12 Days Legendary Expedition

Immersed in the leafy surrounds of Kenya’s beautiful Karen Forest is the elegant House of Waine – an upmarket retreat, which offers guests intimacy and superb accommodation. Guests can unwind in one of 11 individually decorated suites —each with a spacious, marble en-suite bathroom, satellite television, a complimentary personal non-alcoholic mini-bar, TV with satellite and local channels, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Appreciate colourful fresh flowers and delicious cookies delivered to your room each day.

House of Waine offers a wonderful selection of menus, served in various locations on the property, which reflect the diversity of flavours found in Nairobi. There are also two bars, which are exclusively for the use of guests and a sparkling heated swimming pool for those quiet hours between sightseeing. Must-see attractions include a visit to Kazuri Beads, the Karen Blixen Museum, Matbronze Art Gallery and Foundry, Giraffe Centre (to hand feed giraffes and for nature walks), the Daphne Sheldrick Wildlife Sanctuary – where you can interact with (and perhaps adopt) elephants and rhinos – and the renowned Nairobi National Park.

Saruni Samburu’s six luxury villas are open and spacious, heralding spectacular views over Kenya’s Northern Frontier District, and on a clear day Mount Kenya in the distance. The warm and welcoming hospitality makes for an intimate and exceptional experience. The lodge is revered for its innovative, eco-chic architecture and interesting design and décor, as well as its Italian-inspired cuisine. Guests can enjoy the vast panoramas from the dining and lounge area, the infinity pool and Samburu Wellbeing Space. Saruni Samburu is the only lodge in Kalama Conservancy, which borders Samburu National Reserve, with a vast expanse of unspoiled wilderness to explore and exclusively enjoy.

Kifaru House, a gorgeous sprawl of thatch, windows and light, is an exclusive-use lodge in the heart of the privately owned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, itself in Kenya's geographical centre. The house takes its name from the Swahili word for rhino, and indeed the reserve is home to both black and white species. All the Big Five are present, along with plentiful other game and some awe-inspiring landscapes and vistas. The house, which combines colonial style with modern comforts, is perched on a hill with 360-degree views. It's the perfect spot for a private safari group of up to 12 guests.

Built and run by the Fitzgerald family, Angama Mara sits high on the Rift Valley’s Oloololo Escarpment, bordering the Mara Triangle, Maasai Mara. Serviced by a private hardtop airfield, from the moment guests arrive at Angama Mara they are welcomed into spacious architecture that stresses expanses of open glass and decking from which to appreciate the spectacular views. Inspired by Nairobi’s Muthaiga Country Club, with its old world atmosphere and conviviality, there are a range of excellent dining and relaxation areas as well as a bar.

There is a pavilion between the two residential areas that offers a fitness centre, a large pool, a gallery of local arts and crafts and a workshop in which Maasai women make bespoke jewellery. The property even includes the actual kopje where key scenes from Out of Africa were filmed, and guests wake in the morning to the sight of hot-air balloons ascending over the valley directly outside the windows. Widespread Wi-Fi coverage is available across the accommodation. The sleeping rooms at Angama Mara are extensive: split into two zones and camps, and set along the very edge of the escarpment, there are fifteen suites in each camp, including two family tents in each. Befitting the location, the decor is spare but well-chosen, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over staggering vistas. With brickwork inspired by local techniques and polished wooden floors, very comfortable furnishings and massages available in the tented suites themselves, and including all modern comforts and facilities, the rooms leave guests wanting for nothing.