A day at our luxury safari mobile camp
We’re often asked what life is like in our luxury safari mobile camp - the daily routine for those heading off on our ultimate safari adventure. So we’ve mapped out a typical day at any one of our mobile camps to give you a flavour of life in the bush:
Rise and shine: the safari day begins
Wake up to the sound of birdsong as our team delivers your 5:30am cup of tea or coffee to your tent. Our custom-made tents, outfitted by Ker & Downey, offer exceptional comfort with spacious beds, en suite bathrooms, and private verandas featuring thoughtfully selected views in some of Kenya’s most remote locations. Enjoy the sounds of the bush awakening as you gather your essentials for the morning. The early bird really does catch the worm on safari so we’re up and out pretty swiftly.
Did you know? This is Golden Hour and your best chance of catching the action (predators hunting, hippo grazing, nocturnal animals turning in) before the sun gets hot and much of the wildlife retreats to the shade. It’s also arguably the most beautiful and peaceful time of day - the soft light of the early morning is ideal for keen photographers.
Blankets, brews, and wildlife views: the morning game drive
Gather in the mess tent and head off on your morning game drive at around 6am. Usually we aim for a couple of hours to make the most of those epic early-morning wildlife sightings before tummies start to rumble for breakfast. So top up your Africa Born travel cup with a morning brew and get going!
Did you know? All our vehicles are kitted out with blankets, tea and coffee, drinks, homemade snacks, wildlife books and sun cream so you are prepared for your adventure.
Breakfast in the wild
Time for breakfast in the bush: a magical affair that kids, in particular, will love. Expect to round the corner on your game drive to a beautiful breakfast set up right in the heart of the bush - usually on a river, by a lake or in a shady spot under an acacia. Tones and her team take breakfast to the next level with beautiful fresh local fruit, stacks of fluffy pancakes, eggs any way you fancy and a proper campfire fry-up for the hungry ones.
Did you know? We can also pack you off with a ‘fast food’ option: a delicious packed breakfast for when wildlife sightings are at their best and time is of the essence during a wildebeest crossing or predator action.
Camp comforts: massages, reading, and slow safari moments
Trundle back to camp - of course taking in a game drive on the way - and enjoy a relaxing morning reading on your verandah, taking a hot shower, chatting in the mess tent or having a massage by Lucy, our in-camp therapist. Using locally-gathered medicinal plants and herbs, African shea and pure essential oils, Lucy offers holistic full body, back and foot massages alongside the ancient art of reflexology.
Did you know? It’s easy to fall into the trap of madly driving to and fro while on safari trying to tick off that Big Five checklist, but the meaning of the word ‘safari’ is to travel or journey: to soak up your surroundings, embrace the simplicity of life under canvas in this incredible untouched wilderness and unplug from day to day life. Our camps are extremely comfortable, spacious and beautifully designed: the perfect spot to sit back, enjoy the ride and focus on the now.
Chilled afternoons and active adventures in camp
Guests tend to spend the early afternoon unwinding in camp - tuskers by the Sand River at our Masai Mara camp or afternoons paddling in the Boji Dera letting the sicklers tickle your toes by our Shaba camp. We always set up camp in the most beautiful locations next to water given the middle of the day can be quite toasty. For those who fancy a run around, our camp team always loves a game of volleyball or football or why not join a bush workout session with Sam or Paolo!
Did you know? Depending on the location of our mobile camp, there are plenty of other activities to keep you (and kids of all ages) busy during your stay. Your safari specialist will talk through options with you prior to your safari. Popular options include: cultural experiences, helicopter excursions, quad biking, horse riding, camel trekking, bush walking or spending time with a local conservation team tracking wildlife.
Evening game drives and sundowners on the savanna
The perfect end to a day’s safari. Our team pulls out all the stops for this, our favourite safari tradition! Think: beautiful views over the bush as the sun dips below the horizon, an Out-Of-Africa-style drinks bar stocked with cold Tuskers, gin and tonics, cocktails, soft drinks and some great bitings (snacks) from Tones and her team.
Did you know? Kenya’s iconic traditional cocktail is called the dawa (meaning ‘medicine’) - a delicious fresh lime, vodka, sugar, honey and ice combo. No one makes a dawa like our waiter Dougie who is only too delighted to shake a cocktail or two for our guests.
Dinner under the stars: culinary delights and campfire tales
We love coming together with guests at the end of the day for dinner under the stars. Sit down to flavourful, colourful food cooked over the coals using the very best organic, fresh, seasonal ingredients. We may be tucked away in the bush but Antonia and her team have a knack of creating the most delicious and imaginative three-course meals, often on the campfire with the help of our wonderful guests. After dinner, its campfire tales, cards and backgammon: a rare opportunity for many of our multi-gen family groups to all sit down and spend time together away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and any digital distractions.
Did you know? Africa is home to some of the best stargazing in the world - those clear African skies are truly mesmerising. Our camp team love to point out the constellations, planets and galaxies and enjoy regaling starry tales from traditional African folklore: stars as holes in the rocky vault that is the sky or small creatures that fall to the ground each morning as insects.
Hopefully this gives a taste of life in camp, but do bear in mind that every mobile safari is different and every camp is built exclusively for you and your party so nothing is off the table!
Looks amazing, right?
Why don't you have a look at our Destinations,
or contact us to find out more about our Safari Styles?
