An African safari is a bucket-list experience for many, but when it comes to choosing your accommodation, the options can be overwhelming. Should you stay in a traditional camp or lodge with other travelers, or opt for the luxury and exclusivity of exclusive use accommodations? My first trip to Africa was a shared experience—we shared each game drive, flight, meal, and activity with other guests of the camps we stayed at. While that was an unforgettable adventure in its own right, this recent journey, where I stayed at three amazing exclusive use properties in Kenya, completely transformed my safari experience. Here’s why private-use accommodations are an unforgettable choice for your next African adventure.
Catered to You
During my recent trip to Kenya, I stayed at three stunning, exclusive use properties: Private Wilderness in the Lewa Conservancy, Kalepo Camp near the Mathews Mountains, and Wild Hill in the Maasai Mara. Imagine having a luxurious camp or lodge all to yourself, with the entire staff dedicated to only your group’s needs. There’s something incredibly special about having this intimate space where you can fully immerse yourself in nature without the distraction of other tourists. You don’t have to share the view, the wildlife encounters, or the space — everything is just for you.
Flexibility in Planning
At traditional camps and lodges, the activities, game drives, meals, and flights are scheduled to fit the needs of multiple groups. When you’re not sharing your accommodation with other travelers, the entire itinerary becomes much more flexible. On my trip to Kenya, we had complete freedom to choose exactly when we wanted to embark on a game drive, enjoy a leisurely meal, or take part in any other activities. The freedom to customize every aspect of your day means you can make the most of each moment without being tied to a fixed schedule.
Private Wilderness, for example, offers quite a list of fun activities for its guests to do, and if we were sharing the place with other guests, I may have worried that we would not have had enough time to do everything we wanted to without feeling pressed for time. I was so happy this was not the case, as the activities at Private Wilderness were some of the most entertaining on the trip. We visited the Lewa conservancy headquarters and met the tracker dogs that help protect the rhino from poachers, rode horses near wildlife and did a short camel ride too, did a walking safari through the bush, toured the workshop where the lodge makes their handcrafted furniture and décor and visited their organic farm (or “Shamba”) followed by a fantastic private lunch at the Shamba, went on lots and LOTS of fantastic game drives, and still had time to enjoy downtime at the beautiful lodge!
Privacy, Freedom & Deeper Connections
Exclusive-use accommodations offer the ultimate freedom to fully immerse in the wild. With no other guests around, every meal, game drive, and activity become a more personal experience. You’re free to spend as much time as you like with wildlife, explore new areas, or savor private sundowners and campfires. This flexibility deepens your connection to nature, allowing you to experience the savannah without distractions. With fewer people around, you can watch elephants roam freely, listen to the sounds of the wild at night, and explore off-the-beaten-path areas, ensuring a more intimate, peaceful safari.
One of the highlights of our stay at Wild Hill was visiting two white rhinos at the White Rhino Conservation Sanctuary. With only six of us in the group, we were able to stand less than 15 feet away from these incredible creatures, creating an unforgettable, personal wildlife encounter.
The intimacy of these exclusive-use properties also extends to cultural experiences. During our stay at Kalepo Camp, for example, we had the privilege of meeting and interacting with the Samburu people. Their welcoming nature and rich cultural traditions were shared with us in a personal and meaningful way, made possible by the freedom and flexibility we had to engage with them at our own pace. I’ll never forget how much fun we had singing with the Samburu in our vehicle on the way to watch their Warrior Games, and to make things even more interesting, we were all given the opportunity to participate in some of the games as well, including spear throwing and shooting a bow and arrow!
Exclusive-use accommodations offer a uniquely personalized safari experience. With the freedom to set your own schedule, enjoy private wildlife encounters, and immerse yourself in nature without distractions, it’s an unforgettable way to explore Africa. For a more intimate, flexible, and memorable adventure, exclusive-use properties are the perfect choice.