Kenya Bush and Beach

Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is today the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.

Spend a few hours in the company of young orphan elephants and learn about incredible rescue efforts and the world famous rehabilitation programme. You may also find yourself adopting one of the herd.

Karen Blixen Museum is a national museum in Kenya situated about 19 kilometres from Nairobi City centre. It was built in 1912, and was home to the iconic Danish author of ‘Out of Africa’ (won an Oscar Award)-Karen Blixen. This famous author, artist and poet lived here while setting up her coffee farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills.

In case you missed out, Out of Africa is a book which Karen Blixen wrote about her stay in Kenya and of her beloved farm, and was later made into a great movie. It shows her struggles she underwent to keep her estate and how her understanding and love grew for the culture and the people around her.

During your stay at Hemingways Nairobi Hotel, take some few hours of your time and visit Karen Blixen Museum. This will give you a chance to travel back in time where you can re-live your memories of Out of Africa. If you are a lover of history, then this is the place for you.

You can pick up a copy of the famous film at the museum shop or browse for handicrafts, posters and postcards, books and other Kenyan souvenirs.

A short drive from Hemingways Hotel, Nairobi National Park offers either an immediate safari experience on landing in Kenya or a final last look prior to departing home. It is the oldest national park in Kenya, established in 1946, and is the only national park in the world located within a capital city.

With wide-open grass plains and the backdrop of the city, scattered acacia bushes play host to a wide variety of wildlife including the endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, buffalos, cheetahs, hyenas and giraffes among others. Visitors can enjoy Nairobi National Park game drives to view all these wild animals. For the bird lovers, the park also has over 400 bird species for your watching.

Some of the other fun activities to engage in the park include camping, picnics and hiking. The park also has various facilities for corporate events, team building sessions, weddings and video and film production.

Other attractions to explore within and around Nairobi National Park include the Nairobi Safari Walk, the Ivory Burning Site Monument and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Whether you’re visiting Nairobi for work or leisure, a game of golf at the nearby Karen Country Club is not to be missed for golf enthusiasts. Guests at Hemingways Nairobi enjoy preferential rates at this golf club. This golf club was opened in the 1930’s, a large part of the 18-hole course was built on the former coffee estate of the Danish pioneer Karen Blixen. Indeed the shade trees from her coffee plantation still dominate parts of the course, eighty years after they were planted.

The course is superbly maintained with greens built to PGA standards and has played host to the Kenya Open in recent years. Karen’s golf course is as pretty as a picture, its flourishing wildlife (both flora and fauna) encouraged by an active policy of nature and wetlands conservation and promotion. Everywhere there is colour and beauty.

The Giraffe Centre is a non-profitable organization whose main objective is to provide conservation education for school children and the youth of Kenya.

Visit the feeding platform to get up close and personal with a giraffe and take a stroll through the nature sanctuary for a tranquil getaway with serene views and sounds of nature.

Enjoy our traditional shared game drives with a dedicated, highly qualified and experienced guide, which are available daily, in our specially-designed vehicles. Game drives can depart at any time, though are generally best in the early morning or late afternoon when animals tend to be more active as the temperature is a little cooler. If you would like to extend your afternoon game drive into the early evening, please speak with your guide.

Look out for all members of 'The Mugie Five'; there are five species living on the conservancy which guests of Governors’ Mugie won’t find at any of our other properties. Each is perfectly adapted for a life in more drought-prone regions and each needs special conservation efforts to ensure their long-term survival in the wild as all of their global populations are currently listed as ‘endangered’, or in the case of the striped hyena, ‘near threatened’

Explore the varying landscape of Mugie, from the dam to olive tree forests and acacia scrubland, host to a wealth of diverse wildlife including northern endemic species such as the Grevy's zebra, Jackson's hartebeests, reticulated giraffe and and beisa oryx.

Included in the accommodation rate.

There are currently around 55 lions on Mugie Conservancy with four identified prides and two dispersal groups. Research on predators in the area has seen three females and one male collared, in order to monitor the pride’s movements and better understand where interactions occur, that can lead to human-wildlife conflict.

Guests can head out with our very own guide and tracking equipment to look for the collared lions and learn about the use of this technology assists the conservancy in aiding pastoralists and wildlife to live alongside each other. Please note, the uneven topography dense bush in some areas means that tracking can be challenging and although you may pick up their signal, you might not necessarily find them.

Included in the accommodation rate.

Get up close with nature on a foot safari and experience the untamed beauty of the Laikipia region. Being out of a car will allow you to get down to the same level as the wildlife and the smaller creatures that inhabit this incredible ecosystem. Learn all about them and their importance from your guide. Please note that for safety reasons, participants must be 16 years and over for guided bush walks.

Included in the accommodation rate.

Explore Mugie’s spectacular landscape and unique wildlife by venturing out on a sustainably powered electric mountain bike with your safari guide.

E-biking on Mugie Conservancy is a great opportunity to embark on an eco-friendly adventure along a stunningly scenic route, with plenty of (close-up) wildlife encounters along the way. We suggest heading out early morning or late afternoon while the day is still relatively cool and the game is more likely to be out in the open. Expect a variety of animals such as zebras, giraffes, oryx, buffalo, warthogs, elephants, impalas, hyenas, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, to stare curiously as you cruise by.

How do electric bikes work? Simply start peddling which kicks starts a motor that gives consistent electrical energy to the bike. You can literally pedal at your own pace and with ease, feeling completely relaxed with your guide for company and a support car that drives a little distance a head, for safety.

Guests must be 12 years+ for this activity and groups are limited to four people at a time. There is no need to book this activity in advance, nor is there any extra charge.

Included in the accommodation rate.

Tala is most definitely one of Mugie's ‘cast of characters’.

Tala became an orphan at just a few days old after her mother was killed by lions and she was brought to Mugie Conservancy by a local herder after she began following his herd of goats. There, she was cared for by Margaret who quickly became her surrogate mother. Today she wanders freely within the conservancy, but often returns to her chosen ‘home’ at the Head Quarters - where the staff are quite accustomed to being overseen by this towering presence.

Included in the accommodation rate.

Mugie Dam is Kenya's third largest private dam with 156 acres of surface area to explore. The dam welcomes a variety of game which comes to drink or graze along the shore - especially elephants that are partial to a playful dip in its refreshing waters.

Governors' Mugie House has four beautiful Canadian canoes which guests can enjoy during an early morning's entertainment. Canoeing on the dam offers a thrilling opportunity to view wildlife from the water, out in the open air, armed with the spirit of adventure. If a family of elephants happens to be bathing at the same time, rest assured that you have just witnessed one of life's most enchanting adventures.

Please note that for safety reasons, participants must be 12 years and over for canoeing excursions.

Included in the accommodation rate.

The Mugie Rangers are based close by with a team of bloodhounds who are used for daily anti-poaching patrols. Visit their headquarters to learn about the work they do, and experience the power of their keen scenting skills with a tracking demonstration.

Ask the manager to book a visit for you to meet the dogs and their handlers. If they are available, they will be happy for you to participate in a mock search, to demonstrate the hounds incredible sense of smell, with you hidden away as the ‘poacher’! You’ll be impressed with just how quickly they find you! A small gratuity given directly to the handlers will be greatly appreciated if you enjoyed your experience with them.

A visit to the bloodhound unit is not "charged for" per se, however guests are encouraged to make a donation towards the upkeep of the dogs.

Mugie's undulating landscape offers some excellent lookout points for a perfect sundowner or bush picnic. As the sunsets, this is a lovely time of the day to take a minute out and watch the sunset over the Laikipia landscape with a cold drink in hand.

Included in the accommodation rate.

Guests staying at Governors’ Mugie have the opportunity to visit the Pokot at a nearby village and learn about the traditions and customs of this colourful tribe who hail from the districts of West Pokot and Baringo.

Watch highly adorned women carry out vibrant song and dance while an elderly lady prepares cloth out of a goat hide. Meanwhile, a village elder demonstrates the art of fire making by rubbing two pieces of wood of different hardnesses together and other men play a fast-paced game of ‘bao’ in the sand.

You are also welcome to take a peek inside one of their homes and understand the importance of gourds; how they are made and the way in which they are used to store milk.

This is a truly fascinating experience and should not be missed. This should be booked in advance if possible and a donation is requested - please ask for more info.

We are now offering guests another truly authentic cultural experience from Governors’ Mugie – a visit to a nearby Samburu homestead. Interested guests will learn first hand about this colourful and culturally rich tribe.

The Samburu are a Nilotic people of north-central Kenya that are related to, but distinct from, the Maasai. They are semi-nomadic pastoralists who herd mainly cattle but also keep sheep, goats and camels and are widely known for their beautiful attire.

You will be welcomed inside their home, which is made of wattle and plastered with a mixture of cow dung and earth. The houses are dark and smoke from their constantly mouldering fireplace fills the air inside.

Well-used gourds are prized possessions, used to make the traditional drink of cows blood and milk. The houses are divided into two small rooms, one for the women and children and the other for the man. The whole family sleeps on slightly raised beds which are covered by cow hides.

Outside you will enjoy a vibrant song and dance performance by the ladies, learn how to make a fire in the traditional way by rubbing two sticks together and will have an opportunity to appreciate all of the comings and goings of Samburu daily life.

This should be booked in advance if possible and a donation is requested - please ask for more info.

Enjoy a round of golf on this 9-hole private course, which is also Kenya’s most northern golf course! Caddies are available to help you whether you are a beginner or a pro. A tip is suggested for the caddy as they are not employees of Governors’ Mugie. The golf course is also a perfect place for a walk or jog, or a spot of birdwatching!

The cost for golfing is USD $40 per person if guests need to hire clubs, or USD $25 per person if guests bring their own.

Mugie Conservancy is at the forefront of conservation, operating as a low-impact cattle ranch and farm alongside preserving the delicate and productive ecosystems that host abundant wildlife, and provide key corridors for wildlife between the Laikipia plateau, the Mathews Range and the Samburu lands to the north and east. Guests are welcomed to visit the ranching and farm operations to understand how each functions alongside securing essential habitat for wildlife.

Mugie Trading Stock has brought about a new era of community livestock management, based on the premise of shared resources. This is a program unique to Mugie, it's a program from which all parties benefit and furthers conservation, environmental and ecological conscientiousness.

Head down to visit the Mugie farm to collect freshly laid eggs or watch the dairy cows being milked at dawn. Learn about the Miraa plant and how it provides much needed income for many of our community neighbours. Saturday is Mugie's 'Dip Day' - a fascinating experience for those that wish to see this cutting-edge program for themselves.

Included in the accommodation rate.

Discreetly sunken into the ground, our newly constructed hide offers an unobtrusive perspective and eye-level views of animals and birds at the waterhole. Guests can spend any amount of time (even overnight) in the well-designed structure, which has four bunk beds, a bathroom and a wide working bench with charging sockets.

Expect all kinds of activity throughout the day; elephants, giraffes, impalas, buffalos, zebras, and more will come and go to quench their thirst, especially in the dry season. At night, patience pays off to see a range of nocturnal species such as striped and spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, porcupines, bat-eared foxes, genet cats and bush pigs. Being "one-on-one" with wildlife that is completely oblivious to your presence allows for some exceptional photo opportunities.

Located just 200 meters below the main house, one of our armed guards will escort you to the hide as part of our walking experience, or we can drive you down. Once you are settled in, we can keep you company or leave you to enjoy this enriching experience alone.

Governors’ Camp Collection properties combine the best locations in the Masai Mara with the best-designed vehicles and exceptionally highly trained and experienced guides to give our clients un-matched game-viewing and photographic opportunities in the world’s prime wildlife area.

We are in the heart of the best game viewing area of the Masai Mara; we take you out twice a day into the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve and surrounding areas. Our driver-guides are hand-picked and nurtured by us. They undergo a continuous guide training scheme mentored by experts in the field. Having operated in the Masai Mara for 50 years, our driver-guides have an un-paralleled knowledge of the reserve combined with a deep understanding and respect for the importance of this wilderness area, its flora and its fauna.

Game drives are included in the accommodation rate.

For those looking for an adventure of a different kind, we suggest a magical hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara.

The adventure begins just before dawn. Departure is from a launch site just 15 minutes drive away. Guests assemble at the launch site for a briefing as the flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crews inflate their craft. As the dawn breaks, the hot air balloon fills and then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy, you’re off for a wildlife viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective.

What amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness – the silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara.

After about an hour or so, your balloon safari finishes with a flourish. In the time-honoured tradition of balloon flights the world over, toast your return to earth with sparkling wine and enjoy a delicious breakfast that is set up and served at a very special spot. The experience ends with a game drive back to your camp.

There is an extra cost for a hot air balloon safari and the price depends on the time of year.

For a very unique experience, enjoy the excitement of a bush dinner in the wild. You will arrive at a special secluded location on the banks of the Mara river. A welcoming drink awaits by the warming campfire, followed by a delicious meal prepared by our Bush chefs, served under the stars, with the soft lights of safari lanterns and accompanied by the sounds of the African night and the grunting Mara river hippos.

Bush breakfasts and bush lunches are also available. Please try to book bush meals in advance. Costs: bush breakfasts and lunches USD $75 per person, bush dinners USD $92 per person

The Masai people of East Africa are a striking image, synonymous with safari. A proud people with many traditional practices still very much alive in their culture. Visit a local Masai village and learn about who they are in their own words.

Entry to the Maasai village is currently USD $40 per person and is paid directly to the community.

Visits to our responsible tourism projects can be organised from camp. Mara Rianda Primary School and Mara Rianda Medical Centre are two inspirational projects supported by Governors’ Camps.

There is no extra charge for this activity but donations to any of the projects are welcome.

Since the beginning of the 20th Century the cheetah population has fallen dramatically from 100'000 individuals to 7'500 individuals with human activity a major cause. It is therefore important to understand the cheetah-human interface, which is one of the key works of the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project, led by Dr. Elena Chelyseva.

Our Governors' Guides play a critical role in the data collection for Dr. Elena and her team, reporting through sightings and behaviour observations of cheetah spotted. Dr Elena enjoys sharing her expertise on the cheetahs in the area with our guests through talks or by accompanying guests game drives.

Please let us know if you would like to pre-book a talk or a guided game drive with Elena when booking your safari. There is a minimum donation requirement of USD $500 for a presentation in camp.

Governors’ hosts a wildlife photographer in the Mara who is available to be booked by our guests for accompanied photo safaris and in-depth tutorials on all elements of photography, including editing. Do let us know if you would like to guarantee a full day with them capturing the very best of this incredible wildlife reserve. Please note that guests will need to secure an exclusive use vehicle at a daily rate, on top of the photographer's daily fee.

Governors' also has 3 'photo safari' vehicles. Listening to the specific needs and recommendations of the photographers we've hosted over the years, we've modified three Landrover vehicles to include same level seating throughout, cut-out side panels in the middle row to get those much desired low angle shots, high roofs, fully folding windscreens and wide side panelling to offer the perfect place for resting a beanbag and long lens. The cars are available on an exclusive use basis and can be requested for and reserved while making your Governors' booking. They are available at all our camps in the Masai Mara.

Please see https://www.governorscamp.com/travel-planning/resident-photographers/ for full details and costs.

After your late afternoon game drive, end the day with a 'sundowner' at our very special spot on the banks of the Mara River. Our team will have set up a traditional 'safari bar' ahead of your arrival.

Sundowners are included in the nightly rate but premium drinks are extra.