Laikipia Plateau: Kenyan Wildlife Preserve

Together they have created an enormous wildlife stronghold the size of Wales, which contains some of Kenya's most endangered animals. It is one of the last refuges for endangered Black Rhino and has the largest Elephant population outside of Kenya's national parks and reserves.

The magnificent plateau sweeps right to the eastern edge of the Rift Valley, where it drops off into deeply wooded gorges and tangled riverine thickets.

The area has been made famous by Kuki Gallman's book, 'I Dreamed of Africa' that was transformed into a film starring Kim Basinger. She writes evocatively about the joys and tragedies of an unusual family life in a remote part of Kenya.

Laikipia has the kind of up-market lodges where you feel more like a houseguest than a tourist. You are often accommodated in old homesteads, which only cater for a small number of guests and you may be hosted at dinner by the owner. This kind of personal attention makes for a very select safari, where you are one of the privileged few.

Lodges of Laikipia: