The Ultimate Kenya Safari
The Ultimate Kenya Safari
This 9-day safari, which can depart on any day of the week, offers the ultimate insight into a privileged aspect of Kenya that is never experienced by the typical safari packages. Starting from the historic luxury of Kenya’s most famous hotel, it offers three days in an exclusive bush camp located at the heart of a private conservancy on the borders of the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Thereafter, there are four days in your ultimate beach hideaway and luxury homestay with a private beach and crystal-clear blue waters, hidden in a costal forest.
With options to extend the tour to cover Tanzania at the same standard and a beach extension on the beautiful Kenyan coast, this tour is the ultimate way to experience Kenya. Daily departures mean that this safari will fir into any schedule you have. Get in touch for more details or to book the ultimate Kenya safari.
Day 1 - Arrival Nairobi
Upon arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and driven to the historic Fairmont Norfolk Hotel. One of the great historic hotels of the world, and a feature on Nairobi’s landscape since it opened on Christmas Day 1904, the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel has entertained such historic figures as Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt and Karen Blixen. Recently exquisitely refurbished, this atmospheric and beautifully appointed hotel stands in the centre of town where it offers an unusually wide selection of 167 rooms, ranging from opulent suites to cosy cottage-style rooms set around a central garden courtyard. Dining options include the famous Lord Delamere Terrace, The Tatu Restaurant fine-dining experience and the poolside restaurant. Other facilities include a health centre (heated swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym and aerobics studio, steam and sauna), a hair dressing salon and gift shop.
Overnight at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel
Day 2 - Into the Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, you will be driven the short journey to Wilson Airport to connect to your 10am flight to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Arriving 45 minutes later, you will be met by your guide and driven to Instinct of the Mara in time to relax before lunch. After lunch enjoy your first game drive in this world-renowned reserve before returning to camp for dinner.
Instinct of the Mara lies on the Southeastern border of the Masai Mara Game Reserve (between the Tanzanian border and Sand River) in the private Olderkesi Conservancy. There are 2 family suites and 7 spacious, stylish tents providing complete privacy and intimate contact with nature. All the tents have a private veranda and ensuite bathroom. The central mess area stands on a raised deck. The camp also offers an outdoor lounge and campfire area. Game walks and drives are tailored to suit the clients’ wishes but typically take place early morning and late afternoon. Evening sundowner drives can also be arranged, as can night game drives, a unique activity not permitted in the actual reserve.
Overnight at the Instinct of the Mara (BLD) including Afternoon Game Drive
Day 3 and 4 - On safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve
With three days on safari in the Masai Mara, the opportunities for game viewing are unprecedented.
A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, the Mara promises a profusion of wildlife, prolific bird life and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five’ in one morning.
Overnights at the Instinct of the Mara (BLD) including Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Day 5 - To the North Coast
Enjoy the morning in the Mara, leaving after lunch to connect to your 2pm flight to Mombasa. Upon arrival at around 4pm you will be met by our representative and driven for 1 hour arriving at Cardamom House in time to relax and freshen up for dinner. Cardamom House is your perfect beach hideaway presented in 4 Villas (Manda Toto, Villa Shela, The Tower and Villa Lulu) with elegant Swahili-inspired architecture, afro-chic interiors, a pool built into the coral and a private white-sand, blue water beach lined with palm trees. Located in Kuruwitu Beach, Vipingo, home to Kuruwitu Marine Area, the first locally managed marine park in Kenya, stretching 7.5miles protecting marine life while sustainably supporting almost 30,000 villagers. To preserve the natural palms and vegetation in the area, Cardamom House has been built around the existing nature, wildlife, textures and elements. This means that each villa has a green element in or around it.
Overnight at Cardamom House (BLD)
Day 6, 7 and 8 - At the Coast
Three days of idyllic living in one of the 4 luxurious villas. There are a variety of activities to indulge in including Snorkelling and Scuba Diving, Safari Day Trips, Dhow Trips, Kite Surfing, a PGA Rated Golf course, Dolphin Watching, Fishing and Horseback Riding (all bookable and paid for locally).
Overnights at Cardamom House (BLD)
Day 9 – Return to Nairobi
Enjoy a leisurely morning and, after lunch, drive to Mombasa to connect to your flight to Nairobi and your onward connection.
Get in touch with Our Local Tour to book The Ultimate Kenya Safari
Departure Dates
Guaranteed Departures Daily
Price - from £6795 to £8445 per person (based two people sharing per room)
Single Supplement - from £995 to £1085
Included in The Ultimate Kenya Safari
- Accommodation and meals as stipulated in the itinerary - Meals according to description - (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner
- Transportation in a shared chauffeur driven safari vehicle with pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
- Services of an English-speaking driver-guide, game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
- 5 or 7 people guaranteed window seat in each vehicle.
- All meet and greet services
- All Government taxes and levies.
- Two-way long-range high frequency radio communication in each vehicle plus First-aid kit, wildlife books, a pair of binoculars, cool box & fire extinguisher.
Not Included in The Ultimate Kenya Safari
- International travel to the start and end point - contact us for information and flight options
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Any visa requirements
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus meals other than those mentioned on the program.
- Expenditure of a personal nature, laundry, telephone bills, drinks, souvenirs, tips etc.
- Tips and gratuities to hotel, lodges, camp staff and driver- guide(s). (Budget approx. US$ 2.00 – US$ 4.00 per person per day for lodge and hotel staff, U$ 1.00 per bag for porters and US$ 10.00 - U$ 12.00 per person per day for driver-guides).
- Early check in/ late checkout fees if required
- Concession fees (In case of any new fees introduced by parks without our knowledge).
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Visa and Passport Information
Passport validity
If you are visiting Kenya, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive. You should have at least two blank pages in your passport on arrival.
Visas
You need a visa to enter Kenya. Kenyan entry visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure. You can apply for single entry and transit visas on the e-visas website. British passport holders visiting Kenya aged 16 and over require a valid individual visa for Kenya.
Health
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
On 3 March 2022, Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of yellow fever in Isolo county. Other counties at high risk of transmission following this outbreak are: Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Meru, Samburu, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Turkana counties. You should discuss yellow fever vaccination with your health advisor before you travel to Kenya. Cholera, malaria, dengue fever and other insect-borne infections occur in Kenya.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
What to bring on The Ultimate Kenya Safari
Clothing
Lightweight clothing which can be layered is adviseable and a warmer jumper for occasional cooler evenings. Beach wear and swim wear if taking a beach extension or you wish to use any of the pools. A light rain coat is suggested. There is a laundry available in most hotels.
Footwear
Lightweight comfortable shoes/trainers and sandals.
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a waterbottle. A solar charger for your phone and other electronics is a good idea.
Currency
The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). ATMs are widely available in Nairobi and the main towns and credit cards are widely accepted. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to exchange Scottish or Northern Irish banknotes in Kenya.
Use of electronic devices
For Kenya the associated plug type is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Kenya operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Local Customs
The coastal areas are predominantly Muslim. Although there are no strict dress codes, you should dress conservatively away from the tourist resorts and hotels, especially in Mombasa town, during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
Smoking in any public place is prohibited throughout Kenya, except in designated smoking areas. Offenders can face a fine or imprisonment. If in doubt, don’t light up.
The use and trafficking of illegal Class A drugs in Kenya carries heavy fines and jail sentences. The penalty for possession is 10 years in prison.
Taking photographs of official buildings, including Embassies, can lead to detention. If in any doubt, don’t photograph or film around them. Photography is also prohibited at airports.
Plastic bags have been banned for environmental reasons.
It is illegal to destroy Kenyan currency.
Homosexual activity is illegal. Public displays of homosexuality like holding hands or kissing in public places could lead to arrest and imprisonment.
You must carry a form of ID with you at all times. A copy of your passport is normally acceptable, but recently some police officers have been insisting on the original document.
It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade any of its parts without a licence. Kenya is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) under which there’s a ban on the international commercial trade in ivory. Those caught purchasing or trafficking banned goods will be prosecuted and receive prison sentences and/or fines.
Time Zone
Time zone in Kenya (GMT+3)
Internet Availability
Wi-fi is common in hotels, lodges, restaurants and cafes across the touristed areas.
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