Kenya Golf Safari (12 days)

Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. After clearing customs and immigration formalities, you will be welcomed by an Abercrombie & Kent representative who will transfer you to Hemingways Nairobi for check in and overnight.

Hemingways Nairobi is the new luxury boutique hotel in the serene Karen suburb. Ideally positioned to give sweeping views of the Ngong hills, the property offers 45 enchanting rooms housed in an elegant plantation-style building. Each room is large and airy with un-interrupted views of the forested valleys and the rolling hills in the distance.

Breakfast at the hotel and thereafter, transfer to Muthaiga Golf Club for a full day of golf.

Muthaiga enjoys the influential position being home to the Kenya Golf Union and plays host to the most prestigious golfing event in the country, The Kenya Open. The original nine holes were laid out at Muthaiga in 1912 and the club foundation stone was laid in 1913. By 1926 the course was later extended to eighteen holes to accommodate the growing membership.

The club is situated in Muthaiga surburb, on Kiambu Road at the edge of Karura forest it therefore sports many indigenous trees. A variety of trees and flowering bushes not only come into play on almost every hole, but also make this course one of the attractive to golf. Muthaiga is still noted for its very fine greens which give the club a beautiful layout and one that has many challenges in store for both the regular and the visiting golfers.

Transfer to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to Nanyuki (0800/0950 approx.). Connect to your private charter flight to Mugie House in Mugie Conservancy.

Set on the private Mugie Conservancy, encompassing 50,000 acers of Laikipia’s stunning landscape, sits Governors Mugie House. The house is the epitome of elegance; rattan backed chairs are complemented by deep comfortable sofas and graceful candelabras. There are eight rooms, including a family room and two honeymoon rooms which feature their own private plunge pools. Each of the rooms have sumptuous beds, deep copper baths and huge windows and from which you can take in the sweeping views of the conservancy below. There is so much to do on Mugie, set out on a day or night game drive to discover the myriad of wildlife or play a round of golf on the immaculately maintained nine-hole golf course or enjoy an al fresco lunch by the pool and take a dip to cool off in the afternoon heat.

Mugie Ranch has the distinction of being the only wildlife resort that includes a golf course. Designed by Kenya’s most famous golf course designer the six holes are played from three different sets of tees, making a full round of 18: good enough to stretch players at any level. Tee boxes are covered with astroturf and the fairways are well manicured but not irrigated, so ‘winter’ tees are allowed all year long.

Spend the day enjoying a round of golf or go in search of wildlife in the conservancy on game drives or bush walks. Meet the local community on a school visit or on a visit to a village closeby.

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your private charter flight to Naivasha.

Loldia House is on the Western shores of Lake Naivasha. Overlooking by the majestic Mount Longonot, this colonial farmhouse also has glorious views over the lake. Hippos lie up in the shallows by day and graze on the farm’s lawns in the evenings. It is located just a couple of hours from Nairobi in the dramatic Rift Valley, Loldia is a good place from which to explore the surrounding game parks. Within easy daytrip distance are Hell’s Gate with its dramatic thermal vents and Verreaux eagles, Lake Bogoria and its flamingos, and Lake Nakuru, which is a great place to see giraffe and the white rhino.

The farmhouse has been in the same family for 100 years and is steeped in history. Its nine luxurious bedrooms are divided between two cottages and the main house. All are shaded by ancient wild fig trees and acacias.

Full day golfing (golf fees/costs on own arrangements).

The 6,580 yard, award winning golf course has 18 holes and is located above Loldia with lovely views out over Lake Naivasha, Mount Longonot and across to the Abedare Mountains.

Apart from golf, there are plenty of activities near the ranch, including boat rides on the lake, day and night game drives, a walk and picnic lunch on Crescent Island, and a visit to a flower farm.

Today transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Masai Mara (1015/1100 approx.). You will be met on arrival and transferred to Sanctuary Olonana with a game drive en route, which may be rewarded with sightings of lion, elephant, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe and a host of plain’s game.

Sanctuary Olonana is a luxury lodge on a private stretch of the Mara River at the foot of the impressive Siria Escarpment in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. 14 exceptional suites, flaunt clean lines and organic materials. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors fold open to reveal magnificent Mara River views and the interiors have been finished with elegant nature-inspired furnishings to create an ever-present sense of being connected to the great outdoors. Sumptuous king-sized beds, with overhead fans and a daybed on the deck invite you to relax inside or out, while the sprawling lower lounge area offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Dramatic glass doors open out from the lounge to the terrace. An inviting fire pit is encircled by deckchairs, with each seat promising river views. Olonana takes a lot seriously - your comfort, conservation of the environment and support of the local Maasai community; the camp supports dozens of local efforts: Enkereri School, a women's bead project, an organic garden, and indigenous tree planting. Apart for going on game drives and relaxing by the pool or in the spa, you are invited to visit any of these initiatives: plant a tree and leave a positive mark on a piece of Africa.

Spend the day exploring the reserve.

The jewel in Africa's crown, Maasai Mara is host to the most spectacular array of wildlife. Her 1,510 square kilometers of open savannah, woodlands and tree-lined rivers creates an eco-system which supports huge numbers of bird and mammal species. The western border of the park is the spectacular Siria Escarpment, and together with the acacia dotted plains, creates scenery of stunning beauty. Lion are found in abundance throughout the park as are elephant, giraffe, a variety of gazelle species and zebra. Cheetah and leopard are also regularly seen and, if lucky, you may also find rhino.

Game viewing is never dull in the Mara, and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings: a pride of lion stalking their prey; a solitary leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree; male wildebeest sparring to attract females into their harem; or even a herd of elephant protecting their young from opportunistic predators. The annual wildebeest migration traditionally is present in the Mara from July-September and at this time nature's dramas unfold before your very eyes at every turn.

A wide range of activities are offered including game drives, bush walks, sundowners and bush meals. Olonana works closely with a local Maasai village and visitors to the village get an insight into the traditional way of life of the Maasai tribe.

Opportunity exists to enjoy a hot air balloon safari - game viewing from an inflated balloon basket floating over the Mara plains herds below.

This is an opportunity to view the stunning, wildlife filled plains from above. There is nothing quite like a balloon safari at dawn. You will arise early (before dawn) and be collected by the balloon safari vehicle and taken down to the launch site. The pilot will give guidelines and thereafter begin to inflate the huge balloon and as the fiery red ball breaks over the rim of the earth you will glide gently up into the sky.

Below you the herds will just have started to move about and bathed in the beautiful golden early morning light this provides the ultimate photographic opportunity. After about an hour the balloon will slowly descend and before you will be laid out a beautiful breakfast in the bush – complete with sparkling wine if you so wish! Once you have eaten your fill you will have a little game drive on the way back to camp.

Breakfast at leisure and check out.

Board your schedule flight to Nairobi. You are met and transferred to Crowne Plaza Nairobi Hotel for dayroom use.

Later check out and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.