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From the Chyulu hills to the Masai Mara
Day 1 - Ol Donyo Wuas, Chyulu Hills Arrive in Nairobi where you will be met and transferred to Wilson Airport for your awaiting charter flight (approx 45 minutes) to Ol Donyo Wuas, a private safari lodge which lies in the foothills of the Chyulu Range in southern Kenya, halfway between the Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks, in the shadow of the snow capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro. The lodge enjoys exclusive access to 300,000 acres of Maasai-owned land - one of the few remaining wilderness areas of East Africa. The spectacular open plains, undulating hills, forest-clad valleys and acacia woodland of this beautiful region are also acclaimed for providing some of Kenya's best walking country. A pioneer in ecotourism, Ol Donyo Wuas combines a wildlife and walking experience with cultural visits to Maasai villages. The lodge's close links with, and support for, the local Maasai community helped Ol Donya Wuas to achieve a 'highly commended' status at the 2001 British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. Your hosts at Ol Donyo Wuas are Tamsin Corcoran and Chris Brennan who will welcome you to this unspoilt corner of Kenya. The lodge was originally built in 1986 as the private home of well-known safari legend, Richard Bonham (the son of one of Kenya's first game wardens and a tourism pioneer in his own right - he is still the current owner). (L,D) Day 2 & 3 - Ol Donyo Wuas, Chyulu Hills There's something very special about waking up to the sun glistening on the peaks of Kilimanjaro -and then heading out either on foot, on horseback or in an open safari vehicle for an early morning game experience with the lodge's Maasai rangers. This is the perfect time for game viewing. Ol Donyo Wuas has all the 'Big Five' - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - as well as other wildlife including ostrich, eland, oryx, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and gerenuk. Accommodation at the lodge is provided in seven individual ensuite cottages, built of local materials (two of the cottages have an additional bedroom, ideal for guests with children). Each cottage has an open fireplace and a veranda with spectacular views of the plains and Mount Kilimanjaro. Electricity and hot water are generated by a solar system with wood burning stoves as back-up. Afternoons at Ol Donya Wuas are siesta time - for reading and writing - before heading back out into the bush in the late afternoon for a sundowner cocktail as the sun slips over the Kenyan horizon. Dinner is a spectacular affair under the African stars, serenaded by the soundtrack of the African bush. Bush breakfasts and dinners, game drives, horse riding, picnics in the Chyulu Hills and cultural visits to Maasai villages are all part of the Ol Donyo Wuas experience. (B,L,D) Day 4 & 5 - Rekero Tented Camp, Masai Mara Transfer back to the airstrip today to board your charter flight to the Masai Mara for 2 nights at Rekero Tented Camp. This seasonal camp (which is set up each year from June to October and December to March) enjoys a prime site in the reserve, close to the confluence of the Mara and Talek rivers and only ten minutes from the main Wildebeest Crossings of the world renowned Great Migration (which occurs between August and October each year). The Masai Mara holds the greatest and most diverse concentration of wildlife remaining in Africa today. It is home to the Masai people and to small clans of Il Dorobo, the traditional hunter gatherers of East Africa. The camp caters for up to twelve guests in the six spacious canvas tents which are all equipped with ensuite hot showers and toilets. There is also a large dining tent. You will enjoy game viewing either on foot, guided by experienced Il Dorobo and Masai trackers, or in custom built 4WD vehicles. (B,L,D) Day 6 & 7 - Rekero Tented Camp, Masai Mara Enjoy a 4WD safari transfer to Rekero Cottages today which are situated in the Masai Mara Conservation area, at the foot of the beautiful Kipeleo hills in the Lemek Valley. The cottages are home to the Beaton family who have lived in this beautiful part of Kenya for many years. Rekero was developed by Ron Beaton and his wife Pauline over 14 years ago and the management is now in the capable hands of his son Gerard, and his wife Rainee - your hosts for the next two days. The cottages combine rustic charm with home comforts (there are three one bedroom cottages and one family cottage) - all of which have ensuite facilities. Your stay includes day and night game drives, bush walks and all meals - and you will also enjoy cultural visits to local Masai and Il Dorobo communities, with whom the Beatons have a close association. It is this interaction and mix of cultures combined with the famous warm Kenyan hospitality for which the Beatons are renowned, which makes the Rekero experience so special. (B,L,D) Day 8 - Nairobi (option 1) Transfer to the airstrip to board your scheduled flight back to Nairobi to await your overnight international flight back to the UK. (B) Day 8 - 13 - Lamu Island (option 2) Alternatively, on arrival back in Nairobi, board a scheduled Air Kenya flight to Lamu Island for 6 nights at Kipungani. (B,L,D) Day 14 Fly back to Nairobi to connect with your overnight international flight. (B,L)
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