Bush Home Safaris — 'Feel at home in the bush'
Classic Bush Home Safari in Kenya
(10 Days / 9 Nights)

 

Ngong House in Langata, Nairobi Kenya

Tree Room at Ngong House, Nairobi Kenya

Ngong House Bedroom, Nairobi Kenya

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Destination Highlights: Lewa Downs — Northern Laikipia — Maasai Mara

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Summary itinerary

 

Day 1: Nairobi. Overnight at Ngong House Nairobi

Day 2: Lewa Downs Conservancy. Overnight at Wilderness Trails

Day 3: Lewa Downs Conservancy. Overnight at Wilderness Trails

Day 4: Fly Samburu Region Laikipia Plateau. Overnight at Ol Malo

Day 5: Samburu Region Laikipia Plateau. Overnight at Ol Malo

Day 6: Samburu Region Laikipia Plateau. Overnight at Ol Malo

Day 7: Fly Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents

Day 8: Maasai Mara. Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents

Day 9: Maasai Mara. Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents

Day 10: Maasai Mara – Fly Nairobi – Depart

 

Cost for 2010: Per Person
Land Arrangements (per person)

 

Child rate 2-11 years is 75% of the adult rate

 

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Day 1
Nairobi Arrival
Upon Arrival at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta international airport, you will be met by our Professional Safari Escort and transferred to Ngong House. The remainder of the day at leisure.

 

Overnight at Ngong House (including local beers, soft drinks and wines)
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Ngong House

Lies on the outskirts of Langata, on the land once cultivated as Karen Blixen's coffee estate. Paul Verleysen, the charming owner, had the concept of a private home that would also offer exclusive and personalized service to a small number of guests. His creation complies perfectly with the self-imposed brief and, in addition, offers the ultimate luxuries of space, light and true style.

Accommodation comprises five wooden houses raised on stilts with peerless views of the misty Ngong Hills and the surrounding countryside. There is also a further bedroom within the attractive original house. The furnishings and decorative artefacts are with very few exceptions, resolutely sourced within Africa, and primarily Kenyan. The furniture may be constructed from camphor wood, which mellows to a rich dark patina with age, or perhaps, romantically, made from hardwood sleepers from the old Mombasa-Nairobi Railway. Each "tree-house" has its own spirit and ambience.

The beautifully intricate hand-carved furniture of Lamu features in one, whereas another features a clear and tranquil blue combined with the strong lines of wrought iron pieces. Generous four-poster beds grace the upper-level bedrooms, crisp cottons and feather pillows promise a luxurious nights sleep. On the lower level the spacious living area has a large sofa to sink into, comfy chairs and an intimate dining area. The veranda is the ideal place from which to bask in the sun, take afternoon tea, observe the teeming bird life or gaze into the sunset. The cuisine is of the highest quality, imaginatively prepared using mouthwatering fresh ingredients.

Meals may be served in the elegant dining room, under the shady trees, or in the covered yet open-sided dining area in the gardens in which a roaring fire is lit on chillier evenings. Enormous care is taken with presentation; flowers, hand-made glasses and beautiful plates with rich glazes glow by the soft light of many candles. It’s a truly inspirational place.

 

Lewa Wilderness Cozy Bed Room, Lewa Downs, Kenya

Craig family home since 1924, Lewa Downs, Kenya

Horseback safaris at Lewa Downs, Kenya

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Day 2
Nairobi – Fly Lewa Downs
After an early breakfast you will have a private transfer to Nairobi Wilson Airport. Once checked in you will board the morning flight to Lewa Downs. Upon arrival at Lewa Airstrip you will be met and transferred to Lewa Conservancy at Craig Family residence - Wilderness Trails.

 

Overnight at Wilderness Trails on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Lewa Downs
One of Kenya's original ranches, Lewa Downs has been the Craig family home since 1924 when the Craig grandparents came from England and began raising cattle here. Now incorporated in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which includes Anna Merz's highly respected Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary and the Ngare Ndare forest, the area is committed to the conservation of the extremely diverse indigenous wildlife and habitat, as well as benefiting the local community by providing employment, schools and clinics. Set in stunning arid landscape Wilderness Trails is an oasis of comfort and tranquility.

Six cottages in the grounds of the main house provide accommodation for guests. Cool and restful, the rooms all have the stylish wooden furniture that is made on the estate, fresh, simple fabrics and bathrooms in which to relax. The large sitting and dining room is eclectically decorated in true country house style. A highly polished games table, generous vases of brightly colored flowers from the gardens, a vast coffee table, seriously comfy chairs - they all intensify the travelers sense of being a guest in a friend's house. The delicious meals are made entirely from the freshest of produce, all grown on the estate and are often taken alfresco in a pretty loggia with a twig roof covered in vines. Wilderness Trails is a wonderful base from which to explore the fauna and flora of the area. Game drives are in custom four-wheel drive vehicles and, because it is a private conservancy, you may also go on night drives which will allow you to see nocturnal animals.

Horseback safaris, on very gentle steeds, allow close encounters with the wildlife, while a camel safari is not to be missed! Other facilities include a lovely swimming pool of muted aquamarine that is far more in keeping with the landscape than a brighter colour would be.

The side of the pool appears to drop away to the valley below permitting fabulous panoramic views. A large thatched pool house contains colonial style furniture, games, magazines and an array of the softest straw-colored towels. The tennis court is also popular.

 

Overnight at Wilderness Trails on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3

Lewa Downs
The full day will be spent with any activities as follows:-
• Day and Night Game Drives

• All the above Inclusive

• Swimming Pool
• Rhino Sanctuary
• Horseback Riding
• Bush Walks
• Camel Treks
• Bird Watching
• Picnics
• Sundowners
• Tennis Court

 

Overnight at Wilderness Trails on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

A bedroom at Ol malo Kenya

Ol Malo in Laikipia Kenya

Ol Malo Cottages Kenya

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Day 4
Lewa – Fly Ol Malo Laikipia, Northern Kenya
After breakfast transfer to Lewa airstrip for your charter flight to Ol Malo airstrip. Upon arrival you will met by camp vehicles and transferred to the lodge.

 

Ol Malo Cottages

The four guest cottages are spread out along the cliff edge and are uniquely built out of natural rock and ancient olive wood, with thatched roofs and huge glass windows facing onto the view. Ol Malo can take up to eight people at one time. Rooms can hold up to three people, if families wish to stay in the same room. All the cottages are different and each room offers the maximum in privacy and comfort, with huge king size beds, luxurious en-suite bathrooms and each has its own private veranda. Some rooms are on a split level with the bathroom underneath the room, others have the bathroom on the same level. If there was ever a time one wished to soak in a bath and look out at a beautiful vista and at wild animals grazing then this is the place to do it!

 

Ol Malo Canvas Tents
Ol Malo has two tents, which are the most luxurious of tents made out of canvas and have small elephant motifs around the lining. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom made out of natural rock and a thatched roof covers the entire tent and veranda These rooms are just as comfortable and perfect if a large group wishes to stay at Ol Malo, since it allows guest numbers to reach a maximum of twelve. One of the most stunning parts of Ol Malo is the very private swimming pool built on the cliff edge, with its water spilling over. The pool is warmed by the hot African sun and has a separate shower/bathroom and eating area.

Overnight at Ol Malo on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5
Ol Malo Laikipia, Northern Kenya
A full day of Activities at Ol Malo includes any of the following:

• Camel Rides
• Horseback Rides

• Ol Malo has a family of camels that can be ridden across the plains, or around Ol Malo
• Ol Malo’s ponies love both children and adults and there is no better way of experiencing the real Kenyan outback than on the back of one of these great friends

Local Samburu Manyatta
Ol Malo is home to the Samburu who love meeting Ol Malo’s guests. During your stay you can have the chance to meet the local Samburu children, visit their school, paint, learn tribal dancing, make beaded artifacts, and visit their Manyatta (Village). There is also the chance to learn about hunting with spears and try your hand at spear throwing.

Nature Walks
Africa is not only about the Big Five – at Ol Malo we will try and spot the Little Five too. Our guides are experts in finding the smaller things of interest – spiders, insects, harvester ants, flowers and plants.

 

Mountain Biking
The hilly terrain around Ol Malo is perfect for mountain bike lovers. Bikes are available for use on a daily basis and guests will be shown the best routes depending on their mountain bike experience.

Overnight at Ol Malo on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines)

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 6

Ol Malo Laikipia, Northern Kenya
Another full day of activities, or the possibility to be a bit more adventurous with:

Camping under the stars
For the more adventurous and those who wish to leave the comfort of Ol Malo, why not spend the night under the stars? To listen to local stories by a roaring campfire, learn about the stars in the African sky and fall asleep to the sounds of the wild – this is an opportunity not to be missed. Overnight in the look - out hut. This fantastic hut lies just by a water hole which is visited by different types of animals. Fitted with bunk beds it can be an exciting place to spend the night and you never know who could wake you up in the morning.

Overnight at Ol Malo on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 7

Ol Malo – Fly Maasai Mara Game Reserve
After an early breakfast transfer to Ol Malo Airstrip for your charter flight to Nanyuki at the foot of Mount Kenya, weather permitting you may have stunning views of Africa’s second highest mountain before landing at Nanyuki Airstrip. On arrival you will connect to your scheduled Flight to the Maasai Mara, departing mid morning. Upon arrival in the Maasai Mara at you will be transferred to Rekoro Cottages or Camp for your stay.

 

Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines)
Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

 

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Rekero Camp
Rekero was initiated and developed by Ron Beaton and his wife Pauline over 12 years ago. Today it is in the capable hands of Ron’s son Gerard and his partner Rainee, a wildlife artist. Rekero’s cottages, built almost entirely from local materials, combine rustic charm with home comfort and overlook a spring fed waterhole which is frequented by elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and many other species of wildlife. Amidst the teeming mass of wildlife in the Maasai Mara area, Rekero’s tented camp is currently inside the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, very close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers. This mobile camp is ideally situated for the annual migration, which is the movement of one million wildebeest and other animals from the Serengeti through the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

 

The camp is set up seasonally (June – October, December – March) and caters for between four and twelve guests. The spacious canvas tents are equipped with hot showers and toilets together with a large dining tent. Jackson Ole Looseyia, an Il dorobo Maasai from the local area and his safari crew cater for all guests’ needs. This is an experience not to be missed by the more adventurous travelers.

 

Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 8

Explore Maasai Mara Game Reserve

You will have the opportunity to take various game activities as follows: Wildlife viewing and bird watching can be done on foot with experienced Il Dorobo and Maasai guides, or in custom-built four-wheel drive vehicles which allow intimate yet unobtrusive access to the animals. Night drives, cultural visits, bush picnics and visits to local trading centres also feature.

 

Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 9

Discover Maasai Mara Game Reserve

A full day of game activities or even a cultural excursion to a local Maasai village.

Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines)
Meal Plan:{Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 10

Maasai Mara – Fly Nairobi – Departure

After breakfast transfer back to the airstrip for your scheduled Air Kenya flight to Nairobi Wilson Airport. On arrival in Nairobi you will be transferred to the Norfolk Hotel where a day room has been reserved for you to freshen up and relax until 6 in the evening. In the evening you will be taken to the Carnivore Restaurant, Africa’s ultimate eating experience. Haunches of game meat are served directly onto your plate from Maasai Swords. After dinner transfer to JKIA Airport for your international departure flight.

 

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African Spice Safaris Extension Options
Instead of flying straight home you can extend your visit and spend a few days on the beach, Funzi Keys Island or the secluded Alfajiri Villas, on Mombasa’s Diani Beach. Both offer extreme luxury and privacy.

 

 

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