Beauitiful Kenya

Welcome to Nairobi National Park, an island of incredible flora and fauna surrounded by a sea of humanity. Nowhere in the world is there a National Park of this magnitude, home to some of the most endangered species on the planet, next to a capital city. Where on earth can you land on an international flight and be amongst four of the big five in less than half an hour of clearing customs.

Nairobi is the gateway to the safari world, and what better place to arrive than in this incredible city and enjoy a wilderness that has been set aside by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta way back in 1946. This is Kenya’s first national park, and one of the first protected areas set aside for wildlife in the world.

The park is teaming with game and incredible birds, having boasted one of the highest world bird counts of a capital city in one day. There are over 400 species of birds in the park along with 80 species of mammal, over 40 different reptiles and amphibians and well over 500 tree and plant species. It is an extraordinary space!

The park is not only famous for its age, but also, and most importantly the hugely successful Black Rhino population with well over 80 Black Rhino and more than 10 White Rhino. The park is just under 120 Square Kilometres which makes it one of the largest Black Rhino populations in the world per square kilometre. The park Rhinos have been relocated to different areas in the country and the Black Rhino program is one of the most successful in Africa.

From other members of the Big 5, the park has over 30 adult resident Lions that roam the plains, and 10 resident Leopard which are being seen more frequently. Recently a female Cheetah with her three cubs have moved into the park and are seen on regular occasions in The Emakoko area.

Any visitors to Kenya and in fact East Africa MUST visit Nairobi National Park to not only support the incredible conservation work in the park, but also to enjoy the amazing views!

The Emakoko allows people to start and finish their safari in the wildlife environment they have traveled so far to enjoy. Within 15 minutes of clearing customs you can be viewing game in Nairobi National Park. The only “transfer” delays likely to be encountered en route to or from The Emakoko are the natural pauses to watch a pride of lions or waiting for a rhino or journey of giraffe to cross the road.

The Emakoko is a boutique lodge uniquely positioned on the edge of the Nairobi National Park. It is located a short 45 minute drive from either of Nairobi’s airports. The drive through the park itself, with its beautiful scenery and abundance of plains game is a superb way to start any East African safari. What better way to start a holiday by supporting the conservation of this unique area and in particular, by supporting the endangered black rhino which are prolific in this park.

The Nairobi National Park, despite its proximity to the capital city of Kenya, boasts a spectacular assortment of birds and wildlife, with over 400 species of bird recorded in one day. With an excellent possibility of spotting four of the Big Five, many Nairobi residents find the lodge a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life. By staying at The Emakoko you are directly contributing to the protection and conservation of Nairobi National Park and its wildlife.

Take a private game drive into one of the most unique game parks in the world, Nairobi National Park or visit the communities that border it. Otherwise an excursion into Nairobi to visit the David Sheldrick wildlife trust, the giraffe centre, or the local shops is also possible.

In the northern frontier of Kenya lies the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, an area of 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the Mathews Range. The savannah plains of the conservancy are home to elephant, leopard, reticulated giraffe, wild dog and kudu in ever increasing numbers. This remote and dramatic landscape is also home to the local Samburu people whose age-old traditions, including the famous “singing wells,” are as much a part of the fabric of this land as the wildlife.

The conservancy is itself community-owned and is one of the best examples of indigenous communities building sustainability for people and wildlife through truly unique and experiential safari experiences. Camel supported safaris are very popular as are walking safaris and visits to the amazing community run Reteti elephant sanctuary. To the eastern side of the conservancy is the new Sera conservancy and rhino project and really one of the last frontiers of conservation before heading towards Lake Turkana and the Northern frontier.

In the northern frontier of Kenya, lies the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, an area of 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the Mathews Range. The savannah plains and lush mountain slopes are home to elephant, leopard, reticulated giraffe, wild dog and kudu in ever increasing numbers. This remote and dramatic landscape is also home to the local Samburu people whose age-old traditions, including the famous ‘singing wells’ are as much a part of the fabric of this land as the wildlife.

Sarara is a conservation brand that partners with indigenous communities to build sustainability for people and wildlife through truly unique and experiential safari experiences. Part of the community-owned Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in the heart of the Mathews Range, and in partnership with the Northern Rangelands Trust, Sarara has fast become a flagship model for community conservation across Africa.

Area Overview

The Laikipia plateau is fast becoming a region to rival the Maasai Mara. Rolling savannahs interspersed with riverine woodlands and granite inselbergs dot the landscape, with multiple rivers and streams eventually running off into the Ewaso Nyiro, northern Kenya’s largest river. Home to all the Big Five, this idyllic region affords a huge variety of experiences and activities without the larger numbers of visitors that are sometimes found in national parks. Guests have the possibility of seeing northern species of giraffe, ostrich, and zebra amongst others. Horseback, camel, and walking safaris are very popular.

Laikipia encompasses an area the size of Wales, and is located east of the Great Rift Valley and north of the snow-capped peaks of Mt Kenya, on the edge of Kenya’s fabled Northern Frontier District. A patchwork of huge ranches, many of which are still working cattle ranches, have assumed the role of custodians of Kenya’s free roaming wildlife and are now geared towards adventurous and often luxurious safari tourism. Groundbreaking conservation projects work in tandem with the local ecotourism industry, generating sustainable income for the local Samburu and Laikipiak and Mokogodo Maasai communities, amongst many others.

Property Overview

Situated on the northern edge of the Laikipia plateau, Ol Malo House is nestled into a rugged escarpment looking out across the time-honored lands of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District.

These miles of dense thorn bush are favoured by the shy, elusive antelope from which the house takes its name, “the place of the Greater Kudu.” This is an ancient land inhabited by wildlife and peoples of a time long ago, undisturbed and living by the rhythm of nature.

Experience & Activities

The are many activities on offer here including endless wild walks, camel and horse rides, mountain biking, picnics by the river, game drives, lots of interaction with the local Samburu tribe or just relaxing and watching the sun go down at the end of the day.

Area Overview

The Mara conservancies are Maasai owned group ranches that have combined to conserve a total area nearly the size of the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself, covering 1450 km2 (560 mi2) across fifteen conservancies. The wildlife in the conservancies can be comparable to the main Maasai Mara game reserve, and in fact some areas have higher densities of predators than in the central reserve. Because there are fewer camps, the conservancies can offer a more exclusive experience than in the central reserve, with generally fewer game viewing vehicles around sightings.

There are opportunities in some conservancies to do night drives, walking safaris, as well as visits to some of the villages of the local Maasai who own the land.

The conservancy approach is widely seen as the way forward for wildlife conservation and eco-tourism in Kenya, because it not only secures vital space for wildlife but includes the local population as custodians of their national heritage. This has been vital not only for conservation of the whole greater Mara but also wildlife corridors and the prosperity of many hundreds of Maasai families. Nearly forty tourist camps contribute to employment amongst the communities and provide a presence, alongside Maasai anti poaching units, for the protection of the wildlife.

Property Overview

Tangulia Mara camp is a rustic and cozy tented bush camp perched on a leafy hill overlooking the Olotulo-Murt salt lick, by the Mara River. It is located on private land and has an emphasis on authentic safari and African experiences. Tangulia is the Swahili word meaning “to lead.”

Tangulia Mara camp is located on the Mara River on the edge of the Mara Reserve, north of Musiara marsh. The area is rich in biodiversity and offers prime wildlife and big cat viewing, and, during the migration, ready access to some of the main river crossing points.

Experience & Activities

Activities include shared game drives in the Mara
Reserve and the Mara Triangle, bush breakfasts and lunches, guided walks on the escarpment, Maasai village visits.