Kenya

You can begin in the Maasai Mara, where open grasslands offer some of Kenya's most celebrated wildlife viewing and the chance to see the Big Five. During the migration period, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra can move through the Mara ecosystem, creating one of Africa's great wildlife spectacles.

Further north, Samburu brings a very different landscape and a chance to look for species associated with Kenya's northern drylands, while also experiencing the distinctive culture of the Samburu people. In the Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is known for rhino and birdlife, while Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate offer a change of pace with walking, cycling and scenery around the Great Rift Valley.

At Amboseli, elephants are set against views toward Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days. Tsavo East and Tsavo West offer vast wilderness and the chance to experience a less manicured side of safari. Around Laikipia and Mount Kenya, wildlife conservation, landscapes and community experiences can be combined into a more varied journey.

Then there is Kenya's coast. Lamu offers Swahili history, dhow culture, beaches and sand-dune landscapes; Watamu, Malindi and Diani add marine experiences, beaches and coastal relaxation. Kenya can therefore be more than a Big Five trip — it can be a journey combining wildlife, landscapes, culture, conservation and the Indian Ocean.