Safari Nzuri's Africa Voyages

Kenya

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After reviewing our Kenya page, below, please feel free to drop us an email at: mail@safarinzuri.com If you would let us know your party's size; your goals and expectations for your safari; when you'd like to visit Kenya; and whether you'd prefer an exclusive tented safari (somewhat more expensive) or some of Kenya's most highly regarded small, permanent camps (somewhat less expensive), we would be glad to provide you with particular guide or camp materials that should best meet your requirements.

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Amboseli National Park offers one of East Africa's largest elephant herds set in the foreground of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Safari Nzuri clients enjoy the bounty of this otherwise-crowded park by staying in private concession areas adjoining the park, in small exclusive tented camps.

Kenya

The traditional venue for a first safari, Kenya still offers the most variety, and the greatest number, of wild animals in Africa. It also contains perhaps the most varied landscapes and ecosystems of any African nation--from cool rainforest, to semi-desert, to sweeping savanna, to coastal forest. It is this diversity that should be captured in any proper Kenya safari. For the latest State Department information on Kenya, click here .

Safari Season

Any month is suitable in Kenya, except April-May, when the long rains arrive. In August-September, the wildebeest migration will probably be in the Masai Mara. December-March is a pleasant time, as the short rains have greened the savanna and put down the dust. But the migration will be in Tanzania’s Serengeti then, and a Kenya safari at that time of year should append time in the southern Serengeti.

Drawbacks

Crowds, noisy tourist lodges and zebra-stripped minivans are Kenya’s plague. Also, walking and night drives are generally prohibited in major game parks. Safari Nzuri has worked hard to overcome these drawbacks, providing its clients with walking, night drive and very private wilderness and game-rich adventures throughout Kenya.

Safari Nzuri's Approach to Kenya

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To the right: any driver can find you a lion. The trick is to find a guide, and a driver, who will stay with the pride all day long, if you want, so that you can actually learn something about its behavior.

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We want our clients to return to Kenya, without fear that their safari will be spoiled by fleets of minivans. Private, game-rich wilderness exists throughout Kenya, and of this country's hundreds of operators, we have settled on four that meet these bottom line conditions:

  • isolation from the tourist circuit;
  • maximizing opportunities for walking safaris and night drives--experiences that most Kenya visitors miss;
  • use of either traditional tented camps, or small permanent camps that blend into the environment, so that the feeling of true wilderness is always maintained;
  • qualified drivers and guides who interpret and enjoy the ecology at the clients' leisure, and don't simply "check off" each species;
  • Landcruiser/Landrover type 4WD vehicles. Safari Nzuri will never put a client in a minivan; and
  • a degree of luxury that affords our clients a gourmet meal, impeccable service and joyful accommodations even in the most remote locations.

To meet these goals, we've landed at the upper end of the Kenya market. You'll see that in our prices. But in Kenya, more than anywhere else in Africa, you get what you pay for.

Our four Kenya operators:

1.  Cheli and Peacock

 Stefano Cheli and Liz Peacock have been operating Kenya safaris since 1985. They offer six of the finest and best-placed small tented or permanent camps in Kenya, and most have won prestigious travel awards.  They specialize in meeting each of Safari Nzuri's requirements for a proper Kenya safari (see above) at each of their camps:

NOTE:  All Cheli & Peacock rates are quoted for double accommodations, sharing.  “High Season” covers the Christmas holidays, and the peak July through September  period, when travelers visit Kenya to hopefully view the migration.  The “Mid  Season” covers the remaining dry months.  The rates do not include relatively nominal park fees

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To the right: Elsa's Kopje Camp sits atop a rocky hillside overlooking Meru National Park. It is the only camp operating in Meru, and its few guests have the privilege of enjoying an entire national park to themselves.

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Cheli & Peacock’s Elsa’s Kopje

Elsa’s Kopje, an 8-cottage camp built in Meru National Park on the site of George Adamson's first camp. Elsa's sits on a magical hilltop location with sweeping vistas of Meru. The rooms are brilliantly built into the rocky hillside like Swiss Family Robinson treehouses; the cliff-side pool allows guests to decadently-watch herds of giraffe below them while lolling in the pool; the cuisine is excellent and the staff is impeccable. It is perhaps Kenya's most creative safari camp. Meru, which suffered from serious poaching in the 1980's, is not nearly as rich a wildlife area as, say, the Masai Mara. But wildlife rare elsewhere in Kenya, like the reticulated giraffe, oryx and Grevy's zebra, are common in Meru. And, with the opportunity to walk in Meru, this national park becomes something of a private playground for Elsa's guests--since Elsa's is the only camp or lodge currently operating in this large park. Elsa's rates for 2008 were $540/person/day in the high season, and $470/person/day during the mid season, both based on double accommodations sharing.  We are awaiting 2009 prices.

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To the left: Guests at Elsa's Kopje can watch the Meru wildlife from inside the cliff-side pool

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Cheli and Peacock’s Masai Mara Camps

Elephant Pepper Camp.   Situated right on the Northern Edge of the Masai Mara reserve this 8-tented bush camp, is tucked away in a prime wildlife area. Surrounded by the Mara’s ubiquitous game, it’s a seasonal camp, which is taken down for a month or so in the rainy seasons. Elephant Pepper Camp has been recently refurbished and designed to attract and introduce people to an authentic Masai Mara wildlife Safari Experience. Elephant Pepper Camp offers a unique, comfortable environment and is aptly named after the Warburgia Ugandense tree, which is commonly known as the Elephant Pepper tree. The true bush experience of walking and unwinding around the glowing embers of a campfire all add to the authenticity of a true bush experience. Creative comforts are not sacrificed either with ensuite bathrooms being part of each spacious tent. Looking from the camp across the plains one can see the ‘greatest game show on earth’ when the annual wildebeest migration thunders past to seek new grazing in the lush savannahs of the Masai Mara.  Elephant Pepper’s rates 2008 rates were $450/person/night during high season, and $380/person/night during the mid season, both based on double accommodations sharing. We are awaiting 2009 prices.

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To the right: From August-September, the zebra and wildebeest migration travel through the Masai Mara in the millions.

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Cottar’s Camp 1920’s.  Located in the Masai Mara bordering the Serengeti and Loliondo reserves, the camp is within a 22,000 acre exclusive concession. This 1920’s camp experience returns to the original spirit and essence of ‘safari’, reminiscent of a golden bygone era, an era of romance, adventure and elegance. Here one will experience the ultimate in personalised service & guiding.  Among its honours, Cottar’s Camp was voted Best Safari Camp 2003 (Harper’s & Queen); Best Tented Camp in the World 2003 (Tatler Magazine); and Top Guides of Africa 2003 (Conde Nast Traveler).  2008 rates for Cottar’s 1920’s are $710/person/night high season  and $640/person/night mid season, both based on double accommodations.

Richard’s Camp, which is owned and operated by Richard Roberts and his girlfriend Liz Fusco, has been growing from strength to strength since the year 2000 when they turned it from the Roberts’ family home into a small and exclusive tented camp.  Richard's extensive knowledge of wildlife, flora and fauna comes from his 25 years of growing up and living in the Masai Mara.  Located on the edge a beautiful forest in the Masai Mara conservation area that his father Willy Roberts helped to create with the local Masai people, the camp itself has 6 very comfortable, individually decorated ensuite tents, 24 hour solar power, heated showers, wonderful food, open 4 wheel drive vehicles and a truly traditional tented camp atmosphere perfect as a base for exploring the Masai Mara and its magic.  Richard’s Camp rates for 2008 were $540/person/night during the high season, and $470/person/night during the mid season, both based on double accommodations. We are awaiting 2009 prices.

Cheli and Peacock’s Amboseli Camp

Tortilis Camp a 17-tent camp on the edge of Amboseli National Park, with a swimming pool and a wondrous view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Located on a Masai concession in the heart of the Amboseli ecosystem, Tortilis enjoys peace and privacy in this otherwise crowded park. Indeed, Tortilis' experienced staff prides itself on its remarkable ability to enjoy wildlife without encountering another vehicle. Whether the goal is Amboseli's extraordinary elephant populations, or its ubiquitous plains game, Tortilis allows its guests to enjoy Amboseli with exclusivity, fabulous cuisine and a gracious staff.  Tortilis won the British Airways Regional Award for Ecotourism in 1995, and was voted Top in Africa for Service in the 2003 Conde Nast Traveler Gold Awards.  Tortilis’ 2008 rates were $440/person/night for high season and $380/person/night for mid season, both based on double accommodations.  We are awaiting 2009 prices.

Cheli & Peacock’s Laikapia Camp

Sabuk Camp is remote and beautiful, an alluring haven on the edge of the Northern Frontier District. With five double guest cottages perched on a cliff overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro river below, time stands still and the haunting beauty of this wilderness spreads out before you.  Forget all about mechanized transport and take walking assisted camel safaris for one or several days.  Trekking with the Laikipiak Masai, your professional guide will organize fly camping and walking amongst big game and shaded rest in the cool of the riverine forests.   Sabuk’s 2008 rates were $540/person/night for the high season, and $470/person/night for the mid season, both based on double accommodations.  We are awaiting 2009 prices.

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To the right: the cheetah has made a comeback throughout Africa, and is now routinely seen  in Amboseli and the Masai Mara.

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2.  Kimbla Safaris

                               Kimbla’s Custom Safaris

Kimbla Safaris makes maximum use of its Masai-owned, game-rich private concession areas in both Amboseli and the Masai Mara. These concession-based safaris offer the opportunity for private, luxury tented camping in prime game areas; escorted game walks and night drives in your concession areas; and uncontrived opportunities to befriend the Masai landlords. One proposed 12-day safari presents a broad range of Kenya’s very different game environments, centered on Kimbla’s private, exclusive camps. It is therefore a superb introductory safari to Kenya. The safari offers Kimbla’s exclusive luxury tented camps in its Masai concession areas at Amboseli National Park and the Masai Mara (away from the tourist circuit but deep in prime wildlife country. This proposed itinerary (remember, the ultimate choice of itinerary is yours alone) for a 12-day Amboseli/Mt. Kenya/Laku Nakuru/Masai Mara safari is as follows:

Day 01.  Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the morning, where you will be met and taken to the Norfolk for an assisted check in and briefing.  Overnight Norfolk Hotel.

Day 02. After breakfast and assisted check out, drive southwards to Amboseli National Park at the very foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Take a game drive through the park to Kimbla’s private concession area and the luxury private camp where your camp staff will be waiting to welcome you.  Have lunch, and take an afternoon game drive or bush walk.

Days 3 and 4. Spent exploring Amboseli and viewing wildlife.  While rich in most East African plains game, Amboseli is perhaps most famous for its great herds of elephant, framed against the backdrop of snow-capped Kilimanjaro.  Visit a true Masai Manyatta and school if it’s school term.  Havse sundowners on the hill and enjoy a Masai dance.

Day 5.  After breakfast, take a game drive to the airstrip, where you will board your scheduled flights to Lewa Downs, where you will be met and taken to the Lewa Wilderness house.  After lunch, afternoon activities includegame drives, horse riding, pre-historic site visits, and community crafts.

Day 06. Spend a full day at Lewa Wilderness, which has been home to the Craig family since 1924.  This vast conservation area is home to an array of rare wildlife, including rhino, Grevy’s zebra and sitatunga. 

Day 07.  Today starts with breakfast and game drive to the airstrip for a charter flight to Naishi airstrip in Lake Nakuru National Park.  Take a game drive to Lion Hill.  After lunch, take an afternoon game drive.  Overnight Lion Hill lodge.

Day 08.  Take an early morning game drive to Laku Nakuru – the flamingos do look pinker in the morning light, and weve seen 8 white rhino down by the lake.  After breakfast, drive across the Rift Valley floor to the Masai Mara, take a game drive through the reserve to the Koiyaki concession area and your exclusive luxury camp.  Meet your camp staff, have lunch, and take an afternoon game drive. Overnight exclusive Kimbla Mobile Mara Tented Camp.

Days 9-11.  From your own private camp removed from the Mara crowds, head off an explore this rich national park.  The Masai Mara has legendary populations of  virtually every East African plains animal; and, in August and September, it hosts the great show on earth—the great wildebeest migration.  Being located on a tribal concession area outside the park, you enjoy a luxury that most Mara visitors can only dream of—walking in this great wilderness. Overnight Kimbla Mobile Mara Tented Camp.

Day 12. Farewell to your camp staff, and drive back across the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi and the Norfolk, where a day room awaits you.  Havse a farewell lunch at Hardy House, and then transfer to the airport for the flight out.

 

2009 prices for this custom safari are $8042 for each of four travelers sharing double accommodations.

Kimbla’s Ultimate Kenya Migration Safari

            In 2009, Kimbla will be offering a 15-day safari that offers the traveler luxury wilderness throughout game-rich Kenya, culminating in a chance to catch the great wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara from your own exclusive, tented camp during the peak July-October season.  Please note that this safari is limited to six persons. 

Here is the itinerary:

Day 1

Nairobi

Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by your professional Kimbla-Mantana safari driver/guide and taken to the historic Norfolk Hotel for an overnight stay. The Norfolk is Kenya’s oldest, best-loved, and most famous hotel. Pioneers to movie stars, royalty to rock legends, a truly remarkable and diverse cast of characters have found a home-away-from-home at The Norfolk during the last 100 years. Since its opening on Christmas Day 1904, the name of the hotel has grown as the premiere destination for visitors to Nairobi.

 

Norfolk Hotel

 

Day 2

Amboseli National Park

After breakfast and a safari briefing, your safari experience begins with your driver/guide waiting to drive you out of Nairobi; through the Athi Plains down to Amboseli National Park, which lies at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, and which provides the classic photographs of wildlife set to the backdrop of this snow-capped mountain. This park has some of the highest densities and diversity of wildlife in Africa. Many travelers actually avoid this park because its main center is clogged with lodge-based tourists. Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris offers a private campsite situated on the boundary of the park. Here the staff has set up a traditional luxury camp just for your group. Kimbla-Mantana’s private concession area at Amboseli sits in a triangle between Lake Amboseli and the Tanzania border. It is set amongst some green volcanic hills that help guarantee its privacy without blocking the views of the mountain, and it faces directly towards Kilimanjaro. The tents are pitched on volcanic sandy soil with a good covering of grass, and are scattered amongst a stand of old Tortilis trees to give welcome shade at midday. There is a resident herd of elephants which seem to have a semi-regular route through the campsite. Amboseli is best known for its abundant and approachable elephants. Other animals found in Amboseli include: giraffe, gerenuk, kudu, oryx, buffalo, cheetah, impala, lion, wildebeest, hyena, jackal, warthog, zebra, and baboon. You will arrive in time for a late lunch at the camp and enjoy an afternoon game drive.

 

Kimbla-Mantana Traditional Luxury Mobile Classic Camp

                                 

Day 3

Amboseli National Park

Unlimited game drives. During the hot time of the day, when most of the wildlife is sensibly resting in the shade, you may wish to visit a Masai school. It is Kimbla-Mantana's policy to sponsor the local communities in our areas and the children are always delighted when guests take an interest. This afternoon, a game drive has been arranged for you.

 

Kimbla-Mantana Traditional Luxury Mobile Classic Camp

 

 

Day 4

Amboseli National Park

Unlimited game drives. Enjoy a visit to a Masai Manyatta (village) this morning. A Masai dance at your campfire this evening fills your day.

 

Kimbla-Mantana Traditional Luxury Mobile Classic Camp

 

Day 5

Tsavo West National Park

This morning you will drive across the Shetani (lava flows) to Tsavo West National Park. Tsavo West National Park is mostly semi-arid plains broken by occasional granite outcrops. There are large herds of elephant found at Tsavo, along with large prides of lion and a good leopard population. Enjoy an afternoon game drive.

 

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

 

Day 6

Tsavo West National Park

Unlimited game drives. You will enjoy visiting Mzima Springs today, where from an underwater viewing platform, you will watch hippo swim in the clear waters among crocodiles and fish.

 

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

 

Day 7

Mount Kenya

Today you will head for the cool Mount Kenya region and the Serena Mountain Lodge. Enjoy game viewing from the lodge verandahs as the wildlife comes to drink and enjoy a ‘mud wallow’ at the waterhole. The lodge is surrounded by a dense rainforest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds that make the African bush so special and exhilarating. Elephant, buffalo, rhino, and waterbuck are regular sights.

 

Serena Mountain Lodge

 

Day 8

Samburu National Reserve

This morning you depart for the arid northern areas of Kenya, driving through the fertile areas of Thika and the slopes of Mount Kenya. Your destination today is Samburu National Reserve, which is situated north of Mount Kenya and on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. This means plenty of water, trees, and shade to attract wildlife like elephant, lion, giraffe, and zebra from the surrounding plains. This is an excellent reserve of scrub desert, thornbush, riverine forest, and swamps along the river. The reserve is renowned for a range of rare game – Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, the long-necked gerenuk, and the Beisa oryx. There are also over one hundred species of birds found here, including the Somali ostrich. Leopard is also often seen at Samburu. Your traditional luxury mobile camp is situated next to the river, a truly magical setting. Enjoy an afternoon game drive.  NOTE:  In 2008, elephants made a bit of hash of Kimbla-Mantana’s Samburu Camp.  Travelers will have the option of staying at Larsen’s Camp, which is alwo located on t he Ewaso Nyiro River.

 

Kimbla-Mantana Traditional Luxury Mobile Classic Camp or Larsen’s Camp

 

Day 9

Samburu National Reserve

Unlimited game drives. Spend the day exploring Samburu’s unique scenery and wildlife. Visit a Samburu village and school.

 

Kimbla-Mantana Traditional Luxury Mobile Classic Camp or Larsen’s Camp

 

Day 10

Sweetwaters Game Reserve

After arrival at Sweetwaters Game Reserve, enjoy a day of game drives along with visits to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and Morani, the tame black rhino who refuses to be released into the wild. Sweetwaters Game Reserve, a 24,000-acre game sanctuary, has magnificent views across the plains to the snow capped peaks of Mount Kenya. It is home to all the big five game and has the highest ratio of game-to-area of any park or reserve in Kenya. Other wildlife found in Kenya includes giraffe, zebra, eland, waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle, Thompson’s gazelle, cheetah, silver-backed jackal, hartebeest, and baboon.

 

Sweetwaters Permanent Tented Camp

 

Day 11

Lake Nakuru National Park

This morning you will drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its massive numbers of greater and lesser flamingo. Lake Nakuru is one of the alkaline Rift Valley lakes and is a fantastic bird sanctuary, its shores populated at times by more than one million flamingos. This park has 56 different species of mammals, including both black and white rhinos. Other wildlife here includes lion, leopard, Rothschild’s giraffe, waterbuck, reedbuck, hippo, and baboon. The lake is an important stopover for thousands of migratory wading birds that head to and from Europe each year. Enjoy an afternoon game drive.

 

Lake Nakuru Lodge

 

Day 12

Masai Mara Game Reserve

After breakfast, a scenic drive traversing the Mau Escarpment brings you to Masai Mara Game Reserve. Your private traditional luxury mobile camp is situated next to the Mara River and offers an abundance of cool shade and bird life. Our concession area is extremely rich in game - almost more so than the park itself. You will be greeted with chilled drinks and a cheerful welcome back from your camp staff. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive.

 

Kimbla-Mantana Traditional Luxury Mobile Classic Camp

 

Days 13-14

Masai Mara Game Reserve

Unlimited game drives. Spend the next two days exploring the vast savannahs of the Masai Mara and viewing wildlife. Masai Mara Game Reserve is one of the best known and popular reserves in the whole of Africa and undoubtedly the finest wildlife area in Kenya. Seasoned safari travelers, travel writers, documentary makers, and researchers often admit that the Masai Mara is one of their favorite places. All of the big five game is here: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. Other commonly sighted species include: cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, Thompson’s gazelle, Defassa waterbuck, eland, Masai giraffe, and topi. Masai Mara is home to over one hundred species of mammals and more than 450 species of birds. Your driver/guide will explain the animal behavior - and because of his expertise and experience, will take you to the best locations for the season to maximize your safari experience. A night game drive is on offer with the reserve warden’s permission.   While the exact location of the wildebeest migration can never be predicted with certainty, August and September are generally considered two prime months for the migration’s movement into the Masai Mara.

 

Kimbla-Mantana Traditional Luxury Mobile Classic Camp

 

Day 15

Nairobi

This morning you will bid a sad farewell to the camp staff that you have come to know so well before your final game drive leaving Masai Mara and returning to Nairobi. A day room is reserved for you at the Norfolk Hotel until 6:00PM. Enjoy a farewell lunch at Hardy House, the home of Kimbla-Mantana owners Lis and Tony Farrell, before transferring to the airport for your international flight out this evening. 

 

The price of this safari is for each of a group of 4, using double accommodations, is $9,479/person.  If Larsen’s Camp is used at Samburu instead of the elephant-impacted Kimbla Camp, that price is reduced to $9310/person.  Prices are lower off-peak, but you’ll miss the opportunity to view the wildebeest migration.

 

3.  A Samburu Jewel—Elephant Watch Safari Camp

Elephant Watch Safari Camp is perched on the sand banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, beneath big Kigelia trees and Acacia Elatiors. It is home to some of the largest bull elephant in Samburu who can often be spotted resting under an acacia tree or picking pods beside the tents. The trees are filled with a multitude of birds and monkeys. At dawn a gentle chorus echoes overhead announcing the new day in the wild.

The camp, which is eco-friendly, has been specially constructed for comfort and coolness, accommodating a maximum of ten guests with its wide and breezy desert tents, individually styled, draped with colourful cloth and unusual furniture. Bathrooms are built around trees, giving our guests a novel washing experience with plenty of sun heated water and lights.

Everything about Elephant Watch Camp is a feast for the senses, with bright swathes of cotton fanning in the breeze, huge cushioned sofas, woven local mats and special beds and furniture made from fallen trees. Menus are a fusion of bush gourmet, fresh from our farm, with tropical fruit and drinks and a selection of good wine. Books, films and information on elephants are provided for guests. At night, flame torches and lanterns light up the camp along the river. Baboons call out as leopards stalk, while lions and elephants are always nearby. It is the only camp of its kind in Samburu.

Elephant Watching begins on arrival. Our Elephant Watch guides meet their guests at either of the two airfields and drive them gently through the Reserve spending time with many of our well known elephant families as well as introducing them to some of the particular Northern inhabitants - the slim necked Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy Zebras and over 400 species of birds. A special visit to Save the Elephant Research Centre can also be organised.

Each day opens with a new adventure. Early morning or evening bush walks along well-travelled elephant paths or collecting medicinal plants and honey and always accompanied by our Samburu Warriors. At times one can witness the great river crossings of camels and cattle, fire making and Samburu ceremonies.

Camp owner Oria Douglas-Hamilton and her husband Iain have been privileged to work with elephants for more than thirty years. They wrote the books "Among the Elephants," an account of their time spent studying elephants in Lake Manyara and "Battle for the Elephants," which documents their years undertaking an Africa wide elephant census to put an end to the slaughter of elephants for the ivory trade. Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton is the Founder and President of the registered charity, "Save the Elephants" and he was recently involved in the production of the Discovery Channel IMAX film, "Africa's Elephant Kingdom."

Iain and his Save the Elephants research team are currently monitoring long-distance movements using high-tech GPS radio collars on some of the wild elephants roaming throughout the Samburu Reserve in Northern Kenya.

Elephant Watch Safaris was selected as a world "hot spot" by Conde Nast Traveller in 2002 voted Best Tented Safari by The Week magazine in 2003.

Elephant Watch’s 2008 rates were $615/person/night during the peak Christmas/migration seasons, and $565/person/night during the remainder of the high season (based on double accommodations, shared).  We’re awaiting 2009 rates.

4.  Bush Homes of East Africa

            Bush Homes of East Africa has collected a romantic array of Kenya guest homes, ranches and bush camps that are owned and operated by often-legendary scions of the Kenya conservation community.  These people are consummate experts in the ecology of the area in which they reside; they are gracious hosts; and their homes, ranches and camps are located in the prime wildlife and scenic areas of this diverse nation.  Bush Homes’ offerings include the following (all rates quoted are based on double accommodation, and include park or conservation area fees.  As used below, the “premium season” means July-September and the Christmas holidays, unless otherwise specified.  Rates are lower at other times of the year):

  • Lewa Wilderness at the foot of Mt. Kenya, which has been home to the Craig family since 1924.  The vast conservation area that surrounds this 16-guest estate is home to an array of rare wildlife, including rhino, Grevy’s zebra and sitatunga.  It is an obligatory gentrification stop on many safaris.  2009 rates during the July-September premium season are $690/person/night.  Lewa also maintains a remote thatch-and-tent safari camp, where premium season rates run $560/person/night;
  • Borana Lodge lies adjacent to the Lewa Conservancy, and, like its neighbor, is home to a family-run, six-cottage lodge.  The protected game ranch spans 35,000 acres.  Premium seasons rates here run $575/person/night;
  • Ol Malo sits high on the northern edge of the Laikapia Plateau, in a wilderness slice of Kenya’s remote Northern District that the lodge shares with wandering Samburu tribespeople.  Camel safaris through the arid game areas are the most popular diversion here.  Groups of up to six guests pay a $3700 package fee, plus an $80/person/day conservation fee;
  • Sarara is located deep in the home of the Samburu people, on a 75,000 trust established to promote conservation and wildlife co-habitation with the pastoral Samburu.  Located in the Mathews Mountain Range of northern Kenya, the area is game rich—with large herds of elephant living in the range, along with the full range of African predators and prey.  Premium season rates are $670/person/night;
  • Ol Donyo Wuas lies in the foothills between Tsavo and Amboseli national parks.  It is situated in a 300,000 concession area on Masai land. There are seven guest cottages (which append the private home of storied porter safari leader Richard Bonham, who built the place), and the home’s proximity to two grand national parks makes game walks and drives especially rewarding.  Premium season rates are $690/person/night;
  • Ol Kanjau is a very traditional tented safari camp adjacent to Amboseli National Park on Masai land.  The family run camp offers the opportunity for a classic, isolated safari in and around one of Kenya’s most game-rich parks, without the crowds that usually attend an Amboseli trip.  Rates are $710/person/night; and
  • Rekero Tented Camp is a tented camp that is situated at what is recognized as the prime site within the Masai Mara game reserve, close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek River, ten minutes from the main Wildebeest crossings during the migration.  This opportunity to make camp at ground zero of Africa’s greatest wildlife show comes at $690/person/night during the premium season.

 

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