SAMPLE-20 DAYS WONDERS OF UGANDA AND KENYA-LUXE- DRIVE &FLY

Only 8 kms away lie the Kasubi Tombs, the tombs of the Kabakas, or Ugandan kings. This famed UNESCO Heritage Site provides a glimpse into the history of the Buganda Kingdom

Offering breathtakingly beautiful scenery, Sezibwa Falls is a Buganda Cultural Heritage Site situated approximately 45 minutes from Kampala.

This shrine is dedicated to the 22 Uganda Martyrs, pages of King Mwanga II of Buganda, who were burned to death for their refusal to renounce Christianity.

Crater Safari Lodge provides the ideal base for many exceptional wildlife activities and excursions to the local attractions including:

◾Five-day chimpanzee and wildlife safari

◾Chimpanzee tracking

◾Chimpanzee habituation experience

◾Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

◾Semliki National Park

◾Rwenzori Mountains

◾Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru Caves

◾Crater Lake Hikes

◾Mahoma Falls

◾Lava pipes(Kills the Eagle)-(3-6 hrs walk)

◾Canoeing on the crater lake

◾Hike to the Top of the world

◾Birding

◾Tea estates and crater walks

◾Cycling around Tea estates and crater lakes

◾Cultural Activities like weaving hats, mats, baskets

◾Community visits/schools, local markets

Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness.

Chimpanzee tracking is also available in nearby Kalinzu, a forest reserve 30 minutes drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is considered to be one of Uganda’s most varied and most beautiful protected areas. Queen, as she is affectionately known, is home to two of Africa’s big cats, the majestic lion and the elusive leopard. Kyambura Gorge Lodge guests can explore the plains of Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda on a variety of game drives, usually at dawn and dusk. It is when daylight hours are coolest that wildlife is most active.

Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust launched the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project in August 2023. The Kyambura wildlife monitoring team, led by Dr Alexander Braczkowski, will collect data for African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas in Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area using a network of vehicles, and remote camera traps. This project aims to establish a science-based conservation program which supports the protection of Uganda’s carnivore populations and improves the livelihoods of local people living in and around the wildlife parks.

Guests at Kyambura Gorge Lodge can participate in this project during their stay at the lodge by collecting survey data during game drives in the Queen Elizabeth National Park and then submitting this to the lodge wildlife team. Data is collected by recording GPS of the safari car, taking specific identification photos of lions spotted during the drive, and checking and retrieving photos from camera traps.

The Kazinga Channel is a 32-kilometer long channel, rich in wildlife, that links Lakes Edward and George. Boat trips down the channel depart from Mweya Safari Lodge (about an hour’s drive through the park from Kyambura Gorge Lodge) and last 3-4 hours. The boat cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the many animals that come to cool off at the waters’ edge, including lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant, and leopard.

See the transformation of coffee beans into delicious Ugandan coffee – all done by hand, by local community members – and even get to sample the finished product for yourself. At the end of the tour guests are given the opportunity to purchase some of the cooperative’s coffee, which makes a great souvenir and supports the local community.

Set up by Damien Hirst, the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundry & Gallery are a short drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Sculptures by rising Ugandan artists sit alongside works by leading European sculptors, the result of collaborations and artist residencies. All works are inspired by the people, culture, wildlife and landscape of Uganda, and make the perfect memento to mark an unforgettable journey.

In June 2014, in partnership with the Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative and the local community, the VSPT opened a non-profit training café. The café will provide a practical training institution for local youths, both male and female, who are disadvantaged as a result of the loss of parents, HIV/AIDS, or physical or mental disabilities.

The training not only aims to provide practical experience to create more job opportunities in the region, but also to improve access to services, medication and healthcare thereby reducing the risk of transmitting HIV through education and providing training for a sustainable livelihood.

The VSPT plans to take ten interns on a quarterly basis for both theoretical and practical training. Volcanoes Safaris guests staying at Kyambura Gorge Lodge can enjoy a coffee tour followed by a hearty homemade brunch with freshly brewed coffee served at the café, or a delicious pizza from the wood-burning oven for tours in the afternoon.

The VSPT secured 45-acres of wetland south of the Volcanoes Safaris Kyambura Gorge Lodge. The wetland, which previously had been used as an illegal brick works, is now regenerating rapidly back to its natural state. The rejuvenated wetlands now attract over 200 species of birds and the sight is used to train members of the community in birding and guiding. This project has been a key success for the VSPT, particularly regarding its ecosystem conservation efforts given the amount of species that have now repopulated the area: new entries are added to the spotters’ lists almost daily!
Over 500 indigenous trees have also been replanted along the banks of the Kyambura River. Due to human encroachment and habitat destruction over the past twenty years, hundreds of trees along the riverbank were cut down leading to soil erosion and water pollution.

Community outreach and guide training take place throughout the year with the objective of establishing a pool of qualified local guides who can lead tours of the wetland. A trail system is maintained throughout the wetland and guided walks are available to Volcanoes Safaris clients.

Both Uganda and Rwanda offer some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species with 150 found only in Uganda. Rwanda has over 700 bird species and is home to the second highest number of Albertine endemics in the Albertine region. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.

VSPT has worked on purchasing the 3km long buffer along the northern part of the Gorge since 2009. With the purchase completed at the end of 2018, a 3-hour guided walk has been developed and is offered to guests to showcase the buffer created by the project, the scenic views over the Gorge, the Park and Kyambura reserve, and the chance to experience the local homesteads. Approximately 3000 trees have been planted in the buffer area, with the help of the local community and VS guests.

This short walk (45 mins) offer guests the opportunity to experience the unique landscape around the Lodge, between the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge and the community.

VSPT has created a community playground to encourage and allow local school children to play games and sports, especially soccer.

New walking safaris have been created around the lodge to experience the dramatic landscapes of Kyambura gorge and the Queen Elizabeth savannah, and visit a reclaimed wetland. Guests can walk along the Kyambura gorge buffer zone we have created to protect the fragile ecosystem from encroachment and contribute to its long-term conservation project by planting a seedling.

The Queen Elizabeth national Park spreads over an area of 1978 square km in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including elephant, lion, hippo, leopard, buffalo and Uganda kob. Birds present are all typical of riverine and savannah habitats.

The Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is the place to search for the tree climbing lions often to be seen in the vicinity of the camp which is situated just off the Northern circuit game viewing track. The lions also favour the large fig trees on the Southern circuit game viewing track and this offers alternative game viewing routes.

On early morning and late afternoon game drives, either in your safari vehicle, or for fly-in guests – in our dedicated camp open safari vehicle, you may explore the area’s game routes in search of the different species. The area is still pristine and untouched with only a handful of game vehicles found around the area at any time. Being the only camp within the park, it offers flexibility of timings for drives allowing guests to maximise their game sightings in this area.

Sundowners can be arranged for the late afternoon at a suitable viewing point either along the ridge area or besides the Ntungwe River to allow guests to savour the vast vistas and atmosphere of this beautiful area of the park.

Bush breakfasts are also available to camp guests when arranged prior to their stay and if the weather allows. Your own personal chef and dining set-up in the wilderness can be combined with an early-morning safari drive.

Agartha’s Taste of Uganda Tour: Situated in a small village on the fringes of the Queen Elizabeth National park, Agartha is a strong member of the local community group and tirelessly works to improve not only her family’s well-being but also her neighbours.

Agartha takes great pride in sharing with you how the women of her tribe, the Bakiga, prepare their favourite food. Not only do you hear how the ingredients are grown and harvested but you can witness how to shift, grind, cook, and most importantly, keep the much-loved food warm for their husbands.

During the tour Agartha weaves in stories of what it’s like to be a Bakiga wife whilst encouraging you to taste what you may have helped prepare together. She then sends you off on your journey with a packed traditional snack and a taste of the local brew if you wish too!

Tracking mountain gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day, and to minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 10m from the gorillas. Typically, tracking can take from 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness; however, all fitness levels can be accommodated and no one should feel deterred from missing this once in a lifetime experience.

For an in-depth understanding of the behaviour and conservation of gorillas, guests can be accompanied by a veterinary doctor from the Gorillas Doctors or by a researcher from the Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) organisation in Buhoma.

Gorillas Doctors are dedicated to conserving wild mountain and eastern lowland gorillas through life-saving veterinary medicine and a One Health approach.

CTPH is a non profit organisation, founded by Dr. Glady Kalema, which focusses on the interdependence of wildlife and human health in and around the protected areas of Uganda. They are located in Buhoma, walking distance from Bwindi Lodge.

This exclusive experience allows a total group of 8 guests to track a gorilla group in the forest on their own. This enables guests to have a deeper connection with these fascinating animals, accompanied by their own guide who can give them personal briefing.

The cost is 5600 USD per trek per day in Uganda, for a maximum of 8 guests.

In 2013 the VSPT began simple tea processing in partnership with the local communities, at the Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, which is located at the edge of the primordial Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, World Heritage Site and home to the famous Mountain Gorilla, in South West Uganda.

Tea has proven to be a very useful buffer crop when planted between forest areas with protected wildlife, and local human communities. Animals do not eat tea so feel no need to come out of the forest to “crop raid” which is the source of much human-wildlife conflict in areas around National Parks.

A tea tour is available to interested Volcanoes Safaris guests, demonstrating how tea is grown, picked and traditionally processed in Uganda. The tour also shows how ‘black’, ‘green’ and ‘white’ teas are produced and differentiated. Guests are invited to sample the fine teas at the end of the tour whilst looking out over the impressive forest.

In 2015, the VSPT officially opened the Bwindi Bar, located near the Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The bar provides a practical training institution for local disadvantaged youths living near the Bwindi National Park in Buhoma.

The VSPT aims to provide practical experience in the tourism industry, to create more job opportunities in the region. Thanks to this programme, trainees are armed with the appropriate skills set to go on to gain successful employment in hospitality in the Bwindi area.

The trainees gain practical skills in food and service during their three month training. They are then sent for further internships at nearby lodges. Bwindi Bar serves a variety of delicious locally-inspired food and drinks, including the famous Ugandan 'Rolex' wrap and the signature 'Gorillini' cocktail!

Congratulations to Bwindi Bar on winning the 2016 PURE Community Engagement Award!

Bwindi Community Hospital was established in 2003 to provide health care to the Batwa community and, due to the high demand of health services, the hospital opened its services to all people living in the area. What started as an outreach clinic under a tree is now a 112 bed hospital providing health care and educational services to a population of over 100,000 people. A simple stroll through the village will lead you to the hospital.

Uganda offers some of the world’s best bird watching, with a vast diversity of bird species. Uganda has over 1,000 bird species with 150 found only in Uganda. Each of our lodges offers the chance to see a number of different birds, with the vast majority endemic to the Region.

At Bwindi Lodge the beautiful walk to the river takes you through the lush grounds of the lodge with the magical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on the other side of the river. Gorillas, chimps and birds can often be heard in the undergrowth. A natural pool in the river can be used for quick cool dip!

This escorted walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, traces the river up into the park, where 3 beautiful waterfalls can be found along the way.

The forest is home to 350 bird species of which is 23 endemic bird species, clouds of butterflies and rare plant life. This walk offers excellent photographic opportunities and the guide will provide a great insight into this globally important habitat.

Horse Safaris in and around Lake Mburo National Park

Mihingo Lodge has been operating horse safaris inside Lake Mburo National Park since 2009. We carefully adjust the rides according to the riding skills of each group; for beginners and inexperienced riders we only walk the horses. In fact, a walk on a horse is the best way to view game. It is peaceful and relaxing, and you get very close to the animals. For advanced riders there are also lovely stretches for trotting and cantering. We have 1 thoroughbreds (16 hands, weight limit 90kg), 2 five-year-old thoroughbred/ warmblood crossbreds (17 hands, weight limit 100kg), 3 thoroughbred/ Ethiopian pony crossbreds (13 hands, weight limit 75kg) and 2 tough Ethiopian ponies (12 hands, weight limit 60kg), in total 8 horses.
Inside Lake Mburo National Park where we ride on some fantastic routes. One of the best rides in the park is a 3- to 4-hours ride into Acacia valley where we often find the Rothschild giraffe. It is a fantastic feeling being close to the giraffe on horseback.

Horse safaris are an exciting way to see the wildlife around Mihingo Lodge. Without any engine sound and fumes you feel part of nature and often get the chance to see the more timid animals. It is an exhilarating experience not to be missed. We sometimes see Rothschild’s giraffe, eland, and buffalo and nearly always warthog, topi, impala, bushbuck, waterbuck, and zebra on our horse safaris, although this depends very much on the time of year and the rain fall in the area. Experiencing game from horseback is very special; zebra come towards you to check out the strange relative without

stripes. Even the normally very shy elands curiously look at the horses without running away, just keeping their distance. Mini Trappe who is one of the leading horse safari operators in Tanzania was amazed how beautiful the rids in Lake Mburo are.

Short Rides (1 to 2 hours):
One-hour rides are always done outside the park as it is not possible to reach good game viewing areas inside the park in such a short time. Even most 2 hours rides are mostly done outside the park as you will see more game outside the park on a short ride. If you are a very good rider and we canter a lot, we can reach some of the good areas in the Park in 2 hours but it is advisable to have more time.

Long Rides (3 to 4 hours):
If guests want to see giraffes and they are experienced riders, they will have a good chance if they book a 3- or 4-hours ride. For not experienced riders they need to book at least a 4-hours ride to make it into the areas where we find giraffes and back as they will mostly just be walking and maybe testing a bit of trotting. My favorite ride is a 4-hours ride on to Warukiri Ridge in the middle of the Park with lovely views into different valleys in the park and long canters in Research valley. From Warukiri Ridge you can see 8 of the lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park and in the rainy season the waterhole at the end of the ridge attracts buffalo and eland and sometimes you can even find a hippo in this waterhole on top of a hill.

Our maximum weight limit for guests is 100 kg, but most of our horses cannot carry more than 80 kg or less. We provide fully adjustable helmets in all sizes and chaps, and ride with English style saddles. We recommend that you wear long trousers and strong shoes, if possible, with heels. We are not taking more than six guests out at a time, but this depends on the weight of the riders and the availability of the horses. All our rides are accompanied by at least one experienced horse guide, but in most cases, there are two guides accompanying each ride.

Nearly all our guests absolutely loved the horse safaris no matter if experienced or first-time riders! For further information please contact our managers and reservations team on reservations@mihingolodge.com, call them on +256 752 410 509 or have a look at our website www.mihingolodge.com.

Please note that guests staying at Mihingo Lodge always have priority when it comes to rides, and we can’t book rides for guests staying in other lodges in advance and can only confirm a booking for guests not staying with us the evening before a morning ride and at midday on the same day of an afternoon ride if we have availability.

If you don’t feel like spending any more time in a car and you’re are not too comfortable on a horse then hire one of our good quality mountain bikes to explore the bush.

If you’re adventurous and like to keep fit, grab a bike and explore the sandy tracks outside the Park. You can hire one of our Mihingo guides to join you on your ride and make sure you don’t get lost! Tracks are suitable for a gentle family ride out taking in the wildlife all around but there is plenty for the more extreme riders to explore. Drive off the larger roads on to narrow animal paths and clamber over termite mounds while you put our bikes through their paces!

As we only have 2 bikes for kids please book early to avoid disappointment. Most of the year there is just as much wildlife beyond the borders of the Park as there is inside. You’re very likely to see zebra, impala, warthogs as well as a variety of other antelope.

Mountain Bike Safaris inside the Park can also be arranged.

Walking Safaris are a magical way to experience the bush. They allow you to notice smaller details often overlooked when in a car or riding a horse.

Within the Park:
All walks in the park must be accompanied with an armed UWA guide. You can technically walk anywhere in the park once a guide is in attendance. The most popular walks are inside the park, walking with giraffes, which is an incredible experience walking along with the totally habituated giraffe. You can get as close as 10 meters to these gentle giants. Longer walks onto Warukir Ridge are also possible with fantastic views and lots of wildlife.

Outside the Park:
You may take a walk with a Mihingo guide outside the park where you will often see just as many animals as inside. A 2 hour walk down the hill and into the valleys around the lodge is a great way to explore the area.

There are many beautiful drives to explore in the Park either heading out yourself with a map, with a guide or hiring the lodge open sided Land Rover or our stretch Land Cruiser. Research Track is one of our favourite drives where you are likely to see buffalo wallowing in the mud, zebra, impala, topi, bush buck and warthog.

For spectacular views, park at the bottom of Kazuma look-out and walk up to the top; from here the view is stunning and you can see 5 lakes including Lake Mburo. For some 4 x 4 driving during the rainy season Eland track is the most challenging.

Feel like doing nothing and relaxing to the maximum? Full body massages are available, taking approximately 1 hour. It is possible for two people to enjoy massages at the same time in our dedicated massage rondavel which is situated in the forest with birds and butterflies fluttering past.

Mihingo lodge has a hide about 40 metres to the south of the waterhole and saltlick visible from the dining room. One can easily spend several hours watching wildlife come and go and capture great pictures if you are quiet.

The 15 minute trail is signposted from below the dining room as ‘hide’.

If you travel a few further metres beyond the hide, you will find a second secret shelter known as the den. If you are feeling adventurous then quietly sneak along the path and crawl on your knees to reach inside this exciting new cavern, located even nearer to the watering hole.

If you are feeling extra energetic our Mihingo guides would love to take you out on a run roaming across the community lands (outside the park).

From 5km – 15km we will tailor the experience to meet your needs.

Mihingo Lodge has a hard surface tennis court a short walk from the main area. We have tennis rackets and balls for any of the guests who would like to play.

Lake Mburo is one of the few parks where you can go on a night game drive! At night there is a whole variety of animals that you would not see in the day including bush pigs, genet cat and white tailed mongoose to mention but a few. Night drives also give you the best chance of finding leopards, spotted hyena. It is an interesting experience out at night with a spotlight, an unusual twist on your regular game drives.

Please inform us in time, so we can organize your night drive as it is mandatory to have a UWA guide for all night drives. Also, there are only a limited number of spotlights so get in touch as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Night drives can be done in your own vehicle or in the Mihingo safari vehicle.

Hire a bike or take a short drive to one of the schools we support and see for yourself the work this school is doing for many of the children in the community. The parents in the community also contribute to the running of the school and often fees are waivered for orphans. Spend an hour interacting with the children, talking to the teachers or even running some of the games and activities you used to do at school. There is no charge for the school visit, but any donation or kind hearted gesture is appreciated, be it a few pens & books to sponsoring a student’s schooling.

A boat trip on Lake Mburo is the best way to see the lake and its inhabitants. It is particularly good for water birds (especially Finfoot, White-backed Heron and Fish Eagles) but you will also come across hippos, crocodiles and other animals coming down for a drink.

The boat trip takes approximately 1½ hours. Lifejackets are available at the landing site also in children’s sizes. The boat is small, holding a maximum of fourteen and has a covered roof.

Boat trips leave at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 5.30pm

To get children interacting more with the environment and leave them enthused about the bush and its animals, Mihingo Lodge offers a bush experience for kids. On a two hours excursion, we can get them out interacting and learning about the bush and its animals. If you are interested in this for your children (or just want a few hours’ peace & quiet!) please speak to us to organise a bush experience.

We can combine a walking safari, a mountain bike safari or a horse ride starting at Mihingo Lodge with a bush breakfast.

Mihingo Lodge is one of the few places in Africa where you can watch thick-tailed Gallagos in their natural environment. These are a nocturnal primate species that have become very used to our guests and come to the platform below the bar most evenings.

We are very strict and only give them 2 small pieces of banana to ensure that they still have to forage for their own food which includes fruit, lizards, moths and other insects.

We never allow anyone to touch the Gallagos or take photos with a flash as this can easily damage their eyes. You will be able to see the thick-tailed Gallagos interacting with each other.

Bush babies hide during the day in order to avoid contact with predators such as eagles and large snakes and to avoid competing with Vervet monkeys for resources. Since they are easily captured on the ground they mostly stay in trees and rely on their extraordinary jumping abilities.

On the banks of Lake Victoria lies our beautiful, picture perfect golf resort with a 18-hole golf course, designed by Golf Plan with a challenging layout for golfers of all skill levels. The views of the lake and its surroundings are soft on the eye with ample bird life, while each hole has a different and relaxed feel to it. Its unique features include a finishing hole with an island green that is not seen in many courses. Additional amenities and services include a driving range, caddies, equipment rentals and golf professionals to provide instruction for juniors and adults.

Take a trip to Paradise Island, an unspoiled paradise covered by dense tropical forest that is inhabited by monkeys as well as birds. Later, treat yourself to a tour around the fishing villages and meet Ugandans to learn their culture and ways.

Located 23 km offshore from Entebbe, this 100-acre forested island is a safe haven for juvenile/ orphaned chimpanzees who are free to enjoy the natural habitat on this wonderful island.

Enjoy fishing from the waters of the largest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria, at Paradise Island right off Entebbe.

The resort’s boating marina on Lake Victoria is located on a man-made bay featuring a channel and yacht basin with moorings for yachts and motorboats. Take a trip to the channel to Lutembe beach and view the exotic birdlife or cruise to Ngamba Island, a chimpanzee preserve where guests can participate in feeding the animals. Additionally, we offer dawn lunch and sundowner cruises for small groups.

Begin your journey with an all-encompassing city tour of Nairobi that will take you to spectacular and noteworthy spots in the sun. The three to four-hour drive will bring travellers to a variety of must see sights that include: The National Museum, Railway Museum, KICC (Kenyatta International Conference Centre), National Archives and the Parliament Building.

Understand the history and environment of Kenyan tribes at the Bomas of Kenya, the cultural centre in Langata, located near the main gate of the Nairobi National Park. The Bomas, (homesteads) are displayed as various traditional villages that belong to several tribes, in order to demonstrate the remarkable diverse culture that embodies Kenya.

Celebrate All Things African!

Begin your afternoon immersed in the flavours of the Region with our African Buffet at Cafe Maghreb followed by our Art Heritage & Cultural tour, showcasing artwork and sculptures curated from the Mother Continent.Tour Timings: 4.00 - 5.00 pm

Known as one of the largest urban gazetted forests in the world, the Karura Forest Reserve sits in the northern section of the city, just a 15 minute drive from the hotel. With over one thousand hectares, it is a extraordinary display of Kenyan nature. Visitors can partake in forest walks, bird watching, butterfly watching, cycling, running and picnicking. The daily hours are from 6:00am until 6:00pm.

Just a seven-minute drive from the hotel, enjoy the 30-hectare forest reserve that is the Nairobi Arboretum. A host to more than 300 species, the arboretum holds over 100 migrant and resident birds, as well as exotic and indigenous tree species and Sykes and Vervet monkeys. Learn about the local trees, birds, butterflies and more from 6:00am until 6:15pm.

This is the highlight experience! Soysambu Conservancy is entwined with a marching history reflecting back to 1890s. It is a home of the endangered Rothschild Giraffes and Black and White Colobus Monkeys. The conservancy hosts a good standing population of the three of the big five family namely Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes. Morning or evening game drives offers our guests the exceptional chance of getting out of the vehicle and walking in the wild, in designated areas. Our road master land cruiser, driven by our experienced naturalists ensures comfort and optimum game viewing experience throughout the drive.

The natural settings in the wild vary adversely. Individual animals are diurnal (active during the day), nocturnal (active at night) or even Crepuscular (active in twilight i.e. dawn and dusk). A uniquely specialized activity, a night game drive is the ultimate safari luxury. Night is the domain of such hunters as leopards and lions (Conservancy’s big cats), and the only time you may catch a glimpse of such elusive nocturnal creatures as Aardvarks, spring Hares, Porcupines,White-Tailed Mongoose etc. Typically, our Camp’s safari vehicle is equipped with a powerful spotlight, which can be used to sweep the bush for likely sightings.

An Ornithological Haven

The only way to get close to nature on foot. Led by an experienced Naturalist, the one-hour walk begins right at the camp, through the sprawling Acacia thickets right to the Lake shore. This is one of the rarest opportunity to walk designated Ramsar and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Unlike the drives, nature walks captures all the desired attention of natural happenings like identifying tracks and signs of wildlife, geology, native plants identification and their traditional medicinal values or uses, one on one interaction on birding with an expert, more thrilling, how these birds find their way all from Europe and Asia into Africa during winter! The cover of diverse habitats ensures maximum content achievement.

This is an experience designed to immerse our guests into the wild on a horse back. Our experienced jockeys ensure the guests are taken through the whole concept and even more informing on how horse sports have evolved from time immemorial up to date. Sight-seeing, birdwatching, wildlife viewing from a horse back is incredible and a must try.

The Conservancy plays host to 450 bird species, and birding experts report up to 60 species of birds a day – a birder’s paradise including the flamingos and the endangered Great White Pelican. The guided bird walks along the lake, are conducted by the resident naturalist, and tools such as the binoculars and a birding list are provided.

Savor a delightful sundowner cocktail perched atop the cliff, commanding stunning views of the serene lake below. Witness the graceful pelicans and flamboyant flamingos in their natural habitat from this privileged vantage point. Keep an eye out as buffaloes leisurely graze along the picturesque lake shore, adding to the enchanting ambiance.

Karen Blixen Camp invites our guests for game drives within the Mara North Conservancy for the outmost exclusive and private safari experience. Visit the Leopard Gorge, a vital nursery area for lions, cheetahs and leopards, made famous by BBC’s Big Cat Diary.

Guests of Karen Blixen Camp are able to enjoy early morning game drives, afternoon game drives, full day game drives and thrilling night game drives within the Mara North Conservancy. We encourage you to explore the northern corridor of our conservancy area with the majestic Lemek Hills; a highly important wildlife refuge particular to a pack of threatened African wild dogs.

During the migration season (or on request) guests are offered the opportunity to go for a full day game drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve or the Mara Triangle to have a chance to see the thousands of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River. Please note the additional park fees.

For the ultimate safari experience Karen Blixen Camp is using open Toyota Land Cruisers as our preferred safari vehicles. Game drives are undertaken with a highly experienced driver guide who is committed to share his or her knowledge on wild animal behavior and the complexity of the Mara Ecosystem. No more than six guests in each game vehicle assure the most comfortable experience with attention given to every visitor’s wildlife interest. Game driving at Karen Blixen Camp is an outstanding safari experience.

Game walks are serious matters as you will be walking right in middle of the big game land. Stand close to the mighty termite hills. Try and get a close to the abundance of plain games inhabiting the savannah, watching you with timid curiosity as you slowly approach them.

Game walking is an amazing experience. It gives you an intense feeling of the greatness and the astonishing Masai Mara Ecosystem. Walk almost quietly through the diverse arrays of grasses and enjoy the fresh smell of the plains and the prickly heat of the sun.

We will track and try to come close to the plain game as giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, topis, Grant’s gazelles, Thompson’s gazelles, yellow baboons and Kirks dikdik. Learning about these fascinating animals and to understand the very unique behavioral and anatomical adaptations helps fit them into their role in the Mara ecology. For security reasons we avoid any contact with the big five as the elephants, buffalos or any of the big cat predators.

Bird watching is an important and interesting element of every game drive and with over 550 bird species in the Masai Mara, endemics to East Africa, watching birds’ behavior is really an adventure on its own.

Take time to enjoy the birdlife of the Masai Mara. Birds are an important part of the Masai Mara Ecosystem. You can expect to see many different species from the larger cranes and bustards to the colorful rollers and bee-eaters.

One can also enjoy the rich bird life around the camp. The shady trees and shrubbery in the garden provide a lovely avian habitat that attracts birds all year round. The birds around the camp are used to people and this makes viewing them at close range easier than out in the field.

The combination of the riverine habitat which attracts water birds like hamerkops, herons, geese and sandpipers and the shady garden which is a haven for purple grenadiers, weavers, starlings, mousebirds, white-browed robin-chats, sooty chats and scarlet-chested sunbirds makes Karen Blixen Camp the ideal place to enjoy the wonder of Kenyan ornithology.

There is nothing like flying high above the magnificent African Savannah in a Hot Air Balloon; seeing nature at its best from a bird’ perspective is unimaginable. Until you’ve actually tried it.

The thrilling adventure begins as the first pink rays of light are seen on the sky. As the silent inflation system fills the balloon with hot air, the captain will ask you to climb into the basket, suspended below the balloon.

Your anxiety will be replaced with a rush of adrenaline and excitement as the balloon silently lifts from the ground and the Masai Mara will fall away under your feet and a whole new and amazing view appears with herds of elephants tottering beneath you.

After an hour of fascinating slow balloon cruising, you will land and a lavish champagne breakfast set amidst the bush awaits you. This is a truly magical and unforgettable safari experience.

Experience how the Masai people live in the middle of the bush with zebras grazing and lions roaring just outside their homes and get to know their culture and customs on a visit to the traditional Maasai village, the local primary school or the busy market day.

The majority of Maasai still practice their traditional way of life and live as pastoralists with cattle at the centre of their culture and social life. They are very proud to welcome guests and tell about their everyday life in the bush.

Karen Blixen Camp supports the local Maasai community and guests are able to visit the Mararienda Village, the local primary school and the busy Maasai market.

A unique customized conference tent located within the Karen Blixen camp, set on the banks of Mara River and is well suited for meetings and events with extensive facilities and a wide array of dining options including bush dining.

The Kikao Centre can comfortably accommodate up to 60 persons in a theatre style set up . It is fully equipped with all requisite meeting equipment like LCD projector, wall large screen, White Boards and stationery. It can also accommodate 40 persons in either board room or a class room set up.

Celebrate your wedding at Karen Blixen Camp with a romantic ceremony held at the impressive Masai Mara savannah and enjoy a private dinner party overlooking the Mara River.

The wedding at Karen Blixen Camp is truly a romantic experience for the two who wish to celebrate their love with family and friends in the midst of the beautiful Masai Mara.

Arrive at camp, experience thrilling game drives, perfectly set lunches, relax at the beautiful pool and enjoy cozy ‘before dinner drinks’ at the fireside beneath the African starlight night.

Upon the day for the wedding the bride and her maids of honor are pampered with wellness treatments before driving to the plains of Mara were the groom and the party is waiting together with the District Commissioner of Narok who will perform the ceremony.