Classic Kenya - 10 nights/11 days

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.

Sasaab is located in an area of rich natural diversity with an astounding number of animals, from majestic elephant herds to predatory lion, leopard and cheetah. The bird life in Samburu is exceptional with high concentrations of different species. This area of Kenya is also home to the ‘Samburu Special Five’, a group of animals endemic to this area of northern Kenya and not found elsewhere. They are the Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich. There are two areas to explore whilst out on a game drive: Westgate Conservancy (which is where Sasaab is located) and the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves which are a short drive away. Sasaab has a fleet of specially designed open-sided safari vehicles to ensure maximum game viewing and comfort. They are kitted out with suncream, a selection of hot and cold drinks, books and sweets - everything to keep you happy during a game drive! Our professionally trained guides are local Samburu people with an in-depth knowledge of the area, its wildlife and culture.

Experience the ultimate freedom and explore northern Kenya's remote wilderness with your own set of propellers. Get ready for jaw-dropping views, awe-inspiring landscapes and an unforgettable adventure.

Through our partners at Tropic Air, a helicopter is based at Sasaab for several months of the year, ready to whizz guests off on a variety of excursions to the most remote destinations in Kenya. Heli adventures are tailor made to suit every guest's interests, whether it's once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities, discovering ancient rock art, fossil hunting or mountain top panoramas to feel like you're on top of the world.

Discover more details on at website at: thesafaricollection.com/helicopter/

For the adventurously-minded, we can arrange an incredible mobile camp experience for guests to sleep out under the stars and truly connect with the wild. Advanced notice and pre-booking is required for this activity.

Sasaab has five resident camels. Guests usually enjoy camel rides in the cooler late afternoon hours. A popular choice is to embark on a leisurely walk down by the river and end up at our sundowner spot in time for an evening drink, which is around a 45 minute ride.

Stretch your legs and take the time to appreciate the beautiful flora, smaller wildlife species and birdlife. It is possible to enjoy morning bird walks, late afternoon walks with sundowners or half day walks. If you are feeling energetic, one of our spotters will be happy to escort you on a riverside run!

Tucked away in the 4C Centre near the main lodge entrance, are two tranquil spa treatment rooms. Our skilled therapists offer a range of massage and beauty treatments designed to restore the body's natural equilibrium and melt away stress.

Sasaab draws its name from the Samburu word for frankincense, showcasing the deep connection between Samburu culture and nature. The aromatic resin, derived from local Boswellia trees, is renowned for its healing properties and infuses a soothing essence into our spa experiences.

We use luxurious Healing Earth oils and balms, an organic brand inspired by ancient African healing traditions, as well as locally made, all-natural products from Cinnabar Green. Adjacent to our lap pool, our spa boasts an outdoor shower with valley views, inviting guests to take a pre or post-treatment swim for a truly holistic rejuvenation.

In addition to the private plunge pools available in each room, the lodge boasts two swimming pools. The first is a stunning infinity pool on the edge of the cliff overlooking the river, whilst the second is a lap pool located next to our outdoor gym at the 4C centre which is perfect for swimming lengths.

Both pools are heavenly in the heat of the day and the main infinity pool is a great spot from which to watch the wildlife coming and going along the river below. The pools are always open, but please note that there is no lifeguard on duty at either one, so children must be supervised at all times.

Sasaab has a well-equipped outdoor gym with wonderful scenic views and a lap pool for swimming lengths, so you can really work up an appetite for the scrumptious cuisine. Our gym and lap pool are conveniently located within the 4C Centre, just a few steps away from the main lodge entrance.

Guests will also find a yoga mat and skipping rope in their tent, perfect for use on the private verandas whilst taking in the view.

It is also possible to go out jogging along the river; one of our spotters will accompany guests interested in doing this. This is best done very early in the morning to avoid the heat.

Sundowner Rock in Westgate Conservancy has become somewhat of a legendary spot due to its phenomenal panoramic views stretching as far as the eye can see. Scramble up the giant rock boulders to be blown away by the scenery. This is likely to be one sundowner which will leave a lasting memory.

For the adrenaline junkies we have four quad bikes available to use. Enjoy the freedom of exploring Westgate Conservancy at your own pace. We can even tailor a quad bike excursion complete with an overnight fly-camping expedition for the ultimate wild adventure (advance notice is required). Helmets and a guide are provided and there is a minimum age limit of eight years, depending on the child’s height and abilities. For children, we can take the bikes down to the beach by the river and set a course for them there. Quads can be enjoyed starting from US$ 35 per person per hour.

Experience a colourful assault on all the senses at an authentic Samburu market. From bleating livestock to household goods and beaded jewellery, local Samburu people meet here to trade, sell and buy all sorts of goods. Market days usually happen on Wednesdays and Thursdays but can vary, please check with our team if you’re interested in doing this.

A ‘manyatta’ is a Samburu (or Maasai) settlement, formed by a group of huts within a fenced compound. For interested guests, we can arrange a visit to one of our neighbouring villages to gain an insight into the fascinating culture of the Samburu people and how they survive in this harsh, arid environment. This excursion is dependent on the Samburu elders and each visit must be individually arranged with the lodge during each stay.

During each stay, it may be possible for us to organise a special cultural experience with the local community for guests to watch and even participate in.

The Samburu have a way of life and elaborate traditions that follow the pattern of the rains; such celebrations have remained unchanged for the last two centuries. During the dry season, specially elected women pray for rain to bless the scorched earth. When the rain finally arrives, and with it their warriors bringing home herds of cattle, the colourfully adorned moran (warriors) and some of the women engage in spectacular celebratory dances and parties. At Sasaab we respect and follow this natural rhythm and guests staying at the lodge can sometimes be part of these activities. Being witness to a traditional dance is a real assault on all the senses and an unforgettable experience that many guests say is a highlight of their stay.

Due to the organic nature of the experience, this activity is subject to availability and must be booked prior to arrival at Sasaab as we need at least 24 hours to organise the dance with the warriors.

Sasaab is involved in a diverse variety of health and education projects in the local Samburu communities, from kitting out school libraries to supporting clean water boreholes and building classrooms. Guests are welcome to visit one of the local primary schools that we support near to the lodge to meet the children and teachers. (Not available on weekends or during school holidays.) Visit The Safari Collection's Footprint page to find out more about the initiatives we support at Sasaab and how just by staying with us, every guest makes a positive impact on the people and wildlife.

Explore the 4C Centre at Sasaab, a hub for cultural discovery and sustainability. The 4Cs—Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce—form the foundation for our Global Ecosphere Retreat® (GER®) accreditation. Through our exhibition rooms, guests can immerse themselves in Samburu culture, the region's geology and our harmonious coexistence with communities, wildlife and landscapes.

As well as engaging exhibits, the 4C Centre houses our two spa treatment rooms, a lap pool, an outdoor gym and a boutique shop. Learn more about the 4C Centre's story during your stay.

In addition to exiting game drives, camel adventures, quad bikes and time spent splashing around in the pool, there is lots at Sasaab to delight younger guests. Children often love to spend a few hours with one of our friendly Samburu warriors who will guide them on a nature trail specially designed for little ones. They can learn to make a traditional Samburu bow and arrow and also how to make a toothbrush from the Samburu toothbrush tree (don’t throw your toothpaste and floss away too quickly!)

If there are a group of children, our guides can organise a mini ‘Samburu Olympics’ for them to show off their warrior skills against one another. Sundowners are a sticky treat: marshmallows grilled on a small bush fire whilst adults enjoy a grown-up drink and take in the spectacle of the setting sun over the vast African plains.

Each room has a watercolour set and artist pad for guests to use during their stay. Get creative in Sasaab’s idyllic, artistic surroundings and paint the unique scenery and wildlife.

A team of fully-qualified driver guides are on hand for vehicle safaris across the conservancy. The specially adapted open vehicles allow for excellent viewing but it is the richness of the game that our guests talk about. All the main safari predators, the rare Grevy zebra and of course the threatened rhino, both black and white, can be viewed in abundance. A particular favourite and well recognised aspect of the area near the lodge are the good elephant numbers. The game drives are on your terms using our experience and are not limited to daylight hours. We often explore the conservancy by night using spotlight and the full moon when it obliges. Lewa offers a very good opportunity to see the Big 5.

One of the most popular ways to explore the conservancy is in a more traditional fashion – on foot. Lewa Wilderness’ expert Masai walking guides, who have lived here all their lives, explore Lewa with guests to really get up close to many of our wild neighbours. Out walking almost nothing is a barrier and ground is covered very easily making the safari experience so much more real. Guests either walk in the early morning or early evening before dark. For the more in depth walking we suggest a few nights on Walking Wild.

With over thirty horses in our stables Lewa Wilderness is well equipped to explore our wilderness. With everything from ponies up, they are able to cater for a wide range of experience levels and have become very accustomed to accommodating groups of mixed ability. They offer extensive exploration on horseback and it is one of the very popular ways to investigate and safari through the open lands to the east of the lodge. For experienced riders full morning or full day rides can be arranged, or spend the night out with the horses and our fly camp!

Air Wilderness is able to offer scenic flights straight from the lodge in our cessna 206 which takes up to 4 passengers. Fly to RETETI Elephant Orphanage for their morning feed, or cruise low level along the Ewaso Ng'iro River and stop for a sundowner in a remote location. Air Wilderness can also be chartered privately to take you wherever you need to go across Kenya. Unfortunately our WACO Biplane is still unavailable due to us redoing the licences.

For something a little out of the ordinary, why not ride a camel! Guests can opt for a short ride in the bush, or for those seeking further adventure Walking Wild is our camel safari operation. This involves a longer camel trek (2 nights minimum) where guests walk across the African plains while the camels and Maasai guides transport the camp.

Visit our 'Shamba' ( Farm ) where we grow all the fresh fruit and vegetables for the lodge.

We have also started offering a 'Farm to Fork' dining experience for lunch in the farm, under one of the many mango trees - which is hugely recommended.

Drive, walk or horse ride to your exclusive campsite for the night and spend the evening around the campfire. Our fly camp is simple but extremely comfortable, with hot bucket showers and cosy tents, there is a mosquito dome option for those who want to sleep under the stars. This experience ensures adventure in comfort.

There is a fully equipped gym at the lodge.

Lewa Wilderness provides employment and training to local people through Lewa Crafts Furniture and Kifuma Weaving project. All of the beautiful furniture in the lodge is designed and created in our workshop, fashioned out of salvaged acacia wood and crafted into unique designs. The carpet weaving uses natural wool, spun and woven by hand into beautiful rugs for sale in our gift shop. Guests are welcome to visit both projects and see the craftsmanship at first hand.

The nearby Ngare Ndare Forest offers a different ecosystem to explore, with a treetop canopy walk and spectacular waterfalls where you can swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.

For those guests interested in the local traditional culture, there is an authentic Maasai village where guests can spend the day enjoying a unique experience interacting with amazing people.

Lewa Wilderness supports an HIV/AIDS orphanage, clinic and senior school, Pepo la Tumaini, in the nearby town of Isiolo. Guests are welcome to visit the school and meet the children. Learn more at www.tumainitrust.org