Beach safari honeymoon: luxury Kenya and Mauritius

Itinerary in brief:

• 1 night Nairobi
• 2 nights Meru National Park
• 2 nights Loisaba Conservancy
• 2 nights Masai Mara
• 3 nights Le Morne
• 2 nights Bois Cheri
• 4 nights Belle Mare

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight

Day 2: Arrive Nairobi

On arrival in Nairobi, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel, where you’ll check in for one night. You can rest today but if you want to explore, we can always arrange a tour of the city for you – just ask.

Included: Transfers, 5* hotel

Day 3: Fly to Meru National Park

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll be driven to Wilson’s Airport, the gateway of flying safaris in Kenya. From here you’ll fly north to Meru National Park, located in the region of Mount Kenya. You’ll be met and taken to your lodge, where lunch will be served. This afternoon you could enjoy an indulgent massage or head out on a game drive – whatever you fancy to start your safari honeymoon in style.

Unashamedly romantic, Elsa’s Kopje is sculpted into Mughwango Hill, above the site of George Adamson’s original camp where he raised and released orphan lions, long before conservation became fashionable.

Included: Elsa’s Kopje, all meals, bush activities, drinks (excluding premium drinks), charter flight, transfers

Day 4: Meru National Park

The rugged and remote Meru National Park was rescued from oblivion thanks to Elsa’s Kopje, an environmental award-winning, boutique lodge. Your best chance of spotting game is early in the morning or late afternoon, so rise early and head off into the wilderness. Look out for elephants emerging in the dawn light and bush pigs trotting across the savannah with their piglets following single file. After a morning filled with excitement, return to the lodge to relax and to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. In the afternoon, you’ll explore more of Meru National Park – watch for cheetahs keeping cool in the shade of the baobab trees and follow gentle giraffes as they trek slowly under the shadow of Mount Kenya. Finish your day with a cold sundowner served overlooking the park, before returning to the lodge in time for dinner.

Included: Elsa’s Kopje, all meals, bush activities, drinks (excluding premium drinks)

Day 5: Fly to Loisaba

After breakfast, enjoy a nature walk near the lodge, looking for some smaller creatures like red headed lizards and shimmering dung beetles, taking in the views from up the hill which forms the Kopje (a small rocky outcrop) that Elsa's is built on. After lunch, you’ll board take a 40-minute flight to the Loisaba Conservancy in northern Laikipia. The team from Loisaba Tented Camp will warmly welcome you and take you on a game drive on route to the camp. Look out for ostriches and kudu as you drive, before arriving in time for drinks and sumptuous dinner under the stars.

With a breath-taking view looking out towards Mount Kenya, Loisaba Tented Camp is perched high on the edge of an escarpment. A waterhole below attracts lots of wildlife – you’ll spend the next couple of days enjoying these views from the comfort of your veranda.

Included: Loisaba Tented Camp, all meals, bush activities, drinks (excluding premium drinks), charter flight, transfers

Day 6: Loisaba

The best way to view the stunning diversity of Loisaba is on foot. Accompanied on your early morning walking safari by a traditional Samburu guide, you’ll learn about the local flora and fauna. Their knowledge of the culture and history of this region is unmatched and a walk with your guide is a fascinating way to spend the morning.  Head back to camp for late breakfast, you’ll be hungry! Take a swim or relax whilst enjoying the views before going on a game drive after lunch. If you’re lucky you might just spot the elusive wild dogs that roam Loisaba or spot the rare Grevy’s zebra grazing in the grasslands.

If you’d prefer to try something new, why not go fishing in the river or visit the resident anti-poaching team to learn about their work and meet their four sniffer dogs. Watch the sun set over the savannah and enjoy a sundowner, whilst your chef prepares mouth-watering snacks on the barbecue.

Tonight, you’ll spend the night at the Loisaba Starbeds, handcrafted four-poster beds that are rolled out onto wooden platforms so that you can sleep under the stars. 

Included: Loisaba Tented Camp, all meals, bush activities, drinks (excluding premium drinks)

Day 7: Fly to the Masai Mara National Park

After your night under the stars, you’ll head out another game drive, or, if you are feeling really adventurous you could explore Loisaba on camel back! A delicious cooked breakfast will be waiting for you when you return to camp. After this, you’ll take your charter flight to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Park. Enjoy a game drive to the remote Sand River Camp where you’ll arrive in time for sundowner drinks and dinner. 

Included: Sand River Camp, all meals, bush activities, drinks (excluding premium drinks), charter flight, transfers

Day 8: Masai Mara National Park

Enjoy an early breakfast, followed by a full day of game viewing in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Mornings are great for spotting predators, but the middle of the day is great for seeing classic safari wildlife. Watch zebras braying to each other, giraffes munching lazily on acacia trees and wildebeest grazing the grasses. From the banks of the Mara River, you can spot hippos in a mud bath to keep the sun off their skin, while crocodiles lurk in the water nearby, waiting for antelope to come to the edge for a drink. Depending on the time of year that you visit Kenya, you may see lots of babies. Watch little ostriches racing single file after their mothers and cheetah cubs playing in the shade. Dig into a tasty picnic lunch while out and about before stopping at an authentic Masai Village to learn about the culture of this colourful tribe.

Included: Sand River Camp, all meals, bush activities, drinks (excluding premium drinks)

Day 9: Fly to Mauritius

Take one last game drive this morning, keeping your eyes peeled for any animals you might have missed during your week of safari. After breakfast, you’ll catch your final charter flight back to Nairobi where you’ll be taken back to international airport for your flight to Mauritius. On arrival, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel in Le Morne, on the south-west coast of this beautiful island. Check into your hotel for three nights, and…. Relax!       

Included: Breakfast, morning game drive, charter flight, international flight, transfers, 5* hotel

Days 10 and 11: Le Morne

Tucked away at the foot of rugged, majestic Le Morne, this is the perfect spot for some R&R after your busy safari in Kenya. LUX Le Morne has the most dramatic of backdrops but still enjoys a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere - and it’s only a few steps from bed to relaxing under a palm tree by the sea. Looking west, you’ll enjoy some of the best sunsets on the island, as well as being perfectly placed to explore further should you wish. Nearby you’ll find the lush landscapes of Black River Gorges National Park, as well as plenty of hikes and cycle routes. However, our favourite way to while away the hours is to just sit back, order a martini and relax.

Included: 5* hotel, breakfast                     

Day 12: Travel to the Tea Hills

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred from Le Morne onto the plateau. Soon you’ll arrive at your next adventure – the Bubble Lodge. Nestled amongst the endemic trees of Domaine of Bois Chéri, the most famous Tea Estate of Mauritius, it a wonderful place to visit on your honeymoon. This evening you’ll enjoy dinner at the estate’s restaurant, with panoramic views over the tea fields and lake. 

Included: Bubble Lodge Bois Cheri, breakfast, dinner, transfers

Day 13: Tea Hills and Bubble Lodge

Your time at the Bubble Lodge will allow you to really get in touch with nature. You’ll be staying the beautiful individual bubble rooms, where you can read and enjoy each others company, before heading out to explore the tea plantation. Take a pedal boat across the lake or kayak through the green water, take a walk to meet the resident black swans and ducks or if you want to explore further, we can organise a tour of a local Rhumerie (we’ll organise your transport so you don’t have to worry about enjoying a glass or two of delicious rum!)      

Included: Bubble Lodge Bois Cheri, breakfast, dinner

Day 14: Travel to Belle Mare

Today you’ll head back to the beach – you’ll be spending your final four nights at the beautiful LUX Belle Mare. It’s a dreamy spot – white sands, swaying palm trees and wonderful rooms that have a relaxed beach chic feel.

Included: LUX Belle Mare, breakfast, transfers                  

Days 15 to 17: Belle Mare

Spend your days here at leisure: drinking local rum cocktails, walking hand in hand down the beach or enjoying a romantic couple’s massage. Indulge in street food-inspired fine dining and modern Indian cuisine at the first-class restaurant, before sharing a sundae at the ice cream parlour. Belle Mare is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and the perfect place to finish your beach safari honeymoon in luxury.

Included: LUX Belle Mare, breakfast                      

Day 18: Depart Mauritius

This morning you’ll be taken back to the airport for your international flight home.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 19: Arrive UK