Nairobi Serena Hotel

Nairobi: 2 Nights

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, and is the country's largest city, and is the arrival point for many visitors into the country. The main airport is Jomo Kenyatta International, located 15 km out of the centre of town, but many itineraries will also include flights into and out of Wilson Airport, located 11 km outside of the city centre, as this is the domestic hub for both scheduled and chartered domestic air traffic.

The capital city is not wholly separated from the great African wilderness that most people come to Kenya to enjoy. Just outside the city is the Nairobi National Park, 113 square km of plains, cliffs and forest. The Park is home to large herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, rhino, cheetah and a large number of lions - all living wild within 20 minutes of the busy city.

Other wildlife attractions of the city include the Elephant Orphanage, where visitors have the unique opportunity to experience the feeding of baby orphaned elephants and rhinos up close, or the Giraffe Centre where visitors can feed the resident giraffes.

You can also visit the Karen Blixen Museum, Karen Blixen's former home and which was donated by the Danish government to Kenya. Karen Blixen, also known by her pseudonym Isak Dinesen, is famous for her memoir, Out of Africa. The trained and knowledgeable guides at the museum are on hand to answer any questions on the history of the museum and on Karen Blixen's life.

Set amongst the lush-green abundance of extensive tropical gardens, looking out over the gentle green avenues of Central Park and commanding a panoramic view of the glittering towers of downtown Nairobi, the Serena Hotel enjoys one of the finest locations in the city.

The comfortable rooms are traditional in style with air conditioning and city or garden views. A range of suites are also available.

The interior decor reflects an entirely pan-African theme featuring art and inspiration from Ethiopia, the Maghreb, West Africa and East Africa. Offering a range of dining experiences, the hotel is renowned for its 'Mandhari' fine-dining restaurant, which is rated as one of the Kenya's finest. The Nairobi Serena also offers the exclusive 'Maisha' Health Club and Spa.

Samburu Intrepids Camp

Samburu Eco-System: 2 Nights

Samburu Intrepids is situated in the heart of the Samburu National Reserve on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, where crocodiles bask in the sun and herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra can occasionally come to drink.

Game drives in Samburu or the neighbouring Buffalo Springs Reserve will reveal a dramatic wilderness and guests can enjoy close encounters with wildlife including elephant, leopard and Samburu’s famous ‘Special Five’ - the rare reticulated giraffe, long-necked gerenuk antelope, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, and the majestic Beisa oryx.

The camp has a close relationship with the local Samburu community who live just outside the reserve, and it is from these villages that some 30 percent of the camp employees hail. It is also here where guests can pay an additional fee to go on an escorted nature walk with a local Samburu guide or even head off on a camel ride where you may meet a giraffe or a tiny dik-dik or have to turn back when an elephant blocks your path. But it is a wonderful opportunity to meet the Samburu villagers and immerse yourself in their culture for a few hours.

The camp itself is run on strict eco-principles, with water heating by solar power. There are 28 modern tents. all with views over the riverbanks. Each tent has a 4 poster bed, handsome mahogany closets and a writing desk, and an en-suite bathroom with steaming hot showers. The bathrooms also offer twin washbasins, flush toilets, and sockets for shavers and battery charging. For families with children wanting more space, the family tents are ideal - an ensemble of two tents with a spacious lounge and a wide deck complete with lounging chairs and tables, ideal for relaxing and private meals.

The main dining room opens onto an outdoor dining terrace, where buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served overlooking the river. Meals can also be enjoyed on your private verandah or at a specially selected 'bush site' close to the camp. The lounge and bar offers nightly talks and slide shows, and for relaxing in between game drives and activities, there is a freeform 'oasis' swimming pool and garden area.

Mara Intrepids Camp

Masai Mara: 2 Nights

Mara Intrepids is situated in one of the most spectacular locations in the world's best-known safari wilderness. The camp overlooks the Talek River and is just a short drive from the Mara River, where over a million wildebeest and zebra make their perilous migration crossing every year.

Outside of the migration period, the camp still offers some of the finest game viewing, with large local populations of plains game including, elephant, rhino, buffalo and all the big cats. Game viewing drives in open-sided safari jeeps are available daily, and as this part of the reserve receives fewer visitors than the eastern part it is possible to drive long periods without seeing another vehicle. Guests can also take advantage of other activities (at an additional cost) offered by the camp, including hot air balloon safaris, bush dining, nature walks and cultural visits to the local Maasai villages.

The camp is divided into four distinct areas, each with its own open-air dining area and ‘mess tent’ where private meals and functions can be arranged. Dinner is usually served in a large dining room under a traditional makuti thatch roof, while breakfast and lunch are hosted on a breezy terrace beside the riverfront swimming pool. Beside the main bar is a fully equipped conference room where the Maasai naturalists deliver evening slide shows on the local culture and wildlife.

Mara Intrepids has 30 luxurious tents that are widely spread across a large riverside site to ensure guests have privacy and peace. Each tent is furnished in the classic style of the grand African safaris, with large 4 poster beds and reproduction furniture and modern en-suite bathrooms. Each tent sits on a shady raised platform with sweeping views over the riverbanks where a large variety of animals come to drink.

There is also one family tent which can comfortably accommodation 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years.

The camp is run on strict eco-principles, with hot water generated by burning used coffee husks and biodegradable waste mulched for compost.

Pinewood Beach Resort & Spa

The Kenyan Coast: 4 Nights

Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa is a multi award-winning boutique hotel, located at Diani Beach, on Kenya's South Coast about 30 miles south of Mombasa.  This is where natural beauty and inspired design are merged to create the perfect romantic destination. Situated on the unspoiled shores of the wonderfully warm Indian Ocean, this intimate and stylish beach resort prides itself on exceptional personal service and attention.

The resort is set amidst heavy tropical flora and palms, which attract the endangered Colobus monkey and over 100 bird species from the surrounding forest.

The resort offers a number of restaurants and bars, and guests can also enjoy poolside dinners and beach barbecues twice a week with entertainment.

Main guest facilities include a large swimming pool with a jacuzzi, a spa, a TV lounge and library, a gift boutique, a gym, tennis and squash courts, a pool bar, beach bar and a lounge bar, and 4 restaurants/bistros.

The Watersports Centre offers a range of activities (additional cost) which include PADI scuba diving, deep sea fishing, kite surfing, snorkelling and windsurfing.

There are a variety of room categories to choose from. There are 24 Deluxe Garden Rooms are situated on the first floor and have a large balcony area and can accommote 2 adults and one child (or 3 adults).  Underneath them on the ground floor are the 12 Deluxe Garden Suites which have a large veranda and living area and can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children (or 3 adults).

The 12 Premium Garden Rooms are also on the first floor but are situated closer to the pool and beach and also hve a large balcony. These rooms can accommote 2 adults and one child (or 3 adults). Underneath them on the ground floor are the 6 Premium Garden Suites - again with sufficient space to accommodate 2 adults and 2 children (or 3 adults).

The 4 Luxury Oceanfront Rooms are on the first floor, wikth a large balcony and are nearest the ocean (and can accommodate 2 adults/one child or 3 adults). On the ground floor underneath them are the 2 Grand Oceanfront Suites - with a large veranda and living area but designed to accommodate just 2 adults only.