Kenya - October 2023
The Great Migration Including Giraffe Manor
October 2-12, 2023
October 2nd, 2023: Arrive Nairobi, Kenya.
Upon arrival we will be transferred to Giraffe Manor.
Overnight at Giraffe Manor
October 3rd, 2023: Tour of Nyumbani Children's home, Karen Blixen Museum, & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage:
Our tour starts at the Nyumbani. This is a home for AIDS orphans. We will meet the children and get to know the staff and what they do to help with the AIDS issues in Africa. Then we will proceed on to the Karen Blixen Museum. The 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 we can watch and interact with them. Wardens are on hand to explain the work of the orphanage and to answer any questions.
Overnight at Giraffe Manor (BLD)
October 4th, 2023: Fly to the Mara North Conservancy. to Wilson Airport for our flight to the Mara North Conservancey and transfer to Mara and Acacia House just beyond the border of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Here we will concentrate on the big cats and smaller animals of the Mara ecosystem.
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.
Overnight at Mara/Acacia House Camp (BLD)
October 5th and 6th, 2023: Masai Mara.
Overnight at Mara/Acacia House Camp (BLD)
October 7th, 2023: Transfer to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. This morning we will be transferred from the conservancy to the Masai Mara where we will be met by our host for the next five nights, Jackson Looseyia, and his staff, who will see to our needs throughout our stay at Tangulia Camp.
Here we will concentrate our efforts on the wildebeest migration. We will try to see crossings of these beasts as they attempt to cross the Mara River as massive crocodiles await their arrival.
Overnight at Tangulia Mara Camp (BLD)
October 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 2023: Masai Mara.
After the rains when the first flush of grass turns the Masai Mara’s golden savannah green, the most mesmerizing wildlife spectacle anywhere takes place here: The Great Wildebeest Migration.
Between the months of July and October one and a half million wildebeest, accompanied by vast numbers of zebra and gazelles make the long and dangerous trek from drier lands in Tanzania, northwards to this corner of Kenya.
Lines of animals stretch as far as the eye can see across the plains. They come to give birth to their young and the grasslands echo with the sounds of the new-born.
It is a time of plenty. But it is a time too when the predators are drawn from all around. High above on the hot winds the carrion birds, the vultures and eagles, soar. In the long grasses lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena prowl.
Most dramatic of all is the moment when the migration arrives at the Mara River. They must cross it to reach the rich grazing. As the animals throng, crocodiles cruise the waters. Then the bravest takes the plunge into the swirling currents and thousands follow.
Overnight at Tangulia Mara Camp (BLD)
October 12, 2023: Transfer to Nairobi
After Breakfast, we fly from the Maasai Mara to Nairobi and transfer to the Four Points hotel.
We will do a little shopping on the way. Later this evening you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Dayrooms at Four Points by Sheraton (B)
Cost per Person Sharing $11,650.
Covid protocols could change at any time - you must be prepared to abide by Kenya's protocol.
Terms and conditions: All payments are non-refundable. Medical evacuation insurance is mandatory. Comprehensive insurance highly recommended.
Single supplement is $2500 if you want your own room.
This includes:
1. Accommodation at Giraffe Manor, Tangulia Mara Camp, and Mara Bush Homes as stated above
2. Day rooms on the 12th of October at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport
3. Park and conservancy Entrance fees
4. Meals: Most meals as listed above in the itinerary.
5. All airport and airstrip transfers in Nairobi and Masai Mara Game Reserve.
6. Transfers between Giraffe Manor, Tangulia Mara Camp, and Mara Bush Homes and the airport.
7. Bottled water throughout
8. Flying Doctor Services in Kenya
9. Internal domestic flight (Nairobi – Masai Mara – Nairobi on the dates indicated)
10. Nairobi Tour (visit to Daphne Sheldrick/ Karen Blixen Museum/ Nyumbani)
Not Included:
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Roundtrip international airfare From the USA to Africa
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Visa for Kenya
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Tips to guides and drivers
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Cancellation insurance
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Phone calls
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Sodas and Alcohol except where explicitly stated
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Laundry
Group maximum of 8 guests.
Deposit of $3000 per person due to hold your space.
Final payment will be due by June 15, 2023
About Giraffe Manor:
Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. As one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings, Giraffe Manor has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when European visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen.
However, the most fascinating thing about Giraffe Manor is its herd of resident Rothschild’s giraffe who may visit morning and evening, sometimes poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary.
Giraffe Manor was built in 1932 and was modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge. The history of elegant-legged giraffes on its lawns dates back to the 1970s when Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville first adopted an orphaned Rothschild’s giraffe, Daisy. Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley bought the manor in April 2009, and since then it has become a globally recognized, iconic hotel.
With an injection of love and passion into this historic manor, the owners have turned this property into one of the most sought-after hotels in the world. While the interiors have been enhanced and rejuvenated, it was essential to the Carr-Hartley’s that the manor retained the original 1930s character and preserved its colorful and charming history.
About Tangulia Mara Camp:
Tangulia Mara camp is a rustic and cozy tented bush camp perched on a leafy hill overlooking the Olotulo-Murt salt lick, by the Mara River. It is located on private land and has an emphasis on authentic safari and African experiences. Tangulia is a Swahili word meaning “to lead.” Our camp’s mission is to be the leaders in African Safari by allowing our guests a comfortable private stay with an array of unique safari experiences that will remain in your heart for a lifetime.We have a total of 8 luxurious tents which includes one family tent. We accommodate up to eighteen guests at full capacity. The camp is set to remain quaint to give our guests the ultimate intimate experience.We have handmade king size beds in our tents and an additional single bed in some of our tents. The salt lick is a favorite spot for a lot of the wildlife in the area and this is the reason why we take advantage of this view. The Mara river view is seen from the front porch of most of our tents.The leafy bushes surround the rest of our tents and leave each one feeling cool, private and intimate. Winding paths lead to each tent,and with our camp being unfenced, wildlife is welcome to roam freely around camp. Our camp askaris escort guests back to their rooms at night.Running taps and hot showers are available throughout. Our baths and toilet areas are ensuite. Note that the water on the taps is ideal for washing up not for drinking. We provide clean drinking water in beaded glass bottles in each bedside table and bathroom vanity.Our homey tents are cleaned every day with our dedicated team of staff and replenished with our eco-friendly handmade supplies. We source our incredible products locally and give our guests the best of hypoallergenic and gorgeously scented soaps and shampoos throughout their stay.Solar lighting and a Wi-Fi hotspot complete the amenities.Our chef takes great pride in his culinary expertise, learned over many years of catering to an international clientele.We chose the name Tangulia – meaning “to lead” as our Vision Statement.
About Mara and Acacia House:
Our private bush homes, Acacia House and Mara House sit in the Ol Chorro Losoit valley within the Lemek hills, far from the tourist trail and within the 70,000 acre Mara North Conservancy area from where the Nomadic Encounters team have operated their wilderness expeditions for more than twenty years.The living spaces dominate both houses beginning with a large, open-air verandah looking out over the famous Ol Chorro waterhole. This leads into an open-plan dining and seating area complete with log fire for those cooler nights in the bush. Beyond are two spacious double ensuite bedrooms and a third attic room, created specifically for younger guests in Acacia House and three spacious double ensuite bedrooms in Mara House. In between the houses, raised above the waterhole, there is a pool and a barbecue area which provide a place to relax, dine and socialise between safari expeditions, particularly around sunset.These private bush home come with a full complement of well-trained and experienced staff at guests disposal including a chef, wildlife guide and house manager to ensure a seamlessly-run safari experience which delivers the very best the Mara has to offer. It is an opportunity to explore this wilderness in the company of your personal Masai guide on your own terms.A fully qualified safari guide and vehicle will be on hand to assist with a wide range of activities which include walking, day or night game drives and visits to local villages and trading centres. Game viewing is done both in the game reserve and in the conservancy and so offering a wide range of safari experiences. Guests interested in community conservation are very welcome to participate in our projects, including the computer training for local villagers at the nearby Trust classroom.
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.