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Kenya holiday, tailormade

country:Kenya
departures:Available all year. This suggested itinerary can be modified entirely to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used and how long you spend in each destination.
price:From £2850 (12 days) including flights from the UK. From £2310 including domestic flights only, as per the itinerary. Price includes transfers, all meals and activities whilst on safari and all meals at the beach
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
Masai-led safari & Robinson Crusoe style beach lodge.
This itinerary includes a safari in remote northern Kenya staying in a stunning rustic lodge on a community ranch, followed by a week at a Robinson Crusoe style beach lodge, where at the right time of year you can swim with dolphins, snorkel on pristine reefs and watch as hatchling green turtles make there way to the surf under an African full moon.

You begin the holiday with four nights on safari at Il’Ngwesi Community lodge. Set on a private group ranch belonging to the Laikipiak Masai the lodge is stunning.

It sits on top of a small hill at the foot on an impressive gorge, there are views across the flat top acacias as far as the eye can see. The lodge is rustic and charming, constructed by the community using all locally sourced materials, the rooms are open fronted, full of character and the view from the bathrooms is very special. You’re stay is hosted by the local Laikipiak Masai, who lead you out on early morning walks, take you out on game drives and entertain you to bush breakfasts and picnics beside the Ewaso Nyiro River. You will have four nights on safari at I Ngwesi before heading to the fascinating island of Lamu for 7 nights.

On Lamu Island you will stay at Kizingo Island Lodge. Kizingo is the ultimate no news no shoes lodge. It is set at the end of a 12km beach on the tip of the headland looking straight out to sea. There are eight rustic but comfortable thatch bandas each with its own private ensuite and shady verandah. A large thatch main lodge and bar houses the bar and dinning rooms and delicious seafood and local produce meals can be enjoyed here. During the kaskasi monsoon you can spend your days here snorkelling on the reefs, swimming with dolphins and watching hatchling green turtles make their way to the shore.
best time to go
Dhow at Lamu on Kenya holiday, tailormadeThe only time to avoid is April / May, which is rainy season and possibly November. If you want to swim with dolphins and snorkel on the beautiful coarl reefs you willl need to go between November and April when the KasKasi or North East Trade wind is blowing bringing with it clear calm water. This is also when green turtles are laying their eggs and you can watch the hatchlings make their way to the sea whilst protecting them from crabs and birds.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:The itinerary begins in Nairobi, you will be met at the airport and driven to the domestic airport where you will board a flight for Nanyuki. When you land in Nanyuki you will transfer to a light aircraft for the flight to Il Ngwesi. On arrival in Il Ngewesi you will be met at the airstrip and escorted to the lodge. After lunch and a well earned siesta you may like to head out on an afternoon game drive. 
Day 2:Today you will have the day on safari from Il Ngwesi group ranch. Activites on offer include game drives, guided bush walks, bush picnics visits to the local community and to the rhino conservation project. 
Day 3-4:On Safari at Il' Ngwesi 
Day 5:After breakfast today you will be escorted to the airstrip where you will board a flight for Nanyuki. On arrival in Nanyuki you will transfer to a flight to Nairobi and then on to Lamu. When you land in Lamu you will be met at the airstrip and taken by speedboat to Kizingo where you can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. 
Day 6:Day at leisure at Kizingo. Activites on offer include snorkel trips to the coral reefs, swimming with dolphins, turtle watching, guided cycle rides, visits to historic Lamu town, bush walks, village visits and sunset dhow trips. 
Day 7-11:Day at leisure at Kizingo 
Day 12:Today you will be taken by speedboat to Lamu airstrip where you will board a flight to Nairobi. On arrival in Nairobi you will be met at the airprot and driven to a lovely local restaurant where you can enjoy an evening meal before you are collected and driven to the international airport for your flight home.  
tailor made holidays
This trip can be tailormade to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.
how this holiday makes a difference
Il Ngwesi is a community owned lodge on a group ranch. The establishment of the lodge has meant that the surrounding land has become a protected zone for wildlife, herds of elephant have safely returned to the area and numbers of all other game are up as well. There is also a new protected zone that has been created for endangered rhinos which are being successfully reintroduced into the area. The accommodation is built using all locally sourced materials and the staff all comes from the local community.

Safari guides on Kenya holiday, tailormadeElectricity is generated from solar panels. The lodge is a community project and all profits generated by the lodge are reinvested into the community. The money has enabled them to establish a mobile clinic, a school and many children are able to move on to higher education. The lodge has won numerous awards for their environmental and community work Kizingo was built using locally sourced materials and techniques. They produce hot water and most of their electricity from solar panels. The hotel monitors and protects green turtles who nest and hatch on their beach and invite guest to watch the hatchlings make their way to the sea.

Together with Paint Pots Montessori Schools in London Kizingo is involved in the Kipungani Schools trust. This is a charity which aims to help schools up and down the Kenya Coast. The trust has been running for 6 years and now supports six schools on the Kenya coast. They are involved in rebuilding the schools, employing both local people and local materials, they fund teachers and sponsor students.

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