Bush Home Safaris — 'Feel at home in the bush'

Classic Bush Home Safari through Kenya

(10 Days / 9 Nights)

 

Amboseli Tortilis Camp, Amboseli, Kenya

Elsa's Kopje Camp, Meru National Park, Kenya

Rekero Tented Camp Masai Mara, Kenya

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Destination Highlights: Amboseli National Park — Meru National Park — Maasai Mara

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Summary itinerary

 

Day 1: Nairobi Arrival. Overnight at Ngong House Nairobi

Day 2: Fly Amboseli National Park. Overnight at Tortilis Camp

Day 3: Amboseli National Park. Overnight at Tortilis Camp

Day 4: Fly Meru National Park. Overnight at Elsa's Kopje Cottages

Day 5: Meru National Park. Overnight at Elsa's Kopje Cottages

Day 6: Meru National Park. Overnight at Elsa's Kopje Cottages

Day 7: Fly Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents

Day 8: Maasai Mara. Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents

Day 9: Maasai Mara. Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents

Day 10: Maasai Mara – Fly Nairobi – Depart

 

Cost for 2010: Per Person
Land Arrangements (per person)

 

	April & May	Rest of the Year
Double Occupancy		US Dollars
Single Supplement		US Dollars

Child rate 2 -11 years is 75% of the adult rate

 

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Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1
Nairobi Arrival
Upon Arrival at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta international airport, you will be met by our Professional Safari Escort and transferred to Ngong House. The remainder of the day at leisure.

 

Overnight at Ngong House (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

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Ngong House lies on the outskirts of Langata, on the land once cultivated as Karen Blixen's coffee estate. Paul Verleysen, the charming owner, had the concept of a private home that would also offer exclusive and personalized service to a small number of guests. His creation complies perfectly with the self-imposed brief and, in addition, offers the ultimate luxuries of space, light and true style.

Accommodation comprises five wooden houses raised on stilts with peerless views of the misty Ngong Hills and the surrounding countryside. There is also a further bedroom within the attractive original house. The furnishings and decorative artifacts are with very few exceptions, resolutely sourced within Africa, and primarily Kenyan. The furniture may be constructed from camphor wood, which mellows to a rich dark patina with age, or perhaps, romantically, made from hardwood sleepers from the old Mombasa-Nairobi Railway. Each "tree-house" has its own spirit and ambience.

The beautifully intricate hand-carved furniture of Lamu features in one, whereas another features a clear and tranquil blue combined with the strong lines of wrought iron pieces. Generous four-poster beds grace the upper-level bedrooms, crisp cottons and feather pillows promise a luxurious night's sleep. On the lower level the spacious living area has a large sofa to sink into, comfy chairs and an intimate dining area. The veranda is the ideal place from which to bask in the sun, take afternoon tea, observe the teeming bird life or gaze into the sunset. The cuisine is of the highest quality, imaginatively prepared using mouthwatering fresh ingredients.

Meals may be served in the elegant dining room, under the shady trees, or in the covered yet open-sided dining area in the gardens in which a roaring fire is lit on chillier evenings. Enormous care is taken with presentation; flowers, hand-made glasses and beautiful plates with rich glazes glow by the soft light of many candles. It’s a truly inspirational place.

 

Day 2
Nairobi — Fly Amboseli National Park
This morning our African Spice Safari wings us over the scenic Athi Plains and into the bush country of Amboseli Park. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is home to the legendary Maasai tribesmen and is world-famous for its tremendous variety of big game. A spectacular game run is planned. We stay tonight at the Tortilis Tented Camp. Rustic style and supreme comfort are the hallmarks of Tortilis. Kilimanjaro dominates the view from every direction…animals are seen browsing in the grasses and drinking at the waterhole directly outside. And, nestled comfortably under huge spreading Acacia Tortilis trees are the thatch-covered tents.

 

The luxurious tents are spacious and each has a private veranda from which to enjoy the view, as well as an en suite bathroom where hot water abounds. Of the fifteen tents, not one sees another; it is as if you were alone here in this peaceful Eden. Dinner at Tortilis is exceptionally good—so very fresh and delightful, with vegetables and herbs grown right at the camp. Truly special, you are sure to revel in the experience of sleeping under canvas and waking to the beauty of Amboseli.

 

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Tortilis Camp
At Amboseli we offer the superb Tortilis Tented Camp. Although they are called tents, these private, lush cocoons are each, in fact, splendid little jewel boxes with every modern convenience under layers of luxury. En suite bathrooms have endless supplies of hot water and fine fabrics cover every bed and most every surface. Each tent has its own veranda with dramatic views of animals browsing in the grasses and drinking from the waterhole's. All of the mysterious and lilting sounds of the bush wash over you as you laze on a spectacularly huge bed, often carved out of the trunks of the trees that surround the camp. A truly special place to be. Deluxe in every way.

 

Overnight at Tortilis Camp on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is big game country: elephant, antelope, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and giraffe. Two game runs are planned today, both which will introduce you to the intense beauty and drama that fill each day here. Predators stalk the herds of grazing animals, recreating the age-old drama of life and death under the African sun, in a setting so lushly beautiful. Alternatively visit a local Manyatta (Maasai village) to meet the local community, view their traditional way of life and craftsmanship, or simply laze by the pool or on the airy verandah in front of your tent. We return to Tortilis for a steaming bath, cocktails and a sumptuous dinner. Very quickly we are ready for a deep evening slumber in the luxurious tents that enfold us like silken cocoons.

 

Overnight at Tortilis Camp on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 4
Lewa Downs — Fly Meru National Park
Leave Tortilis Camp to meet Air Kenya schedule flight at Amboseli airstrip 0830: depart Amboseli, arrive Nairobi, Wilson Airport, arriving 0915. Continue on Air Kenya scheduled flight to Nanyuki 1030: Private charter to Mughwango Airstrip, Meru National Park. On arrival you will be met by a driver-guide and taken to the camp with game viewing en-route .After lunch relax in the early afternoon, poolside or on your hill view verandah before going on an early evening game drive.

 

Elsa's Kopje, Meru

The 9 stone and thatch guest cottages are crafted around the natural features of the hill. Paved paths, lit by lamps at night, lead from each cottage to the comfortable open bar, lounge and dining room. There is a sense of space, style and pure relaxation. The ultimate ‘pool with a view’ looks out across the plains, perfect for chilling out after a game drive or guided walk in the bush.

 

Every cottage is uniquely designed. The generous double or twin beds are romantically swathed in netting. The bathrooms are sumptuous: showers or baths made out of stone, modern flush toilets, bidets and double basins.

One double cottage is set slightly apart from the others, ideal for families with children or a group. It has a double bedroom and a twin bedroom (bathrooms en-suite).

 

Elsa’s Private House was completed in June 2005. Built by the original designer of Elsa’s Kopje. Elsa’s Private House is set apart from the rest of the lodge, providing complete exclusivity and privacy. The house consists of two double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom with a large bath-tub. There is a spacious twin room, with en-suite bathroom. The living area spills into your very own private swimming pool. The pool falls neatly into the horizon beyond the Meru plains. Elsa’s Private House provides guests with their very own piece of Kopje paradise. One of Kenya’s best pools with a view!

 

Overnight at Elsa's Kopje, Meru on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Elsas Kopje Bathroom, Meru National Park, Kenya

Elsa's Kopje Lounge Meru National Park, Kenya

Elsas Kopjes Private House, Meru National Park, Kenya

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Day 5
Meru National Park — Elsa’s Kopje
A full day of Activities at Elsa's Kopje include any of the following:

• Game drives in 4-wheel drive Land Rovers

• Day excursions with packed lunch

• Line fishing (for Catfish & Barbel)

• personal butler at your call

• Guided bush walks

• Night game drives

• Bush sundowners

• Massage service

• Bush breakfasts

• Swimming pool
• Gift shop
• Laundry

During your game drives you will see a more diverse range of species than in any other Park or Reserve. Regular sightings include Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Elephant, Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Lesser Kudu, Grant’s Gazelle, Leopard, Lion, Cheetah, Rhino and the rare, elusive Greater Kudu. Meru is famous for its bird life, including riverine and forest species as well as the arid dry country species.

Overnight at Elsa Kopjes on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines)

Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 6

Elsa’s Kopje, Northern Kenya
Another full day of activities, or the possibility to be a bit more adventurous with: Full day of game viewing on foot or in one of the custom open sided safari Land Rovers. Try an early morning guided walk in the bush to work up your appetite for a delicious bush breakfast, freshly prepared in front of your eyes, out in the Park. Or take an extended game drive to the banks of the Tana River to view the hippos and crocodiles ending with late afternoon sundowners on the river banks before a night game drive home.

Overnight at Elsa Kopjes on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).

Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 7

Elsa’s Kopje — Fly Maasai Mara Game Reserve
After an early breakfast transfer to Airstrip for your charter flight to Nanyuki at the foot of Mount Kenya, weather permitting you may have stunning views of Africa’s second highest mountain before landing at Nanyuki Airstrip. On arrival you will connect to your scheduled Flight to the Maasai Mara, departing mid morning. Upon arrival in the Maasai Mara at you will be transferred to Rekoro Cottages or Camp for your stay.

 

Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

 

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Rekero Camp

Rekero Camp was initiated and developed by Ron Beaton and his wife Pauline over 12 years ago. Today it is in the capable hands of Ron’s son Gerard and his partner Rainee, a wildlife artist. Rekero’s cottages, built almost entirely from local materials, combine rustic charm with home comfort and overlook a spring fed waterhole which is frequented by elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and many other species of wildlife. Amidst the teeming mass of wildlife in the Maasai Mara area, Rekero’s tented camp is currently inside the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, very close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers. This mobile camp is ideally situated for the annual migration, which is the movement of one million wildebeest and other animals from the Serengeti through the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

 

The camp is set up seasonally (June – October, December – March) and caters for between four and twelve guests. The spacious canvas tents are equipped with hot showers and toilets together with a large dining tent. Jackson Ole Looseyia, an Il dorobo Maasai from the local area and his safari crew cater for all guests’ needs. This is an experience not to be missed by the more adventurous travelers.

 

Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 8

Explore Maasai Mara Game Reserve

You will have the opportunity to take various game activities as follows: Wildlife viewing and bird watching can be done on foot with experienced Il Dorobo and Masai guides, or in custom-built four-wheel drive vehicles which allow intimate yet unobtrusive access to the animals. Night drives, cultural visits, bush picnics and visits to local trading centres also feature.

 

Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 9

Discover Maasai Mara Game Reserve

A full day of game activities or even a cultural excursion to a local Maasai village.

Overnight at Rekero Cottages/Tents on a full board basis (including local beers, soft drinks and wines).
Meal Plan{ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

 

Day 10

Maasai Mara – Fly Nairobi – Departure

After breakfast transfer back to the airstrip for your scheduled Air Kenya flight to Nairobi Wilson Airport. On arrival in Nairobi you will be transferred to the Norfolk Hotel where a dayroom has been reserved for you to freshen up and relax until 6pm. In the evening you will be taken to the Carnivore Restaurant, Africa’s ultimate eating experience. Haunches of game meat are served directly onto your plate from Maasai Swords. After dinner transfer to JKIA Airport for your international departure flight.

 

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African Spice Safari Inclusions
• Membership of Flying Doctors for emergency Medical Evacuation

• All schedule & charter flights mentioned in the itinerary

• All Airstrip transfers & 2 Nairobi transfers

• Bush breakfast or sundowner at each camp
• Full board accommodation throughout
• All drinks (excluding champagne)
• Park entrance and conservation fees

• Guided game drives and walks
• Laundry

 

Not included
• International Air Travel & Visa fees
• Optional Extras quoted above
• Personal Travel Insurance

 

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Extension Option for this African Spice Safari:

Instead of flying straight home you can extend your visit and spend a few days on the beach, Funzi Keys Island or the secluded Alfajiri, on Mombasa’s Diani Beach. Both offer extreme luxury and privacy.

 

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