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:
- Price Range:
- $350 to $1,200 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Atsuko | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
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
Email Robyn D | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
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
Email Two Empty Passports | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
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.
CA
Email Gordon | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Perfect, flexible, and accommodating Safari Operator
Just wrapped up an amazing multi-day safari with Lorna Safaris through Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, and the Masai Mara.
The Masai Mara was hands down the absolute best part of the whole trip—the wildlife viewing there was completely mind-blowing! 🦒🦁Planning was a breeze thanks to Judy, who set up a face-to-face Zoom call with a local guide before we even left home.
Travelling with multiple wheelchair users can be stressful, but these guys are pros at accessible travel. They provided an awesome safari vehicle with a lift and ramp, and they made sure all our hotels fit everyone's needs perfectly.
Our drivers were so kind, knowledgeable, and super flexible with our routes. We did morning and afternoon drives with a solid rest break in the middle of the day. Shout out to Don, Anthony, Teddy, and Jimmy... you were the best I've ever encountered.
This slower pace was perfect because we never got burnt out.
Seriously, look no further than Lorna Safaris if you're heading to Kenya! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CA
Email Gavin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Flawless, Fully Accessible 12-Day Kenya Safari with Lorna Safaris!
Lorna Safaris completely blew us away! They went above and beyond for our group from start to finish during our incredible 12-day safari through the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru.
Planning a trip to Kenya can bring some pre-arrival jitters, but Judy was fantastic. She organized a face-to-face Zoom meeting with a local guide before our departure to walk us through every detail. Once we arrived, a pre-trip meeting with our drivers cleared up any remaining last-minute questions.
What truly set them apart was their exceptional attention to accessibility. We had multiple wheelchair users in our group, and Lorna Safaris provided a fantastic accessible vehicle equipped with both a lift and a ramp. They did a wonderful job catering to everyone's individual needs, and the hotels they selected were excellent.
Our drivers were knowledgeable, kind, soft-spoken, and highly flexible with their routes. We did a slower-paced tour with morning and afternoon game drives, leaving time to rest in the midday heat. This pacing was perfect—we never felt overwhelmed, yet we still packed in a ton of activities and saw lions, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, and so much more!
Use Lorna Safaris for your travels in Kenya; their reach is far and their service is genuinely five-star!
Email Bob & Eileen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable dedication to Accessible Travel in Kenya
In mid‑May 2026, we went on a wonderful Accessible Safari with Lorna’s Safari, and the experience exceeded every expectation. We arrived a couple of days before the official tour began, and Judy and her team still picked us up at the airport and helped us with several last‑minute needs before the tour officialy started. That level of care set the tone for the entire trip.
Accessibility was clearly a priority from start to finish. Every accommodation and every vehicle was thoughtfully prepared. Lorna Safaris has worked closely with the safari camps they use to ensure accessible rooms, attentive staff, and smooth logistics. They even know where all the accessible restrooms are along the routes! Their modified safari van with a lift seat, additional vans with ramps, and the custom wooden boxes they’ve built for easier entry made getting in and out of the vehicles simple and stress‑free.
Our guide, Don, was exceptional. His knowledge of wildlife and local culture added so much depth to each game drive. Across our three destinations—Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli—we saw an incredible variety of animals. We witnessed lions feeding on multiple kills, watched lions climbing trees, and even saw a mating pair. The sheer number of elephants in Amboseli was unforgettable, and the rhinos and giraffes at Lake Nakuru were a highlight.
We highly recommend Lorna’s Safari for anyone with limited mobility. Their attention to detail and genuine care made this one of the most enjoyable trips we’ve ever taken. My wife even said it was her favorite vacation of all time. You won’t regret choosing them—this safari truly exceeded all our expectations.
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Email Coleson Hector | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Memorable Luxury Experience in Kenya This December..
Our December 2024 journey to Kenya was made truly unforgettable thanks to the outstanding service provided by Lorna Travels, especially Judy. From the moment we arrived in Nairobi, her attention to detail and personal touch set the tone for a seamless and luxurious experience.
Faced with unexpected challenges due to a previous travel agent, Judy stepped in effortlessly, ensuring our transportation across Nairobi and the Maasai Mara was not only reliable but also incredibly comfortable. She provided top-notch vehicles and professional drivers, always prioritizing our safety and convenience.
What stood out most was Judy’s dedication to our evolving plans. She displayed exceptional flexibility, adapting to our needs while ensuring we experienced the very best of Kenya. Her proactive problem-solving and constant communication gave us peace of mind, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife.
Lorna Travels, through Judy’s thoughtful guidance, truly elevated our safari experience. For anyone seeking a flawless and personalized trip to Kenya, I wholeheartedly recommend their exceptional service.
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Email Amias M | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I felt completely at ease.
As a wheelchair user, traveling has always been challenging for me. But with Lorna Safaris, I felt completely at ease. The entire trip was designed with accessibility in mind, and I never felt left out. The Masai Mara game drive and the scenic beauty were absolutely magical..
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Email Shane T | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Truly amazing which will always be remembered..
Lorna Safaris truly understands the needs of travelers with limited mobility. The vehicles, accommodations, and staff were all top-notch. Special thanks to Judy for her meticulous planning and Jimmy for his excellent guidance. The Carnivore restaurant dinner was a highlight of our Nairobi experience!
Email Jack Scott | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly recommended!
Lorna Safaris exceeded our expectations! The team went above and beyond to ensure my mother, a wheelchair user, felt comfortable throughout the trip. From accessible vehicles to thoughtfully chosen accommodations, everything was seamless. The Masai Mara experience was breathtaking, and the guides were exceptionally knowledgeable. Highly recommended!