Introduction to Kenya
Huge herds of wildebeest
sweeping across the African
savannah are, to many, the
one enduring image of
Kenya. The Masai Mara and
Amboseli are amongst the
most famous game reserves
in Africa, promising safari
experiences second to none.
But Kenya is this and so much
more, boasting coral reefs
and forest reserves, cultural
diversity and a rich historical
heritage. Mombasa presents
an ideal way to finish off your
safari, relaxing amongst the
golden sands and azure
waters off the coast, whilst
combining Kenya and
Tanzania can afford an ideal
opportunity to encompass
the very best of East Africa’s
stunning natural treasures. Staying in the African bush need not be a chore or a discomfort. From colonial cottages to luxurious tented camps, all provide an extensive range of
facilities and accommodation throughout Kenya’s National Parks and private reserves. Affording levels of comfort and luxury that range from eco-tourism
camps to 5-star, many provide spacious tents with en suite bathrooms. Features also include central dining tents or fully stocked restaurants and bar with
beautiful décor and exceptional views.
Instructions
Listed below are some of the options you can choose for a Tailor Made Holiday to Kenya
To make an enquiry, select the options that interest you, and then click 'continue' to tell us more about what you would like to do
The following options are available as part of Bales Tailor made Holidays:
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Lying within sight of the imposing
shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro in
neighbouring Tanzania, the expansive
plains and infinite skies of the Amboseli
National Park present us with a
landscape that is truly African. Home
to the proudly independent Masai,
its dry savannahs thunder beneath
the onslaught of the vast herds of
wildebeest, zebra and the elephants for
which it is famed, whilst cheetahs, lions
and hyenas hunt the open grasslands.Select this tailor made option
ELSA’S KOPJE MERU NATIONAL PARK
ELSA’S KOPJE MERU NATIONAL PARK
Lying amongst the untamed wonders of Meru National Park,
Elsa’s Kopje occupies the site of George Adamson’s original
camp and offers 9 stone and thatch cottages, beautifully sited
around the natural backdrop of Mughwango Hill. Uniquely
designed, each cottage features generous living space and
luxurious bathrooms, whilst a private residence offers the
added exclusivity of a private pool with a spectacular view.Select this tailor made option
HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI MASAI MARA
HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI MASAI MARA
For a unique perspective of the wildlife of the
Masai Mara, nothing can beat the
experience of floating above the plains in a
hot air balloon. Flights are arranged in the
early morning.You are collected from your
tented camp or lodge and taken to the
launch site,where you meet your pilot,
receive a short briefing and watch your
balloon being inflated.You take off as the sun
rises, floating in whichever direction the winds
of the morning take you.Your pilot can
precisely control the altitude, so you may fly
at treetop height in places, or rise to 1,000
feet for a panoramic view. From time to time
your pilot must put heat into the balloon with
the powerful ‘whisper burners’. In between
these ‘burns’, there is nothing but silence and
the natural sounds below. The flight lasts
approximately one hour and you can
celebrate in the traditional manner with
champagne on landing. The price is £265 per person. Early booking is recommended.Select this tailor made option
LAKE NAIVASHA
LAKE NAIVASHA
Lying at the southern end of Kenya’s
Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is a freshwater
oasis that is rich in a wealth of natural
beauty. Set before the imposing
backdrop of Mount Longonot and
surrounded by forests, its waters are
a haven for grazing herds of hippos
and abundant numbers of herons,
fish eagles and lily trotters, who feed
amongst its floating islands of papyrus.Select this tailor made option
LAKE NAKURU
LAKE NAKURU
Situated within the eastern Rift Valley
of equatorial Africa, this shallow,
alkaline lake is famously home to
the breathtaking spectacle of the
thousands of flamingos that flock to its
rich waters, turning the lake into a blaze
of dazzling colour. Lake Nakuru can also
boast a spectacular concentration of
other wildlife, including rhino, leopard,
lion and nearly 500 species of birds.Select this tailor made option
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Heartland of the Masai, south west
Kenya presents a landscape where
Africa is laid bare in all its majesty. Here
the endless struggle for survival is played
out across the open plains and riverine
forests of this captivating land. And
each year the Mara explodes into life, as
the annual migration of great herds of
wildebeest and zebra journey from the
Serengeti, towards the fresh pastures in
the north, presenting us with one of the
greatest natural spectacles on earth.Select this tailor made option
MOUNT KENYA
MOUNT KENYA
Revered by the local Kikuyu tribes, the
ice covered slopes of Mount Kenya lie
in the heart of equatorial Africa. Kenya’s
highest peak, and the second highest
in Africa, this imposing extinct volcano
reaches a maximum height of 5,199
metres, its lower slopes blanketed in
forests and moorland. This is one of the
few places along the African equator
where permanent glaciers are found.Select this tailor made option
SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE
Africa’s pulsating heartland, Samburu,
in northern Kenya, offers a rich diversity
of habitats that encompass montane
forests, acacia grasslands and the
Ewaso Nyiro River. Home to the seminomadic
Samburu, close relatives of the
Masai, it is an area that provides some
quite spectacular safari encounters.
The waters of the Ewaso Nyiro attract a
steady stream of animals to its banks
and it is one of the best places to view
reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra.Select this tailor made option
THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
The annual wildebeest migration across the plains of the Masai
Mara is perhaps the most spectacular wildlife pageant on earth.
Each year at the end of the rainy season (normally the end of May),
hundreds of thousands of wildebeest move north from the Serengeti
in Tanzania into Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of greener pastures,
arriving in July and August. Joined by herds of gazelles, antelopes
and zebras, so that at times there are more than a million animals
on the move, their progress monitored by the various predators
who find a ready-made source of food, picking off the weaker and
younger animals along the way. You are likely to see lions, leopards,
cheetahs and hyenas shadowing the herds. The migration period
makes for wildlife viewing at its most breathtaking.Select this tailor made option
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COTTAR’S CAMP 1920’S MASAI MARA
COTTAR’S CAMP 1920’S MASAI MARA
Cottar’s Camp 1920’s is set within 22,000 acres
of an exclusive concession area bordering the
Serengeti and Loliondo Reserves. This 1920’s camp
experience returns to the original spirit and essence
of ‘safari’, reminiscent of a golden bygone era, an
era of romance, adventure and elegance. With just
8 luxuriously appointed tents, each with canopied
verandas, en suite bathrooms, private butler and a
distinctive flair for tasteful design, this remarkable
camp ensures some of the highest standards of
comfort and elegance to be found anywhere.Select this tailor made option
FIG TREE TENTED CAMP MASAI MARA
FIG TREE TENTED CAMP MASAI MARA
Located on the banks of the Talek River, on the
northern edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve,
this spacious camp offers 38 tents and 27 cabins,
all with en suite facilities and private balconies
overlooking the river and the expansive plains of the
reserve. The camp also features 2 bars, an indoor
and outdoor dining area, a swimming pool and a
relaxing tree house coffee deck with views of the
Mara. Fig Tree Camp offers a number of activities
including game drives, game walks, bush breakfasts,
and balloon safaris.Select this tailor made option
FUNZI KEYS FUNZI ISLAND
FUNZI KEYS FUNZI ISLAND
Tucked away on an unspoilt island amidst the
sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean, this award
winning resort is only 15 minutes flying time from
Mombasa. Perfectly designed to blend in with its
tropical setting, the hotel’s 9 spacious cottages
provide an idyllic fusion of local culture and coastal
architecture, affording the perfect island retreat.
Each individually appointed room features opulent,
hand carved 4-poster beds, a jacuzzi and
expansive bathrooms.Select this tailor made option
GOVERNORS’ CAMP
GOVERNORS’ CAMP
Situated beside the banks of the Mara River in the northern Masai
Mara, Governors’ Camp (as featured in our suggested itinerary) was
once the exclusive reserve of Kenya’s colonial governors. Still maintaining
those exalted standards of yesteryear, this unique setting is ideally situated
to watch the annual migrations across the Masai Mara. A true taste of
Africa, this spectacular camp offers 37 spacious and stylish tents, with en
suite bathrooms, hot and cold running water and flush toilets. There is also
the possibility to upgrade to the intimate luxury of Little Governors Camp
across the Mara River, or the top of the range Il Moran Camp, where 10
exquisite and well appointed tents offer seclusion, Victorian baths and
handmade beds, affording an unrivalled level of style and comfort.Select this tailor made option
HEMINGWAYS RESORT WATAMU BAY
HEMINGWAYS RESORT WATAMU BAY
Located overlooking the spectacular sands of
Watamu Bay, voted one of the top ten beaches in
the world, this fabulous 74 room resort offers the
finest in relaxed sophistication and exceptional
service, presenting an idyllic venue for exploring this
stunning setting. All of its rooms and suites offer ocean
views and elegant comfort, whilst its internationally
acclaimed cuisine presents a sumptuous mix of
African, Eastern and Arabian influences.Select this tailor made option
KIPUNGANI LAMU
KIPUNGANI LAMU
Occupying the south western tip of Lamu Island,
overlooking a deserted 14 km beach, this secluded
property offers 14 spacious and exclusive chalets,
set above the white sands of Kipungani Bay. Shaded
by palms, each is constructed from local materials
and beautiful handmade furnishings. Each also
has an ocean front veranda and freshwater shower,
whilst the hotel boasts a seawater pool, delicious
cuisine and indulgent lounge areas.Select this tailor made option
LARSENS TENTED CAMP SAMBURU
LARSENS TENTED CAMP SAMBURU
Lying on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in
the Samburu National Reserve and set amidst a
landscape of lush lawns, this luxurious and tranquil
haven offers 17 spacious and elegantly appointed
tents that face onto the river. Each tent has a casual
colonial elegance, hot showers and a surprising
degree of comfort with dressing gowns in the tent
and comfortable leather safari chairs. The camp
features an elegant dining tent, charming period
bar, treehouse observation platform and the use of
the pool at nearby Samburu Lodge.Select this tailor made option
LITTLE GOVERNORS’ CAMP MASAI MARA
LITTLE GOVERNORS’ CAMP MASAI MARA
Intimate in character, Little Governors’Camp
has just 17 tents tucked around a large watering
hole that teems with animal and bird life. Beyond,
the deep blues of the Olololo Ridge melt into the
vast African sky.You access the camp by crossing
the Mara River by boat, then walking a short
distance beneath the canopy of indigenous
forest trees. All the tents are comfortable and
tasteful. Each has an ensuite bathroom with hot
water. In keeping with safari tradition lighting is
by gas and kerosene lantern or candlelight. As
dusk falls the flickering lights in the forest make
the camp a uniquely peaceful and atmospheric
place. Delicious meals are served outdoors
during the day or in the candlelit dining tent.
Evening is the time for chilled drinks and tall tales
around the blazing campfire, followed by a
delicious dinner and a hot-water bottle to keep
you warm in bed.Select this tailor made option
LOISABA LAIKIPIA
LOISABA LAIKIPIA
A private game ranch set within 60,000 acres of stunning
wilderness, Loisaba is a lodge with a difference. The main
lodge offers 7 superb rooms, all with en suite facilities and
private decking affording panoramic views of Laikipia. A
unique feature of Loisaba are the famous ‘Star Beds’, raised
sleeping platforms that offer four-poster elegance and en
suite bathrooms beneath the open expanse of the African
sky. A superbly equipped and sensitively constructed spa,
swimming pool and tennis court complete a luxurious
retreat that offers a unique oasis of exclusivity and natural
magnificence that revives mind, body and soul.Select this tailor made option
LOLDIA HOUSE LAKE NAIVASHA
LOLDIA HOUSE LAKE NAIVASHA
Loldia House, built by Kenya’s earliest settlers,
is one of the country’s oldest farms and is set
in 8,000 acres of breathtaking scenery in the
Great Rift Valley. Nestled under ancient
acacia trees and surrounded by flower-filled
gardens with lawns that run down to the
shores of Lake Naivasha, Loldia comprises 9
ensuite rooms furnished in a colonial style
and offering stunning views over the lake.
There are beautiful views of the dormant
volcano,Mount Longonot.Wild animals
roam free on the farm. Small antelope
wander through the gardens, and in the
evenings hippo munch quietly by the
waterside. Loldia prides itself in the standards
of service and cuisine provided; Country Life
Magazine even described Loldia’s manager
as "probably the best butler in the world".Select this tailor made option
MANDA BAY LAMU
MANDA BAY LAMU
Situated on the north western tip of the Manda
Islands, within the idyllic setting of the Lamu
Archipelago, Manda Bay boasts 12 superbly
designed cottages that perfectly capture the very
essence of this tropical paradise. Some cottages
offer seafront access, whilst all feature en suite
facilities and ceiling fans and like the rest of the
property, all are exquisitely appointed throughout in
local materials and furnishings.Select this tailor made option
MFANGANO ISLAND CAMP LAKE VICTORIA
MFANGANO ISLAND CAMP LAKE VICTORIA
Accessible only by light aircraft and speedboat, this
exclusive camp is shaded by giant fig trees and
set in a secluded bay overlooking Lake Victoria. The
camp is built in traditional Luo style and each of
the 6 beautifully decorated cottages are set close
to the waters edge, offering en suite bathrooms and
private verandas. With superb facilities and fabulous
views, Mfangano Island Camp is an oasis of
tranquillity, an ideal retreat from the hustle and
bustle of modern life.Select this tailor made option
MOMBASA SERENA BEACH HOTEL
MOMBASA SERENA BEACH HOTEL
A stunning oasis, designed to resemble a 13th
century Swahili town, the Mombasa Serena lies
within an idyllic landscape of bougainvillea
gardens set before the sparkling majesty of the
Indian Ocean. The 166 rooms and suites, offer
comfort, exquisite styling and matchless
ambience, whilst a choice of excellent dining
facilities, a large pool and a range of excursions
and activities makes this an exceptional retreat.Select this tailor made option
PORINI TENTED CAMPS
PORINI TENTED CAMPS
Set up in conjunction with the neighbouring
Masai communities and located within private
concession areas close to the Amboseli and Masai
Mara Reserves, these exclusive eco-tourism camps
take great pride in their limited impact on the
surrounding landscapes. Both offer 6 spacious and
comfortably furnished tents, with en suite facilities
with flush toilet and bucket shower, solar power and
a personalised safari experience, with a maximum
of just 12 guests at a time.Select this tailor made option
RAS NUNGWI BEACH HOTEL ZANZIBAR
RAS NUNGWI BEACH HOTEL ZANZIBAR
Located on an expanse of beautiful beach wilderness on the
northern tip of Zanzibar, and protected by a coral reef, Ras
Nungwi Beach Hotel is an ideal setting for relaxation. The hotel
offers water sport activities including an on-site dive centre.All
32 rooms are tastefully furnished, with hand-crafted four-poster
beds and indigenous décor, and all have ensuite facilities and
balconies. Mosquito nets over all beds ensure a peaceful
night's sleep, with the sound of the ocean rounding off a
relaxing day in paradise. Pool, table tennis, darts, board games
(including Bau, a Zanzibarian favourite) and a TV room are
available to hotel guests. Mountain bikes can be hired to
explore the hotel's environs, or you may just want to take long
strolls along the unspoilt beach.Select this tailor made option
TORTILIS TENTED CAMP AMBOSELI
TORTILIS TENTED CAMP AMBOSELI
Lying in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro on the
rich plains of Amboseli National Park, Tortilis Tented
Camp is a fusion of conservation and luxury. Set
within the shady embrace of a forest of acacias,
each of the 17 spacious tents offer large bedrooms,
modern bathrooms and a raised wooden deck,
combining a rustic tone and matchless attention
to service and comfort. Tortilis offers a wide choice
of activities ranging from early morning and late
afternoon game drives, horse back riding and
guided game walks.Select this tailor made option
