8 Days Wild Romantic Adventure

Adventure Safari

8 Days Wild Romantic Adventure

 

Nairobi, Meru, Maasai Mara, Depart

 

8 Days, 7 Nights

 

Price From $8,295 pp

Overview

Step back in time, growing nostalgic over the glamour, intimacy and adventure of early 20th century Kenyan safaris. Recreate the magic as you retrace the trails of Kenya’s early explorers, bearing witness to the country’s spectacular past, prolific wildlife and vibrant communities. This package carries discerning guests through Kenya’s top safari destinations as they exclusively capture a glimpse of an era rich with luxury, elegance and romance in the heart of the African bush..

Arrive: Nairobi, Kenya

Depart: Nairobi, Kenya

Highlights

  • Nairobi - Nairobi, the vibrant capital of Kenya, is a unique city that seamlessly blends urban modernity with incredible wildlife and rich cultural experiences
  • Meru National Park - a unique and ruggedly beautiful safari destination that offers a true sense of wilderness. It is less visited than some of Kenya's more famous parks, providing an intimate and unspoiled safari experience
  • Maasai Mara - a vast wilderness that is an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania. It is renowned for its abundant wildlife, sweeping savannahs, and the unique culture of the Maasai people.
  • Wildebeet Migration - arguably the most famous highlight of the Maasai Mara. Between July and October each year, over a million wildebeest, accompanied by zebras and other gazelles, make a treacherous journey from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of greener pastures. This spectacle includes the legendary Mara River crossings, where the herds brave the crocodile-infested waters, creating one of the most dramatic and unforgettable wildlife events on the planet.

Itinerary: 8 Days Wild Romantic Adventure

Expand All Days

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.
This morning you will wake up for an early flight to Meru. From Meru, you will transfer to Elsa’s Kopje in the heart of Meru National Park. Located on a rocky kopje – a granite outcropping in an otherwise flat landscape – this lodge offers spectacular views of the surrounding plains, streams and Mount Kenya. It is the only operational lodge within the park boundaries, meaning that in addition to these sweeping views, you will also enjoy near exclusivity when exploring this unique and quiet landscape.

YOu will explore the Meru landscape that fueled the Adamson’s passions, and became home to Elsa and her family. There is no better way to orientate yourself in this landscape than through a guided game drive and a picnic breakfast in the bush. The guides at Elsa’s Kopje live in Meru National Park and know the area intimately. With a fleet of new Toyota Land Cruisers, outfitted with photographic equipment stands and charging sockets, you will experience total comfort as you exclusively explore this seldom-visited bush.

Exploring the bush on foot under the guidance of Meru’s park guides often offers guests a level of intimacy that is often impossible to attain at larger more populated parks. Following animal tracks, investigating insects and learning of the micro-ecosystems offers insight into the minute dynamics and behaviors that sustain this truly spectacular ecosystem. Elsa’s Kopje also offers walks that climb to the top of Mughwango Hill, where you can experience great panoramic views.
After an activity-packed two days at Elsa’s Kopje, it will be time to move on from this private sanctuary to the rolling plains of the Masai Mara. You will leave Meru on a private charter that will fly via Nanyuki to the Mara. Be sure to look out your window as you touch down temporarily in Nanyuki – this airport is located right at the base of the snow-capped Mount Kenya. From the air, you are sure to receive your most impressive views.

Descending into the Mara, a representative will transfer you to Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp. Elegant and timeless, this lodge is located on the stunning Olderkesi conservancy a kilometer from the Mara park gates. The Cottar family has a deep history with the region that began with a family of professional hunters and adventurers, and transformed into a family of photographic safari enthusiasts. Now in its fourth generation – with a fifth generation growing up on the property – there are few areas to experience the bush with more personality and passion. The family’s understanding of elegance, quality, privacy and luxury has attracted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in addition to numerous other high profile guests.

You will be awoken by fresh coffee delivered to your tents. Venture out into the bush to have a picnic breakfast beside the river coursing through the conservancy. From there, you can continue through the bush either by truck or on foot, depending on your preference. Again learning about the intricacies of the park from gold-standard guides, you will have an unparalleled tour through the bush. As the temperatures begin to rise, and the animals doze off in the shade, it is often nice to end the morning swimming at the nearby waterfall or fishing for catfish in the surrounding rivers with lines made of sticks and twine.

In the afternoon, guests you will have the opportunity to visit one of the local Masai communities with which the lodge works in partnership. The Masai are the original owners of the land, and as such, Cottar’s has made it a longstanding priority to support the development of these communities through aid, business opportunities and environmental conservation.
This morning you will pack your belongings and return to the present day from the 1920s as you depart the Mara on a flight to Nairobi. As your flight departs, you will have one final glimpse of the endless plains of the Masai Mara before returning to the rapidly developing Nairobi skyline.

Inclusions, Exclusions & Trip Customization

The above trip itinerary is a suggestive trip but can be customized based on client's travel and destination preferences. We can tailor this to fit any expected outcomes to suit your travel desires. Most at times the accommodation suggested may not be available at the time of booking and we will be able to easily suggest alternatives based on availability at the time of booking. Plus, we can throw in or take out any desired activities and destinations that may not be in your travel preferences. Let us know what you would like to change so that we may personalize this experience for you.

Included
  • ● Bed and breakfast at city hotels
  • ● Full board accommodation at safari properties
  • ● Airport / airstrip transfers
  • ● House wines and local beers
  • ● Park fees, camping fees and conservancy fees
  • ● Game drives in shared 4x4 safari vehicle
  • ● Scheduled flights mentioned (Luggage allowance of 15kgs per person inclusive of carry on)
  • ● All transfers mentioned
  • ● All domestic flight departure taxes
  • ● All known Government taxes
  • ● AMREF Flying Doctors' cover
Not Included
  • × International flights and visa fees
  • × Travel and health insurance
  • × Champagne, luxury spirits and private cellar wines
  • × Additional activities not listed
  • × Exclusive use of safari vehicle
  • × All statutory increases beyond our control
  • × Staff gratuities and any other extras

Accommodation on this Trip

Below is suggested accommodation for this - 8 Days Wild Romantic Adventure - if there is no availability at the time of booking, we shall suggest alternative accommodation options of similar class and style.

Giraffe Manor

Giraffe Manor

Nairobi, Kenya

Day 1 (1 night)

Surrounded by 12 acres of private land, within 140 acres of indigenous forest, the iconic Giraffe Manor is famous for its resident herd of Rothschild giraffe that casually wander around the spectacular grounds. Stay in the original manor house offering six rooms: Betty, Daisy, Jock, Lynn, Marlon and the Karen Blixen Suite or the Garden Manor also offering six rooms: Salma, Edd, Arlene, Helen, Kelly and the Finch Hatton Suite. Each room enjoys views over the sanctuary and the giraffe experience offered to guests is the same regardless of which area of the house they are staying in. Your family can expect beautifully furnished, elegant rooms that include romantic four-poster beds and well-appointed ensuite bathrooms.

At Giraffe Manor, breakfasts are a fun-filled affair. Not only can you tuck into a mouth-watering menu, you are likely to be interrupted by one of the friendly giraffes poking its head through the window in search of a treat – such fun for the whole family. Lunch on light meals and kick-start an evening with refreshing cocktails served around a crackling fire, followed by superb gourmet dinners in the inviting dining room.

Elsa's Kopje

Elsa's Kopje

Meru National Park, Kenya

Days 2-4 (3 nights)

Barely visible on approach, Elsa’s Kopje blends seamlessly into its surrounds. Perched high on top of Mughwango Hill, this superb lodge stands as tribute to Elsa, the orphaned lioness made famous in the movie Born Free. Charming cottages are crafted around the natural features of the hill, each with a spacious bedroom, open sitting rooms, ensuite bathroom and large veranda with breath-taking views of the savannah below. Elsa’s Private House – with double rooms, a sitting room, veranda and plunge pool – is ideal for families.

The menu is Northern Italian, peppered with both local and international dishes, accompanied by freshly baked bread, crisp salads and locally grown vegetables. Lamp-lit pathways lead towards guest areas that include an open bar, sitting room and dining area, with an exceptionally inviting infinity pool overlooking the Meru plains. Adventures include game drives, guided nature walks, bush meals, excursions to the Tana River and cultural visits to a local village.

Cottars 1920's Safari Camp

Cottars 1920's Safari Camp

Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya

Days 5-7 (3 nights)

Located on the Olderkesi Conservancy, bordering the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve, Cottar’s 1920’s Safari Camp and Bush Villa capture the romantic spirit of safari from a bygone era. The camp’s 11 spacious tents are sumptuously furnished with safari antiques, four-poster beds, dressing rooms, ensuite bathrooms, outdoor verandahs and the diligent attention of private butlers. Also set within the camp is the Cottar’s Bush Villa, the only private luxury home in the Maasai Mara. Rented only on an exclusive basis, the Bush Villa comes with a dedicated staff of eight, a large living room, a dining room, a magnificent viewing deck, five ensuite bedrooms, a private swimming pool and a dedicated game drive vehicle and guide.

Adhering to the highest standards of guiding, Cottars offers one-of-a-kind day and night game drives, bush walks, swimming and fishing. After an unforgettable day of exploring the plains of the great annual wildebeest migration, catching sight of the Big Five, and respectfully interacting with the local Maasai community, guests can look forward to delectable fine dining, relaxing in the reading room, cooling down in the sparkling pool with a sundowner or indulging in a pampering spa treatment.

How to reach us

We are easy to reach. You can call us on +254 115 351564 | +254 106 355764. Send us emails on info@viagensafricasafaris.com and you will receive a prompt response from us.