Business class Kenya wildlife safari with Governors’ Camps

Itinerary in brief:

• 1 night Nairobi
• 2 nights Lake Naivasha
• 3 nights Masai Mara
• 3 nights Lake Victoria
   

Day 1: London to Nairobi

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. This holiday includes business class flights, so you’ll have access to an airport lounge in the UK before you board. After a comfortable journey, you’ll arrive in Kenya feeling rested and excited to explore. Tonight, you’ll be staying near the airport, as your flight arrives into Nairobi arrives late in the evening.

Included: Business class international flights, transfers, 4* airport hotel

Day 2: Drive to Lake Naivasha

This morning, you’ll be met and driven through the Great Rift Valley down to Loldia House, perched on the shores of Lake Naivasha, where you’ll in for two nights. At Loldia House, you’ll get a glimpse into the life of Kenya’s early settlers. You can enjoy the gentle pace of life, walking and horse-riding amongst the herds of game that live alongside farm animals on the ranch.

Included: Transfers, Loldia House, all activities on Loldia Conservancy, all meals and non-alcoholic drinks   

Day 3: Lake Nakuru

After an early breakfast, you’ll head off to Lake Nakuru National Park, where thousands of pink flamingos flutter over that water, and the occasional white rhino roams along the shore. These magnificent rhinos have are thriving, thanks to the care of a local sanctuary. Nowadays, they coexist harmoniously with the clouds of flamingos that gorge on the algae in the lake. You also have a good chance a leopard during your morning game drive, before enjoying a delicious lunch under the acacia trees overlooking the water. You’ll drive back to Loldia House in the afternoon, where you can relax a little before dinner.

Included: Loldia House, all activities from Loldia House, all meals and non-alcoholic drinks, shared trip to Lake Nakuru               

Day 4: Fly to the Mara

This morning, you can linger over breakfast on the lawns of Loldia House before being transferred to Loldia airstrip to catch your light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. Located on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, Little Governors’ Camp, your next lodge, is accessed by a short boat ride across the river.

Included: Light aircraft flight, transfers, Little Governors’ Camp              

Days 5 and 6: Masai Mara

Little Governors’ Camp is an intimate lodge. There are only 17 tents, each with a large veranda and views of the hippos that relax in the muddy marsh.

Your itinerary here will vary depending on what interests you, but, in general, the lodges in the Governors’ Camp collection are focused on searching for wildlife. Don’t miss an early morning game drive to spot lions or leopard as they feast on a kill. Sunrise is the best time to witness this, as the big cats hunt at night, eat at dawn and leave the hyenas to finish off the leftovers.  

Mornings are great for spotting predators, but the middle of the day is excellent 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. Think single-file lines of little ostriches racing after their mothers and cheetah cubs playing in the shade.

Staying here, you may end up spending most of your day away from the lodge. Depending on how your day is planned, the camp might organise a picnic lunch for you to enjoy on the go. Otherwise, you’ll return to camp for lunch and a rest before heading out again in the afternoon.

Beyond the game drives, there are plenty of activities to fill your time at Little Governors’ Camp. Set off on a village visit to learn about Masai culture or book a hot air balloon trip to drink in gorgeous views of the herds and plains below.

If you want to relax, try a luxurious spa treatment or sit out on your deck and look out for wildlife. All the Governors’ Camps are unfenced, so you can usually see animals roaming around camp from elephants wandering through for a drink to warthogs scrabbling about in the brush.

You’ll usually end each day with sundowners on the plains of the Masai Mara before heading back to camp for a delicious dinner and a drink in front of the log fire. It’s the perfect end to a day of exploring.

Included: Little Governors’ Camp, all meals, game drives 

Day 7: Fly to Lake Victoria

Today, you can squeeze in one last sunrise game drive before returning for breakfast and your transfer to the airstrip. Around midday, you’ll take a light aircraft flight to Mfangano Island Camp, where you’ll check in for three nights. This is a luxurious hideaway where you can relax after your safari adventure in the Masai Mara.

Included: Light aircraft flight, boat transfers, Mfangano Island Camp, all meals

Days 8 and 9: Lake Victoria

This little island is an oasis of tranquillity and the perfect place to retreat after a busy few days on safari. Giant fig trees create pools of shade while flowerbeds and rock gardens surround the nine cottages that sit tucked away in the green foliage. The rooms are designed in the Luo tribal style, with banana thatch and natural clay, as well as stunning views over the lake. Each one has its own veranda, where you can sun yourself or watch the small dhow boats sail by.

Lake Victoria is a beautiful place to spot birds, whether it’s the sunbirds that flit from flower to flower or cormorants that shoot like bullets into the water to catch their lunch. If you’re feeling active, there’s plenty to do in this lakeside haven. Go fishing, walk to the nearby village, take a trip to Bird Island or visit some ancient rock art sites. Alternatively, just sit by the pool, relax, and indulge.

Included: Mfangano Island Camp, all meals

Day 10: Depart Kenya

Today, you’ll take a light aircraft back to connect with your international flight, enjoying the comforts of business class on your flight home.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international business class flight            

Day 11: Arrive UK