Big 5, Great Migration and culture in Kenya

When you arrive into Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, you’ll stay one night at the colorful and luxurious boutique hotel, Hemingways Eden. Set within 4 acres of forest and grounds, this truly is an Eden away from the hustle and bustle of busy Nairobi. The property was once an artist’s home and studio, and is now a living museum, where you can take a gander at the private gallery space during your stay. As well as plenty of lush interiors, the hotel has a lounge area, large veranda, and bar, where you can relax after the day’s journey.

Leaving Nairobi, you’ll fly to the Samburu National Reserve, where you will stay at Elephant Watch Camp for three nights. Owned and run by elephant researchers the Douglas-Hamilton family, this is a smashing safari camp with characterful communal spaces and a very friendly atmosphere. The guest accommodation consists of a handful of spacious netted tents, all featuring king-size bed, special bush cupboard, and separate en-suite washroom. Elephant Watch is a brilliant base from which to explore the Samburu, viewing not only the grey guys but also the reserve’s own Big Five and over 350 bird species! Elephant Watch does a lot for the conservation of wildlife, and it takes part in countless community initiatives too. During your stay, you can visit the Save the Elephants visitor center, as well as heading to the local Samburu village to meet the incredible nomadic people.

The last leg of this journey sees you traveling from Samburu to the Maasai Mara and staying three nights at Alex Walker’s Ngare Serian. This camp has a fabulous location nestled between the Mara river and the escarpment. The tranquillity you’ll encounter in camp is just fantastic – especially as you lounge around your supersized-marquee bedroom tents. The communal mess area features a comfy lounge, a dining room, and a deck for watching the river and wildlife. The main activity here is game drives, with every group of guests using a private vehicle and guide, and venturing into both the conservancy and the Maasai Mara National Reserve. You can also enjoy guided walks, bush running, fishing, and fly camping at The Nest Treehouse, a perfect spot for a picnic followed by sleeping under the stars. For the best wildebeest Great Migration viewing, we suggest aiming for July through to October.