2024 - That's a wrap!
What a year it has been! Reflecting on 2024, we are so proud of the memories created, the adventures shared, and the incredible people who made it all possible. This year took us right the way across one amazing continent, exploring 13 African countries, and running an incredible 111 safaris. Along the way, we enjoyed the unique charm and individuality of 160 bespoke camps and lodges, hosting 502 adventurous guests who helped make every moment unforgettable.
Monthly highlights
Our brilliant guides captured so many unforgettable moments this year. It was hard to choose one over another, but here are some of our favourite throwbacks, safari highlights and insider tips for each month last year:
January: kicking off the year with big cats
Highlight: Family-focused safaris featured incredible big cat moments. Guide Lucien Beaumont snapped this photo of a cheetah mum and her cubs.
Top tip: January’s short dry season in Kenya is a fantastic time for spotting big cats, with excellent weather and plenty of cub sightings.
February: gorilla treks in Rwanda
Highlight: Gorilla trekking and meeting the Gorilla Doctors - including Dr. Noel - whose conservation efforts have played a critical role in the recovery of mountain gorilla populations.
Top tip: February’s dry season offers ideal trekking conditions, with manageable trails, pleasant weather and excellent chances to spot gorillas. Don’t miss an opportunity to meet the Gorilla Doctors, who work tirelessly to protect these endangered species.
March: a beach wedding to remember
Highlight: Africa Born’s safari specialist Tam married photographer and Africa Born guide James Lewin in Watamu on Kenya’s stunning coast.
Top tip: March is one of the best months to visit the Kenyan coast, with warm waters, clear skies and vibrant marine life. It’s also Paolo’s favorite time of year in his home village of Watamu, due to the perfect fishing conditions!
April: Namibia’s epic desert adventures
Highlight: Paolo headed to Namibia and explored the country’s extraordinarily diverse and dramatic scenery: from the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei and the rugged Skeleton Coast to the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park and the remote wilderness of Damaraland. The action-packed itinerary included hot air balloon rides over the desert, scenic flights offering breathtaking aerial views and thrilling quad bike adventures across the expansive dunes!
Top tip: April brings cooler temperatures and clear skies, ideal for Namibia’s scenic activities and stark desert landscapes.
May: Samburu song and spears
Highlight: Our first safari (of many) of the 2024 season took us to Kalepo Camp in the Mathews Range: a vibrant and authentic encounter with Kenya’s Samburu culture, with opportunities to learn ancient traditions like spear throwing and dance.
Top tip: May’s rains bring life to the landscape, creating a stunning green backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the Samburu’s traditional red and white attire. This makes the end of May an ideal time for photographers before the busy season kicks off.
June: helicopter trips to Lake Turkana
Highlight: When taking guests to North Kenya, we always strive to include a scenic helicopter flight to Lake Turkana. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a magical ride, showcasing Kenya’s diverse landscapes, rich cultures and abundant flamingos.
Top tip: Lake Turkana has a desert climate with very low rainfall. While it can be visited year-round, the scenery is at its most stunning after the rains, making June an excellent time to explore. Visitors can also land at the lake and try their luck catching a giant Nile perch.
July: family adventures at Thanda Island
Highlight: Paolo visited Thanda Island in Tanzania for a truly epic beach safari. Perfect for family fun, this property has it all: from kiting, diving and fishing to evenings spent in the cosy outdoor cinema. A standout moment was swimming with majestic whale sharks. Thanda Island is an unforgettable family beach escape.
Top tip: July’s dry weather and warm, calm seas create the perfect conditions for a variety of water activities off this incredible island
August: Super Tuskers in Amboseli
Highlight: August brought unforgettable bucket-list encounters with Craig, a majestic Super Tusker, wowing guests with his incredible size and presence in Amboseli.
Top tip: August’s dry conditions provide excellent wildlife viewing, with elephants - including the iconic Super Tuskers - taking center stage against the backdrop of Amboseli’s stunning landscapes.
September: migration marvels in Grumeti
Highlight: Paolo headed to Grumeti to witness the wildebeest and zebra migrations through the western corridor, creating dramatic safari moments as thousands of animals moved across the plains.
Top tip: September’s dry season ensures spectacular wildlife encounters during the migration, with more concentrated herds and improved visibility for guests.
October: team AGM in the Mara
Highlight: The Africa Born team gathered for their annual AGM at the Africa Born Mobile Camp in the Masai Mara, enjoying a mix of business and safari adventure in one of Africa’s most iconic locations.
Top tip: October in the Mara offers mild weather, diverse wildlife sightings and quieter game drives, making it an ideal time for a more intimate safari experience
November: fishing adventures in Lamu
Highlight: Paolo embarked on his annual fishing trip to Lamu, staying aboard the NaiSabah Dhow, which we often use for guests. The dhow provided the perfect base to enjoy a fishing adventure in the pristine waters of Lamu! Sailing to new locations on a traditional dhow makes for a real sense of adventure!
Top tip: November is prime time for sailfish fishing along Kenya’s northern coast, offering excellent conditions.
December: Botswana adventures
Highlight: Andrew and Sam wrapped up the year exploring Botswana’s stunning properties, landscapes and abundant wildlife focusing on the renowned Okavango Delta. We visited seven properties across this incredible landscape, some water-based and others land-based. The wildlife was exceptional. Our highlights included witnessing African wild dogs hunting reedbuck and, for the first time, observing a pride of lions hunting buffalo.
Top tip: December offers a mix of green season beauty and incredible game viewing in Botswana. Animals congregate around waterholes as they dry up. However, it's important to note that temperatures can be quite high during this time of year.
Another brilliant, busy year scoping out ever-more exciting destinations and unique off-the-beaten-track experiences to share with you all. Bring on 2025!
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