THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
KENYA
August 5-15, 2023
By Invitation Only
August 5th, 2023: Nairobi Arrival: Transfer to Four Points By Sheraton.
Overnight at Four Points
August 6th, 2023: Tour of Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage:
Our tour starts at the Giraffe Centre, an elevated treetop aerie where we may hand feed giraffes, quite literally face–to–face. The Centre has a feeding platform where they exchange kisses with visitors for pelleted food. Then we will proceed on to the Karen Blixen Museum. Karen Blixen Museum is located on the outskirts of Nairobi on Karen road. Its history dates back to 1914, during the First World War, with the arrival of Karen Blixen from Denmark. At the foot of Ngong Hills, Karen Blixen established herself as a farmer. After her departure in 1931, the suburbs retained the commemorative home of Karen. The Danish government donated the house, and the surrounding land to Kenya after independence. The house was restored by the Danish government, and was used during the filming of "Out of Africa" which immortalized Karen Blixen's book by the same name. The museum was opened to the public in 1986. From there we will go to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage for our private visit with the baby elephants. Daphne Sheldrick is a world–class conservation figure and the premier authority on the successful raising of milk–dependent infant elephant and rhino orphans. During this time the baby elephants are brought out to play and to feed, and visitors can watch and interact with them. Wardens are on hand to explain the work of the orphanage and to answer any questions.
Overnight at Four Points (BL)
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7th August 2023: Fly to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. This morning we will be transferred to Wilson Airport for our flight to the Masai Mara where we will be met by our hosts for the next five nights, Jackson Looseyia and Salaash Morompi, and the Tangulia staff, who will see to our needs throughout our stay at Tangulia Camp.
After the rains when the first flush of grass turns the Masai Mara’s golden savannah green, the most mesmerizing wildlife spectacle anywhere takes place here: The Great Wildebeest Migration.Between the months of July and October one and a half million wildebeest, accompanied by vast numbers of zebra and gazelles make the long and dangerous trek from drier lands in Tanzania, northwards to this corner of Kenya.Lines of animals stretch as far as the eye can see across the plains. They come to give birth to their young and the grasslands echo with the sounds of the new-born.It is a time of plenty. But it is a time too when the predators are drawn from all around. High above on the hot winds the carrion birds, the vultures and eagles, soar. In the long grasses lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena prowl.Most dramatic of all is the moment when the migration arrives at the Mara River. They must cross it to reach the rich grazing. As the animals throng, crocodiles cruise the waters. Then the bravest takes the plunge into the swirling currents and thousands follow.
Overnight at Tangulia Mara Camp (BLD)
8th - 11th August August 2023: Masai Mara.
Overnight at Tangulia Mara Camp (BLD)
August 12th, 2023: Transfer to the Mara North Conservancy. This morning we will transfer from Tangulia to the Mara North Conservancey en route to House in the Wild just beyond the border of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Here we will concentrate on the big cats and smaller animals of the Mara ecosystem. The Masai Mara National Reserve was named for the Maasai people who inhabit the area, and for the Mara River, which flows through this great reserve. It shares a border with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and is essentially a continuation of this park, forming the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The migratory wildebeest, zebra, kongoni and topi join abundant elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah in the Mara. Leopard and serval are frequently encountered, while endangered black rhino can be found in the dense bush thickets. Six species of primates and over 450 birds add to the Mara’s incredible natural diversity.
Overnight at House in the Wild (BLD)
August 13th and 14th August, 2023: Masai Mara.
Overnight at House in the Wild (BLD)
August 15th, 2023: Fly to Nairobi. Transfer to hotel for dayroom use.
Day rooms Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport (B)
Covid protocols could change at any time - you must be prepared to abide by Kenya's protocol.
Terms and conditions: All payments are non-refundable. International medical evacuation insurance is mandatory. Comprehensive insurance highly recommended.
This includes:
1. Accommodation at Four Points and Tangulia Mara Camp and House in the Wild as stated above
2. Dayroom use on the 15th of August at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport
3. Park and conservancy Entrance fees
4. Meals: All Meals beginning with breakfast on the 6th of August through breakfast on the 15th of August included. (except dinner on the 6th of August)
5. All airport and airstrip transfers in Nairobi and Masai Mara Game Reserve.
6. Transfers between Four Points and Tangulia Mara Camp and the airport. Transfer from Tangulia to Mara House.
7. Bottled water throughout
8. Flying Doctor Services/ Domestic Medical Evacuation
9. Internal domestic flight (Nairobi – Masai Mara – Nairobi on the dates indicated)
10. Nairobi Tour (private visit to Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage/ Karen Blixen Museum/ Giraffe Center)
11. Visa for Kenya
12. All tips to drivers and guides
13. Salaash Morompi throughout and Jackson Looseyia for part of the time as our guides in the Mara.
14. Maasai Village Visit
Not Included:
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Roundtrip international airfare From the USA to Nairobi
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Cancellation and medical insurance
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Phone calls
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Sodas and Alcohol except where explicitly stated
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Laundry
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Dinner on the 6th and15th of August in Nairobi
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Balloon ride over the Mara optional at $500 per person
Group maximum of 12 guests.
Deposit of $1000 per person due to hold your space.
All payments are non-refundable and medical insurance is required.
Final payment will be due by May 15, 2023
About Tangulia Mara Camp:
Tangulia Mara camp is the first and only camp in the Mara that is 100% owned and operated by Masai. It is a rustic and cozy tented bush camp perched on a leafy hill overlooking the Olotulo-Murt salt lick, by the Mara River. It is located on private land and has an emphasis on authentic safari and African experiences. Tangulia is a Swahili word meaning “to lead.” Our camp’s mission is to be the leaders in African Safari by allowing our guests a comfortable private stay with an array of unique safari experiences that will remain in your heart for a lifetime.
We have a total of 8 luxurious tents which includes one family tent. We accommodate up to eighteen guests at full capacity. The camp is set to remain quaint to give our guests the ultimate intimate experience.We have handmade king size beds in our tents and an additional single bed in some of our tents. The salt lick is a favorite spot for a lot of the wildlife in the area and this is the reason why we take advantage of this view. The Mara river view is seen from the front porch of most of our tents.
The leafy bushes surround the rest of our tents and leave each one feeling cool, private and intimate. Winding paths lead to each tent,and with our camp being unfenced, wildlife is welcome to roam freely around camp. Our camp askaris escort guests back to their rooms at night.
Running taps and hot showers are available throughout. They are 100% solar heated. Our baths and toilet areas are ensuite. Note that the water on the taps is ideal for washing up not for drinking. We provide clean drinking water in beaded glass bottles in each bedside table and bathroom vanity.
Our homey tents are cleaned every day with our dedicated team of staff and replenished with our eco-friendly handmade supplies. We source our incredible products locally and give our guests the best of hypoallergenic and gorgeously scented soaps and shampoos throughout their stay.
Solar lighting and a Wi-Fi hotspot complete the amenities.
Our chef takes great pride in his culinary expertise, learned over many years of catering to an international clientele.
We chose the name Tangulia – meaning “to lead” as our Vision Statement.
About House in the Wild:
House in the Wild is a private family – owned boutique lodge, in a unique location perched on the banks of the Mara River, tucked away on Naretoi, a 1000-acre private estate within the Enonkishu Conservancy on the edge of the Maasai Mara. On what was once an intensive farm, Naretoi is the first project of its kind where the land on the edge of the Mara has changed from farming back to nature. This “rewilding” project has seen the rangelands around the House in the Wild return to their natural state, with wildlife returning to the area after over a decade of intensive farming.
The House in the Wild was originally a family getaway on the Wood’s commercial farm but has been restored and lovingly put together and upgraded to offer a "laid back luxury" accommodation option for guests wanting privacy and adventure.
At House in the Wild we make sure that luxury is sustainable. We run 95% on solar energy, we recycle our water through an eco wetlands, we source our firewood from our own sustainable plantation and we grow our homegrown vegetables in our Wild Shamba for our daily menus.
Our Wild style uses locally source or hand made items. Rustic - chic is our theme and you will find hand crafted furniture, cosy sitting areas, naturally lit bathrooms with outside showers and massive bath tubs, huge comfy beds, with fluffy pillows and duvets, large verandahs and views over the gardens or the Mara River. Everything has been sourced locally in Kenya or made by one of our talented fundis (craftsmen) based on Naretoi.
Evenings are spent in round the campfire or in our lounge and dining room, by candlelight, with a roaring fire, brass lanterns and the scene is set for a warm soulful evening on safari!
About Jackson Looseyia:
Jackson was born in 1967 in the heart of the Masai Mara. He grew up surrounded by wildlife and from an early age found it a source of inspiration. Tracking wild animals is in his blood – he comes from a long line of master hunters and trackers.Jackson's father was a particularly famous hunter who clashed with the park authorities and ended up being imprisoned for eight years. On his release he became the archetypal poacher turned game-keeper and was appointed head ranger in the Southern Mara.It was at this time that Jackson was trained in the ways of the wild – his father took him into the heart of the bush for six months solid training. During this time he was shown how to track dangerous animals such as lion and buffalo. The trip had dramatic consequences as during the adventure, Jackson's father was attacked by a buffalo and had his right hand broken. Responsibility for the family was handed to Jackson.As a young man, Jackson quickly rose to become one of the first Masai guides in the Mara and is now a partner in Tangulia Mara Camp.Jackson has an intimate knowledge of all the wildlife in the Mara from the smallest insect to the largest predators, but the big cats are his particular favorites. especially the elusive leopard which Jackson describes as "an animal work of art". He has been ranked as one of the top 15 Legendary Guides in Africa by Conde Nast Traveler.Jackson is probably most well known as a presenter on BBC's Big Cat Live and Big Cat Tales.
About Salaash Morompi
Salaash joined the Mara Bush Homes team many years ago as a waiter and very quickly climbed through the ranks to become the incredible guide he is today. He really understands people and always goes the extra mile to create memorable safari experiences, hence the huge demand for him with repeat guests. Salaash always had a love for nature growing up, so becoming a safari guide was the culmination of a lifelong dream. His home is just a few kilometres from the Masai Mara conservancies, where he loves guiding and sharing the incredible diversity of wildlife of the Masai Mara. He has been guiding for many years now, most of which have been based at the Mara Bush Houses in the Mara North Conservancy.
Salaash is hands down one of the best guides in the area and loves that he is always learning something new, describing the Masai Mara as a constant classroom. A wonderful host and natural linguist (his French is nearly fluent), he is known for his sense of humour, amazing knowledge and warm personality.
As well as showcasing the incredible flora and fauna of the region, he offers a genuine insight into the Maasai culture and traditions part of his heritage.