Flying into the Mara is the best way to start your safari - you fly from Nairobi over the Great Rift Valley, and then over the vast open plains of the Masai Mara where you get your first glimpse of elephant, giraffe, wildebeest and zebra far below you. At the landing strip there is a small pool which is home to a pod of hippo - you are thrown straight into the action.

The thrill of the bush with Africa’s big game is what brings people to the Masai Mara. Get up close to the big cats on a game drive in our custom built four wheel drive land rover. You can take as many game drives as you like, all included in your package.

Alternatively leave your vehicle behind and take a walking safari with one of our armed guides for the true thrill of the bush. Down on the same level as the animals you will experience the untamed beauty of the Mara. You will track game, unsure what waits around the next corner, giraffe, buffalo or even lion. You will catch the scents and sounds of the wild Africa. And at the end of it all waits a sumptuous bush barbeque complete with champagne. (Walking Safaris are an optional extra).

4 nights at Peponi's (Lamu Island) - Peponi is a small hotel on the exotic island of Lamu, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya, the very root of Swahili culture, which spread centuries ago down the East African Coast. The move of the Oman Sultan from Lamu to further off shore Zanzibar left Lamu dormant in a time warp for three hundred years. There are still no cars on the island and the narrow streets of the old town are very much as they were. Peponi is still run by the Korschen family, who opened the hotel in 1967 and which still retains much of the character and charm that it had then. Small and personal, it is the perfect rest after a safari or a hide away holiday from modern life.

Peponi Hotel has a total of 24 rooms, which are divided into superior and standard rooms. All rooms at Peponi have ocean views. The superior rooms are differentiated by their location, size, private outside area, indoor plants, artwork and Swahili furnishings. No two rooms are alike. Five of our rooms are built right on the beach, with private verandah areas overlooking the sea, while the rest have a combination of ocean and garden views. All rooms have overhead fans, mosquito nets, showers (no baths), fresh flowers, and personal safes.

"Peponi is simple, fresh, cheerful and everything about it is totally original and genuine - no frozen foods here, nor frozen smiles." Harpers and Queen

The New York Times remembered us for our giant prawns in butter sauce... whether it be for freshness and innovativeness of food or freshness of service, Peponi's has 'it'.

Dinner is distinguished by a plethora of new ways of celebrating seafood with ginger, lime and garlic. Mangrove crabs, warm water lobster, squid, giant prawns and fish of all varieties. For something a little more local, a Swahili menu is also available, which can be eaten in the traditional way, on the floor, around a huge brass platter. Leisurely dinning hours flow into lunch, which is available from 12pm to 4pm. You may choose to dine either outside at the grill, under colourful bougainvillea, where you can dig your feet into fresh white coral sand or in the dining room. Or on the terrace, overlooking the ocean and the movement of dhows and local fishermen.
Should you prefer a light snack and not leave the bar, fresh rock oysters are available or a range of samosas and sandwiches all day. You may even prefer to have them sent to your room with a cold passion juice or a local beer.

The truth is Peponi "happened". It was a house that grew into a hotel, an idea that, little by little, took shape from its sea-mad proprietors.

Peponi's have been running a turtle project for the last 8 years. David Olendo first introduced us to turtle conservation when he brought us a turtle's nest, which he found on Shela Beach in 1992 Due to an increase in beach traffic and egg poaching on the beach he asked us to lay the eggs in the hotel grounds so they could be protected until they hatched. On September 1, 1992, our first nest hatched and out of 146 eggs 112 hatchlings made it safely to the water. We were thrilled and our project grew from there.

Traditionally, sea turtles have been utilized in the local culture spiritually, economically, medicinally and as a source of food. Therefore, poaching for meat, oil and eggs along the Kenyan coast is rampant.

There are 5 species of sea turtles that have been sighted on the Kenyan Coast. However, only Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) have been know to nest on the coast of East Africa. We have both types of turtle nesting on Shela Beach and Takwa Beach.
The Green Turtle is the most common on the Kenyan coast and feeds on sea grasses and squid. In contrast, the Hawksbill turtle feeds mostly on sponges and other invertebrates. The Green turtle also tends to lay a larger clutch of eggs and are also bigger in size.

Since 1992 we have translocated over 30 nests. Over the last few years there have also been other turtle conservation programs along the Kenyan coast. We have also been working with the WWF, who started a marine protection and research program in the Kiwayu area.

Itinerary Includes: Full board accommodation on safari, Three game drives a day, Flights from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Laundry, Transfers, Half board accommodation at Peponi’s, Flights from Nairobi to Lamu and Transfers, Meet and Greet Service.

Not Included: Travel Insurance, Items of a personal nature, International Flights.

Additional Options: Extend your stay at either Governors' or Peponi's for a longer and more in-depth holiday in Kenya.Combine your time in the Masai Mara with Lake Victoria and Mfanango Island, where you can enjoy fishing and water sports on the lake or cultural visits to the local villages. Continue your safari in on of Kenya's many National Parks, including Amboseli, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Meru, the home of Elsa, the lioness made famous by Joy and George Adamson and Tsavo. Enjoy a unique camel safari in Northern Likipia - a truly magical way to see Kenya's landscape and wildlife.