Planning a safari: questions to ask

Seasons, lodges, guides and how to choose responsibly.

I came to Kenya with a loose plan and a long list. By the end, the list mattered less than the small moments in between — a conversation at a train station, a meal I didn't expect, a view I almost skipped.

The highlight for me was savanna game drives. Go early if you can; the light is softer and the paths are quiet. After that, views of the highlands made a perfect slow afternoon.

If you are planning your own trip, my advice is simple: give each place more time than you think you need. Kenya is best in the dry seasons, roughly july to october and january to february, but every season has its own reasons to visit.

Pack light, carry a reusable water bottle, and leave space in the day for things you can't plan. That's where most of my favorite memories came from.