Nate’s Kenyan Honeymoon

Here’s an outline of the itinerary we discussed. If you don’t stay at the JW Marriott, you have some flexibility on if you start at the Mara or Lewa.

Trip Outline:

1. 10/4: Arrive Nairobi at midnight
2. 10/5: Explore Nairobi
3. 10/6: Fly to Maasai Mara
4. 10/7: Mara
5. 10/8: Mara
6. 10/9: Fly to Lewa
7. 10/10: Lewa
8. 10/11: Lewa
9. 10/12: Fly to Beach
10. 10/13: Beach
11. 10/14: Beach
12. 10/15: Beach
13. 10/16: Midnight flight back to NY

Part 1: Nairobi

October 4:

Arrive late in Nairobi and go straight to an airport hotel to rest. I like the Four Points Nairobi Airport, which is around $230/nt.

October 5:

Transfer to a nicer hotel in the morning. Hemingways is a great luxury option at $975/nt, or you could stay somewhere like Karen Blixen Cottages for $350-450/nt.

Take the day to explore Nairobi, visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Center. Have dinner at Hemingways or a local spot like Cultiva or Jiko.

Part 2: Maasai Mara

Note: If you drop the JW Marriott, it may be more convenient for flights if the trip starts in Lewa.

October 6:

Wake in the morning for a transfer to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport for a flight to the Maasai Mara. A representative from your safari lodge will be waiting for you. Enjoy lunch, and then take an afternoon game drive.

October 7-8:

Spend the next two days doing morning and afternoon game drives, with perhaps some time for the spa.

Camp Rates (2ppl X 3nt):

• JW Marriott Maasai Mara: $7,000
• Mara Expedition Camp: $11,340 (availability on request)
• Cottar’s 1920’s Camp: $10,146 (price for 3 or 4 nights w special. good availability)
• House in the Wild: $6,690 (Available Oct 4-7, 8-16)

As you can see on my list, the Mara can be expensive – especially with the $400/day in park fees you pay now. Does the JW rate include park entrance? There are more affordable camps available, but I don’t love them as much for honeymooners.

Part 3: Laikipia Plateu

October 9:

Wake for a flight back to Nairobi, where you will catch another flight to Lewa Downs airstrip. Transfer to your lodge and enjoy an afternoon game drive.

October 10-11:

Spend the next couple of days exploring the reserve. Morning and afternoon game drives are available, but try out different modes of transport here. You can do horseback riding (moderate riding ability required), mountain biking (available at some properties), and walking safaris.

Camp Rates (2ppl X 3nt):

• Lewa House: $6,900 (Available Oct 4-9)
• Ol Malo: $6,870 (ok availability) *Adventurous camp between Samburu and Lewa.
• Lewa Wilderness: $7,650 (Available Oct 8-11,9-12)
• Borana: $5,580 (Availability on Request)

Part 4: Beach

Note: You will need a yellow fever vaccine to move between countries in East Africa.

October 12:

Catch a morning flight back to Nairobi and transfer to the main Jomo Kenyatta airport for an afternoon or evening flight to your beach destination. Seychelles is around $800/person and 4 hours, Zanzibar is around $250/person, and 1.5 hours.

October 13-15:

Relax on the beach, snorkel, and unwind from your safari.

Hotel Rates (2pax 4nt):

• Kilindi, Zanzibar: $4,651 all-inclusive (garden view), $5,388 all-inclusive (ocean view)
• Zuri, Zanzibar: $4,400 bed and breakfast (garden bungalow)
• Manta, Pemba: $6,800 all-inclusive (ocean view villa)
• Manda Bay: $3,520 bed-and-breakfast (palm room) + $5,920 all-inclusive (palm room)
• Four Seasons Seychelles, Mahe: $7,704 bed-and-breakfast (garden view), $9,965 (ocean view)
• Six Senses Zil Payson: $8,582 (garden view, private pool)
• Hilton Northolme Seychelles: $2,468 bed-and-breakfast (partial ocean view) $2,797 (ocean view)
• Alphonse Island, Seychelles: $13,334 all-inclusive (availability on request)

October 16:

Return to Nairobi for your flight back to New York.