So you have always wanted to

Transcription

1 So you have always wanted to Follow the trails of Elephants BUNGOMA KISUMU ELDORET NAKURU Lewa House, Lewa Conservancy Day 5-8 MERU KISSII OLENGURUONE MIGORI BOSTA Day 8-11 Mara Plains Camp, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara NAIROBI Day 1 KITUI Hemingways Nairobi SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK ol Donyo Lodge, Chyulu Hills National Park Day 2-5 KENYA OVERVIEW ACCOMMODATION DESTINATION NIGHTS Hemingways Nairobi Nairobi 1 ol Donyo Lodge Chyulu Hills National Park 3 Lewa House Lewa Conservancy 3 Mara Plains Camp Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara 3

2 DAY 1 HEMINGWAYS NAIROBI, NAIROBI NAIROBI 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 centre, wild lions and buffalo roam in the Nairobi National Park. OVERNIGHT: HEMINGWAYS NAIROBI 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. DAY 2-5 OL DONYO LODGE, CHYULU HILLS NATIONAL PARK CHYULU HILLS NATIONAL PARK The Chyulu Hills National Park was formed between the Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks to protect this unique habitat and because of its significance as a water catchment area. A magical land of open grass plains and tree covered rolling green with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. The Park is surrounded by miles of Maasai land, dusty, dry and stalked by scarlet cloaked herders and dust plumed cattle. OVERNIGHT: OL DONYO LODGE ol Donyo Lodge is located on the Maasai-owned Mbirikani Group Ranch, comprising 275,000 acres of wilderness between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks, bordering Chyulu Hills National Park. This stunningly beautiful area is incredibly diverse, and often has spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. ol Donyo Lodge is a harmonious blend of contemporary and rustic, merging the landscape into each suite. Designed for a wide appeal, the lodge is a perfect getaway for families, honeymooners or multigenerational groups. What makes it a standout is its notable variety of activities from cultural visits, good quality wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking ol Donyo Lodge is a place to feel Africa, and get out from behind the wheel. Add to this the lodge s creature comforts of fine dining, massage, infinity pool, star beds and multiple lounges, and it is a place to relax and unwind for days.

3 Each suite has a private plunge pool, and two are connected for a villa concept, perfect for families or couples traveling together. Constructed of local thatch and gunnite, the suites blend with the environment despite their commanding design. The lodge s main lounge, complete with grand stone fireplace, a small library, inviting open bar and expansive verandah are the place to rendezvous with new friends, and the local staff. The attached dining area as well as the nearby pool lounge/dining is where sumptuous meals are served, and good times abound. The main infinity pool, curio shop and office provide other diversions should exploring the area not be enough. DAY 5-8 LEWA HOUSE, LEWA CONSERVANCY LEWA CONSERVANCY Lewa has its roots in the Craig family who have farmed with the philosophy that there would always be room for wildlife. As the plight of the black rhino became desperate in Africa, the ranch was converted into a rhino sanctuary and today Lewa spans 61,000 acres, and is home to over 11 percent of Kenya s black rhino population, over 14 percent of Kenya s white rhino population and the world s largest single population of Grevy s zebra. With its proven track record, the Lewa model of community-based conservation development is being spearheaded across northern Kenya, and emulated by other East African conservation organizations. In late June 2013, the World Heritage Committee extended the boundaries of the Mount Kenya World Heritage Site to include Lewa and Ngare Ndare Forest. OVERNIGHT: LEWA HOUSE Lewa House is set on top of a hill with an engaging panoramic view of the rolling landscape of the Conservancy, and overlooks the luggas (valleys) and hills, with the horizon rising to the eye-catching views of the Matthews range and the sacred mountain of the Samburu, Ol Lolokwe. The accomodation at Lewa House is in the form of cottage style rooms which are spread out along the hillside, all looking northwards to the expanse of wilderness beyond. There are 3 of the original (the house was originally a private home) thatched family cottages, each comprising of two en-suite rooms and a large shared veranda. The 4 recently added single room cottages are built with sustainable, ecological principles in mind whilst still being exceptionally comfortable and spacious, with wonderful views across the surrounding landscape.

4 The heart of Lewa House is a large elegant building with an open fireplace at one end where guests can relax during the day and mingle with a drink before dinner, and at the other is a large family dining table where the evening meals are served, hosted by Calum and Sophie (Craig) Macfarlane, whose connection to Lewa goes back 5 generations There is a large shaded verandah extending away from the main house with a comfortable seating area from which you can enjoy a cool afternoon drink and soak in the very special atmosphere of Lewa House. Beautiful shaded gardens surround the house and breakfast or lunch is often served on the lawn. The house has a large swimming pool which overlooks a waterhole providing some of the best game viewing on Lewa. There are many other activities to keep guests occupied at Lewa House including village visits, visits to the Lewa Wildlife HQ, visits to schools and much more. DAY 8-11 MARA PLAINS CAMP OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY, MAASAI MARA MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE The Maasai Mara, together with Tanzania s Serengeti, form Africa s most famous wildlife park. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomises Africa for many, and then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet with more than a million animals following the rains. But that is not where the game viewing ends; large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles and eland to mention but a few. Aside from traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Maasai Mara plains has become almost essential and you can even do a horseback safari. OVERNIGHT: MARA PLAINS CAMP 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 what is genuinely a stunning concept.

5 Each guest tent has a set of professional Canon camera and lenses available for guest s 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, but 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. DAY 11 SAFARI ENDS DAY NOTES Your schedule flight from the Maasai Mara will arrive Wilson airport at midday and you have the rest of the afternoon free for any excursions within the city until departure RECOMMENDED SELLING RATES HEMINGWAYS, OL DONYO LODGE, LEWA HOUSE, MARA PLAINS CAMP - Lewa House closed for April and November. US$ Per Person Sharing 11th January - 28th February 2017 $ 10,180 1st - 31st March 2017 & 1st - 19th December 2017 * $ 8,785 1st - 30th June 2017 * $ 11,650 1st - 31st October 2017 $ 12,910 1st July - 30th September 2017 & 20th December th January 2018 $ 13,225 *minimum flight load 4 guests per sector required