Kenya: Maasai Mara to Lamu
Twelve nights, ending by the sea
Twelve nights, one country and no rushing. You begin with two nights at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, spend six nights in the Maasai Mara (four at House in the Wild, then two in a forest camp in Lemek) and finish with four nights by the Indian Ocean in Lamu. I live in the Mara, so this is the part of Kenya I know best.
Nights 1 and 2
Giraffe Manor, Nairobi
2 nights · Nairobi · Best for: your first nights in Kenya
A historic manor house on the edge of Nairobi, set in a private sanctuary of Rothschild’s giraffes. They wander the lawns and lean in at the windows, so breakfast is shared with them. Two nights let you rest after the flight before the bush, and meet the giraffes properly.
- Breakfast with the giraffes
- Feeding them from the garden
- A visit to the nearby baby elephant orphanage, which I can arrange
- A quiet first evening in the garden
Why I chose it: it is the gentlest, most memorable start to a trip, and it books out far ahead.
Nights 3 to 6
House in the Wild, Maasai Mara
4 nights · Enonkishu Conservancy, Maasai Mara · Best for: unhurried days in the Mara
Four nights is long enough to stop rushing and let the Mara set the pace. Days start with game drives and can go as slowly or as actively as you like. You can swap the vehicle for an e-bike or a horse, or have breakfast out in the bush before the day warms up.
- E-biking safari
- Horse riding safari
- Bush breakfast and shamba breakfast
- Sundowners at the end of the day
- Spa treatments to finish
Why I chose it: it is the base I would send a guest to for a proper Mara stay, with more than game drives to fill the days.
Optional upgrade: Wild Hill, also in Enonkishu Conservancy, yours alone for the whole stay. No other guests, just your own team and your own pace. Ask me about it when we plan.
Nights 7 and 8
Forest camp, Lemek, Maasai Mara
Two nights somewhere quieter, in the wooded hills of Lemek. A different Mara: Maasai land, walks and open country, with far fewer vehicles.
Nights 9 to 12
Jahazi Lamu
4 nights · Lamu Island · Best for: finishing by the sea
Lamu is an old Swahili island town with no cars. You get around on foot, by donkey and by dhow, the traditional wooden sailing boat. After the Mara it slows everything down. Lamu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with narrow lanes and carved doors.
- Sailing on a dhow
- Walks through the old town
- Quiet days on the beach
- Long lunches by the water
Why I chose it: it is the opposite of the Mara. After the early starts and game drives, you can do nothing at all.
Giraffe Manor books out far ahead, so I confirm availability with you on the call before anything is promised.