WNB 39: 14 NIGHTS IN KENYA: NAIROBI - NORTHERN KENYA - LAIKIPIA - RIFT VALLEY and MASAI MARA

DAY 1 - 2 - NAIROBI - Ngong House Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta Airport - NAIROBI. where you will be met and transferred to the truly inspirational Ngong House where Paul Verleysen, the charming owner, has provided the ultimate luxuries of space, light, and true style.Situated on the outskirts of Nairobi, on 10 acres of private land, it offers peerless views of the misty Ngong Hills and the surrounding countryside. Day at leisure. Overnight on full board basis, inclusive of drinks (except Champagne). On day 2 you will be taken on a city tour in the morning with a visit to the National Museum. In the afternoon, you will visit Karen Blixen's former home, now a museum, and drive through the residential area of Langata to see and feed the famous Rothschild's Giraffe at the Giraffe Centre. The museum is located in prosperous Karen in a lovely african setting. This well-preserved memorial contains pictures and original furniture that belonged to Karen Blixen. The coffee farm is long gone, but one can still enjoy lovely views of the Ngong Hills from the veranda of this elegant stone house. Overnight at Ngong House on full board basis, inclusive of drinks (except champagne).

DAY 3 - 5 - NORTHERN KENYA - SAMBURU INTREPIDS

Transfer to Nairobi Wilson Airport for your flight to Samburu, Kenya's rugged northern region. Transfer to Samburu Intrepids, which is perched on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in the soul-stirring wilderness of Samburu National Park. This remarkable camp offers a walk on one of Africa's wilder sides but in the kind of comfort that makes you feel you have never left home. The richly coloured woods, stylish black leather safari chairs and tent green canvas upholstery used within the lodge building are highlighted by the tropically bright gardens. At Samburu Intrepids the staff will go out of their way to show you the magic of wild Africa up close. Activities include game drives in 4x4 vehicles where one has the opportunity to see the distinctive gerenuk, the reticulated giraffe and other game species. Overnight at Samburu Intrepids on full board basis inclusive of soft drinks, beers and wines (except cellar wines and champagne)

DAY 6 - 8 - LAKIPIA - Borana Lodge

Transfer to the airstrip for your flight to the intimate and exclusive Borana Lodge for the next three nights. Your hosts are Rob and Angela, who are renowned artists, and their warm and humorous Samburu team. The lodge is perched on the slope of a hidden valley overlooking a waterhole where animal comes to drink. It was here that the Disney animators came to draw there inspiration for the Lion King - for many people the Borana landscape is Africa. Built mainly from fallen cedar, and virtually wholly constructed from natural materials, the lodge blends with the craggy stone outcrops of the escarpment and almost appears to grow organically from the hillside. Not only is the architecture profoundly user-friendly but all the small details have also been considered. Meals are often taken by the stunningly sited swimming pool area and farm grown fruit and vegetables, excellent meats and freshly baked breads are expertly prepared and elegantly served. Activities include game drives, walking, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, bird watching, picnics and sundowners. Overnight at Borana Lodge inclusive of all meals, most activities, soft drinks, beers, wine and laundry.

DAY 9 - 11 - RIFT VALLEY - Olerai House

Transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Nairobi. You will be met and driven in a 4x4 vehicle to Olerai House, a secluded farmhouse set in the glorious countryside of the northern shores of Lake Naivasha. The two-hour drive offers spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley. Olerai House, owned by Oria and Iain Douglas Hamilton, renowned for their research and studies into elephant behaviour, is a welcoming and hospitable travellers refuge. The staff are wonderfully friendly and helpful, the ambience is tranquil and the house and grounds quite lovely. Oria's Italian heritage is evident in the great attention paid to matters culinary and aesthetic. There are no rigid timetables at Olerai House. Meals are served to guest's convenience and to fit in with the activities. A boat ride to Crescent Island, game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park, hikes across the back hills of the farm, bird walks along the lake edge are just some of the intriguing possibilities included during your stay. Alternatively, you may play golf, fish, play croquet or just lounge around the pool at Oria and Iain's sublime Art Deco home, Sirocco House. Accommodation is inclusive of all meals with wines, spirits, fruit juices, laundry and sundowners.

DAY 12 - 14 - MASAI MARA - Mara Explorer

Transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Masai Mara to Mara Explorer.This luxurious tented camp lies at the confluence of the reserve's four main game viewing area, and enjoys prime views of the spectacular wildebeest migration between June and September. During the remainder of the year, herds of watering elephant, giraffe and other animals can be seen from your private verandah. Mara Explorer was constructed as an eco-friendly camp and its operations are designed to have a minimal impact on the fragile Talek ecosystem. Waste is mulched for compost and briquettes made from used coffee husks fuel water heating. The company also runs a Community Development fund and guests are invited to visit the local institutions that benefit from the fund. These, and visits to the villagers' own manyattas, offer a fascinating insight into traditional Masai life. However,wildlife viewing is by no means confined to the period of the Great Migration. For the next three days your activities will include guided nature walks and game drives in the mornings and evenings. A Balloon safari is included on one of the three days, which allows breathtaking panoramic views of the Mara and offers fantastic opportunities to photograph the lions, elephants, gazelles and perhaps the spectacular wildebeest migration. The balloon safari ends with a champagne style breakfast at the landing site. Accommodation is inclusive of all meals.

DAY 15 - DEPARTURE: Transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Nairobi and your onward homebound flight.