John Stevens has designed both of these safari itineraries combining some of his favourite wild life destinations offering an incredible diversity of areas, wildlife and cultural activities with each night spent comfortably in some of Africa's best safaris camps and lodges. 

Both safaris begin in the southern hills and plains of the Chyulus (with great views across to Kilimanjaro) then move (first option only) to the famous Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (with views of Mt Kenya ) and then further Northern Frontier Districts to Sarara (both options) in the Mathews Range arguably one of Africa's most  beautifully situated  safari camps  with  awesome views over the valley below and  up into the spectacular amphitheater of mountains beyond. Finally these safaris end with four days in the Masai Mara based at Rekero another camp perfectly situated within the central Masai Mara  not far from the Mara River.

SAFARI ITINERARY IN BRIEF

Day One 
29 December 2009
Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Nairobi Kenya
1 night Fairview Hotel (B&B)
 
 
Days Two, Three, & Four
30 & 31 December, 1 January
xScheduled flight into Chyulu Hills
3 nights Ol Donya Wuas
 
 
Days Five & Six
2 & 3 January
Private charter into Northern Frontier
2 nights Sarara Camp
 
 
Days Seven, Eight, Nine & Ten
4, 5, 6 & 7 January
Private charter to Masai Mara
4 nights Rekero Tented Camp
 
 
Day Eleven
8 January
Late departure from Masai Mara
Scheduled flight to Nairobi
Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Depart Nairobi, Kenya
 
(please find description of safari camps, lodges and areas below)
 

Safari Cost (approximate)

29 December 2009 x 8 January 2010 (dates can be changed)

10 nights / 11 days

Based on group of 6 accompanied by John Stevens

$9855.00 per person (sharing single supplement on request)

Click here for enquiries and bookings

 
SAFARI ITINERARY IN BRIEF

Day One
Monday 13 September
Arrive Nairobi Kenya
Meet up with John Stevens
Overnight Fairview Hotel (B&B)
  
Days Two - Four
Tuesday 14 x Thursday 16 September 
Private charters into the Chyulu Hills
3 nights Ol Donya Wuas Lodge
 
Days Five & Six
Friday 17 & Saturday 18 September
Private charter flights to Lewa Conservancy
2 nights Lewa Safari Camp
 
Days Seven & Eight
Sunday 19 & Monday 20 September
Private charter flights further north into the
Northern Frontier District
2 nights Sarara
  
Days Nine - Twelve
Tuesday 21 - Friday 24 September 
Private charter flight into the Masai Mara
4 nights Rekero Camp
 
Day Thirteen
Saturday 25 September
Private charter to Nairobi
Met by car and driver, transferred to
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
 
Depart Kenya
 
(please find description of safari camps, lodges and areas below)
 

Safari Cost (Approximate)

13 - 25 September 2010 (dates can be changed)

12 nights / 13 days

Based on group of 8 people accompanied by John Stevens

$11,250.00 per person (sharing - single supplement on request)

Click here for enquiries and bookings

Otherwise known as 'the country hotel in town' the Fairview is set within 5 acres of tranquil gardens. With secure surrounds, a good choice of restaurants, a fantastic book shop, business centre and reasonably priced this is a good choice for those needing to overnight in Nairobi.


Ol Donyo Wuas is one of the few, true Big 5 lodge properties in Kenya, and is set on 275 000 acres of community-owned concession. This 22-bed, eco-lodge is in the heart of the Mbirikani Maasai conservation area on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills near Amboseli National Park. Based on the foundations of the original, legendary Ol Donyo Wuas, the recently re-built lodges all have stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, efficient solar-powered lighting, and solar-heated showers in the en-suite bathrooms, and feature décor that is modern and luxurious as well as rustic and comfortable in the tradition of the great wilderness lodges.

The main lodge encompassing dining and sitting area (with library and big open fire place) is situated in the middle of the cottages with views out over the camp waterhole and across plains to Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. A swimming pool is tucked under the hill just in front of the lodge.
Ol Donya is also the permanent home to John Stevens' old friend Richard Bonham and his wife Tara and children although they are no longer involved in day to day lodge management and activities.
Gameviewing can be done in open landrovers, on horse back or on foot. The open plains, Acacia woodland and volcanic hills surrounding Ol Donya Wuas are ideal for walking. It is also possible to take cultural visits to the Maasai villages, picnic breakfasts and dinners in the bush and if arranged in advance fly camping using either vehicle or horse.

Wildlife on the concession includes the Big Five although rhino are hard to see as they live in very dense cover. Other species include Ostrich, Oryx, Gerenuk, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Thompson's and Grant's Gazelle, Reed Buck, Cheetah, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Jackal and Bat-eared fox.

Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge and the Maasai people of the Mbirikani Group Ranch are partners in the operation of the camp and subsidiary businesses. The Maasailand Preservation Trust is the lodge's link with the people of the area and the Trust maintains a series of important projects including predator conservation, education, water management, reforestation, and livestock management training. Visitors are not just tourists, but participants and contributors to the survival of the region's fauna and flora and the advancement of a noble people.

For over 20 years Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge is the Africa cognoscenti's dream destination and is tucked away in the spectacular "Green Hills of Africa", above the heat and malaria, and far away from the tourist circuit. 


Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a 45,000 - acre game sanctuary that has been credited with helping to save the black rhino and Grevy's zebra from the brink of extinction. Situated against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-covered massif of Mount Kenya and with the magnificent Northern Frontier District stretching to the north Lewa encompasses one of the greatest natural diversities in Africa - grassy plains, acacia forests, and seasonal swamps fed by the snows of Mount Kenya.

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a pioneer in wildlife preservation, which has gained a reputation for extending benefits of conservation beyond its borders. Visitors have privileged access to a scenically spectacular area, densely populated with exciting wildlife. All income generated by the camp goes directly towards Lewa's conservation and community projects.


Nestled in the northern foothills of Mount Kenya within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Lewa Safari Camp looks out across one of the lushest vistas in northern Kenya - and one of the most successful wildlife conservancies in the world.

The camp consists of twelve discreetly spaced tents with private verandahs. Bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers are en suite. Nearby is the comfortable dining area, bar and luxurious lounge with log fire. Some meals are taken at the pool house.

Days are easily filled at Lewa - day and night game drives, bush walks, educational talks on the history and day to day operation of the Conservancy, visits to a pre-historic archaeological site, and optional extras horse riding, camel riding or a visit to the Il Ngwesi Cultural Village.


Namunyak 'the place of peace' is situated in the south-east corner of he majestic Mathews Range of mountains in north central Kenya. Namunyak covers 75,000 ha. (185,300 acres), divided into two community group ranches, Sarara in the north and Sabachi in the south.

Namunyak is home to the proud Samburu people, a group of semi-nomadic pastoralists who have always shown tolerance for the wildlife that co-exist alongside their cattle. The Samburu language and culture is closely linked to that of the fabled Maasai tribe. 

In recognition of the need to preserve and protect this magnificent wilderness, its wildlife, and the culture and livelihoods of the resident Samburu people, the Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust was formed in 1995. The trust together with Hilary and Piers Bastard of Acacia Trails Ltd developed a luxury eco x tented camp at Sarara. Profits from the eco-camp help to supplement household incomes as well as supporting school fees, medical expenses and community water supply projects. In addition $55 per visitor (conservation and bed night fees) goes to the local community. This has become a very necessary income for these people during terrible drought times. Along with Hilary and Piers visitors to Sarara are hosted by the local Samburu people from Namunyak

The Namunyak area is generally warm and dry, with crystal clear starlit nights. Average rainfall is around 14 inches per annum, the majority of which falls during the months of November and April / May


The camp positioned on the side of a hill with truly magnificent views of the valley below and the spectacular Mathews Range in the distance has to be Kenya's quintessential tented camp.

Just 16 guests at a time can be accommodated at Sarara. The eight double tents dot the hillside to the side and behind the large airy thatched mess building. The tents are large and comfortable with a small dressing area attached to the back and table and easy chairs under the canvas veranda in front. A perfect place to sit quietly as dawn gently breaks over this very special corner of Africa.

Behind each tent, not more than 10 metres up a stepped stone path, is an open sided, but completely private bathroom consisting of shower, flush toilet and hand basin.
 
Meals in camp are taken in the mess in front of which is a beautiful swimming pool built into the rocks and overlooking a waterhole at the bottom of the hill which is constantly visited by wild life.

Activities include game viewing on foot and by vehicle, bush breakfasts, sundowners and dinners, a visit to Samburu a village and for the truly fit mountain walking on the Uarges and Ol Doinyo Sabachi Ololokwe. These two massifs (2000 x 8000 ft) dominate the landscape. It is possible to spend a day climbing to the top of Ololokwe with donkeys.

Certainly one of the highlights of the Namunyak area must be a visit to the famous 'Sarara Singing Wells'. Samburu warriors bring their cattle to the watering holes on a daily basis during the dry season. Some of the wells are up to 10 meters deep. The warriors strip off, descend to form a human chain and chant traditional Samburu songs as they pass water up by hand for the cattle. This mind-blowing ritual goes on for several hours a day. Visits to local villages and the singing wells are requested to not take photographs as this changes the people's lifestyle forever. The taking of photographs is prohibited at the singing wells and the nearby villages.

Butterflies, birds and wildlife living in the forest are varied and fairly unique. Elephant, buffalo, bushbuck, bush pig and Colobus monkey are common and normally easily seen.


Justifiably Kenya's most famous park and one of the world's greatest game reserves, the Masai Mara boasts 1,672 sq. km of unspoiled wilderness and holds the greatest and most diverse concentration of wildlife anywhere on the continent. Throughout the year the Mara is a place of natural drama where the 'Big Five' - elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard - roam, together with hundreds of others from the fastest animal on earth, the cheetah, to one of the most secretive, the bat-eared fox. 


Rekero is a permanent tented camp, beautifully situated almost in the centre of the Masai Mara game reserve with excellent game viewing and very little traffic around. 

The seven en suite tents are positioned along the Talek River, a small body of water which wends its way through the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Each tent is private,  tucked into the bush with views over the river and beyond. The tents are large and well appointed x comfortable full sized beds, nets, chairs, tables and wardrobe. The attached bathrooms have flush toilets and the traditional bush shower with  hot and cold water. 

The mess tent is  where everyone gathers for meals or to simply relax at any time through the day or in the evening. This enormous tented area with open sides (which can be dropped during rain or wind) is where you will find a comfortable place to sit, open bar, lots of fresh juices and cold beers, maps and other interesting reading material and a large communal dining table.

Weather permitting breakfast or lunch is sometimes taken not far from the mess tent on a small plateau close to the river.

These four nights/ five days in the Masai Mara will be spent exploring the area by vehicle stopping en route to observe the game and birds and sometimes to picnic and rest under the shade of a spreading acacia. Game viewing on foot is not allowed within the Mara proper but there are areas close by which are easily reached and where you can do this if requested.