An East Africa Romance - Gold Star Bed Experience

Duration: 9 days

Highlights: Losiaba Conservancy, Masai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park

Created for exclusivity, this journey takes you to the rolling hills of Loisaba Private Conservancy then on to the open, wildlife-filled plains of Naiboisho Conservancy on the edge of the Masai Mara. Complete the journey in a mobile camp that follows the migratory wildebeest herds across the Serengeti grasslands.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, please clear customs and collect your luggage. Proceed outside the Arrivals Hall where you are met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The transfer time is approximately 30 minutes.

Hemingways Nairobi is a boutique hotel in the serene, green suburb of Karen. The hotel bears South Carolina plantation style dimensions, huge verandahs and enormous windows that let all the light in and deliver views across the knuckles of the Ngong Hills. Inside a graciously winding Gone with the Wind staircase leads from the lobby to the top floor. The hotel sports 45 beautifully furnished rooms with high ceilings and king-sized beds. And, despite an elegant retro feel - punkahs gently paddle the air to keep it cool, potted palms dot the interior - is up to the minute modern with express check in, Wi-Fi, spa and gym. Hemingways prides itself on a uniquely individual service which includes a personal butler who assists with unpacking as necessary, pressing anything that's creased in transit, delivering morning tea and generally anticipating your every whim.

Overnight: Hemingways Nairobi
Meal Plan: 

Day 2: Loisaba Conservancy

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Wilson Airport for your flight to Nanyuki. Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will be met by your Loisaba guide and transferred to the Loisaba Star beds.

Immerse yourself in Africa with two nights sleeping under the stars in the Loisaba Star Beds. During the day explore this private conservancy on foot, in a vehicle on day or night game drives or from the back of a horse or camel. Enjoy meals in the bush and romantic sundowners with your favourite cocktail in hand.

The iconic Loisaba Starbeds, are raised wooden platforms with a roll-out bed open to the sky, offering the ultimate 'night under the stars' experience and hosted by Samburu warriors. Loisaba is a 56,000 acre private wildlife conservancy famous for its elephant population, as well as the big cats and is one of the best locations to see wild dog. 

After lunch and settling in, embark on an afternoon game drive then return to the star beds for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Elewana Loisaba Star Beds
Meal Plan:  B,L,D

Day 3: Loisaba Conservancy

There's so much to do at Loisoba - get into day and night game drives, guided bush-walks, horse riding, lion tracking, camel trekking, mountain biking and cultural visits. Visit the anti-poaching unit and learn of the wonderful job the rangers are doing in protecting Loisaba's wildlife.

Accompanied by an experienced armed ranger, a guided bush or bird walks brings you up close and personal with the sights, smells and sounds of the African bush. Learn about game trails in the conservancy and spot insects, birds and smaller activities that you would have missed whilst on a game drive.

Set out on horseback and explore the open plains of East Africa. Game viewing on horseback is a totally unique experience; the only sounds you will hear are the birds calling, the insects buzzing and the gentle sound of your horses’ feet hitting the earth which allows you to connect with the bush in a completely different way. The wildlife also believes you are another animal making your way through the trees and across the savannah, this often means that you will be able to brush right past giraffes, zebras and impalas, almost becoming part of the herd. 

Tracking collared lions is a unique opportunity to learn about is big cat. Head out with a lion tracker in search of the pride and, once you locate the lions, record each lions’ individual features including whisker patterns, scars, ear tears and other characteristics. All the information gathered is passed on to the Ecological Monitoring Department that helps in the conservation of Laikipia lions. This is a fun, interactive experience suitable for guests of all ages.

Overnight: Elewana Loisaba Star Beds
Meal Plan:  B,L,D

Day 4: Masai Mara National Reserve

Enjoy an early morning game drive, return to the camp for breakfast and thereafter transfer to the airstrip for your flight to the Masai Mara.

On arrival, you will be met by the camp team and transferred to the camp located in the Naboisho Conservancy. Check in to your rooms, enjoy lunch and settle in.

The Leopard Hill camp is located in a secluded valley providing views to historically and culturally significant Masai Mara Fig Trees and three wildlife abundant watering holes. This twin tree, dubbed Double Fig Tree, was struck by lightning in the 1950s, as told by the local people. The tree was splintered in two, giving it it’s an unusual shape. Built almost under this Fig Tree, the camp has the perfect sunrises. While enjoying your morning coffee on the terrace, you can witness as the sun rises over the eastern horizon, sky blazing in magnificent colors, completed by the majestic silhouette of the Double Fig Tree. At the press of a button the canopy of your tent draws back allowing you and your loved one to take in the milky way from inside your room. This combined with game drives and walks on the private Naiboisho Conservancy in the Masai Mara make this the perfect second stop on your journey.

Later in the afternoon you will have your first game drive in the Naboisho Conservancy which consists of 50,000 acres of private pristine wildlife territory and spectacular scenery. Mara Naboisho is famous for its abundant wildlife including being home to the highest number of lions. Safaris in Naboisho Conservancy are more exclusive, and you will experience the African wilderness without the crowds.

Overnight: Basecamp Leopard Hill Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5: Masai Mara National Reserve

You have the whole day to explore Masai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives in a shared camp vehicle, a guided walking safari and a visit to local community projects.

The jewel in Africa's crown, Masai Mara is host to the most spectacular array of wildlife. Her 1,510 square kilometers (583 square miles) of open savannah, woodlands and tree-lined rivers create an eco-system which supports huge numbers of bird and mammal species. Lion are found in abundance throughout the park as are elephant, giraffe, a variety of gazelle species and zebra. Cheetah and leopard are also regularly seen and, if lucky, you may also find rhino.

Game viewing is never dull in the Mara, and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings: a pride of lion stalking their prey; a solitary leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree; male wildebeest sparring to attract females into their harem; or even a herd of elephant protecting their young from opportunistic predators. The annual wildebeest migration traditionally is present in the Mara from July-September and at this time nature's dramas unfold before your very eyes at every turn.

Overnight: Basecamp Leopard Hill Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 6: Serengeti National Park

Embark on an early morning game drive and return to the camp for breakfast. Then transfer with lunch boxes to the airstrip for your flight to Tanzania via Nairobi.

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (flight time to be advise) where you will clear immigration and collect your bags before being met by our representative and assisted with your onward arrangements - boxed picnic lunch will be provided.

Depart Kilimanjaro Airport by internal schedule flight to Ndutu Airstrip. The flying time is approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Please note that flying times are estimates and may vary on the day due to routings and the weather. There is a luggage restriction of 20 kilograms in small, soft bags per person. Guests to please adhere to the luggage restriction in the interests of safety.

Upon arrival at Ndutu Airstrip meet your driver guide and proceed to Olakira Migration Camp with a game drive en route for meals and overnight. For your last stop enjoy a close up view of the great wildebeest migration from this superb mobile camp. Whilst here enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the vast plains plus a romantic private sundowner with the added advantage of being able to take in the vast African sky from the comfort of your bed.

The mobile Olakira Migration Camp follows the wildebeest migration around the Serengeti, from the epic river crossings in the north to the southern plains where they give birth to thousands of calves each year. Between June and November, Olakira is in the north to witness the crossing of the Mara River. Watch thousands of wildebeest take a leap of faith into the water, facing hungry Nile crocodiles and cantankerous hippos. When the herds are on the move, the air is full of grunting, thudding hooves and billowing dust. From December until March, the camps move to the southern plains of the Serengeti, where the wildebeest go to give birth and graze on lush grass, and predators such as lions and cheetahs gather to prey on the young.

Even at night, the Olakira Migration Camp experience is special. The mesh-covered stargazing tents allow you to sleep under a sky of glittering stars.

Overnight: Olakira Migration Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7 & 8: Serengeti National Park

Today you will have the day to explore Ndutu Area on game drives. You have the option to go on a romantic, break of dawn hot air balloon safari. 

The Serengeti, one of the planet's biggest and most enduring wildlife havens, stretches all the way from the Ngorongoro Highlands to Lake Victoria (almost the size of New Jersey) and presents the oldest and largest ecosystem on the planet. It takes its name from a Maasai word, siringitu, "the place where the land moves on forever". Under an enormous African sky, the plains indeed seem infinite, as if a greater power announced to the resident wildlife, 'you can have all this', with the generous sweep of a celestial arm.

The Serengeti, which covers over 12,000 square kilometers (4,633 square miles), is home to more than three million large animals across dozens of species. The best known of these are the enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra which, driven by the instinct to survive, chase after new pasture following the rains on annual March of almost 1,000 kilometers (386 miles). This is the largest, and one of the last, great terrestrial migrations on earth.

This awe-inspiring movement of animals supports many predators. Sleek savannah dwelling cheetahs who pick off the weak and straggling to enormous crocodiles that lie motionless most of the year in anticipation of the annual feast as a never-ending column of animals moves relentlessly on across land and water. Big cats thrive here - appropriate given that this area began as a sanctuary to preserve lions from hunting in 1921.

Optional: Hot Air Balloon Safari Serengeti
As the sun rises float gently over the plains of the Serengeti in a hot air balloon for a bird's eye view of the game below, elephants look small, a lion glances up as the shadow of the balloon crosses their path and birds of prey glide beneath you. After one hour the balloon lands and nearby your breakfast awaits.

Overnight: Olakira Migration Camp
Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 9: Kilimanjaro - Depart

Breakfast is served at the camp, arise early for the chance to see the wildlife starting their day with a game drive en route to Ndutu Airstrip.

Depart Ndutu Airstrip by light schedule aircraft flight to Kilimanjaro via Arusha airport. The flying time is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes. Please note that flying times are estimates and may vary on the day due to routings and the weather.

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you are met by our representative and assisted with your onward arrangement. A boxed picnic lunch will be provided.

Overnight:
Meal Plan: B,L