10 Days Wilderness Experience
10 Days Wilderness Experience | Itinerary in detail
Days 1 - 3: Chyulu Hills
Chyulu Hills
Highlights
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Guided bush walks
- Bush breakfast and dinners
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Mountain bike safaris
- Wildlife tracking
- Conservation and Outreach programmes
- "Star beds" sleep outs
- Spa and massages
Overview
Ol Donyo Lodge is located on over 111,000 hectares of private land in the heart of the Chyulu Hills, set between Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks. The property is honed from the ancient lava rock that spewed out of Kilimanjaro 360,000 years ago, creating a timelessness that touches everyone who visits
On the Mbirikani Group Ranch – 111,000 hectares (275,000 acres) of private wild Africa bordering Chyulu Hills National Park and owned by 4,000 Maasai – ol Donyo Lodge blends contemporary design with the rich culture of the Maasai.
Each suite at ol Donyo Lodge offers its own window to the soul of the East African safari. Their views look out over the suite’s plunge pool and across the rolling plains to Mount Kilimanjaro. All six suites plus a two-bedroom family suite have stunning star beds, where you can sleep out under the canopy of stars and listen to the hyenas and lions moving around. ol Donyo Lodge embraces its community heritage, and our guides can take you to a nearby village, offering authentic experiences that will change your life. You can do a safari walk, cycle, horse ride, drive around the conservancy, later returning to Relais and Châteaux quality meals served by your Executive Chef and his team.
Begin your safari vacation from Wilson Airport, Nairobi, where you board your flight to the Chyulu Hills in the Tsavo West National Park. Track elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino under the guidance of an expert guide. On a game drive, you can visit the Mzima Springs, whose source is from a natural reservoir under the Chyulu Hills and are crystal clear, affording some of the best Hippo watching in Kenya. You can go horse riding, novice to professional, or mountain biking or even hiking here. There is an open air hide for some excellent game viewing and even sleep-outs on private “star beds” for the more adventurous. Stay: OL Donyo Wuas Lodge
Days 4 - 6: Samburu National Reserve
Samburu
Highlights
- Guided day and night game drives
- Swimming pools
- Picnics, Bush meals and sundowners
- Photographic hide and waterhole
- Bird watching
- Stargazing
- Guided bush walks
- Yoga and well being spaces
- Cultural visits
- Helicopter excursions and scenic flights
- Traditional wedding ceremonies
Overview
Saruni Samburu is a deluxe, design lodge located in Kenya’s wild north. It is the only lodge in Kalama Conservancy, which borders Samburu National Reserve, with 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness to explore and enjoy exclusively. Perched on a spectacular viewpoint, its six luxury villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kenya’s Northern Frontier District and Mount Kenya in the distance. Each villa is very private with zip fronted canvas, and large lounge areas, indoor baths and outdoor showers.
Guests can enjoy the vast panoramas from the dining and lounge area, the two infinity pools and the Samburu Wellbeing Space. Nearby there is a ground-level photographic hide next to a waterhole where the famous Samburu elephant, leopard, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and Grevy’s zebra gather to drink. The lodge is admired for its innovative, eco-chic architecture and interesting design and décor, as well as its Italian-inspired cuisine.
You are guided from start to finish by Samburu warriors who are passionate about their land and their culture, learning first-hand about their fascinating customs and traditions and their ancient, local knowledge – a truly authentic experience. The vastness and purity of this landscape, combined with the untouched local culture, elegant comfort and welcoming hospitality makes for an intimate, exceptional and life-changing experience.
Saruni Samburu’s six luxury, eco-chic villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kalama Conservancy and Mount Kenya. As the only lodge in over 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness teeming with wildlife to explore exclusively, and guided by Samburu warriors passionate about their land and culture, the safari experience at Saruni Samburu is intimate and truly exceptional.
After your early breakfast, you will be transferred to your local airstrip, where you board your flight to Samburu, a semi-desert region in the remote frontier district. Melting waters of Mount Kenya feed rivers which support a surprising array of wildlife. This region is known for its elephants and the endangered Grevy's zebra. Spend the next couple of days discovering the wildlife on game drives and guided walks. Stay in the Luxury Saruni Samburu safari camp and enjoy attentive service and friendly hospitality. Delve into the fascinating culture of the Samburu people during a cultural visit to a traditional homestead. Stay: Saruni Samburu
Days 7 - 9: Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Highlights
- Maasai Cultural Visits
- Walking Safaris
- Balloon Rides
- Swimming Pool
- Bush Dining
- Sun Downers
- Gourmet picnic lunches in the bush
- Specialist photographic Safaris
- 7 Luxury Tents
- Phenomenal Birding
Overview
Mara Plains Camp hides in the thick forest on a bend in the Ntiakitiak River. A perfect luxury Kenya safari camp. It is inside the 35,000-acre private Olare Motorogi Conservancy and borders Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve. Mara Plains Camp is a captivating and intimate experience of its own in one of the most iconic wildlife destinations on the planet.
The enchanting Mara Plains Camp is situated on a bend of the Ntiakitiak River in a secluded private conservancy on the border of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Access to this elegant and secluded camp is via a wooden footbridge over a river, underlining its sense of seclusion and intimacy. Elegant yet understated, seven guest tents pay homage to the rich heritage of Africa, from chunky wooden doors from the Swahili enclave of Lamu to the deep red and purple shades that honour the spirit of the Maasai, while rich leather, copper and brass harks back to the colonial explorers.
The stylish guest area opens out onto views of the endless savannah, which guests can enjoy while dining in the main mess area or whiling away a quiet hour or two in the library. A yoga mat is provided in each tent for those guests who wish to work out in between game drives. Morning and late afternoon / evening game drives explore the private conservancy, continuing after dark for a chance to spot Africa’s mighty predators in action. Hot air ballooning and cultural visits to a Maasai village are available at an additional cost.
Continue your journey with a flight to a bush airstrip in the Masai Mara. Here you will spend the next 3 nights at Mara Plains camp. Take some time exploring one of Africa's iconic safari destinations where you can see the great migration and the many predators that feed on this magnificent spectacle. Go on guided game drives, led by Maasai Warriors or really experience the bush on foot through an interpretive bush walk. Stop off for sundowners and watch the colours of the sky change as the sun sets. Then discover the region's nocturnal animals such as a leopard, hyena and lion on the prowl during a night game drive before returning to Mara Plains Camp.
Optional activities include a visit to a traditional Maasai homestead or taking to the sky with a hot air balloon safari, which is truly one of the most tranquil wildlife experiences. Stay: Mara Plains Camp
Day 10: Depart, Fly Nairobi
There may be time for one last early morning game drive followed by breakfast back at your Kenyan luxury camp before boarding a flight to Nairobi's Wilson Airport, for your onward travel arrangements.
