Highlights of Kenya and Tanzania

Immerse yourself in a world of relaxation at Hemingways Nairobi with a luxurious spa experience that restores both mind and body. From calming massages to rejuvenating facials and invigorating treatments, each service is carefully designed using natural, locally sourced ingredients. In a serene and soothing atmosphere, our expert therapists will ease away your tension, leaving you feeling completely refreshed, rejuvenated, and deeply relaxed. Treat yourself to an unforgettable wellness experience that will leave you feeling revitalized and at peace.

Back massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Hot Stone massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Back massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Days are as action packed or as relaxed as guests want and being in a conservancy means we have the freedom to head out on game drives whenever suits; that might be at first light to capture the sunrise and an early morning cheetah hunt or that might be after dark to experience some of the alternative wildlife that you wouldn’t see during the day.

Especially during the months of the migration, many guests do enjoy one full day in the Mara Reserve itself, along the main rivers in the hopes of spotting a wildebeest crossing. We will of course arrange this for you, sending you out with a lovely picnic lunch and the drinks of your choice to enjoy the day.

Night game drive Credit: Hemingways Collection

Game drive Credit: Hemingways Collection

Sundowner Credit: Hemingways Collection

Sundowner Credit: Hemingways Collection

Wildlife Credit: Hemingways Collection

Wildlife Credit: Hemingways Collection

Being in a conservancy we are also able to offer guided walks through the wilderness where you have the chance to learn about the area, the Maasai culture and all the plants of the region and their traditional uses. You’ll also have the chance to learn the tracks and scat of the animals that have passed by that day.

Guided walks Credit: Hemingways collection

Guided walks Credit: Hemingways collection

Guided walks Credit: Hemingways collection

Guided walks Credit: Hemingways collection

Guided walks Credit: Hemingways collection

As we work so closely with the local community, we have also been invited to take our guests along to some of the local village homes for an introduction into the Maasai lifestyle. There is always beadwork and carvings for sale during these visits so this is a perfect time to collect your souvenirs with the added benefit that your money contributes directly to the local Maasai women producing these exquisite artefacts. Don’t be afraid to bargain and barter however, it is expected.

Community Visits Credit: Hemingways Collection

Community Visits Credit: Hemingways Collection

Community Visits Credit: Hemingways Collection

Community Visits Credit: Hemingways Collection

Community Visits Credit: Hemingways Collection

One of the iconic experiences of a safari in Africa, a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Mara Reserve is a great way to get a different perspective on the park. The early morning Mara breeze will float you southwards towards Tanzania and as you follow the Mara River all the wonderful animals of the Mara are visible. The flight usually lasts about an hour and once you’re safely back on solid ground, celebrate the early morning escapade with a champagne breakfast in the bush.

Balloon Safari Credit: Hemingways Collection

There are no better game viewing locations on earth than the Masai Mara and Serengeti.

We believe our converted 4×4 vehicles, expert guides and eagle-eyed spotters are without peer or parallel.

The combination makes any Bushtops safari simply unforgettable. This activity is included in the price for the ground package rate and is not included in the price for those who are paying for the full board package.

You leave Camp at around 6 am for a game drive en route to the walking venue at Wayo near Mara river. The walk takes around one hour and is accompanied by your Ranger and an armed Tanapa (Tanzania National Parks) Ranger, who’s expertise means you can safely approach herds of impala, zebra and giraffe. They will also spot and interpret the animals tracks left from the night before and identify the flora and fauna. All you need is a pair of good walking shoes and a sense of adventure!

After the walk you head back to Camp for breakfast or continue with your game drive.

(Please note that an indemnity form has to be signed before the walk)

Minimum age requirement for children on a walking safari is 16 yrs and above

Charge Per Person is USD 50

It’s a classic moment, immortalized in films, fantasies and a million great safari adventures: watching the sun set over the African bush. There’s simply nothing like it.

You may see a burnished disk slip gracefully from view. If not, the clouds will diffuse an amazing palette of colour, flooding the horizon.

Either way, you’ll be part of an incredible experience which will live on in your mind’s eye, for ever.

Serengeti Bushtops isn’t just the perfect place for a safari: it includes the ideal spot for a sundowner. We call it Simba’s rock. The reason is simple. Simba means lion and our favoured sundowner location is theirs too!

Needless to say, if they are there first, our advance team swiftly detours to prepare one of several alternative options. Usually, though, we’re able to look across the Serengeti plains from Simba’s Rock, watching the sun set on paradise.

Sundowners are private at Serengeti Bushtops, meaning they are exclusive to you as an individual, couple, family or group. The charge is 50 USD per person.

Sundowners can also be enjoyed for free in the privacy of your own luxury tent. Each tent has a sunken lounge or you could enjoy the sunset from your hot tub.

What a way to end the day!

There is nothing quite like soaring high above the herds in a hot air balloon, as the sun rises over Serengeti. If this prospect appeals, and you decide to add a balloon safari to your itinerary, do let us know in advance, so we can arrange a booking with our local hot air balloon operator, based near Kogatende.

You will be picked up from Serengeti Bushtops before dawn, ready to take off as the sun makes its appearance. The flight lasts an unforgettable hour, before your balloon is brought gracefully back to earth – and a celebratory Bush champagne breakfast.

You can then head off on a full day’s day game drive, or return to camp for a more leisurely morning and even a return to bed, to catch up on lost sleep.

Please note that a balloon safari lies outside your Serengeti Bushtops booking and our direct control: you should allow around US$550 per person for the flight.

If you are bringing younger members of the family with you, there's something new and exciting awaiting them at Bushtops. Our Bushcraft Challenge. This introduces youngsters to basic survival skills, local culture, the importance of conservation and (of course) local flora and fauna.

Activities include learning to make fire without matches or a lighter; completing animal spotting checklists (assisted by our rangers); identifying animal tracks and making a memento plaster cast of their favourites (we can even arrange to have a Bronze made out of your cast. This will be sent to you via courier); learning about animal bones; practicing archery; trying out bead making skills; baking Swahili cookies and more!

Completing the challenge leads to a Bushtops Bushcraft Certificate, authenticating unique skills and a sense of real achievement. This activity carries no additional cost.

Education is the greatest gift – and helping out local schools is very much part of the Bushtops way. It’s fundamental to our belief that luxury safaris must go hand in hand with care for the land, its wildlife and the communities who were there long before us.

Our local schools are proud of what we achieve together, so the headmaster or a teacher is always happy to give our guests a tour. In around 45 minutes you get to meet the students, see them in class and note some of the projects we’ve funded, built or worked on.

A visit always creates an unforgettable impression: it’s a captivating experience, seeing how children in less fortunate communities take every chance they can get to learn – creating new opportunities for their future.

To take part in a school visit, just let us know before you arrive. If not, we may still be able to arrange things once you join us. There is no cost.

Picture this: an early morning wake-up call, followed a mysterious drive into the wilderness. Then, as the sun rises and light

floods the landscape, you find yourself in an oasis of tranquility.

You hop from the truck to survey this wonderland. Moments later, your table awaits you. This is your Private Bush breakfast.

It’s highly unlikely that you have ever started the day in such a glorious location, or in such splendid isolation. No fellow diners: just you, our chef and your driver, serving a hot meal and an array of delicious buffet delicacies. A glorious day in the Bush has begun …

We recommend you pre-book your private bush breakfast with us before you arrive. The cost is 50USD per person – but the experience is priceless.

The perfect end to the perfect day: total privacy in your own illuminated corner of the darkening Serengeti. That’s what our Klipspringer dining experience delivers, within a setting of charm and intimacy.

The surrounding rocks, of the sort favoured by local Klipspringer antelope, form a natural amphitheatre, adding intimacy for honeymooners or families (the 130USD cost covers up to six people).

Within this magical haven, lanterns and a bonfire turn beauty into wonder, creating the ideal spot for a sumptuous meal, prepared by our executive chef.

As day turns to night in the Serengeti, has life ever been this good?!

When you visit us, we want you to be exhilarated by the wildlife, but relaxed by everything else. You can book an Aromatherapy or Deep Tissue massage with products from Terres d’Afrique.

As you contemplate the delights of the safari you have just completed or the dinner about to be enjoyed, what better way to let the cares of the world slip from your shoulders? These treatments and massages carry an additional cost.

During a full-day game drive your ranger will find a nice spot under a tree to set up a picnic lunch. Dining in the middle of nowhere with nobody to disturb you except for the noises of animals nearby also enjoying their lunch is an experience one cannot easily forget. This carries no additional cost.

Embark on an exhilarating game drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania that is well-known for its abundant animal population. The highlight of this adventure is the Ngorongoro Crater, an enormous volcanic caldera alive with wildlife, including the famous Big Five: elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses.

The journey usually begins early in the morning to catch the animals when they are most active. As you descend into the crater, you will be surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with the towering crater walls enclosing you. On the crater floor, you will find grasslands, swamps, forests, and lakes, providing a diverse range of habitats for many wildlife.

With the guidance of an experienced naturalist, you will explore the crater, discover various species, and learn intriguing facts about wildlife and the ecosystem. You may encounter herds of elephants, grazing buffaloes, lounging lion prides, or even the elusive black rhino.

Ngorongoro is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, boasting over 500 bird species. As you explore the area, look for flamingos, eagles, ostriches, and more.

During the day, a delightful picnic lunch awaits you at a picturesque spot within the crater, surrounded by wildlife and stunning vistas. The game drive continues after lunch, providing ample opportunities to observe and photograph the remarkable wildlife.

A game drive in Ngorongoro promises an unforgettable experience, allowing you to witness some of Africa's most iconic animals up close in their natural habitat.

Visiting a Maasai boma in the Ngorongoro Crater is a fascinating experience that provides an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Maasai people, one of East Africa's most renowned ethnic groups. Although the visit is an additional cost, it supports the community, making it a worthwhile experience to include during your stay with us.

As you approach the boma, you'll likely see traditional Maasai warriors, known as "morans," standing guard. The boma is a circular enclosure of thorn bushes designed to protect livestock from predators. Upon entering the boma, you'll be greeted by the Maasai people, who are well-known for their warm hospitality. You may be offered a traditional welcome dance, where the men showcase their jumping skills, a crucial part of Maasai culture.

Inside the boma, you'll see traditional Maasai houses, known as "manyattas." These houses are typically made of mud, sticks, grass, and cow dung. They are small and simple yet sturdy enough to withstand the elements. You'll learn about the Maasai way of life, including their traditional dress, diet, and customs. You may also participate in activities such as milking cows, herding goats, or learning how to make traditional Maasai jewelry. A visit to a Maasai boma in the Ngorongoro Crater is a unique and enriching experience that offers a glimpse into a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Olmoti Crater, which means "big cooking pot" in the Maasai language, is a sunken caldera with grassy areas and a river valley, providing a water source and grazing grounds for wildlife. Visitors can take in a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape from the crater, including the Munge Waterfall, which can be reached by hiking. The ascent to Olmoti takes approximately 30-40 minutes, while the descent takes 25-30 minutes. The attraction is open year-round and can be part of a longer safari.

The ambiance is truly enchanting. A beautifully decorated table is elegantly placed on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, adorned with crisp linens and delicate tableware. As you sit, the attentive staff welcomes you with warmth and hospitality, catering to your every need.

The menu is a culinary masterpiece, highlighting the finest flavors of East Africa. From succulent grilled meats to exotic fruits and savory delicacies, each dish celebrates local ingredients and traditional recipes. As you savor every bite, you are serenaded by the symphony of nature around you—the distant calls of exotic birds, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the occasional roar of lions echoing in the distance. It's a sensory feast unlike any other, where the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world complements the food flavors.

Embarking on a nature walk with an NCAA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority) ranger in the Ngorongoro Highlands promises an immersive journey into one of Tanzania's most breathtaking landscapes. Picture yourself stepping into a realm where lush greenery, rolling hills converge to create an unforgettable experience. As the walk begins, your ranger, seasoned in the ways of the land, welcomes you and shares insights into the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Highlands, explaining how the rich volcanic soil supports a diverse array of plant life, from towering trees to delicate wildflowers. As you walk, the ranger shares fascinating tidbits about the flora and fauna encountered along the way, from the medicinal properties of indigenous plants to the intricate behaviors of the resident bird species. With their keen eyes and extensive knowledge, they effortlessly spot signs of animal activity—a fresh set of tracks, a telltale rustle in the bushes—keeping you engaged and intrigued throughout the journey.