Trip Itinerary
Nairobi
Arrive in Kenya and spend two nights settling in and exploring the capital, Nairobi. Karen Gables is a Cape Dutch-style home in the Karen neighbourhood, known for its residential tree-lined avenues and proximity to some of the city’s highlight attractions. Whether you’re wandering through the landscaped gardens, swimming in the solar-heated pool, reading a book by the river, or curled up in front of the open fireplace, this is an idyllic place to spend a couple of days before your safari. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the city, including a day trip to Nairobi National Park. Excursions to local craft markets, artisan workshops, and perhaps even a visit to a coffee or tea plantation are also available during your time in Nairobi.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
From Nairobi, you’ll fly to Kenya’s most iconic wildlife reserve, the Maasai Mara. The next three nights are at Governors’ Il Moran Camp, known for its superb location on the banks of the Mara River. If you’re here between July and October, you really couldn’t be better placed to experience the Great Migration’s highly charged river crossings, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest make their perilous journey in search of green pastures. Your days will mostly be spent on expertly guided morning and afternoon game drives, when you’ll take in the very best of the Mara’s wildlife, including the chance to see all of the Big Five. For a supplement, sunrise hot air balloon rides are another highlight, when you float silently over the plains for a bird’s eye perspective on the landscape and plains game roaming beneath. You can also visit a local Maasai village, and the camp can arrange private bush lunches and dinners in secluded spots along the river (please note that these incur an additional fee).
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Arrive at owner-run Lewa House for a deeply personal, homely stay on approximately 62,000 acres of private conservancy land. Some of the newer accommodations have a unique, Gaudí-inspired ‘earthpod’ style that blends perfectly into the landscape, while the thatched cottages sleep up to four guests, and are better suited to families. Here, you’ll benefit from behind-the-scenes access to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy headquarters, where conservation-based activities include visiting the anti-poaching tracker dogs or a Lewa-sponsored local school. This is prime rhino-viewing territory, and you can even head out on foot, guided by scouts, to track and identify both black and white species. Beyond day and night game drives, there’s a huge selection of activities to choose from, such as visiting the Ngare Ndare Forest, horseback and camel riding, cultural excursions, archaeological sites, and scenic helicopter flights (available at an additional cost). During quieter moments, take a dip in the pool overlooking a busy waterhole, and enjoy lunch outside in the gardens or in a scenic spot in the conservancy.
Mathews Range
Your final stop is the stunningly remote Mathews Range, the heartland of the Samburu people, where you’ll spend your final three nights at Sarara Camp. Here, the range of activities on offer make it a favourite amongst the team, not to mention the phenomenal views and quiet landscapes. If you’re keen to explore one of Kenya’s most ancient and enduring cultures in greater depth, this is a fine place to do so! Watch Samburu women at work on beading crafts, visit blacksmiths and join community and conservation projects where you can observe the teams at work. Depending on the season, you might also have the chance to see the sacred Samburu Singing Wells in which morans (warriors) set to work digging wells to find water for their cattle. Guided hikes and walking safaris are a major draw, showcasing the epic scenery with many trails and routes to choose from. There’s so much adventure to get stuck into at Sarara, from horse riding and fly camping on a dry riverbed to scenic helicopter flights to the remotest parts of Kenya (at an additional cost).
