Big Cat Safari

Nairobi (1nt) – Laikipia (3nts) – Masai Mara (4nts)

Follow in Jonathan Scott and Simon King’s footsteps as you track the Marsh Pride in the Masai Mara. After 12 years of broadcasting Big Cat Diaries, this year the show has gone live, 24 hours a day, following the fortune of Kenya’s predators and prey. Let us design an adventure of your own through some of Kenya’s finest wildlife reserves, our expert guides and in-depth knowledge of the country will ensure a journey of a lifetime.

Day 1 - London/Nairobi

Fly from London-Heathrow with British Airways to Nairobi. On arrival transfer to the House of Waine, your home for the night. This lovely property has just eleven en suite rooms, each elegantly decorated and surrounded by over two acres of gardens affording a tranquil and relaxing stay.

Day 2 - Nairobi/Laikipia

Depart Nairobi and fly to Laikipia where you will spend three nights at Borana. Located at the foothills of Mount Kenya, this exclusive home is a working ranch and private game reserve where enviromental and ecological considerations are paramount. Borana is also active in the community in the form of development partnerships, mobile health clinics and the ranch’s education trust. Activities here include game drives, camel riding, horse safaris and walking with the Maasai.

Days 3 to 4 - Laikipia

Enjoy two full days at Borana with both day and night game drives as well as a host of other activities such as a visit to the high altitude rose farm, the organic essential oil distillery, spending time on the ranch with its 2000 head of cattle or exploring the area on foot, horse or mountain bike.

Day 5 - Laikipia / Masai Mara

After breakfast transfer to the airstrip for your flight to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. On the drive to Olonana you should encounter plenty of game. Olonana will be your home for the following three nights. Upon arrival and orientation, there will be plenty of time for an afternoon game drive. Olonana is a stunning property set on the banks of the Mara River with twelve bush pavilions built on platforms with private viewing decks overlooking the river. Luxuriously appointed, pavilions feature two queen sized beds, en suite facilities and locally made furniture.

Days 6 to 8 - Masai Mara

Your personal steward will start your day early but gently, with a cup of tea or coffee. Each day's schedule is up to you: drive into the game reserve with a picnic lunch, or make the most of Olonana's position in a Conservation Area by setting out on foot, accompanied by a skilled ranger and an armed guide. The area's Maasai are partners in Olonana so you are sure of a welcome if you choose to visit the local manyatta to learn more about their pastoral way of life. Every night has a dinner party atmosphere where drinks are served on the long sundeck overlooking the hippo-filled river followed by guests and guides dining together in a warm and convivial atmosphere.

Day 9 - Masai Mara/Nairobi

A final early start allows time for one last morning game drive before driving to the airstrip for the scheduled flight back to Nairobi. There will be time for dinner in Nairobi before the late-night flight back to London.

Day 10 - Nairobi/London

Arrive back into London-Heathrow early morning the following day. Kenya Coast Extension

An extension to the Kenya coast is the perfect addition to any Kenyan safari. Fly directly from the Masai Mara to Mombasa before taking your light aircraft transfer to Funzi Keys. Three nights or more may be spent relaxing on the beach or beside the pool. Turn to pages 158 - 159 for our preferred hotels on the coast.