We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.
The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.
Important travel information for visitors to Kenya is included at the back of this document.
All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.
All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.
Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1483 266725, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Travel Butlers Team
Holiday Title: Honeymoon Romance in Kenya
Holiday Destination: Holiday to Kenya for 10 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
All monies paid by UK customers for the air package holiday shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 10245.
When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.
Arrive into Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
You will be met once you disembark from the plane and assisted through Immigration (including help if required with visa application and processing), luggage collection and Customs (luggage screening), then accompanied to meet up with your driver/Customer Services representative.
You will be transferred to Wilson Airport where you will check in for your morning flight to the Masai Mara.
Safarilink 01 (Light Aircraft): Fly from Wilson Airport (WIL) departing at 10:00 to Masai Mara, arriving at 11:00
You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to your safari camp. Nestled at the heart of a private conservancy, Olare Mara Kempinski Masai Mara promises a luxurious stay whilst delivering a classic under-canvas safari experience. Activities during your stay here include campfire cocktails, sundowners on the plains, game drives and guided walks on the conservancy, as well as cultural interactions.
Masai Mara
After breakfast you will be transferred back to the airstrip where you will board your flight back to Nairobi.
Safarilink 002 (Light Aircraft): Fly from Masai Mara Airstrip departing at 11:00 to Wilson Airport (WIL), arriving at 12:20
You will be assisted with the check in for your onward flight to the coast.
Safarilink 055 (Light Aircraft): Fly from Wilson Airport (WIL) departing at 14:00 to Vipingo Airport, arriving at 15:45
You will be met and transferred to your 5* beach resort.
Welcome to Hemingways Watamu - a private paradise on the Kenyan coast offering exceptional personal service. The hotel is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and offers 39 beautifully appointed rooms with delightful views of the Indian Ocean.
The Kenyan Coast
You will need to check out of your room this morning but you can remain at the hotel and use all the facilities until you are collected for your transfer back to the airport. Alternatively, if you have an evening flight, the hotel may be able to arrange a late check out for you (additional cost and payable directly to the hotel) subject to the availability of the room.
Guests at the Olare Mara Kempinski Masai Mara leave with memories that last a lifetime, thanks to stunning surroundings, abundant wildlife and understated luxury blended with an authentic African design. Tucked away in a grove on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River, this elegant tented camp is situated in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy - which is home to many animals and covers over 35,000 acres of prime grassland, riverine forests and acacia woodlands. During the months of July through to September, you can also witness one of the world’s most stunning natural events - the annual migration of over one million wildebeest and their attendant wildlife cast.
Daily game drives can take place in the morning, afternoon, evening or at night, and guests can choose their preference - two game drives per day are included in your nightly rate. The custom-built safari vehicles seat just 6 people, and have radio-links with other vehicles for fast location of game.
Guests can also go on a guided nature walk, offering a refreshing alternative view of the wilderness. Inbetween activities, guests can relax around the shaded swimming pool.
A visit to this region would not be complete without a visit to a nearby Maasai community boma/village, which delivers a unique insight into this age-old culture. At the village, you can meet the people, visit a typical Maasai home, learn about their daily life, and visit the community's handicraft market.
Raised so as to enjoy optimum views, each of the 12 safari tents has a generously arranged seating area, and a wrap-around deck verandah. While promising every luxury, each tent also deliveres the authentic feel of an under-canvas safari experience - complete with the nightly whooping of the hyenas and the distant roars of the resident pride of lions. The Honeymoon Suite also features a private plunge pool and an exterior dining area where lantern-lit dinners can be taken.
The main camp offers unforgettable dining experiences too. Eat at the poolside with its accompanying bar; the deck area with its views over the beautiful Mara Plains and all its wildlife; facing the camp lawns or alternatively under canvas. Watch the sun set in the conservancy as you enjoy your meal in any of these beautiful locations and just soak in the magnificent colours.
Nights: | 3 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x Honeymoon Safari Tent | ||
Includes: | Return airstrip transfers; all meals; shared game drives and guided bush walks in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy; a bush meal; soft drinks, beer and house wines, and house spirits; a laundry service; and the Olare Motorogi Conservancy fees are included. Additional game drives into the Mara Reserve can be arranged - the Mara Reserve fee of USD 80 per person per entry is an additional cost. Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari. |
Hemingways Watamu is a tropical paradise, set against an idyllic white sand beach and the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The property is located in the middle of the pristine Watamu Marine National Park, which is renowned worldwide for its natural beauty. Boasting a diverse range of marine life from the visiting whale sharks and manta rays to 3 species of sea turtle, as well as unique coral gardens, the area is considered to be one of the best snorkelling and diving areas on the coast of Africa
Guest can enjoy a whole range of land and sea activities during their stay at Hemingways Watamu, from learning to kite-surf, windsurfing and paddleboarding across the ocean, playing a round of golf at the nearby Vipingo Ridge golf course, exploring the nearby Gede ruins - an ancient Arab town dating from the late 13th/early 14th century, dhow cruises, dolphin watching, whale watching (in season - July through to September), going on a deep sea fishing trip, snorkelling trips, or getting your PADI scuba diving certificate.
If that all sounds a little too energetic, then just simply relax with a good book and a delicious cocktail around either of the two swimming pools.
Dining al fresco at the Brasserie on the beach, with a gentle breeze, is one of life's great pleasures. Whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, the signature menus focus on fresh produce cooked simply and served expertly. The Gede Café, whose structure is inspired by the Gede ruins, is your go-to for a lighter, more casual setting and the menu includes homemade pastas, pizzas and other light bites.
Each of the 39 beautifully appointed rooms offers delightful views of the Indian Ocean and the endless white sandy beach of Watamu. There are 13 deluxe rooms on the top floor of the North Wing and 26 superior rooms on the ground and first floor.
In addition, there are also 21 luxurious apartments (offering one bedroom, 2 bedrooms and 4 bedrooms) which are located in the South Wing of the hotel. They have been designed and finished to the highest degree and feature open terraces with magical views of the beach and Marine Park, a comfortable lounge and dining area flooded with natural light, en-suite bathrooms and a fully equipped contemporary kitchen.
For the perfect balance of exceptional personal service, charm, rest and relaxation, few places compare to this luxury 5* beach hotel.
Nights: | 7 Nights | ||
Adults: | 2 | Children: | 0 |
Room: | 1 x North Wing Ocean View Room | ||
Includes: | Half Board Package: Breakfast and Dinner are included. |
Latest Travel Updates
For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:
UK Government Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya
As of 4th January 2024 Kenya is now visa free but visitors need to apply and pay for an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in advance of travel - please follow this link to make your online application:
All passengers in transit through Kenya arriving and leaving by the same aircraft or transferring to another aircraft and who do not leave the precincts of airports in Kenya are exempt from this requirement.
Some other exemptions apply and can be found in full on the website of the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority.
Travellers who currently hold a valid visa can continue to travel using their visa until its expiry.
Your passport should also be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Kenya. Make sure you have 2 blank pages in your passport on arrival.
Please note: We do NOT advise getting the East Africa Tourist Visa if your trip also includes Rwanda and/or Uganda as this can cause problems at point of entry.
PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.
You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to Kenya.
To help prevent diarrhoea, avoid tap water – drink only bottled water and use bottled water for tooth brushing, and avoid ice made with tap water – and only eat fruit or vegetables that are cooked or can be peeled.
To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.
There is a risk of malaria in all areas of Kenya, except Nairobi and the highlands - check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Dengue fever can also be transmitted via mosquito bites. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.
Kenya falls into the yellow fever region in Africa. There is only a low potential for exposure to yellow fever in Nairobi, Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi and Shimba Hills National Park, but in the rest of the country there is a higher risk. It is therefore advisable for all travellers aged 9 months and older to obtain a yellow fever vaccination no less than 10 days prior to travel, but depending on the rest of your travel plans and country of origin, it is not compulsory:
Travellers from the UK who are only travelling directly to and from Kenya are currently not required to produce a vaccination certificate upon their return to the UK but this can change with no notice so do please check with your doctor and take their advice
If you are arriving into Kenya from a country which has any risk of yellow fever transmission you will be required to provide a certificate of your vaccination upon entry into Kenya. Also, certain countries including South Africa and Tanzania will deny entry if you are arriving from Kenya without the vaccination. It is up to the traveller to check the full list of countries here to ensure that you comply with these guidelines: https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/60/yellow-fever-maps
If your doctor advises that it is not safe for you to have the vaccination then you should obtain a medical waiver and travel with this instead.
English is the common commercial language, therefore it is spoken in the major towns and at all lodges and hotels. There are 52 tribes in Kenya, each with their own tribal language. The national language in Kenya is Swahili.
We would ask that all travellers are respectful of the local culture as follows:
Showing anger is not acceptable – Kenyan people pride themselves on their emotional control and expect the same in others. Try to remain patient, polite and friendly, even if the situation is very frustrating. Pointing with your finger at someone is considered very rude and is deemed to be an obscene gesture.
The coastal areas are predominantly Muslim so it is important to dress conservatively out of respect for the Muslim culture. On the beaches and within the confines of hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable but nudity/topless sunbathing is not. Away from beach resorts (especially in Mombasa, during the holy month of Ramadan or if you visit religious areas), women should avoid walking around in public areas displaying their legs and upper arms/shoulders - ‘short’ shorts, mini skirts, vests and tank tops may be frowned upon and viewed as a sign of disrespect. Long, loose hair is also seen as very provocative, so to avoid unwanted attention ladies may wish to tie their hair back or wear a headscarf.
Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya. Whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship.
It is against the law for civilians to wear full military style clothing/attire (ie made from camouflage material).
You should always ask permission before taking anyone’s photograph. Taking photographs of official buildings, including Embassies, can lead to detention. If in any doubt, don’t photograph or film around them. Photography is also prohibited at airports.
Smoking in all public places (except in designated areas) is prohibited. Offenders can face a fine or imprisonment.
You must carry a form of ID with you at all times. A copy of your passport is normally acceptable, but recently some police officers have been insisting on the original document.
Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.
Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:
The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:
We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible.
If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.
You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19 to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.
We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.
If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need. You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy. Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.
All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.
Please read our Terms and Conditions for more information.
You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:
Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance.
You can read more about choosing suitable travel insurance in the FCDO guide to travel insurance.