Luxury Safari Specialists Rooted in East Africa

Boutique, bespoke, and built on more than two decades of field expertise — this is safari the way it was always meant to be

Our Story

Two Decades in the Field, One Uncompromising Standard

African Trails Expeditions was founded in 2019 by Martin, a professional safari guide and hospitality specialist whose relationship with East Africa's wilderness stretches back more than two decades. Before the company existed, there were years in the bush — leading guests through the Maasai Mara at dawn, tracking leopard through Tsavo's volcanic landscape, watching first-time visitors fall entirely silent at the sight of the Great Migration. That intimacy with Africa shaped everything.

Martin's vision was straightforward but uncompromising: to offer the kind of bespoke luxury safari that large operators simply cannot deliver. The kind where your guide knows not just the park, but the specific pride of lions that moves through the northern sector each dry season. Where accommodation is chosen not from a catalogue but from years of personal experience staying in, evaluating, and building relationships with the finest camps and lodges across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, and Zanzibar.

What began as a boutique operation has earned recognition from the world's most trusted travel platforms — receiving TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Award in both 2023 and 2025 — yet our approach has never changed. Every safari we craft is a single, considered piece of work. One family. One vision. One journey that fits precisely who you are and what moves you.

We are a small team by deliberate choice. In a world of automated itineraries and call-centre consultations, we believe the finest East African safari still begins with a real conversation — and ends with a guest who returns.

Purpose & Direction

Our Vision & Mission

The principles that guide every safari we design and every relationship we build

Our Vision

Leading East Africa Through Responsible Tourism

Our vision is to be the leading destination management company championing responsible tourism practices throughout Kenya and the greater African continent. We believe that the finest safaris leave the wilderness better than they found it — and that is the standard we hold ourselves to, on every journey.

Our Mission

Extraordinary Memories at Unmatched Value

We are committed to providing dependable, expertly guided safari experiences for every traveller who puts their trust in us. To achieve this, we maintain direct, personal communication with every client from the first enquiry to the final night in camp — ensuring you receive the best possible value for your investment and return home with memories that defy imagination.

TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice
Award winner 2023 & 2025 — among the world's highest-rated safari operators
20+ Years of Field Expertise
Martin's guiding and hospitality career spans two decades across East and Southern Africa
Boutique. Trusted. Local.
Nairobi-based, TOSK member, and personally invested in every safari we send into the wild
Martin — founder and lead safari specialist at African Trails Expeditions
Meet the Founder

The Expert Behind Every Itinerary

Martin — Safari Guide, Hospitality Specialist & Founder

Before founding African Trails Expeditions, Martin spent more than two decades in the field — first as a professional guide leading guests through Kenya's iconic wilderness areas, then broadening his expertise across Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond. He has tracked the Big Five in Amboseli with Kilimanjaro at his back, witnessed the Great Migration crossing at the Mara River, and spent nights under canvas in reserves that most travellers never reach.

That depth of firsthand experience is what makes African Trails different. When Martin recommends a camp or designs an itinerary, it is not based on a brochure. It is based on personal knowledge — relationships with lodge managers, awareness of seasonal conditions, an understanding of which conservancy provides the most intimate wildlife encounter at a given time of year.

His background in hospitality means equal attention is paid to the quality of your stay as to the quality of your game drives. Every recommendation is held to the same standard: would he send his own family there?

20+ Years Field Experience Kenya & East Africa TOSK Member Licensed Tour Operator TRA Certified
Our Difference

Why Discerning Travellers Choose African Trails

The advantages of a boutique operator with genuine roots in East Africa

Authentic Local Expertise

We don't consult a map — we know the land. Our team is based in Nairobi, with on-the-ground relationships across every destination we offer. That local presence means faster problem-solving, sharper recommendations, and access to experiences that don't appear in any catalogue. Explore our destinations.

Deep Wildlife Knowledge

Martin's 20 years of professional guiding translates directly into smarter itineraries. We know when the wildebeest typically cross, which conservancy gives you the quietest game drive, and which private concession puts you in a leopard's territory at first light. This is the knowledge that turns a good safari into an extraordinary one. Browse our safaris.

Truly Bespoke Itineraries

Your safari preferences shape the itinerary we build — not the other way around. Every journey is designed from scratch using our extensive experience and your exact requirements. Share your travel vision with us and we will collaborate to fine-tune every detail, ensuring an experience that fits precisely who you are.

Best Value, No Middlemen

We interact directly with every client and personally oversee every step of the planning process, removing any need for intermediaries. This ensures you receive the best possible rates for the services you deserve, without unnecessary costs added to your travel budget. You pay for the experience, not for layers of administration.

Professional Safari Guides

A memorable safari is built on the hospitality and professional insight of a guide who genuinely loves what they do. Our guide team — members of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association — brings vast knowledge and authentic enthusiasm to every game drive, igniting the kind of curiosity that stays with guests long after they return home.

Responsible Travel

Every safari we design adheres to the principles of responsible and ethical travel. We work exclusively with lodges and conservancies that invest in community development and wildlife protection. When you travel with African Trails, your journey contributes directly to the long-term preservation of the landscapes and wildlife you have come to experience.

By the Numbers

A Record Built on Returning Guests

20+
Years in the Field

Martin's professional guiding career predates the company itself — the expertise was earned long before the first booking.

2×
TripAdvisor Award

Travellers' Choice recipient in 2023 and 2025 — recognition earned through consistently exceptional guest experiences.

6
Destinations

Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, and Zanzibar — each one known intimately, not just listed as a product.

24/7
Always Available

Our team responds in minutes, not days. Before your safari, during it, and after — we are always reachable.

Accreditations

Licensed, Certified & Industry-Recognised

Our professional standing is backed by Kenya's leading tourism and regulatory bodies

TRA Certified
Licensed Tour Operator
TOSK Member
Tour Operators Society of Kenya
Eco-Tourism Kenya
Sustainable Tourism Committed
Our Commitment

Travel That Gives Back

Every bespoke safari we design is rooted in the principles of responsible and ethical travel. We work exclusively with camps, conservancies, and partners who invest in community development, anti-poaching efforts, and habitat conservation. When you choose African Trails Expeditions, a portion of your journey directly supports the ecosystems and communities that make East Africa's wildlife possible.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before planning your East African safari with us

We recommend booking at least six months ahead for peak season travel (July to October for the Great Migration) and three to four months ahead for shoulder seasons. Many of East Africa's finest private camps have limited capacity — particularly exclusive-use properties in the Olare Motorogi and Naboisho conservancies — and the best inventory disappears early. That said, we are experienced at building exceptional last-minute itineraries for guests with flexibility, so please reach out regardless of your timeline.

Our luxury safari packages typically include all accommodation, all game drives with a dedicated guide and vehicle, most meals and non-alcoholic beverages in camp, park and conservancy fees, and all internal transfers between properties. International flights, travel insurance, personal spending, and premium alcohol are generally excluded. Every itinerary is itemised transparently so you know exactly what is covered before you commit to anything.

We specialise exclusively in private, bespoke safaris. You will never share a vehicle or game drive with strangers. Your itinerary, your pace, and your priorities guide every day in the bush. This is the approach that allows us to deliver the quality of experience our guests return for — and the reason we do not operate group tours.

This depends on what you are hoping to see. For the Great Migration river crossings in the Maasai Mara, July through October is peak season. For calving season in Tanzania's Serengeti, January and February offer extraordinary wildlife density. Kenya's dry seasons (January to March and June to October) generally provide the clearest game viewing with thinning vegetation. We will always advise on the ideal timing based on your specific interests and destinations rather than giving a generic recommendation.

Kenya and Tanzania are well-established, internationally popular safari destinations visited safely by hundreds of thousands of travellers each year. Nairobi, the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, the Serengeti, and Zanzibar all have mature tourism infrastructure. We monitor travel advisories closely and maintain up-to-date knowledge of regional conditions. Our team is reachable 24/7 during your journey and will always advise against travel to areas of concern.

Luxury safari costs vary significantly depending on destination, duration, season, and accommodation tier. As a general guide, expect to budget from $5,000 to $15,000+ per person for a week-long Kenya safari at luxury level, inclusive of accommodation, guiding, park fees, and internal transfers. Exclusive private conservancy access and premium-tier camps (such as those in the Olare Motorogi or Lewa conservancies) sit at the higher end. We are transparent about pricing from the first conversation and will never propose an itinerary that exceeds your stated budget.

Absolutely. Safari camps across our portfolio are experienced in catering for a wide range of dietary preferences and requirements — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and severe allergies included. Please share any requirements at the time of enquiry and we will confirm suitability with each property in advance. For medical needs or accessibility requirements, we will always discuss specifics carefully to ensure the right properties and itinerary are recommended.

We can assist with flight recommendations and connections, and will advise on the most practical routing to your destination. For international flights, we work with preferred travel partners and can include these in a comprehensive package or advise on booking independently. Regarding visas: Kenya operates an eTA system for most nationalities, and Tanzania requires an e-Visa. We guide all clients through the process and ensure you have the correct documentation well before departure.

Our cancellation terms vary by itinerary and are set out clearly in your booking confirmation. In general, cancellations made more than 60 days before departure may receive a partial refund depending on supplier terms, while cancellations closer to departure will incur higher charges. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes cancellation cover. We handle all amendments with flexibility and will always work with you and our supplier partners to find the best solution.

Not at all. We have designed journeys for first-time safari-goers and seasoned Africa travellers alike — and both groups return. For first-timers, we take particular care in selecting properties with attentive hosting, excellent guiding, and the kind of infrastructure that makes every aspect of camp life intuitive and comfortable. If you have specific wildlife targets or off-the-beaten-path ambitions built from previous experience, we will push further to meet them. Tell us where you are starting from, and we will design accordingly.

Ready to Plan Your East Africa Safari?

Tell us when you would like to travel and what moves you — Martin and the team will take care of the rest, usually within minutes.

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