Kenya. Out of all of them, I have curated exactly two itineraries that strictly uphold my values and beliefs.
I am not interested in mass tourism. I don't offer a zillion confusing packages. Just two meticulously planned adventures, offered exclusively during the "Green Season" (April, May, October, and November). Why? Because that is when you get the best weather, the most vibrant landscapes, and the fewest tourists.
1. The Signature 10-Day Safari An immersive, intimate journey where I am your personal host. We experience the absolute best of Kenya together.
2. Soul of the Savannah (7-Day WOW Adventure) Currently on sale as its the last year that we will be running with it!
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 and zero single-use plastics.
Best Time to Visit: The “Green Season” (April, May, October & November).
Who is this for? Anyone
Are you ready to trade your rough guide for a luxury adventure? Whether you want to join a group of like-minded women or plan a solo adventure (trust me, solo travel is never lonely in Africa!), let's chat.
📩 [Email me at bena@bestsafaris.com]
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