BIRDS, CATS AND SCENENERY
KENYA
JANUARY 31- FEBRUARY 14, 2025
(private group departure)
January 31st, 2025: Nairobi Arrival: Transfer to Hemingways.
Overnight at Hemingways
February 1st, 2025: Tour of Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage:
Our tour starts at the Giraffe Centre, an elevated treetop aerie where we may hand feed giraffes, quite literally face–to–face. The Centre has a feeding platform where they exchange kisses with visitors for pelleted food. Then we will proceed on to the Karen Blixen Museum. Karen Blixen Museum is located on the outskirts of Nairobi on Karen road. Its history dates back to 1914, during the First World War, with the arrival of Karen Blixen from Denmark. At the foot of Ngong Hills, Karen Blixen established herself as a farmer. After her departure in 1931, the suburbs retained the commemorative home of Karen. The Danish government donated the house, and the surrounding land to Kenya after independence. The house was restored by the Danish government, and was used during the filming of "Out of Africa" which immortalized Karen Blixen's book by the same name. The museum was opened to the public in 1986. From there we will go to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage for our private visit with the baby elephants. Daphne Sheldrick is a world–class conservation figure and the premier authority on the successful raising of milk–dependent infant elephant and rhino orphans. During this time the baby elephants are brought out to play and to feed, and visitors can watch and interact with them. Wardens are on hand to explain the work of the orphanage and to answer any questions.
Overnight at Hemingways (BL)
February 2nd, 2025: Fly to Amboseli National Park
This morning you will fly from Wilson Airport to Kimana Airstrip in Amboseli National Reserve. You will be met by your host for the next four nights, Fred Ronko. You wil then transfer to Angama Amboseli.
Overnight Amboseli Angama (BLD)
February 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th 2025: Amboseli.
Amboseli is most famous for its "super tuskers." This are has the largest population of elephants in Kenya. It also has over 400 species of birds. You will spend your days looking for new birds as well as all the wildlife Kenya is know for.
Overnight Amboseli Angama (BLD)
February 8th, 2025: Fly to Ripoi Conservancy bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve.
This morning you will fly from Amboseli to Siana Springs Airstrip in the Ripoi Conservancy. You will be met by your host for the next ten nights, Jackson Looseyia, who will see to your needs throughout your stay at Mara Siana. Here we will concentrate on the big cats and smaller animals of the Mara ecosystem.
Overnight at Mara Siana Camp (BLD)
February 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th, 2025: Masai Mara.
The Masai Mara National Reserve was named for the Maasai people who inhabit the area, and for the Mara River, which flows through this great reserve. It shares a border with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and is essentially a continuation of this park, forming the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The Masai Mara is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game and is renowned for its annual visit by the two million animals that make up the Great Migration. Covering an impressive 1 115 km² (430 square miles), the Masai Mara is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains. The Masai Mara was made famous by the book Out of Africa by Karen Blixen, which was later made into a movie starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.Immortalized through famous tales of olden day safaris, the Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the richest and most diverse wildlife areas in the world. Known as the ‘spotted land’ to the Maasai, the reserve is home to a vast number of resident wildlife, as well as part of the annual phenomenon of the Great Migration. The migratory wildebeest, zebra, kongoni and topi join abundant elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah in the Mara. Leopard and serval are frequently encountered, while endangered black rhino can be found in the dense bush thickets. The Mara River is also famed for its enormous crocodiles, which lay in wait for the wildebeest and zebra during the excitement and drama of the migration. Six species of primates and over 450 birds add to the Mara’s incredible natural diversity. The newly formed Ripoi conservancy is home to year round game that doesn't migrate, as well as a large cheetah population and wild dogs.
Overnight at Mara Siana Camp (BLD)
February 14th, 2025: Fly to Nairobi. Transfer to hotel for dayroom use.
Day rooms Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport (B)
Cost per Person Sharing:
Kenya Safari $21,500 US Dollars.
Terms and conditions: All payments should be considered non-refundable, but will be considered on a case by case basis, based on cancellation terms from suppliers. Medical evacuation insurance is mandatory.
This includes:
1. Accommodation at Hemingways, Angama Amboseli and Mara Siana as stated above.
2. Dayroom use on the last day at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport
3. Park and conservancy Entrance fees as per the itinerary.
4. Meals: All Meals beginning with breakfast on the 1st of February included except dinner on the 1st, and meals after breakfast on the last day.
5. All airport and airstrip transfers in Nairobi, Amboseli, and Masai Mara Game Reserve.
7. Bottled water in Nairobi and also on Safari
8. Flying Doctor Services
9. Internal domestic flight (Nairobi – Amboseli - Masai Mara – Nairobi on the dates indicated)
10. Nairobi Tour (Private visit to Daphne Sheldrick/ Karen Blixen Museum/ Giraffe centre)
Not Included:
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Roundtrip international airfare From the USA to Africa
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ETA for Kenya
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Tips to guides and drivers
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Cancellation and medical evacuation insurance
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Phone calls
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Sodas and Alcohol except where explicitly stated
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Laundry
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Dinner on the last night in Nairobi
Deposit of $6000 per person due to hold your space for safari. Final payment due October 10, 2024
About Hemingways:
A warm welcome to Hemingways Nairobi. A luxury five Star boutique hotel in Nairobi. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional guest experiences and service, ensuring the utmost comfort and luxury.This 45-suite boutique hotel elevates the standard of luxury for travellers in the region. Beautiful in its symmetry and flooded with natural light, this plantation-style property is airy and spacious. Each of our 80m² suites have a private balcony overlooking the iconic silhouette of the Ngong Hills, a magical view which can also be enjoyed over sundowners at the Bar.
Our service is personal and sincere, offering a luxury experience from the moment you touchdown in Kenya.Your dedicated butler will know that you prefer Earl Grey to Assam with your scones, and will remember which trousers you like pressed flat and which ones need a central crease.
So while you are indulging in the spa, relaxing beside the pool or meandering through the gardens, back in your suite, your butler will have dimmed the lights, adjusted your personalized pillows, set out your nightcap and arranged the morning’s outing down to the finest detail.
About Angama Amboseli:
Swahili for ‘suspended in mid-air’, Angama offers high-touch safari experiences in one-of-a-kind locations across East Africa. Inn-keepers at heart, our team finds joy in looking after guests and reconnecting them with the natural world.
To create opportunities and make a tangible difference to the communities and ecosystems we operate in, we lease land from local landowners, hire locally and support education, healthcare & conservation projects through our Foundation.
Our properties are relaxed and gentle places — but also filled with fun and a dash of the unexpected. What we do is always honest, mindful that less is often so much more. And with no set schedules, days are simply crafted around what our guests would like to do.
Set within a fever tree forrest in the heart of Kimana Sanctuary, this intimate lodge is the perfect start or finish to any East African safari.
With the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, the views - with the peace and quiet of the sanctuary - are bound to leave guests feeling like they've found their own haven.
In true Angama fashion, the 10 guest suites are a contemporary take on African design, with a mix of canvas, concrete and rattan with earthy neutral colors.
About Mara Siana:
Mara Siana Camp is a small tented camp currently under construction. Located in the newly formed Ripoi Conservancy, Mara Siana focuses on harmony between the wildlife and the neighboring community. Boasting resident wildebeest and a large cheetah population as well as wild dogs, the Ripoi Conservancy has an abundance of wildlife at your doorstep. There is also a waterhole just in front of camp for fantastic wildlife viewing at all times.
Comprising only eight tents, Mara Siana can cater to all needs and dietary requirements. Using 100% solar power in the tents, you will have 24 hour electricity for hot running water and charging. Our staff will cater to all of your needs and special requirements.
Being 50% Maasai and 50% female owned gives Mara Siana a unique ability to combine local culture with westrn standards.
About Jackson Looseyia:
Jackson was born in 1967 in the heart of the Masai Mara. He grew up surrounded by wildlife and from an early age found it a source of inspiration. Tracking wild animals is in his blood – he comes from a long line of master hunters and trackers.
Jackson's father was a particularly famous hunter who clashed with the park authorities and ended up being imprisoned for eight years. On his release he became the archetypal poacher turned game-keeper and was appointed head ranger in the Southern Mara.
It was at this time that Jackson was trained in the ways of the wild – his father took him into the heart of the bush for six months solid training. During this time he was shown how to track dangerous animals such as lion and buffalo. The trip had dramatic consequences as during the adventure, Jackson's father was attacked by a buffalo and had his right hand broken. Responsibility for the family was handed to Jackson.
As a young man, Jackson quickly rose to become one of the first Masai guides in the Mara and is now a partner in Tangulia Mara Camp.
Jackson has an intimate knowledge of all the wildlife in the Mara from the smallest insect to the largest predators, but the big cats are his particular favorites. especially the elusive leopard which Jackson describes as "an animal work of art". He has been ranked as one of the top 15 Legendary Guides in Africa by Conde Nast Traveler.
Jackson is probably most well known as a presenter on BBC's Big Cat Live and Big Cat Tales.
About Fred Ronko:
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One of Kenya’s most long-standing guides, Fred is a truly exceptional Safari Fundi. He grew up in a village in the Greater Masai Mara and has guided in this region for over 20 years, making his knowledge of the different habitats and secret spots to seek out hard to beat. Growing up he dreamed of becoming a guide, and through meeting Jackson Looseyia and Ron Beaton, the founders of Rekero Camp, he got his chance. Fred’s superb guiding skills and charming manner means he has many repeat guests from all across the globe. Fred is excellent at finding ways to engage children of all ages on safari with the world around them, filling in time between game drives with tree-climbing contests and learning about termite mounds up close. As well as sharing insights into Maasai culture and what life is like in rural Kenya, Fred has guided many photographers and film crews over the years, and is an accomplished pro at anticipating the best places to view wildlife. As a wise study of wildlife behavior, he shares his insight with guests to make their safari experience a rewarding and fascinating one, as well as helping them take home some fantastic photographs or film footage as mementos. Fred is passionate about conservation and sustainable tourism, and he is always happy to discuss the challenges and triumphs he has seen in his time guiding in the Masai Mara, whether in the main reserve or the conservancies.