S: My journey was divided into two parts:

The first, an exciting and exclusive familiarisation trip in Kenya, rewarding 5 top luxury travel agents with whom we work closely, with an immersive first-hand experience of Kenya’s rich culture, wildlife, and diverse travel experiences, enabling them to truly understand the Forth & Wonder experience.

The second, an extension to gain first-hand experience of new and refurbished Maasai Mara accommodations, allowing me to enhance my African expertise and knowledge.

S: Sure! Here’s where we went:

Part One: Exclusive FAM with five wonderful travel agents
1) January 25 – 27: Hemingways Nairobi, Nairobi
2) January 27 – 29: Segera Retreat, Laikipia
3) January 29 – 31: Rekero Camp, Maasai Mara
4) January 31 – February 2: Angama Mara, Maasai Mara
5) January 2 – 4: Sanctuary Olonana Camp, Maasai Mara

Part Two: Solo retreat
6) February 4 – 5: Bateleur Safari Camp, Maasai Mara
7) February 5 – 6: Naboisho Camp, Maasai Mara
8) February 6 – 7: Mara Expedition Camp, Maasai Mara
9) February 7 – 8: Mara Toto Tree Camp, Maasai Mara

While I loved every moment of the trip, there were a few standout experiences that truly captured the essence of Kenya’s beauty and adventure.

Angama Mara – A True “Out of Africa” Experience
Angama Mara is a stunning camp in the Masai Mara set up high with sweeping views over the plains. It is also home to the iconic scene from the movie Out of Africa. Whilst staying at Angama Mara guests have the opportunity to relive the scene themselves. We arrived and a bar with drinks and snacks had been set up, deck chairs and props such an original gramophone and vintage travel trunk were in place to sit and have your photo taken and relive the famous scene. Having watched the movie as a small child it was a special moment for me.

Naboisho Camp – Sundowners Under the Stars
At Naboisho Camp, one of my most memorable moments was the sundowner experience. After a wonderful afternoon of game viewing, I arrived to a surprise sundowner. The team had set up a fantastic pop-up bar under the shelter of a magnificent tree, lanterns had been scattered, and delicious snacks had been cooked. The atmosphere was made even more magical by the warmth of a crackling fire creating an unforgettable end to a thrilling day.

Segera Retreat – Interactive Dinner Fun
Segera Retreat is your home away from home. The staff are so warm and friendly, the dining is delicious farm to table style, and the guiding and game viewing at it best. The property is home to one of the largest contemporary art collections along with original classic pieces such as the first edition copy of the novel Out of Africa. From the personalised blackboard written notes each morning and evening to the surprise bubble baths drawn for you at night this place will hold a special place in my heart.

S: Definitely! My highlights were:

• Grévy’s zebra family: at Segera Retreat, we were thrilled to spot a rare family of Grévy’s zebra, including a mother, father, and their baby. These zebras are incredibly rare, making this sighting all the more special.
• Mara Toto Lion Pride – On my last afternoon game drive we had come across a gorgeous pride of lions including a large male. Instead of heading off for our sundowners my guide offered to set up drinks and snacks in the vehicle while we stayed and watched the male lion from only metres away whilst the sun set.
• A baby elephant: while at Naboisho Camp, I spotted an adorable one-week-old baby elephant—a rare and precious moment that left everyone smiling.
• Hippos at Sanctuary Olonana: Sanctuary Olonana is beautifully located on the Mara River providing constant opportunities to observe the cheeky hippos wallowing in the river. Few camps in the Masai Mara can offer these unique moments and you can certainly spend hours with a wine or two in hand enjoying nature at its best.
• Finally, no matter where I was in Kenya, the roar of lions echoed through the night, a constant reminder of the wild beauty that surrounded me.

S: Overall, it was a fantastic trip, and I can’t wait to share my knowledge and incorporate it into guests’ travel plans!

Hemingways Nairobi
This 45-suite boutique hotel elevates the standard of luxury for travellers in the region. Beautiful in its symmetry and flooded with natural light, this plantation-style property is airy and spacious.
Segera Retreat
Segera lies in the high grasslands of the Laikipia Plateau, its six timber and thatch villas raised above a profusion of botanical life to offer views towards Mount Kenya. Each large, en-suite bedroom has a private deck with sun loungers, a swing bed and a sunken Jacuzzi sunk into the deck outside the bedroom.
Rekero Camp
Situated less than 150 meters from a crossing point on the Talek River, Rekero is a superlative safari destination year-round and perfect to view The Great Migration, with crossings on your doorstep. The camp evokes the charm of African safaris from a bygone era, with nine romantic tents, and spectacular views of the surrounding game-filled plains of the world-famous Masai Mara.
Angama Mara
Angama is inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’. Located high above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Angama Mara is a remarkable safari lodge overlooking Kenya’s world famous Maasai Mara. Here, guests will find a lodge where everything is as it ought to be: two intimate camps of just 15 Tented Suites each, access to the Mara below, tailor-made safari days and a famously warm Kenyan welcome.
Sanctuary Olonana Camp
Embrace the serenity and magic of Sanctuary Olonana, where luxury and nature unite for an unforgettable African safari experience. Nestled on a private stretch of river within the Masai Mara, this exquisite lodge is a visual masterpiece that showcases ingenious architecture, artistic interiors, and traditional Maasai design elements.
Bateleur Safari Camp
Bateleur Safari Camp is ideal for couples, singles, and small groups who are looking for a Timbavati safari that offers an up-close experience of the true African bush and wildlife. The central location of the camp provides excellent opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife and birdlife without being disturbed by other vehicles during game drives and bush walks.
Naboisho Camp
Adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve, the 200km2 Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a ground-breaking success story of conservation and community development. The conservancy experience boasts a variety of activities amidst spectacular year-round game viewing with high concentrations of predators, combined with authentic community interaction. In the heart of it all is the recently upgraded Naboisho, a stylish haven with nine elegant tents, offering a level of safari solitude almost unheard of so close to the Masai Mara.
Mara Expedition Camp
The five-tent Mara Expedition Camp is a magical revisiting of the past, drawing from Africa’s original explorers’ designs and designed for those who search for East Africa’s romantic safari era. Here, you will experience the best of both worlds: the intense action of the Maasai Mara ecosystem, as well as the more private 70,000-acre Mara North Conservancy. Mara Expedition Camp is both a stylish experience and an adventure camp with the service levels, specialised guiding and design for which Great Plains Conservation is known.
Mara Toto Tree Camp
This Réserve-Collection safari camp is tucked away into the shade of old trees, the perfect place for you to return to after a morning, afternoon, or full day’s exploration within Kenya’s Maasai Mara ecosystem. They use open safari vehicles for the best viewing and bird watching. Mara Toto Tree Camp’s design draws from Africa’s original explorers but with all the modern comforts needed for those wanting to spend days or weeks here and still live in a camp inspired by East Africa’s romantic safari era.

Start your journey

If you’d like to learn more about Sarah’s journey in Africa, one of our Travel Designers can help you. Get in contact today.
e: curious@forthandwonder.com.au
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