Connesseur's safari

Fly to Mombasa and take a day or two at the beach to relax after the flight and perhaps do a bit of snorkeling at a coral reef.

Drive to Tsavo East N.P. and stay a night or two in Satao Camp; an un-fenced incredibly charming pearl of safari-style architecture where you get really close to the wildlife.

Take an en-route game drive to Tsavo West N.P., and stay at least 2 nights at Kilaguni Lodge (avoid week-ends though). This is a place of stunningly beautiful nature, plenti of wildlife and a must-see lodge with the most incredible view of a salt-lick with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

Alternatively: try Camp Severin: a beautiful well-run un-fenced lodge with luxury tents, wellness parlour and pool - close to lots of wildlife.

Drive to Amboseli N.P. and stay a night or two in the most incredibly beautiful lodge you'll ever come across: Elerai Lodge. The lodge is located a bit away from Amboseli N.P. - which can be a bit crowded at times - but the lodge is an experience on its own, and certainly worth the drive. A guided walk in the surroundings is also a must.

Drive to Nairobi for a bit of relaxation, shopping and luxury - and perhaps visit some of the local attractions - e.g. the National Museum (with snake park), the Giraffe Center or the Elephant Orphanage.

Drive to the Aberdare Country Club for a guided walk in the park - really close to the animals - and stay for the night. Next morning transfer to The Ark for game viewing from the lodge (lighted salt-lich & waterhole). Stay over night and start early next morning on an all-day game drive in the mountains surrounding the lodge. The breathtaking nature is spiced up with plenty of wildlife - and chances are that you'll have the mountains virtually to yourselves.

Drive to Crate Lake and take a night in Crater Lake Lodge. Fantastic scenery, and a chance to take a guided walk along the lake and over the crater rim - and ending the trip with sundowners and snacks at an incredible viewpoint. Extremely charming place with very few tourists.

Drive to Samburu / Shaba / Buffalo Springs and take a couple of nights with game drives morning and afternoon. The nature is so fascinating up there, and no matter how many times you have been there on safari, you'll keep coming back to this area for more.

Recommended lodge: Samburu Intrepids - a tented camp at the river - may not be as luxurious as other lodges in the area, but has beautifully decorated, spaceous tents, and is very well-run. In addition, a pack of wild African Hunting-dogs sometimes make an appearance on the river bank.

Drive to Ol Pejeta - a very beautiful game reserve, with plains, bush, swamp and lots of wildlife - right on the Equator. In this park you can find all of Africa's Big 5: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhino - and lots of other animals, such as Serval Cat, Hyena, Jackal and Giraffe - in a relatively small area. Inside / close by this game reserve are also Rhino- and Chimpanse sanctuaries.

The lodges:

Sweetwater Tented camp is discreately fenced-in and relatively safe for children - but can be a bit crowded at times.

Porini Rhino Camp is an un-fenced eco-camp; placed a bit off the beaten track, and only has a few beautifully decorated tents. The staff is fantastic, and you are guaranteed to get new friends at the common dining table or at the camp fire in the evenings. A very quiet camp - except when a Lion roars close by... 

You'll be back :-)

After a safari like this chances are, that you'll want to stay for ever - but should you want to go back home, the drive from Ol Pejeta to Nairobi is relatively short and comfortable.

If you have a little time left over, you might consider visiting the chimpansee sanctuary close by Sweetwater Tented Camp.