8 Days Wild Romantic Adventure

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.

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.

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.