10 Day Flying Safari to the wonders of southern Kenya - Amboseli National Park, in the shadow of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, the world famous Masai Mara and the idyllic island of Lamu. Guide Price £2150 per person
Daily flexible departures
Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport to the leafy, forested Karen suburbs of Nairobi. Relax by the swimming pool, or visit the nearby Karen Blixen museum or Giraffe Sanctuary. Gourmet cuisine is the order of the day.
You will be collected at 06.30 and transferred to Wilson Airport for the 07.30 scheduled Air Kenya flight to Amboseli. You will be met on arrival at the airstrip and transferred to Tortilis Camp, where you will be greeted by the over powering beauty of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Enjoy Italian food, a relaxing lunch and a few quite moments by the swimming pool. Once rested, enjoy an early evening game drive to see the many elephants Amboseli is famous for.
Arriving at this award-winning eco-tourism lodge in Amboseli, one cannot help but appreciate the contrast and enormity of Africa. Dwarfed by the majestic snow-capped peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tortilis camp nestles in a verdant acacia grove. Luxury tents with private en-suite bathrooms and unrivalled views of the mountain make this, the place from which to be up close and personal with Africa's land leviathans, the Elephants, in the company of Kenya's other prolific wildlife. Tortilis Camp is a magical escape from the hustle and bustle of life in the fast lane. Early European explorers met derision and disbelief when they reported a snow capped mountain close to the equator Mount Kilimanjaro. Feelings of disbelief and awe hit you as you arrive at Tortilis Camp, facing this magnificent mountain, as the sun dazzles the white snowcap. Tortilis Camp is a charming, rustic tented camp, shaded by a natural forest of Acacia Tortilis thorn trees after which the camp is named. The trees and shrubs bustle with bird life, the views seem endless across the plains to Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru in Tanzania. The camp won the British Airways regional award for eco-tourism and has earned an international reputation for its commitment to the environment with its rustic simplicity, unobtrusive design and attention to comfort without compromising the local ecosystem. The tents are large; the emphasis is on service and comfort. Each tent leads from a bedroom with expansive king-size or generous twin beds, through a dressing area into modern bathrooms with pressured hot showers and flush toilets. Each tent is raised up on a wooden deck and sheltered by a Makuti (thatched) roof overhanging a large verandah, ideal for an early afternoon siesta this is a great place to start a safari, relax and acclimatise. The food is part of the charm: North Italian traditional recipes from the owner's family cookbook, complimented by delicious salads and herbs grown in the camp's own garden. Here clients enjoy varied game viewing and can also spend time following the matriarchal elephant herds from the luxury of open sided safari Land Rovers; or walk with a trained Masai guide, sip sundowners on top of Kitirua hill as the sun sets colouring the snows of Kilimanjaro pink, bush breakfasts out on the plains or a visit to one of the Masai manyattas (villages) to meet the Masai women, watch the Morans (young warriors) dance and experience their age-old existence.
A full day in Amboseli staying at Tortilis Camp in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro enjoy game drives or a bush walk with Masai Warriors.
After an early breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip to catch the 08.15 Air Kenya flight to Wilson Airport Nairobi. After arriving at 09.15, transfer to the Air Kenya flight to the Masai Mara, arriving at 11.00. The Masai Mara offers a true wildlife experience, one that is hard to beat anywhere in the world. Enjoy game drives, bush breakfasts, sundowners and bush walks all make this an unforgettable safari experience. The Mara is famous for its prolific big game, predatory cats and vast herds of plains game.
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 is 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 (originally Mara Bush 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 en-suite 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. Leave the modern world behind, return to the traditional bush safari camp: starlit nights, campfire tales and hurricane lamps. Elephant Pepper Camp is a step back in time but with modern comforts: evenings by the campfire and dinner under the stars are a special feature of this tented camp. This is an original bush camp, eco-friendly, committed to finding a way of life that does not harm the wilderness; revenue from the camp goes back to the local community. Elephant Pepper Camp is put up for the season and then packed away to leave no trace behind. The homely atmosphere of this camp is part of its charm. Clients can relax with nature, no generators, no vehicles passing, no permanent structures jarring the skyline, just the sights and sounds of the bush that completely surround you. To compliment our new name, we have also upgraded 4 of our tents, one of which is a family/honeymoon tent. 3 of the tents will be 1 bay larger and the honeymoon/family separate dressing and living room, 80 sq metres of living space. All our guests will enjoy a panoramic view of the Masai Mara plains; ideal for capturing the breathtaking sights the Mara has to offer. The game is literally on your doorstep. The staff are friendly and welcoming: arriving in camp is like coming home. The appetising food is prepared by chefs trained by the owners' family using traditional North Italian recipes mixed with international and local favourites. A barbecue by the campfire, dinner in the mess tent, or a bush breakfast on the open plains are some of the lasting memories to take home. The Masai Mara defies description: undoubtedly the spectacular migration of Wildebeest and Zebra searching for lush grazing following the rains, stalked by the omnipresent predators, is one of the world's greatest wildlife marvels. But the migration is by no means the only feature this fascinating eco-system is home to enormous herds of plains game, the Big Cats and Elephant as well as colourful birds, small game, riverine wildlife and stunning scenery.
Full days exploring the natural wonders of the Masai Mara, staying at Elephant Pepper Camp. Game drives, bush breakfasts, sundowners and bush walks give you an excellent insight into this remarkable place.
After breakfast and an early morning game drive you will be transferred back to the airstrip to meet the Air Kenya flight to Wilson Airport Nairobi, arriving at 12.15. You will connect with the 13.15 Air Kenya flight to Lamu. On arrival in Lamu at 15.00, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred by boat for 20 minutes to Manda Bay. After a walk on the long stretch of beach you can watch the sun set whilst enjoying a refreshing cocktail.
Manda Bay is on one of the many unspoilt, idyllic islands within the romantic Lamu archipelago, situated on the Northwestern tip of Manda Island. The lodge lies in the calm inshore waters on a long sandy protected beach. Surrounded by miles of palm fringed silky white sandy beaches and intriguing creeks, Manda Bay is the perfect retreat.
With 12 cottages flawlessly designed and in keeping with local landscape, five of the rooms are set right along the seafront with the other rooms set in-between and slightly behind. With five doubles and the rest twins, two cottages can be modified to accommodate triple beds. Each cottage has a large ceiling fan and refreshing showers inside the en-suite bathrooms.
The Cuisine at Manda Bay naturally features a marine flavour, freshly caught tuna, Mangrove Crab and Prawns are a Manda Bay delicacy! We also cater for any special requests and flexible mealtimes can be arranged to fit in with guest's individual requirements. Romantic candle lit dinners can be bought straight to you cottage veranda so you can enjoy total privacy!
Manda Bay offers guests a chance to relax and unwind from the pressures of the real world, but for the more adventurous the variety of activities is abundant. Guests can choose from Deep Sea fishing in search of the Marlin and Sailfish, windsurfing, water skiing and scuba diving to name but a few. With regular sightings of Dolphins, turtles and the occasional Humpback whale the Marine life excels. Guests can enjoy safe snorkelling in the warm, gentle and clear waters, w ith miles of soft white sand, fascinating creeks and small islets to explore on foot.
For centuries this has been a calling point for the Arab dhow traders a safe haven where time stands still and nature is allowed to take its natural course without the interference of the modern world.
Full days to un-wind and relax on this idyllic island, doing as much or as little as your heart desires, staying at Manda Bay.
You will spend the morning relaxing, walking, soaking up the sun or getting one last water ski, before you head to the airstrip to connect with the 15.45 Air Kenya flight to Nairobi. You will be met on arrival at Wilson and transferred to either the International Airport for your flight home or to your Nairobi Hotel.
Itinerary includes : Bed and breakfast at House of Waine, full board at Tortilis Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp and Manda Bay, soft drinks, beer and house wine at Tortilis Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp and Manda Bay, game drives in 4x4 vehicles, guided bush walks, scheduled flights as per itinerary, National Park entrance fees, airstrip transfers, Nairobi transfers, laundry and membership of the Flying Doctors Society.
Itinerary excludes : International flights, champagne and luxury spirits, drinks and laundry at the House of Waine, any activities not included in the itinerary, visa fees, tips and gratuities, water sports at Manda Bay.