Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps

Gamewatchers Safaris is a Kenyan safari company with more than 35 years of experience, founded by Jake Grieves-Cook and based in Karen, opposite The Hub shopping centre. It is best known for its Porini camps, a collection of small tented camps set in private and community conservancies, where the number of visitors is limited. The company's approach links tourism with conservation on land outside the busiest parts of the national parks and reserves.

The Porini portfolio covers several of Kenya's main wildlife regions. Camps include Porini Amboseli, Porini Mara, Porini Lion, Porini Cheetah and Porini Rhino, set in conservancies such as Selenkay near Amboseli, Ol Kinyei and Olare Motorogi in the greater Maasai Mara, and Ol Pejeta in Laikipia. There are also camps in the Meru area and the Nairobi Tented Camp, which the company lists under Nairobi National Park, giving visitors a chance to stay in the bush without leaving the capital.

Conservancy safaris have practical advantages. Because vehicle numbers are controlled, sightings tend to be less crowded than in busy parts of the national reserves, and conservancy rules often allow activities that national parks do not, such as guided walks and night drives. Gamewatchers holds Gold Eco Rated certification for several camps and Travelife certification, and it was a winner at the ATTA for Action awards in 2026. Its website also lists TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice recognition and 2026 World Travel Awards nominations for both the company and Porini Mara Camp.

The company suits travellers who want a quieter, more intimate safari, wildlife photographers, couples and families who value expert guiding and conservation credentials. It is not the cheapest way to see Kenya, but the combination of small camps and private conservancies is the reason many people choose it.

Contact the team by phone or email to plan a trip, and ask about combining a night at Nairobi Tented Camp with conservancy stays further afield. Check which activities each camp offers, what is included in the rate, and the luggage limits on the light aircraft used to reach many of the camps. The Karen office is convenient for visitors staying in the south-western suburbs, near the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum.