Governors Grand Safari,Kenya

Welcome to Kenya. Upon arrival in Nairobi, a local representative will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your comfortable hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax ahead of your safari adventure. Overnight at Fairmont The Norfolk.

After breakfast, start your adventure with a 2-hour 4×4 drive to the north-western shores of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. Your base for the next two nights is Loldia House, an original farmhouse on a private 6,500-acre farm. It is perfectly placed to explore the surrounding lakes and mountains, as well as the varied wildlife that reside here. Guests can enjoy a boat ride on a nearby lake, a vehicle tour of the ranch, or even a night drive with the chance of spotting leopard out hunting. Returning to the house you may well hear hippos grazing on the lawn. Overnight at Loldia House.

Today we recommend a visit to nearby Lake Nakuru National Park, a full-day excursion that’s included in your stay at Loldia House. Lake Nakuru is famous for its rich birdlife, with over 400 species including pink flamingos. The surrounding national park is home to lion, leopard, buffalo, zebra, impala and endangered black rhino. It’s a fantastic place for a game drive. Returning to the farmhouse, there’s time to relax in the beautiful infinity pool or indulge in a massage or treatment at the poolside spa room. Overnight at Loldia House.

Enjoy a colourful and scenic drive for 3.5-hours to the Laikipia Plateau, in the shadow of Mount Kenya in the north of the country. A 20-minute game drive leads to Governors’ Mugie House, your base for the next 3 nights. This beautiful stone property lies within the private 40,000-acre Mugie Conservancy, home to rich wildlife and endangered species. You’re even likely to see herds of elephants drinking at the waterhole close to the main house itself. Wildlife viewing is private and exclusive here, with only four safari vehicles heading out each day. Depending on your preference, you can join two or three games drives per day. Overnight at Governors’ Mugie House.

Accompanied by an expert local guide, today you’ll enjoy game drives into the conservancy in search of leopard, cheetah and vast herds of elephants. There is rarer wildlife to be found too, like the Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe and Jackson’s hartebeest. Between game drives there’s time to relax at the house, take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool and enjoy the superb restaurant meals that are included in your stay. Overnight at Governors’ Mugie House.

After breakfast, enjoy further wildlife viewing in the conservancy. During your time here there’s also the opportunity to learn more about the local culture and ecosystem of this incredible region. You can track lions with rangers, or head out with the bloodhounds and handlers that form the anti-poaching unit. You’ll also see the conservancy’s animal research programme in action and learn about the innovative approach to community grazing and livestock trading. Overnight at Governors’ Mugie House.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic flight by light aircraft to Musiara airstrip, followed by a 15-minute game drive to Governors’ Camp. Your home for the next 3 nights will be a classic safari tent at this exclusive camp, set on the banks of the Mara River in a wildlife-rich corner of the Maasai Mara Reserve. The camp is unfenced so grazing animals often pass through. Your plans for the following days are incredibly flexible with two or three games drives per day, depending on your preference. You’ll be allocated an expert driver/guide who you’ll get to know well during your stay. They will know the very best places to spot wildlife and even know all the local lions by name. Overnight at Governors’ Camp.

The Maasai Mara is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the world and today you’ll begin to discover it. The region is deservedly famous for its big cats but is also a fantastic place to experience other wildlife including elephants, giraffe, zebra, antelope, impala, hyenas and warthogs. Visit during the dry season between June and October and you’ll witness The Great Migration, when over two million wildebeest thunder across the plains in search of lush grasslands. The Community & Conservation programme is also highly recommended during your time here. Visiting local Maasai villages, known as Manyattas, you’ll experience the traditional way of life of the Maasai. Between game drives you can relax at the camp and enjoy excellent meals in the dining tent, or al fresco. Overnight at Governors’ Camp.

During your stay at Governors’ there’s the opportunity to take a thrilling hot-air balloon safari to gain a whole new perspective of the Maasai Mara. Wake early and watch as the balloon is prepared, then take flight and drift upwards as the sun rises. The bright pink-orange haze is visible for miles across the vast savannah, as wildlife roam below. The memorable flight is followed by an impressive Champagne breakfast that will be set up as your balloon comes into land. This is our most popular optional experience in Kenya. The rest of the day is spent on further game drives into the heart of this wildlife-rich reserve with your expert driver/guide. Overnight at Governors’ Camp.

After breakfast, fly back to Nairobi. Alternatively, if you’re travelling on to Kenya’s coast, you can fly directly from the Mara to Mombasa in the afternoon.