10 Days Luxury African Contrasts

Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital city. You will be warmly welcomed and driven in a private vehicle to the Giraffe Manor a charming boutique hotel offering an experience like no other with a resident herd of Rothschild Giraffe which like to pop their heads through these stunning hotels windows and compete for your attention. Surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest just outside Kenya's capital, Nairobi the manor is also host to many species of birds, large families of warthogs and the elusive Bush Buck. Meal plan is all inclusive.

You will be met at your hotel and be driven to the Nairobi’s Wilson airport. Take a schedule flight to the “True Wilderness Park” – Samburu Game Reserve. You will be met and transferred to Saruni Samburu. Saruni Samburu’s six luxury, eco-chic villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kalama Conservancy and Mount Kenya. As the only lodge in over 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness teeming with wildlife to explore exclusively, and guided by Samburu warriors passionate about their land and culture, the safari experience at Saruni Samburu is intimate and truly exceptional.

Melting waters of Mount Kenya feed rivers which support a surprising array of wildlife. This region is known for its elephants and the endangered Grevy's zebra. Spend the next couple of days discovering the wildlife on game drives and guided walks. Stay in the Luxury Saruni Samburu safari camp and enjoy attentive service and friendly hospitality. Delve into the fascinating culture of the Samburu people during a cultural visit to a traditional homestead.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your flight to the famous Masai Mara. Here you will spend the next 3 nights at Mara Plains camp. Take some time exploring one of Africa's iconic safari destinations where you can see the great migration and the many predators that feed on this magnificent spectacle. Go on guided game drives, led by Maasai Warriors or really experience the bush on foot through an interpretive bush walk.

Stop off for sundowners and watch the colours of the sky change as the sun sets. Then discover the region's nocturnal animals such as a leopard, hyena and lion on the prowl during a night game drive before returning to Mara Plains Camp. Optional activities include a visit to a traditional Maasai homestead or taking to the sky with a hot air balloon safari, which is truly one of the most tranquil wildlife experiences.

After breakfast, you will fly on your chartered flight to the Chyulu Hills in the Tsavo West National Park. Track elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino under the guidance of an expert guide. On a game drive, you can visit the Mzima Springs, whose source is from a natural reservoir under the Chyulu Hills and are crystal clear, affording some of the best Hippo watching in Kenya. You can do horse riding, novice to professional, or mountain biking or even hiking here. There is an open air hide for some excellent game viewing and even sleep-outs on private “star beds” for the more adventurous.

There may be time for one last early morning game drive followed by breakfast back at your Kenyan luxury camp before boarding a flight to Nairobi's Wilson Airport, for your onward travel arrangements.