{"id":12424,"date":"2024-08-20T14:55:52","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T13:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/?p=12424"},"modified":"2025-03-21T14:34:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T14:34:43","slug":"a-tailor-made-flying-safari-in-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/a-tailor-made-flying-safari-in-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tailor-Made Flying Safari in Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sandra Parmee<\/strong>
\n20 August 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Andrew and Gwyneth Holt from Northwest England set off on a 10-night, customised flying safari in Kenya.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"a

Gwyneth and Andrew Holt enjoying sundowners in the bush in Meru National Park.<\/p><\/div>\n

It wasn\u2019t the first time the couple have ventured into Africa – they went on a two-night safari in South Africa several years ago, vowing to do another one when the opportunity presented itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the time came to start planning a safari, they turned to their daughter, Emma Holt, a London-based reservation consultant for Somak Luxury Travel<\/em>. She recommended that her parents visit Kenya this time around.<\/p>\n

‘Looking through the selection of accommodation on Somak’s books, we were delighted with the choice available. Emma pointed us toward the Elewana<\/em> properties, and we were not disappointed,\u2019 says Gwyneth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The adventure begins<\/h3>\n
\"Game

The Holts had only good things to say about Elewana<\/em>‘s knowledgeable guides and game rangers.<\/p><\/div>\n

In March 2024, the couple flew from Manchester to Dubai and then onward to Nairobi<\/a>, Kenya’s vibrant capital city. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Being met at the airport in Nairobi by a smartly dressed Somak<\/em> representative was reassuring among all the bustle!\u2019 says Gwyneth. <\/span><\/p>\n

They were transferred to Tamarind Tree Hotel<\/em><\/a> in a Somak<\/em> vehicle, and the holiday was off to a great start. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018We were immediately impressed by the gentle, friendly nature of all the people we met, and the staff at the hotel were helpful and efficient.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The Holts chose a flying safari as it allowed them to experience two contrasting landscapes – Meru and the Masai Mara – though initially, packing so light seemed like quite the challenge. On light aircrafts, each passenger is limited to a 15kg soft bag. \u2018It seemed daunting, but in fact it was very doable, especially with the laundry services offered at the camps,\u2019 says Gwyneth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The couple flew to the rugged, unspoilt Meru National Park and checked into Elsa\u2019s Kopje<\/em><\/a>, an environmental award-winning boutique lodge that is part of the Elewana Collection<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A

The couple stayed at the exclusive Elsa\u2019s Kopje<\/em> and enjoyed the beautiful amenities.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"photographs

Born Free<\/em> memorabilia.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018This was Emma\u2019s suggestion,\u2019 says Gwyneth, \u2018and it really was a special location. It felt quite exclusive as it was the only camp in the Meru area.\u2019<\/p>\n

The hotel features displays of memorabilia and photos of the Adamsons and Elsa – \u2018you couldn\u2019t fail to feel the Born Free<\/em> history,\u2019 she adds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Elsa\u2019s Kopje<\/em> is sculpted into Mughwango Hill, above the site of George Adamson\u2019s original camp where he raised and released orphan lions. Each cottage is crafted around the rocks, incorporating the stonework. Each has a private deck, while the swimming pool overlooks the plains. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dinners are served on the lawns, but Gwyneth has a top tip: \u2018For a special treat, ask for the poolside table for dinner, where you sit in privacy next to the water.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She describes the food as fresh, plentiful and delicious.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A real African safari<\/h3>\n
\"three

Some of their incredible sightings in Meru National Park.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018There were so many highlights of the safari experience at Meru – whether we were watching the lion cubs play, the weaver birds scrap, the eagle eating its lizard lunch\u2026\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The hotel also arranged a picnic lunch in the bush during one of their safaris.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwyneth and Andrew credit their guide with making their game drives and nature walks so interesting: \u2018We felt privileged to be in such a beautiful natural landscape, guided by someone with such knowledge of and respect for the animals,’ says Gwyneth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other memorable experiences during their three nights in Meru were watching the elephants\u2019 morning bath, a moving farewell from the hotel team, and receiving a warm hug from their guide before their onward flight to the Masai Mara.<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Untitled-design.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

<\/h3>\n

Making memories in the Mara<\/h3>\n
\"a

Sprawling savannah in the Mara.<\/p><\/div>\n

‘We chose the Masai Mara<\/a> for a different landscape and game experience to Meru,’ Gwyneth explains. ‘The space and expansive views, with the iconic acacia trees, contrasted with our previous <\/span>destination. The land goes on forever, and, in fact, the game drives were quite a physical challenge over the long distances.’<\/span><\/p>\n

The couple checked into Sand River Masai Mara<\/em><\/a>, another Elewana<\/em> lodge, for three nights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Located on the banks of a river from which it has taken its name, the luxury camp is located close to the Tanzanian border.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a tented camp, which gives it a feeling of tradition, says Gwyneth. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018The interior of the tent was very sumptuous and it was furnished in a way that felt sort of historic – with traveling trunks as wardrobes, beautiful desks, and sofas. You almost felt as though you should be dressed in Victorian finery, with proper pith helmets!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Each tent has a private deck with a view across the border to Tanzania. The property is divided into two separate but adjoining campsites for an increased sense of privacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A

The Holts had excellent sightings in the Masai Mara, thanks to their expert Masai guide.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018We were in Little Sand River, which felt intimate as there were only six tents, and we were pampered by the attentive staff,\u2019 recalls Gwyneth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A stay at another Elewana<\/em> lodge showed them the consistency across the collection, and the food was <\/span>once again fresh and delicious.<\/p>\n

The couple decided against opting for any cultural excursions as they preferred to focus on game viewing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018We had another engaging guide, a Masai, who worked hard to track down as much game as possible,’ says Gwyneth. ‘The sight of a hyena trotting along a path with a zebra leg in its mouth was fairly memorable, as well as playing hide and seek with a leopard – he won!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The Kenyan coast<\/h3>\n
\"a

Coastal paradise at Diani beach.<\/p><\/div>\n

Andrew and Gwyneth had decided to round of their holiday with a relaxing beach stay at Diani.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

‘The area is quite a contrast to the calm and relative seclusion of the safari experience,’ says Gwyneth, adding that they found the town a bit scruffy and busy, especially compared with the organised atmosphere of the hotel.<\/p>\n

‘The local transport is Tuktuks – pretty scary! But air conditioned taxis are available too.’<\/p>\n

While they had wanted to stay at the smaller Elewana Afrochic<\/em>, a conflict with their timetable led them to Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort<\/em><\/a>, where they spent four nights. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018You feel quite safe as there are plenty of guards across the premises and beach, along with monkey guards, to keep the animals at bay as much as possible!\u2019 says Gwyneth. This didn\u2019t stop the occasional monkey from <\/span>visiting, however!<\/span><\/p>\n

The resort is rich with amenities, offering an 18-hole golf course, casino, spa and outdoor swimming pool, as well as a shopping arcade and an assortment of bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n

‘We enjoyed the pool and also played golf at the course close to the hotel, which had some scenic holes, resident monkeys, and was in decent condition. The staff and caddies were really welcoming.’<\/p>\n

\"a

Just saying hello!<\/p><\/div>\n

Gwyneth recommends bringing swimming shoes, as there are sea urchins in the ocean when the tide is out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Both Andy and I were captivated by our safari experience, and we held onto the afterglow for quite some time,’ she says. ‘We just loved the whole outdoor adventure from start to finish.’<\/p>\n

Are you interested in a tailor-made flying safari in Kenya or one of our other destinations? Contact<\/a> our reservations team today.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Sandra Parmee 20 August 2024 Earlier this year, Andrew and Gwyneth Holt from Northwest England set off on a 10-night, customised flying safari in Kenya. It wasn\u2019t the first time the couple have ventured into Africa – they went on a two-night safari in South Africa several years ago, vowing to do another one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":12451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[603,604,11],"tags":[595,479,796,794,583,417,795,26],"class_list":["post-12424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-african-safari-diaries","category-inspiration-africa","category-kenya","tag-african-safari","tag-beach-holiday","tag-diani","tag-flying-safari","tag-kenya","tag-masai-mara","tag-meru","tag-safari"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/EB4EB0A3-8365-4379-9096-7BC2201B5F63_1_102_o.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12424","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12424"}],"version-history":[{"count":70,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12424\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12787,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12424\/revisions\/12787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.somak.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}