Great Plains of Kenya (luxury fly-in safari)

Itinerary

In the foothills of the Chyulu Hills National Park between Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks, Ol Donyo Lodge overlooks an immense landscape with views of Mt Kilimanjaro. The contemporary yet traditional lodge boasts 10 cottages, eight of which have a private plunge pool and all have a rooftop terrace and ‘star-bed’. The reserve is inhabited by all the Big Five and experiences include day and night game drives, guided wildlife walks, mountain bike safaris, horse riding and visits to a local Maasai village.

Mara Plains Camp is in an extraordinary location in the private Olare Orok Conservancy bordering the Masai Mara National Park. Nestled in a riverine forest along the Ntiakatek River, this intimate tented camp has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, and provide the full richness of a Masai Mara safari – big cats, abundant and diverse plains game, and the annual great migration – without the crowds.

• Day 1: Nairobi – Chyulu Hills

  Early pick from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or a city hotel and transfer to Wilson Airport for the scheduled flight to Chyulu Hills. Flight departs Nairobi at 0730hrs and arrives into Ol Donyo’s airstrip at 0820hrs. Upon arrival, you will be met by a guide from the lodge and enjoy a game drive to the lodge. Following lunch, enjoy a list of activities available from the lodge which include guided bush walks, guided mountain biking, half a day horse riding, game drives and cultural visits. Overnight at Ol Donyo Lodge in a pool cottage (L,D)
   
  Ol Donyo Lodge: Ol Donyo lies in the foothills of the Chyulu Range. The Chyulu Hills are the youngest range of volcanic hills in Africa, the last volcanic activity having only happened about 600 years ago. They are situated halfway between Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks on a concession of 120,000 hectares of communally owned Maasai land, which is also part of the Amboseli eco-system. Being a natural corridor for wild life between Tsavo and Amboseli National park, this land is to be protected.
   
  Habitants range from grasslands of the savanna to green river woodlands and cool mountain forests. The lodge consists of eight cottages and a beautiful, centrally positioned mess/dining room. All cottages have en-suite bathrooms, electric lighting and a veranda with panoramic views of the plains and Mount Kilimanjaro.

• Day 2-3: Chyulu Hills

  A choice of full day of activities available from the lodge. Overnight at Ol Donyo Lodge in a pool cottage (B,L,D)

• Day 4: Chyulu Hills – Masai Mara

  Following breakfast, there will be a game drive transfer back to the airstrip for the scheduled flight to Masai Mara via Nairobi. Flight departs 0830hrs and arrives into Masai Mara at 11000hrs. Upon arrival, you will be met by a guide from the camp and transferred to the camp with a game drive enroute to the camp. Following lunch, enjoy a list of activities available from the lodge which include guided bush walks, day and night game drives. Overnight at Mara Plains camp (B,L,D)
  
  Mara Plains Camp: Mara Plains Camp is a small, high quality, six-roomed camp under canvas that is located within the private Olare Orok Conservancy and just a few hundred metres to the north of the Masai Mara National Reserve boundary. Guests can game drive in both the Masai Mara National Reserve and in the privacy of the neighbouring Olare Orok Conservancy away from the crowds.
  
  The Conservancy is a fabulous wildlife reserve of nearly twenty thousand acres, rich in wildlife (including the predators and big cats in particular), it boasts Mara's lowest vehicle density, no mini-buses and only one guest room per 700 acres. Mara Plains Camp opened in 2008 in an extraordinary location that appears to be the epicentre and hunting grounds for many of the big cats. Hardly a night passes without the exciting sounds of predator activity and lions roaring nearby. The camp caters for only 12 guests in six spacious and comfortable en-suite canvas rooms built on raised decks. There is an additional tent for a pilot or private guide. The camp is situated along the Ntiakatek River with uninterrupted views of the surrounding plains and riverine forest.
  
  The camp has been designed and built to be as environmentally friendly as possible and we can proudly boast that not even a teaspoon of cement can be found anywhere on the property! In addition to the tented rooms, the camp has a raised dining room under canvas as well as a comfortable lounge. The outdoor dining area is a great place to relax in the cool shade of the large trees along the river. The 4WD open game-viewing Land cruisers have been designed for comfort with only four to five guests per vehicle. This ensures increased manoeuvrability for better viewing, photography and an easy environment in which to communicate with our highly experienced guides. All Mara Plains guides are Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association qualified. They are from the area and thus possess intricate knowledge of the local flora and fauna as well as the tribal traditions and customs of the people.

• Day 5-6: Masai Mara

  After breakfast, you can plan your day choosing from a wide range of guided activities such as game drives in open 4WD vehicles, guided bush walks, day and night game drives. Overnight at Mara Plains camp (B,L,D)

• Day 7: Masai Mara - Nairobi

  Following an early morning activity and breakfast, you will catch the scheduled flight to Nairobi, (approximately 1 hr) Flight departs Masai Mara at 1100hrs and arrives into Nairobi at 1215hrs, upon arrival at Wilson airport you will be met and transferred to JKI Airport or Nairobi City Centre for your onward arrangements. (B)

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.