(Posted 18th July 2025)
Courtesy of Trupti Solanki
In the vibrant coastal city of Mombasa, where the Swahili breeze meets the Indian Ocean, a unique travel experience is quietly reshaping how travelers explore Kenya. Lofty Tours is a boutique tour operator with deep family roots. The company was founded in 1978 by Mahendra Solanki, a passionate conservationist and safari pioneer. Today, the company is led by his wife, Monika Solanki, a Kenyan-German tourism expert who is redefining authentic travel experiences across Kenya.
A Family Legacy Rooted in Kenya
What began as Mahendra Solanki’s dream — to share Kenya’s wild beauty and cultural richness with travelers from around the world — has grown into a multi-generational vision. With decades of local experience and global perspective, the Solanki family has built Lofty Tours into a trusted name for personalized safaris, cultural exchange, and sustainable travel.
Monika Solanki, born in Germany and now living in Kenya, brings a rare dual perspective: a deep-rooted love for Kenya and its people, combined with a European mindset shaped by international education and professional experience. Her mission is to carry forward Lofty’s founding values while expanding the company’s reach and relevance for today’s conscious traveler.
What Makes Lofty Tours Different?
- Bespoke Safaris and Cultural Journeys
Lofty Tours curates tailor-made safaris for solo travelers, couples, families, and small groups. From classic game drives in the Maasai Mara to hidden gem explorations in Tsavo, Taita Hills, or the lesser-known Shimba Hills, each itinerary is designed with personal care and local insight.
- Authentic Encounters with Kenya’s Cultures
Beyond wildlife, Lofty Tours opens doors to the cultural richness of Kenya. Travelers can spend time with coastal artisans, visit Swahili neighborhoods, share tea with a Kikuyu farmer, or learn about the stars from a Samburu elder. These are not performances — they are shared moments of real connection.
- Women-led and Community-Focused
Now proudly woman-led under Monika’s direction, Lofty Tours collaborates with a wide network of local guides, women’s groups, and eco-lodges. A portion of all proceeds supports community projects in coastal Kenya, especially in the areas of education and sustainable tourism.
- Fluent in Multiple Worlds
Lofty Tours caters especially well to German-speaking travelers, thanks to Monika’s native fluency and cross-cultural experience — meeting European expectations with Kenyan warmth, honesty, and hospitality. Her daughter Trupti Klinge-Solanki also personally accompanies groups from Germany to Kenya, ensuring a seamless and memorable journey filled with culture, wildlife, and adventure.
For First-Time and Repeat Travelers
Whether you’re dreaming of seeing elephants at sunrise, dancing to swahili music in Old Town Mombasa, or tracking lions with Maasai scouts, Lofty Tours will craft your perfect, personal Kenya.
For those who’ve never been to Kenya, Lofty offers “soft landing” packages — combining wildlife, culture, and beach with thoughtful pacing. For seasoned Africa travelers, the company delivers new angles and deeper immersion.
Sustainability, Not Slogans
At a time when tourism is under pressure to become more sustainable, Lofty Tours leads by example — not by marketing. Vehicles are locally maintained. Lodges are chosen for their fair employment practices. Guests are encouraged to travel lightly and respectfully. Lofty Tours is Travelife Certified for sustainability and a proud member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO).
As Monika says,
“Kenya is not a destination. It’s a conversation. And at Lofty Tours, we help you listen.”
