WELCOME TO KENYA

1. Arrive

2. Lewa Conservancy

   Fly into the capital, Nairobi, where you will spend the night in the leafy suburb of Karen, named after Karen Blixen, of Out of Africa fame. The next morning, head off by light aircraft into the African wilderness of northern Kenya, to Lewa Conservancy, a centre for rhino conservation and home to the ‘Big Five’. As a family-run property it caters brilliantly for all ages with a range of activities from game drives to pony rides to scenic flights in a traditional bi-plane. Spend your days exploring the reserve and its array of wildlife. Nearby, the Ngare Ndare Forest offers treetop canopy walks and swimming in the waterfall. For those wanting to explore traditional culture, Il Ngwesi Village offers the chance to interact directly with the Maasai and learn more about their way of life.

   

   Activities include:

   • Daily game drives around the conservancy to view the ‘Big Five’.

   • Walk with a Maasai guide, perhaps following the tracks of a leopard or watching a rhino graze in the morning light.

   • Ride one of over 30 horses and ponies (or a camel) to see wildlife from a different perspective.

   • Younger children will love playing Maasai games, crab fishing in the springs, and searching for cave paintings.

   • Take a scenic flight to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya or along the Ewaso N’gero River.

   • For the true ‘Out of Africa’ experience, take flight in the open cockpit biplane.

3. Maasai Mara

   Head south, again by light aircraft, to the renowned Maasai Mara, famed for its prolific wildlife, including the great wildebeest migration, which passes through seasonally. Cottar’s 1920s Camp sits in it own private conservancy, leased form the resident Maasai, adjoining the Maasai Mara, thus offering a more exclusive game viewing experience, away from the crowds. Daily game drives (in the conservancy and in the Maasai Mara itself) will get you close to lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe and plentiful plains game (such as zebra and antelope). Back at camp, immerse yourself in the history of the area in the library tent, slip into a canvas bush bath or simply collapse by the pool. Children will love the learning archery at the ‘Maasai Warrior School’ and those wishing to learn more about conservation efforts could take a heli flight over the Mara Elephant Project or speak to some of the female conservation rangers.

   

   Activities include:

   • Daily game drives around the private conservancy and into the world-famous Maasai Mara.

   • Witness the Great Migration (roughly August to November).

   • Maasai warrior school or swimming/fishing at the waterfall.

   • Relax in a traditional canvas bubble bath.

   • Take that perfect shot with a professional photography experience.

   • Drift over the plains of the Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon.

4. Kenyan Coast

   To round off your Kenyan adventure, head to the south coast and the gorgeously barefoot luxury resort of Kinondo Kwetu. Set on a relatively quiet stretch of beach half an hour to the south of the main hub of Diani, Kinondo proffers a beautiful white sand beach and activities in abundance. There’s barely a water sport they don’t offer, from SUP to scuba, and the resort boasts two swimming pools, a tennis court and on-site stables, for rides along the sandy beach. There’s no set place for dining so meals take place in a different location each day and feature fresh, organic, locally sourced produce including plenty of seafood. Staff appear at intervals during the day with refreshing treats and nothing is ever too much trouble.

   

   Activities include:

   • Plunge into an array of water sports from kitesurfing to deep sea fishing.

   • Ride the resort’s own horses along the beach or in the sacred ‘Kaya’ forests.

   • Play a few games of tennis (or have a family tournament).

   • Stretch out in a daily yoga class (or book privately).

   • Visit Kinondo village and the community works.

   • Relax by the pool or in the spa with a soothing massage.

5. Depart

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