8-Days Africa Pure Romance

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be warmly met and assisted by our representative before a short transfer to Ole Sereni Hotel. In just 25 minutes, you’ll leave the bustling city behind and find yourself on the edge of Nairobi National Park, where resident wildlife roams freely just steps from the lodge’s terrace and restaurants. This unique urban-adjacent park is home to endangered species such as the black rhinoceros, and highlights Kenya’s commitment to conservation.

Spend your first afternoon in Africa at leisure, adjusting to your surroundings in complete comfort. Swim in the lodge’s heated rooftop pool, indulge in a soothing spa treatment, or enjoy a workout in the fully equipped gym. As the sun sets, savor a delicious dinner at one of the hotel’s two restaurants, each offering stunning views over either the Nairobi skyline or the contrasting national park. Retire for the night, ready for the adventure that awaits.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Ole Sereni Hotel

This morning, you will rise for an early flight to Meru, followed by a short transfer to Elsa’s Kopje, nestled in the heart of Meru National Park. Perched atop a rocky kopje—an imposing granite outcrop in an otherwise flat landscape—this lodge offers sweeping views of plains, streams, and Mount Kenya. As the only operational lodge within the park, Elsa’s Kopje provides near-exclusive access to this serene and spectacular wilderness.

The lodge is steeped in history. Just below the kopje lies the site of George and Joy Adamson’s famous safari camp, immortalized in the 1966 film Born Free, which tells the story of Elsa the lioness and her rehabilitation. This legacy continues today through conservation efforts in the Adamsons’ name, offering a meaningful backdrop to your stay.

Each guest enjoys a private cottage carved into the kopje, with an entirely open front overlooking the plains—a perfect spot to read, daydream, or simply absorb the view. In the evening, curtains can be drawn while still allowing the gentle African breeze to flow through your room.

Your first afternoon in Meru is designed to be relaxed. Take a gentle orientation of the property and park, or simply enjoy the lodge’s facilities, including the infinity pool and spa. End the day with a luxurious Italian-inspired dinner, preparing for the romantic adventures that await over the coming days.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Elsa’s Kopje

Today, you will rise early to immerse yourself in the landscape that inspired George and Joy Adamson and became home to Elsa and her family. Begin the day with a private guided game drive through Meru National Park, followed by a picnic breakfast in the bush. Your guides, who live and work in the park, know every corner intimately, ensuring you experience both the iconic wildlife and the park’s rare hidden gems. Outfitted with new Toyota Land Cruisers featuring photographic equipment stands and charging sockets, you will explore the seldom-visited wilderness in complete comfort and exclusivity.

As you traverse the savannah beneath towering baobab trees and against the backdrop of Mount Kenya, look for the Big Five, while keeping an eye out for rarer inhabitants such as the caracal, lesser kudu, and aardwolf. A visit to the on-site rhino sanctuary provides insight into conservation efforts, showcasing the work being done to reintroduce these majestic animals to a landscape from which they were once eradicated.

Return to the lodge in the afternoon and allow yourself to drift toward the infinity pool, where the plains stretch endlessly before you—a perfect spot for a romantic sundowner. As evening falls, savor an inventive Italian-inspired dinner, featuring fresh produce from the lodge’s own garden, before retiring to your quiet, breezy cottage, lulled by the sounds of the African night.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Elsa’s Kopje, Meru

This morning, you may choose to embark on another game drive or experience a walking safari, guided by Elsa’s Kopje’s expert park rangers. Exploring the bush on foot provides an intimacy and perspective rarely attainable in larger, busier parks. Follow animal tracks, observe insects, and discover the micro-ecosystems that sustain this spectacular wilderness. For those seeking breathtaking views, a guided walk to the top of Mughwango Hill rewards you with panoramic vistas across the Meru plains.

As the day transitions into evening, combine a sundowner cocktail with a nighttime game drive. Witness the African bush transform under the moonlight: bush babies flit through the trees, owls glide silently on their hunt, and nocturnal predators emerge to explore the night. Return to the lodge after your adventure to enjoy a gourmet dinner, then retire to your private cottage, lulled by the gentle evening breeze and the sounds of the wilderness.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Elsa’s Kopje, Meru

After two exhilarating days at Elsa’s Kopje, it is time to leave this private sanctuary and journey to the rolling plains of the Masai Mara. Board your private charter flight, which will stop briefly at Nanyuki – a perfect vantage point to admire Mount Kenya’s snow-capped peaks from above. Descending into the Mara, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, an elegant and timeless retreat located on a stunning conservancy just a kilometer from the park gates.

Cottar’s family has cultivated a rich legacy over four generations, transforming their deep knowledge of the region into a safari experience defined by privacy, elegance, and authenticity. Guests, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been drawn to the camp’s unique combination of history, comfort, and intimate wildlife encounters.

Your afternoon can be spent traversing the picturesque plains under vast, ever-changing skies, led by some of Kenya’s most highly regarded guides. The conservancy borders the Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Loliondo, offering exceptional wildlife density without the crowds of typical safari zones. Here, engagement with the bush goes beyond mere observation, creating memorable, authentic encounters with Africa’s richest wildlife.

As the day winds down, enjoy top-quality meals in the camp’s tented dining room before retiring to your private tent. Step outside to marvel at the stunningly starry African sky, a perfect end to your first day in the Mara.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp

This morning, you will pack your belongings and bid farewell to the timeless charm of Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp. Board your flight back to Nairobi, taking one final look over the endless plains of the Masai Mara, where the vast savannah and roaming wildlife have created memories that will last a lifetime. As the landscape gives way to the modern Nairobi skyline, you will be gently returned to the rhythm of the city, carrying with you the richness of Africa’s wilderness.

Meals: B