The Great Migration: A Luxury Safari

Overview

Set between the Ngong Hills and Jamhuri Park, the Hemingways Nairobi is a boutique hotel far removed from the bustle of the capital. Expect excellent service and delicious food in this all-inclusive establishment.

Choose from one of 45 lofty rooms furnished in a classic style; vaulted ceilings and balconies are complemented by exposed timber, cotton drapes and neutral tones. The two, 240 square metre themed-suites improve upon this with well-appointed living rooms, study and dining areas, opening to large terraces. All rooms have views either of the rolling hotel lawns or the Ngong hills in the distance.

Dining at The Brasserie, you can enjoy a contemporary European menu boasting some of the best steak in Kenya and a relaxed ambiance. Head to The Dining Room for a more formal atmosphere and modern cuisine of local providence.

Overview

A nine-bedroom former family home, Eden is set on a four-acre property in the quiet suburb of Langata on the outskirts of Nairobi. The hotel borders the Giraffe Sanctuary forest, and the building has been transformed into a living museum and gallery space. Wander through the rooms and public spaces and you’ll find the original designers and builders Tonio and Anna Trzebinski’s own artworks and creations, as well as artefacts that they have collected from all over the continent over the years.

Eden lends itself to longer stays, and there is even an artists residence that can be booked for seven nights. Time spent at Eden is all about enjoying a fully immersive cultural experience and it gives guests the opportunity to experience the modern side of Nairobi in a memorable way. Children under 12 are only allowed when making exclusive use of the main house or Tonio’s Studio Annex.

The interiors in the eight rooms and cottage have all be carefully styled by renowned fashion designer Anna. The entire property is a journey of Kenyan art, style, culture and fashion. Exposed wood is complimented by bold, expressive colours and textiles. Dappled sunlight spills through windows onto inviting furniture, perfect for curling up with a boom from the owners’ collection.

Enjoy lunch and dinner in the hotel’s stunning restaurant and bar area which overlooks the garden and pond. And spend time exploring the four acres of gardens which lead into a 100-acre forest which is perfect for guided nature walks.

Eden is just a short drive from Giraffe Sanctuary and Giraffe Manor.

Overview

Location is everything at Sala’s Camp. Nestled in the Maasai Mara National Park, but in a very remote southern-central corner of it on the tranquil banks of the Sand River, Sala’s boasts the most private of safari experiences within the reserve’s borders. The camp works in close conjunction with various wildlife projects in the area, so you can be sure your visit is making a difference.

The camp features 11 tents including two family tents and two honeymoon tents. All feature private plunge pools and en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, running water and flushing loos.

Sala’s enjoys wonderful views across the northern Tanzanian corridor and Serengeti National Park, and it is one of the first camps in the Mara to witness the Great Migration. Your daily game drives are personalised to guests, depending on what you would most like to see, and the Mara River for the famed river crossings is only a 25-minute drive away.

The food is impossibly sophisticated for your surrounds, all in all holding true to the camp’s philosophy of combining tradition with elegance. Sala’s is also a wonderful camp for families. All children receive a welcome pack with games, paint sets and quizzes about the wildlife and the camp and kids can play in the shallow Sand River under the watchful eye of a Maasai askari.

Overview

Right on the Mara River in the heart of the reserve, Governors’ Il Moran Camp has just ten very spacious safari tents, upping the the exclusivity and privacy compared to other camps on the Mara.

The camp itself is hidden deep in the forest and attracts a few foraging warthogs who nuzzle for grubs in the neatly kept lawn. Each of the tents have their own veranda where you can sit and relax, listening to the grunt of the hippos and watching the odd stalking crocodile slip through the water. The tents are all primly decorated and are extremely comfortable, with beds that you can easily fall into after a nice long day enjoying the rich variety of game in the area.

The bar is an enticing spot for those ice cold midday beers, as too is the boma area after the sun sets. Three game drives a day will maximise your game experience and if you feel like a wander, a knowledgeable guide can take you on a very interesting game walk to try and spot the ‘small five’ after you have ticked off the big ones!

Overview

Sitting on the banks of the Sand River, this colonial Masai Mara camp echoes the decadent days of 1920’s safari in a sublime and secluded game-rich location.

Accommodation comes in the form of 16 luxury tents, each with their own sun deck for your own personal river view. While the camp provides communal dining and lounging areas, if complete seclusion is what you’re after, indulge in the private dining options of luncheons and dinners served out in the bush among the flourishing wildlife.

With a setting boasting the big five, the annual migration plus the world’s largest concentration of big cats, you can expect spectacular game viewing here alongside expert, friendly guiding.

Overview

Towering high on the Rift Valley’s Oloololo Escarpment with direct and private access to the Mara Triangle, this lodge’s name was inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’. It’s not only its location that makes it stand out, but also its commitment to education, health and conservation in the region.

Each of the 30 luxury tented suites echo the traditional Maasai culture with splashes of red and tartan print throughout, coupled with minimalist design, so as not to disrupt the dramatic, 180° panoramic views. Soak up your surroundings with provided binoculars from the comfort of your own room, equipped with 10 metre wide, floor-to-ceiling glass windows or on the private wooden decks that hang above the Mara below.

The Pavilion, which sits between the two campsites, is the perfect place to unwind after a day on safari. Catch the sun setting over the reserve with a drink at the cosy pit fire. Other luxury amenities include a fitness centre, swimming pool and art studio where you can meet local Maasai women, and watch their talented craft-making.

Angama Mara also includes Angama Safari Camp which operates seasonally, between July and the end of September. This luxury tented camp accommodates eight guests in four stunning ensuite tents (doubles or twins). The exclusive, private camp is positioned in a small forest, south west of the Mara Triangle and with views looking onto the plains and the heart of the mega herds of the Great Migration.

Overview

Angama Safari Camp, a light-footprint sole-use tented camp accommodating up to eight guests in four en-suite tents, is located deep in the Maasai Mara. This unique camp captures the romance and adventure of the Golden Age of safaris, but with a lightness of spirit. Enjoy the comforts of 21st century camping, but with the thrill of having nothing but canvas between you, the Mara and year-round abundant wildlife right on your doorstep. The tents have been designed to maximise light and views across the plains. With a dedicated safari vehicle, guide and Safari Camp team, each day’s programme is entirely up to you.

Overview

Nestled in the 50 000-acre Mara Naboisho Conservancy, the intimate Naboisho Camp delicately balances a wilderness experience with the luxury comforts desired by a discerning traveller. This camp also focuses on the conservation of the area and makes every effort to uplift the local community through several programmes and the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.

Naboisho Camp is composed of the main lodge with nine luxurious tented suites and two-family tents. Each of the spacious tents features en-suite facilities complete with hot running water and flushing toilets and both indoor and outdoor bush showers. King-sized beds will ensure that you get a good night’s sleep and a day bed can be found on each of the large verandas for an afternoon snooze. The large screen windows throughout will help you to experience the sights and sounds of the Kenyan wilderness at all times.

The dining area and lounge can be found in a thatched area, with wooden decks that offer great viewing out onto a watering hole. You’ll also benefit from the attention of a personal butler and high levels of personalised service at every turn.

Overview

Ol Seki Hemingways is located in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy which borders the world-famous Maasai Mara. The camp consists of nine luxurious tents scattered across the rocky escarpment, offering incredible views out over the Ngama Hills. Each stylish tent has been designed to offer secluded privacy and spacious accommodation. Neutral tones intermingle with the Bedouin style tents, whilst locally sourced fabrics and furniture, a large comfy bed, and a writing desk add further comfort. There are six domed Nina tents and two expansive family suites titled Simba and Chui.

The Nina tents feature high domed ceilings and six opening panels on three sides, meaning you can enjoy the sunrise from the comfort of your double bed.. Out front you’ll find a large deck where you can relax, eat, drink, and stargaze.

The Simba and the Chui tents are both suites, with the former connecting two enormous double bedrooms and their en-suites to a kitchen, dining room, and living area. There is also a fully-stocked bar. If you desire a butler or complete privacy, the Simba suite can provide both ends of the luxury spectrum. The Chui tent features two large en-suite twin bedrooms with a stone boardwalk separating them from a large central living space that houses a private kitchen, lounge and dining room. This is the perfect suite for families or friends travelling together.

With a view of the acacia scrub behind your table, the dining area will reinvigorate your senses, whether you sit inside the modern establishment or on the outside terrace. Dining can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways: with a completely mobile kitchen, meals can be had on the grassy plain of the conservancy one evening, or eaten by lantern light as you gaze across the Ngama Hills the next. Private dining on the decks is also available. 

On the main deck guests can congregate around the campfire and enjoy a sundowner while exchanging stories from the day. There is also a library with comfy leather chairs and a selection of safari literature. Guests can also enjoy access to an inviting swimming pool, allowing you a chance to cool off while absorbing the stunning natural surroundings. Alongside game drives you can enjoy a picnic in the reserve for lunch, meet the local Maasai herdsmen, or soar above the plains in a hot air balloon.

Overview

One of our favourite camps in Africa. Alex Walker’s Serian in the North Mara Conservancy is beautifully perched on the Mara River. Ngare Camp is made up of just four traditional style but luxurious tents set on wooden decks.

What makes Serian stand out is that you will have a private guide and vehicle for the duration of your stay, this coupled with the quality of the local Masaai guides means that you are set for a truly exclusive experience in the Mara North Conservancy.

Guests are able to take bush walks and night drives in the private area near the camp, allowing for a more ‘involved’ and exciting trip to the Mara.

Alex has been guiding and organising expert safaris throughout East Africa for over 25 years and his keen enthusiasm for this wonderful land is reflected in his camps. Serian Mara’s tents have a comforting colonial feel to them, with furniture that depict that historical time. Spacious and airy with verandas to enjoy the passing wildlife drawn to the river, you have a really lovely area to simply relax in a stunning setting.

Ideally situated in a high density game area, this camp is a luxurious way to spend your time in the Mara. With over 450 bird species that flock here year round, it will be difficult for you to ever be without some sort of wildlife in your immediate sights. Lion, leopard and cheetah are resident even when the migration have moved on, and provide some awesome photographic opportunities. Guests at Serian will receive exclusive use of a private safari vehicle and guide at no extra cost.

Overview

Just north of the Maasai Mara Reserve, in the 30,000 acre private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, this Relais & Châteaux camp offers you outstanding game experiences without the restrictions that the reserve itself imposes on other lodges. Each guest’s stay helps to contribute to various conservation and community projects. This conservancy adds a huge plus factor due to the privacy and minimal vehicle traffic within it. You can easily access the Maasai Mara Reserve, but the game in the conservation area is just as excellent. Leopard are regularly spotted passing through the camp and lions can often be heard in the distance.

Stroll along walkways that wind their way through the forest between the tented suites that are built on high stilts offering you stunning views onto the Ntiakitiak Riverr or across the Mara plains. Each suite has deep canvas canopied ceilings, rough-hewn wood floors and accents of East Africa’s rich safari history. Expect thick Lamu wood doors, deep purples, and brass accents. The raised library looks down onto hippos wallowing in the river, while the wine cellar is the perfect place to unwind and sample a selection of excellent South African and French wines. You can also choose to enjoy a private dining experience here.

A highlight of the camp is the family suite, the Mara Plains Jahazi Suite, which is an exclusive-use, two-bedroom tented villa with its own team of dedicated staff.

The game drive vehicles are all completely open which helps you get some phenomenal photographs. In addition to the game, you mustn’t forget that you also have a community nearby that you can visit and witness a genuine working village. A truly marvellous experience.

Overview

This is one of Kenya’s ultimate safari experiences for authentic tented luxury.

Positioned on the banks of the Njageteck River in the Olare Orok Conservancy for extra seclusion, the nearby Ngoyanai springs provide permanent water, drawing in large numbers of animals to the area around camp. This camp is also particularly known for its resident lion pride. In the arena of the Maasai Mara, a stay here provides the equivalent of VIP seats and service for one of the best wildlife spectacles in the African bush.

Five incredibly inviting tents sit open to the bushveld scenery and wildlife sights of the nearby hippo pool. Appointed with warm high-quality linens and antique furnishings the tents also include modern comforts and en suite (outside) bathrooms with 24-hour hot running water.

Overview

Set in the remote area of Kogatende, in the northern sector of the Serengeti National Park and close to the Mara River, Nimali Mara is a place where you can experience Tanzania’s wildlife up close.

The camp is constructed with a mix of natural materials for a contemporary take on the traditional tented camp. Here, canvas roofed luxury suites combine with wooden floors, enormous glass windows and dry stone walls that echo the kopje rock formations all around. This boutique camp feels intimate with just 10 suites, positioned for privacy and exceptional views. From the uncluttered beauty of the interior spaces, to the glass wall overlooking the vivid landscape and captivating wildlife, this is a meticulously designed haven that encourages stillness and serenity.

Guests also have access to a superb lounge and dining venue offering spectacular views of the Serengeti plains and the amazing wildebeest migration. After a hard day of exploring, enjoy a well-deserved dip in the infinity pool, set within a rocky natural cave overlooking the endless plains, where resident wildlife frequently pass by.