It is a rare kind of alchemy that can summon the rawest wildlife and landscapes within an atmosphere of plush indulgence. Its even rarer when it is brewed specifically with a significant conservation focused infusion. This is where the witch doctors at Karisia come in.

Here, within this itinerary, you will find a super comfortable safari that makes no sacrifices to wildness, authenticity or ecological stewardship. The trip encompasses not only Kenya’s best wildlife areas but also the great diversity of environments that it is is so well known for.

Most arriving Kenyan flights get in at night necessitating a Nairobi stay. The experience though certainly does not need to be at all citified. At Emakoko you will start your gameviewing before you even arrive, on the night drive through Nairobi National Park from the Airport. After a fresh first night of African smells and sounds, then a healthy breakfast your drive to Wilson, Nairobi’s low key domestic airport is almost all within the park. An early departure could mean a good chance at a Leopard or a lion, possibly even a Black Rhino. From Wilson you will get your charter flight directly to Angama in the Masai Mara.

The Mara is famous for its wildebeest that migrate by the million from their breeding grounds in Serengeti National Park to fresh grazing after the Kenyan rains. And while the Mara is best known for its roaming beasties and their dramatic river crossings, it remains, even when the wildebeests are not around, one of the richest wildlife areas on earth. For large cats, the Masai Mara is unparalleled but the the sweeping plains host small cats like Serval and Caracal as well. Zebra and Eland herds, Hippo pods, Crocodile stacked river embankments, dancing Ostrich, picturesque Giraffe; The mara holds a surprise and stunning landscape around every corner.

On the Oloololo Escarpment above the plains sits Angama Mara looking out on one of the finest views in Africa. In fact the view is so good that it was chosen as the background to the iconic images of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in the movie version of ‘Out of Africa’. At Angama, everything seems right; the view, the food, the tents or the friendly guides and stewards ready to tell you about their own lives in this magical place. By day you will go out on morning and evening gamedrives, hot-air ballooning or possibly a nature-walk around the incredibly diverse grounds of the lodge. For bird watchers, plant watchers and other natural history afficinados a slow walk about camp can turn up all kinds of incredible biological discoveries.

From Angama you will board your charter from their private airstrip behind camp and fly directly to Tumaren’s private airstrip. Your arrival will be met by camels that will walk your bags and assist your guide on the short walk to Tumaren Camp.

Tumaren Camp was originally just the home of James Christian and Kerry Glen (the owners of Karisia Walking Safaris) and it has 6 beautiful outfitted guest tents. Each tent is spacious and overlooks a busy waterhole visited by Elephants, Giraffe, Oryx, Common Zebra, Grevy’s Zebra and warthogs. Guests staying at Tumaren put together each day based on their interest. While the guided walks are the specialty at Tumaren, James, Kerry, Gabriel and the other guides are equally comfortable gamedriving for the best game and photographic opportunities. Picnics, Brunches and Sundowners also feature in each day at Tumaren as well as opportunities to try our excellent rock climbing routes or possibly a trip to the local Masai market if the schedule permits.

Sirikoi was the dream of Willie and Sue Roberts, two wonderful people who always understood better than anyone how to create a peaceful

The first thing you might notice from the air when you are approaching the Galdessa airstrip in Tsavo is the grand size of this park. These are big expanses and very wild country. The camp itself situated on a beautiful slow bend of the Galana River. We have mentioned serenity all ready in this itinerary but drinks by the Galdessa pool watching what wildlife passes may be as close as many of us will ever get to some kind of spiritual transcendence. By day gamedrives are along the river can be highly productive with the chance of finding some species not yet found like the Lesser Kudu. A visit to the Orphans at the Voi Stockade though is an absolute must.

The Sheldrick Trust that runs Galdessa Camp as well as the Elephant Orphanages at Voi, Nairobi, Ithumba, Kibwezi is a not for profit organization that has done more to relive Elephant suffering in Kenya than any other conservation operation on Earth. The trust was begun by Dame Daphne Sheldrick who pioneered not just the physical methods of raising an elephant but also the emotional investments that these social animals require to survive. All the orphan Elephants within the Sheldrick Trust’s care underwent severe trauma when they became separated from their mothers and herds. Many experienced violence and cruelty that is hard to imagine. To see the beaming happiness of these same animals as they wallow in their ponds, interact with their keepers, or roll in the mud is genuinely reaffirming and brings tears to many a visitors eye. To hear directly from the keepers their latest Elephant stories and to understand how these young animals are learning to fend for themselves in Tsavo, gives a far deeper understanding of their beautiful and complex intelligence.

After a grand farewell to the staff at Galdessa we hope that your onward charter to Nairobi provokes many of the memories of your past few weeks. Safari for us is not just travel, it is conservation. Animals and their beautiful natural habitats have been the basis of the good times we hope you have enjoyed and we hope their impact has been indelible.

Note: This itinerary is simply an example. Please inquire and we can manipulate dates or possibly add a coastal stop.