Coral Reefs to Wild Plains

Journeys that Protect What Matters Most

Two sanctuaries, worlds apart, both driven by a single truth, 
that our most profound journeys are those that help nature endure.

There’s a new rhythm to travel, one that goes beyond indulgence to seek connection, contribution, and care for the planet. Across continents and oceans, I’ve found places where conservation is not an afterthought but a way of life. Where curiosity meets humility, and the real luxury lies not in excess, but in awareness.

At Rothschild Safaris, our philosophy has never been about simply finding the most luxurious properties; it’s about the experiences that unfold once you’re there. Yes, we care about the thread count, but it’s not what defines a truly exceptional journey. What matters most are the moments that stay with you long after you return home, the places that inspire, connect, and surprise.

That’s why I’m meticulous about every property that earns a place in our Preferred List. You could call it our little black book of the world’s most extraordinary stays. Each one has been personally visited, revisited, and carefully monitored to ensure that what we promise is precisely what you’ll find: authentic experiences delivered with care and integrity.

My recent trip to Lizard Island reminded me exactly why we do what we do. Propelling through clear blue waters over living reefs teeming with color and life, diving among giant clam gardens, and watching the sun sink into Watsons Bay with a chilled glass in hand, it was unforgettable. A walk through the island’s Research Station offered a fascinating glimpse into the groundbreaking conservation work happening behind the scenes. And the food? Exceptional. As far north as one can go to experience the Great Barrier Reef in both comfort and consciousness, Lizard Island deserves a place among the most meaningful destinations on earth.

Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef

Dive Into a Living Wonder

Floating 240 kilometers north of Cairns, off the coast of northern Australia, Lizard Island is a world apart, a coral-fringed sanctuary where conservation and science coexist alongside barefoot luxury. Beyond its sapphire lagoons and powder-white beaches lies the Lizard Island Research Station, a globally respected hub for coral reef science. Here, marine biologists study reef resilience, regeneration, and the fragile web of life that makes the Great Barrier Reef one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems. You’re invited to witness this extraordinary work firsthand, learning how discovery and dedication combine to preserve a living wonder.

Lizard Island is a National Park covering over 1,000 hectares, home to 24 powdery white beaches and a striking blue lagoon. The island offers access to both inner and outer reef experiences, including one of the world’s most famous dive sites, Cod Hole. Here, you can come face to face with the majestic Potato Cod, a massive, curious fish that approaches with an almost childlike wonder. The diving and snorkeling here are some of the best in the Great Barrier Reef, with coral gardens, ribbon reefs, and lagoon ecosystems just waiting to be explored. Birdlife flourishes, and if you venture up to Cooks Look, the island's highest peak, the view across reef and sea is breathtaking.

Days here unfold in color and calm. You might snorkel straight off a secluded beach, or glide above giant clam fields shimmering in the light. Join guided reef walks that reveal how the smallest actions can protect vast marine environments. Listen to marine researchers share how warming seas affect reef health. Every snorkel is a lesson in biodiversity, every swim a promise to preserve. Lizard Island isn’t simply a place you visit; it’s an immersion with intention.

Rothschild Tip: We can arrange private snorkeling expeditions with local marine guides who have spent decades studying these reefs. Their stories bring the underwater world to life in ways few ever experience.

Ol Jogi Conservancy, Kenya

Walk with the Guardians of Laikipia

While the reef tells one story, the savannah tells another. In Kenya’s Ol Jogi Conservancy, conservation takes a different but equally vital form. Spread across 58,000 acres on the Laikipia Plateau, Ol Jogi is a refuge for endangered species, a sanctuary where black and white rhino, Grevy’s zebra, and African wild dogs roam under the protection of devoted guardians. Here, wildlife conservation is not an abstract idea but a daily act of courage, patience, and hope.

Ol Jogi is booked on an exclusive-use basis, making it ideal for families or small groups traveling together. With no other guests sharing the space, it feels like your very own private game reserve, just you, the wildlife, and the vast beauty of Laikipia. It’s one of the rare places in Kenya where you can experience total seclusion paired with world-class conservation and comfort.

When you visit Ol Jogi, they don’t just observe, they participate. You might rise early to track rhinos on foot alongside rangers, learning how to read their footprints in the soft red earth. Later, you could visit the conservancy’s wildlife rescue center, where orphaned or injured animals are cared for before returning to the wild. Every moment brings you closer to understanding the immense dedication required to protect this wilderness.

It’s an intimate window into conservation in action, where community, science, and stewardship meet. You’ll see how advanced anti-poaching technology and local partnerships create a powerful defense against threats to the region’s wildlife. These encounters turn awe into understanding and curiosity into compassion.

As the sun sinks low across the Laikipia plains, you might find yourself with a glass of French champagne or a whiskey of choice, watching elephants cross golden fields while hyenas call in the distance. It’s in that stillness that you realize you’re part of something larger than yourself, a living legacy of protection, partnership, and purpose.

Rothschild Tip: Spend a morning or afternoon with the Ol Jogi rangers and veterinarians. It’s often the most memorable part of the journey.

Travel That Matters

At both destinations, the magic lies in the meaning behind the experience. You’re not just visiting; you’re joining a story of resilience. Whether helping restore coral reefs in the Pacific or supporting wildlife protection in East Africa, your stay contributes directly to the ecosystems that make these places extraordinary.

I’ve swum these reefs and walked these savannah trails myself. I’ve felt the pull of the tide around Lizard Island and the quiet peace of the plains at Ol Jogi as the sun slipped below the horizon. Those moments don’t simply fade; they stay with you, not as memories, but as reminders. Reminders of coexistence, of beauty that asks nothing and gives everything, of responsibility to something greater than ourselves. 

This is what travel should be. Every experience should deepen your connection to the world and leave it better than you found it. Because the privilege of exploration carries with it a promise to protect, to honor, and to help the wild endure.

Speak to your Travel Designer to begin your journey of purpose and connection.