A ranger tracking rhino with modern tech

Rhino Tracking in Africa: Saruni Rhino

Nestled among the swaying doum palms of Samburu in northern Kenya, Saruni Rhino offers one-of-a-kind rhino tracking safaris. This is the first community-owned and community-run Rhino Sanctuary in Sera Community Conservancy, after an absence of a quarter of a century, marking a historical achievement for conservation and tourism in Kenya. It is unique not only for the unforgettable, raw beauty of its habitat but also because, as the name says, it is the gateway to an extraordinary place: the rhino sanctuary where black rhinos have been successfully re-introduced and are guarded by the community. The camp offers several diverse experiences. One is the first on-foot black rhino tracking experience in East Africa. This incredible walking safari provides a thrilling adventure and the opportunity for guests to actively contribute to the protection of this iconic species. The rhinos are located in a 350 000-hectare wilderness region known as the Sera Community Conservancy, which is the first community conservancy in Africa to own and operate a sanctuary for black rhinos – providing state-of-the-art protection, allowing the species to roam its natural habitat in northern Kenya for the first time in decades. Guided by highly trained rangers, you can get very close to these giant browsing mammals. After locating a rhino in your vehicle, you will disembark and approach on foot, advancing very close but never giving away your presence. Although rhinos’ eyesight is very poor, their hearing is exceptional and your guide will ensure that the animal is never frightened by your presence. Accommodation Options for this Safari Saruni Rhino is a 4-banda camp. A banda is a rustic stone cottage with a thatched roof and canvas zip-down windows and doors. All bandas have flushing loos, hot & cold water and natural stone showers. The bandas are situated along a dry river bed lined with beautiful doum palms in a way that ensures maximum privacy for guests but is intimate enough for group bookings on an exclusive basis. Make a Positive Impact Through Travel Saruni believes in the ethical creation of wealth. This is the way forward for Africa, and for conservation: the protection of wildlife and nature based on the distribution of income and jobs to its stakeholders. This is why they are proud to be among the founding members of Mara North Conservancy (MNC) and to be part of Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) – two leading community-run conservation organizations in Kenya, which demonstrate the vital connection between communities, conservation and wildlife, a relationship fueled by tourism.

Camel Safari in Lewa

Camel Safari Across the Wilderness of Kenya

One of the most refreshing and fun-filled safari experiences is exploring Kenya’s wilderness on a camel safari. Be adventurous and do as the Samburu do; ride a camel through the African wilderness. A fun-filled alternative to the traditional game viewing experience, a camelback safari allows guests to get up close with plains games such as zebra, giraffe, and ostrich. This activity can be tailored to your preferences and combined with some of our exciting wildlife safari packages. A Camel Safari is a Unique Safari experience with the Samburu people in one of the most untouched destinations in Kenya. A camel safari is the ideal means of travelling through northern Kenya. The experience is unmatched, and you get to have an authentic trip accompanied by Samburu people, learning their ways and culture. One of the most refreshing and fun-filled safari experiences is exploring Kenya’s wilderness on a camel safari. Escape the constraints of a vehicle and lose yourself in the wilds where the camel train is the only traffic for miles.  Walk out into the bush, with Samburu tribesmen and camels carrying the camp, or ride them through the dry riverbeds of Northern Kenya – you will walk or ride through some of the most remote and scenically beautiful lands in Northern Kenya. Northern Kenya consists largely of very dry land, which camels thrive in. This is a peaceful journey through a spiritual and historical wilderness. Camelback safaris take place in northern Kenya’s Laikipia county. This mode of transport was (and still is) used by the Arab traders and has filtered down to northern Kenya’s Samburu and Turkana tribes. These gentle creatures have a soft nature as they quietly stroll through the arid landscape. Just like horseback riding, the wildlife is not disturbed on a camel safari. It’s a great way to get closer to the animals. There are a few lodges and camps that offer camelback safaris, and they are traditionally found close to the northern frontier in Kenya’s Samburu country Need help planning your next Kenyan Safari? We will help get you the best safari experience, void of traffic and overcrowding associated with other regions. Let us help you plan.

lion smeared with blood

Kenyan Wildlife Adventure

Venture into the heart of Kenya’s wilderness with an 8-day wildlife adventure through the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the legendary Masai Mara. Enjoy an up-close and personal encounter with the world-renowned Great Migration and relish the chance to meet some of Africa’s most endangered animals. Both Ol Pejeta Bush Camp and Rekero Camp offer incredible game-viewing opportunities as well as the chance to sit back, relax, and allow yourself to become one with the rhythm of Africa’s wild heart.

Ol Tukai Lodge

With spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the golden plains, Ol Tukai Lodge is a charming, contemporary retreat situated within the pristine Amboseli National Park. Imbued with a quintessential African atmosphere and set amidst beautifully manicured lawns, the lodge’s luxury chalets offer uninterrupted views of the tranquil wilderness of the park or the snow-capped mountain in the distance. Beautifully appointed and inviting, the chalets boast private terraces where guests can make the most of their spectacular surroundings. History of the Lodge Ol Tukai Lodge shares the rich cultural history of Amboseli involving The Maasai Community, The Colonial Government and The Early European explorers. The culmination of all these defines the hospitality offering of authentic African Safari experience and culture. The lodge opened its doors in 1996, on the original setup for the film crew who shot Snow at Kilimanjaro in 1948 starring Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward and Ava Gardner – an adaptation of The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories, a compendium of short stories authored by Ernest Hemingway that was published in 1961. Rooms at Ol Tukai Lodge Beaming with cultural vibrance depicted in decor and design, the lodge boasts 80 chalet-style rooms all offering views of Kili and an impressive public area that flows from reception to restaurant to the stunning grounds. The beautifully appointed rooms provide comfort and a calming effect of home. The African artefacts and the wildlife decor have been painstakingly handcrafted with great attention to detail. Delicious meals are served al fresco on the main veranda, where guests have the opportunity to spot game just metres away, while the stylish Elephant Bar offers a variety of refreshing cocktails. In between game drives, guests can relax in a comfortable sitting room and play board games or browse through the wildlife library or art gallery. A range of rejuvenating treatments is available in the beauty spa

Tortilis Camp

The charming Tortilis Camp is situated on a sprawling private concession, accessed from within the renowned Amboseli National Park. The safari camp is named after the natural forest of flat-topped acacia tortilis thorn trees that give it shade. The trees dominate the area and this luxury safari camp clusters around a gentle rise overlooking lightly wooded plains. When the skies over Kilimanjaro are clear, there are fantastic views of the mountain from the lounge and dining area. The camp is located in the 120-square-kilometre Kitirua Conservancy, which is exclusive to guests of Tortilis. Accommodation at Tortilis Camp Guests can expect elegant accommodation and endless views stretching to the majestic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru in Tanzania. The camp’s beautifully appointed tents are spacious, with comfortable beds, lovely ensuite bathrooms and a private veranda. Guests travelling with children can make use of the Family Tent and small groups can enjoy the comforts of the Private House. The tents are all spacious, with king or twin beds and elegant en suite bathrooms. There is a main lounge, bar and dining area, all exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs. The Private House and Family Tent are located slightly separate from the main camp, upon the hill where they share a pool. All accommodation options at Tortilis have exceptional mountain views.

tawi lodge

Tawi Lodge

The picturesque Tawi Lodge lies on a beautiful private concession at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, only ten minutes away from the gate to Amboseli National Park. The style of the lodge is a harmonious combination of modern style to give you comfort and traditional style to remind you that you are in Africa. Tawi Lodge’s stylish and very welcoming central areas are based around a large, thatched, two-storey building where the reception, lounge, bar, dining area and gift shop are located. Stairs lead upstairs to a viewing deck with comfy sofas and a small library. Accommodation at Tawi Lodge The main building sits in verdant gardens and ponds, overflowing with local plants and trees – a proper oasis in this relatively dry region, and a big attraction for bird and insect life which is ever-present in the grounds. Across the well-kept lawn is a swimming pool, with a smaller kiddies’ pool beside it. On a clear day, you will get uninterrupted views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro – the amount of snow varying with recent rainfall in the area. Tawi is an eco-friendly lodge with 13 cottages ideally located on bushland facing the highest mountain in Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro. Each cottage has its wooden deck veranda and a fabulous view of the highest mountain in Africa, ensuite bathrooms fitted with bathtubs and a hot and cold modern shower. Food and Drinks at Tawi Lodge Delicious meals are enjoyed in the main guest area, with menus created from the freshest ingredients (locally sourced where possible) and served to a symphony of African sounds. The bar and dining area is the central point of Tawi Lodge. From there, under the shade of enormous trees, you have an extensive view of Kilimanjaro and the wetlands where the animals come to drink and play. It is such a fantastic experience to enjoy your favourite drink while witnessing the life of the big elephants playing in the mud just a few meters in front of you. Before and after dinner, relax by the campfire, or at our very special bush bar, and listen to the magical sounds of the African bush- all this under the spectacular African sky where the stars seem brighter than anywhere else.

kichwa tembo

andBeyond Kichwa Tembo

Located within a private concession, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp features stunning views of the Masai Mara and an abundance of iconic wildlife, all while offering a contemporary safari experience. One of Kenya’s best-loved safari lodges, the camp offers magical views over the vast Mara plains and the Sabaringo River. Sprawled along the Saparingo River on the edge of the Oloololo escarpment, where riverine forest meets the sweeping plains in the seasonal path of the awe-inspiring Great Migration, the camp provides an authentic dose of African wildlife, delivered with legendary Kenyan hospitality. Experience excellent Big 5 game viewing in the famous Masai Mara National Reserve while staying at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp. Staying at Kichwa Tembo At first glance, Kichwa Tembo feels more like a hotel you might find in Palm Springs than a safari lodge, with its sexy lounge area, open-air restaurant, and luxurious swimming pool—save for the warthogs that roam the property and expansive views of the Mara plains. With its rim-flow pool, open-air restaurant and inviting lounge area, the &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp offers guests just the right combination of sophistication and style. Each of the camp’s spacious safari tents looks out upon endless Mara plains or emerald riverine forest lining the Saparingo River. With timeless interiors that are simple yet sophisticated and stylish, the Camp enhances guests’ sense of privacy and enjoyment. 12 Classic tents, 20 Superior tents, and eight Superior View tents are laid out on immaculate grounds, with leisurely groups of warthogs feeding right outside the tent doors. Maasai-inspired interiors firmly entrench &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp as the unrivalled luxury tented camp of its size in the greater Mara. Activities Night safaris, off-road driving, bush walks and more. These are just a few of the exciting safari adventures you can embark upon during your stay. The camp is well known for employing female Masai safari driver guides. Two daily game drives are included in the price of your stay. For a more hands-on safari, you can choose to go on walking tours in the bush. Skilled Maasai guides will teach you how to track animals by identifying paw prints and movements in foliage. Some activities such as a hot air balloon safari, bush walks, a community visit to a Masai manyatta and horseback riding safaris are available at a surcharge. Food Experience Revel in the wide open landscapes of Africa as you savour a meal served just like African explorers of old would have enjoyed. They say that everything tastes better in the open air and this is even more true when you are enjoying your meal in the middle of an African bush. Enjoy a bush dining experience with open-air breakfast on the banks of the Mara River or while looking out over a scenic view from the Oloololo Escarpment or choose to dine beneath open skies with dinner served by candlelight in a quiet corner of the campgrounds, followed by some fireside singing and dancing or even a traditional band. Your every whim is taken care of and your table set up in the wilds of Africa will make for an unforgettable dining experience. Cast your eyes to the skies for the fluttering of colourful wings or the glint of myriad stars. Survey the scenery and tune in to an assortment of bird calls, rustles, and other background noises typical of the African bush. Enjoy the ultimate dining adventure during an extraordinary natural setting that has become your dining room. Location of Kichwa Tembo Air Kenya and Safari Link operate two scheduled flights a day from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Kichwa Tembo’s private airstrip; the flights take approximately an hour. Mombasa Air operates daily flights from Mombasa; the flights take approximately two hours. The flight is followed by a 30-minute drive to the camp, with game viewing en route.

Mara Bushtops

Perched on a hillside with scenic views over a valley and the Siana Hills, Mara Bushtops Camp offers luxurious tented accommodation amid 60,000ha of the Mara Siana Wildlife Conservancy, directly bordering the Masai Mara. The remarkable location of this camp allows you to venture into the heart of the Masai Mara on unforgettable game drives with a trained guide and tracker. Alongside the Masai, access to the Conservancy is exclusive to Bushtops guests, who benefit from private night and off-road game drives, walking safaris direct from the Camp, sundowners, sunrises on the Sekenani hill and visits to the nearby Kakiya cave. Accommodation at Mara Bushtops Mara Bushtops has been designed to blend into its surroundings, minimizing visual and environmental impact, whilst providing every comfort to guests. Twelve spacious and fabulously appointed luxury tents can be found by following private paths from a shared space to secluded havens of privacy and calm. Every fixture, fit, texture, surface, material and ornament has been chosen carefully by talented architects and designers. Each luxury tent opens on three sides to create a unique view of distant plains and the Siana hills, with nothing to spoil perfect panoramic views. Every tent at Mara Bushtops is bounded by a private wooden deck of more than a hundred square meters; this provides ample room to wander at leisure, sink into a deck lounger, soak in your private hot tub or use the telescope provided to spot distant wildlife. The Leopard Suite is a family tent, with two double bedrooms linked by a sumptuous lounge of its own. We are always happy to add extra beds to our tents, to squeeze in a small adventurer or two (we welcome guests from 7 years of age). Getting around Mara Bushtops At the heart of the camp are our reception, lounge and dining areas, incorporating a fine wine cellar, a bar and a library. A deck and infinity pool provide additional space to wind down, read, chat or snooze. Settle into a chair on our wooden decking, then gaze across the Conservancy to the distant hills, with nothing to disturb your view or peace of mind. No Safari camp is complete without its water hole – but few include a salt lick. The restaurant at Mara Bushtops overlooks this natural gathering point for local wildlife. This makes the adjacent campfire an enticing place for a sundowner, or final drink after dinner. One of the crowning glories of Mara Bushtops is the Amani Spa, where you can enjoy anything from a massage to a facial, hydrotherapy session to skin treatments, fitness workout to a sauna, Jacuzzi to a swim. Our cool outdoor infinity pool complements the spa heated pool – bringing you closer to nature. This is the perfect spot for a refreshing splash followed by sundried relaxation, perhaps with a chilled drink for company. Mara Bushtops Activities Ride in the tracks of the big five on an unforgettable game drive into the heart of the Masai Mara. Travelling in one of our specially converted 4x4s, you’ll be in the very best seats for game viewing, while our highly qualified driver-guides will make sure you get some rare glimpses of wildlife that you’ll never forget. You can set off at sunrise for a half or full-day drive, or, because they’re situated on a vast private ranch, you can venture out after dark for a high-adrenalin nocturnal safari. One of the many advantages of being located in own private lands is being able to run walking safaris directly from the camp. All you need is good walking shoes and a sense of adventure. A qualified, armed ranger, naturalist and Masai spotter lead the way, bringing you to within a safe distance of impala herds, zebra and sometimes giraffes. En route, they explain the tracks, markings, droppings and plant life which create the tableaux around you, with insights into how nature’s bounty provides food, medicine and resources for tribal life. Be sure to include a visit to the Kakiya Cave, accompanied by a local Masai who will share the cave’s history and significance to the local community – an unforgettable & unique experience. A walking safari and bush breakfast are always fascinating, but you may prefer a break from the wildlife. A tour of a local school provides an education (we are never too old to learn), whilst visiting a traditional Masai village showcases just how different yet similar we all are. Children can part-take in the Bushcraft Challenge, or give you a tour into how the camp runs sustainably and efficiently. And of course, when the activity gets too much, it’s time to relax in the Spa, in your tent, or the shared spaces.

jw marriott

JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

Perched high above the astoundingly game-rich plain of Maasai Mara, Angama Mara offers an unending procession of views and carefully curated safari delights

Angama Mara

Angama Mara

Perched high above the astoundingly game-rich plain of Maasai Mara, Angama Mara offers an unending procession of views and carefully curated safari delights

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