$3,899 to $6,206 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateThis Tour Is Offered By
Accessible Safaris
Lorna Ventures
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
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KE
Travelers come to Africa for safaris, but it is the people they meet that warm their hearts. We offer not only classic safaris, but authentic and unique experiences. From accessible luxury lodges and tented camps, customized vehicles, and dedicated staff, we strive to create once in a lifetime experiences. Lorna safaris offers tailor made individual itineraries to Kenya and Tanzania for people with disabilities, Slow pacers and Seniors'.
Reviews28
Wheels, Wildlife and Warmth: An accessible safari done right!
I cannot recommend Lorna Safaris highly enough, especially for travelers with accessibility needs. I use a cane to help with walking and a mobility scooter for longer distances, so I was initially nervous about how feasible a safari would be — but Lorna Safari exceeded every expectation.
Their vehicle was thoughtfully equipped with a hydraulic lift seat that raised and lowered smoothly, making it easy for me to get in and out of the jeep with dignity and ease. It's clear they've genuinely thought about what accessible travel requires, not just checked a box.
The drivers were exceptional — skilled, patient, and remarkably knowledgeable about the wildlife. They could identify species, explain behaviors, and share fascinating details about the animals we encountered, all while navigating us remarkably close for incredible up-close views and photos, and keeping safety and comfort a top priority throughout.
A special mention goes to Judy, the organizer, who truly sets this company apart. She takes the time to understand what it's actually like to navigate the world with a disability, and plans with genuine empathy rather than assumptions. It's clear she's not just accommodating guests but actively advocating for disability rights and comfort at every level of the experience.
Beyond the vehicle itself, the entire staff was warm, attentive, and endlessly flexible. They happily adjusted schedules and routes to suit our needs, and went out of their way to help with luggage at every stop, without ever being asked twice.
This was more than a safari — it was a seamless, joyful adventure made possible by a team that truly cares about every guest, regardless of ability. If you're looking for a safari company that combines adventure, comfort, and genuine accessibility, Lorna Safari is it. Highly recommended!
Great Memories!
Lorna Safaris did an excellent job putting together our safari! There were 16 total travelers. 6 Travelers had special needs due to disabilities and needing accessible travel and accommodations. Judy and here team at Lorna Safaris made all the arrangements to make sure everyone's needs were met. A few hiccups along the way were quickly addressed.
The accommodations and food were excellent! Our guides were knowledgeable and helpful. The transportation was comfortable and provided a great platform for wildlife viewing. Even the animals put on a show! All of the images from Nation Geographic and Wild Kingdom came to life in a way that will provide memories and photos we will treasure for the rest of our lives!
We loved the time we spent in Kenya and visiting the National Parks and Preserves. Thank you, Lorna Safaris, for making this a trip of a lifetime!
12 Days Accessible Safari Tour in Kenya: A Journey Beyond Expectation
A month ago, I took part in a twelve-day accessible safari group tour to Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli, arranged through Judy at Lorna Safaris, an accessible tour company, traveling alongside a group that included both people with and without disabilities. As a wheelchair user, I had wondered just how accessible the tour would truly be, and whether it could accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. However, those concerns were quickly dispelled — thanks to the well-arranged accessible rest-stop facilities during the five- to six-hour journeys from Nairobi to each national park (most participants chose to fly, but I deliberately chose to travel by jeep instead), the thoughtful transportation, and the accessible lodging along the way.
The wildlife itself exceeded every expectation. We witnessed a lion feeding on a zebra, and after waiting quietly for a full hour for a cheetah to stir, we were rewarded with the sight of it in motion — a moment our guide assured us was a genuine stroke of luck. Just as memorable, though, were the long-distance jeep rides between Nairobi and parks. Being jolted along unpaved roads for hours — what's often wryly called an "African massage" — was far from comfortable, yet I found myself captivated by the chaotic, vivid scenes passing by the window: scattered villages, children waving and calling out from the roadside, vehicles and pedestrians weaving together, and vendors selling their wares amid the flow of traffic. It was through these long drives, more than anything, that I felt I truly experienced Kenya's communities and its magnificent scenery.
If you really want to see the real Kenya, try traveling to the parks by jeep. It's a long drive — five to six hours from Nairobi, with bumpy roads for the last stretch — but it's absolutely worth it.
I hold nothing but heartfelt gratitude for Judy and her team of drivers and guides — Jimmy, Don, Anthony, and Teddy — who provided us with truly exceptional service throughout our journey. Their skillful driving, expert guiding, deep knowledge of the wildlife, remarkably keen eyesight for spotting animals from a distance, and thoughtful attentiveness to accessibility needs left a lasting impression on me — as did their unfailing kindness, warmth, and sense of humor.
When the Amboseli lodge's entrance proved inaccessible, Judy and her team of guides/drivers worked with the hotel to address it, and by the very next day it had been flawlessly renovated — a level of responsiveness I can hardly imagine back home in the U.S. or Japan.
By journey's end, I had grown genuinely close to this team, as though they were family, and saying goodbye was surprisingly difficult. As someone who navigates life from a wheelchair, being able to travel to Africa once again and have such a remarkable experience is something I owe entirely to Judy and Lorna Safaris. I am truly, deeply grateful, and I hope they continue crafting many more extraordinary tours — and go on offering services that allow so many individuals with disabilities to realize the items on their own bucket lists.
I highly recommend Lorna Safaris, whether you have a disability or not. And if you go, be sure to ask for Jimmy, Don, Anthony, or Teddy — they're some of the best guides/drivers around.
CA
A Dream Safari Made Possible by Lorna Safaris
I am an ambulatory wheelchair user with multiple chronic illnesses that affect my pain and fatigue, so finding a safari that could accommodate my needs was incredibly important to me. I honestly wasn't sure I could do a safari in Kenya at all. Lorna Safaris not only made it possible — they made it an experience I will never forget!
We traveled with a large group of 16 people, including six wheelchair users with varying needs. Most of the wheelchair users brought mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs, while I traveled with my manual wheelchair. From the moment Judy met us at the airport with a huge smile, her kindness, generosity and willingness to help never diminished throughout our 12-day safari.
Judy and her team — Don, Jimmy, Anthony, Teddy and Lillian — worked incredibly hard to make the trip accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Accessibility wasn't an afterthought. Judy had carefully considered our accommodations, transportation, and appropriate activities. Their safari vehicles included lift seats and ramps, making it much easier for wheelchair users to get in and out.
The wildlife itself was absolutely incredible! We visited the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, and each destination offered something completely different. We saw lions, including males, females and cubs, elephants, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, buffalo, wildebeest, warthogs, flamingos and so many other animals and birds that I couldn't possibly list them all. And we often got incredibly close to the animals.
Pictures don't do it justice. Experiencing wildlife this close in its natural habitat is something we will never forget!
But the person who made the safari possible for me personally was our guide, Don. Judy paired my husband and me with Don, who has nearly 20 years of guiding experience. Because my fatigue meant I couldn't manage the same length of game drives as everyone else, Don became our private driver and adapted the schedule around what I could handle.
I initially worried that I would miss out because I couldn't participate in every game drive. Instead, I saw **every animal the rest of the group saw**!! I never felt like I was missing out, and that meant more to me than I can really put into words. 💙
Don was incredibly knowledgeable, genuinely kind, funny, patient and helpful. He seemed to know exactly where to look and what to watch for, and his knowledge made every game drive even more fascinating. I felt completely comfortable telling him when I needed to rest, and there was never any pressure to push beyond what my body could handle.
We also arrived in Kenya three days before the safari, which gave me time to adjust to the time change and environment before the tour began. I would highly recommend doing this if you have a chronic illness or fatigue-related disability.
Our experience with Judy didn't end when the safari did, either. She arranged transportation and accommodations for my husband and me to spend a week at the beach in Malindi afterward. It was the perfect, relaxing way to finish our Kenya adventure.
What impressed me most about Lorna Safaris wasn't simply that they had accessible equipment. It was the **genuine care and willingness to problem-solve** whenever something unexpected came up. Judy and her team understand that accessibility is different for every traveler, and they worked with us rather than expecting everyone to fit into the same mold.
As someone who travels with a wheelchair and chronic illness, I know how difficult it can be to find companies that truly understand accessible travel. I would wholeheartedly recommend Lorna Safaris to wheelchair users, travelers with disabilities, and anyone whose chronic illness affects their ability to travel.
If you have ever wondered whether a Kenya safari is possible for you, I would encourage you to talk to Judy! She and her team made something I wasn't sure I could do into one of the most incredible travel experiences of my life.
**Thank you, Judy, Don, Jimmy, Anthony, Teddy and Lillian, for helping make this dream a reality.** 💙
CA
Exceptional Accessible Safari Operator
As an accessible travel blogger and tour organizer, finding a safari company that could genuinely accommodate a large group with varying accessibility needs was one of the biggest challenges when planning our Kenya safari. From my very first contact with Judy at Lorna Safaris, I knew we had found the right partner.
Judy was incredibly easy to communicate with throughout the entire process — from creating and adjusting our itinerary and arranging payments to answering countless questions before we ever arrived in Kenya. She was exceptionally responsive and went far beyond what I expected from a safari operator.
One of the things that impressed me most was Judy's commitment to understanding accessibility firsthand. Before our group arrived, she personally visited the safari lodges, took photos and videos for me to review and use in our trip planning, and worked with the properties to ensure accessibility was a priority. She didn't simply rely on what hotels told her was "accessible" — she went and saw it for herself.
Our group ultimately grew to 16 participants, including six wheelchair users with varying needs. Lorna Safaris provided four safari vehicles equipped with accessible lifting chairs and ramps, allowing participants with different mobility levels to safely and comfortably access the jeeps.
And when unexpected accessibility challenges arose, Judy and her team didn't simply say, "That's not possible." They found solutions. At one lodge, for example, the door frame was actually adjusted to make it easier for a wheelchair user to enter her safari tent. The team worked directly with lodge staff to address accessibility issues as they arose, including making improvements during our stay.
Judy, Jimmy, Don, Anthony and Teddy were absolutely exceptional throughout the safari. They assisted wheelchair users when needed, helped with transfers and equipment, answered endless questions and shared an incredible amount of knowledge about the wildlife we encountered.
Judy also put a great deal of thought into selecting our accommodations. The lodges and hotels were chosen because they could provide multiple accessible rooms, had helpful and welcoming staff, were exceptionally clean and offered comfortable facilities and a variety of food options.
Organizing an accessible safari for a large group is no small undertaking, but Lorna Safaris approached every challenge with patience, flexibility and genuine care. From the months of preparation before our arrival to the final days of the safari — and even the follow-up afterward — Judy and her team worked tirelessly to make this experience possible.
For anyone looking for a safari company that genuinely understands accessible travel, I would highly recommend Lorna Safaris. Accessible safari operators are difficult to find, and those that truly understand the difference between simply having an "accessible" room and actually creating an accessible travel experience are even harder to find. Lorna Safaris exceeded our expectations.
Other Safaris & Tours2 – Offered by Lorna Ventures
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7-Day Accessible Safari
$2,993 to $3,538 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Giraffe Centre (Nairobi), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
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7-Day Ultimate Kenyan Safari
$2,547 to $3,701 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Amboseli NP, Nairobi Airport (End)
