Kenya with the Safari Collection: 11N Special

On Day 1 of your trip, you’ll touch down at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), receiving a VIP Meet and Greet. From here, you’ll have a shared road transfer to Giraffe Manor. Situated within 5 hectares of land bordering forest in the suburb of Langata, the Manor features lavish lounges, dining areas, and guest rooms – it offers a superb stopover before your time on safari! Couples and honeymooners will stay in Lynn’s Room, a seriously sumptuous option named after one of the Rothschild giraffes, while families will love spending the night in the very well appointed Karen Blixen Suite. And the highlight of any stay here is the opportunity for interactions with the long-necked lovelies, whom you can meet in the grounds and during breakfast, when they poke their necks through the windows for a few tasty treats! Other things to do include visits to the nearby African Fund for Endangered Wildlife’s Giraffe Centre, in addition to on-site boules and croquet.

Board basis and activities:
Game-package accommodation, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, transfers between the manor and JKIA, transportation around the Karen and Langata area (within check-in and check-out times), entrance to the A.F.E.W. Giraffe Centre, boules, croquet, Wi-Fi, dining in Orchid House, and a laundry service. At extra cost, spa services are available.

On the second day of your trip, you’ll travel to Wilson Airport via shared road transfer and fly out to Nanyuki Airstrip (1 hr), before a shared road transfer to Solio Lodge. Positioned between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, Solio has a breathtaking setting, with amazing views from its glamorous communal spaces – lounge, dining area, dining deck, and well-kept grounds. You’ll stay in one of the lodge’s five cottages, which also boasts stunning vistas as well as cosy fireplaces, a sound system, and a private deck. A family unit is available, at extra cost. Activities focus on exploring the area on guided game drives, walks, horse rides, bike rides, and even scenic helicopter flights! This region of Laikipia is a haven for black and white rhino, and you can also expect to see lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, oryx, impala, warthog, and over 300 species of bird. Trout fishing is available too.

Board basis and activities:
All-inclusive accommodation, featuring all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, bush breakfasts, sundowners, game drives, walking, horse riding, mountain biking, excursions to Aberdare National Park (park fee of US$60 per adult payable), local farm visit, transfers between the lodge and Nanyuki Airstrip, and a laundry service.

Next, you’ll return to Nanyuki Airstrip via shared road transfer, and fly to the airstrip of Sasaab (20–40 mins). From here, you’ll have a shared transfer to the lodge. Sasaab is highly recommended by YZ, not least because of its Swahili and Moroccan-inspired décor and gorgeous riverside location. Guests can relax in the comfortable lounge and tuck in to delicious meals in the elegant dining area, under a high thatched roof. The property also has a spacious swimming pool! There are just nine rooms at Sasaab, all with large open-air bathroom, stylish veranda, and private plunge pool. At additional cost to the price shown above, families can stay in the family suite, which has a pleasant shared living area. As far as activities are concerned, Sasaab offers game drives, walks, camel rides, and fly camping. Big game out here includes lion, leopard, and elephant, and you can have a lot of fun spotting the ‘Samburu Special Five’ – reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich. Keen birders can look out for hundreds of bird species! Cultural visits are offered too, and children can try out some traditional practices such as making bows-and-arrows and fashioning a toothbrush from the local ‘toothbrush tree’.

Board basis and activities:
Game-package accommodation, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, bush meals, sundowners, all activities bar fly camping (by prior arrangement only and sometimes involving the exclusive hire of a vehicle at US$406 per day), transfers between the lodge and the local airstrip, cultural visits, and a laundry service. At extra cost, spa treatments are available.

The final few days of your trip are spent at Sala’s Camp, in the MMNR. To get here, you’ll have a shared road transfer to Sasaab’s airstrip from the camp and you’ll fly to Keekorok Airport (1 hr 45 mins), completing the journey to Sala’s via another shared transfer. Situated close to the Sand and Keekorok rivers confluence, this camp has excellent access to a wealth of wildlife! There’s a nice friendly feel, with guests relaxing and eating together in the mess tent, and gathering around the fire-pit every evening to chat about their day on safari. Sala’s has seven tents, including a family tent that can also be used by honeymooners, at additional cost. All accommodation features a smart en-suite bathroom and a private veranda with plunge pool! From this comfy base, you can set out on expertly guided game drives, in addition to hot air balloon rides (the latter at extra cost). The Maasai Mara is worth visiting throughout the year, offering sightings of all Big Five, numerous smaller predators and herbivores, and loads of birdlife. If you visit during the period from July to October, you can look out for the huge herds of the Great Migration! Special activities for children are available on request.

Board basis and activities:
Game-package accommodation, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, bush meals, sundowners, game drives and other camp activities, bush volleyball, nature walks, children’s activities, and a laundry service. 

On the last day, you’ll have a shared road transfer from Sala’s Camp back to Keekerok Airport, flying from here to Wilson Airport (1 hr 15 mins) and transferring to JKIA in time for your flight/s home.