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This is the life: a fortnight filled with prime game viewing in two unique reserves and then a beach break on a private bay in the Seychelles before heading home. With time spent in Samburu National Reserve and the Olare Motorogi Conservancy in Kenya, followed by the unbeatable island of Mahé, you could be forgiven for thinking you have found heaven.
There is unique magic and wonder at each stop, from the arid, rocky ledges of Samburu and the rolling plains of Olare Motorogi to the elegant charm of Hemingways Nairobi, where you will enjoy Michelin-star cuisine in a Hollywood-themed restaurant. Spot the Samburu Special 5 (Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich), which are endemic to the area, and bask in the incredible wildness of the unchanging rhythms of East Africa.
Then jet off to the tropical island paradise of the Seychelles, where your home for five days is a short boat road from Mahé, the largest of the Seychelles islands and the international gateway to this sun-soaked archipelago.
Highlights & Activities
What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
Summary
Tour Duration: 15 Days
Start: Nairobi, Kenya
End: Mahe Island, Seychelles
Accommodations visited
Itinerary
Day to day
Set the scene for a fortnight of bliss with a night at Hemingways in Nairobi, where your personal butler sees to your every need. Taking its cue from the grand properties of old, the rooms are spacious and inviting, each with its own balcony overlooking the Ngong Hills. There is Wi-Fi so you can let the folks back home know you’ve arrived safely in East Africa.
Visit the spa to get into a relaxed holiday mood, before a tasty meal at The Brasserie, which aspires to be the first Michelin-starred venue in Nairobi and pioneers cooking technology in Kenya. Hemingways also has its own patisserie and the champagne high teas are a special treat.
And after dinner, sink into your suite. The subtle palette and natural materials are complemented by brass, mahogany and leather. These flourishes of classic safari prepare you for your trip into the wild lands of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District tomorrow.
Today is a good day for an adventure among the rocky cliffs of the Kalama Conservancy, far removed from roads, buildings or crowds of people. Sit on your deck or cool down in the swimming pool while watching elephant, giraffe and zebra are drink from the resident waterhole. Saruni Samburu is a breath-taking property that is spread out at altitude, with ample distances between communal areas, the rooms, the spa, the swimming pools and reception – making it an ideal lodge if you’re looking for some privacy.
As well as the Samburu National Reserve’s herds of elephant, expect to see lion, leopard and cheetah and the Samburu Special 5: the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich.
You can also discover the traditions and way of life of the Samburu people, unchanged for generations, with Saruni’s local guides. The lodge is especially welcoming for children and the guides will teach them bush lore, perhaps how to make a traditional bow and arrow or a toothbrush from the ‘toothbrush tree’.
Bid farewell to the spectacular Samburu and head south to Mahali Mzuri, in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy on the northern edge of the mighty Masai Mara. This is the alluring land of the Great Migration and the lodge is perched above the rolling plains, a perfect look-out point for game watching.
Each of Mahali Mzuri’s 12 tents is on a raised platform to make the most of the view and you can see a lot of the action from your deck. But be sure to go on guided walks; the Masaai guides know where to find the best stories and you may even catch sight of an elusive leopard slumbering the boughs of a tree.
After a hard day’s adventure relax at the lodge’s spa, Nasaro, which means ‘refuge’ in the Maa language. You can visit a local village to learn more about the Masaai or take a hot-air balloon safari, a serene and unusual way to spot the reserve’s abundant wildlife.
Mahali Mzuri means ‘beautiful place’ and that it certainly is. You may not want to leave but leave you must, for the Giraffe Manor is calling.
Time to head back to Nairobi for another night at Hemingways, your post-safari stopover before jetting off to a tropical island idyll. This might be the ideal time to visit the Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre or Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Or simply unwind and get pampered in the hotel’s superior spa and wellness centre.
From Kenya to the Seychelles, you end your East African holiday in spectacular style. Mahe is the largest island in the archipelago and offers its visitors both a quintessential tropical beach vacation, as well as a taste of the local Creole culture.
Prepare to be spellbound as you discover the hidden gem of the Indian Ocean, Enchanted Island Resort. The ultra-luxurious resort features exquisite villas with private pools and direct beach access on a private island in the middle of the Saint Anne Marine Park, a short motorboat ride from Mahe. A paradise for romantic and magical holidays, Enchanted Island Resort invites you to swim in the crystal clear water, unwind at the hilltop spa, or lounge in your own private pool as you take in the wonders of the Seychelles.
Expert Opinion
We know because we go
Emma Hill
African Safari Expert
Not only are you staying in luxury accommodation and locations, but you have the opportunity to experience unique activities from a camel walk to a local village in Samburu, to pristine and exclusive game-viewing including bush walks at Richard Branson’s latest lodge in a private conservancy outside of the Masai Mara, to your own private Island oasis on North Island, Seychelles. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend 2 weeks with a loved one or close friends. This is seeing East Africa and the Islands at their best!