7 Days Big Five Expedition

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.

Fly to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, home of big cats, elephants and endangered black rhinos. Your tented camp is tucked into the Northern Frontier District, in a private wildlife conservancy and rhino sanctuary. Take to the bush this afternoon, watching closely for indigenous northern species, such as the beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and the unusual long-necked gerenuk, which stands on its hind legs to feed. Look, too, for Grant’s gazelles, dik-diks, elands and impala as they, along with majestic leopards and lions, roam the vast landscape. After dinner, sleep securely in elegantly appointed tents, enveloped by the sounds of the African night. Whether you opt to set out in safari vehicles or on foot, keep your eyes trained for lions, black and white rhinos, elephants, oryx, and aquatic sitatungas — swamp-dwelling antelopes. Relax on your private veranda, and indulge in gourmet meals and remote sundowners, prepared by your attentive staff.

Nestled within the sprawling Laikipia plains, the charming Lewa Safari Camp is set on the privately-owned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy; home to a splendid array of wildlife, and some of Kenya’s most spectacular scenery. Spacious and luxurious, each of the camp’s thatch-covered tents boast a comfortable bed, lovely ensuite bathroom and private veranda. The guest areas overlook a popular waterhole and include a dining room, library, bar and an inviting sitting area with a fireplace. In between game viewing adventures, guests can retreat to the coolness of a sparkling swimming or enjoy a spot of game viewing from the camp’s hide. Adventures include twice-daily game drives, guided walks, Ngare Ndare forest excursions, horseback safaris and camel rides, as well as enchanting cultural tours.

Fly to the Masai Mara Game Reserve and your award-winning luxury camp. Its 16 elegant tents feature four-poster beds and verandas overlooking a private stretch of the Mara River, where hippos wallow. After a late-afternoon game drive, return to camp for dinner. Olonana Camp is situated in the heart of Kenya’s Big Game country — rich with hippo, elephant, buffalo, hyena, giraffe, armies of gazelle and famed prides of lion. Immersed in this magnificent wildlife haven, 14 chic, contemporary suites are designed with clean lines and an organic feel, with floor to ceiling glass doors that fold open onto Mara River views. Featuring plush king-sized beds, overhead fans and an indulgent daybed on the deck for the ultimate relaxation, three suites offer an extra room which is ideal for families. Spacious bathrooms of slate and marble offer a tub, rain shower and double vanity, and mini fridges are fully stocked with an extensive array of drinks and treats.

Kenya’s most famous national reserve, the Masai Mara runs along the country south-west border with Kenya, just across the border from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. This gigantic ecosystem is shared by the two countries and protected with a combination of national reserves and community-run conservation areas. The Mara offers a wide choice of accommodation, ranging from tented camps to luxurious lodges. Some are located within the borders of the national park, while others are on conservancies that surround the park. Those located on private conservancies offer the added lure of activities not allowed within the park itself, including night drives, nature walks, off-road driving and the opportunity to enjoy dining out in the bush. The reserves are not fenced, meaning that game moves freely between the reserves and the conservancies, creating one vast wildlife area. During winter (June to September) and the migration months, the Mara becomes very busy and wildlife sightings become very crowded, with vehicles gathering for a lion kill or potential river crossing. During the quieter summer months and the green season (when there are heavy rains, particularly between March and June), the reserve is much quieter and visitors feel as though they have the Mara to themselves. Although the big herds of the Great Migration have moved off by this time, the abundant resident game can still be seen and wildlife sightings still rival anywhere in the world.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Nairobi. You will be met at the Wilson airport upon arrival and transferred to your dayroom at Emara Hotel Ole Sereni until your international flight.