Captivating Kenya
Kenya
9 days
This safari adventure combines two prime wildlife regions including the Maasai Mara and invites guests to participate in Kenya’s conservation success story.
How Your Trip Matters
While exploring diverse regions of Kenya, you actively participate in helping rhino, rescued elephants and local communities. A donation is also made to care for orphaned elephants at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary.
Highlights
Explore Kenya’s oldest national park in search of endangered black and white rhino.
Discover the untamed beauty of the Mara and the pristine wilderness of the northern frontier.
Experience a behind the scenes tour of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Kenya’s first community owned and managed elephant orphanage.
Enjoy one of the world's best hotels, the magical Mahali Mzuri. Observe the Mara's cycle of life and learn about the Maasai's relationship with wildlife.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are conscious travel experiences chosen with great care based on the positive social or environmental impact they have both on their communities, and on those who experience them: our guests. You can identify these experiences across our trips by locating the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience seal.
Accommodations
1. The Emakoko
Kenya, Nairobi
The Emakoko is a family owned, boutique lodge uniquely positioned on the edge of the Nairobi National Park. Nothing is too much trouble for owners and hosts, Emma and Anthony Childs, who live on site with their young family. Well-appointed rooms are designed for relaxation and comfort, with huge, luxurious beds, black-out curtains and private verandas that look out on to the park. Fall asleep to the sounds of Africa, a lion roaring or the cry of a lone hyena, an amazing contrast to the sounds of any sleeping city. The relaxing atmosphere extends through to the open and airy public areas. Enjoy coffee by the pool overlooking the river, or the spectacular park sunsets with a cocktail in hand. Anthony & Emma are deeply committed to the preservation and protection of the Park and to the local communities that border it.
2. Sarara Treehouses
Kenya, Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy
Intimate and peaceful with spectacular views of the fabled Matthews Mountain Range in northern Kenya, Sarara lies in the vast Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. The luxurious tents are spacious with high ceilings, ample cupboard space, electric lighting, en suite bathroom with toilet, basin, hot and cold running water and adjacent outdoor shower. Enjoy an early morning coffee and tea on your private terrace overlooking the conservancy and mountain range. The main area offers communal dining to mingle with fellow guests and the swimming pool commands incredible views of Mount Uarges, one of the seven sacred mountains to the Samburu. Elephant, buffalo, leopard, bushbuck and a wide array of other life roams beneath you on the forest floor.
3. Mahali Mzuri
Kenya, Maasai Mara
Mahali Mzuri is Sir Richard Branson's luxury safari camp in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, which covers over 33,000 acres within the Masai Mara ecosystem. Mahali Mzuri is a collaboration with the local Maasai communities and delivers exceptional service and attention to detail. The tented suites sit on a raised platform and include a spacious bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, sitting area and a large deck with views over the landscape - perfect for spotting the game that will almost certainly wander into view! The central main tent features a relaxing lounge area with an open fireplace, a library of books, iPads for guest use, iPod docking stations, a game console and a TV/DVD player for those who wish to keep up to date. Complimentary wireless internet is available throughout the camp. Meals are served on the deck or at the communal table inside. Binoculars are available (although it’s a good idea to bring your own!) and a telescope for stargazing. In between activities, enjoy a treatment, for own account, at Nasaro, which means refuge or relaxation in Maa or take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Nairobi, Kenya
Jambo na Karibu! After a warm welcome, you’ll be driven to your boutique lodge located on the edge of Nairobi National Park. (D)
The Emakoko
Day 2. Nairobi
Enjoy a morning Nairobi National Park Safari before the crowds arrive. Learn about the ways your stay benefits the black rhino and local schools and perhaps visit a community before touring the capital city of Nairobi. (BLD)
Learn about the family-owned lodge's amazing projects to help the local communities and endangered wildlife in Nairobi National Park.
The Emakoko
Day 3. Nairobi/ Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy
Your safari takes off with a flight to the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in the northern frontier of Kenya. Meet your expert ranger for a game drive and start exploring the conservancy’s dramatic landscape. You’ll be delighted by the varied wildlife that can be spotted here. Be sure to watch for leopard, wild dog and reticulated giraffe. (BLD)
Sarara Treehouses
Day 4. Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy
Namunyak is home to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. On today’s visit you are paired with an elephant keeper and given a behind the scenes tour of the sanctuary. Watch the elephants as they receive their bottles and play in the mud, all the while learning valuable skills, so that they might be re-introduced into the wild. Cap off the day with a night game drive in search of nocturnal species. (BLD)
Visit the community-run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and meet the women elephant keepers who are breaking barriers while taking care of these orphaned animals. Watch in awe as the elephants receive their bottles and play in the mud, all the while learning valuable skills, so that they might be re-introduced into the wild. On safari with us, a donation is also made to the care for elephants.
Sarara Treehouses
Day 5. Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy
Immerse yourself in the culture of the Samburu people. During the dry season visit the unique singing wells to observe the warriors as they chant and collect water for their cattle. Co-existing with the wildlife, this semi-nomadic pastoralist tribe is an intrinsic part of this remote wilderness. (BLD)
Sarara Treehouses
Day 6. Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy/ Maasai Mara - Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Fly to the magical Maasai Mara for a luxurious stay in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. The Mara has the greatest and most diverse concentration of wildlife in Africa today. After settling in to your tented camp, voted a #1 Hotel in the World by Travel+Leisure readers, embark on a game drive with your ranger. (BLD)
Mahali Mzuri
Day 7. Maasai Mara - Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Each day will be dramatically different as you take game drives with your expert rangers. Spot countless big game, birds and smaller animals that frequent the Mara’s tree-flecked grasslands. The Olare Motorogi Conservancy offers the added bonus of off road driving, night game drives, and incredible walking safaris – as well as the exclusivity and privacy of limited access. Disconnect from the hustle and bustle and fall under the spell of this enchanting landscape. (BLD)
Mahali Mzuri
Day 8. Maasai Mara - Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Perhaps start with a dawn adventure in a hot air balloon safari over the Mara (additional cost). Perhaps take time on a game drive and watch the Mara’s cycle of life slowly unfold. Sit quietly for hours observing a day in the life of a pride of Mara lions and chat with your local trackers and guides to learn about the Maasai's relationship with wildlife. A pastoral people, the local Maasai have learned to better live with wildlife. You can also join the locals as they take care of their cattle, goats and sheep on a village tour. (BLD)
If you're interested in picking up gifts with a purpose, visit the Maa Trust Beading Workshop.
Mahali Mzuri
Day 9. Maasai Mara - Olare Motorogi Conservancy
Soak up your last morning on safari before returning to Nairobi. This afternoon, enjoy a bit of last minute shopping and lunch. A dayroom is at your disposal until you are transferred to the airport for your international departure flight. (BL)
Pricing
Land Arrangements (Price per person)
**Surcharges Apply Restrictions may apply. Sarara Treehouses is closed in November and Saruni Samburu is used. Single supplements are upon request.
Air Arrangements (Internal Airfare)
Tour flights
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