MASAI MARA SAFARI

Masai Mara Safari | Photo Diary + Travel Guide

October 1, 2017

Every year we like to embark on at least one big adventure. This year we decided to really go for it and check one of the biggest items off our bucketlist. And being a firm believer in the value and worth of time, we also knew if we didn’t do it now, it might be a bit trickier to pull off until further down the road. So after a good deal of research, we landed on spending three days at &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Camp in the Masai Mara, set in the foothills of the scenic Oloololo Escarpment at the rim of the Great Rift Valley. Kichwa Tembo and the Masai Mara tick all the boxes for that iconic sprawling-savannah safari, and I can safely say this was one of the coolest, most jaw-dropping experiences I’ve had so far. Continue Reading…

MASAI MARA SAFARI, TRAVEL, FASHION

Out of Africa: Safari Packing Inspiration

August 1, 2017

Hannah Shelby: Hotel Lust: andBeyond Kichwa Tembo

One month from today we’re heading to the Masai Mara in Kenya for our first Safari. I remember watching The Lion King when I was just a little girl and being completely captivated. The opening scene where all the animals come together at Pride Rock for the reveal of baby Simba gives me goosebumps to this day. And I would be lying if I didn’t admit our upcoming trip to the Mara still doesn’t feel real. Going on Safari has always felt a little bit out of reach, and it wasn’t until doing some pretty serious research that all the pieces fell into place. Which just goes to show that nothing is impossible if you really put your mind to it!

The Mara has a pretty temperate climate, with September falling at the end of the dry “winter” season. Early morning game drives begin a bit chilly and quickly warm up with the arrival of the sun. Daytime sees temperature suitable for shorts and even a swim or sun lounging in your time between game drives. And once the sun sets and night falls over the savanna, a bit of a chill returns to the air. Easy natural fabrics in neutral colors work great for layering during the day. And I love a good midi wrap dress with sleeves for temperatures that aren’t quite warm but aren’t quite cold either—perfect for enjoying those iconic safari sundowner cocktails. Continue Reading…

MASAI MARA SAFARI, TRAVEL

Hotel Lust: &Beyond Kichwa Tembo

March 7, 2017

Located where the famous final scene in Out of Africa was filmed, this sprawling oasis is what safari dreams are made of. There’s just something about the way the infinity pool pours out into the sweeping plains of the Mara—a perfect place to relax after an early morning game drive to see the Big Five. And because the camp is set on a privately owned Mara conservancy, guests can enjoy night-time game drives, bush walks, guided hikes, and visits to local Masai villages, as well as sundowner cocktails, private bush dinners, and hot air ballooning.

From &Beyond:

“Known as Kenya’s best loved safari camp, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp offers a quintessential game viewing experience, with sweeping vistas of the Masai Mara and the Sabaringo River.

Located where the riverine forest and plains meet, directly in the path of the awe-inspiring Great Migration, the camp provides an authentic dose of African wildlife delivered with legendary Kenyan hospitality. Set on a private concession leased from Masai landlords in the north of the Mara, the camp offers total seclusion and abundant wildlife.

Simple yet contemporary, the Maasai-inspired suites are elegant and timeless. As guests arrive at &Beyond Kichwa Tembo, they are instantly welcomed by the awe-inspiring view. The spacious guest areas provide a place where guests can relax and unwind. The large windows invite the Mara inside, making it feel like part of the guest area.

Guests can escape to the massage room to indulge in a relaxing treatment or browse the redesigned Safari Shop, which offers the finest Kenyan handicrafts. And the infinity swimming pool—literally on the edge of the Mara—boasts one of the world’s most extraordinary views.”