The Ultimate Safari Experience
This is the opportunity of a lifetime to experience two of Kenya’s most spectacular regions – Samburu and the Mara – in one combined experience with a retreat based on wellness and photography skills.
Discover the contrasts that divide these African areas – and the similarities that unite them – as you explore two worlds within one country. From the rugged beauty of northern Kenya to the vast sweeps of the Mara savannah, this journey will consistently surprise and delight. Just as the two regions are different, no two days on this safari are the same.
We’ve designed this safari to bring you the very best of wild Kenya – the land where safari began, and which remains unsurpassed as a wildlife destination., in the ultimate wellness retreat!
YOUR HOSTS
Kristina has teamed up with her friend and colleague, the reknowned Marc Serota, for this unique wellness~photography~safari retreat!
Marc Serota is considered the greatest photographer of our time. Known for his iconic images in sports photography, he is synonimous with Sports Illustrated. Marc has won numerous awards over his lifetime of work and has conducted workshops in South Korea, India, Turks & Caicos, Germany, Mexico, and South America. Now Marc is returning to the African savannah to share his photography skills! Learn fundammentals of photography, shooting “gorilla-style,” what we travel with, as well as incredible landscape, wildlife action, the evening sky, even fashion.
Kristina’s wellness expertise will bring your adventure to a healthy peak, with a daily yoga practice in the most amazing setting, meditation, bush hikes and treks, local wellness lessons, living your best life while being your most healthy you! Kristina bases her wellness practice in Los Angeles, teaching advanced level vinyasa yoga, and coaches in longevity practices, nutrition, and meditation. Kristina’a experience living and teaching in Europe and in Southern Asia brings a comfort and ease to her retreats. Her love of the world and its people melds into her wellness practice as she shares with us what we can learn from immersing ourselves in new cultures and traditions to deepen our understanding of ourselves.
About this Kenya Safari Retreat
• Exclusive to our group, all-inclusive accommodation in an Eco-Friendly Sustainable Camp with unique architecture.
• Fullboard accommodation including soft drinks, beers, house wines and select non-luxury spirits.
• Activities including day and night game drives in 4×4 vehicles, guided bush walks, bush meals, sundowner & picnic excursions, daily yoga practice, daily meditation, wellness workshops, pro-photography workshops, 1:1 access to your experts, African Warriors Academy (where available and upon request in advance)
• Exclusive access to private conservancies
• Breath-taking views from remarkable locations
• Incredible wildlife sightings, including the ‘Samburu Special Five’
• Knowledgeable native Mara & Samburu local guides
• Authentic encounters with neighbouring communities
• Access to locations that are normally off-limits
• Selected laundry service
• Temporary Flying Doctors cover
Arrival Day | Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Day 1 | Samburu
• Basecamp vehicle will transfer you to Wilson Airport for your charter flight to Samburu.
• Depart Nairobi in the morning*, arriving at Samburu around an hour later, where your Samburu guide will meet you and transfer you to the lodge, or take you on your first Samburu game drive to give you a taster of this remarkable region.
• Afternoon game drive in the Kalama Conservancy, with over 200,000 acres of pristine, private wilderness to explore, before sundowners in a secret spot that offers breath-taking views. Enjoy a mid-afternoon yoga practice, followed by meditation.
Day 2 | Samburu
• Begin your day with an early morning game drive into Samburu National Reserve in search of the ‘Samburu Special Five’ – rare endemic species that occur only in this part of the country.
• Enjoy an al fresco picnic lunch before heading back to Saruni Samburu to relax for the afternoon. Enjoy a mid-afternoon yoga practice, followed by meditation.
• Relax with a complimentary half-hour back and neck massage in the Samburu Wellbeing Space before sundowners at the lodge, or a sunset swim in the rock-hewn pool as you enjoy the spectacular views.
Day 3 | Saruni Samburu
• Continue to explore the wonders of Samburu with a morning game drive. After lunch, head out on a nature walk discovering animals, plants and the local cave paintings in the company of skillful and knowledgeable Samburu guides. Enjoy a mid-afternoon yoga practice, followed by meditation.
• Visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary to learn about the efforts being made to help save these majestic creatures
• Evening game drive in the exclusive Kalama Conservancy ending with a wilderness bush dinner under the stars, followed by a night drive back to the lodge. Your meal will be accompanied by the thrilling spectacle of Samburu warriors dancing in full traditional regalia.
Day 4 | Mara
• Depart Samburu on your morning flight and arrive in the Masai Mara an hour and a half later.
• Game drive with a picnic lunch under an acacia tree or by the river next to a pod of hippos. Afternoon yoga practice on location followed by meditation.
Day 5 | Mara
• Early morning game drive to look for the big cats and other predators of the Mara, returning to the camp or lodge for lunch and treatments at our Maasai Wellbeing Space. Enjoy a mid-afternoon yoga practice, followed by meditation.
• In the afternoon, explore new areas on your game drive followed by dinner at the lodge or camp and an optional night game drive in search of nocturnal creatures.
Day 6 | Mara
• Walk through the valleys and plains surrounding your lodge or camp, or a embark on a game drive to one of the highest points in the Mara to enjoy panoramic views, accompanied as always by skilful and knowledgeable Maasai guides. In the afternoon, discover more of Mara North and its neighbouring conservancies and experience first-hand what makes the Mara one of the most exciting wildernesses in the world.
• Closing Ceremony Evening: Weather permitting, experience a bush dinner under the vast African night sky, with Maasai warriors singing and dancing around the fire.
Day 7 | Departure
• A final morning game drive to the airstrip, via either the river or the rhino sanctuary, before your flight back to Nairobi.
• Your return flight to Nairobi leaves the Mara at 11:00* and arrives in Nairobi at 12:20*.
• Basecamp transfer* to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with the option of dinner at either Talisman or Carnivore. Bookings will be dependent on your flight times, with dinner for your own account.
Optional Extensions to your travel in Kenya after your Safari…
• A 2-3 day beach trip to Manda Bay or Majilis, or even Zanzibar.
• Hike or climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, several options available.
• Visit Victoria Falls.
