Travel Service Safaris The Best of africa Kenya and south africa Mala Mala, Giraffe manor, and tangulia mara September 14 - 26, 2021 Peak migration combined with the best leopard viewing in the world
14th of September 2021: Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa! on arrival we will transfer to the Southern Sun OR Tambo
Overnight at Southern Sun OR Tambo
15th of September 2021: Fly to Mala Mala. This morning we will transfer back to the airport for our flight to Skukuza, where we will be met and transferred to Mala Mala Private Game Reserve. The transfer is about 1 hour.
Overnight at Mala Mala Sable Camp (BLD)
16th, 17th, and 18th of September 2021: Mala Mala Game Reserve. Each day we will have game drives exploring the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Mala Mala Sable Camp (BLD)
19th of September 2021: Fly to Johannesburg. This morning we will transfer back to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg. We will transfer to the Southern Sun OR Tambo for an overnight stay.
(Overnight at Southern Sun OR Tambo (B)
20th September 2021: Fy to Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival we will be transferred to Giraffe Manor. Overnight at Giraffe Manor (BLD)
21st September 2021: Tour of Nyumbani Children's home, Karen Blixen Museum, & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage: Our tour starts at the Nyumbani. This is a home for AIDS orphans. We will meet the children and get to know the staff and what they do to help with the AIDS issues in Africa. Then we will proceed on to the Karen Blixen Museum. The museum is located on the outskirts of Nairobi on Karen road. Its history dates back to 1914, during the First World War, with the arrival of Karen Blixen from Denmark. At the foot of Ngong Hills, Karen Blixen established herself as a farmer. After her departure in 1931, the suburbs retained the commemorative home of Karen. The Danish government donated the house, and the surrounding land to Kenya after independence. The house was restored by the Danish government, and was used during the filming of "Out of Africa" which immortalized Karen Blixen's book by the same name. The museum was opened to the public in 1986. From there we will go to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage for our private visit with the baby elephants. Daphne Sheldrick is a world–class conservation figure and the premier authority on the successful raising of milk–dependent infant elephant and rhino orphans. During this time the baby elephants are brought out to play and to feed, and we can watch and interact with them. Wardens are on hand to explain the work of the orphanage and to answer any questions.
Overnight at Giraffe Manor (BLD)
22nd September 2021: Fly to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. This morning we will be transferred to Wilson Airport for our flight to the Masai Mara, where we will be met by our host for the next four nights, Jackson Looseyia, and his staff, who will see to our needs throughout our stay at Tangulia Mara Camp.
Here we will concentrate our efforts on the wildebeest migration. We will try to see crossings of these beasts as they attempt to cross the Mara River as massive crocodiles await their arrival.
The Masai Mara National Reserve was named for the Maasai people who inhabit the area, and for the Mara River, which flows through this great reserve. It shares a border with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and is essentially a continuation of this park, forming the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The Masai Mara is home to an excellent year-round concentration of game and is renowned for its annual visit by the two million animals that make up the Great Migration. Covering an impressive 1 115 km² (430 square miles), the Masai Mara is a land of breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife and endless plains. The Masai Mara was made famous by the book Out of Africa by Karen Blixen, which was later made into a movie starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. Immortalized through famous tales of olden day safaris, the Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the richest and most diverse wildlife areas in the world. Known as the ‘spotted land’ to the Maasai, the reserve is home to a vast number of resident wildlife, as well as part of the annual phenomenon of the Great Migration. The migratory wildebeest, zebra, kongoni and topi join abundant elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah in the Mara. Leopard and serval are frequently encountered, while endangered black rhino can be found in the dense bush thickets. The Mara River is also famed for its enormous crocodiles, which lay in wait for the wildebeest and zebra during the excitement and drama of the migration. Six species of primates and over 450 birds add to the Mara’s incredible natural diversity.
Overnight at Tangulia Mara Camp (BLD)
23rd, 24th and 25th September 2021: Masai Mara. Daily game drives in search of various animals. Overnight at Tangulia Mara Camp (BLD)
26th of September 2021: Transfer to Nairobi After Breakfast, we fly from the Maasai Mara to Nairobi and transfer to the Four Points hotel. We will do a little shopping on the way. Later this evening you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Dayrooms at Four Points by Sheraton (B)
Cost per Person Sharing $13,000. Plus internal air of about $1000 per person NBO-JNB-SZK-JNB
Terms and conditions: All payments are non-refundable. Medical evacuation insurance is mandatory. Comprehensive insurance highly recommended.
Single supplement is $6500 if you want your own room.
This includes:
1. Accommodation at Giraffe Manor, Tangulia Mara Camp, Mala Mala as stated above 2. Overnights on the 14th and 19th of September at Southern Sun OR Tambo Johannesburg Airport and day rooms on the 26th of September at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport 3. Park and conservancy Entrance fees 4. Meals: Most meals as listed above in the itinerary. 5. All airport and airstrip transfer in Nairobi and Masai Mara Game Reserve, Johannesburg and Mala Mala. 6. Transfers between Giraffe Manor, Tangulia Mara Camp, and Mala Mala and the airport. 7. Bottled water throughout 8. Flying Doctor Services in Kenya and medical evac insurance in South Africa (this will get you from the bush to town - not back to the USA) 9. Internal domestic flight (Nairobi – Masai Mara – Nairobi on the dates indicated) 10. Nairobi Tour (private visit to Daphne Sheldrick/ Karen Blixen Museum/ Nyumbani)
Not Included:
Roundtrip international airfare From the USA to Africa
Visas for Kenya
Tips to guides and drivers
Cancellation insurance
Phone calls
Sodas and Alcohol except where explicitly stated
Laundry
Group maximum of 8 guests.
Deposit of $3500 per person due to hold your space.
Final payment will be due by June 1, 2021
About Giraffe Manor:
Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. As one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings, Giraffe Manor has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when European visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen.
However, the most fascinating thing about Giraffe Manor is its herd of resident Rothschild’s giraffe who may visit morning and evening, sometimes poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary.
Giraffe Manor was built in 1932 and was modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge. The history of elegant-legged giraffes on its lawns dates back to the 1970s when Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville first adopted an orphaned Rothschild’s giraffe, Daisy. Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley bought the manor in April 2009, and since then it has become a globally recognized, iconic hotel.
With an injection of love and passion into this historic manor, the owners have turned this property into one of the most sought-after hotels in the world. While the interiors have been enhanced and rejuvenated, it was essential to the Carr-Hartley’s that the manor retained the original 1930s character and preserved its colorful and charming history.
About Tangulia Mara Camp:
Tangulia Mara camp is a cozy tented bush camp perched on a leafy hill overlooking the Olotulo-Murt salt lick, by the Mara River. It is located on private land and has an emphasis on authentic safari and African experiences. Tangulia is a Swahili word meaning “to lead.” The camp’s mission is to be the leaders in African Safari by allowing their guests a comfortable private stay with an array of unique safari experiences that will remain in your heart for a lifetime.
They have a total of 8 luxurious tents, which includes one family tent. The camp is set to remain quaint to give guests the ultimate, intimate experience. They have hand made large beds in each tent with an additional single bed in some. The salt lick is a favorite spot for a lot of the wildlife in the area and this is the reason why they take advantage of this view. The Mara River is seen from the front porch of most of the tents. Winding paths lead to each tent and with camp being unfenced, wildlife is welcome to roam freely around camp. Or camp askaris escort guests back to their tents at night.
Running taps and hot showers are available throughout with permanent en-suite bathroom with shower, basin, and flush toilet.
Solar lighting and a Wi-Fi hotspot complete the amenities.
The chef takes great pride in his culinary expertise, learned over many years of catering to an international clientele. They chose the name Tangulia – meaning “to lead” as their Vision Statement.
About Mala Mala Sable Camp:
MalaMala Sable Camp is a smaller, more intimate version of MalaMala Camp and is ideal for those seeking a more private and secluded safari experience. MalaMala Sable Camp is situated at the southern end of MalaMala Camp in a prime elevated position overlooking the Sand River and surrounding bushveld.
Sable Camp can accommodate a maximum of 20 guests in 7 suites – some of which can accommodate 3 guests sharing. It may also be reserved exclusively for between 14 and 20 guests.
Game drives are conducted in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles in the 40,000 acre MalaMala Game Reserve. The 4-wheel drive safari vehicles enable the rangers to leave the road and provide guests with close up game viewing and fantastic photographic opportunities. Night drives, with the aid of powerful spotlights, bring the bush to life at night.
About Jackson Looseyia:
Jackson was born in 1967 in the heart of the Masai Mara. He grew up surrounded by wildlife and from an early age found it a source of inspiration. Tracking wild animals is in his blood – he comes from a long line of master hunters and trackers.
Jackson's father was a particularly famous hunter who clashed with the park authorities and ended up being imprisoned for eight years. On his release he became the archetypal poacher turned game-keeper and was appointed head ranger in the Southern Mara.
It was at this time that Jackson was trained in the ways of the wild – his father took him into the heart of the bush for six months solid training. During this time he was shown how to track dangerous animals such as lion and buffalo. The trip had dramatic consequences as during the adventure, Jackson's father was attacked by a buffalo and had his right hand broken. Responsibility for the family was handed to Jackson.
As a young man, Jackson quickly rose to become one of the first Masai guides in the Mara and is now a partner in Tangulia Mara Camp.
Jackson has an intimate knowledge of all the wildlife in the Mara from the smallest insect to the largest predators, but the big cats are his particular favorites. especially the elusive leopard which Jackson describes as "an animal work of art". He has been ranked as one of the top 15 Legendary Guides in Africa by Conde Nast Traveler.
Jackson is probably most well known as a presenter on BBC's Big Cat Live and Big Cat Tales.