Partner: Emboo River Lodge
Location: Kenya
Date published: 21st December 2021
A partnership between the Embassy of Belgium to Kenya and Emboo River lodge saw 30 team members running in the 2021 UltraMARAthon, a 50 kilometres race that passes through grasslands, hills and lots of animals. The support of the Embassy of Belgium and Emboo River lodge supports good causes within the Maasai Mara community.
Partner: Asilia
Location: Kenya
Date published: 16th December 2021
While many children across the world were home-schooled for the most part of last year, this was not possible for many children in the communities surrounding the Masai Mara. Laptops are rare and the internet is an expensive luxury for many. The Kenya Wildlife Trust and Mara Predator Conservation Programme, via the Wildlife Club, jumped into action keeping school children engaged and educated through the publication of a Wildlife Club book, entitled "Ole Peenko's Journey and other Stories". The stories were based on human-wildlife conflict and included interactive games for the children as well as activities to keep them busy. The book was such a success that a second publication has been made this year, with the aim to make the publication annual. Asilia's contribution supported the publication and distribution of these books.
Asilia keeping school children engaged with The Kenya Wildlife Trust and the Mara Predator Conservation Programme
Partner: Chloe Mjini Treehouse Lodge
Location: Tanzania
Date published: 15th December 2021
The team at Chloe Mjini are putting their thoughts into action and have started a coral conservation and regeneration program in the waters around Mafia Island. Their aim: to set up more nurseries with corals of opportunity (fragments that have come from damaged reefs) and include community divers to help out and raise awareness at nearby villages.
The team at Chloe Mjini Treehouse Lodge
Partner: Elewana
Location: Kenya & Tanzania
Date published: 14th December 2021
Two new educational curriculums have been created with the Elewana Service Training and Hospitality School located at The Manor Ngorongoro and the Guiding School operating across properties in Kenya and Tanzania.
Image courtesy of Elewana
Partner: Nomad Tanzania
Location: Tanzania
Date published: 14th December 2021
Our friends at Nomad Tanzania's Chada Katavi has won Tatler Magazine's award for 'Best for Community and Conservation'.
In the words of Tatler, 'Let’s not forget the hoteliers that are trying to do some good. Because, ultimately, the biggest luxury a traveller can experience is staying in one of those environmentally- and socially-conscious places that allow guests to make a difference to the lives of those they visit (such as Nomad’s Chada Katavi Camp, another of our award-winners). This year, more than ever, Tatler wants to shine a light on the sustainable stars and those on the frontline of conservation.'
Nomad's new accolade
Partner: African Parks Network
Location: Democratic Republic of Congo
Date published: 14th December 2021
Garamba National Park has been introducing solar power to provinces in the area, supplying them with sustainable energy for the first time ever. Read about how the introduction of these solar grids has had an incredible effect on the day to day life of everyone living in these small towns.
Garamba National Park
Partner: Alfajiri Villas
Location: Kenya, Diani Beach
Date published: 14th December 2021
Alfajiri Villas have recently launched the Alfajiri Foundation, an initiative with the aim of promoting biodiversity and bettering the livelihoods of those that call the area home.
Alfajiri Lodge on Diani Beach
Partner: African Parks Network
Date published: 9th December 2021
As the year draws to a close, the African Parks Network has compiled a list of statistics that sum up their 2021 efforts.
Image courtesy of Andrew Macdonald
Partner: African Parks Network
Area: Zambia
Date Published: 11th November 2021
Updated: 8th December 2021
A group of African Wild Dogs have been reintroduced to the Liuwa Plain. Read about the importance this will have on Zambia's post-pandemic tourism and conservation efforts.
Photo by Lorenz Fischer
Partner: Governors Camp
Location: Kenya
Date published: 2nd December 2021
The Governors Camp guiding team from Loldia House paid a visit to The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust in Naivasha. Here, they learnt first-hand from director Shiv Kapila about threats facing Kenya’s birds of prey.
The center has a growing collection of non-releasable Ruppell’s vultures – photo credit Felix Rome
Partner: African Parks Network
Location: Rwanda
Date published: 30th November 2021
In a step towards advancing rhino conservation in Rwanda, 30 white rhinos have been relocated to create and protect a new breeding stronghold for the threatened species.
The big arrival
Partner: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Location: Kenya
Date published: 30th November 2021
Earlier this month world-renowned photographer and conservationist Ami Vitale was unveiled as Ol Pejeta’s Global Ambassador.
Ami with a rhino at Ol Pejeta
Partner: Governors Camp
Location: Kenya
Date published: 30th November 2021
Under exciting initiatives put in place by Governor's Camp in Kenya, schoolchildren have been given rations and supplies to help their education, smiles, and way of life.
Partner: Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Location: South Africa
Date published: 25th November 2021
Jonny Motsieloa at Mosetlha Lodge has reason to celebrate - he's just been voted as one of the world’s top specialist guides at the prestigious Wanderlust Travel Awards. Read more about Jonny's amazing accomplishment here.
Mosetlha Bush Camp
Partner: Red Rocks Rwanda
Location: Rwanda
Date Published: 25th November 2021
Welcome to Red Rocks Rwanda
Partner: Elewana
Date published: 24th November 2021
Our partners at Elewana have recently launched a new innovative scheme to help support local farmers and promote the importance of eating organically.
Partner: Seedballs Kenya
Location: Kenya
Date published: 18th November 2021
Seedballs Kenya has pioneered a project to fight deforestation throughout East Africa, using a cost-effective and sustainable method. Read about the story behind the initiative, and how it's being spread throughout the razed forests of Kenya.
Image courtesy of Seedballs Kenya
Location: Africa
Date published: 18th November 2021
We at Brilliant Africa use photographs every day to illustrate the amazing sights of East Africa, so much so, that we’ve decided to spotlight a few of our favourite emerging talents each month.
This month, we spoke to Canadian-born photographer, Scott.
Photo by Scott Hyman
Partner: El Karama Lodge
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 3rd November 2021
We sat down with El Karama co-founder Sophie Grant, to discuss the influence of the wild in food, recipes she just can't live without, and juggling running a lodge whilst writing a cookbook.
Partner: ForRangers
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 3rd November 2021
In 2022, the co-founder of ForRangers Sam Taylor, along with three others, will head to Patagonia to race in the Gaucho Derby, also known as ‘the greatest test of horsemanship on earth.’ Read more about ForRangers, their efforts, and the challenges they’re facing.
Image courtesy of ForRangers
Partner: Big Life Africa
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 3rd November 2021
Big Life partners with local communities and hundreds of rangers to protect Africa's wildlife for the benefit of all. The rangers conduct extensive daily patrols to gather intelligence. Through this, they are able to prevent most instances of poaching and successfully apprehend poachers who do manage to kill.
They shared with us the results of their efforts over the last quarter.
Partner: Elewana
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 2nd November 2021
Our friends at Elewana have partnered with the Travelling Telescope to enable guests to enjoy the night sky as never before. Guided by seasoned astronomers, they offer a tour of Africa’s night sky and share the wonders of the latest discoveries and exploration.
The Milky Way over the Maasai Mara
Partner: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 2nd November 2021
Ol Pejeta Conservancy has been keeping us updated about their Cheetah Project, which works to monitor and protect the cheetah population for the sake of conservation.
Partner: SkySafari
Location: Tanzania
Date Published: 29th October 2021
The Great Migration is one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles anywhere on the planet, but did you know you can witness it from the skies? Our friends at SkySafari shared a remarkable video from a recent trip over the Serengeti plains. Check out the video here.
Partner: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 29th October 2021
Our friends at Ol Pejeta Conservancy tell us about a recent decision to retire Najin - the older of the last two remaining northern female white rhinos - as a donor of egg cells (oocytes) under the Biorescue Project program aimed to recover the species.
Najin and Fatu, the last 2 northern white rhinos in the world
Partner: Gibb’s Farm
Location: Tanzania
Date Published: 28th October 2021
Already a haven for wildlife, Gibb’s Farm has been learning all about their new residents and the best way to host them during their stay.
Busy bee at work on Gibb's Farm
Partner: Cottar's Safaris
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 27th October 2021
The plains of the Maasai Mara are home to an abundance of wildlife - read about a couple of the amazing sightings spotted around Cottar’s and the importance of their conservation.
Cheetah cubs on the lookout - image courtesy of Cottar's
Partner: Kiboko Lodge
Location: Tanzania
Date Published: 27th October 2021
Last week, Kiboko Lodge hosted their annual summit focusing on educating the local community about biodiversity and economic development. Read about the importance of this meeting and how it contributes towards responsible tourism.
Helping to inform and educate one another at Kiboko Lodge
Partner: Emboo River Camp
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 26th October 2021
Battling the climate crisis is more important than ever. Our friends at Emboo River Camp are taking sustainable steps in their pocket of East Africa, and hope to encourage others to do the same.
A sundowner with Emboo River Camp
Location: Uganda
Date Published: 27th October 2021
Brilliant Africa interviewed photographer and conservation ambassador, Jonathan Benaiah, about his team's upcoming project. Featured in Forbes Magazine, their aim is to document the music of wild Uganda in a new and exciting way.
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 21st October 2021
We at Brilliant Africa use photographs every day to illustrate the amazing sights of East Africa, so much so, that we’ve decided to spotlight a few of our favourite emerging talents each month.
This month, we spoke to French photographer, Valentin.
Maridadi, the black maned lion. Photo by Valentin Posco.
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 21st October 2021
Today is Reptile Awareness Day, and we at Brilliant Africa would like to bring some awareness to our favourite reptiles - turtles - and the conservation that is so needed to protect them.
Partner: Elewana
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 20th October 2021
Since its founding in 1983, the efforts of Lewa Conservancy have seen the population of Rhino’s going from worrying to heart-warming.
Partner: Tuk South
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 5th October 2021
The recent pandemic has seen the travel and tourism sector suffer, causing parks and the rangers that work to enable conservation to suffer in turn. To help combat this, four boys living in Kenya have decided to take to their Tuk Tuk.
Partner: Nomad Tanzania
Location: Tanzania
Date Published: 5th October 2021
Our friends at Nomad Tanzania have told us about their fly-camping experience, and why Katavi is the perfect place to do it.
Partner: The Sheldrick Trust
Destination: Kenya
Date Published: 4th October 2021
The Sheldrick Trust shared this story on World Animal Day - it's a story of loss, hope, and the importance of organisations like theirs.
In Nairobi, Kerrio found herself back at the trust’s nursery, but a saddening twist in her already devastating story revealed itself.
Partner: Ndali Lodge
Destination: Uganda
Date Published: 30th September 2021
Aubrey and Clare of Ndali Lodge have an exciting new project underway - bringing croquet (and strawberries) from North Yorkshire to the heart of Uganda.
Partner: River Camps
Destination: Uganda
Date Published: 30th September 2021
Situated between the stunning Murchison Falls and Kibale Forest National Park is Nguse River Camp, recently opened by our partners at River Camps Uganda.
Since opening, the camp has had some curious new guests...
Partner: Masaka Cycling Club
Destination: Uganda
Date Published: 30th September 2021
A cycling club in southern Uganda are helping disadvantaged children ride towards their dreams and work towards better equality in the biking community.
Partner: Great Plains Conservation
Location: Botswana
Date Published: 22nd September 2021
The photo here is not one you see every day: one of two rhinos being airlifted over the Okavango Delta.
After a flood arrived cutting them off, action had to be taken quickly to ensure their survival.
We at Brilliant Africa use photographs every day to illustrate the amazing sights of East Africa, so much so, that we’ve decided to spotlight a few of our favourite emerging talents each month.
Our aim is to repost the work of these emerging talents to help boost their platform and shine a light on the amazing talent East Africa has on offer!
Partner: Asilia Africa
Location: Kenya and Tanzania
Date Published: 21st September 2021
Asilia’s aim is to better serve international guests who require driver guides, and so they've widened their pool of multilingual speakers based in both Kenya and Tanzania.
This change utilizes how fascinating and broad Africa is linguistically.
Partner: Hemingway's Collection
Location: Kenya
Date Published: 21st September 2021
Hemingways Watamu is a founder and financial supporter of the Watamu Marine Association, supporting the natural biodiversity and ecosystem of Watamu on the Kenyan Coast.
Further inland, Hemingways Ol Seki Mara is supporting The Big Cat Project, helping secure the future of the lion, cheetah and leopard.
Partner: Virgin Mahali Mzuri
Location: Maasai Mara, Kenya
Date published: 21st September
Sir Richard Branson’s Kenyan Safari Camp has been ranked as the Number One Hotel in the World.
This is a testament to the beauty of Mahali Mzuri; the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards provides inspiration and guidance to some of the most passionate travellers.
Partner: Asilia Africa
Location: Tanzania
Date Published: 21st September 2021
Singita has introduced a levy to help make all new bookings with them carbon neutral.
This comes after a change in 2016 when the Tanzanian government pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by 10-20%
Partner: Kara Tunga
Location: Kenya
Date published: 21st September 2021
Kara Tunga is aiming to provide 20 vulnerable girls from various communities along the Tour of Karamoja bike trail with the opportunity of receiving life-changing education.
Partner: The Sarara Foundation
Destination: Kenya
Date published: 21st September 2021
The Sarara Foundation is proud to announce the Milk to Market Program - an initiative for the Samburu women to sell their excess goat milk to the nearby elephant sanctuary.
Partner: Nomad Tanzania
Destination: Tanzania
Date published: 2nd September 2021
Entamanu Ngorongoro lodge is offering some incredible walks not to be missed. The lodge has a private driveway spanning 9km; blissfully secluded, they occupy the only spot in the world where you can see the Crater and the Serengeti simultaneously, making it a destination in its own right.
Take an epic amble along the edge of one of the wonders of the world; spot game from above, and see through the eyes of your Maasai guide. Better yet, drop in on a Maasai boma for a warm welcome into another existence.
Partner: Sands at Nomad
Destination: Diani Beach, Kenya
Date Published: 1st September 2021
The Sands at Nomad is introducing new initiatives to take more steps towards becoming a gold-rated accommodation for sustainable tourism.
Partner: Africa Safari Classics
Destination: Kenya
Date published: 31st August 2021
The newly built Chinese express, Standard Gauge Railway, is now operational in Kenya between Nairobi and Mombasa. As of right now, it stops at two major tourist destinations: Mtito Andei and Voi Town.
Instead of taking the busy highway or catching a flight to Nairobi or Mombasa, you can now easily board this train to your accommodation and explore the surrounding Chyulu Hills National Park, Tsavo West and Tsavo East.
Partner: Nature Discovery
Destination: Tanzania
Date published: 25th August 2021
A new conservation video series featuring the Tanzanian northeastern circuit - Conservation Through Tourism - aims to “take people on a journey from the snow-capped peaks at the highest point in Africa to the tropical white sand beaches of the Tanzania mainland coast”.
The project provides a unique insight into what's happening on the ground with the aim of further illustrating the importance of leveraging tourism to protect the natural, historical and cultural resources of the country.
Partner: Destination Jungle Safaris
Destination: Uganda
Date published: 21st August 2021
Every 5 Acres is a new project from the Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest (ACBF). The goal of the initiative is to counter the rapid deforestation of Uganda's forests - in particular the Bugoma Forest - through purchase of land for reforestation, with an initial target set for 100 acres. Current costs per acre of land is $1,900 USD. The first 10 acres has been purchased by donors to the association.
The reforestation of the land bought through the initiative is managed by the association, and the first 5 acres is currently undergoing reforestation work.
To learn more about the initiative, watch the video below.
Partner: Asilia Africa
Destination: Tanzania
Date published: 24th August 2021
On Tanzania’s Namiri Plains - Manja - the melanistic serval and his mate have brought a new melanistic serval kitten into the world for a second time!
The litter is made up of two playful kittens. One has inherited its mothers tan fur with black spots, and the other has taken on its father recessive black colouring.
Melanism is extremely rare in a serval, so a melanistic serval passing it on to his offspring is nothing short of a phenomenon. The fact that Manja and his mate have managed this successfully twice in less than a year is nothing short of a miracle!
Partner: Asilia Africa
Destination: Kenya
Date published: 24th August 2021
Designed for photographers of all abilities, this new adventure was created to add ‘a deeper dimension to a classic photographic safari’.
The itinerary aims to showcase how wildlife conservation and community empowerment can go hand in hand with tourism.
Partner: Nomad Tanzania
Destination: Tanzania
Date published: 24th August 2021
Entamanu Ngorongoro Camp has been nominated for Tanzania's Leading Tented Safari Camp in this year’s World Travel Awards!
The Entamanu Ngorongoro sits on the remote northwestern corner of the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, accessed by a private road with views over the Serengeti. Its location is tucked away and remote, in a secluded pocket of East Africa surrounded by stunning views.
A destination in its own right, the camp is the only spot in the world where you can see both the Crater and the Serengeti simultaneously!
Partner: Saruni
Destination: Kenya
Date published: 18th August 2021
Saruni Mara and Saruni Samburu have replaced their electric systems with state-of-the-art solar power plants, providing 80 percent of each camp’s electricity both for guests and staff.
This is part of a wider trend across East Africa as camp owners and operators do their best to transition to a more green economy.
Date Published: 18th August 2021
Partner: Gibbs Farm, Lemala Camps
Destination: Tanzania
Date published: 18th August 2021
Gibb’s Farm are offering horse riding as a new activity for in-house guests as well as day visitors, exploring 8kms of trails on a gentle morning or afternoon ride. Helmets are provided and must be worn. Rack rate US$100 per person, or US$120 if combining with lunch at Gibb’s Farm. Pre-booking is essential.
Lemala Camps & Lodges have launched new multi-day walking safaris in the northern Serengeti, staying in fly-camps and exploring on foot for two or more days.
Partner: Safari Soles Tours
Destination: Tanzania
Date published: 3rd August 2021
The migration is well underway in Tanzania, check out the video below of a Mara River crossing taken on 27th July 2021!
Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebra, and other herd animals cross the Serengeti in Tanzania, heading north to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. One of the most incredible wildlife events in the world, the migration is fundamental to the entire Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
Thanks to Bryson Robert from Safari Soles Tours for the video!
The Great Migration, a perilous journey.
July 2021: With our decades of experience and network of local partners, we bring you the latest stories, developments, and insights from East Africa and East African …
June 2021: With our decades of experience and network of local partners, we bring you the latest stories, developments, and insights from East Africa and East African …
At Brilliant Africa, we work with amazing local partners from across the continent in our pursuit of creating the very best itineraries - and delivering the very best experiences - for our customers.
That's why we started the Africa Travel Collective, to provide a platform for local businesses to share their stories with a global travel audience.
Working with hundreds of partners across the continent, the Africa Travel Collective uncovers the latest stories from Africa.
