JO HNSTO N E SA FA R I D ESI GN E D BY JA M ES RO BE RT S O N
2 9 th
K E N YA J U LY - 1 3 t h 2 0 1 9
AU GU ST
I T I N E R A R Y
O V E R V I E W
L A R A G A I - K & D P R I VA T E C A M P - S A R A R A - S A S A A B - K I P S I N G - A M B O S E L I - WA TA M U - H O G H O U S E B O R A N A - M A A S A I M A R A - T H E A R I D N O R T H - S A M B U R U - A M B O S E L I - WA TA M U - N A I R O B I
2 9 t h - 3 1 s t J U LY 2 0 1 9 : B O R A N A
On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met and transferred onto your private charter aircraft. You will �ly north to Borana, at the foot of Mt. Kenya where you will spend three nights at Laragai House.
1st - 3rd AUGUST 2019: MAASAI MARA
Next we �ly you, again by private charter, southwest, across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara where you will stay in your own private camp surrounded by one of nature’s greatest spectacles; the wildebeest migration, for three nights.
4th & 5th AUGUST 2019: THE ARID NORTH
We then head to Kenya’s arid North to beautiful Sarara, nestled in the Mathew’s Ranges where we have booked the private Loimugi House for you for two nights.
6 t h A U G U S T 2 0 1 9 : H E L I C O P T E R S A FA R I A N D S A M B U R U
Today you will experience possibly one of the greatest adventures possible! We will bring in a helicopter and �ly you up the Great Rift Valley over lakes and volcanoes, rocky pinnacles, ancient rock art, sacred mountains ultimately reaching the Jade Sea or Lake Turkana way up on the Ethiopian border. You’ll stop along the way to explore. At the end of the day we will drop you at Sasaab perched high above the Ewaso Nyiro River for one night.
7 t h A U G U S T 2 0 1 9 : Q U A D B I K I N G A N D F LY C A M P I N G
We will use the chopper to drop you in the Kipsing lugga where you will meet quadbikes to explore the dry river beds and wilds of the arid north. You’ll come across the colourful Samburu people. You will be ultra-lightweight �ly camping that night under the stars.
8th & 9th AUGUST 2019: AMBOSELI
We will �ly by helicopter south to Amboseli at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro where you will again have your own private camp set up just for you. Here you will spend time with the Maasai and learn about their ancient way of life.
1 0 t h - 1 2 t h A U G U S T 2 0 1 9 : WA TA M U
For your last three days we �ly you to the coast to stunning Watamu where you will stay at the beautiful Ibambe House on one of East Africa’s most beautiful beaches. All the water sports will be on offer for you to enjoy with superb food too. The perfect end to your trip.
1 3 t h A U G U S T 2 0 1 9 ; N A I R O B I / T R A V E L D AY
We will �ly you back to Nairobi for your last day and welcome you to our home, Hog House. We are close to shops and recommend a visit to the Elephant Orphanage before your �light home.
R E G I O N S
J O H N S T O N E FA M I Y S A FA R I I T I N E R A R Y 2 0 1 9 This incredible 16 day safari showcases Kenya’s unparalleled abundance of wildlife, diversity of scenery and landscapes, authentic cultures and uses both private luxury camping in the traditional safari style, and beautiful lodges and bush homes.
D AY 1 - 3
BORANA
LARAGAI HOUSE
D AY 4 - 6
MAASAI MARA
Lake Logipi
D AY 7 & 8
THE ARID NORTH SARARA D AY 9
SAMBURU SASAAB D AY 1 0
KIPSING
F LY C A M P I N G
D AY 1 1 & 1 2
AMBOSELI
K & D P R I VA T E C A M P D AY 1 3 - 1 5
WA TA M U
IBAMBE HOUSE D AY 1 6
NAIROBI
HOG HOUSE
You begin at the base of Mt. Kenya at stunning Borana where Laragai House is yours exclusively. Here you’ll see all the big �ive - rhino in particular are great here.
Lake Turkana
K & D P R I VA T E C A M P
Lake Baringo
Ewaso Nyiro River
Samburu
Shaba
Lake Bogoria
Lake Victoria
Equator
Mt. Kenya
Lake Nakuru Masai Mara
Then to the Maasai Mara where the migration will be in full swing - and of course with attendant predators. You’ll be in your own private camp here.
Lake Naivasha Nairobi Tana River
Lake Magadi Amboseli
Ts a v o Watamu
Mombasa
Lamu
Next we head north to Sarara where you’ll see Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and other arid specialists like kudu and gerenuk. Superb walking here. We then take you on a breathtaking helicopter safari north to Lake Turkana over �lamingo fringed Logipi and the Suguta’s enormous dunes stopping multiple times en route to explore. You’ll end up at Sasaab that night before heading into the Kipsing lugga for an adrenaline charged day of quadbiking and �ly camping overnight with nothing but the night sky above. Amboseli is your next destination beneath Kilimanjaro’s snow capped peak where elephant’s reign - you’ll have time here with the proud Maasai and be back in your own private camp.
Finally for some relaxation on Watamu Beach where we have reserved Ibambe House just for you - all th watersports will be on offer and big-game �ishing.
K E N YA
‘ S A FA R I ’ i s t h e S w a h i l i w o r d f o r ‘ a j o u r n e y ’ a n d K e n y a e v o k e s n o s t a l g i a f o r t h e e a r l i e s t o r i g i n s
of the African safari. Romance and adventure are plentiful in the classic stories told in ‘Out of Africa’ a n d ‘ B o r n F r e e ’, i l l u s t r a t i n g K e n y a ’ s s c e n e r y, w i l d l i f e a n d p e o p l e , w h i c h h a v e e n d u r i n g a p p e a l .
Kenya is a sovereign state achieving political independence from the British in 1963. Since, anxious times have been de�ied, mainly due to its dynamic people who are amongst the most colourful in East Africa. Friendly and hospitable, the Kenyan people rely heavily on tourism.
Located on the east coast of Africa, the Equator bisects the country resulting in a tropical climate, although diverse geography provokes wide variations in temperature, rainfall and humidity. In relation to size, the assorted landscape is unparalleled and the multitude of national parks and reserves all have their own unique attractions. Marine reserves boast coral reef gardens with palm fringed beaches and turquoise oceans, while the savannah grasslands exhibit quintessential depictions of imagined Africa, harsh trackless expanses, solitary �lat - topped acacias and incredible concentrations of plains game.
Kenya remains one of the best places in Africa to see great wildlife – lions, elephants, leopards and of course the annual ‘wildebeest migration’ streaming into the Masai Mara from Tanzania. The East African Rift Valley runs through the country from top to bottom and provides stunning landscapes of giant volcanoes, hot springs and �lamingo sprinkled lakes.
Dominated by Lake Turkana, the ancient source of the Nile, the Rift Valley lakes are some of the most picturesque in Africa. The formation of the Rift created Mt Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa, some three millions years ago. “The spiritual home of safari, Kenya is where it all began. From the big cats of the Mara to the elephants of Amboseli, combined with traditional tribes, real tented camps and an unparalleled physical diversity, Kenya has it all. ”
Uganda
KENYA Lake Victoria Rwanda Burundi
Tanzania
Zanzibar
“A c o n t i n e n t i n o n e c o u n t r y ” Sandor Carter
B O R A N A
B o r a n a i s n o t j u s t a g a m e r e s e r v e , b u t a l s o a w o r k i n g c a t t l e r a n c h o n t h e e d g e o f t h e S a m a n g u a V a l l e y, with panoramic views of Mount Kenya.
Borana lies at the foot of Mount Kenya, just 26 kilometres from the equator and 6,500 feet above sea level. It is located within the vast area of the Ewaso ecosystem on the Laikipia Plateau, with a view of the peaks and the glaciers of Mount Kenya to the south, and a panorama of mountains and desert to the north. This location provides an idyllic setting for any African experience. This area is home to more than 50 indigenous tree families, and more than 300 bird species. Laikipia is an area of exceptional beauty. It enjoys some of Kenya’s most proli�ic wildlife, as well as the highest populations of endangered species in Kenya.
Borana is adjacent to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Its unique geographical location makes the 32,000 acre ranch a haven for a wide diversity of wildlife: buffalo, eland, Jackson’s hartebeest and herds of Grant’s gazelle, impala and plains zebra. Reticulated giraffe are commonly seen nibbling the acacias, while the cooler forests shelter bush buck, colobus and elephant. Olive baboons, vervet monkeys and the endangered patas monkey are also resident. Predators are also found here, but
not in large numbers.
The black rhino has roamed the earth for 5 million years, yet it is now facing the greatest threat in its history – from poaching. 2013 saw the largest decline both nationally and globally of rhino due to poaching. In response to this crisis that same year, Borana Conservancy introduced 21 black rhino to its rolling hills from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Lake Nakuru National Park. Within the grounds, anti-poaching teams and more than 100 highly trained rangers fend off commercial poachers and help maintain animal populations. The Borana Conservancy is a non-pro�it conservation organisation dedicated to the sustainable conservation of critical habitat and wildlife.
“A s t h i s i s a p r i v a t e r a n c h with plentiful game,
it offers some of the
b e s t w a l k i n g i n K e n y a .”
L A R A G A I
H O U S E
Laragai House is situated on the 32,000 acre private Borana Ranch on the Laikipia Plateau, part of the vast Ewaso ecosystem. This setting is idyllic with the snow-tipped peaks and glaciers of Mount Kenya to the south and a vista of desert and mountains to the north. This exclusive, thatched ‘home away from home’, is set on a plateau offering absolute seclusion. 27 kilometres north of the equator and 6,000 feet above sea level, this ranch land is home to 50 indigenous tree families and over 300 bird species. The house is best described as ‘African Baronial’ with a palm fringed thatched roof, and �illed with an exquisite collection of furnishings and decor from Rajasthan and London. Custom-made ebony furniture, dark-wood antiques, grand bronzes of rhino and elephant, antique swords mounted on the walls, charming family photographs, all dominated by large 19th-century gold mirrors and wildlife paintings.
The superbly thatched bungalows consist of 8 bedrooms in total, 6 ensuite double rooms and 2 twin rooms, a large lounge area, dining room, tv room, wireless internet access throughout, a fantastic sound system, a manager and a staff of 16. The extensive game room can keep the whole family entertained with table tennis, croquet and boules. There is also a clay tennis court with racquets and balls provided.
Whilst lazing beside the crystal pool, the �licking tails of the Grevy’s zebra may be observed and the elevated deck provides a dining sensation with a bird’s eye view of the Lolokwe and Wamba Mountains. The house offers further dining experiences with fresh produce and juices from the ranch, private bush picnics as well as an in�inity pool.
Game drives and guided walks offer the opportunity to view lazing lions as well as leopard, oryx and hartebeest. Known for horseback riding, Borana offers the thrill of a riding safari amongst reticulated giraffe and elephant herds. The wide variety of horses caters for every rider - an extraordinary highlight. For a truly unbeatable experience, view the African landscape from above, by chartered helicopter or �ixed wing plane.
“It is handsomely decorated in a somewhat formal style, evocative of Kenya's c o l o n i a l h i s t o r y.”
M A S A I
M A R A
Only in the Mara does the whole spectrum of life and death, birth and growth seem to be there for you, right before your eyes. Most documentary wildlife �ilmmakers choose the Mara due to the abundance and easy access to wild animals here. Almost 450,000 acres of rolling grasslands make up the Maasai Mara and its surrounding conervancies, bordered by mountains to the north and east and the Siria escarpment to the west. The permanent meandering rivers traced by deep forest snake across the savannah. The Mara’s proximity to Lake Victoria, which creates its own weather patterns, ensures that the area receives much higher rainfall than the Serengeti ecosystem. This crucial fact enables millions of animals, including gazelle, zebra and antelope, to survive through the driest time of year. An estimated one and a half million wildebeest make the annual migration up from the southern Serengeti plains into Kenya and remain here from late June into October. You will be staying in one of the quitest parts of the Mara, a conservancy. Even during migration season you can be away from the crowds. An hour can pass in nail-biting anticipation as a cheetah conducts a painstaking stalk of her prey, only to lose her meal at the last moment when the wind changes.
Watch the peculiar quality of the light, and the shadows of the clouds on the plains, the strange optical illusions of the distant herds silhouetted along the horizon. Light and shadow, rock and grassland, predators and prey, this is quintessential Africa.
Lake Turkana
Lake Victoria
MASAI MARA
Mt. Kenya N.P
Nairobi Amboseli
Serengeti N.P Ts a v o N.P
M A R A
M O B I L E
C A M P
E x p e r i e n c e t o t a l f r e e d o m i n s o m e o f t h e m o s t b r e a t h t a k i n g a r e a s t h e M a r a R e s e r v e h a s t o o f f e r, where animals stroll right past the camp and you have the privilege to set the pace
Mara Mobile Camp is located within the Masai Mara National Reserve, which lies in the northern-most sector of the 373,000 acre Mara ecosystem. The mobility of the camp provides the ultimate advantage with regards to wildlife viewing, particularly of occurrences as unpredictable as the Great Migration. This freedom allows for the locating of the ideal vantage point for witnessing over a million wildebeest, 360,000 Thomson’s gazelle and 200,000 zebra descending on the Mara plains. Situated on vast grasslands and shaded by dense bush and �lat top acacias, the tented camp is equipped with all the necessities required for a comfortable getaway with its simplicity adding to the authentic African bush experience. The wildlife is abundant and birdlife is particularly proli�ic with over 450 bird species, 57 of which are birds of prey - this area is a bird lovers’ dream. The Mara is known for its high predator populations including lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. A wide variety of other mammals may also be viewed including elephant, buffalo, hippo, topi and rhino.
of your own safari escape.
An additional pleasure of a mobile camp is the �lexible time frame in which dining, relaxing and activities may be enjoyed. The mobile camp focuses on exclusivity and privacy. Away from commonly visited areas and free from schedules, an ambience of pure enjoyment is created. A true highlight occurs after evening dining, where a crackling camp�ire and star scattered Kenyan sky keep company with the calls of hyena and grunting hippo. The format of the mobile camp also aids in the conservation of the Mara - Serengeti ecosystem, with the land being left as untouched as it was before, once the experience comes to an end.
“A s o n e o f t h e
wonders of the natural world, the Migration is a sight to behold and one
which is perfectly
catered for at the unique M a r a M o b i l e C a m p .”
K E N YA’ S
A RID
NO RT H
S a m b u r u , B u f f a l o S p r i n g s , M e r u a n d S h a b a a r e a l l w i l d l i f e r e s e r ve s w h i c h l i e i n a va s t a r e a o f o p e n , t h o r n b u s h c o u n t r y a n d d e s e r t t h a t s t r e t c h e s n o r t h f r o m M t . Ke n ya t o S u d a n a n d E t h i o p i a . I t i s t h e s t a r k c o n t r a s t between emptiness, wilderness and rising mountains that makes this area such a spectacular destination. The lifeblood of the North is the Ewaso Nyiro River and the crystal clear springs that empty into it. Its banks shaded by graceful doum palms, poplars and Acacia elatior trees, the Ewaso Nyiro attracts more and more wildlife as the dry season lengthens from June to October, although it is beautiful at any time of year.
Here you will �ind animals like the Grevy zebra, Beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the tiny dik-dik; all species of northern Kenya which have adapted to the harsh arid conditions of the Northern Frontier District. With luck you will also �ind the 'big cats' staking out the favourite drinking places of their prey along the lovely palm-fringed banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Wherever you look mountains rise out of the plains in the blue distance, the conical ash cones of the Nyambenis to the south, Lolokwe and the rugged Mathews Range in the east and to the north the granite towers of Bodich, Kamanga and Tumtu that impose above the Ewaso Nyiro.
Samburu, Pokot, Turkana, Rendille, Gabbra – these are the tribes of the north. All are proud and tough. The Samburu are related to the Masai although they live just north of the equator where the foothills of Mount Kenya merge into the northern desert and slightly south of Lake Turkana in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. The purported
bene�its of modern life are often undesirable to the Samburu. They remain much more traditional in life and attitude than their Maasai cousins. The Turkana, like the Samburu and Maasai, still maintain their undiluted traditional way of life. They are distinguished as being great survivors, living in harsh and inhospitable terrain. As with all other pastoralist tribes in Kenya, livestock, especially cattle, are at the core of Turkana culture, they live a nomadic life, always moving from one place to another depending on the availability of pasture and water for their animals. Lake Turkana
K E N YA’ S ARID NORTH Ewaso Nyiro River Equator
Lake Victoria Masai Mara
Mt. Kenya N.P Nairobi Amboseli N.P
Tana River Ts a v o N.P
S A R A R A
Within a cluster of mountains and hills known as the Mathews Range, north of the Samburu Game Reserve, the vicinity is characterised by valleys, ridges and several springs, its lush vegetation standing in contrast to the semi-arid bush in the greater area. Sarara Camp is located on the 185,300 acre Namunyak Community Group Ranch at the base of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District.
The 6 spacious tents, shaded by thorny acacias, each boast a veranda with comfortable table and chairs for savouring morning tea. Although the bathroom is separate to the tent, some facilities are still ensuite. The decor is an amalgamation of earthy simplicity and 1920’s safari Africa, embodied in the romanticised feel of the high ceilings, heavy wooden trunks and Persian carpets. Dining is �lexible and served at the whim of the guests, alfresco in a dry riverbed as a picnic or indoors amid decadent surroundings.
Sarara’s guests enjoy highly exclusive activities ranging from a private �light over the Mathews Range, a helicopter ride up Mount Kenya or a �ly camping experience with the stars as the ceiling. Bush walks and game drives offer the opportunity to view buffalo, leopard and elephant (now numbering 4000 in the Mathews Range), or
a relaxing afternoon spent in the rim �low pool frequently lends to sightings of herds which come to drink and spray themselves with water. Prey activity includes both the Greater and Lesser kudu and endemic species such as gerenuk and Reticulated giraffe.
The Singing Wells at Sarara allow guests to witness a timeless Samburu tradition. Naked warriors chant as they dig wells in the sand river passing buckets hand over hand to the surface where they �ill hand hewn troughs. They sing their stock in to drink. This intimate ritual is an absolute highlight.
“A d e e p l y p e r s o n a l a n d unique tented camp
experience, Sarara Camp displays the heart of A f r i c a .”
H E L I C O P T E R
S A F A R I S
The possibilities are endless...wilderness, wildlife and
nomadic tribal communities of the untouched north of Kenya.
MAGADO CRATER Magado is an incredible volcanic crater in which salt deposits at the base are used by local Meru and Boran tribes people. This is a wild spot where we plan to explore and picnic on one of the days.
We could spend a day and go north to Lake Turkana – the Jade Sea – far up towards the Ethiopian border – and a place where very very few people ever go…. LAKE TURKANA This lake formerly known as Lake Rudolf, is the largest of Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes, with its far northern end crossing into Ethiopia. It is the world's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake. Blue-green algae give the water a greenish tint and when you see it you will understand why it is also known as the “Jade Sea”. It is surrounded by volcanoes at its southern end, and Central Island is still active.
SUGUTA VALLEY We may �ly north over the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley and into the Suguta Valley where the river is lined with doum and barassus palms. The river snakes its way in slow meanders but is trapped by the walls of the Great Rift. Its headwaters lie south of Lake Turkana in a land dominated by sand dunes.
LOGIPI Just south of Lake Turkana and separated from it by a volcanic barrier, lies Logipi – a shallow lake which is home to many thousands of �lamingos and other water birds. This part of Kenya is incredibly remote, very few people have ever seen this lake. The helicopter allows unbeatable views of the birdlife. We do hope to maximize your safari by using the helicopter – certainly it will give you the very best view, enable us to spot game from the air, and appreciate the enormous diversity of this country – from snow capped mountains, to dusty deserts, plains covered with game and lush river valleys.
L A KE
T URKA NA
I n t h e n o r t h e r n m o s t p a r t o f t h e K e n y a n G r e a t R i f t Va l l e y i s L a k e T u r k a n a . It is widely known as the Jade Sea due to the remarkable greenish-blue colour of its waters, an ethereal mirage immerging from the sweltering arid desert surrounds. Lake Turkana is the largest alkaline desert lake in the world, 300 kilometres long and 50 kilometres wide with the main tributary, the River Omo, entering from the north and contributing more than 90% of the total water in�lux.
The lake lies at the heart of the Sibiloi National Park, established originally to protect some of the world’s most important paleontological and archaeological sites. Turkana has one of the longest living histories and is regarded by many as the birthplace of humanity; the humanoid fossils unearthed by the Leakey family in the 1960’s are around 2.5 million years old. Lake Turkana offers a cultural glimpse at colourful tribes unaffected by the 21st century, utterly reliant on the lake as the only permanent water source in the area. Sibiloi National Park has excellent game-viewing, a refuge for a number of dry country species including gerenuk, oryx, lesser kudu, Grant’s gazelle and Grevy’s zebra. Along the shorelines an abundance of topi and Burchell’s zebra entice the resident predators, including lion, cheetah, side-striped jackal, spotted hyena and the rare striped hyena. Three South Island from
volcanic islands in Lake Turkana – Island, Central Island and North – provide incredible vantage points which to experience the rich
lacustrine wildlife supported by the lake itself. Central Island, with its stunning scenery and three crater lakes, is a breeding ground for the world’s biggest population of Nile crocodiles. There is proli�ic birdlife and at certain times of the year, well over 300 species can be observed as African and Palaearctic migrants break their northward journeys. Scenic beyond belief, surrounded by cliffs, gentle beaches, desert and volcanic rock outcrops, Lake Turkana is certainly one of East Africa’s best kept secrets. LAKE TURKANA
Buffalo Springs N.P Lake Victoria Masai Mara
Shaba N.P Mt. Kenya N.P
Nairobi Amboseli N.P
Ts a v o N.P
SA M B URU
Samburu and Buffalo Springs are wildlife reserves which lie in a vast area of open,
thorn bush country and desert that stretches north from Mount Kenya to Sudan and Ethiopia. It is the stark contrast between emptiness, wilderness and rising mountains that makes the Samburu area such a spectacular destination.
The lifeblood of the North is the Ewaso Nyiro River and the crystal clear springs that empty into it. Its banks shaded by graceful doum palms, poplars and Acacia elatior trees, the Ewaso Nyiro attracts more and more wildlife as the dry season lengthens from June to October, although it is beautiful at any time of year. Here you will �ind animals like the Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, the Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and the tiny dik-dik; all species of northern Kenya which have adapted to the harsh arid conditions of the Northern Frontier District. With luck you will also �ind the 'big cats' staking out the favourite drinking places of their prey along the lovely palm-fringed banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Wherever you look mountains rise out of the plains in the blue distance, the conical ash cones of the Nyambenis to the south, Lolokwe and the rugged Mathews Range in the west and to the north the granite towers of Bodich, Kamanga and Tumtu that impose above the Ewaso Nyiro.
Lake Turkana
SAMBURU N.P
Shaba N.P Buffalo Springs
Lake Victoria Masai Mara
Mt. Kenya N.P
Nairobi Amboseli N.P
Ts a v o N.P
S A S A A B
S i t u a t e d a b o v e t h e b a n k s o f t h e E w a s o N y i r o R i v e r, i n t h e a r i d h e a r t o f S a m b u r u l a n d ,
Sasaab’s tranquil setting offers views towards the Laikipia plateau and of Mount Kenya. Located in northern Kenya, Samburu has a wild beauty of its own. The descent from the lush slopes of Mount Kenya, into the semidesert of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District, is breathtaking. Sasaab is on Samburu community land, on the Ngutuk Ongiron Group Ranch, known as the West Gate Conservancy.
The main area sits on a high rocky ridge allowing one to enjoy the spectacular views through the Moroccan interior and courtyard.
Accomodation is 9 Moroccan tents, each over 1000 square feet comprising a bedroom, sitting room and fully serviced bathrooms, and private plunge pool. 5 tents have double beds, 4 tents have twin beds. Electricity is solar powered, offering outlets for charging equipment in each tent. All tents have wireless internet connection and cooling fans.
Sasaab is where Samburu culture really comes alive. We will meet warriors, elders and youngsters all of whom love to dance. This is a wonderful opportunity for genuine interaction with an tribe of people with ancient customs and a way of life almost incomprehensible to us. Other activities include; excursions into National Reserves known for its large herds of elephant and the endangered Grevy’s zebra, day and night game drives, walks along the river, mountain biking, camel rides and cultural visits. Sasaab’s spa is a little luxury halfway through your safari. Take the ultimate time out, and head for Kenya's hottest new spa.
“From your plunge pool watch across the river HERDS of elephant c o m e t o b a t h e .”
L A T T I T U D E
A D V E N T U R E
Fo r t h o s e t h a t re q u i re a l i t t l e m o re a d re n a l i n e w i t h t h e i r h o l i d ay ! Lattitude’s unique quad expeditions follow century old elephant routes in Northern Kenya, passing through dry riverbeds, remote luggas and pristine wilderness, just begging to be explored. It doesn’t get much better than traversing the Kipsing region on quad, these all-terrain workhorses allow you to explore vast swathes of the surrounding scenery whilst satisfying your sense of adventure! Established and led by Kenyan brothers Jay and Amory McLeod, untouched and remote areas inaccessible to a larger 4×4‘s open themselves up to exploration. Guests can be �lown in by �ixed wing, dropped by helicopter, or transferred by road from a lodge in the nearby area for this 2-night expedition on quads. With a safety brie�ing complete, the morning is spent etching your way through the sand river and surrounding wilderness towards camp. Set up in the dry riverbed, the camp complete with all amenities - is comprised of raised, sheer dome tents.
Restored by an afternoon siesta, the evening brings a choice of either riding out to a hilltop for a sundowner, or setting out from camp for a tranquil evening walk.
Once back in camp, unwind with cocktails by the �ireside, and 'dining out’ takes on a whole new meaning with a 3-course meal in this remote idyll. The following day combines a visit to the local Samburu tribe and a picnic lunch out in the bush with further exploration of the area on the quads. Depending on your preference, a cultural evening of Samburu dance can be coincided with sunset and drinks, granting a mesmerising and rare glimpse of an untarnished tribal tradition.
As the day draws to a close, take in the majesty of the Kenyan night sky from your star tent.
“Lattitude Adventure
offers the perfect blend o f E X H I L A R AT I O N a n d r e l a x a t i o n .”
A M B O S E L I
Against the magni�icent backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro lies Amboseli, a national park and ecosystem. Meaning the ‘salty earth’ in the language of the Maasai, Amboseli is aptly named after the alkaline volcanic ash that spewed from the now dormant volcano Kilimanjaro. The 1.2 million acre ecosystem lies on Kenya’s boarder with Tanzania and incorporates habitats of dry lake beds, savannah grasslands, woodland and swamps fed by springs emanating from Mount Kilimanjaro.
The area is home to grassland dwellers such as buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and warthog, while the resident predators include lion, cheetah and hyena. Amboseli is also a birding hotspot, with over 600 species recorded. The principal attraction at Amboseli however, is the large herds of free roaming elephants made famous by Dr. Joyce Poole who, through the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, put these intelligent giants on the map. Her long running large mammal research project in Africa combines 30 years of uninterrupted study and chronicles Amboseli’s elephant herds, from new born calves to 60 year old matriarchs and old bulls that carry some of the longest tusks in Africa. Contiguous with Amboseli National Park is the Kitirua Wildlife Conservancy, a partnership between a local Maasai community and the private sector.
Designed to protect wildlife, this private and exclusive conservancy enables both day and night drives, walking and an unparalleled opportunity to meet members of the Maasai community in a welcoming and culturally sensitive manner.
This is a quintessential African landscape of elephants and traditional tribes with the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds behind. Lake Turkana
Lake Victoria
Mt. Kenya N.P
Masai Mara
Nairobi
AMBOSELI N.P
Kilimanjaro N.P
Ts a v o N.P
A M B O S E L I
M O B I L E
C A M P
The raw beauty of this diverse landscape and astounding ecosystem complete with the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, is unsurpassed.
Amboseli Mobile is located on a 30,000 acre private conservancy belonging to the Kisongo Maasai people. Lying in the Amboseli area and adjacent to the National Park, the mobile camp has undisturbed views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Amboseli eco- system comprises open grasslands, woodlands and swamps, which are watered by mountain springs.
The purpose of Amboseli Mobile is to forge a temporary, yet ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area. The tented camp is equipped with all the necessities required for a unique getaway, its simplicity adding to the experience. The presence of the mobile camp supports the conservancy, the local community and the conservation of the Amboseli ecosystem. When the camp leaves, it leaves nothing behind, the land being left to the wildlife and their Maasai custodians. Being a mobile camp, all activities, be that on safari or choosing when to eat, are completely �lexible. Generally the day revolves around an early m o r n i n g g a m e d r ive , fo l l o we d by a l a te morning drive after breakfast. There is a healthy population of lion in the area with
the chance of spotting cheetah, as well as good numbers of general game.
It is also possible to walk, and a late afternoon stroll as the sun sets across the plains towards Kilimanjaro is spectacular. Another unique opportunity is to be able to spend time with the Kitirua community and learn about their rich culture. Ker & Downey has nurtured a relationship over 30 years with the Kisongo Maasai, as a result, respect and trust have developed for one another making trips to the local school and homesteads possible. One of the highlights of the Amboseli Mobile however, is the opportunity to view large herds of magni�icent elephant, many of the bulls still carrying some of the longest tusks on the African continent.
“A m b o s e l i M o b i l e C a m p
is a natural gateway to the w i l d A f r i c a n b u s h .”
M A A S A I
T h e M a a s a i t r i b e s p e o p l e o f s o u t h e r n K e n y a a n d n o r t h e r n Ta n z a n i a
are a Nilotic ethnic group who arrived in this area about 300 years ago from the North. They are among the best known, and most distinctive tribes living in the semi arid lands along and beside the Great Rift Valley and close to many well known national parks and reserves. Their cousins North of the Equator are the Samburu, with whom they share many customs. The Maasai occupy a total land area of 39.5 million acres and number around 1.5million. They are semi-nomadic herding cattle over large areas of communally owned land. Their family encampments are comprised of a circular boma (fence) of Acacia to protect livestock from predators. Inside the boma they build small loafshaped houses made of mud, sticks, grass and cow dung. The women are responsible for building houses, supplying water, collecting �irewood, milking cattle and cooking. The young men or warriors (Moran) enforce security while boys are responsible for herding livestock. The elders are directors and advisors of day-to-day activities and make decisions for the whole community. On the western boundary of National Park lies Kitirua – concession shared between Downey and the local Kisongo
Amboseli a private Ker and clan. We
have nurtured a relationship over 35 years such that we are welcomed into their homes to learn something of their traditional way of life. By the same token we welcome them into camp thereby creating a unique opportunity for guests to interact. K&D sponsors two local schools in the area. The Ngararambuni Nursery school is on the edge of Kitirua Conservancy and caters to children between 4 & 10 years old. It is still set up underneath a large spreading Acacia tortilis and has three dedicated Maasai teachers. We helped to set this little school up in 2003, before this the children would have to walk 7km through an area rich in big game to get to school.
Whilst in Amboseli we encourage as much interaction with local people as possible. Even though we do not share a language it is extraordinary to watch our children play with theirs as the common language of fun transgresses these boundaries. Learning to throw spears and how to use bows and arrows, digging for water, and donning traditional garb are all a part of being with these colourful, friendly, fun and fascinating people.
IBAMBE, WATAMU
DAY 1 We’ve picked a killer private villa for you in Watamu, smack on one of the top 10 beaches in the world. WaTamu, in Swahili meaning ‘place of sweet people,’ is made up of unspoiled white beaches where tropical forests meet beautiful blue lagoons and amazing coral fringes the coastline. Days here can be spent relaxing, enjoying long walks along the beach, snorkeling, kaying, SUPing, diving or learning how to kitesurf. DAY 2 The day will be spent exploring Watamu and doing any of the activities on offer. Take a ‘Oloat’ through the gentle current of mangroves of Mida Creek, or get a soccer game going in the sand. Visit the Watamu Turtle Watch project, learn about their endless efforts to save the turtles and even let the kids tag and release some little guys back into the ocean. In the afternoon, you’ll head out on traditional dhow for sunset cocktails – the kids can Oish for dinner. DAY 3 A full or half days deep sea Oishing is possible for those that wish. Head out at sunrise, surrounded by whales and dolphin, and try your luck at catching some of Kenya’s big Oish. DAY 4 Enjoy a relaxed morning and a last swim in the sea before catching a Olight back to Nairobi for your international Olight home.
I B A M B E
H O U S E
Nestled among tropical coastal indigenous forest, Ibambe has idyllic beachfront views through a palm tree grove, gently sloping away from the house to the warm Indian Ocean beyond.
A brand-new beach house completed in late 2016, Ibambe is imaginatively designed, beautifully built and furnished and expertly managed. Ibambe sits in a quiet, elevated and secluded position with direct private access to Turtle Bay – the quietest and most exclusive of Watamu’s 3 beaches. While the house is peaceful and self-contained, all the attractions of Watamu are nearby. This elegant, 5 bedroom villa is spacious and luxurious with the perfect mix of Swahili design and modern furnishings, with an eclectic mix of in�luences from around the world with all the comforts of a home. On offer will be an impressive variety of dishes, prepared with only the �inest and freshest ingredients. The fresh �ish and seafood offerings are unparalleled and only purchased from sustainable sources using traditional �ishing methods.
Beyond the fresh-water swimming pool a private path slopes gently down through indigenous forest and palm groves to the beach. Unspoilt and spectacular, it is regularly voted one of the very best in Kenya. In Kiswahili ‘Ibambe’ means to keep enjoying life and having fun – a very appropriate name for this lovely, bright and very happy holiday home.
“This stunning little escape boasts powder white beaches bordering the crystal clear coral waters of the protected W a t a m u M a r i n e P a r k .”
W A T A M U Situated on the North Coast of Kenya, approximately 100 kilometres north of Mombasa, this stunning little escape boasts powder white beaches bordering the crystal clear coral waters o f t h e p ro t e c t e d Wa t a m u M a r i n e Pa r k . Watamu is an old �ishing village that has developed into a holiday destination and is voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The shoreline features white sand beaches and offshore coral formations arranged in different bays and beaches. Watamu is a protected Marine National Park, and is considered one of the best snorkelling and diving areas on the coast of East Africa. The calm Mida Creek is a wonderful place to take a sunset cruise on a traditional dhow, stand up paddle board or any kind of watersport. Fishing is another major attraction, whether it being deep sea or in the shallows. Stretching along the back of Watamu is the intriguing Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve. The cool of the forest winding paths will take you in search of rare endemic butte�lies, birds as well as visit elephants and other wildlife at the waterhole. The forest holds another secret, the lost town of Gedi, a deserted trading Swahili-Arab town hidden deep in the forests, whose crumbling passages and walls tell of a long and mysterious past. Watamu is well known for its turtle rehabilation center, where turtles found by local �isherman, sometimes trapped in nets, washed up or sick, are taken and treated until they are healthy enough to return to the sea. Visiting the Rehabilitation Centre
is a fantastic way to see these magni�icent creatures, and you may be lucky enough to watch dozens of baby sea turtles emerge from their nest and make their way to the shore. Walk through the forest, explore the mangroves by boat, dive on the reef or try your hand at big game �ishing. At the North coast you have all these choices and more, with the space and freedom to relax, unwind, and soak up the atmosphere.
Lake Turkana
Lake Victoria Masai Mara
Mt. Kenya N.P
Nairobi Amboseli N.P
Ts a v o N.P
WATAMU Mombasa
G A M E - F I S H I N G Some of the most exhilarating and challenging game �ishing is available in the blue waters of W a t a m u , w a t e r s s t e e p e d i n t r a d e r o u t e h i s t o r y.
The offshore banks of Watamu and Malindi
For calm-water a�icionados, we also offer
are some of the best big game �ishing areas
light line �ishing for snapper, jack, giant
in the world, home to legendary schools of
trevally and the other large species that
yellow�in
breed in the bountiful tidal creeks of Mida
tuna,
marlin
and
broadbill
sword�ish. Anglers often catch the elusive
and Kili�i.
'Grand' or 'Fantasy Slams'. Thanks in part to the mountainous oceanic terrain, high
Beginners are taught the fundamentals of
concentrations of bait and predator �ish are
�ishing in the Indian Ocean and the trips are
easily located away from its shore.
especially enjoyable for children.
Bill�ish �ishing is now almost 100% ‘tag and release’ in Kenya, and Africa Born is a strict supporter of this conservation initiative. Kenya’s seas are �ishable from July through to late April, with the main bill�ish season running from January to late March.
“Traditionally when the KASKAZI MONSOON BLOWS, the bill�ish arrive
Africa Born’s principal guides are both quali�ied skippers and will personally host game �ishing expeditions for up to 6 guests on
our
powerboat.
comfortable,
fully
equipped
i n g r e a t n u m b e r s .”
H O G
H O U S E
Hidden in the 130 acre Giraffe Sanctuary in Langata, Hog House is a private home with incredible views across to the Ngong Hills. Serene and peaceful you would hardly believe you are in one of Africa’s largest capital cities.
Located close to both Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and Wilson Airport, this unusual family home is an ideal place to begin or end your safari. Its rustic décor and the fact that it is surrounded by wildlife will help to ease you in, and out, of your time here on safari. The straw bale construction uses plantation cedar and fallen African olive and blends with the wooded sanctuary perfectly. The house itself comprises 2 double bedrooms and a triple, all ensuite. There are a further 2 cottages outside in the garden for larger groups. Hog House is only available for exclusive use. The large open plan sitting/dining is cosy with a warm �ireplace and lots of seating for all to congregate. Daytime meals we normally take outside in the shade of the Euclea trees in the garden, and a beautiful horizon pool beckons on hot afternoons. Walking in the sanctuary is the perfect way to loosen up stiff joints from long intercontinental �lights and you have
every chance of seeing Rothschild’s giraffe, warthog, dik dik, bushbuck, suni and Syke’s monkeys. Birds of every colour throng around the bird table and hyrax will doubtless entertain you at night! The Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Karen Blixen Museum, and many craft centres are all within a stone’s throw of Hog House.
“It is a privilege to stay in this unusual and
beautiful home within the G I R A F F E S A N C T U A R Y,
so close and convenient to all the classic
Nairobi attractions, and yet quietly tucked away in your o w n h a v e n o f s e r e n i t y.”
E L E P H A N T
O R P H A N A G E
Daphne Sheldrick was the �irst person in the entire world to successfully hand rear newborn fully
milk dependent African elephant orphans, something that spanned 28 years of trial and error to achieve. Located on the edge of Nairobi National Park, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is home to some 20+ baby elephants. Ranging in age from a few weeks to several years, a visit here is a must for any animal lover.
To date, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully hand-raised over 200 infant elephants, and 17 black rhinos. It has also accomplished its long-term conservation priority by effectively reintegrating over 100 orphans back into the wild herds of Tsavo. These hand-reared elephants are fully established and living free amongst their wild peers in Tsavo, some returning with wild born young to show their erstwhile human family. The older orphans are based within Tsavo East National Park at either of 2 established rehabilitation centres for the gradual process of the re-integration, with others in early infancy are at the Trust’s Nairobi National Park Elephant and Rhino Nursery.
The Trust has trained a team of competent elephant keepers who replace the orphans’ lost elephant family until such time as
the transition to the wild herds has been accomplished, something that can take up to
10 years, since elephant calves duplicate
their human counterparts in terms of development
through
age
progression.
Those that were orphaned too young to recall
their
dependent
elephant
longer,
but
family
all
the
remain
Trust’s
orphans eventually take their rightful place amongst their wild counterparts, including those orphaned on the day they were born.
“The world’s most emotionally h u m a n l a n d m a m m a l .”
Daphne Sheldrick
J A M E S
R O B E R T S O N
T h i r t y - � i v e y e a r s a f t e r l e a d i n g h i s � i r s t e x p e d i t i o n , J a m e s i s c h a i r m a n o f t h e b o a r d a t K e r & D o w n e y, and an in�luential leader of the new movement in community-led conservation.
Like the safari industry itself, James Robertson was born and raised in Kenya, where his appetite for adventure has earned him a reputation as one of the modern pioneers of the global safari business.
James’ dependability for never following the same itinerary twice, and for continually searching out new experiences for his clients, has won him admirers across the industry, as well as an army of repeat guests (including two families who have each travelled with him 26 times!). Among his long-standing Kenyan crew, he’s known as “Ndorobo” after the fabled hunter-gathers of northern Kenya – a tribe renowned for their resourceful bushcraft, and their complete absence of fear for wild animals. Although James’ �irst love and main base is Kenya, he is an “all-Africa guide” and just as likely to be found travelling through the game-rich parks, reserves and conservancies of eastern and southern Africa. In recent years, he has been supporting a number of Maasai and Samburu communities that have turned part of their grazing lands over to conservation – giving guests a chance to see some rarer wildlife species, and to experience an absolutely authentic immersion in two of the world’s oldest tribal cultures. In 2001, James was a founder of The Mara Conservancy, a ground-breaking and widely-admired partnership between conservationists and the county government, which established a new public-private template to protect the critical wildlife dispersal areas north of the Maasai Mara Reserve. He sits on the board of the (removed the MMWCT) Kenya Wildlife Trust , and his unrivalled contacts enable his guests to meet some of the leading conservationists and wildlife researchers in the world.
Having been raised on the edge of Kenya's largest National Park, Tsavo is close to James’ heart. His most recent focus is on protecting the last remaining Great Tuskers of which there are around 10 bulls each carrying in excess of 100lbs of ivory per side. He is working closely with the Tsavo Trust to protect these valuable elephants.
James and Abigail live within a wildlife sanctuary on the outskirts of Nairobi, where they host most of their guests personally. They work together as much as possible out on safari where their shared passions are apparent to anyone travelling with them.
TEL: +254 (0)720 911 143
EMAIL: INFO@JAMESROBERTSON.CO.KE S K Y P E : J RS A FA R I S
W W W. K E R D O W N E Y S A FA R I S . C O M