House of Waine

Nairobi: 1 Night

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.

House of Waine is a small boutique hotel situated in Karen, a leafy and quiet suburb of Nairobi at the foot of the Ngong Hills. Just 10 km south-west of the bustling city centre a stay here is ideal for day trips to the Nairobi National Park and visits to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum. It is also very near to Wilson Airport - just a 20 minute drive.

The property was originally built in the 1970s as a private home, and was acquired by a local family and carefully refurbished without losing the charm of a family home, and blends the elegance of gracious living with the spirit of modern living. Set in 2.5 acres of serene and peaceful gardens, the spacious communal areas include a heated swimming pool, a relaxing lounge area, a bar and a dining room.

The 10 rooms and one suite are all themed and decorated differently, and boast spacious bathrooms. There is also a separate 2 bedroomed cottage situated in the gardens - an ideal option for families.

Elsa's Kopje

Meru National Park: 3 Nights

Elsa's Kopje is named after Elsa the lioness, made famous by George and Joy Adamson's biographical book and film “Born Free”. Elsa's Kopje remains one of the most elegant lodges in Africa, with one of the most spectacular settings.

Elsa's Kopje is almost invisible to the eye as you approach its home on Mughwango Hill. It blends into the rocky crags of the “kopje” (small hill), built above the site of George Adamson's original campsite.

The main guest areas consist of an open-air bar, lounge and dining room with an exceptionally inviting infinity pool overlooking the Meru plains. Little extras include afternoon tea with home-made cakes and pre-dinner canapes served in the bar.

The Park is the driest in the country and the landscape is incredible, with the Parks 13 rivers running off the mountains cutting green pathways through the dry brown valleys.

While staying at Elsa's Kopje there are a number of activities to choose from. Experience morning and evening game drives with highly trained drivers, or it is possible to take a guided walk, try your hand at fishing or visit a local village.

There are 10 en-suite cottages, each crafted around the rocks with a large bedroom, open sitting sitting room, veranda and spacious barthroom with with breathtaking views.

The 2 bedroom Family Cottage consists of a double and twin room, both en-suite, a beautiful living room, large private deck and an outside bath by the master bedroom.

For honeymooners there are 3 Honeymoon Suites overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park. Two of the suites have romantic outside baths while the third suite has three levels featuring a private sitting room, main bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a small private deck.

Elsa's Private House consists of one en-suite master bedroom with dressing room, one twin en-suite bedroom, large dining and sitting room, private garden and infinity pool.

Saruni Samburu

Samburu Eco-System: 3 Nights

Saruni Samburu is the only lodge in Kalama Conservancy, bordering Samburu National Reserve, with over 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness teeming with wildlife to explore exclusively. Guided by Samburu warriors passionate about their land and culture, you learn first-hand about their fascinating customs and gain ancient, local knowledge about the land and animals - a truly authentic safari experience.

The area around Saruni Samburu is teeming with wildlife - from the giant herds of Samburu elephant coming to drink at the waterholes, leopard making their lairs on rocky outcrops nearby, to endangered packs of African wild dog seen traversing the plains below the lodge. The area is also home to rare endemic species, the Samburu Five - Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and genenuk.

Guests can enjoy exciting, relaxing and unusal activities. Game drives and night drives, guided bush walks and visits to the local caves, lounging at the infinity pools or having a massage, picnic breakfasts by the Ewaso Niro River or bush dinners in a dry river bed with firelight and Samburu dancers, star-gazing visiting the local village or browsing around the Saruni shop…days spent at Saruni Samburu are as peaceful or adventurous as you desire.

Saruni Samburu’s 6 luxury villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kenya’s Northern Frontier District and Mount Kenya. The lodge is celebrated for its innovative, eco-chic design as well as its Italian-inspired cuisine. Guests can enjoy the vast panoramas from the dining and lounge area, the 2 infinity pools and spa. The warm hospitality makes for an intimate and exceptional experience.

Saruni Mara Camp

Masai Mara: 3 Nights

Saruni Mara is an eco-friendly, small boutique safari lodge located in the private Mara North Conservancy, which borders the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. The safari experience in the conservancy is the same as being in the Masai Mara Reserve but without the minibuses - so exactly as the first hunters and explorers discovered it.

Daily game drives, accompanied by a professional guide and tracker, depart early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the wildlife is most active. The drives explore secluded areas where no other tourists go, so the only other people that you will meet will be the Maasai, armed only with a spear and bow and arrows, who are guarding their herds of cattle. On the morning safari drive, the light is perfect for photography so make sure your camera battery is fully charged!  On the afternoon drive, just before sunset, you will stop in the bush for a sundowner and listen to the sounds of nature as you sip your drink.

On a game walk you will walk with the Maasai warriors into the African bush and learn how they use the berries and the leaves, about their traditions and their life, and about the animal tracks you come across.

The huge fireplace is the focal point of life at Saruni and it is here that guests exchange memories of their day on safari. Guests may also be treated to a mealtime in a 'secret spot', providing the thrilling experience of a gourmet meal in the middle of the bush.

The Maasai Wellbeing Space offers a range of massage and wellness treatments - a lovely way to relax in between the safari activities of the day.

The 5 cottages are each decorated to a unique theme with a luxurious, classic safari feel. From your large veranda you can enjoy views of the plains and the wildlife dotted about. The Family Villa has 2 large en-suite bedrooms, a large lounge complete with dining area and a welcoming fireplace, and a veranda.

Nyati House is a beautiful, private wilderness home, with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a lounge and dining room, kitchen and large veranda. It is booked exclusively and is located a 5 minute drive away from the main camp, in its own secluded valley. Perfect for groups or families looking for privacy and wanting to experience a safari on their own schedule, a stay here comes with your own safari vehicle and guide, and with meals served in your own dining room.