Itinerary

Kenya Eco-Tour Day 1 - Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi

You will be greeted on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where a private safari vehicle will whisk you off on the twenty minute journey to a hotel which holds a firm place in the pages of Nairobi’s history books, the legendary Norfolk Hotel.

The Norfolk has been the premier hotel in Nairobi since 1904 and having recently celebrated its centenary has been completely refurbished. It is the ideal place to rest up after your flight before your starting your safari tomorrow.

Kenya Eco-Tour Day 2-4 - Ol Donyo Wuas, Chyulu Hills

You will be driven to Wilson airport where a schedule flight across the Athi Plains will carry you down to the Chyulu Hills and your home for the next couple of days, Ol Donyo Wuas.

The Chyulus are an incredibly beautiful range of extinct volcanoes that have been weathered over time into rolling hills and game rich plains. Dominating from the dizzying heights above are the glinting 19,000 ft glaciers of Mount Kilmanjaro.

Set into the foothills of the Chyulus is Ol Donyo Wuas. This small, private lodge is the vision of one of Kenya’s last great white hunters turned conservationists and our good friend, Richard Bonham. The location is perfect and commands fantastic views over Africa’s most legendary mountain. You will be staying in one of his guest cottages, creatively constructed out of local rock and olive trees that have been pushed down by elephants.

Richard also has horses that graze during the day out in the bush with the game animals. Overtime they have become habituated to each other, making this a fantastic place to go horseback riding as one can get close to giraffe as well as other plains’ animals. There are mounts to suit all abilities and even the inexperienced rider can enjoy this fabulous experience.

You are in the heart of Masailand and whilst there is excellent game viewing to be had on foot and from a vehicle, the area is also culturally rich. You will have an opportunity during your stay if it interests you to explore the pastoralist Masai villages that may be found there. Being nomads, their presence is very much dictated by grazing opportunity and rainfall.

Kenya Eco-Tour Day 5-7 - Il Ngwesi Lodge, Laikipia

After breakfast you’ll fly up to Nairobi to connect with your scheduled flight up to Nanyuki where you will connect your charter flight to Il Ngwesi.

The lodge is situated adjacent to the Ngare Ndare River on the edge of the Mukogodo Hills and is constructed with materials from the local area. There is accommodation for up to 11 people in four bandas and the bandas are thatched, open plan and on high supports to enjoy the panaromic views. There is a large sitting area and a strikingly designed swimming pool which appears to overflow into the wilderness below. Water heating and electricity are powered by solar systems.

There are a variety of things to do including visiting the cultural manyatta, explore the area on foot or by Camel, game drives, sundowners, etc.. The staff involved in the construction and subsequent running of the lodge are all Group Ranch members and therefore provides an increase in local employment.

Kenya Eco-Tour Day 8-9 - Ol Malo Lodge, Northern Laikipia

After breakfast fly the short distance to Ol Malo.

Ol Malo is the private home of our old pals, Colin and Rocky Francombe. Thanks to their incredible hospitality and good taste, Ol Malo Lodge has a reputation for being the most beautiful, small and exclusive lodge in Kenya. The name means Greater Kudu, the most elegant of the dry country antelopes. It perches on an escarpment overlooking East Africa’s northern wilderness of wild mountains and deserts. This is a very special destination.

Rocky and Colin’s conservancy has excellent wildlife and you can explore the area by luxury safari vehicles, by day and night, and on foot. Alternatively, you may just want to relax by the stunning infinity pool and while away a couple of very happy days with a good book. In other words, you can be as active or as inactive as the mood takes you.

The Francombes have lived midst the Samburu tribe, the more traditional cousins of the more famous Masai tribe, for many years. Over this period they have struck long lasting relationships with these proud pastoral people and staying at Ol Malo gives you a very fine and rare opportunity to really see the Samburu in their element. Their Morani warriors will take you out on walks. They’ll skilfully lead you past the wildlife whilst at the same time introducing you to their folklore and their traditional knowledge of bush medicine.

Kenya Eco-Tour Day 10-12 - Olonana Camp, Maasai Mara

After breakfast you’ll be driven to the airstrip for the scheduled flight to Nairobi. On arrival, you’ll then connect with the scheduled flight up to Maasai Mara where you’ll be met at the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip by your driver/guide and taken on a game drive en route to Olonana. You may be rewarded with sightings of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and a host of other plains’ game.

One really has to visit the Maasai Mara. This reserve is one of Africa’s greatest parks though it suffers a rather unfair reputation for being crowded with mini buses.

This certainly does not have to be the case and we have selected Olonana Camp for you accordingly for its privacy. Though it is a tented camp, it is certainly not how you would imagine a tent would be. Your room is canvas but a permanent structure, very spacious and has a flush lavatory, solar lights and a good hot shower.

Olonana is at the forefront of eco-tourism in Kenya with solar power, bio degradable products and an ingenious wetlands project which allows for all used water to be totally recycled. The camp comprises just 12 spacious and airy en suite accommodation tents (all with 2 queen size beds, floor to ceiling mosquito net ‘windows’ and verandah) located on the banks of the Mara River, where the resident hippo pods spend their days wallowing.

The wildlife is abundant and the swaying grasslands ensure that animals are never out of sight. Elephants browse amongst the large herds of wildebeest and topi, eland and buffalo, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle. The plains offer a rich variety of food for the dominant predators: lion; leopard; hyena and cheetah. In the Mara River, hippos submerge to snort and grumble while crocodiles sunbathe, mouths agape, on the riverbanks.

There are also options for a morning balloon safari [at an extra cost].

As the balloon is inflated against the first rays of sunrise your pilot will go through safety procedures. It’s then time to climb aboard. Once aloft, the balloon floats gently over the plains, giving a bird’s eye view of the game below as the sun creeps slowly over the horizon. Spread beneath you is a panorama of Africa – elephants looking improbably small; giraffe browsing amongst the treetops; antelope grazing; a pair of lionesses stalking a herd of wildebeest; an eagle guarding his eerie; and cheetah glancing up as the shadow of the huge balloon crosses their paths.

After around one hour the balloon lands and nearby breakfast is already being prepared. The smells of bacon, sausages and eggs drift on the breeze as you begin breakfast with platefuls of exotic Kenyan fruits and homemade pastries and, of course, glasses of bubbly to toast your flight in a tradition initiated by the Montgolfier brothers.

Kenya Eco-Tour Day 13 - Maasai Mara – Nairobi and Onwards

After breakfast, you’ll bid Olonana staff farewell and transfer to the airstrip for the scheduled flight back to Nairobi (1100/1215hrs). Upon arrival at Wilson Airport you will be met by an A&K representative and transferred to Norfolk Hotel for dayrooms.

Afternoon at leisure with lunch and dinner own arrangements. Evening transfer Jomo Kenyatta Airport for your departure flight.

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