THE BEST OF THE BUSH AND BEACH
KENYA AND ZANZIBAR
GIRAFFE MANOR, TANGULIA MARA CAMP, AND MATEMWE
BY INVITATION ONLY
26th June 2023: Nairobi arrival. Transfer to Giraffe Manor.
Overnight at Giraffe Manor
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27th June 2023: Tour of Nyumbani Children's home, Karen Blixen Museum, & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage:
Our tour starts at the Karen Blixen Museum. The 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 we can watch and interact with them. Wardens are on hand to explain the work of the orphanage and to answer any questions.
Overnight at Giraffe Manor (BLD)
28th June 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 host for the next four nights, Jackson Looseyia, and his staff, who will see to our needs throughout our stay at Tangulia Camp.
Here we will look for big cats as well as some of the smaller cats such as the serval and African wild cat. We will also be visiting the world famous Mara River watching massive crocodiles and hippos.
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 Masai Mara is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game and is renowned for its annual visit by the two million animals that make up the Great Migration. Covering an impressive 1 115 km² (430 square miles), the Masai Mara is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains. The Masai Mara was made famous by the book Out of Africa by Karen Blixen, which was later made into a movie starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.
Immortalized through famous tales of olden day safaris, the Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the richest and most diverse wildlife areas in the world. Known as the ‘spotted land’ to the Maasai, the reserve is home to a vast number of resident wildlife, as well as part of the annual phenomenon of the Great Migration. 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. The Mara River is also famed for its enormous crocodiles, which lay in wait for the wildebeest and zebra during the excitement and drama of the migration. Six species of primates and over 450 birds add to the Mara’s incredible natural diversity.
Overnight at Tangulia Mara Camp (BLD)
29th, 30th June, and 1st July 2023: Masai Mara.
Overnight at Tangulia Mara Camp (BLD)
2nd July 2023: Transfer to Zanzibar
After Breakfast, we fly from the Maasai Mara to Zanzibar and transfer to Matemwe Retreat.
Here we will relax and enjoy what Zanzibar has to offer.
Overnight at Matemwe Retreat (BLD)
3rd and 4th of July 2023: Zanzibar.
Each day you can relax in your villa or choose to do one of the many activities available. These include reef walk, village visit, diving, snorkeling, dhow trips, Stone Town visit, spice tour.
Overnight at Matemwe Retreat (BLD)
5th July 2023: Fly to Nairobi. Transfer to hotel for dayroom use.
Day rooms Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport (B)
Cost per Person Sharing $12,000.
Kenya requires proof of Covid Vaccine for entry. You must be fully vaccinated to participate in this safari.
Terms and conditions: All payments are non-refundable. Medical evacuation insurance is mandatory. Comprehensive insurance highly recommended.
This includes:
1. Accommodation at Giraffe Manor, Tangulia Mara Camp, and Matemwe Retreat as stated above
2. Dayroom use on the 5th of July at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport
3. Park and conservancy Entrance fees
4. Meals: All Meals beginning with breakfast on the 27th through breakfast on the 5th of July included.
5. All airport and airstrip transfer in Nairobi and Masai Mara Game Reserve, as well as Zanzibar.
6. Transfers between Giraffe Manor, Tangulia Mara Camp, and Matemwe Retreat and the airport.
7. Bottled water throughout
8. Flying Doctor Services
9. Internal domestic flight (Nairobi – Masai Mara – Zanzibar - Nairobi on the dates indicated)
10. Nairobi Tour (visit to Daphne Sheldrick/ Karen Blixen Museum/ Nyumbani)
Not Included:
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Roundtrip international airfare From the USA to Nairobi
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Visas for Kenya and Tanzania
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Tips to guides and drivers
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Cancellation 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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optional excursions in Zanzibar
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Dinner on the 5th of July in Nairobi
Group maximum of 8 guests.
Deposit of $1500 per person due to hold your space.
All payments are non-refundable. Minimum of medical and evacuation insurance mandatory.
Final payment will be due by February 1, 2023
About Giraffe Manor:
Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. As one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings, Giraffe Manor has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when European visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen.
However, the most fascinating thing about Giraffe Manor is its herd of resident Rothschild’s giraffe who may visit morning and evening, sometimes poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary.
Giraffe Manor was built in 1932 and was modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge. The history of elegant-legged giraffes on its lawns dates back to the 1970s when Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville first adopted an orphaned Rothschild’s giraffe, Daisy. Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley bought the manor in April 2009, and since then it has become a globally recognized, iconic hotel.
With an injection of love and passion into this historic manor, the owners have turned this property into one of the most sought-after hotels in the world. While the interiors have been enhanced and rejuvenated, it was essential to the Carr-Hartley’s that the manor retained the original 1930s character and preserved its colorful and charming history.
About Tangulia Mara Camp:
Tangulia Mara camp is a 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. The camp is set to remain quaint to give our guests the ultimate, intimate experience. We have hand made large beds in each of our tents with an additional single bed in some. 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 is seen from the front porch of most of our tents. Winding paths lead to each of our tents and with our camp being unfenced, wildlife is welcome to roam freely around camp. Or camp askaris escort guests back to their tents at night.
Running taps and hot showers are available throughout with permanent en-suite bathroom with shower, basin, and flush toilet.
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 Matemwe Retreat:
The four elegant villas that make up the Retreat are set high in the palm trees with uninterrupted Indian Ocean views.
With its secluded location and dedicated private butler, the Retreat is considered one of the most exclusive choices of accommodation on Zanzibar Island.
If you are looking for pure escapism, these villas – which combine the spirit of Zanzibar with the highest standards of comfort – were designed for you.
Echoing the white sand beaches and the changing turquoise hues of the tropical waters, the fully air-conditioned Matemwe Retreat villas are a reflection of their tranquil island surroundings, filled with locally produced materials and furnishings.
The ground floor of each villa features a private bar area, cool and airy double bedroom with king-sized bed and en-suite bathroom with double basins, shower and a sunken bathtub with impressive views of the sparkling ocean.
Outdoors, impressively comfortable and very private lounge areas invite you to make the most of the tropical climate. The rooftop deck with sparkling blue plunge pool offers panoramic Indian Ocean views.
Secluded Matemwe Beach on the northeastern coast of the island is perfectly situated opposite the spectacular diving and snorkelling reefs of the Mnemba Atoll and surrounded by some of the best beaches in Zanzibar.
The four villas of Matemwe Retreat are situated slightly north of the main Matemwe Lodge in an elevated position in the palm trees that allows uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean and nearby Mnemba Island. Wooden walkways give access to the main lodge should you wish to use any of the facilities or dine in the open-air restaurant on a mouthwatering feast of local seafood, bought daily from the fishermen.
A 30-minute boat ride away is Mnemba Island and the world-renowned coral reef that provides some of the most spectacular diving and snorkelling in the world. Here you have a good chance of seeing turtles and wild dolphins, in addition to the colourful reef fish that dart around the coral.
Stone Town is just 60 minutes from the villas, allowing for easy day trips into the winding streets of the historic town, and excursions to all corners of this fascinating island.
All our food is sourced locally (including fruit and vegetables), and seafood is bought from local suppliers who use sustainable techniques. This means, for example, that we do not buy net- or spear-caught fish but only that caught on lines.
When you discuss your chosen menu with your personal chef each day, feel free also to choose where you would like it to be served. We offer picnic lunches during excursions to the sandbank and Muyuni beach. Guests who go on the Stone Town tour or spice tour can be taken to a restaurant in Stone Town if they wish.
In the evening, savour dinner cooked by your private chef under the stars or stroll down to the main lodge for a seafood buffet in the open-air restaurant.
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.