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 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, it wasn’t just about the destination. From the moment I set off, it was clear that no detail had been overlooked. Knowing my travel journey to Kenya was 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 designed with the colours of an African Sunset and elephants. This is not only because my go-to for my ‘safari sheek’ game drives, but also doubled as the perfect sarong for those afternoons around the pool. A stainless steel, reusable and personalised metal water bottle was also perfectly timed, and much needed, not only on days on safari, but is perfect for everyday life. These small but meaningful touches speak volumes about Ahnasa’s approach, tailored to each guest.

First, we arrived at Tumaren Camp, the base for Karisia Walking Safaris, where safaris unfold 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 even 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, who are both wildlife experts and custodians of the land, brought a deeper connection to the safari, making it feel personal and meaningful. And it’s this level of thoughtfulness and authenticity that Ahnasa carefully curates in every aspect of the trip.

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 Lodge also offers a profound connection to the land. Meals are made with ingredients grown on-site, flowers from the garden decorate your plate, and the lodge fosters local involvement, such as children joining in Bush School baking sessions. The lodge’s stunning Nilotica Private House became our peaceful base for slow mornings and starlit storytelling. Ahnasa’s expert curation was evident here, as they 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 that runs through Laikipia’s privately owned conservancies. Here, lodge owners work together, not for personal gain, but to regenerate the region. This collective effort supports not just conservation but also the people and ecosystems of Laikipia. At Karisia and El Karama, this is reflected in their commitments to community-led conservation, local talent and long-term sustainability, which I could ramble on about forever.

These lodges, supported by Ahnasa, represent the power of collaboration in conservation and the wild, authentic experiences that come with it.

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. It was palpable. 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. And as someone who’s always sought travel experiences that feel connected and considered, it 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 this support and where Ahnasa (and by extension, their guests) can see the impact they are making.

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 remind 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 kids bake with visiting families, the way guests are gently invited into (not just observers of) the rhythm of daily life.

Even their environmental ethos is refreshingly practical. Ahnasa partners only with lodges and experiences that are walking the walk – solar-powered setups, local sourcing, and low-impact operations. And I loved that 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 speaking with Phera and spending a week in Kenya with her, 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