Suzy’s Signature Kenya Safari with Giraffe Manor 2027

This luxury safari experience is designed for an intimate group of 11 guests. The journey begins in Nairobi, where you will visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant orphanage, explore Karen Blixen’s former home, and see the work of local artisans at Kazuri Beads.

Your accommodations include stays at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club and the secluded Lentorre Lodge. Throughout the trip, you will enjoy game drives, bush dinners, wildlife walks, and a visit to a local Maasai village to support the community. November offers pleasant weather and the chance to witness the Great Migration. The trip concludes at the iconic Giraffe Manor, where you will have the unique opportunity to meet and enjoy breakfast with the resident giraffes.

Price includes:

- 7 nights’ accommodation on twin/double sharing room basis at listed hotels (please note rooms at GM are "run of house".  All rooms are twin share, plus a family suite for four persons.)
- One group airport transfer on arrival and departure
- Bed and breakfast in Nairobi
- Full board on safari – B/L/D
- Stay at Lentorre Lodge includes
- All meals
- All beverages, including premium wine and spirits
- Day and night game drives
- Laundry
- Sundowners
- Access to photography hides
- Guided bush and nature walks
- Tubing in the river (dependent on the river levels and speeds)
- Stay at Fairmont Safari Club
- All meals
- Two shared daily game drives per day, with one bottle of water per game drive
- One White Rhino sanctuary visit per stay
- Soft beverages during meals only
- One Boma Experience dinner per stay (weather permitting)
- Stay at Giraffe Manor
- All meals
- House wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
- Laundry
- Wireless internet access
- Entrance to the AFEW Giraffe Centre
- Orchid House dining
- Access to The Retreat during check-in and check-out times
- Boules, croquet and VAT
- Full day city tour of Nairobi by air-conditioned bus on day 2
- All transport in designed safari vehicle (Non A/C – private usage) with a pop-up roof for maximum game viewing comfort with a professional English speaking driver/guide
- Park fees
- Private use of safari vehicle
- Visit to David Sheldrick Trust on day 2 in Nairobi
- Visit to Karen Blixen Museum
- All currently applicable park entrance fees
- Government tax

The word “raha” means joy in Swahili. Prepare to experience more raha than you could ever imagine on this carefully curated AFS adventure to timeless Kenya. Your African safari dreams will become reality as we encounter a staggering number of animals while being treated like royalty at five-star wilderness accommodations, including the legendary Giraffe Manor.

Kenya is where the concept of a safari was born, and you’ll see why. October is a perfect time to go for great weather and to witness ‘the greatest roadshow on earth’ in the Mara. Countless herds of wildebeest, zebra, and herbivores cross the rivers south into the Serengeti in search of the rains. The Great Migration, one of the seven wonders of the world, is an experience that changes you. Senses are stirred with the thrill of anticipation for what will happen next. That’s just one of the reasons AFSers consistently rate magical Kenya as their “best vacation experience ever.”

Designed for a select few, each day of this adventure includes a collection of extraordinary moments, starting in vibrant Nairobi. We’ll be introduced to Kenya’s rich cultural heritage, visiting the rescued gentle giants of David Sheldrick’s Elephant Sanctuary, author Karen Blixen’s homestead, and the inspiring Kazuri Beads. Then it’s off to the incomparable Masa Mara and the legendary Fairmont Mara Safari Club. Imagine luxury tents with four-poster beds, a huge bath, and a private deck overlooking the hippos and crocs in the Mara River below you. Like the ultra-rich, you’ll be spoiled with the spa, pool, and gourmet meals. At night, there are game drives, sundowners, and bush dinners under the stars. With your stay here, you’re giving back; Fairmont supports a local Masai village, which we will visit.

We’ll then fly away via private charter to the secluded 5-star Lentorre Lodge, where an all-inclusive experience awaits. As darkness falls, venture out on exclusive night game drives, and by day, walk alongside playful baboons, enjoy river rafting, capture breathtaking images from Lentorre's private photography hide, and have a chance for hot air balloon over the game reserve. 

Our return to Nairobi is the stuff that is the ultimate bucket list item for Afriholics: a stay at the Giraffe Manor. It’s incredibly hard to secure a spot here because it is so sought after, but we did it! The grounds themselves are stunning, but it’s the interaction with these curious long-necked creatures that sets the manor apart. We’ll be able to interact with the herd that calls the manor home, including sharing breakfast with them.

With space for only 11 guests, this truly unique adventure will fill up quickly. This is more than a safari; it's an invitation to an exceptionally rare and unforgettable experience, especially with our own private plane. You'll be enveloped in personalized service, where every detail is anticipated and every desire fulfilled. From colonial Nairobi to luxurious tents in the wild bush, this is an experience like no other, and our classic Kenya always delivers!

Giving Back Tourism: Your trip participation plays a supportive role in conserving many of Kenya's animals. Giraffe Manors (GM) efforts to save the magnificent creatures goes far beyond the Manor. GM works closely with the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) to support the breeding of endangered Rothschild's giraffes. And with GCF aiding extensive research, rescue and work with other wildlife. Read more at www.giraffecentre.org. You will also support David Sheldrick's Wildlife Trust with the world's most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation. Go to www.shelrickwildlifetrust.org

 FLIGHTS FROM THE U.S. ARE OVERNIGHT, SO YOU MUST DEPART ONE DAY EARLY. Round-trip air USA to Nairobi is easy with dozens of carriers flying here. You may want to add a stopover city en route to break up your long journey. Air details and more will be coming in the trip tips.

Karibu Kenya! After touching down in Nairobi, we’ll head to the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel – just minutes away. Settle in, maybe hit the hotel pool, and get ready to explore. Tonight, it's all about relaxing and prepping for the incredible journey ahead. You're in Africa!

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (2 nights)

https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/en/nairobi/nboir/hoteldetail?

The Crowne Plaza Hotel at Nairobi Airport offers an unparalleled blend of convenience, comfort, and safety for travelers. With its prime location just minutes from the airport, it provides easy access for those with tight schedules or late-night arrivals. The hotel features modern, spacious rooms that are well-appointed, ensuring guests enjoy a restful stay amidst their travels. Guests can also take advantage of the on-site dining options and leisure facilities, adding to a relaxing atmosphere. Furthermore, the hotel's commitment to safety and security, including 24-hour surveillance and attentive staff, ensures peace of mind during your stay. Whether you're looking for a quick stopover or a comfortable base before exploring Nairobi, the Crowne Plaza seamlessly meets your needs.

Fuel up with breakfast to prepare for our drive into Nairobi! We're hitting the highlights on a guided tour, so you can relax and soak it all in. Think vibrant culture, fascinating history, and maybe even meet some new friends along the way.

Our first stop is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where we will visit with the orphaned elephants that the center works to rehabilitate. Trust us, meeting these big babies is an experience you won't forget. It's a chance to connect with these amazing creatures and support a great cause.

Next, we're off to the Karen Blixen Museum, where we can step back in time and explore the storied world of "Out of Africa." You’ll have time to explore and grab lunch on your own at this timeless, must-see home of the world-renowned author.

This afternoon, we'll visit the Kazuri Bead Factory, a cool women's cooperative where you can see (and buy!) beautiful handmade jewelry. It's inspiring to see how they empower women and create amazing art.

We’ll return to our hotel in the late afternoon and have the evening free to prepare for our next day’s adventure.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport n

After breakfast, it's time to head to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve and an incredible drive over the Great Rift Valley.

We’ll be spending the next two nights at the luxurious Fairmont Mara Safari Club, located right on the Mara River. After settling into our tented suites, we will chill for a bit and soak up the scenery before lunch.

The Masai Mara, named after the colorful Maasai people and the Mara River, is the ultimate safari destination. Endless landscapes, golden savannahs... it's what you picture when you think of Africa.

This afternoon, we’ll head out for our first game drive. As the sun sets, the savannah comes alive. What do we hope to see? Lions, elephants, and maybe even a sneaky leopard. Fingers crossed for the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino — plus giraffes, zebras, and a tons of other animals.

We’ll return to camp after sunset for dinner, telling stories around the fire, and falling asleep to the sounds of the wild.

Overnight: Fairmont Mara Safari Club (2 nights) https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/masai-mara/fairmont-mara-safari-club.html?goto=fiche_hotel&code_hotel

Buckle up, because today's all about experiencing the Masai Mara with a full-day safari! Our 6AM early start is so worth it. We'll head out into the savannah with some seriously awesome local trackers who know this place like the back of their hand. This is a full day into the night game drive experience.

What's on the menu? Lions chilling under acacia trees, elephants doing their thing in herds, cheetahs showing off their speed, and more giraffes, zebras, and antelopes than you can shake a stick at. Of course, we look for the Big 5.  Essentially, your camera will be working overtime.

We'll either grab a picnic lunch out in the bush or pop back to the lodge for a bit of a midday chill. And if you're up for it, we can stop by a local Maasai village to get a taste of their culture and way of life. It's a real eye-opener.

Then it's back to the lodge in the evening to kick back and relax.

Option: Hot Air Balloon Ride -  You’ll start your day early, with a pre-dawn pickup from your camp and a drive through the quiet Mara to the balloon launch site. By the time you arrive, the sky is just beginning to lighten, and you can sip hot coffee or tea as the crew prepares your balloon for flight. After meeting your pilot and hearing a quick safety briefing, you’ll step into the basket and lift off, gliding smoothly above the plains. From up here, the land stretches out in every direction and the wildlife below barely notices as you drift silently overhead—sometimes high enough for sweeping views, other times just skimming the grass.

Upon landing, you’ll watch the balloon envelope deflate before heading to a nearby spot for a bush breakfast. Set right on the open savannah, the breakfast feels like something out of a dream: eggs cooked to your liking, fresh juice, waiters in traditional dress, and champagne to toast the morning. When you’re finished, you’ll head back to camp, already replaying the adventure in your mind.  $550

Overnight: Fairmont Mara Safari Club (2 nights)

After breakfast, it's time to soar above the savannah on our own AFS bush plane! We're taking a private scenic flight straight to the Lentorre Airstrip, where our personal safari guide will be waiting. From there, it's a short, private transfer to Lentorre Lodge – our ridiculously luxurious base for the next couple of nights. This isn't just any lodge; it's an exclusive escape with next-level privacy and personalized service.

After lunch, we have the whole afternoon to chill and soak it all in. This place is designed for serious relaxation.

As the sun dips, prepare for an unforgettable evening Game Drive, ending with a signature Lentorre sundowner experience. Picture this: you, a drink, and a killer sunset over the African plains. For those seeking extra adventure (and amazing photos), we can extend the drive into a night safari. With fewer crowds and expert guidance, we'll witness nocturnal wildlife behavior that most visitors never see.

Back to the lodge for a gourmet dinner under the stars.

Exclusive Photo Op: Lentorre offers something incredibly special – an underground hide built especially for photographers. Imagine being just feet away from wildlife, under the cover of darkness, with a camera in hand. This isn't just wildlife viewing; it's an intimate photographic encounter! Since space is limited (max 6 people at a time), we might split the group over two nights to ensure everyone gets this unforgettable experience.

Overnight: Lentorre Lodge (2 nights) https://lentorre.com/5pm/

Lentorre Lodge sits at the edge of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley.  This isn’t your typical safari lodge. There are no fences, so wildlife just wanders through—zebra, giraffe, even the odd lion. Each villa features its own plunge pool, outdoor shower, and walls that slide away, allowing you to fall asleep to the night breeze and the sounds of Africa all around. Meals are served wherever the mood takes you, whether it’s under the stars or by a fire pit overlooking the valley.

Today's all about getting up close and personal with nature – in the best possible way.  We start our day with a baboon walk! It's a unique experience to take delightful photos.  This is a rare chance to explore the bush on foot with expert guides, getting a totally different perspective on the landscape and its inhabitants. And to top it off, we'll enjoy a picnic breakfast in the middle of it all. It's an experience you won't forget.

We'll head back to Lentorre Lodge to relax a bit before lunch, then, in the afternoon, if the river's cooperating, we're hitting the Ewaso Ng'iro for a tubing adventure! Picture yourself floating down the river, soaking up the sun, and ending with a sundowner. (This activity is dependent on the water levels and safety conditions.)

If tubing isn't in the cards, no worries! We'll head out for another evening Game Drive, complete with a scenic sundowner. Because let's be honest, you can never have too much wildlife viewing.

Dinner is back at the lodge, and then, if you're feeling adventurous, you can always hit up the hide again for some nighttime wildlife spotting!

Overnight: Lentorre Lodge (2 Nights)

Lentorre Lodge sits at the edge of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, where the Shompole Conservancy blends into the wild, sunbaked savannah. It’s the kind of place you only find if you’re really looking—a handful of elegant villas scattered along a ridge, each one completely private and open to sweeping views of the salt flats, volcanic hills, and the endless sky.

This isn’t your typical safari lodge. There are no fences, so wildlife just wanders through—zebra, giraffe, even the odd lion. Each villa has its own plunge pool, outdoor shower, and walls that slide away so you can fall asleep with the night breeze and the sounds of Africa all around. Meals are served wherever the mood takes you, whether it’s under the stars or by a firepit overlooking the valley.

Following breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to Lentorre and hit the road back to Nairobi. This isn't just any drive, though – we're talking a scenic journey through the Great Rift Valley, with exceptional views, farms, craft markets, and little villages along the way.

After about 4 hours, we'll arrive in Nairobi and check into the one and only Giraffe Manor! This place is legendary. It's a charming old-school mansion where giraffes literally poke their heads through the windows during breakfast. We'll be staying in the Garden Manor, the newer part of Giraffe Manor, built in 2011. It's right next to the original building, and you get the exact same amazing giraffe encounters.

Our stay is all-inclusive. That means not just the meals but the drinks (house wines, beers, and spirits), laundry, Wi-Fi, entrance to the AFEW Giraffe Centre, and a bunch of other cool stuff. What's not included? Champagne, tips, massages, and anything super personal.

Relax, enjoy the grounds, the spa offerings, and of course, the giraffes.

Overnight: Giraffe Manor – Nairobi https://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor/

Giraffe Manor Hotel is one of the most unforgettable places to stay in the world

After breakfast with our new friends at Giraffe Manor, soak in those last moments in this magical place. Maybe we'll get one last chance to feed the giraffes – or just watch them wander around the grounds. Then, it's time to head to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for our flights home.