The Romance Of Kenya

Antiques, antelopes and African starry nights

ENLARGE MAP

Day 1 - Cottar's 1920's Camp, Masai Mara

Arrive in Nairobi where you will be met and transferred to Wilson Airport to await your 45 minute scheduled flight to the romantic Cottars 1920's Camp which is located in the world famous Masai Mara - home to the greatest and most diverse concentration of wildlife in Africa. Cottar's 1920's Camp harkens back to the original spirit and essence of the 'safari' experience reminiscent of the golden bygone days of romance and elegance. The Cottar family is synonymous with tradition and began operating quality adventure safaris in East Africa in 1919 - Chas Cottar and his sons wanted to offer clients a true insight into the realities of life on safari. Today, more than 80 years on, Calvin Cottar is the fourth generation to continue this personal and traditional Cottar's Safari Service. The camp evokes the light, the smells and the unchanging atmosphere of Africa of the 1920's - the heyday of the early explorers. Cottar's boasts six traditional white canvas tents, each of which is luxuriously furnished with safari antiques from the 20's. Lace coverings adorn the four poster beds and a carefully positioned canopied verandah ensures absolute privacy. Each tent also has a private ensuite with a dressing room, a safari-style bath tub and flush toilet. Three of the six tents now have private living rooms. A team of courteous and attentive staff will welcome you and cater for your every need. (L,D)

Days 2-4 - Cottar's 1920's Camp, Masai Mara

Take a step back in time and enjoy game drives in the camp's exclusive 1920's wooden bodied 'Out of Africa' styled hunting car or in a modern 4WD vehicle - you will have your own dedicated highly professional guide. Cottar's is situated in a private concession and provides an exclusivity rarely found in the Mara. Walking safaris are also included. This is 'Big Five' territory - elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard roam these vast open grasslands - but you are also likely to see cheetah, zebra, giraffe and hippo. After an exhilarating day's activities, the extravagant dining in the camp's 'mess' tent is a truly unique experience. As the sounds of the African night draw in, you will relive the ambience of days long past with silver service dining by candlelight with champagne, port and cigars. When not on safari, you can lounge amongst plush carpets and pillows and read from the vast collection of literature in the finely appointed library tent or allow the professional masseur to relieve your aching muscles with a relaxing massage. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Ol Malo, Laikipia Plateau

Transfer back to the airstrip today to board your awaiting charter flight to Ol Malo - Kenya's ultimate bush home from home', which sits perched above the steep valley of the Uaso Nyiro River on the edge of the Northern Frontier District. Ol Malo, which means 'Place of the Greater Kudu' (and you are virtually guaranteed sightings of this most majestic of antelopes), is a very special place which travellers return to year after year. Situated on a 5,000 acre ranch and game sanctuary, Ol Malo is the long time home of one of Kenya'smost charming and knowledgeable settler families - this is a 'bush home' in the truest sense of the word. Colin and Rocky Francombe have lived and raised their family here for the past 30 years - they designed and built Ol Malo with a deep understanding of this wild, untamed and beautiful landscape. Ol Malo is the kind of place where you feel you can touch the very ends of the Earth. Located on the northern edge of the Laikipia Plateau, nestled into a rugged escarpment looking out across the time honoured lands of Kenya's Northern Frontier District, Ol Malo enjoys splendid isolation amidst an ancient land inhabited by wildlife and the traditional Samburu tribesmen. This is Africa's wildest side, surrounded by endless plains and fantastic rock formations - with the majesty of Mount Kenya eternally on the horizon. You will be welcomed and personally hosted by Colin and Rocky who enjoy a remarkably close relationship with their Samburu neighbours. The Francombe's daughter, Julia, runs an acclaimed arts workshop which inspires and showcases the traditional beadwork and rugs made by Samburu women and paintings by local children. Accommodation at Ol Malo is provided in four exquisite rock and olivewood thatched-roof cottages, all of which have been carefully positioned along the cliff edge to take full advantage of the breathtaking views. All the cottages are different - some are on a split level with the bathroom underneath the bedroom, others have the bathroom on the same level - all have kingsize beds (doubles and twins available), a luxurious bathroom, huge glass windows and a private verandah overlooking a much frequented waterhole. If you have ever dreamed of soaking in a bath looking out at wild animals roaming a beautiful landscape - then this is the place to do it! (B,L,D)

Days 6 & 7 - Ol Malo, Laikipia Plateau

Wake up to watch the breathtaking sunrise as it frames the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya. Celebrate the new day with a dawn horseride into the wilderness or enjoy an early morning game drive. Mountain bike safaris, bush picnics, sundowners, escorted walking safaris, camping trips with camels and visits to Samburu homesteads are all part of this extraordinary bush home experience. Ol Malo also has a stunning clifftop swimming pool - but if you just wish to relax, you are always welcome to enjoy a drink in the sitting room by the roaring log fire. Ol Malo's dining room, with its wide open windows, is a testament to the phrase 'A Room with a View'. At night, you can tune into the magical sounds of wild Africa whilst enjoying a mouth-watering home cooked 3 course dinner. All meals and most drinks are included in your stay. Bush breakfasts, candlelit bush dinners and riverside picnic lunches can also easily be arranged. Nothing is too much trouble at Ol Malo. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Nairobi (option 1)

Transfer to the airstrip to board your return charter flight to Nairobi to await your overnight international flight back to the UK. (B)

Days 8 - 13 - Southern Kenya Coast (option 2)

Alternatively, on arrival back in Nairobi, board a scheduled Air Kenya flight to Mombasa for 6 nights at Diani House on the Southern Kenya Coast. Located 30 kilometres south of Mombasa, Diani House is a charming old settlers beachhouse which is now a delightful and intimate coastal guesthouse with four ensuite bedrooms. It is set in 12 acres of forested gardens overlooking a stunning palm-fringed stretch of beachfront and has been the much loved family home of the Archer family since 1964. The house is owned by John and Annelise (Archer) Clark and your host for the next 6 days will be Joff Minns - a charming young Kenyan who is a passionate fisherman and a talented photographer. Joff lives at Diani House with his partner, Vanessa, who is the headmistress at the nearby primary school. The house has three large twin rooms and one double room, all of which have their own private verandah. All meals are included in your stay (fresh seafood is a speciality) and you can dine alfresco on the verandah or in the garden. Snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, fishing aboard Diani House's 21 foot twin engine boat, trips to Mombasa old town, beach barbecues, visits to the local market, game viewing with a picnic in the nearby Shimba Hills and even overnight stays at a tented camp in the rainforest (just an hour away) among elephants and Sable antelopes can all be arranged. Your personal butler at Diani House will attend to your every need - it is the perfect relaxing end to an exhilarating week on safari. (B,L,D)

Day 14

Fly back to Nairobi to connect with your overnight international flight. (B,L)

Important Note

Ol Malo is closed in April, May and November due to the rains. The Kenya Coast is hot and dry most of the year and there is always a cool breeze off the beach. The annual rains fall between April and June (with milder shorter rains in November). The coolest months are May to September whilst the hottest months are December to March