WHAT WE LOVE

Visit three distinct geographic regions of Kenya: the dry south of the Amboseli/Tsavo region, the high plateau of Laikipia and the vast grazing area of the Masai Mara.

Conservation in action – at each location you’ll meet people and places at the crux of some of the region’s most pressing conservation issues from human/wildlife conflict to water management.

Hike to the top of ol Donyo Wuas in the Chyulu Hills and look out toward Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mountain bike or horse ride among zebra, giraffe and ostrich

Observe the highly unique behavior of endangered African wild dogs at Sosian

4x4 through “Africa’s Eden” on the Masai Mara’s wide open plains, harboring the greatest density of predators in the world while at Mara Toto camp

Stand mere feet from some of Africa’s largest tusked elephants

Sleep out under the stars after gourmet dining and fireside chats

Impromptu meetings with local Maasai people, renowned for their culture, beauty and survival

REST & REJUVENATE

• Mara Plains: At Mara Plains, rarely a night passes without the echo of a lion's roar nearby, while cheetah have officially established territories on the savannah surrounding the main area and leopard are regularly found to boldly wander about the camp as they please. If that wasn't convincing enough, the camp itself is one of the most personal properties in the entire Masai Mara region, hosting just seven private canvas camps built upon raised decks with sweeping panoramic views across Kenya's notable savannahs. Located on the border of the Game Reserve, right in the heart of the 30,000 acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara Plains offers day and night game drives, balloon safaris, authentic local village visits and unrivalled access to superior wildlife habitats.

• Giraffe Manor: Enjoy the extraordinary experience of sharing the grounds with Rothschild giraffes that will often appear at your window and join you at the breakfast table. The surrounding grounds are also home to worthog, bushbuck and many other spectacular species. The Manor itself exhudes an air of old world charm throughout with a subtle hint of contemporary design and custom touches. So relax, interact with spectacular animals and make sure to visit the nearby Elephant Sanctuary and Nairobi's National Park.

• Ol Donyo Lodge: Located on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills National Park in Southeast Kenya, this exclusive safari lodge features 10 luxurious suites, none without majestic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Take advantage of a variety of activities, climb to the top of the Ol Donyo Wuas, feel the African winds in your hair as you ride horseback through the Mbirikani Group Ranch and witness elephants migrate through your back yard.

• Sosian Lodge: Sosian Lodge is a beautifully restored African ranch house that was built in the 1940's by Italian artisans and features romantic cottages nestled in tropical gardens overlooking Mt. Kenya and miles of unspoiled Africa. Located on the high plateau in the heart of the Laikipia region, breaking the skies at 6000 feet, Sosian has a variety of activities for you. Thunder through the plateau on thrilling game drives, search for camels and birds on safari, and walk through the majestic gardens of African flora. After a long day of adventure, cool off in the rushing waterfalls behind the ranch.

• Mara Expeditions Camp: Situated at the forested bend of the Ntiaktiak River, close to thriving game reserves teeming with wildlife, Mara Expedition Camp draws design inspiration from colonial-era expedition camps. Tents are basic, with flush toilets and bucket showers, but the true luxury here and the reason we cherish this property is the incredible location. Lying in the path of the great migration, Mara Expedition is right at the heart of the action, giving you the unparalleled access and the mind-blowing experience of seeing, hearing, and feeling the animals moving past your tent. This spot in the Mara is also prime leopard territory. It’s truly one of the best places to feel connected to the wild rawness of the Masai Mara.

• The Emakoko: The Emakoko allows people to start and finish their safari in the wildlife environment they have travelled so far to enjoy. The beautifully appointed rooms look out over the game park so one can fall asleep to the sounds of Africa, a lion's roar or the cry of a lone hyena, a stark contrast to the usual sounds of bustling streets, traffic, ambulances and fire engines. Uniquely positioned on the side of a valley overlooking the Nairobi National Park and directly above the Mbagathi River, so relax from your private veranda and take it all in.

• Arijiju: Sculpted into the rock bed of a hillside in breathtaking Laikipia, Arijiju is a wonderfully luxurious retreat where jaw-dropping interiors are sun drenched oases for relaxation and the infinity pool looks out over a watering hole frequented by elephants and giraffe, who often drop by the pool to say hello. Guests at Arijiju can partake in the usual game drives as well as thrilling helicopter trips and flips, quad bike safaris, adventures on horseback, and more. Arijiju has a deep commitment to conservation, supporting the Borana Conservancy through initiatives including research into the protection of the resident black rhino population and elephant migration corridors.

• Alfajiri: Situated on Kenya’s wild southern coast, just south of Mombasa, Alfajiri is one of Kenya’s most exclusive beach retreats, made up of just three secluded private villas, each accommodating up to eight people, each with stunning ocean views, private swimming pool, and butler service. Embrace the space and solitude, and get lost on the pristine beach that stretches for miles in each direction.

• Ol Malo: Located on the Laikipia Plateau, Ol Malo is made up of main lodge villas and a larger private residence, all of which have private verandas and soaking tubs. Fishing, mountain biking, game drives, walking safaris and horseback rides are exceptional here, and visits with the community and immersive interactions with the local Samburu tribe set Ol Malo apart as one of the more authentic cultural experiences in Kenya. For the more adventurous who want to really connect with the wild, guests can sleep out in the leopard blind for a chance at a nighttime spotting of the elusive leopard. One step further is Ol Malo Nomad, where you have the chance to roam the beautiful landscapes led by nomadic Samburu tribesmen on foot, on camelback or horseback, staying at night in a mobile tented camp.

• Ol Jogi: There is simply no other place like Ol Jogi, a unique, family-owned safari lodge and wildlife conservancy located in Laikipia, one of the most stunning parts of Kenya. This is one of the most exclusive safari experiences and arguably the most extraordinary wildlife experience on the planet. Take a helicopter ride over 58,000 acres of private, unspoiled African savannah for a birds eye view of the resident wildlife that includes the big five, plus rarer species like the African wild dog. Follow a tunnel to an underground hide, like a bunker, where you might watch a massive herd of elephants drinking from a watering hole just a few feet away. As you sip your own cocktail, you’ll have an intimate wildlife encounter so intimate and special, and different from what you experience on a game drive. A hands-on conservation experience might include giving a mud bath to an orphaned baby rhino or spending a day alongside the conservancy’s K-9 anti-poaching team. Ol Jogi is ideal for families or small groups wanting privacy and has room for up to six travelers sharing equal sized bedrooms.

WHAT TO KNOW

Available year-round. Mid-November through December are Kenya’s “short rains” usually consisting of afternoon showers. April through mid-May are Kenya’s “long rains” which can persist for hours each day.

The famous wildebeest migration usually takes place in Kenya from late July to late September, but is entirely unpredictable

Flights by light aircraft to the camps:

• Nairobi to ol Donyo Wuas: 45 minutes

• Ol Donyo Wuas to Sosian (via Nairobi): 2 ¼ hours

• Sosian to Masai Mara (via Nairobi): 3 hours

How to get there: Connecting flights are available to Nairobi, Kenya from most European gateway cities. From Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi, connect on arrival by light aircraft to each camp. From the airstrip, you will be transferred by private game vehicle to your lodge.

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