KENYA'S SAMBURU, MARA & SEYCHELLES' ISLAND
- Places to visit:
Overview
This is the life: a fortnight filled with prime game viewing in two unique reserves and then a beach break on a private bay in the Seychelles before heading home. With time spent in Samburu National Reserve and the Olare Motorogi Conservancy in Kenya, followed by the unbeatable island of MahƩ, you could be forgiven for thinking you have found heaven.
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There is unique magic and wonder at each stop, from the arid, rocky ledges of Samburu and the rolling plains of Olare Motorogi to the elegant charm of Hemingways Nairobi, where you will enjoy Michelin-star cuisine in a Hollywood-themed restaurant. Spot the Samburu Special 5 (Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevyās zebra, gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich), which are endemic to the area, and bask in the incredible wildness of the unchanging rhythms of East Africa.
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Then jet off to the tropical island paradise of the Seychelles, where your home for five days is a short boat road from MahƩ, the largest of the Seychelles islands and the international gateway to this sun-soaked archipelago.
Itinerary
Day 1: Jambo, Kenya | 1 Nights
Set the scene for a fortnight of bliss with a night at Hemingways in Nairobi, where your personal butler sees to your every need. Taking its cue from the grand properties of old, the rooms are spacious and inviting, each with its own balcony overlooking the Ngong Hills. There is Wi-Fi so you can let the folks back home know youāve arrived safely in East Africa.
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Visit the spa to get into a relaxed holiday mood, before a tasty meal at The Brasserie, which aspires to be the first Michelin-starred venue in Nairobi and pioneers cooking technology in Kenya. Hemingways also has its own patisserie and the champagne high teas are a special treat.
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And after dinner, sink into your suite. The subtle palette and natural materials are complemented by brass, mahogany and leather. These flourishes of classic safari prepare you for your trip into the wild lands of Kenyaās Northern Frontier District tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hemingways
Days 2-4: On Safari | 3 Nights
Today is a good day for an adventure among the rocky cliffs of the Kalama Conservancy, far removed from roads, buildings or crowds of people. Sit on your deck or cool down in the swimming pool while watching elephant, giraffe and zebra are drink from the resident waterhole. Saruni Samburu is a breath-taking property that is spread out at altitude, with ample distances between communal areas, the rooms, the spa, the swimming pools and reception ā making it an ideal lodge if youāre looking for some privacy.
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As well as the Samburu National Reserveās herds of elephant, expect to see lion, leopard and cheetah and the Samburu Special 5: the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevyās zebra, gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich.
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You can also discover the traditions and way of life of the Samburu people, unchanged for generations, with Saruniās local guides. The lodge is especially welcoming for children and the guides will teach them bush lore, perhaps how to make a traditional bow and arrow or a toothbrush from the ātoothbrush treeā.
Accommodation: Saruni Samburu
Days 5-8: South To The Mara | 4 Nights
Bid farewell to the spectacular Samburu and head south to Mahali Mzuri, in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy on the northern edge of the mighty Masai Mara. This is the alluring land of the Great Migration and the lodge is perched above the rolling plains, a perfect look-out point for game watching.
Each of Mahali Mzuriās 12 tents is on a raised platform to make the most of the view and you can see a lot of the action from your deck. But be sure to go on guided walks; the Masaai guides know where to find the best stories and you may even catch sight of an elusive leopard slumbering the boughs of a tree.
After a hard dayās adventure relax at the lodgeās spa, Nasaro, which means ārefugeā in the Maa language. You can visit a local village to learn more about the Masaai or take a hot-air balloon safari, a serene and unusual way to spot the reserveās abundant wildlife.
Mahali Mzuri means ābeautiful placeā and that it certainly is. You may not want to leave but leave you must, for the Giraffe Manor is calling.
Accommodation: Mahali Mzuri
Day 9: Post-Safari Stopover | 1 Nights
Time to head back to Nairobi for another night at Hemingways, your post-safari stopover before jetting off to a tropical island idyll. This might be the ideal time to visit the Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre or Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Or simply unwind and get pampered in the hotelās superior spa and wellness centre.
Accommodation: Hemingways
Days 10-15: Beach Idyll | 5 Nights
From Kenya to the Seychelles, you end your East African holiday in spectacular style. Mahe is the largest island in the archipelago and offers its visitors both a quintessential tropical beach vacation, as well as a taste of the local Creole culture.
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Prepare to be spellbound as you discover the hidden gem of the Indian Ocean, Enchanted Island Resort. The ultra-luxurious resort features exquisite villas with private pools and direct beach access on a private island in the middle of the Saint Anne Marine Park, a short motorboat ride from Mahe. A paradise for romantic and magical holidays, Enchanted Island Resort invites you to swim in the crystal clear water, unwind at the hilltop spa, or lounge in your own private pool as you take in the wonders of the Seychelles.
Accommodation: Enchanted Island Resort
- Inclusions
- Exclusions
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
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