The Classic Safari – 2022

Optimal Dates: June 15 – October 15 & December 15 – March 15

Special Features of Your Safari

Kiota Safari House on El Karama – Your Private Paradise

Experience African wildlife the way it was 50 years ago – with no one else around. With Kiota Safari House as your base, explore El Karama Conservancy in search of the big cats. Old Africa in privacy.

Lewa Downs Conservancy – Rhino +Human Origins Site

Considered by many to be the finest private wildlife lodge in Africa, Lewa Wilderness Trails is our base for horseback rides, night drives, superb wildlife viewing, and an important stone-tool site. Swimming pool. Tennis

Masai Mara – the Greatest Wildlife on the Planet

Explore the Masai Mara while enjoying our classic tented safari camp in the heart of the Masai Mara. Walk with armed Rangers and Maasai warriors across the African plains. Drive our vintage Land Rover Series 1 and kids can take driving lessons in our 4×4 Safari Cars. Options to visit a Maasai village and “Maasai Olympics” – spear-throwing, bow & arrow shooting, and dancing competitions.

Itinerary Overview

The Classic Safari – 2022

Optimal Dates: June 15 – October 15 & December 15 – March 15

Day 01

Arrive Nairobi Airport. VIP Meet & Assist.
Private transfer. Overnight Tamarind Tree Hotel (b&b).

Day 02

Nairobi Tours of Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Center.
Overnight Tamarind Tree Hotel (b&b).

Day 03

Drive to El Karama Ranch.
Kiota Safari House (fb).

Day 04

Explore El Karama Conservancy. Kiota Safari House (fb).

Day 05

Drive to Lewa Conservancy.
Wilderness Trails Lodge (fb).

Day 06

Explore Lewa Conservancy.
Wilderness Trails Lodge (fb).

Day 07

SafariLink flight (10:00-11:00 am) to Masai Mara.
Don Young Camp with Don Young as host (fb).

Day 08

Masai Mara, Don Young Camp with Don Young as host (fb).

Day 09

Masai Mara, Don Young Camp with Don Young as host (fb).

Day 10

Masai Mara, Don Young Camp with Don Young as host.

Day 11

SafariLink flight (11:00-12:15 pm) to Nairobi.
Dayroom Tamarind Tree Hotel. Evening departure.
VIP Assistance through Departures.

Hemingways Hotel, Nairobi’s 5 Star hotel. Your home base in Nairobi.

Daily Itinerary

19 December 2021 – 01 January 2022

Day 01

Arrive Nairobi Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. VIP Meet & Greet. Private transfer to the Tamarind Tree Hotel (b&b).

All of our guests agree the Tamarind Tree Hotel is good value as a comfortable home-base in Nairobi; in a good location close to interesting venues such as the Giraffe Center and David Sheldrick’s Animal Orphanage, and it is in easy access to Wilson Airport.

Day 02

On your second day in Nairobi, you will have a private car & driver for visits to Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center, etc. The orphanage does a commendable job taking care of orphaned baby elephants. Also, the Giraffe Centre is a giraffe sanctuary where you will see the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Overnight Tamarind Tree Hotel (b&b).

Days 03, 04

Private road transfer will take you to El Karama Wildlife Conservancy, which is a private wildlife sanctuary encompassing 15,000 acres and home to some of the world’s rarest and most beautiful wildlife. Amid the gorgeous landscape of El Karama roam highly endangered species such as Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe, Jackson’s hartebeest, gerenuk antelope and Laikipia oryx. Also thriving here are the predators: lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena, as well as elephants and some of the most massive Cape buffalo in Kenya, as well as the prey species such as Grant’s gazelle, Thompson gazelle, impala, dik-dik, Steinbuck and warthogs.

Perched above the tree-lined valley of the Uaso Nyiro River – with magnificent views all the way to Mt. Kenya, is Kiota Safari House, your private home in Paradise. We love Kiota Safari House and El Karama Conservancy for many reasons, but primarily because this is private land and the only tourists allowed within the 15,000 acres are guests of Kiota Safari House and the small El Karama Lodge. Even if both Kiota Safari House and the lodge are full we make sure we never see each other unless it is deliberately coordinated for us to say hi and exchange news. One of the most pleasurable things in Africa is to experience living in a beautiful private house in the midst of a private wildlife sanctuary – and that is exactly what Kiota Safari House offers!

Kiota Safari House has 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Each of the guest rooms is unique, with wonderful views of the river valley below or the spectacular gardens surrounding the house. Kiota Safari House’s modern conveniences include your laundry expertly done every day, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV and DVD player. Please visit our web site www.kiotahouse.com and our Facebook page Kiota Safari House to see recent pictures and read more information.

Kiota Safari House was originally built as the ultimate dream home by an architect and his landscape artist wife, but when health concerns forced them to move back to Europe, they begged Don Young to care for their beloved home and gardens. Don and his wife Celestina have now restored the house and gardens and decorated the rooms with Don’s own art collection and furniture designs.

What makes Kiota Safari House truly outstanding is our amazing hospitality team headed by Manager/Chef John Mutungi. Recent guests who had previously been on many safaris using the top lodges and safari operators, commented that our food and service (in both Kiota Safari House and our camp in Masai Mara) was the best they had experienced in Africa. Overnights Kiota Safari House (Full Board).

Days 05, 06

Today you will have a road transfer to Lewa Downs Ranch. This is a leisurely 2-hour drive included in your program to specifically feature the magnificent landscapes and fascinating farms and commerce along the route from Nanyuki town to the incomparable Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Lewa Downs is a 45,000 acre private game ranch owned by the Craig family, and located approximately 30 miles north of the equator. Touring the ranch by vehicle, on horseback, or on foot, you will be able to see Grevy’s and Plains zebra, Reticulated giraffe, impala, eland, hartebeest, gerenuk and oryx. Other attractions at Lewa Downs are its extensive gardens and orchards providing ‘farm-to-fork’ menus, and the opportunity for a night drive to see such nocturnal creatures as bush-babies and bat-eared foxes.

The Craig’s and their staff will prepare extraordinary food fresh from the ranch’s own dairy, gardens and orchards. Meals are served in the main house or on picnics out in the bush. The rustic guest cottages are constructed of thatch and volcanic rock. An outdoor sitting area is cantilevered over the gorge and has views down to the river below. Meals are served in the outdoor dining terrace reached by a natural stone stairway through rock gardens. Three open stone arches frame views down a steep gorge and up to the volcanic rock on the next hill. Lanterns light the way for dinner, which is accented by wine and candlelight.

Although most activities at Lewa Downs center around the wildlife and scenery, our guests also enjoy the gym and spa, and the infinity pool which overlooks the river valley where one can often see waterbuck, warthog, Greater kudu and an occasional leopard. The ranch horses are well trained and sedate — even novice riders can enjoy the proximity to wild animals which riding allows.

Lewa Downs is also the protected home of both the narrow-lipped (“Black”) and the wide-lipped (“White”) rhino. Beginning in 1985 the Craig family and Mrs. Anna Merz established the Ngare Sergoi rhino sanctuary, 40,000 acres surrounded by electric fence and guarded by a team of devoted trackers. Overnights Lewa Wilderness Trails Lodge (Full Board).

Day 07, 08, 09,10

Today you will be transferred for the SafariLink flight to the Masai Mara. You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to Don Young Camp for a 4-night stay with Don Young hosting. Kenya’s Masai Mara offers the best wildlife viewing on the planet and the Don Young Camp is the best location in the Masai Mara to enjoy fabulous wildlife and stunning scenery.

On drives with Don and his superb Head Guide, Peter Munoru, you can expect to see lions, cheetah, leopard, hyena, jackal, giraffe, buffalo, elephants, zebra, Thomson gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, impala, wildebeest, Coke’s hartebeest, topi, warthog, ostrich, Secretary bird, Crested crane, Lilac-breasted roller and many other beautiful creatures.

Being in the heart of the Mara means you are already in the middle of all the action and this which allows you plenty of time to enjoy the rhythm of the African day. We give you time to savor every moment as you unobtrusively follow lion prides on the hunt, elephants marching across the savannah and cheetah stalking their next kill.

You also have the option to enjoy afternoon nature-walks escorted by an armed ranger and our own team of Maasai warriors in traditional dress. We also offer you a self-drive excursion (with your Maasai assistant) in Don’s vintage Series 1 Land Rover. On your final day we will take you on a tour of Oleigero High School with a performance by the choir as well as a tour of Ntesekera Village.

The Don Young Camp lets you enjoy the heart of wild Africa in the style of travellers in the Edwardian Era: a time that celebrated superb attention to detail, understated luxury, and Romance as a destination. Each of our roomy vintage-style tents is insect-proof, and have large windows hung with heavy curtains easily opened to enjoy the pure air of Africa, or closed for complete privacy. A curtained doorway leads from your sleeping area to a well-lighted dressing room, furnished with washbasin and chair, mirrors, and a vintage steamer trunk wardrobe for your clothes. Two adjoining curtained compartments contain an old-fashioned bucket shower in one section, and a modern flush loo in the other.

Our specialty is bringing all the personal touches of a fine hotel to the heart of wild Africa. While staying true to our origins as a classic East African camp, we provide the superb service of a fine boutique hotel: your laundry done every day by your personal valet, your shoes brushed and cleaned every night, your private tent cleaned and beds made every morning while you are out on your game drives, and many spontaneous kindnesses. Our guests often comment that getting to know our friendly and professional camp team was one of the unexpected pleasures of their safari. And yes, we have Wi-Fi.

Don Young is the owner of Africa’s original luxury safari company: Newland, Tarlton & Co., founded in Nairobi in 1904. N&T created the concept of professionally organized tented safaris, led by the finest guides and the best camp crew. Their clients included US President Theodore Roosevelt, the Duke of Connaught, the Marquis of Waterford, Carl Akeley of the Explorer’s Club, and many others. N&T’s prestige and passion for excellence re-defined the Swahili word SAFARI and made it synonymous with stylish luxury and romantic adventure.

Newland & Tarlton invented the concept of ‘safari’ as we know it today and under Don Young’s leadership, the modern Newland, Tarlton & Co. are still the masters of the quintessential East African camping experience — blending an unrivalled intimacy with nature, with superb hospitality, good wines and great food. Overnight at Don Young Camp, (Full Board & Bar).

Day 11

After an early breakfast in camp and a fond farewell to your amazing Don Young Camp crew, you will fly back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport where you will be met and transferred to day rooms at the Tamarind Tree Hotel. We have included a private transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as well as VIP escort through Health, Check-In and Immigration to make sure your departure is relaxed, smooth, and enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming you again on safari!

INCLUDED:

Accommodations and meals as specified in the itinerary

VIP Airport Meet & Greet with an escort through Immigration

Airport Arrival and Departure transfers

Game drives on safari using 4 x 4 vehicles and superb guides

Donald Young as host in Masai Mara Camp

Park viewing fees and camping fees

Soft drinks, juices, beers, house wine & cocktails in camps

Flying Doctor membership

Internal flights Lewa-Mara-Nairobi

NOT INCLUDED:

International airfare

Cost of obtaining a passport or visa & any excess baggage charges

Meals, wine, liquor at the Nairobi hotels
Gratuities to lodge and camp staff and guides

Gratuities to gorilla porters, rangers and guards (Don Young to advise)

Travel Health insurance, and any items not specified under inclusions

Trip Cancellation Insurance is highly recommended

U.S. CURRENCY:

U.S. currency in African countries must be pristine and issued 2016 or later.

PASSPORTS & VISAS REQUIREMENTS:

It is easy to get a Kenya visa on arrival at the Nairobi airport. It only takes US$50 (subject to change) per person cash. We will send you the simple Kenya Tourist Visa Application form, which you can fill out & take with you. No pictures required. At the airport it is generally faster to take your filled-out a visa application form and go through the line to get the new visa, than it is to go through the Immigration line with all the people who already have their visas.

LUGGAGE LIMITS:

Luggage limits are only relevant for your first flight from Nairobi; the other flights from bush airfields are not weighed. Because we are sending our safari vehicles for re-supply in Mara, it is easy for us to carry any excess baggage for you directly to camp. However, here are the formal limitations for Kenya in-country flights: Soft-sided is 20 lbs. maximum per person, plus camera equipment and/or carry- on for a total weight limit of 33 lbs. per person. It is our experience that 20 lbs is adequate for a 9-10 day safari. Since luggage is only weighed as you leave Nairobi (not from Lewa or Mara), we can send part of your luggage with our vehicles. The airlines request you use soft-sided luggage such as duffel bags. Extra luggage can be left in storage with us at our Nairobi office.

MALARIA /YELLOW FEVER:

We recommend Malarone as the best malaria suppressant available in the United States but we recommend that you consult with your doctor for the appropriate doses. We highly recommend that you only take anti- malaria medicine in the evening after a full meal. Although Malarone is said to have less side-effects than previous malaria medicines, people are still known to experience sun sensitivity, nausea and fever, especially after the first few doses. It is wise for any traveler to be up-to-date on tetanus, polio, etc.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We require you to make arrangements that you and your property are fully insured for the duration of your trip and also for travel in light aircraft. Make sure to check with your health insurer that any injury sustained or medications required are covered by your health insurance.

TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE

We highly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance in the unforeseen event of postponement or cancellation. Please check with your credit card company as many premium companies now include this feature as part of the benefits.

LIABILITY

Although every possible care is taken to safe guard you and your property, we accept no liability for any accidents, injuries or illness to clients incurred from any aspect of our safari, or for any loss or damage to clients’ property during safari. All participants in our safaris will be asked to sign a legally-binding waiver before they join the safari.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

If notice of cancellation is received at least 120 days prior to safari starting date, the full deposit less $2,000 per person handling fee is refunded.
If such notice is received between 60 and 120 days prior to safari starting date, the full deposit is forfeited. If such notice is received between 30-60 days prior to safari starting date, 50% of the full safari cost is forfeited. The full safari cost is forfeited if such notice is received less than 30 days prior to safari starting date.