Self-Drive Safaris: A Growing Trend in Luxury Adventure Travel
Self-Drive Safaris: A Growing Trend in Luxury Adventure Travel
The safari industry is witnessing a shift in how luxury travellers experience the wild, with self-drive experiences gaining traction. The SAFARI Company, an award winning name in African travel, has launched a new range of driving safaris aimed at providing a more hands-on, immersive approach to exploring Kenya’s landscapes.
While guided safaris remain the cornerstone of the industry, there is increasing interest in experiences that allow travellers to take greater control of their journey. Self-drive safaris provide an opportunity for participants to engage with the environment in a more interactive way, navigating their own routes through diverse terrain while still benefiting from expert guidance and logistical support.
The Fun, Fast & Furious Bit
In Kenya, a country synonymous with safari travel, these itineraries offer a new dimension to wildlife tourism. The SAFARI Company’s latest offerings cater to those who want to combine adventure with a couple of days of skill-building, as they include an introduction to rally-driving techniques. Under the guidance of Flash Tundo, a former African rally champion, participants gain insights into vehicle handling on challenging terrain, an aspect that aligns with Kenya’s deep motorsport heritage.
Importantly, these rally-driving lessons take place in a rural setting, away from wildlife, ensuring that we are constantly watchful of the natural environment and careful not to make a negative impact. Even better, by participating in these experiences, travelers actively contribute to conservation efforts, as a portion of the proceeds goes directly to the neighboring conservancy, helping to protect the surrounding ecosystem.
You’re Not Alone
You will be accompanied by a vehicle with a full crew. A guide to share his Kenyan knowledge, a former African rally champion and mechanics.
The Structure of These Self-Drive Safaris
The itinerary can be as short or as long as you like. We have offered a sample range from five to eight nights, with different levels of adventure and accommodation. They include:
• Learn to Rally Drive (5 Nights) – A condensed introduction to rally-style driving combined with a safari experience in Taita Hills.
• An Adventurous Big 5 Drive (7 Nights) – A self-driven route covering Amboseli, Tsavo, and exclusive conservancies, providing a mix of wildlife encounters and technical driving.
• Boy Racers in the Bush (8 Nights) – A high-end, off-road adventure combining luxury accommodation with a guided, self-drive experience through diverse landscapes.
• The Ultimate Big 5 Drive (7 Nights) – A premium itinerary that includes unique wildlife experiences such as private elephant feeding and a hot-air balloon safari.
Looking Ahead
As experiential travel continues to shape the safari industry, self-drive safaris represent a shift toward more dynamic, hands-on adventures. The SAFARI Company’s latest initiative is an example of how established safari operators are innovating to meet the changing preferences of travellers.
For industry professionals, this raises questions about how self-drive experiences can be integrated into broader safari offerings while maintaining the high standards of service and conservation ethics that define the sector. As this trend develops, it will be interesting to see how other operators respond and adapt to accommodate self-drive tourism within protected areas.
Kenya’s diverse landscapes and rich motorsport culture provide an ideal backdrop for such initiatives, and The SAFARI Company’s new itineraries may well pave the way for further evolution in adventure-focused safari experiences.
To find out more please visit: https://thesafaricoltd.com/car-races-and-adventures/.