Yampu’s travel experts are proud to share their internationally recognized experience in luxury travel in Kenya and South Africa.

The Fall experience

Kenya is an ideal destination for wildlife lovers, especially during the fall. Considered as the dry season, the rain is substantially out of the equation, allowing visitors to see the wildebeest migration coming back from Tanzania.

Big game creatures are easier to spot in the Masai Mara and the Amboseli parks because the bush is less dense and animals love to gather around waterholes and rivers. At this time of the year, the mosquitoes are rare and the days are very sunny with clear skies until the end of October.

For the same reasons, South Africa is a great place during the fall to witness the kind giants and do bird-watching in Kruger Park. If raindrops show up, it usually is for a short afternoon shower and never interferes with outdoor activities.
Make sure to pack a winter jacket if participating in a night safari because the temperature contrasts sharply with the daytime. November is a perfect month for Cape Town’s beach holidays due to the warm weather but if you want to see whales in the south-western Cape on the aptly named Whale Coast, then visit between June and November, although numbers are at their peak in September.

South Africa’s Must See

South Africa winelands and whale watching tours are in the top of the luxury experiences in the country.
Fly to the Cape Winelands, a region of award-winning wines, magnificent vineyards, scenic splendor, historic towns and authentic Cape Dutch architecture. Travel from the winelands to the town of Hermanus, the world’s famous destination for whale watching.
Feel adventurous and book a shark cage diving afternoon or embark on a sunset game drive to have dinner cooked by a chef in the middle of the Savannah and watch giraffes marching across the land.

Kenya’s Must See

What better way to see the most of Kenya’s top national parks than by flying from safari to safari. Yampu Tours’ Kenyan Luxury Air Safari allows you to travel in style aboard a private Cessna 208B equipped with the most modern equipment. Your pilot can give you information through a state of the art intercom about the wildlife and the scenic highlights in the parks as you fly over them while relaxing on soft leather reclining seats. Observe the passing elephant herds close to the rivers and the extensive Kenyan Savannah while drinking Champagne in the sky.

The first stop in this luxury tour is the Masai Mara Game Reserve, stay at the Karen Blixen Camp, a top-of-the-line lodge named after the author of Out of Africa. Known for its abundance of wildlife, expansive land and unparalleled, annual wildebeest migration, the Masai Mara is Kenya’s most popular inland park.

From there, fly to Amboseli, a small, but distinct park, known for its elephants and set apart by its backdrop Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Last but not least, head to Tsavo, Kenya’s largest national park, where the grounds themselves are stand-out, from the remote, arid plains of Tsavo East to the extinct volcanic cones and natural springs of Tsavo West.

What to pack?

• First and foremost on the top of the list is a good pair of binoculars.
• A scarf or bandanna is a huge help not only when it’s cool, but also to help protect against the sun and dust while on your game drive.
• When picking the clothing to take, think neutral colors that will blend in with the terrain (tan, army green, brown, etc.). Not only will this help you hopefully see more wildlife, but will also hide the dust that is definitely going to end up on you. Most luxury lodges offer laundry service, so this helps eliminate the need to bring an excessive amount of clothing.
• Flip flops for use while in your room.
• Dust-proof bags for cameras.
• Sunscreen
• Headlamp or flashlight.
• Aromaflage’s natural insect repellent and fragrance.
• Extra camera batteries and memory cards because you will take SO many more photos than you think you will.
• A shawl is nice to have for various uses. But buying one locally, especially in East Africa is always a nice souvenir too.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Hand wipes.
• A sense of adventure.

Top 3 luxurious places to stay at in South Africa

• Babylonstoren is the epitome of Cape Town’s rustic elegance. This is a real “farm hotel,” set on just under 500 acres, that has chickens and geese freely exploring the property. The gardens, from which all the meals are made, are the highlight of the property. The cottages offer kitchenettes with rustic, wooden tables at which you can enjoy your morning coffee from the in-room Nespresso machine. There are also plenty of outdoor areas to enjoy coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening. There’s also an outdoor pool set in a converted reservoir, a wine shop, and a spa with a hammam.
• Birkenhead House is perched on a cliff overlooking the water just outside the town of Hermanus. Its relaxing seaside atmosphere is extremely elegant along with a cozy “beach house” vibe. The restaurant overlooks the water and it’s possible to take meals out on your own patio overlooking the sea.
• To end the visit to South Africa, one must include time on safari and one of the most elegant and unique lodges is Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge. The lodge is typically named as one of the most environmentally sensitive game lodges on the continent. Each of the 13 suites has its own plunge pool, indoor and outdoor shower, and is beautifully decorated with natural elements.

Top 3 luxurious places to stay at in Kenya

• Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp – The colonial camp has its own 6,000-acre, private conservancy and is located in close proximity to the Masai Mara game reserve. Each tent is equipped with an en-suite bathroom and all of the family suites have a living room with a fireplace. There are also two ‘mess’ tents for fine dining and drinking. The newest addition to the camp is a beautiful pool for your enjoyment after a long and exciting day of game drives.
• Giraffe Manor is an institution in Nairobi – modeled on a Scottish hunting lodge, the small hotel became famous to international travelers for its close proximity with giraffes and the high dedication of their staff, working on the protection of species.

Sirikoi is set within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, one of the world’s most important biological regions. This 62,000-acre area is home to the famous rhino sanctuary where they are trying to help and strengthen the critically endangered Black Rhino population. The lodge is made up of four luxury tents. Each has an en-suite bathroom with a full shower and a tub with gorgeous views, a fireplace that is lit for guests each night, and a deck with lounge chairs.

Stephanie Rudolph
Africa expert for Yampu Tours.
Stephanie@yampu.com
1-(646)-755-7328

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