Kenya: Where to Stay: Setting: Elephant Watch Safaris

Elephant Watch Safaris

Founded by one of the co-authors of the ground-breaking book, Among the Elephants, this camp in northern Kenya represents the culmination of a lifelong love for wildlife and a passion to protect it. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the renowned zoologist, wrote Among the Elephants with his wife Oria and now runs Save the Elephants, but it was Oria who determined to bring travelers in close contact with pachyderms.

The camp, located in the Samburu Reserve, takes only ten guests, who sleep in dreamy desert tents and often eat under trees which are occupied by curious monkeys. Elephants are the focus of the camp, and sixty-six known family units spend time in the Samburu. Tribesmen lead walks along elephant paths and point out matriarchs and babies by name. The evening can be spent on a huge sofa, watching elephant documentaries starring the Douglas-Hamiltons (Iain and their daughter Saba have worked on BBC and National Geographic films.) However, lion, leopard, zebra, giraffe and other species inhabit the Samburu, which can be explored on game drives, escorted hikes or rafting trips when the river is high.

Bottom line: It’s an ideal experience for adventurous families and adults who want a special safari experience with a real educational component.

Rates: From $500 for accommodations, including three meals, airport transfer and most activities, per person per night, depending on season. Single occupancy rates are higher.