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10 Days / 09 Nights Safari |
| Top-of-the-range accommodation, best game viewing, clean white beaches of the warm Indian Ocean coast - this is what this safari promises. It blends the very best of game viewing, scenic beauty, culture and peoples of Kenya. You get a chance to see at close range Africa's second highest and snow-capped Mount Kenya - enjoy escorted bush walks and sumptuous bush meals, take in diverse topographies from savannahs to schrubland and forests, while enjoy some of the most diverse and concentrated game viewing in the world. End up at the Indian Ocean coast for relaxation and/or water sports, sand and sun. |
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi, met and immediately depart by road to Nanyuki (app 2 ½ hrs drive). At Nanyuki airstrip, board charter plane to Loisaba Wilderness Lodge for lunch, dinner and overnight
Loisaba Wilderness : The same size as the Ngorongoro Crater and larger than many of Kenya’s principal National Parks. To the north lie the grassy plains of the plateau; to the south, the plateau breaks into valleys, cliffs and escarpments that frame stunning views up to the snows of Mount Kenya. At their base lies a different riverine ecosystem fed by the banks of two major rivers, the Ewaso N’giro and the Engare Narok. The wilderness is a haven for more than 250 species of birds and 50 species of wildlife. Alongside all the more usual types, elephant, buffalo, grevy zebra and greater kudu abound; the area is also rapidly gaining a reputation for exceptional big cat sightings. Even wild dog, thought for many years to be extinct in the region are now being regularly sighted.
Day 2
Full day at Loisaba for game drives and optional activities. All meals and overnight at Loisaba Wilderness Lodge
The Lodge
Constructed from stone, cedar and thatch, the lodge is perched high on the edge of the plateau looking south towards Mount Kenya. Each room has large French windows that open onto a private deck cantilevered off the escarpment. The views are legendary, and a thousand feet below, a water hole draws continuous wildlife. All the furniture in the lodge is handmade at Loisaba. The lodge has a swimming pool, tennis court, bocce court and croquet lawn.
Day 3
Full day at Loisaba. Overnight on this day at Loisaba Star Beds.
The Star Beds
The two sets of Star Beds are unique to Loisaba. The first and original set are located among a kopje of rocks in one of the eastern valleys overlooking a large water area at Kiboko. The second and newer set is located about 8 kilometres further south on the banks of the Ewaso N’giro River. These are dramatically hung over the flowing waters below and are reached by boat from the opposite bank. These are known as the Koija Star Beds and are part of an exciting new joint venture project that Loisaba has undertaken in partnership with the Laikipiak Masai people from the neighbouring Koija tribal lands. Each Star Bed is different and comprises a raised, handcrafted wooden platform semi-covered with a thatched roof. Homemade ‘Mukokoteni’ beds can either be wheeled out onto the uncovered area for a night under the stars, or left under the shelter of the roof. The Star Beds are normally reached on one or a combination of foot, horse or camel and with two sets now in place create a unique opportunity to travel between them both and the lodge as part of a Star Bed Expedition. Guests are guided and hosted by a team of traditional Samburu and Laikipiak Masai warriors. Food is prepared in traditional camp style over a fire at the open walled, central mess area. Each platform has a flush loo and large camp-style drum showers. Each is sited to ensure complete privacy.
Day 4
Breakfast at the Lodge, depart at 08.30 depart on the charter flight to Nanyuki and immediately connect the schedule Air Kenya flight to Masai Mara departing at 10.00.
11.30 Approximate arrival in the Mara, met in camp 4wd vehicle (non exclusive use with guaranteed window seats) and immediately commence on a game viewing drive prior to being transferred to the Camp.
16.00 Enjoy a game drive in the reserve
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Mara Explorer Camp
Prior to retiring, please reconfirm the pick up time for the balloon the next morning.
Day 5
05.30 Early rise in readiness for the transfer to the balloon launch site after approximately 01 hour in the air, land and enjoy a bush breakfast with a splash of champagne. Afterwards, transferred to the Camp game viewing en route
Remainder of the morning at leisure
16.00 Enjoy a late afternoon game drive in the reserve
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Mara Explorer Camp.
The Masai Mara National Reserve (1,812 sq. km) offers wonderful scenery and an abundance of big game. With its rolling plains and grasslands it is reminiscent of ‘Hemingway Country’. There are very large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and various antelopes. In addition hippo, giraffe, rhino, elephant and leopard are frequently seen. The Mara is particularly renowned for its magnificent black-manned lions with their large prides who spend most of the day sleeping in the shade of the acacia trees. The Mara is also the scene of the spectacular wildebeest migration that comes through the Mara annually in search of water between July and October in their 1000km round annual trek from southern Serengeti plains.
Day 6
Enjoy dawn and late afternoon game drives in the reserve
Remainder of the day at leisure. All meals and ovenight at the Mara Explorer Camp.
Day 7
Final game drive at dawn prior to breakfast at the Camp (use of tent on this day only until 10.00 am unless prior arrangements are made with the Camp reception)
Lunch at the Camp
At 13.45, transferred to the airstrip for the schedule Blue Sky Aviation flight to Ukunda departing at 14.00
16.00 On arrival, met and transferred to Alfajiri Villas or Funzi Keys for dinner and overnight.
Alfajiri Villas overlooks the Indian Ocean and it`s elevated position ensures privacy and stunning views. The theme is a large glass windows, ivory Danish floors, wooden beams, Lamu doors and impressive African and Far Eastern Artefacts. Most of the furniture is made on the property and some is exported. The gardens are meticulously maintained and include many palms from Alfajiri`s nursery. Two large gazebos with huge hand carved sofas with cushions dominate the front of the house. A stretch swimming pool sits on the edge of a small cliff merging into the sea and the horizon. Diani Bbeach is considered one of the best in Kenya and it is possible to walk for 5 miles to the north and 5 miles to the south.
Funzi Keys is tucked away on an unspoilt island in the Indian Ocean, yet only 15minutes flying time from Mombasa. The Funzi Keys` unique appeal is its luxurious seclusion and beautiful natural scenery. Surrounded by water and superbly located on a west-facing beach with glorious views of the African sunset, this remote and exclusive hideaway is the perfect place to escape from the outside world in style.
Day 8 & 09
Full days at leisure on the Kenyan Coast
All meals and overnight at Alfajiri or Funzi Keys
Day 10
After breakfast, transferred to the Moi Airport on the north coast (ferry crossing en route) for the schedule flight to Nairobi.
On arrival in Nairobi, connect your international departure flight. |
