Out of Africa

The deluxe tented safari, born in Kenya over a century ago, has been extolled by writers from Isak Dinesen to Ernest Hemingway—and the magic of it is still here. Our elegant tented safari is an ”out of Africa” experience that offers elephants silhouetted beneath the snows of Kilimanjaro, the haunting call of the hyena in the night, dinners under the African sky, and lions on the prowl in golden savannas that seem a realm apart. We explore from small, exclusive camps in Amboseli, the private Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Samburu National Park, and finally in the green and radiant utopia of the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the most sublime wildlife paradises of our planet. Spectacular bush flights whisk us between our beautiful accommodations.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-3
Nairobi / Amboseli National Park / Tortilis Camp

Our first safari thrills come at award-winning Tortilis Camp, with its stunning location framing Kilimanjaro in the heart of Amboseli. Within minutes of getting off our bush flight, we’re on our first game drive in the midst of Amboseli’s famed elephant herds, followed by a visit with the elephant researchers at the park. Tortilis has unrivaled Kili views and delightful tented rooms with en suite bathrooms and electricity.

Days 4-5
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Nestled in the foothills below Mt. Kenya, Lewa has been home for three generations to the Craig family, who made their beautiful highland ranch a sanctuary for endangered species in 1924. On wonderful game walks and game drives, we see rare rhinos as well as eland, hartebeest, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard. Meals are home-cooked with produce fresh from the garden.

Days 6-8
Samburu National Reserve

In Samburu’s magnificent landscape of red earth and palm-fringed rivers, we search for Kenya’s unique northern species, including Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. We also meet the traditional Samburu, with their bright red robes. Larsen’s Camp enjoys a romantic, lantern-lit setting along the Uaso Nyiro River.

Days 9-12
Masai Mara

The mile-high Masai Mara National Reserve is famed for its sheer numbers and diversity of wildlife. With our Masai guides, we find excitement in every direction, with prides of lions stalking wildebeest or zebra and solitary leopards surveying from their perches in acacia trees. Our camp, the Mara Explorer, offers total comfort in the wild—we can even watch elephants and giraffes at the river from the privacy of our verandas. An optional balloon safari is an unforgettable experience here. Depart from Nairobi on Day 12.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

• Zanzibar Extension: Serena Inn, Breezes or Palms Resort (4 days)
• Zanzibar Extension: Mnemba Island (4 days)
• Gorilla Tracking In Rwanda's Parc Des Volcans (5 days)

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 2+, moderate. This is a deluxe camping and lodge safari with gameviewing by 4WD vehicle and nature walks that can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good health. There are a few long driving days over rough roads and rugged dirt tracks. Although this is not a particularly rigorous trip, we still recommend that each participant undertake a preparatory program of physical conditioning. Any African safari is an adventure, and the traveler to Africa should bring along flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity about new peoples and places, and an openness to the unexpected.

Explanation of Trip Levels