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Kenya, Africa

By Lucia Debieux on Tuesday 27 January 2009

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Kenya, Africa - Travel

Game On
Safaris are an adventurous mix of mud-splattered game drives, hot, lazy afternoons, surprisingly good food and boozy nights chatting round a camp fire. A good place to start your love affair with Africa is Joy’s Camp in the Shaba National Reserve. An hour’s flight north of Nairobi, it offers a blend of wilderness and comfort. Tribal fabrics decorate the ten canvas tents and there’s a pool to relax by. Barnabas the barman mixes a brilliant dawa (vodka, honey and lime) and dinner is served under the stars.

A great second stop is Saruni, in the Masai Mara. It’s busier, but the endless green vistas and robed Masai warriors are pure Kenya. With just six cottages, terrific Italian cuisine and a spa, it feels remote and exclusive and you’re certain to see lots of animals, including lions and cheetahs. Everything has been built with local materials, the electricity is solar-powered, and there’s a shop selling Kenyan crafts, plus guests gain insight into the way safari lodges support the community. lodges support the community.

Up, up and away
Drifting silently in a balloon over the Mara’s vast plains, as zebra and antelope graze below in the buttery morning light, you’re presented with a vision of timeless Africa that’s only capped by the slap-up breakfast that follows. Visit between July and October to see the wildebeest migration. A seven-night tour with Virgin Holidays costs from £1,370, including flights. Balloon trips cost from £249.

Capital Idea
Most trips require a stay in Nairobi. Enjoy a soft landing at House of Waine, an 11-room mansion with beautiful gardens. Visit the home of Karen Blixen, whose life inspired Out of Africa and visit the baby rhinos and elephants at the orphanage.

Get Fit
Fight festive flab on the beaches of Watamu with Wild Fitness, a mix of workouts, yoga and diet advice, or explore the wilds with Masai warriors plus camel. Offbeat Safaris offers horse-riding in the game-filled Lewa Conservancy, orkayak around the Lamu Archipelago. If you want to relax, spend a night in an open-air Star Bed, or be pampered by the beach at the Uzuri Spa and Fitness Forest.

Beach Bliss
Thirty miles south of Mombasa, Msambweni House is a hedonistic escape that makes a perfect follow-on to bush adventures. With a private beach, infinity pool, complimentary massages and a verandah for sunset cocktails, it's pure relaxation. Suites and villas have chic, Swahili-style décor, plus there's delicious food and a boat for snorkelling trips. It's worth shopping in Mombasa for ethnic jewellery and fabulous lamps.

Review by Lucia Debieux

Release date: Tuesday 27 January 2009

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Just back from an fabulous stay at Richard's Camp in the Masai Mara and wanted to recommend it to you all. This camp feels like someones home, especially if you are lucky enough to be there at the same time as Richard - the perfect host, with some great stories! Supper under the stars listening to the sounds of the animals, comfy sofas and roaring log fires in the evenings and for some romance - an open air bubble bath under the stars before bed! I hope someday I will get to go back to this remarkable place.
Comment by Louise French on April 29 13:04

Lucky you!
Comment by Andy on May 19 15:36

My partner and I have had our heart set on going to Kenya for our honeymoon in March/April next year, but unfortunately the trip we planned is going to be too expensive since work hasnt been stable for me.
Does anyone have any recommendations for doing Kenya on a budget?
Thanks
Comment by Rhiannon on November 27 09:56