Small group luxury, exclusive 15-day safari with private, chartered International flights (12 nights in Kenya)
Departing JFK November 21st & returning December 4th, 2020

This exclusive small group departure is in collaboration with Rothschild Safaris, a few of our premier on the ground partners and Kenya Airways.

Mara Naibosho Conservancy – Olare Motorogi Conservancy – Laikipia – Chyulu Hills National Park

15 Days/14 nights / 10 people maximum

ACCOMMODATION
Mara Plains Camp – Olare Motorogi Conservancy – 3 Nights – Luxury Tent
Mara Nyika Camp – Mara Naboisho Conservancy – 3 Nights – Luxury Tent
Ol Donyo Lodge – Chyulu Hills National Park – 3 Nights – Pool Suite
Arijiju Retreat – Laikipia – 3 Nights – Double/Twin Room
Includes all meals, fees and activities

Greatplains Maranyika Alh Experiences (18)

Included 

  • Private Business Class with First class experience from John F Kennedy Airport in New York City to Nairobi.
  • VIP Meet and Greet on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
  • Private inter camp charter from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to ol Donyo Lodge, Arijiju, the Maasai Mara and back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
  • Private wildlife viewing road transfer from Mara Nyika Camp to Mara Plains Camp.
  • Maasai cultural visit and hot air ballooning whilst residing at either Mara Nyika or Mara Plains Camp.
  • Mara Plains Camp: Fully inclusive of accommodation, scheduled wildlife viewing activities on the Maasai Mara Reserve, Olare Motorogi & Mara North Conservancies, all meals, laundry, return Olare Motorogi airstrip road transfers, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including premium brand spirits and champagne.
  • Mara Nyika Camp: Fully inclusive of accommodation, scheduled wildlife viewing vehicle activities on Naboisho Conservancy, all meals, laundry, return airstrip road transfers, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including premium brand spirits and champagne.
  • ol Donyo Lodge: Fully inclusive of accommodation, scheduled wildlife viewing activities (including horseback riding), meals, daily laundry, return Chyulu airstrip road transfers, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including premium brand spirits and champagne.
  • Arijiju: All meals, all beverages, including quality house wines, spirits and liqueurs, airstrip road transfers, laundry, game drives and wilderness walks, mountain biking and bush running with experienced guides, use of tennis and squash courts, gym, yoga deck, hammam, and spa, Wifi, Sonos multi room music system, Apple TV, and movies in the home cinema. 5 hours per day of spa and beauty treatments with expert therapist and all local taxes. Conservation fee for Borana Reserve.

Maraplainscamp Greatplainsconservation 30

Excluded

  • Gratuities and all personal expenses.
  • Early/ late check-ins / outs are subject to availability and at additional cost.
  • Comprehensive medical and travel insurance.
  • ol Donyo Lodge: Exclusive of additional activities such as: Maasai cultural visits ($20 paid directly to Maasai), day trips to Amboseli National Park, conservation fees and spa services.
  • Arijiju: Premier cellar wines, champagnes and spirits. All outsourced activities including horseback safaris, helicopter excursions and fly-camping. Conservation fee for Borana Reserve. 100% of the conservancy fee goes towards supporting local education, community and wildlife conservation projects.
  • Mara Plains Camp: Exclusive of in camp spa treatments and all conservation/park fees.
  • Mara Nyika Camp: All conservation/park fees.

Maraplainscamp Wildlife Greatplainsconservation 47

Full Itinerary

DAY 1-3
MARA PLAINS CAMP, OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY (SUN, 22 – TUE, 24 NOVEMBER)

OLARE MOTOROGI CONSERVANCY
The Olare Motorogi Conservancy is an 85 square kilometre expanse of prime private wilderness in southwest Kenya which forms part of the Maasai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem and wildlife dispersal zone. The conservancy lies immediately to the northwest of the main Maasai Mara Reserve. Tourism is limited to a maximum of 94 beds which maximizes the client wilderness experience and minimizes the environmental impact of tourism. Open hills provide a habitat for a diverse range of grazers, including giraffes, zebras, hartebeests, and warthogs. These herds attract large numbers of predators, including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals. In between the hills run a number of small seasonal streams, fringed by stretches of forest which are home to a broader range of species including baboons, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and leopards.

Greatplains Maranyika Alh Hightea
DAY ITINERARY
VIP Meet and greet at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around Mid-Morning: Disembark and go straight to the new Kenyan Airways private lounge, and over refreshing drinks made to order by your Great Plains butler, Kenyan health, immigration and customs suitably attired quickly confirm and connect the Pioneers to passports, Stamp Stamp, and you are cleared.

Within minutes, the line-up of Executive Caravans is waiting on the tarmac, and the you are seated in an executive configuration, seats freshly swabbed down, ready to take in the thrill of the approaching crossing of the Rift Valley, and far too soon, the descent into a grass runway at the 4 chosen camps, each pre-cleared by Kenya’s Department of Health, with each staff member checked and confirmed for the important, and national effort to welcome the Pioneers back to Africa.

On arrival at Olare Motorogi Airstrip, you will be transferred to Mara Plains Camp for your 3 nights stay

OVERNIGHT:MARA PLAINS CAMP
Mara Plains Camp is a one-of-a-kind, seven tent camp located in the private 35,000-acre Olare Motorogi Conservancy, on the northern boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This intimate tented camp blends the finest wildlife viewing with outstanding hospitality and guiding. No other camp offers the extensive traversing area of Mara Plains Camp, with access to a total of 100,000 acres of private conservancy land as well as the world-renowned Masai Mara, home to the Great Migration. Olare Motorogi Conservancy has an incredible density of big cats and only one guest bed per 350 acres, leaving the land unadulterated for the wildlife to roam and thrive. By day and night, the camp is a sanctuary for resident species, including many of the Maasai Mara’s 300 bird species. After dark, larger mammals frequent the camp and Maasai warriors escort guests to and from their rooms. Hippos snorting and leopards barking often provide the night’s chorus. The camp itself has only seven tents, each with deep canvas canopied ceilings, rough-hewn wood floors and accents of East Africa’s rich safari history. Each guest tent comes with Swarovski binoculars and a professional Canon camera and lenses.

Maraplainscamp Safari Experience Greatplainsconservation 5

ACTIVITIES YOU CAN ENJOY WHILE STAYING AT MARA PLAINS CAMP:
• Wildlife drives (day & night)
• Maasai cultural visits
• Hot Air Balloon

DAY 4-6
MARA NYIKA CAMP, MARA NABOISHO CONSERVANCY (WED, 25 – FRI, 27 NOVEMBER)

MARA NABOISHO CONSERVANCY
Bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve to the southwest, the Olare Orok Conservancy to the west and the Ol Kinyei Conservancy to the east, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy is comprised of over 50 000 hectares of unspoilt wilderness in Kenya’s Greater Mara Region. The area is renowned for its bountiful biodiversity and breath taking natural beauty with a wide range of wildlife on offer including lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, wild dog, and a host of plains game. Visitors can look forward to guided walking safaris, spending the night in a transient fly camp, heading out on a night game drive in search of elusive nocturnal creatures, joining the Mara Naboisho Lion Project as they track lions across the conservancy, or visiting Maasai villages to learn about this fascinating indigenous culture.

Maraplainscamp Wildlife Greatplainsconservation 27

DAY ITINERARY
After your last morning wildlife viewing experience at Mara Plains, you will be transferred by road through the private conservancies to Mara Nyika Camp where you will stay 3 night stay with wildlife viewing en-route.

OVERNIGHT: MARA NYIKA CAMP
Mara Nyika is the newest edition to the Great Plains Conservation family of camps in Kenya. While this intimate camp of just five tents and one 2-bedroom family suite is set in a valley, straddling a small stream, the light-coloured canvas tents were designed to sit under the canopy of umbrella thorn trees while still offering guests views out over the bush. Walkways from tents to the main area evoke the feeling of a treehouse under canvas and the camp’s ethic and inspiration is one of exploration and adventure. Privacy is the key to Mara Nyika. Privacy to live, think, explore, be romantic and be pampered – all the while with one of the most spectacular backdrops Africa can provide. Guests of Mara Nyika are able to explore the private and exclusive and game-rich 50,000-acre Naboisho Conservancy as well as explore further afield with safari drives into the Maasai Mara Reserve.

Greatplains Maranyika Alh Bedroom And Deck (16)

ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY WHILE STAYING AT MARA NYIKA CAMP:
• Wildlife drives (day & night)
• Maasai cultural visits
• Hot Air Balloon

Maraplainscamp Wildlife Greatplainsconservation 36

DAY 7-9
OL DONYO LODGE, CHYULU HILLS NATIONAL PARK (SAT, 28 – MON, 30 NOVEMBER)
CHYULU HILLS NATIONAL PARK
Sandwiched between the Tsavo West National Park and Amboseli National Park, the Chyulu Hills National Park protects an important water catchment area. This unique habitat features vast grass plains, forested rolling hills and rugged volcanic cones and craters set against the beautiful backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Visitors can look for to a wide selection of exciting activities including camping, mountain climbing, horse riding, and excellent bird watching. Commonly spotted wildlife includes: elephant, bushbuck, eland, leopard, bush pig, reedbuck, buffalo and giraffe. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the longest lava tube in the world.

Oldonyolodge Safari Experience Greatplainsconservation 38 (1)
DAY ITINERARY
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred back to Naboisho Airstrip for your private charter flight to Chyulus Airstrip. On arrival, you will be transferred to ol Donyo Lodge for your 3 night stay.

Oldonyolodge Safari Experience Greatplainsconservation 62

OVERNIGHT: OL DONYO LODGE
ol Donyo Lodge is located on the Maasai-owned Mbirikani Group Ranch, comprising of 275,000 acres of wilderness between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks and bordering Chyulu Hills National Park. This stunningly beautiful area is incredibly diverse, and often has spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The 16-bed lodge is a harmonious blend of contemporary and rustic, merging the landscape into each suite. Designed for a wide appeal, the lodge is a perfect getaway for families, honeymooners or multigenerational groups. What makes it a standout is its notable variety of activities – from cultural visits, good quality wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking – ol Donyo Lodge is a place to feel Africa, and get out from behind the wheel. Add to this the lodge’s creature comforts of fine dining, massage, infinity pool, star beds and multiple lounges, and it is a place to relax and unwind for days.

Oldonyolodge Safari Experience Greatplainsconservation 28

ACTIVITIES YOU CAN ENJOY WHILE STAYING AT OL DONYO LODGE:
• Wildlife drives
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Tracking
• Conservation community out-reach programmes
• Wildlife viewing in an open air hide and sleep outs on private “star beds”

Oldonyolodge Food Dining Greatplainsconservation 10

DAY 10-12
ARIJIJU RETREAT, LAIKIPIA (TUE, 01 – THU, 03 DECEMBER)

LAIKIPIA
Sandwiched between Mount Kenya and the northern deserts, Laikipia is where Kenya’s wild and semiarid northern frontier country begins. The region is made up of privately owned and community ranches centred around the Laikipia National Reserve. Known as one of Kenya’s best safari areas, the high plains of Laikipia feature vast open stretches of African savanna scattered with abundant game including: Grevy’s zebras, black rhino, lion, leopard, wild dogs, buffalo and thousands of elephants. Visitors can enjoy a luxury safari experience at a private lodge or stay in the worthwhile community-run lodges which support the local Samburu and Ilaikipiak and Mokogodo Maasai communities.

Arijiju, Borana, Kenya
Arijiju, Borana, Kenya

DAY ITINERARY
After a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred back to Chyulus Airstrip for you private charter flight to Arijiju. On arrival you will be met by an Arijiju representative and transferred to the lodge for your 3 night stay.

Arijiju, Borana, Kenya
Arijiju, Borana, Kenya

OVERNIGHT: ARIJIJU RETREAT
Arijiju lies low on the land. The building behaves as though it has always been on that warm Kenyan hillside with living grassed roofs that move with the air and connect it into the earth and forest. It is there but not there. Partly sculpted into the rock-bed, its subtle entrance opens into a fragrant, greened space with generous Swahili curves and an air of monastic calm. Walls of stone built on stone create vaulted walkways that lure you into cool shade and lead you along earth paths towards a simply luxurious gym, spa and hammam, dappled suntraps and Lamu daybeds. Alongside a gnarled African Olive tree, a slice of pool hangs over the untamed wild of the Sieku valley in the Borana Conservancy – a thriving piece of the game-rich Kenyan Highlands and a sanctuary for adventure. Arijiju is a beautiful, private home in the game-rich, malaria-free, Kenyan Highlands with rare, truly wild luxuries. An elegant spa and hammam, a gym, a clay tennis and squash court and glorious, health-focused menus make wellness and fitness feel effortless. A sanctuary for adventure-Explore 97 000 acres dedicated to conservation as well as helicopter flips, quad bike safaris, rappelling, horse riding and big five game drives.

Arijiju Dook001

ACTIVITIES YOU CAN ENJOY WHILE STAYING AT ARIJIJU RETREAT:
• Game drives
• Wilderness walks
• Mountain biking
• Bush running

DAY 13
END OF ITINERARY (FRI, 04 DECEMBER)

DAY ITINERARY
Today marks the end of your trip with a private charter to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.

Giraffe (2)

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Resting in the magnificent Great Rift Valley and presided over by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya is characterised by hauntingly beautiful natural landscapes of forested hills, patchwork farms, wooded savanna and vast forests brimming with an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. The nation’s diverse range of traditional African cultures is influenced by over 70 unique ethnic groups from the Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Turkana tribes to the Arabs and Indians that settled on the coast. It is easy to see why so many visitors flock here from around the world to experience a truly unique African adventure in one of the world’s most pristine safari destinations.

BANKING AND CURRENCY CURRENCY
The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KSh20, 10 and 5. Residents may import up to KES 500,000 and must declare if currencies exceeding US $10,000. Non-residents may import local and foreign currencies without restrictions but amounts exceeding US $10,000 must be declared.

Mastercard and Visa Credit Cards are widely accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so.

Very few banks or foreign exchange bureaus accept travellers cheques; when they do, they charge high commissions.

FOOD, DRINK AND CUISINE ADVICE
Meat in Kenya is generally outstandingly good, and ‘nyam achoma’ (barbecued meat) is ubiquitous at any major feasts or popular dining spots. Beef and chicken are readily available, but goat is the mostwidely eaten among locals and certainly a must try for carnivorous visitors. Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine is also popular, as are fresh-water fish inland, and sea fish along the coast.
Drinking the tap water is not recommended as the supply is not reliable, but bottled water is available in most places. When buying bottled water, check the seal of the bottle is intact. Alternatively, bring your own reusable water bottle with a filter or use water purification tablets. Avoid ice and washed salads and fruit except in top hotels and restaurants. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Food prepared by unlicensed vendors should be avoided at all times.

Tipping is optional. Most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge in the bill. If they don’t, a small tip is customary for good service.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Kenya has three types of climate: temperate subtropical climate in the west and southwest highlands (where Nairobi is located), hot and humid along the coast, and hot and dry in the north and east.

CLOTHING & DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS
For Nairobi and the coast: lightweight cotton and linens are advised. Warmer clothing is needed in June and July, while rainwear is advisable between March and June, and October and December. For safari: loose-fitting and light neutral tones are recommended. If you are visiting a luxury lodge, pack a nice set of clothes for dinner is recommended.

ELECTRICITY AND PLUG STANDARDS
Electrical sockets in Kenya are of the ‘Type G (BS-1363)’. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance’s plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it’s crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types. Electrical sockets in Kenya usually supply electricity at 220-240 volts AC. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.

FAQ
When will you leave New York City?
The Return of the Safari Pioneers private jet safari departs from John F Kennedy airport in New York City on Saturday 21 November, 2020 and heads back to the USA on Friday, the 4th of December 2020 from Nairobi.
How long is your safari?
Each flight is an overnight between the U.S.A and Kenya. Added to that, are 12 nights in four exclusive safari locations in Kenya.
How many others will be travelling with me?
We have reserved the entire business class section of the direct, overnight flight from New York City’s JFK to Nairobi’s Kenyatta International Airport. There are only 30 luxurious seats available on this departure ensuring social distance and peace of mind en-route. Once you land in Nairobi, you will be whisked away to a private lounge for customs and immigration formalities. Whilst on safari you will be part of one of three smaller groups of only 10 guests each for the duration of your 12-night safari.
We have limited all Covid-19 concerns
From the moment you check-in JFK at our exclusive check in desk, to private departure and arrival lounges, as well as private inter-camp air transfers, travelling with a limited number of guests, staying at remote, luxurious safari properties, your health and that of your companions is top of mind for us. We have spared no expense and have considered every detail to ensure that we limit any form of concern you may have around Corona and possible risks associated there. All travellers will be required to produce a valid, Covid-19 free medical certificate prior to departure.

How much will this cost?
The Return of the Safari Pioneers private flying safari costs USD42,900 per person sharing + $900 in park and conservancy fees and includes literally everything – from your international business class flights, private inter-camp air transfers, lounge access in all airports on arrival and departures, all meals, all beverages (premier cellar wine, champagnes and spirits excluded at Arijiju), all wildlife sightings and activities.
Exclusions include comprehensive medical and travel insurance, a nightly conservation levy, curios you decide to purchase from safari boutiques, treatments you choose to enjoy in wellness centres and gratuities.

TO FIND OUT MORE OR TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE ON THIS SAFARI CALL:
ROTHSCHILD SAFARIS
USA: 1.800.405.9463
AUS: +61 (7) 5455.4243
Email: [email protected]