Budget level:
High-End
Country
Kenya
When to Go
All year, dhow closed May to July
Duration
10 Nights
Safari Type
Boating, Lodge
Location
Kenyan Coast, Laikipia, The Masai Mara
Kids Min Age
5
Safari Rating
This tour is ideal for a small group of friends or family (4 to 10 guests) wanting the ultimate in exclusivity and privacy, having camps (and a boat!) all to themselves! The tour takes you to Topi Private House in the best location in the Masai Mara, followed by the gem that is Enasoit in Laikipia, and finally for a wonderful live aboard stay on the Tusitiri Dhow, sailing the Lamu Archipelago!
Itinerary in Brief
3 Nights Enasoit
3 Nights Topi House
4 Nights Tusitiri Dhow
On arrival into Nairobi stay the night in any of the wonderful accommodation options available here. After breakfast transfer to Wilson Airport for a short flight north to the wilderness that is the Laikipia plateau, destination Enasoit!
Enasoit a very special camp for small groups of friends or families in a great wildlife corridor in Laikipia. Arrive as guests and depart as friends of Pete and Karen, the resident managers. Set within a natural wildlife corridor, Enasoit is host to a large number of animals and has an extraordinary biodiversity. There are many activities on offer such as bush walks, game drives (also at night), bush picnics, dinner under the stars, horse riding, tracking the resident lions, bird watching in the cedar forests, massage and spa treatments and the list goes on! A local rhino reserve can also be visited on request to see the black rhino, as well as scenic helicopter flights! Oh, and did we mention the swimming pool and the food?…..fresh real food to die for!
After 4 fabulous days at Enasoit it will be time to say goodbye to Pete and Karen, flying south onto the Masai Mara and landing at Ol Kiombo airstrip. Arriving in the paradise that is the Mara, you will game drive to Topi House, your private home on the Mara plains for the next 3 nights.
Topi House occupies a coveted spot arguably in one of the best locations in the Mara. The views, space around the House and old charm of the House will certainly inspire that “Out of Africa” feeling. Topi House is located in a small thorn-tree forest between Olare Orok Conservancy and the Masai Mara National Reserve. From this coveted spot you enjoy unrivalled access to the eastern side of the Masai Mara Game Reserve where you can experience the wildebeest crossing the Mara River around August to September. Day and night game viewing are on offer with some of the best predator action guaranteed! Hot air ballooning over the plains is also highly recommended. NOTE: Topi House accommodates 6 guests, but close by sister camp Acacia House can be booked in addition for larger groups.
After 4 glorious days in the Mara it will be time to fly via Nairobi onto magical Lamu on the Kenyan coast, and board the Tusitiri Dhow for the grand finale of this private use safari!
Tusitiri Dhow a 50-foot traditional dhow based in the pristine Lamu archipelago on the north Kenyan coast. Lamu is a rare gem in the Indian Ocean. Long white sandy beaches are fringed with palm and acacia trees; turquoise waters teeming with marine life are curved and shaped by mangrove forests. The archipelago is unspoilt and has become known as a world-renowned fishing, cultural and historical marine ‘mecca’. Life on-board is relaxed and centred on Tusitiri’s broad deck, and at night, brass lanterns light up the deck and comfortable white linen bedrolls are set up on deck. On Tusitiri, all the beds are star-beds!
The five days on Tusitiri can best be described by the following quote:
“During the day, guests can fish for tuna, snorkel and water-ski; at night, after a seafood feast, mattresses are laid on deck so everyone can fall asleep whilst watching meteors shoot across the Milky Way.” The Times Travel Magazine
After 5 amazing days sailing around the islands, it will sadly be time to return to Lamu for an onward flight to Nairobi and your international connections.
The experiences shared with family and friends on this unique safari and the memories made will last a lifetime!
Detailed Itinerary
Nights 1 - 3: Enasoit
Enasoit is a private wildlife reserve and luxury tented camp situated on Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau at the foot of the Lolldaiga Hills.
Set within a natural wildlife corridor, Enasoit is host to a large number of animals and has an extraordinary biodiversity. Enasoit is offered on an exclusive-use basis and offers a uniquely private safari experience ideal for families and special celebrations. Guests have Enasoit Camp, the surrounding reserve and wildlife all to themselves, and enjoy the tranquility and excitement of safari without seeing other visitors
Enasoit has 8 rooms in total: 6 rooms at Enasoit Camp and 2 rooms at the Pool House. Enasoit Camp’s 6 tented cottages are situated around a permanent watering hole which attracts a busy array of wildlife, easily visible from the tent verandahs. Elephant, giraffe, buffalo and many species of antelope regularly come to drink, and lion, cheetah and wild dog often wander past Camp.
There are many activities on offer such as bush walks, game drives (also at night), bush picnics, dinner under the stars, horse riding, tracking the resident lions, bird watching in the cedar forests, massage and spa treatments and the list goes on! A local rhino reserve can also be visited on request to see the black rhino, as well as scenic helicopter flights!
Nights 4 - 6: Topi House
Topi House is positioned directly on the wildebeest migration route and has been known to experience huge volumes of game right up to the front door!
Your private bush experience begins the minute you land at Ol Kiombo airstrip: even the short drive home to Topi House is an incredible game-viewing opportunity. Designed to be your very own private bush home in the middle of Africa’s greatest ecosystem, Topi House occupies a coveted spot arguably in one of the best locations in the Mara. The views, space around the house and old charm of the House will certainly inspire that “Out of Africa” feeling with guests.
The house has three spacious en-suite bedrooms that are linked by a large veranda running along the front facade. At the far end is the living area, which is made up of an open-plan sitting/dining room complete with an open log fire. Guests can also relax around a campfire near the house under the stars. Your team will prepare all meals to the usual high standard and will cater for bush picnics, or lunches out on the lawn under the shade of the acacia trees.
Nights 7 - 10: Tusitiri Dhow
“Simply put, the 60-foot Tusitiri is the most majestic private dhow in the known world, as well as the most luxuriously appointed and the most professionally run.” Architectural Digest
Tusitiri is ideal for families or a group of friends wanting a unique and private experience amongst the beautiful and historic islands of the north Kenyan coast. Tusitiri can be chartered on an exclusive use basis for multi-night dhow safaris for up to 10 guests.
Life on-board is relaxed and centred on Tusitiri’s broad deck, with sumptuous cushioned seating areas and a dining area arranged around the wooden mast. Meals are prepared in the open-air galley kitchen at the bow and served in the shaded dining area. There are beautiful views over the ocean, quiet corners to relax, and the day-cabins below deck provide storage and changing facilities.
At night, brass lanterns light up the deck and comfortable white linen bedrolls are set up on deck. On Tusitiri, all the beds are star-beds! All guests sleep in luxury bedrolls (mattresses and white linen, duvets and pillows) on Tusitiri’s wide deck, under the stars. These can be arranged as double or single beds. The large day cushions are arranged around the bedrolls to act as a partition and provide some privacy.
A Tusitiri Dhow safari is an enchanting coastal experience, as action packed or blissfully relaxed as desired. Activities included are:
Sail on Tusitiri.
Snorkel the coral reefs.
Paddleboard in quiet lagoons and mangrove creeks.
Deep-sea fishing and creek fishing.
Water-ski and wakeboard.
Walk, relax and picnic on pristine beaches.
Sundowner drinks on beaches or sand dunes.
Explore the narrow streets and sites of Lamu and Shela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The following activities are best arranged prior to arrival and incur an additional cost:
Scuba diving, very seasonal – by prior arrangement only.
Excursions to Kiwayu Marine Park.
Cultural excursions to the ancient Takwa Ruins.
“During the day, guests can fish for tuna, snorkel and water-ski; at night, after a seafood feast, mattresses are laid on deck so everyone can fall asleep whilst watching meteors shoot
across the Milky Way.” The Times Travel Magazine
When To Go
| jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec | |
| Kenyan Coast |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | |
| Laikipia | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| The Masai Mara | | | | | | | | | | | | |
= Best
= Good
= MixedThe Accommodation
Looking for the ultimate exclusive use experience? Enquire now!
Contact SAFARI FRANK to get started on your safari of a lifetime!
