E UARFORPI C EA
Kenya Wildlife Safari 9 days from $8,950
Venture to deluxe camps in two of Kenya’s top wilderness areas—the Masai Mara and Meru National Park—for an intimate safari experience away from the crowds. WHERE TO STAY Macushla House A charming, owner-run Nairobi guesthouse with just six individually decorated guest rooms, a veranda, and an attractive swimming pool. Elsa’s Kopje An elegant hilltop safari camp with 10 cottages and an inviting pool set within 215,000 acres of wilderness in Meru National Park. Hemingways Ol Seki Mara Camp A stunning tented camp in the heart of the Naboisho Conservancy on the northeast edge of the Masai Mara, featuring 10 safari tents with private decks.
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HIGHLIGHTS �
Encounter an astonishing array of species at two of Kenya’s top national parks.
• Stay in deluxe safari camps and explore on guided game drives, night safaris, and bush walks. • Visit the renowned Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Nairobi Giraffe Centre. • Travel by light aircraft, enjoying aerial views of the bush and avoiding lengthy drives. The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you. Day 1 – Nairobi, Kenya On arrival into Nairobi, a driver will be waiting to take you to the charming Macushla House. Enjoy the rest of the day to relax and stroll the quiet grounds, home to many species of birds. Day 2 – Nairobi This morning, visit the nearby Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, run by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which has been rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants since 1977. Get a close-up view of this endangered species as you meet caregivers and watch them feed and interact with young elephants. Then head to the Nairobi Giraffe Center and the Karen Blixen Museum, the setting for the celebrated author’s book, Out of Africa. Day 3 – Meru National Park Fly by light aircraft flight to Meru National Park.
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Your home here is a cottage at Elsa’s Kopje, built into a hillside overlooking the site where Joy and George Adamson rescued lion cubs in the 1950s—a story made famous by the book and movie Born Free. Set out on your first safari after lunch, encountering a wide range of creatures with your seasoned guide. Days 4 & 5 – Meru National Park During two days in this beautiful wilderness area, set out on game drives and guided walks, watching for the “Big Five” and much more, including unusual species such as Grevy’s zebras and reticulated giraffes. Learn about rhino conservation efforts in this area. Days 6–9 – Masai Mara National Reserve Return to Nairobi by light aircraft and fly on to the sweeping landscapes of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Transfer to your intimate tented camp, set within the private Mara Naboisho Conservancy adjacent to the Masai Mara. Spend two full days discovering the wildlife of this legendary park with knowledgeable guides on private game drives, guided walks, and elegant meals in the bush. The Masai Mara is big cat country, so keep your eyes peeled for lions, cheetahs, and elusive leopards. Over the summer months, it also hosts the legendary wildebeest migration, where well over a million wildebeests and zebras tramp through the savanna, on the search for green pastures. During your free time, relax at the pool or read a book in the library, or pay a visit to a nearby Maasai village to learn about this ancient pastoralist culture. Return to Nairobi by light aircraft the final day.
