Lewa Downs / Maasai Mara / Rekero Cottages

Explore the stark beauty of northern Kenya at the game sanctuary of Lewa Downs, and then visit the famous big cat hunting grounds of the Maasai Mara. Enjoy all the comforts of home in luxury tents with none of the chores!

One of Kenya’s original settler ranches, Lewa Downs has been in the Craig family since 1924, when the Craig’s grandparents first started to raise cattle. It is now a part of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which includes the highly respected Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary. The area is committed to the conservation of wildlife and the diverse habitats found on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya. The wildlife and environment protection is carried out is in conjunction with the local indigenous communities and as a result they benefit with improved facilities - schools, clinics and employment.

The original farm house and the guest cottages are the centre of this private ranch and forms your base as you go on animal viewing walks, horse riding expeditions or day and / or night drives to explore this fascinating area. The experienced naturalist guides provide an endless variety of information throughout the day while the evening brings delicious food and safari tales swapped round a roaring log fireplace.

The Beaton’s home, Rekero, is located in the heart of the Maasai Mara, one of the greatest and most diverse concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Famous for its large populations of lion, leopard and cheetah, a safari to Kenya is incomplete without a visit to the Mara. Surrounded by rolling hills and endless savannah plains, Rekero hosts just eight guests in comfortable, thatched bungalows set around a waterhole that is frequented by elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo.

The Beaton’s own hosting abilities are enhanced by their partners, the local Maasai, one of the great tribes of Africa, as well as the Ndorobo, a small hunter/gatherer clan whose culture is quickly disappearing. Every tree, shrub and bush has a use, as you discover on your game walks, learning ancient tribal lore in between photo-shoots of wildlife. Truly Africa – stunning landscapes, fascinating cultures and abundant wildlife, combined with the comfort of home, make Rekero a unique experience on any East African safari.

Northern Kenya is a huge expanse of scrub desert, bisected by a few life saving rivers. A true wilderness, this area of Kenya is very sparsely populated, and game patterns have been little affected by humans.

The Laikipia Plateau, in the Northern District, is part of an ancient lava plain covered with red dirt, thorn scrub, broken volcanic rock, dried riverbeds, steep hills and rocky outcroppings. Unusual for this arid area of Northern Kenya, Laikipia has a permanent water supply, the Ewaso Ngiro or “brown river’. This permanent water flow provides an oasis for the many elephant, hippo, and crocodile that abound in this area.

The region is also home to the rare grevvy zebra, somali ostrich with their distinctive blue legs, the shy beisa oryx and the largest African antelope, the eland.

Lewa is famous for its rhinos. One of the most reliable areas in Kenya for spotting this rare, endangered species along with leopard, lion, buffalo and elephant, many guests spot all of the ‘Big Five’ here!

The mix of wood and grassland with riverine forest and swamp provides the perfect home to a wide variety of bird life as well as mammals. Over 365 bird species have been recorded! The perfect place for an introduction to the harsh, yet stunningly beautiful landscapes of northern Kenya, the Laikipia Plateau is a vital part of a safari itinerary.

Itinerary

Day 1 Collected from the Nairobi Airport or your Nairobi hotel and transferred to Wilson Airport for the one-hour flight to Lewa Downs. Met upon arrival and enjoy an animal viewing drive enroute to the cottages. Lunch at the cottages before an animal viewing drive in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Lewa.

Day 2 A full day walking to view animals, or horse riding or an animal viewing drive through the Sanctuary, as you please. All meals and overnight stay at Lewa.

Day 3 An early morning animal viewing walk or horse ride takes you to a delicious bush breakfast spread out under acacia trees looking towards the snowy peak of Mount Kenya. An animal viewing drive back to the cottages and enjoy the swimming pool or tennis, or simply catch a nap before the evening animal viewing drive, dinner and overnight at Lewa.

Day 4 After breakfast, leave Lewa for the short drive to Nanyuki and the flight to the Maasai Mara. Met at the Mara Airstrip and than an animal viewing drive through the reserve to Rekero Cottages. Enjoy lunch at the cottages and then take a gentle walk trough the rolling hills with your Ndorobo medicine man as he points out the animals, birds, plants and insects that abound. You might try out a local herbal remedy or two as well! Dinner and overnight at Rekero Cottages.

Day 5 A full day of animal viewing driving through the Maasai Mara in search of the wildlife with your Maasai guides. Dinner and overnight at Rekero.

Day 6 This morning visit a traditional Maasai village and enjoy an introduction to the fascinating culture of this tribe. After lunch, an animal viewing drive or walk as you please. Dinner and overnight at Rekero.

Day 7 After breakfast, game drive enroute to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi. Met at the airport and taken to your Nairobi hotel or the international airport.

                                        An idea for some more time in Kenya - Lamu Island Luxury

Price Indication Per Person:  USD3231

Single supplement: USD540                            Email for current prices

The base currency is the US Dollar and payments in any other currency may need to be adjusted for exchange rates.

You can book as an individual, but we need a minimum of 2 for the trip to proceed at these prices. Maximum 6.

What is included
Joining in Nairobi - all transfers, all accommodation, all meals and some drinks, all domestic flights, local taxes, activities and park / conservation fees.

What is Not Included
International flights and departure taxes, as you join the group in Nairobi. Personal insurance, visa fees, vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and most alcoholic drinks.

Visa (UK residents)
A visa is required for Kenya and this will cost about £38. Muir's Tours can provide a courier service if you need urgent assistance in obtaining your Visa.

Travel Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. We recommend the BMC policies www.thebmc.co.uk