our philosophy
Extraordinary places are only the beginning.
Thoughtful travel is how we experience them.
First-hand knowledge shapes every recommendation.
Conservation, community and connection guide our choices.
High-touch attention that brings it all to life.
We believe how you experience a place matters, just as much as where you go.
We travel slowly,
look beyond the obvious
and seek out places that feel genuinely connected to their surroundings.
where it all began
Immersion Safaris is a family-owned and operated business, with roots in Kenya stretching back to 2013.
Somewhere along the way, the open plains, red earth and wildness of Africa got under our skin. We found ourselves wanting to share not only the extraordinary landscapes and wildlife, but the people, places and small moments that had made us fall in love with being here.
When we spoke to friends and family back home, we kept hearing the same thing. They were deeply curious about Africa, but often didn't know where to begin. There were endless camps and destinations to choose from, unfamiliar logistics to navigate and, for some, a sense of uncertainty about travelling somewhere that felt as though there was too much unknown.
Immersion Safaris grew from that gap.
Today, we create thoughtful, bespoke safaris for couples, families and groups, using our knowledge on the ground to make Africa feel both exciting and wonderfully effortless to experience. We personally vet all the locations we recommend, understand the seasons and the logistics, and are particular about the details that can turn a good safari into something incredibly special.
Our travel advisory service comes at no additional cost to our guests, with personal support before you travel, while you're here and all the way home.
Phoebe and Michelle
Maasai Mara North Conservancy | 2015
Who we are
Michelle richmond
Originally from Australia, Michelle has called Kenya home for the past 13 years, having previously lived in South East Asia. Her extensive experience across different cultures, together with her knowledge of East Africa, shapes the highly personal and immersive experiences she creates for guests seeking to venture beyond the conventional safari.
Michelle brings more than 20 years of experience in personal development coaching, integrative health and transformational facilitation. She has worked with individuals, leaders and organisations around the world, helping people gain greater clarity, reconnect with what matters and create meaningful change in their lives. This expertise underpins Immersion’s retreat experiences, which combine private safari travel with thoughtfully facilitated opportunities for reflection and personal development.
Co-Founder
Phoebe Richmond
Phoebe leads the company’s philosophy, partnerships and guest experience. Her commitment to sustainability and holistic wellbeing, together with her belief in the restorative power of the natural world, informs the selection of our safari partners and the experiences we create. She ensures every itinerary reflects our values while offering guests a thoughtful and meaningful way to experience Africa.
Before establishing Immersion Safaris, Phoebe spent more than a decade working in property and interior styling in Australia. Phoebe utilises her experience of having an eye for detail into curating beautiful experiences in beautiful places, which she brings to the careful curation of every itinerary.
Co-Founder“The natural world is the greatest source of excitement, the greatest source of visual beauty, the greatest source of intellectual interest.”
- David Attenborough
