The Micato Safari Difference: My Adventure in Kenya

Micato Safaris: A family affair

From the moment a Micato Safari is booked, the adventure begins. From small gifts in the mail to get guests excited, to a Micato-branded rolling duffel bag to make sure the size and weight requirements of luggage on a safari are easily managed, Micato’s special touches help build anticipation to an amazing adventure ahead.

With plenty of advance reading material provided, when the day approaches for the adventure to begin, Micato guests are ready! Starting at touchdown, a Micato representative greets guests and helps them navigate the airport, customs, and immigration experience—something often anxiety provoking to foreigners. I never carried my own bag again. From start to finish, every detail was handled with ease. My Kenyan journey began and ended in Nairobi, with a stay at Hemingways Nairobi—a luxurious retreat set in the lush, green suburb of Karen.

Nairobi offered a gentle introduction to Kenya, blending the comfort of a familiar, fast-paced city with vibrant shopping, restaurants, and the rhythm of everyday life. It’s also where Micato Safaris began—in 1966, when the Pinto family, originally Kenyan farmers, laid the foundation for what would become one of the world’s most respected safari companies, the only Travel + Leisure 10-time number-one safari outfitter winner.

I had the privilege of traveling with Micato’s executive director and second-generation owner, Anna Pinto, who not only welcomed me as a host in her homeland but who also is a true expert in safari travel. What truly sets Micato apart is their exceptional Safari Directors, who remain with guests throughout the entire journey, as well as their attentive concierges who anticipate needs—whether supplying forgotten essentials or helping guests prepare for adventures beyond the city.

Safari Directors are much more than guides—they become trusted experts, cultural bridges, and travel companions from the moment you arrive in Africa until it’s time to head home. I had the privilege of being accompanied by Peter, Safari Director extraordinaire, and Mercy, our personal trip concierge whose care and expertise elevated every step of the experience.

Nairobi

Our first stop was the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kenya’s leading animal orphanage and conservation organization. Donning our Micato safari hats and fleeces, we experienced an unforgettable morning alongside baby elephants—watching them feed, play, and interact just feet away. Feeling the coarse, hairy skin of an elephant and being playfully sprayed with iron-rich dirt by a six-month-old calf is an experience unlike any other.

Sheldrick Wildlife private tour—playing with the baby elephants

We then visited the Micato-AmericaShare Harambee Community Center, a nonprofit supported by every Micato safari booking and often by guests long after their journeys end. Located in Nairobi’s Mukuru Slum, the program supports children affected by poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic by providing access to education with a state-of-the-art computer center, a library, and other learning tools, paired with a strong support system. These resources help bridge gaps and create real opportunities for women and children to build brighter futures through education. Seeing so many children accessing these resources while on their school break gave us an overwhelming sense of hope.

Micato-AmericaShare Harambee Community Center book donation and dedication

Another inspiring stop was Huru International, a Micato-AmericaShare partner that has spent over 18 years helping keep girls in school across East Africa. Through free, reusable sanitary pad kits, Huru reduces disruptions to girls’ education and improves academic performance. The Nairobi-based Huru Factory also empowers young single mothers by teaching sewing skills and providing stable employment to support their families. This program empowers girls, one Huru Kit at a time.

Knowing that every Micato safari directly supports initiatives like these—and creates meaningful, lasting impact within the community—makes the adventure all the more powerful and rewarding.

Segera Retreat

After a short charter flight to the Laikipia Plateau—complete with Micato’s Airborne Amusements packet, thoughtfully stocked with earplugs, Mentos, chewing gum, a fun Africa fact sheet, a map of our destination, and an "On Safari: Occasional Musings" pamphlet filled with engaging stories—we touched down at the Segera Airstrip and were delivered directly to the steps of Segera Retreat, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, with Mount Kenya rising in the distance.

Beautiful views of the Laikipia Plateau and Mount Kenya from Segera Retreat

Once a working ranch with horse stables surrounded by a cactus border, Segera has been cleverly reimagined into a spectacular retreat. Owned and transformed by Jochen Zeitz—of Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town—Segera is as much an indoor-outdoor art gallery as it is a luxury eco-lodge, with a strong focus on sustainability and community. Sculptures dot the surrounding grounds and gardens, fine antiques are thoughtfully placed throughout, former horse stalls now house art installations, and striking contemporary works by African artists adorn the walls of each room.

The farm-to-table dining experience, staged in a different location each day, rivaled that of any Michelin-starred restaurant, complemented by an exceptional collection of African wines and champagne. Yet what truly captivates both locals and guests is the extraordinary wildlife. Twice-daily game drives delivered unforgettable encounters, beginning with the endangered black rhino. Thanks to the nearby Rhino Conservancy, populations are increasing, anti-poaching units have been put in place, and injured animals are rehabilitated back to health. Other memorable sightings included a cheetah family, dik-diks, and black-backed jackals, not to mention elephants and zebras constantly dotting the plateau.

Loisaba Lodo Springs

A short charter flight away—enjoying another Micato’s Airborne Amusements packet and feeling more like an aerial safari than a simple transfer—we arrived at the nearby Loisaba Airstrip and delighted in yet another game drive en route to our next lodge, Loisaba Lodo Springs. Escorted to our private villas by our dedicated Guest Ambassador, we were welcomed by a dramatic glass wall framing sweeping plains and a watering hole below. The large room featured a writing desk and other sophisticated African furnishings. Each spacious villa featured an expansive private balcony with uninterrupted views of the wildlife across the Laikipia Plateau, offering a strikingly different topography from what we had just experienced.

A Maasai greeting and help with luggage from our Maasai guide in Laikipia

The exquisite cuisine at the lodge once again exceeded all expectations, impressing us not only with its flavors but also with its presentation and impeccable service. Peter, our personal Safari Director, enriched every game drive with his deep knowledge of animal behavior and captivating insights, leading to unforgettable sightings—including a leopard on the hunt, white rhino, crocodiles, hippos, a journey of giraffes, darling dik-diks who always travel in pairs, and a lion pride feasting on a buffalo. We were even able to watch lions drink from the watering hole directly from our rooms, as well as from the lodge’s gathering areas, all offering equally breathtaking views.

Camel riding near Lodo Springs

One especially meaningful moment was the planting of a tree in honor of a fellow traveler who had recently lost her husband. By the time we departed, the entire staff felt like long-lost family, and leaving this extraordinary place was an emotional farewell. The special touches Micato and their extraordinary team provide to guests are truly unmatched.

Maasai Mara

Our late-morning, 12-seater, two-hour flight to the Maasai Mara made three stops along the way to pick up and drop off guests—quickly elevating private charter flights to the top of my “must book in the future” list. We arrived at the &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Airstrip and were immediately welcomed with champagne and snacks, a much-appreciated comfort after the long transfer.

Following a brief game drive through the lush, green Maasai Mara—where we spotted more wildlife in one area than anywhere else so far—we arrived at the jungle-like setting of Bateleur Camp. There, the staff greeted us with a heartfelt welcome song that set the tone for our stay. True to Micato’s commitment to excellence, Bateleur Camp—voted Travel + Leisure's number-one hotel in the world and number-one safari lodge in Africa in the 2025 World’s Best Awards—offered nothing short of the very best.

Some of the incredible wildlife seen on our game drives

Our hosts welcomed us like returning family, making us feel immediately at home. There is something deeply special about arriving at a place where you instantly feel you belong—especially one as breathtaking and rich in old-world safari charm and luxury vibes as Bateleur.

During the tour and introduction to my room—styled like an old movie set and rich with vintage trunks and carefully curated artifacts in every corner—I was greeted by a playful monkey who leapt onto the glass roof above my clawfoot tub. Overlooking the Mara, the fog-draped plains stretched into the distance, with animals roaming below, monkeys attempting to sneak into the room in search of cookies, and a family of warthogs grazing just feet away. It was a mesmerizing view from the bed—and from every corner of the room.

Each suite comes with a personal butler dedicated to the care of every guest. What a delightful surprise it was to return from a midday game drive to find a hot bath already drawn for me. Equally charming was the morning tea, delivered discreetly from outside through a hidden compartment each day.

Morning tea at Bateleur Camp delivered by my personal butler through the hidden compartment in my room

Dining became yet another highlight of our adventure, with thoughtfully chosen settings—and the occasional visit from the darling warthogs nibbling on nearby grass. The extraordinary attention to detail and impeccable service from the staff made it abundantly clear why Micato selects this exceptional camp for their most valued guests.

One special touch Micato Safaris added to our experience was a traditional sundowner, which we enjoyed on our first evening in the Maasai Mara. While returning to camp after an evening game drive, we were diverted to an open clearing arranged with just enough chairs for our group, set behind a table of elegant canapés, grilled kebabs skewered on fragrant rosemary sprigs, and a fully stocked bar with a bartender ready to serve.

Our chairs faced the glowing horizon as the sun prepared to set, with lanterns softly illuminating the perimeter. As we took in the view in quiet awe, we were suddenly greeted by the low, rhythmic hum of Maasai chanting. Members of the Maasai community emerged, approached our campfire, and began to sing and dance in their native language, dressed in their unmistakable shuka, headwear, and beaded adornments. Experiencing this powerful ritual and sharing in their culture against the backdrop of the setting sun was truly spectacular.

Members of the nearby Maasai community entertaining us with traditional song and dance at our sundowner

The following morning, accompanied by Peter, our Safari Director, a small group of us were driven in the dark, early hours to a nearby field for a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara. What proved to be one of the highlights of my life, the serene journey—sometimes skimming the treetops, other times soaring high above the earth—offered a breathtaking perspective of the wildlife awakening below as the sun broke over the horizon.

Drifting over the Mara River from the vantage point of a hot air balloon exceeded anything I had imagined. The experience concluded with a champagne brunch set in the bush, where guests shared their favorite moments while enjoying freshly baked pastries and made-to-order omelets.

Adding a hot air balloon ride to any safari is, in my book, an absolute must-do.

Game viewing in the Maasai Mara is unlike anywhere else. The sunrises and sunsets feel grander, the hills greener, and the wildlife more abundant, active, and intimate than anything we had experienced before. Watching a parade of elephants—we counted 63 in total—cross the road directly in front of us, with playful, curious calves trailing close to our vehicle; encountering towers and journeys of giraffes around seemingly every corner; and observing lion prides teaching their cubs to groom themselves after feasting on a massive hippo left little to be desired.

Learning from our expert guides and Safari Director, we began to feel like near experts ourselves—easily identifying animal groupings, understanding behaviors whether traveling solo, in pairs, or in herds, and even learning to recognize their tracks and droppings along the way.

I spent my final morning lingering over a leisurely breakfast, watching mischievous monkeys sneak in to steal a few treats, and taking my time packing as I savored every last moment in this beautiful corner of the world. Our final flight was a quick 45-minute hop from the nearby airstrip to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, where we were once again welcomed by our Micato team—including our ever-smiling concierge, Mercy, with her sing-song voice and gentle giggle.

Departure

We reminisced about our journey over lunch at Talisman, a clear local favorite, where I enjoyed some of the best vegetable curry I’ve ever had. Before our late-night international departures, we made one final stop at the Four Points Sheraton at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, giving us time to shower, repack, and rest comfortably in our rooms. A few more surprises still awaited us—but I won’t spoil everything for future guests!

My experience with Micato Safaris in Kenya left little to be desired. I departed with a deep longing to return—to support another child’s education, to help one more girl remain in school. I left feeling like family, like a VIP, as though I were their favorite guest and our group the best they had ever hosted.

With every need anticipated and every wish fulfilled, each day somehow better than the last, my mind was free to be fully present—to absorb the grandeur of my surroundings and to allow someone else to take the reins. With Micato, I wanted for nothing.

The thoughtful touches along the way and the keepsakes I brought home transport me back in an instant. Micato created an authentic, lasting connection during my safari in Kenya, and for that I will forever be grateful. This deep appreciation is firmly rooted within me, until the day I return to fill my cup once more.

Spending a couple of days in a major city before the start of a safari is essential. Flight delays and missed connections do happen, and joining a safari late can be far more complicated to navigate or reschedule.

Pack light. Most safari itineraries involve domestic charter flights on small aircraft, which come with strict baggage weight and soft-sided luggage requirements. Fortunately, laundry service is included at most—if not all—lodges.

And be sure to leave room for souvenirs… especially when traveling with Micato!

The Micato Safari difference lies in the many thoughtful details that truly set them apart. A highly trained Safari Director accompanies every journey, serving not only as an expert guide but also as a personal assistant, wrinkle anticipator, problem solver, and cultural liaison—ensuring a seamless, worry-free experience for every guest.

On the ground, Micato’s 24-hour Concierge Team greets guests upon arrival, anticipating needs, offering thoughtful gifts, and standing ready to fulfill requests no matter how unusual or unexpected. They act as an ever-present support system, quietly resolving challenges before they ever become concerns.

All gratuities are included in the trip price from the moment guests arrive in Africa to departure, eliminating the need to carry large amounts of cash or small bills throughout the journey. On a Micato Safari, there is simply no tipping—ever.

Above all, the Micato Safari experience offers peace of mind in the face of the unknown. Exceptionally well connected, the Micato family can charter an aircraft at a moment’s notice or move mountains to accommodate guests when unforeseen circumstances arise—delivering a level of care, security, and service that is truly unmatched.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our safari page.