Safari…

The word alone stirs up wild dreams, vast skies, and untamed beauty. But when I chose to travel with Ahnasa Luxury Travel, I wasn’t just seeking another safari experience. I wanted adventure with intention — a deep thread running through the luxury, the landscapes, and the lodges.

Ahnasa Luxury Travel is a boutique, all-women safari travel company founded by a Nairobi-born mother-daughter duo. Kenya is their home, their heartbeat. Their roots, relationships, and reverence for this land run deep. So when they offered to curate a journey in their home country, grounded in purpose and connection, I didn’t hesitate.

Their trips are renowned for being high-end and highly personalised, but what truly sets Ahnasa apart is what sits beneath the polish. Behind every curated itinerary is a quiet promise: that your journey will leave the places you visit better, and you, too, a little changed.

I spent a week with Phera, Ahnasa’s co-founder, weaving through some of Kenya’s most spectacular wild spaces. But it was the conversations in between — the stories she shared about their partners and values — that made this trip unforgettable. Phera isn’t just committed to conscious travel; she lives and breathes it. Her authenticity, warmth, and constant curiosity were a reminder of the kind of travel I’ve always aspired to: meaningful, intentional, and regenerative.

My Kenyan Adventure

When I shared my desire for a trip focused on lodges leading in sustainability and conservation, Ahnasa delivered beyond my expectations. With just seven days to spare, the plan they curated struck the perfect balance: immersive yet unrushed, rich yet not overwhelming. The pairing of two wildly different but beautifully complementary camps — and their proximity to one another — made the itinerary seamless.

It’s a choice only true expertise can bring. You do get what you pay for when you travel with trusted, passionate professionals.

So, where did I end up? Laikipia — a region where conservation meets bold thinking, and where the landscapes feel raw and intimate.

Even our journey from Nairobi to Laikipia (a route many would fly) was transformed into an adventure. Driving with Phera felt like travelling with an old friend who knew every fold and rhythm of the land. As the city gave way to open plains, patchwork farms, and the rising silhouettes of distant ranges, I began to understand Kenya’s vastness in a way that no flight ever could. The road told its own story of resilience, change, and raw beauty.

And of course, no detail had been overlooked from the very start. Knowing my travel journey to Kenya had been long and included an overnight flight, I was met with my favourite breakfast pastries and much-needed coffee on arrival — the dream welcome. I was gifted a soft, multi-purpose scarf designed by Mia Kora, beautifully patterned in the colours of an African sunset with elephants. Not only did this become my go-to for stylish game drives, it doubled as the perfect sarong for lazy afternoons by the pool. A personalised stainless steel, reusable water bottle was also perfectly timed — essential during long days on safari and equally useful for everyday life. These small but meaningful touches speak volumes about Ahnasa’s approach: everything is tailored to each individual guest.

First, we arrived at Tumaren Camp, the base for Karisia Walking Safaris, where safaris unfold entirely on foot. This is not your typical game drive. Here, we followed lion tracks, moved silently through the acacia bush, dined under impossibly close stars, and journeyed on camels. We also tried our hand at rock climbing, adding an adventurous twist to the experience. The wildlife sightings were exhilarating, but what stood out was the lightness of our footprint. Karisia’s ethos is grounded in minimal environmental impact and maximum community involvement. Their Samburu guides — wildlife experts and custodians of the land — brought a deeper connection to the safari, making it feel personal and profoundly meaningful.

Next, we travelled to El Karama Lodge, where the philosophy that “small is beautiful” truly comes to life. This intimate, family-run lodge redefines the safari experience. It’s not just the incredible game drives and private excursions that stand out — El Karama also fosters a profound connection to the land. Meals are prepared using ingredients grown on-site, flowers from the garden decorate your plate, and the lodge actively involves the local community, from children joining in Bush School baking sessions to team members who hail from nearby villages. The lodge’s stunning Nilotica Private House became our peaceful base for slow mornings and starlit storytelling. Ahnasa’s expert curation was evident here — they had introduced me to a place where luxury and sustainability coexist in perfect harmony.

What sets El Karama and Karisia apart — and what made my experience so unique — is the collaborative spirit running through Laikipia’s privately owned conservancies. Here, lodge owners work together, not for personal gain, but to regenerate the region. This collective effort supports conservation, local communities, and the ecosystems of Laikipia in equal measure.

Ahnasa Luxury Travel: Striving for Better

If there’s one thing that stayed with me long after I returned home, it was the way Phera’s voice lit up when she spoke about Ahnasa’s purpose. Not the polished pitch of a brand, but a deeply rooted belief in doing travel differently — and that belief was palpable in everything she said and did. This wasn’t about trends or buzzwords. It was about legacy, responsibility, and love for a continent that raised her.

That same passion is embedded in every part of the journeys Ahnasa curates. Their commitment to conservation and community doesn’t sit on the sidelines — it’s centre stage. As someone who has always sought travel experiences that feel connected and considered, discovering Ahnasa felt like finding a kindred spirit.

Take their approach to wildlife, for example. Ahnasa supports organisations like Ulinzi Africa Foundation, training rangers to protect wildlife corridors across Kenya. It’s small organisations like this — locally led and rooted in co-existence — that need support, and it’s here that Ahnasa’s guests can see the tangible impact of their travel.

Then there’s their community work, which struck a chord with me. Hearing Phera speak about supporting a Maasai women-led initiative tackling water and food insecurity was one of those moments that reminds you why travel can — and should — be a force for good. And it’s not just big-picture. At places like El Karama, you feel it in the details: the team proudly from nearby villages, the Bush School where children bake with visiting families, the way guests are gently invited into — not merely observers of — the rhythm of daily life.

Even their environmental ethos is refreshingly practical. Ahnasa partners only with lodges and experiences that are genuinely walking the walk: solar-powered setups, local sourcing, and low-impact operations. And every trip includes a built-in conservation donation, matched by Ahnasa themselves. Quiet impact, made easy.

For me, travel is always about more than movement — it’s about meaning. Ahnasa doesn’t just understand that; they live it. And after spending a week in Kenya with Phera, experiencing one of their journeys firsthand, I left feeling not only inspired but re-aligned.

Company Contacts

Phera Jai (Co-Founder | Travel Designer)
E: Phera
T: +254 782 060 166 / +254 799 402 868
W: Ahnasa

Kalpana Jai (Co-Founder | Sales & Marketing)
E: Pana
T: +254 731 995 506

Sara Jamal (Travel Designer)
E: Sara
T: +1 724 984 7026

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Written by Emma Blunt for Luxuria Lifestyle International