KENYA THE ULTIMATE FLY-IN SAFARI & MAASAI MARA

1Night at hemingways Nairobi in a deluxe room on a bed and breakfast basis.

Nairobi is Africa’s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place. Although it has developed a reputation which keeps tourist visits brief, there are some fascinating attractions, namely its café culture, unbridled nightlife, the National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum and most notably, just 20 minutes from the city center, wild lions and buffalo roam in the Nairobi National Park.

Hemingways Nairobi, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is an elegant boutique hotel situated in Nairobi’s Karen residential area with magnificent views of the nearby Ngong hills.

2 nights at O-l Donyo Lodge in a standard pool suite on a fully inclusive basis.

Ol-Donyo Lodge is a Relais & Châteaux and National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World member property with seven suites located on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills overlooking Mount Kilimanjaro. Three nights hardly does justice to the plethora of activities on offer in this Maasai land. Choose between day and night game drives, walking, village visits, exploring lava tunnels, horse riding, mountain-biking, sleeping under the stars on your roof-top bed, watching big tusker elephants drink from the waterholes below the lodge, or just relaxing in your pool suite.

Set on the Mbirikani Group Ranch – 275,000 acres of immaculate, private wild Africa bordering Chyulu Hills National Park – ol Donyo Lodge blends contemporary design with the rich culture and history of the people of this area, the indomitable Maasai. This is an area rich in wildlife, where some of Africa’s last giant elephant bulls roam freely, where the haunting calls of leopards interrupt the night and where lion are being pulled back from the brink of annihilation.

The lodge itself was rebuilt in 2008 and sits in thick woodland on a gently sloping hillside with views out over the plains to a distant Kilimanjaro. Designed to merge your outdoor and indoor living, a series of unique suites and villas (no two are the same) appears to emerge from the arid landscape on either side of a palatial lounge and dining area.

Six pool suites plus 1 two-bedroom family unit offer a harmonious blend of contemporary and rustic accommodation, merging the landscape into each suite. All of the rooms have their own plunge pool and enjoy roof terraces where intimate “star beds” can be set up, allowing guests the thrill of sleeping in style under a canopy of endless stars while connecting with their sense of place and self.

2nights at Segera Retreat in a villa on a fully inclusive basis. Nestled between glorious Mount Kenya to the east and the Great Rift Valley to the west, a stunningly diverse and seemingly magical environment, the 9,500km2 Laikipia region enjoys woodland, grasslands and fertile riverbeds where water flowing from the Aberdare Mountains long ago gave rise to the Mutara River to the north, and the Ewaso Nyiro, Suguroi and Segera Rivers to the south.

A cascading waterfall flows from the Segera River and in the Valley of Kiseregai Creek, the natural Delmare Springs attract herds of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and important populations of Reticulated giraffe, Lewel’s hartebeest and endangered species such as Gravy’s zebra, patas monkey and one of the few expanding populations of Africa Wild Dog.

One of Kenya’s most exciting safari locations, conservationist Jochen Zeitz has created an exclusive destination for fun, adventure, spiritual reflection and peace, where absolute luxury, bespoke service and generous all – inclusive offerings combine to give you exceptional privacy in your wild Kenyan home away from home.

Segera is a long run destination and a treasured haven for Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife species, where holistic approach to wellness ensures a revitalizing and authentic safari experience from the moment you arrive.

2 nights at Mara Plains Camp in a luxury tent on a fully inclusive basis.

The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most famous wildlife parks. The image of acacia trees on endless wildlife filled grass plains epitomises Africa for many, add Maasai warriors and the conversation need go no further. The greater Maasai Mara Reserve offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities; large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes, gazelles and eland to mention but a few. Aside from traditional open game drive vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Maasai Mara plains has become almost essential and you can even do a horseback safari.

Mara Plains Camp is a one of-a-kind, seven tent camp located in the private 35,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just on the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This intimate camp blends the finest wildlife viewing with outstanding hospitality and guiding. No other camp offers the extensive traversing area of Mara Plains Camp, with access to a total of 100,000 acres of private conservancy land as well as the world-renowned Maasai Mara, home to the Great Migration.

Each of the seven tents has deep canvas canopied ceilings, rough-hewn wood floors and accents of East Africa’s rich safari history. The well-appointed en-suite facilities (including a deep copper bath) plus the extensive private verandah complete a stunning concept. Each guest tent has a set of professional Canon camera and lenses available for guests to use on a complimentary basis. Add in a pair of Swarovski binoculars, and it is impossible not to see and capture the region’s incredible wildlife scenes.

The Olare Motorogi Conservancy is reputed to have the lowest vehicle density in the Maasai Mara region, while also having the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa. There is only one guest bed per 350 acres, leaving the land unadulterated for the wildlife to roam and thrive, as nature intended. By day and night, the camp is a sanctuary for resident animals, including many of the Maasai Mara’s 300 bird species. After dark, larger mammals frequent the camp and Maasai warriors escort guests to and from their rooms. Hippos snorting and leopards barking often provide the night’s chorus. Mara Plains also offers walking safaris and day & night game drives. Hot air ballooning is available and should be booked in advance and is subject to availability and additional cost. Departures are very early in the morning to allow time to transfer to the nearest launching point. Night drives are particularly prolific in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, and while they take patience, sightings commonly include lesser known nocturnal mammals and even lion and hyena hunts.

THE RATES INCLUDE

HEMINGWAYS NAIROBI: A deluxe room on a bed and breakfast basis, including all Taxes, butler valet service, WiFi, newspaper, use of the gym, Sauna, steam and outdoor, heated pool, unlimited supply of mineral water in the room and private road transfer from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Hemingways and from Hemingways to Wilson Airport.

SEGERA: Accommodation, all meals, all drinks of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic from selected wine list (excludes owner’s selection of imported brands and champagne), Retreat activities: drives (game/art), walks (guided/art), C4C, sleep outs, visit to a local homestead and variety of other community-based activities, laundry, wireless internet, gym, the conservation fee and road transfers to and from the lodge.

MARA PLAINS CAMP: Accommodation, all conservation/park fees, scheduled wildlife viewing activities on the Maasai Mara Reserve (one day per stay), Olare Motorogi & Mara North Conservancies, all meals, laundry, return Olare Motorogi airstrip road transfers, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages (excluding premium brand spirits and champagne).

AIR TRANSFERS: Private charter flights (C208 Aircraft) between Wilson Airport and ol Donyo Lodge, ol Donyo Lodge and Segera, Segera and Olare Orok, Olare Orok and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Inquisitive Africa reserves the right to review published rates in the event of currency exchange rate fluctuations or increases in costs or taxes, which are beyond our control.

EXTENDING YOUR STAY WITH US: Inquisitive Africa has a variety of authentic experiences in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, Kenya and Dian or Mombasa, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa. We would be happy to facilitate and plan any extended stay you might require in East and Southern Africa.