Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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A Scenic Safari Adventure

Example holiday

A Scenic Safari Adventure

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

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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A Scenic Safari Adventure

Example Itinerary

TB-1826-1 / 29582

Example Cost

Holiday Title: A Scenic Safari Adventure

Holiday Destination: Holiday to Kenya for 7 nights

Passengers: 2 Adults

Example Cost for 2 Adults: * per person sharing.

*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.

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Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Summary Of The Itinerary

Printable Version

Holiday Title: A Scenic Safari Adventure

Passengers: 2 Adults

Day 1

Arrive into Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

After you have had your passports stamped by the Immigrations Officer, proceed to the Baggage Hall to collect your luggage and then go through Customs and exit the building onto the street outside, where our representative will be waiting to meet you, holding a signboard displaying your name. He will introduce you to your driver-guide and you will then be driven to the Samburu National Reserve in your private safari minivan, which has sliding windows and a roof hatch for excellent game viewing and photography opportunities. Your safari guide is accredited by the Kenya Professional Safari Guide Association.

Set on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and surrounded by beautiful indigenous trees and shrubs sits the small and exclusive Elephant Bedroom Camp. The camp consist of just 12 luxury tents all furnished in a rustic African style. Huge herds of elephant, prides of lion and even leopard are regular visitors around the camp providing excellent game viewing with a spectacular scenic background of rugged rolling hills.

After lunch and once you are fully rested you will be have the opportunity to head out on an afternoon game drive returning back to camp in time for dinner. Located in the northern part of Kenya, Samburu is a fairly remote area which means the reserve is not as busy as other safari destinations in Kenya. The Ewaso Nyiro River is a permanent water supply for the wildlife in the area, and it acts as a magnet, making this a great safari destination for people who want to get away from the crowds. Lion, cheetah and leopard can often be seen on game drives, as well as elephant, hippo, and buffalo. Giraffe, waterbuck and zebra wander the open plains, alongside gerenuks - rather odd looking members of the gazelle family, who are easily distinguishable by their extremely long necks, and their ability to stand on their hind legs to reach high into bushes in order to skim the leaves off the branches with their rough tongue. The river itself is home to a large number of Nile crocodiles too. Over 365 bird species have been identified, including secretary birds, sunbirds, bee-eaters and the blue necked and legged Somali ostrich.


Day 2

Today, you will enjoy a morning and an afternoon game drive in the Samburu/Buffalo Springs Reserve. Alternatively, if you would prefer, the camp can arrange for you to take a picnic lunch with you, so that you can enjoy a full day of uninterrupted game viewing with your guide.


Day 3

After breakfast, depart on the drive down to the Rift Valley with a picnic lunch to enjoy on the way, arriving into camp later this afternoon in time to relax before dinner is served.

Lake Nakuru National Park

2 nights at Mbweha Camp


Day 4

Today enjoy a full day of game viewing in the Lake Nakuru National Park, stopping at midday for a picnic lunch at a scenic location. The Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its excellent bird-watching opportunities in general, as more than 400 different bird species have been recorded. Other wildlife includes elephant, buffalo, cheetah, hippo, Masai giraffe, wildebeest, impala, zebra, warthogs, large troops of baboons, and the legendary but rarely seen tree-climbing lions.

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Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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...continued from previous page.

Day 5

After an early breakfast, you will be driven back to Nairobi and onto Wilson Airport, where you will check in for your afternoon flight to the Mara. The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular and most visited African game reserves. A true 'Out of Africa' safari destination, the reserve is mostly made up of open plains, baked golden by the African sun.

Safarilink 003 (Light Aircraft): Fly from Wilson Airport (WIL) departing at 13:45 to Masai Mara Airstrip, arriving at 14:45

You will be met at the airstrip and transferred to your camp, arriving in time for lunch. Set on the banks of the Talek River, Tipilikwani's safari tents are decorated in warm, rich Masai colours. During your stay here, shared game drives offer the unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the diversity of animals and birds living permanently in the Masai Mara, as well as many migratory bird species which are present from November to April. Guests can also learn more about the Masai people, proud pastoralists and warriors, many of whom still retain their traditional nomadic lifestyle.


Day 8

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airstrip (enjoying a game drive en-route) 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 met from your flight and transferred to the nearby Emara Ole Sereni Hotel, where you will have a day room at your disposal so that you can freshen up. The room will need to be vacated by 18:00 but you can then head to the restaurant/bar for dinner (own account).

You will then be collected and transferred back to Jomo Kenyatta Airport, arriving in time to check in for your flight home.

 
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Elephant Bedroom Camp

Samburu Eco-System: 2 Nights

Set on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in the renowned Samburu Game Reserve, surrounded by palms and other beautiful indigenous trees lies the small and intimate Elephant Bedroom Camp, offering simplistic elegance, luxury and style.

The Ewaso Nyiro River is a permanent water supply for the wildlife in the area, and it acts as a magnet. Enjoy game viewing of huge herds of elephant, prides of lion or the solitary leopard with an expert local guide by open Land Rover. 

Giraffe, waterbuck and zebra also wander the open plains, alongside gerenuks - rather odd looking members of the gazelle family, who are easily distinguishable by their extremely long necks, and their ability to stand on their hind legs to reach high into bushes in order to skim the leaves off the branches with their rough tongue.  Over 365 bird species have been identified, including secretary birds, sunbirds, bee-eaters and the blue necked and legged Somali ostrich.

Elephant Bedroom Camp promises an astonishing safari experience as the name of the camp couldn't be more fitting. At night elephants, buffalos and hippos roam through the camp in search for food and water and hearing them from the warmth of your duvet covered bed is a truly exciting and memorable experience.

Inspired by the textures and colours of African nature, each of the 14 beautifully appointed tents surround you with luxury. The en-suite bathrooms are fitted with hot and cold running water, rain showers and flushing toilets. Individual verandas include a private plunge pool and encourage guests to linger while admiring the lush wilderness of the area.

The cosy main guest lounge and dining area with original oil paintings and soft intimate lighting open to the outside capturing the tranquil surroundings. Dining is a culinary experience with al-fresco meals and candle lit gourmet dinners set either under the African sky or inside the romantic dining area.

Cultural visits and lectures on the Samburu culture are also offered.

Example Details For Elephant Bedroom Camp

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Standard Safari Tent
Includes: Full Board Package: All meals and Samburu Reserve fees are included. Game drives are taken with your private driver-guide.

Children under the age of 5 years are not permitted on guided bush walks.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Elephant Bedroom Camp Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Elephant Bedroom Camp

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Mbweha Camp

Lake Nakuru National Park: 2 Nights

Tucked away in the spectacular vastness of the Great Rift Valley on the private 6,400 acre Congreve Conservancy, Mbweha Camp is located on the southern border of Lake Nakuru National Park with beautiful views of the Eburu and Mau mountain ranges.

Being situated outside the National Park allows guests to enjoy many activities, including walking, mountain biking and night game drives. Guests can also enjoy day trips into the Lake Nakuru National Park with the option of a gourmet bush lunch with spectacular views of the lake as you enjoy your food. Visitors also get the opportunity to spot clawless otters and hippos in the lake itself, as well as buffalos, colobus monkeys, elands, steinbok, zebra, dik-dik, impala, and rock hyrax and klipspringer along the cliffs and escarpments. Among the predators found here are lion and leopard.

Both the lesser and greater flamingoes frequent the nearby Lake Elementaita, which is also a breeding ground for the great white pelican, and trips here can also be arranged. The area also boasts a wealth of other activities such as a visit to the Lake Elementaita hot springs, the Kariandusi prehistoric site where evidence of early stone age man dating back over one million years can be seen, or the Menengai Crater - an extinct volcano with striking views of Lake Nakuru, as well as taking a hot air balloon ride over the magnificent Great Rift Valley.

Ten charming cottages built of lava stone with thatched makuti roofs blend effortlessly into the surroundings. Each cottage features richly textured African materials and rustic en-suite bathrooms. Indigenous trees like Candelabra Euphobia and yellow barked Acacia separate each of the cottages ensuring the utmost privacy for guests.

Meals are taken in the main dining area, but private meals can be arranged on your cottage veranda under the stars.

Example Details For Mbweha Camp

Nights: 2 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Cottage
Includes: All meals and the Congreve Conservancy fees are included. Game drives are taken with your private driver-guide. Additional day game drives into the Lake Nakuru National Park can be arranged (the Lake Nakuru National Park fee will be applied per person per drive).

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Mbweha Camp Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Mbweha Camp

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Tipilikwani Mara Camp

Masai Mara: 3 Nights

Set on the banks of the Talek River overlooking the Mara plains, Tipilikwani Mara Camp has one of the most spectacular views available here. The camp offers an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere while you experience a full safari adventure in the African bush.

The Masai Mara is home to the wildebeest migration from July through to September - one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World - as well as throughout the entire year some of the most abundant wildlife populations in Africa. Elephant, leopard, buffalo, rhino and lion roam free alongside a myriad of plains game and birdlife - all at ease in a protected, natural environment.

Activities on offer include game drives accompanied by expert local guides, bush walks or hot air ballooning at dawn. Another highlight of a visit here includes a visit to a Masai tribe who live in mud hut villages dotted around the outside boundaries of the reserve.  Unbelievably tall, and distinctively dressed in their traditional red robes, these visits offer guests the opportunity to interact with the local community.

There is no wonder really, with all these factors, that the Mara is a special destination - and one that people want to come back to time and time again.

The 20 luxury tents enjoy river frontage and are decorated with warm, rich Masai colours.  Each en-suite tent is equipped with all amenities and has its own terrace. There are also two large adjoining tents which share a verandah - an ideal option for families.

The dining and lounge areas reflects the ambience of a tented camp, but provide the comfort and protection of a permanent building. The open-sided design affords a unique, magical view across the river to the rolling plains dotted with game.

Enjoy a dip in the pool inbetween game drives, and wind down with a glass of wine around the camp fire and watch the spectacular sunset. Dining here is also a feast for the senses, bringing international and local flavours together under the watch of carefully trained, attentive staff.

Example Details For Tipilikwani Mara Camp

Nights: 3 Nights
Adults: 2 Children: 0
Room: 1 x Safari Tent
Includes: Full Board Package: Mara Reserve fees and all meals are included. Game drives are taken with your private driver-guide.

Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.

Location

Tipilikwani Mara Camp Location Map
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Tipilikwani Mara Camp

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Important Travel Information For Kenya

Passport, Visa and Entry Requirements

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:

https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en

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.

IMPORTANT:  Single use/disposable plastic bags are banned in Kenya. Arriving visitors are requested to avoid bring single use/disposable plastic bags into the country and being in possession of a single use/disposable plastic bag is an offence and offenders could be penalised. Visitors are advised to avoid packing any single use/disposable plastic bags in their suitcases or in carry-on hand luggage before flying to Kenya and consider using re-usable ziplock bags instead as these are still permitted (ziplock bags are expected to remain in the permanent possession of the traveller and are not expected to be disposed in the country). Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should be removed from any plastic bags and travellers coming into Kenya with plastic duty-free shop bags will also be required to leave the bags at the airport. This does not apply to people in transit. In addition all single use plastics such as plastic water bottles and straws are banned in all National Parks, forests, beaches and conservation areas.

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.

Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


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Important Travel Information For Kenya

Continued

Medical

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.

Languages And Culture

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 Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725


Page 

Book With Confidence

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.

Flexibility and peace of mind before you travel

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.

Support whilst you are away

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.

Financial protection for your Travel Butlers holiday

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.

Finding suitable travel insurance that covers Covid-19

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.