Kenya's Samburu, Mara & Seychelles' Island

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. Mahé 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 Mahé. 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.