Kenya

Nairobi · Mara · Lamu, Kenya · 9 days

Kenya

Safari classic with a barefoot Swahili coda

Concept

The most romantic three acts in East Africa. Two nights at Giraffe Manor with Rothschild's giraffes at the breakfast table, four nights in a private conservancy in the Mara during migration season, then three nights of dhow-and-cocktail life on the no-car island of Lamu.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • → Breakfast with giraffes at Giraffe Manor
  • → Private conservancy lodge in the Mara (no convoys)
  • → Hot-air balloon at dawn + bush breakfast
  • → Dhow sail and Shela village days on Lamu

Your story awaits

Tell us how you like to travel and what your preferences are.
We'll sketch a rough plan and go through it together.

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Day by day

  1. DAY

    1

    Arrival in Nairobi

    Land NBO. Private transfer to Giraffe Manor in the Karen suburb. Afternoon tea on the lawn with the resident giraffes.

    Giraffe ManorAfternoon tea on the lawn

  2. DAY

    2

    Karen day & elephant orphans

    Breakfast with giraffes at the dining-room window. Morning at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Lunch at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden. Sundowners at the manor.

    Giraffe breakfastSheldrick orphanageKaren Blixen lunch

  3. DAY

    3

    Fly to the Mara

    Bush flight from Wilson airport to a private conservancy bordering the reserve. Afternoon drive, sundowners in the bush, dinner at camp.

    Bush flightConservancy lodgeFirst drive

  4. DAY

    4

    Migration day

    Full day in the Mara. Big-cat country, leopards in the riverine forest, lions on the plains, and from July to October the wildebeest river crossings.

    Big-cat sightingsRiver crossings (Jul–Oct)Bush lunch

  5. DAY

    5

    Balloon dawn

    Hot-air balloon at first light over the Mara. Champagne bush breakfast on landing. Afternoon walking safari with a Maasai guide.

    Hot-air balloonBush breakfastWalking safari

  6. DAY

    6

    Slow Mara

    Late morning drive, picnic in the bush, afternoon at the lodge, plunge pool, book, golden-hour drive. Maasai cultural evening at camp.

    Picnic drivePlunge poolMaasai evening

  7. DAY

    7

    Fly to Lamu

    Bush flight Mara → Nairobi → Lamu. Speedboat across the channel to Shela. Check in to a boutique Swahili house. Sundowners at Peponi's.

    Speedboat transferSwahili housePeponi sundowner

  8. DAY

    8

    Dhow & Shela

    Private dhow with a captain, sail to Manda Toto for snorkelling, fresh seafood lunch on board. Late afternoon walk in Lamu old town. Quiet dinner.

    Private dhowManda Toto snorkelLamu old town

  9. DAY

    9

    Slow departure

    Final swim. Speedboat back across the channel. Flight to Nairobi for your connection home.

    Final swimSpeedboatFlight home