An ‘up close and personal’ view of Kenya
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An ‘up close and personal’ view of Kenya; this safari uses stylish properties in authentic Wilderness areas, the emphasis is on getting to know the areas through meeting the local people and walking through the bush.
Day 1 Nairobi
Upon Arrival at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta international airport, you will be met by Pollmann’s and transferred to Ngong House. The remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at Ngong House on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines). Ngong House lies on the outskirts of Langata, on the land once cultivated as Karen Blixen's coffee estate. Paul Verleysen, the charming owner, had the concept of a private home that would also offer exclusive and personalized service to a small number of guests. His creation complies perfectly with the self-imposed brief and, in addition, offers the ultimate luxuries of space, light and true style.
Accommodation comprises five wooden houses raised on stilts with peerless views of the misty Ngong Hills and the surrounding countryside. There is also a further bedroom within the attractive original house. The furnishings and decorative artifacts are with very few exceptions, resolutely sourced within Africa, and primarily Kenyan. The furniture may be constructed from camphorwood, which mellows to a rich dark patina with age, or perhaps, romantically, made from hardwood sleepers from the old Mombasa-Nairobi Railway. Each "tree-house" has its own spirit and ambience.
The beautifully intricate hand-carved furniture of Lamu
features in one, whereas another features a clear and
tranquil blue combined with the strong lines of wrought iron
pieces. Generous four-poster beds grace the upper-level
bedrooms, crisp cottons and feather pillows promise a
luxurious nights sleep. On the lower level the spacious
living area has a large sofa to sink into, comfy chairs and
an intimate dining area. The veranda is the ideal place from
which to bask in the sun, take afternoon tea, observe the
teeming birdlife or gaze into the sunset. The cuisine is of
the highest quality, imaginatively prepared using
mouth-wateringly fresh ingredients. Meals may be served in
the elegant dining room, under the shady trees, or in the
covered yet open-sided dining area in the gardens in which a
roaring fire is lit on chillier evenings. Enormous care is
taken with presentation; flowers, hand-made glasses and
beautiful plates with rich glazes glow by the soft light of
many candles. It’s a truly inspirational place.
Day 2 Nairobi – Lewa Downs
After an early breakfast you will be met by a Pollmann's vehicle for your private transfer to Nairobi Wilson Airport. Once checked in you will board the morning flight to Lewa Downs. Upon arrival at Lewa Airstrip you will be met by a vehicle from the Lewa Conservancy and taken directly to the Craig Family residence - Wilderness Trails. Overnight at Wilderness Trails on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
One of Kenya's original ranches, Lewa Downs has been the Craig family home since 1924 when the Craig grandparents came from England and began raising cattle here. Now incorporated in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which includes Anna Merz's highly respected Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary and the Ngare Ndare forest, the area is committed to the conservation of the extremely diverse indigenous wildlife and habitat, as well as benefiting the local community by providing employment, schools and clinics. Set in stunning arid landscape Wilderness Trails is an oasis of comfort and tranquility.
Six cottages in the grounds of the main house provide accommodation for guests. Cool and restful, the rooms all have the stylish wooden furniture that is made on the estate, fresh, simple fabrics and bathrooms in which to relax. The large sitting and dining room is eclectically decorated in true country house style. A highly polished games table, generous vases of brightly colored flowers from the gardens, a vast coffee table, seriously comfy chairs - they all intensify the travelers sense of being a guest in a friend's house. The delicious meals are made entirely from the freshest of produce, all grown on the estate and are often taken alfresco in a pretty loggia with a twig roof covered in vines.
Wilderness Trails is a wonderful base from
which to explore the fauna and flora of the area. Game
drives are in custom four-wheel drive vehicles and, because
it is a private conservancy, you may also go on night drives
which will allow you to see nocturnal animals. Horseback safaris, on very gentle steeds, allow close
encounters with the wildlife, while a camel safari is not to
be missed! Other facilities include a lovely swimming pool
of muted aquamarine that is far more in keeping with the
landscape than a brighter color would be. The side of the
pool appears to drop away to the valley below permitting
fabulous panoramic views. A large thatched pool house
contains colonial style furniture, games, magazines and an
array of the softest straw-colored towels. The tennis court
is also popular.
Day 3 Lewa Downs
Overnight at Wilderness Trails on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
The full day will be spent with any activities as follows:-
Day and night game drives
Rhino sanctuary
Horseback riding
Bush walks
Camel treks
Birdwatching
Picnics
Day 4 Lewa – Samburu Region / Ol Malo
After breakfast transfer to Lewa airstrip for your charter flight to Ol Malo airstrip. Upon arrival you will met by camp vehicles and transferred to the lodge. Overnight at Ol Malo on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Cottages The four guest cottages are spread out along the cliff edge and are uniquely built out of natural rock and ancient olive wood, with thatched roofs and huge glass windows facing onto the view. Ol Malo can take up to eight people at one time. Rooms can hold up to three people, if families wish to stay in the same room. All the cottages are different and each room offers the maximum in privacy and comfort, with huge king size beds, luxurious en-suite bathrooms and each has its own private veranda. Some rooms are on a split level with the bathroom underneath the room, others have the bathroom on the same level. If there was ever a time one wished to soak in a bath and look out at a beautiful vista and at wild animals grazing then this is the place to do it!
Canvas Tents Ol Malo has two tents, which are the most luxurious of tents made out of canvas and have small elephant motifs around the lining. Each tent has an ensuite bathroom made out of natural rock and a thatched roof covers the entire tent and veranda These rooms are just as comfortable and perfect if a large group wishes to stay at Ol Malo, since it allows guest numbers to reach a maximum of twelve. One of the most stunning parts of Ol Malo is the very private swimming pool built on the cliff edge, with its water spilling over. The pool is warmed by the hot African sun and has a separate shower/bathroom and eating area.
Day 5 Ol Malo
Overnight at Ol Malo on a full board basis (including
local beers, soft drinks and wines).
A full day of Activities at Ol Malo include any of the following:
Camel Rides
Ol Malo has a family of camels that can be ridden across the plains, or around Ol Malo.
Horseback Rides
Ol Malo’s ponies love both children and adults and there is no better way of experiencing the real Kenyan outback than on the back of one of these great friends
Local Samburu Manyatta
Ol Malo is home to the Samburu who love meeting Ol Malo’s guests. During your stay you can have the chance to meet the local Samburu children, visit their school, paint, learn tribal dancing, make beaded artifacts, and visit their manyatta (village). There is also the chance to learn about hunting with spears and try your hand at spear throwing.
Nature Walks
Africa is not only about the Big Five – at Ol Malo we will try and spot the Little Five too. Our guides are experts in finding the smaller things of interest – spiders, insects, harvester ants, flowers and plants.
Day 6 Ol Malo
Overnight at Ol Malo on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Another full day of activities, or the possibility to be a bit more adventurous with:
Camping under the stars
For the more adventurous and those who wish to leave the comfort of Ol Malo, why not spend the night under the stars? To listen to local stories by a roaring campfire, learn about the stars in the African sky and fall asleep to the sounds of the wild – this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Overnight in the look - out hut
This fantastic hut lies just by a water hole which is
visited by different types of animals. Fitted with bunk beds
it can be an exciting place to spend the night and you never
know who could wake you up in the morning.
Day 7 Ol Malo – Masai Mara
After an early breakfast transfer to Ol Malo Airstrip for your charter flight to Nanyuki at the foot of Mount Kenya, weather permitting you may have stunning views of Africa’s second highest mountain before landing at Nanyuki Airstrip. On arrival you will connect to your scheduled Air Kenya Flight to the Masai Mara, departing mid morning.
Upon arrival in the Masai Mara at Ngerende airstrip you will be met by camp vehicles and transferred to Rekoro Cottages or Camp for your stay. Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines). Rekero Rekero was initiated and developed by Ron Beaton and his wife Pauline over 12 years ago. Today it is in the capable hands of Ron’s son Gerard and his partner Rainee, a wildlife artist. Rekero’s cottages, built almost entirely from local materials, combine rustic charm with home comfort and overlook a spring fed waterhole which is frequented by elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and many other species of wildlife. Amidst the teeming mass of wildlife in the Masai Mara area, Rekero’s tented camp is currently inside the Masai Mara Game Reserve, very close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers.
This mobile camp is ideally situated for the annual migration, which is the movement of one million wildebeest and other animals from the Serengeti through the Masai Mara in Kenya. The camp is set up seasonally (June – October, December – March) and caters for between four and twelve guests. The spacious canvas tents are equipped with hot showers and toilets together with a large dining tent. Jackson Ole Looseyia, an Il dorobo Masai from the local area and his safari crew cater for all guests’ needs. This is an experience not to be missed by the more adventurous travelers.
Day 8 Masai Mara
You will have the opportunity to take various game activities as follows: Wildlife viewing and bird watching can be done on foot with experienced Il Dorobo and Masai guides, or in custom-built four-wheel drive vehicles which allow intimate yet unobtrusive access to the animals. Night drives, cultural visits, bush picnics and visits to local trading centers also feature. Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Day 9 Masai Mara
A full day of game activities or even a cultural
excursion to a local Masai village. Overnight at Rekero
Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers,
soft drinks and wines).
Day 10 Masai Mara - Nairobi
After breakfast transfer back to the airstrip for your scheduled Air Kenya flight to Nairobi Wilson Airport. On arrival in Nairobi you will be met by Pollmann's vehicles and taken to the Norfolk Hotel where a dayroom has been reserved for you in the special Mugoma Wing to freshen up and relax until 6pm. In the evening you will be taken to the Carnivore Restaurant, Africa’s ultimate eating experience. Haunches of game meat are served directly onto your plate from Masai Swords. After dinner transfer to JKIA Airport for your international departure flight.
Extension Option
Instead of flying straight home you can extend your visit and spend a few days on the beach, Funzi Keys Island or the secluded Alfajiri, on Mombasa’s Diani Beach. Both offer extreme luxury and privacy.
Rates:- Starting from $9,240 per person sharing - Depending on season and choice of camps used in the itinerary