Our Story

The Journey Behind Imara

"Imara" means strong and firm in Swahili. It's a promise we make on every safari — and a name we chose because it reflects how we operate: steady, honest, and rooted in the places we share with our guests.

The Name

Imara

/ i·mah·rah /

Imara

Strong. Firm. Resolute.

Origin

Swahili — the language of East Africa's coast, savanna, and people.

Promise

Steadiness in how we plan, honesty in what we recommend, reliability when you're on the ground.

The Journey

From one Land Cruiser to four countries

Every Imara milestone was earned, not bought. Here's how a small Nairobi company grew into East Africa's most trusted safari planners.

2013

A promise under acacia trees

Three certified naturalists left the group-tour circuit with a simple belief: every traveller deserves a guide who remembers their name, a route designed for their pace, and an honest answer when a plan won't work. Imara Africa Safaris was born in a small Nairobi office with one Land Cruiser and zero shareholders.

2016

Licensed, bonded, and recognised

Full licensing by the Tourism Regulatory Authority and KATO membership gave travellers the financial protection to trust a young company with their life savings. The same year, we started designing multi-country itineraries across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.

2019

500 safaris, still personal

Half a thousand bespoke itineraries delivered — and not a single package tour sold. We earned our first TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and a 4.9-star average across platforms, all while keeping the team small enough that every guest knows their planner by name.

2022

Conservation at the core

We deepened our partnerships with community conservancies in the Maasai Mara, Laikipia, and Samburu — directing tourism spend to ranger salaries, schools, and anti-poaching patrols. Every safari we design now includes at least one conservancy stay.

Today

2,500+ happy travellers and counting

Our team has grown, our fleet has doubled, and our reputation stretches across four countries. But the promise hasn't changed: every itinerary starts from a blank page, shaped by a real conversation with someone who calls East Africa home.

“We didn't start Imara to be the biggest safari company. We started it so travellers could have one conversation with someone who actually knows the bush — and trust that the rest would be handled.”

— The founding team, 2013

What hasn't changed

We're bigger now. But the things that matter most are exactly the same.

Every itinerary starts blank

No templates. We ask questions first and design around what we hear.

You know your planner by name

One point of contact from first email to final airport transfer.

We say no when we should

If a lodge isn't right for your season, budget, or group — we'll tell you.

Your spend stays local

Community conservancies, locally-owned camps, Kenyan guides — your money funds what you visit.

10+

Years operating

2,500+

Happy travellers

4.9/5

Average rating

East African countries

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The Journey Behind Imara

Imara

From one Land Cruiser to four countries

A promise under acacia trees

Licensed, bonded, and recognised

500 safaris, still personal

Conservation at the core

2,500+ happy travellers and counting

What hasn't changed

Every itinerary starts blank

You know your planner by name

We say no when we should

Your spend stays local

Ready for the trip of a lifetime?

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The Journey Behind Imara

Imara

From one Land Cruiser to four countries

A promise under acacia trees

Licensed, bonded, and recognised

500 safaris, still personal

Conservation at the core

2,500+ happy travellers and counting

What hasn't changed

Every itinerary starts blank

You know your planner by name

We say no when we should

Your spend stays local