Coast and overland safari in Kenya
This option caters for people who want to see some of Kenya from the ground so intentionally excludes any internal flights. Instead, having spent 4 nights in luxury at the coast you will set off in your own private 4x4 Land Cruiser, including English speaking driver and guide, and go and explore a bit of Tsavo and the surrounding areas. The two lodges where you will stay have very different set ups, feelings and perspectives which will give you an intense and varied view of the safari experience in a short period of time.
The lodges are small assuring a sense of privacy and exclusivity in which to enjoy the varied and abundant wildlife. We have lived in Kenya and only list properties we have been to so feel well placed to recommend this itinerary.
Day-by-day itinerary
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Days 1-3: |
On arrival at Mombasa you will be greeted by a representative who will take you through everything you need to know about the logistics of your trip. (Should you have any problems on your trip they will also be on hand to resolve them.) You will then be taken to Msambweni House, which is about a two hour drive away. Here you can settle into your private villa, which has its own unspoilt sea view, garden area and pool. The beach is a minute’s walk and is secluded and private. You have your own appointed waiter who will ensure you are looked after and talk to you daily about what and where you would like to eat. This is a quiet spot away form the masses and a lovely place to start your holiday. |
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Days 4-5: |
On the morning of departure you will be collected by your driver and start the journey to Lions Bluff. This will take in the region of 4 to 5 hours and will take you through a variety of sights, sounds and landscapes. The first section will be surfaced rounds, a part of which will take you right through Mombasa, which is an experience in itself. Then, as you wind your way up the hills and out of the city the horizon opens up and you begin to get a feel for the landscape that dominates the South of Kenya. Dirt roads will form the latter part of the journey. Seeing all the different towns, big or small, and people going about their daily lives throughout the journey keeps things interesting. Then as you climb the escarpment to Lions Bluff, the views and sense of space leave you in no doubt your wildlife safari has begun. This in an exciting, rustic lodge, with a great atmosphere and stunning views. Walking safaris are recommended. |
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Days 6-7: |
On day six, after an early breakfast, you will start your journey to Galdessa in East Tsavo. How long this takes depends on which route you want to take and what you want to see along the way. If your goal is to get there in good time it will take between 2 and 3 hours. On arrival you will become immediately aware of the contrast between here and Lions Bluff. Galdessa is right on the Galana River, shaded by lots of palms and trees and is a good example of a luxury tented camp. Each well-separated room has its own veranda so guests can sit and watch the activity in the river in privacy. Take the time to go on a couple of game drives or walks and don’t miss out on the Sundowners by the river, which come highly recommended. |
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Day 8: |
At the end of your stay you will be driven back to Mombasa (about 4 hours) and dropped off at the airport ready for your return flight home or to Nairobi. |
(If you arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International in Nairobi it would be easy to add a return flight to Mombasa and then follow the itinerary outlined above.)
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 luxurious trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments before relaxing in comfort in some of the best and most characterful local accommodation! Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips.
How this holiday makes a difference
We share the view that some tourism in Kenya is essential for the survival of the areas our clients visit. It provides much needed income to sustain communities and wildlife habitats. It is imperative however that it is channeled to safaris and properties that make a genuine difference. In our view this is hard to define so we personally visit every property on our itineraries and complete a Sustainable Questionnaire and only those that reach our minimum standard get representation. As a result you can be assured the safaris we sell and lodges we list are at the forefront of Sustainable Tourism.
Community:
From a community perspective and in varying degrees (please ask to see results for specific lodges) each: employs locally throughout the operation from senior management and guides through to front of house, drivers, cooks and housekeeping; operates a Trust that benefits the local community; charges a conservation fee which goes to the trust; tries to preserve local cultures; supports the development of education within the community; supports the development of health within the community and helps and assists the local community to implement sustainable ways to manage their land and their resources.
Environment:
From an environmental perspective and in varying degrees each lodge is; active in the preservation of the local wilderness; has not purchased land from a community and/or instigated the subdivision of land previously owned by a community; is active in the preservation of wildlife; is active in encouraging the local population to become involved in the conservation of wildlife through self-interest schemes; has measured its Environmental footprint for water usage, crops rain water and recycles its water; has measured its Environmental footprint for waste and has sought to reduce it; ensures solid waste and sewage is disposed of in a way that doesn’t damage the environment; has measured its Environmental footprint for electricity usage and has sought to reduce it; uses renewable energy to cook its food, heat its water and produce its electricity; used sustainable and traditional building materials wherever possible and ensured the construction of the property had a minimal impact on the natural surroundings and is in keeping with the local environment.
Below are some specific details about the lodges on this itinerary:
Msambweni House - At the starting point but developing a structure and has adopted a proactive approach by employing local staff (constitute 80%) sourcing locally where possible, sponsoring doctors and organizing a student sponsorship programme.
Lions Bluff - Lions Bluff Lodge only exists because the community set aside 125,000 acres of their land for wildlife conservation and tourism. The lodge and sanctuary management work together to select, fund, implement and control projects that will directly benefit the community and its environment. Within their mandate are both large and small projects such as borehole drilling for the distribution of water to the community, livestock and wildlife sanctuary and producing and marketing elephant dung paper products using community members. The lodge monitors all environmental based projects but ensures that ownership is by the community.
Guests are encouraged to visit the Taita community, in real unadulterated situations, so that they can see how daily life is managed in a harsh environment and how the lodges and sanctuary’s existence can make a real difference to the community.
LUMO and Lions Bluff Lodge are a buffer zone between the Tsavo park eco system and large agricultural schemes. Therefore by protecting the sanctuary through responsible and sustainable tourism, they are helping to ensure the preservation of Kenya’s largest Game park, Tsavo.
Galdessa Lodge - Galdessa works closely with Kenya Wildlife Service’s black rhino re-introduction project. The camp has been built with great care so it does not adversely impact the environment. It recycles its waste, uses solar power for electricity and has installed a water treatment plant.
