Your first safari in East Africa, planned by someone who lives in the Maasai Mara
Private luxury safaris in East Africa
Our safaris start from US$1,500 per person per night, including your private guide and vehicle, handpicked lodges, all meals, park fees and flights between destinations. International flights are not included.
Lived, not researched
I live in the Mara and plan every journey myself.
Exclusive by design
Private conservancies, small camps and a guide who is only yours.
Built from scratch
No templates and no packages. Your route, your camps.
One person, start to finish
You deal with me, from your first call to your last sundowner.
Why only East Africa
Most safari companies sell all of Africa. I sell East Africa, because I know it. I have lived in Tanzania for four years and Kenya for four, and I live in the Maasai Mara now, so I plan every safari from the ground, not from a brochure. Most journeys combine the Kenyan or Tanzanian plains with a few barefoot days on the Indian Ocean, in Zanzibar or Lamu. Some begin with mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda. I have personally seen the gorillas in Uganda, and I arrange these trips with trusted partners on the ground there. You get depth, not a long list of destinations.
A day on safari
Every day is different, but this is the rhythm I plan around.
First light
Coffee and rusks as the plains wake up. The best light and the most wildlife are in the first hours.
Morning drive
Your own vehicle and guide. Stop where you like and stay as long as you want.
Midday
Back at camp for a long lunch, a swim and a rest. The quiet part of the day for everyone.
Afternoon
Out again as it cools, with game drives, a bush picnic or a walk with a guide, depending on where you stay.
Sundowners
Drinks as the sun goes down, then dinner under the stars.
Plan with confidence
Hi, I’m Natasha.
I design luxury safaris in East Africa from my home in Kenya.
I live in a private wildlife conservancy in the Maasai Mara and have spent over 12 years living and travelling across Africa – exploring the very places I recommend.
This isn’t second-hand advice or generic itineraries. Every safari is shaped by real experiences, trusted relationships, and knowing exactly what works.
If you’re planning your first safari, that difference matters.
Your first safari as a family
I'm raising my daughter in the Maasai Mara, so I plan family safaris from experience, not from one trip. I choose lodges and guides who are genuinely good with children, build in time to rest between game drives, and shape each day around your family's pace. Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, I'll tell you honestly what will work.
Plan a family safariClient experience
Everything worked like clockwork
What an amazing adventure we have had. Thank you so much for organising. Everything worked like clockwork. We couldn’t have asked for two better guides in Danford and James, they were amazing right up to seeing us check in at Kogatende airport. To have witnessed the migration and the animals roaming freely in their surroundings is so special.
Villa Juliana was far and above our expectations. James arranged a private trip on a Dohw where we snorkelled and had an amazing seafood lunch onboard. We also asked for a bbq one night. Well again far and above what we expected with a live band, wonderful seafood and all the staff joining in. They sang, danced and gave Martin & myself a cake for our golden wedding.
A lovely relaxing week after our amazing safari. We have all felt thoroughly spoiled.
Thank you for creating this incredible experience
Thank you for creating this incredible experience! It was amazing and thankfully the group got along well.
Dannford and James truly made the trip with their expertise and interest in making it the best experience possible!
Each lodge/campsite offered something special and interesting. The Olerai was a group favourite. 2 nights there would have been perfect!!
The Customer Service over the entire trip was outstanding. Business here could learn a lot from each of them.
What an extraordinary African adventure
What an extraordinary African adventure I had! Thanks for all your help in making this dream come true. Keep up the great work.
Once in a lifetime trip
Excellent all around safaris to food to accommodations, bests and pillows, extremely knowledgeable staff, and best services at eating areas, and everyone is always smiling, thank you so much, once in a lifetime trip.
I would choose Natasha again in a heartbeat
Our experience with Natasha was incredible. Natasha planned everything for us and customized our trip to our exact specifications. We spent time in Arusha, Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Zanzibar.
We also had an awesome experience visiting the Maasai Tribe and learning about their culture. Natasha organized a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, which was a huge highlight to our trip.
Our guide, Paul, was such a genuinely kind person and incredibly knowledgeable. We felt very safe with Paul and are so thankful he was our guide. I would choose Natasha again in a heartbeat.
Everything was put together perfectly
I want to thank you for everything and your unbelievable patience. It was my best trip ever. Even though I was getting discouraged and worried, in the end, I was worried for nothing.
I have traveled a lot but never to Africa. Everything was put together perfectly. The lodges were so cool and the people were all so nice. Paul our guide was amazing. Thank you again.
The experience was unforgettable!
I very highly recommend Natasha to help you plan and coordinate the African safari trip of your dreams. She helped me and my travel group with our safari trip responding to all our requests and many many questions with an abundance of patience, knowledge, and experience.
Natasha customised our itinerary according to our budget and the accommodations were outstanding, clean comfortable, and run by the most amazing people. The experience was unforgettable! Don’t hesitate…contact Natasha and plan your safari today!
Natasha made the pre-departure planning seamless and as stress-free as possible
Every one of my trips to Africa has been unique and exciting and this was no exception. Natasha Chapman made the pre-departure planning seamless and as stress-free as possible. Despite the time difference, she was very responsive and ensured our needs were tended to. Our guide, Paul Miller, was highly knowledgeable, patient and fun and kept us on track and on time.
Throughout our trip, Paul continually checked in to make sure that our expectations were being met. While on our tour of Arusha, we asked for lunch at a typical local restaurant and he followed that up with a visit to a local market; neither disappointed.
Paul made certain we saw everything on our individual bucket lists, including the Big 5 and the Great Migration. Overall, our accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities were second to none!
A big thank you to Natasha and Paul for making Tanzania a magical experience.
Natasha Chapman out-did herself! She put together a private Safari for my family. There were five of us. My daughter and her husband, my two grandgirls and myself, the grandmother. From our guides, to our places we stayed were pure perfection. When I say, she arranged everything from soup to nuts, I mean it. From chefs to porters, she did everything!
Our entire flight got cancelled and Natasha was there to make changes and anything else she needed to do for us last minute. Thank you! Our guide that we had for ten days, Sebastian was AMAZING, and Shady was too. Thank you once again Natasha! I will be using you again to help me plan my gorilla trekking!!! God bless you!
Overall it was amazing
It was amazing, the lodges were excellent, the food divine. Paul the guide is just an amazing human being. All around we met lots of new people, overall it was amazing!
A seamless, expertly planned safari…
A safari is a significant investment – of both time and money.
Choosing the right people to guide you makes all the difference.
I work with a select network of trusted, reputable partners across East Africa to design seamless, exceptional safaris tailored entirely to you.
From our initial consultation through to your return home, I’m on hand as your personal safari expert — advising, refining, and managing every detail so you can travel with complete confidence. If you wish, I can even accompany you as your private photographer.
Every itinerary is thoughtfully designed around your interests.
Whether that’s an intimate walking safari, a hot air balloon over the Great Migration, tracking wildlife on foot, or combining iconic safari experiences with time on the coast your journey will be entirely your own.
This is not a standard safari.
It’s a carefully curated experience, designed to be unforgettable for all the right reasons.
How it works…
Step 1 - Book a free call
A 30-minute call to talk through your dates, who is travelling and what you hope to see. No obligation.
Step 2 - Receive your free outline
I send you the shape of your journey: the route, the nights in each place and the experience at each stop. You see the idea before you pay anything.
Step 3 - Planning fee, then your full itinerary
If you want to go ahead, I send an invoice for the US$500 planning fee. I then design your full itinerary with handpicked lodges and your private guide, and we refine it until it is right.
Step 4 - Book and travel with confidence
When you book, your US$500 planning fee is credited in full to your trip. Every detail is handled, and I stay available via the phone while you are traveling.
Why there is a planning fee
Designing a safari properly takes many hours: choosing the right lodges, routing around the seasons and the wildlife, and checking every detail with my trusted partners on the ground. I work with a small number of clients at a time, and the planning fee is what makes that possible.
If you book, the fee is credited in full to your trip. If you decide not to book, it is not refundable. Either way, the itinerary is yours to keep. Payment is by invoice and bank transfer.
New to safari planning, start here:
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Signature Safaris
Sample safari itineraries
The Iconic Migration
Start gently in Arusha, then Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, followed by five nights in the Serengeti: two on the central plains and three in the far north by the Mara River. Best from July to October.
See this journeyTanzania and Zanzibar: a honeymoon safari
Ten nights on the northern safari circuit with a private vehicle and your own guide: Arusha, Tarangire for the elephants, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Then a flight to Zanzibar for five nights on the beach.
See this journeyHidden gems of Kenya
A night at Giraffe Manor, then three nights each in Samburu, Lewa and Loisaba, and three in the Maasai Mara, where I live. You fly between every stop, and each place has its own specialist to share inside insights.
See this journeyKenya and Tanzania: bush and beach
A night in Nairobi, three in the Maasai Mara at House in the Wild, then across the border by air for three nights in the northern Serengeti, three in the eastern Serengeti and two at the Ngorongoro Crater. Finish with three nights on Zanzibar.
See this journeyKenya: Maasai Mara to Lamu
Two nights with the giraffes at Giraffe Manor, six in the Maasai Mara (four at House in the Wild, two in a forest camp in Lemek), then four nights by the Indian Ocean in Lamu. One country and no rushing.
See this journeyNot sure which is right for you?
Take a quick quiz to find your ideal itinerary
Six quick questions. One journey, matched to you.
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Questions before you book
How much does a safari cost?
My safaris start from US$1,500 per person per night. The exact figure depends on the lodges, the season and the route, and I'll give you a clear outline before you pay anything.
What does a family safari cost?
My safaris start from US$1,500 per person per night, which includes your private guide and vehicle, handpicked lodges, meals, park fees and flights between destinations. Children are charged less, depending on their age and the lodge. As a general guide, children under 5 are usually free, children up to 12 pay a child rate, and anyone over 12 is usually charged the adult rate. So the cost for a family depends mostly on how old your children are. As a rough example, two adults for seven nights start from about US$21,000, and I add the children's rates once I know their ages and where you will stay. This is a starting point, not a quote.
Is there a minimum spend?
There is no set minimum, but luxury safaris have a natural floor. My journeys start from US$1,500 per person per night, so a seven-night safari for two starts from about US$21,000. I build every trip from scratch, so the final figure depends on where you go, when, and how many of you are travelling. If that is more than you had in mind, tell me on our call and I will say honestly what is possible.
What does the US$500 planning fee cover?
It covers the design of your full itinerary, with handpicked lodges and your private guide, refined until it is right. If you book, the fee is credited in full to your trip.
How and when do I pay?
Payment is in three stages. The US$500 planning fee is paid at the start, and it is credited to your trip if you book. When you confirm your booking, a 20% deposit is due, and this is non-refundable. The rest of the balance is due 40 days before you travel.
What happens on the free call?
It is 30 minutes to talk through your dates, who is travelling and what you hope to see. I want to get a feel for the type of safari you really want so I can plan it, which is much easier to do on a call than over email. There is no obligation.
Do I see anything before I pay?
Yes. After the call I send you the outline: the route, the nights in each place and the experience at each stop.
Is it safe to go with young children?
Safety on safari comes down to the camp, the guide and the pace. I only suggest lodges and guides I am confident in for your family, and I will tell you honestly which suit young children and which do not. I am raising my daughter in the Mara, so I know what it takes.
What is the best age to bring children?
There is no single right age. Some lodges welcome very young children and others set a minimum age, so it depends on where you go. Tell me your children's ages on our call and I will plan around them.
Are you available while we are travelling?
Yes. I stay available by phone throughout your trip.
Do you only plan Kenya and Tanzania?
I focus on East Africa because I know it from the ground. Many journeys combine safari with a few barefoot days on the coast, in Zanzibar or Lamu, and some begin with gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda.
Your safari should be unforgettable for the right reasons
Let’s plan it together
Just select a time and date for a safari consultation call.