Step back in time, growing nostalgic over the glamour, intimacy and adventure of early 20th century Kenyan safaris. Recreate the magic as you retrace the trails of Kenya’s early explorers, bearing witness to the country’s spectacular past, prolific wildlife and vibrant communities. This package carries discerning guests through Kenya’s top safari destinations as they exclusively capture a glimpse of an era rich with luxury, elegance and romance in the heart of the African bush.
Upon arrival you will be picked up by your safari guide and transferred to Emakoko. A small boutique lodge with only ten rooms and one private house, The Emakoko is uniquely positioned on the southern boundary of the Nairobi National Park. Home to, and hosted by Emma and Anthony Childs and their small family, it is the ideal place to start or end a safari within the wildlife environment that guests come on safari to experience. The drive time from both the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the domestic Wilson airport is only forty five minutes, the majority of which is spent game driving through Nairobi National Park. Within twenty minutes of clearing Customs and Immigration one can be game driving through Nairobi National Park to get to The Emakoko.
Kenya’s first and oldest National Park, Nairobi National Park is surprisingly deceptive. The Park is over 100 sq km in size and has one of East Africa’s most successful black rhino breeding population. A bird lovers paradise the Park has a spectacular abundance of fauna and flora and is home to four of the Big Five. The proximity of Nairobi, albeit on the other side of a National Park, gives The Emakoko’s guests an unrivaled flexibility in daily choices. Game drives in the Park are incredibly productive while excursions and forays into the Karen and Langata area to visit The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum and other local attractions are popular. The Emakoko can also take guests to nearby art galleries, local shops and cafes.
This morning you will wake up for an early flight to Meru. On arrival, you will be assisted to transfer to Elsa Kopje. Located on a rocky kopje – a granite outcropping in an otherwise flat landscape – this lodge offers spectacular views of the surrounding plains, streams and Mount Kenya. It is the only operational lodge within the park boundaries, meaning that in addition to these sweeping views, you will also enjoy near exclusivity when exploring this unique and quiet landscape. Made famous by conservationist Joy Adamson and the film based on her book “Born Free”, Meru National Park is home to 13 rivers, as well as a wide range of diverse habitats. It is a paradise for bird watchers, as several rare bird species are found here. A small but highly diverse park, Meru has the feeling of a far larger wilderness and was home to Elsa the lioness of “Born Free” fame.
Barely visible on approach, Elsa’s Kopje blends seamlessly into its surrounds. Perched high on top of Mughwango Hill, this superb lodge stands as tribute to Elsa, the orphaned lioness made famous in the movie Born Free. Charming cottages are crafted around the natural features of the hill, each with a spacious bedroom, open sitting rooms, ensuite bathroom and large veranda with breath-taking views of the savannah below. Elsa’s Private House – with double rooms, a sitting room, veranda and plunge pool – is ideal for families. The menu is Northern Italian, peppered with both local and international dishes, accompanied by freshly baked bread, crisp salads and locally grown vegetables. Lamp-lit pathways lead towards guest areas that include an open bar, sitting room and dining area, with an exceptionally inviting infinity pool overlooking the Meru plains. Adventures include game drives, guided nature walks, bush meals, excursions to the Tana River and cultural visits to a local village.
Explore the unique landscape of Meru as you pass under mammoth baobab trees and across the savannah, entirely against the backdrop of Mount Kenya. As you trail zebra and impala in search of the Big Five, be sure to keep your eyes open for some of the rare species that make this park home. The caracal, lesser kudu and aardwolf all live within this region, revealing themselves for a lucky few. Within the park, you will also have the opportunity to visit an important rhino sanctuary that works to conserve and reintroduce the threatened species to the wilderness, from which they were totally eradicated in the 1990s.
You will leave Meru on a private charter that will fly via Nanyuki to the Mara. Be sure to look out your window as you touch down temporarily in Nanyuki – this airport is located right at the base of the snow-capped Mount Kenya. From the air, you are sure to receive your most impressive views. The Maasai Mara under the seemingly endless and ever-changing African skies. The conservancy itself is strategically located, bordering the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and Loliondo, and has some of the richest wildlife populations in Africa. With no fences and limited human interaction, your time in the region will truly send you into the bush. Led by some of Kenya’s most highly rated professional guides, you will begin a series of close encounters with Africa’s richest wildlife. They avoid the throngs of safari trucks, characteristic of some regions of the Mara, and encourage engagement rather than ‘animal box ticking’ during your days in the bush. You will have the opportunity to visit one of the local Masai communities with which the lodge works in partnership. The Masai are the original owners of the land, and as such, the safari property has made it a longstanding priority to support the development of these communities through aid, business opportunities and environmental conservation.
Hemingways Ol Seki Mara is located in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy which borders the Maasai Mara Reserve. This stunning private tented camp is your enclave of luxury in the wildest terrain of Kenya. 9 exclusive luxury tents with 270° panoramic views of the Mara plains. The name Ol Seki means ‘sandpaper tree’, a tree that symbolises peace and harmony for the Maasai people. And everything about the camp is intended to bring the same peace and harmony to travellers here! One of the most sophisticated camps in this part of Kenya, Ol Seki is highly recommended for travellers looking for a retreat-style property well away from large crowds. Accommodation is booked on an all-inclusive basis, featuring all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, all scheduled activities, transfers between the camp and Ol Seki Naboisho airstrip, and Wi-Fi. The camp is open all year, apart from mid-April to end of May.
This morning will be flexible, so you can choose to go on a final game drive or hang out at the camp before your mid-morning flight to Nairobi. In the Kenyan capital, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your outbound flight.
Experiences include:
Experiences Excludes:
If you like what you've seen but are looking for something a little bit different, we have plenty more to share. Alternatively, get chatting to one of our travel experts and we'll help you plan the perfect trip.
