Out of Africa

It is located at Langata, approximately 3 kilometers from House of Waine. It is the creation of a Kenyan
conservation organization, the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW). It was established in order to protect the endangered Rothschild giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi, that is found only in the grasslands of East Africa.

The main attraction for visitors is feeding giraffes from a raised observation platform. The centre is also
home to several warthogs which freely roam the area along with the giraffes.

They have three types of Giraffes: Reticulated Giraffe, Masai Giraffe and the Rothschild Giraffe.

Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm 7 days a week.

Sheldrick is a Kenyan wildlife conservation charity founded in 1977 in memory of David Sheldrick by his widow Daphne Sheldrick. It assists and advises the Kenya Wildlife Service and manages an orphanage for elephants and rhinos.

One can also adopt an Elephant at a cost of USD 50 per year upon prior booking.

It is located approximately 20 minutes from House of Waine and is open daily from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. At this time you watch them being fed with the normal human children formulae milk.

Charges are Kshs. 500 per person both local and international.

Kazuri Bead Factory is situated 1 km and is approximately a 15 minutes walk from House of Waine – “a stones-throw away” from Karen Blixen Museum.

Originally founded by the late Lady Susan Wood in 1975, she created employment for struggling single mothers in the community. Kazuri is still located in its’ original setting in Karen, so far the workshop has now employed over 300 local women. Kazuri Beads specialize on Hand Made Ceramic Beads, Pottery and Genuine Leather Bags.

Kazuri Beads Shop opening hours are as follows: Sundays 9:00am to 4:00pm, Mondays to Saturdays from 8:30am am to 6:00pm. Karen Workshop closes Mon to Sat at 6.00pm and Sundays at 5.00pm.

Utamaduni Crafts Centre is located on Bogani East Road between Ostrich Park and Giraffe Centre in Langata open from 10am to 6pm daily. Utamaduni Crafts Centre is situated 5 Minutes from House of Waine. There are about eighteen individual Craft Shops in one large house offering a wealth of Kenyan Culture.

The centre offers antiques, wood carvings, bronze items, and jewellery of the highest quality. Utamaduni means “cultural heritage” and is a converted house containing (about 18) arts and crafts shops including:
cKisii Soapstone
- African Fabrics
- Men's Boutique
- Beaded Glassware
- An African coffee table book shop
- Antique African silver & gold jewelry
- Crafts made by ex-Nairobi street children
- A variety of beautiful Kenyan Kiondos (Baskets)

Utamaduni Craft Centre in Nairobi is the best place to buy souvenirs.

The museum is situated in the upscale Nairobi suburb of "Karen," a town that was created by the parceling out of the coffee farm's land after Blixen's return to Denmark. Itis also the former African home of Danish author Karen Blixen, famous for her book Out of Africa which chronicles life at the estate.

The Karen Blixen Museum is located 1km from House of Waine and is open every day between 9:30am and 6:00pm, including on weekends and public holidays.

Visitors have the opportunity to take part in continuously offered guided tours of the house, which features rooms designed in both the original decor and with props from the 1985 film. The grounds, which feature original equipment from the coffee farm, are also available for touring. There is also a gift shop. The grounds of the museum are available to rent for weddings, corporate functions, and other events.

Charges :100 Kshs per person-Residents & USD 10 Per Person Non-Residents.

The Museum is open from 9:30am to 6:00pm

Experience authentic Maasai and Samburu culture, by visiting a traditional homestead, having a cup of smoky milk tea with a mama or a drink of honey mead with the Wazee (Elders). Learn about the social structure of the homestead, and the joys and challenges of everyday life. This is a very natural and authentic experience where you are treated as a guest, not a tourist.

For the more adventurous, we will set up dinner at the manyatta. Chef David will barbecue a goat and we will have dinner under the stars inside the manyatta, sharing for a moment, the life of our Maasai and Samburu neighbours.

A tradition unique to northern Kenya, the "singing wells" are dug in dry river beds by warriors to find water for their cows. The warriors form a human pyramid in the 10-12ft wells to bring buckets of water to the surface, while singing individual songs to each of their cows. The songs, reverberating in the valley, and heard well before you see the wells are a magical and haunting experience.

Be invited to a wedding, where the bride and groom go through elaborate rituals before departing for their new home, with the event culminating in a joyful celebration of their new life together which all the in the area are invited to join.

Or maybe attend a women's blessing ceremony, a young man's circumcision day or the initiation of a new age set of warriors.

Those unique moments are always fascinating, moving and memorable.

The 40,000 acres of the private Ol Lentille Conservancy are a vital wildlife migration corridor and as such, remain unfenced. It is home to large herds of elephant, painted wolves, leopards, hyenas, greater kudus, elands, as well as many species of smaller antelopes. Rare northern species such as the Grevy's zebra and gerenuk are also found here. Ol Lentille is also a paradise for bird watching, with many rare species making their home here. This is Africa at its most wild and original. Without fences, the animals move in and out of the conservancy following ancient migration routes and are not habituated to humans.

With 40,000 acres of unspoilt and dramatic wilderness, Ol Lentille is ideal for walking adventures, from a gentle walk down a dry river bed that reveals spectacular "lost world" views to a vigorous climb up Ol Lentille peak, Laikipia's tallest, or a full day adventure hiking in hidden valleys

A camel safari through the African bush, led by Maasai warriors, and ending at the bend of a river for a tranquil picnic lunch under a fig tree, and perhaps a refreshing swim in the river.

Go for an exciting quad biking adventure around the community lands, or down the rugged trails of the conservancy (16 years and above),

Enjoy a relaxing spa treatment in the comfort of our secluded spa, followed by herbal tea served on the spa deck

Around a roaring fire at the lodge's "boma", the warriors appear unexpectedly out of the darkness, singing rhythmically and dancing like dervishes. Their vertical jumps, a way of demonstrating their athletic prowess to the young women who accompany them. Almost unconsciously, our Ol Lentille staff get dragged into the dancing circle, and then our guests.

That signature Ol Lentille activity is an exhilarating evening, that culminates in a traditional Kenyan meal served under the stars.

Visit Africa's only habituated baboon colony, a 30mn drive from Ol Lentille lodge. The field researchers will talk you through the behaviour and organization of that large group of baboons (numbering up to 100 individuals), as they slowly make their way to a rocky outcrop to roost for the night. That activity usually ends with a sundowner nearby, as you watch the baboons settling in for the night.

At Ol Lentille we pride ourselves on never serving you a meal twice in the same location. You can enjoy meals in the privacy of your villa, on the pool deck, in the Gallery or on the rooftop. We arrange bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and bush dinners in a number of spectacular locations. And our sundowners are truly memorable!

Every day in the Masai Mara is different. Each of our game drives is an adventure into the unknown. We recommend staying with us for at least four days (three nights) to ensure you absorb as much game viewing as you can, balanced with relaxation in camp. This activity is included in the price when staying at Mara Bushtops.

We’d love to guarantee you’ll see the big five. We’re confident you will spot lions, buffalo and elephants, often in great numbers. Leopards and rhino can be shy, but we do all in our power to seek them out. The secret is to make sure you take part in at least one early morning game drive, one full day game drive and an evening game drive (a night drive is a bonus!). The knowledge of our rangers and the sharp eyes of Masai spotters will do the rest.

Explore our Conservancy on foot

One of the many advantages of being located in our own private lands is being able to run walking safaris directly from the camp. All you need is good walking shoes and a sense of adventure.

Our walks are always accompanied by an armed KWS Ranger and your Naturalist.

One of the unusual aspects of Mara Bushtops and owning our own conservancy is being able to arrange night game drives, which is included in the price when staying at Mara Bushtops. When the sun sets, nature shuffles its deck, revealing new players and dramas under the moonlit skies of the Masai Mara.

The lights of our 4x4s may pick out the eyes of a spring hare bounding like a kangaroo, or the loping figure of a hunter bearing down on a herd of impala. A night game drive is a wonderful opportunity to spot the best of Kenya’s wildlife – perhaps a lion, leopard or buffalo, a silver backed jackal, hyena or banded mongoose.

Masai spotters and unique night game drive technology
Masai spotters know where to look and seem able to see in the dark, aided by night torches. Our specially converted car is equipped with a heat-seeking night-vision camera, known as a ‘flir’, whose infra-red images are relayed to screens on the seatbacks ahead of you. This adds a new, unexpected dimension to game viewing – and another way in which we aim to surprise and delight our guests.

It’s an astonishing image: a balloon, framed against the rising sun, overlooking the herds of Masai Mara plains. You could be in that balloon’s basket, creating a memory that will last a lifetime. But you will have to get up early!

If you want to add a balloon safari to your itinerary, it’s best to let us know in advance. This lies outside your stay at Mara Bushtops and bookings are outside our control: the sooner you let us know, the more likely we can confirm availability (and the additional costs involved: you should allow US$450-$500 per person).

Having booked your flight, you will be picked up from Mara Bushtops in the early hours of the morning, ready to take flight as dawn breaks (weather permitting). As you level out over the Bush, you gain a bird’s eye view of the herds and an awe-inspiring panoramic overview of the wide horizons. After about an hour, your experienced pilot brings the balloon safely to earth. You celebrate the amazing experience with a Bush champagne breakfast. You then have the option to continue the adventure, adding a full day game drive, or return to camp for a leisurely morning or nap.

If you are bringing younger members of the family with you, there's something new and exciting awaiting them at Bushtops. Our Bushcraft Challenge, which is included in the price when staying at Mara Bushtops. 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; learning about animal bones; listening to anthropology stories; 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.

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.

Our award-winning safari spa at Mara Bushtops takes Wild Luxury to new heights. It adds luxurious pampering, peace and tranquillity to the excitement of game watching, culinary excellence and the comforts of the camp. Use of the spa facilities is included in the price when staying at Mara Bushtops but treatments and massages carry an additional cost.

Within the soothing confines of the safari spa, rejuvenating massages, hydrotherapy and a range of holistic skin and body treatments are complemented by a fitness facility, complete with high-tech cardiovascular and weight training equipment.

A sauna, Rasul steam room (featuring multi-sensory Arabian mud cleansing treatments) and hot tub vie for attention with a solar heated infinity pool – with beds inside the pool complete with water jets! There is also a cold plunge pool to take the edge of the heat. And to wind down, there is the simple glory of our wooden relaxation deck, providing uninterrupted views of the camp’s salt lick and the majestic African bush.

This is where the ‘luxury’ part of our promise to you comes to glorious life. We offer a range of delights, embracing Amani signature spa treatments, luxurious body treatments, sensational journeys, a massage collection, deluxe facials and hand and foot rituals.

The best ending to any day. Watching a fiery red orb of light slowly sink beneath the horizon in the middle of the bush, all while chatting about the sightings of the day and enjoying some drinks with canapés. This activity is included in the price when staying at Mara Bushtops.

A simply fantastic place to view the sunset and talk about the events of the day and the plan for tomorrow. The pool was designed with stars in the bottom that emit light through the water in the shape of the Orion constellation. This activity has no additional cost.

The camp fire is a great place to have drinks and wind down after a day well spent. You will be treated with a traditional Masai dance for entertainment. The jumping dance is likely what you will be familiar with. In the Masai language this dancing competition is called the "adumu". Though the jumping dance is the most well known, there are plenty of other traditional dances that the Masai perform. This carries no additional cost.

Our guests call is "the best view in the Maasai Mara"

Our private conservancy is a haven for wildlife – and the best bit is just yards from the camp. Directly in front of the restaurant and spa lies a salt lick. Animals love it, arriving primarily at noon but also throughout the day and night to absorb the minerals needed for healthy bones and growth.

This creates a constantly shifting nature show, as gazelle jostle with warthogs, zebra and impala, topi and buffalo. It is not unusual to have a herd of elephant join them – and we have hosted more than 40 giraffe at a time. Naturally, the predators take an interest, with leopard and lion visitors. We like to think Mara Bushtops is unique: as the only camp in the Mara with a natural salt lick this size! This has no additional cost.

We’re used to surprises in the Bush, but sometimes we get left open-mouthed. Finding an historic Masai cave in our conservancy was just such an occasion. As a result, our excursions have just become even more exciting!

We’d heard rumours of the cave’s existence, but after 10 years at Mara Bushtops, had no idea that within a 15 minute drive (and 10 minute hike) lay a centre of worship, sacrifice and communal gathering.

It’s called the Kakiya cave and it is truly incredible. Kakiya means the place of eating and drinking, giving us a pretty solid clue as to its central role in Masai life!

A walking safari through a scenic valley takes you into a hidden world. Here you can learn how to create a fire (without matches) before your Masai spotter explains the cave’s history, role and continued relevance to the Masai. This includes an explanation of the cave art, which uses red ochre to depict wild animals and warriors, usually created to celebrate a kill. It is hard to know when the cave was first used. We know some of the paintings are from the 1950s, but many may be much older. This activity has no additional cost.

Picture this: an early morning wake-up call, followed by 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 ranger, serving a hot meal and an array of delicious buffet delicacies. A glorious day in the Bush has begun… This activity is included in the price for honeymooners but carries an additional cost for other guests.

Masai tribal villages are dotted around East Africa’s national parks. At Bushtops we highly recommend a visit to a Masai manyatta (village), to gain a rare insight into one of Africa best-known traditional cultures. Our relationship with local tribal elders has built trust and an agreement to allow us privileged access to authentic living history, perpetuated in the villages which border our private conservancy. This activity carries an 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.