Forget Five Star Living- Welcome to Luxury Travel Kenyan Style

For a minute or two, there was a hypnotic obsession the world over with Dubai as a destination. Don't get me wrong, clearly consumed with the need for 'firsts' from the debut of Burj Khalifa in 2009 as the tallest building standing, the unusual dinning in the sky experience, the gigantic artificial indoor ski resort, the mythical sunken city of Atlantis that is Atlantis the palm, I mean look at my Dubai Travel Guide and we can agree that Dubai is a top tourist destination. Forget Five star living and welcome to luxury travel Kenyan style.

Courtesy Mahali Mzuri

Kenya's beauty lies in the vast landscape from the Northern desserts of Turkana to the Central Mount Kenya ( the second highest mountain in Africa). One moment you are exploring the rugged mountains in the north from a helicopter and in another you are horse riding through the green Chyulu hills among the largest mammals walking the land.

They may have invented the seven star experience and the middle East is a perfect holiday destination for dizzying heights and some serious luxury but from the best array of wildlife to the turquoise waters of the Swahili Coastline, Kenya really has everything to offer in Luxury travel.

Courtesy Mahali Mzuri

Forget five-star living , anybody can roll off a five-star weekend these days. If you want exclusive A-Lister luxury travel itineraries ( think adventure in wide, open plains and mesmerizing experiences) then Kenya should be your first choice. Here is why

No One Does Luxury Quite Like the Kenyans

Out with the ordinary and here here to Champagne toasts for welcome drinks. Largely made up of privately owned game reserves camps like the English business man and founder of Virgin group owned Mahali Mzuri tented camp in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy in the Mara are reserved almost exclusively for the A- listers.

Courtesy Mahali Mzuri

Expect exclusivity, Champagne on arrival and a wait on hand and foot throughout your stay.

With just 12 tented luxury safari camps, the camp is small enough to lock out the crowds and yet big enough for exclusive bookings. No wonder Demi Lovato and her entourage chose to vacation here. Sir Richard himself heads to the river camp with his gang annually.

Since the esteemed visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, countless A-Listers like Hollywood sensation Brad Pitt and Angelina, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, former President Barack Obama, Pop star Madonna, Supermodel Naomi Campbell just to name but a few have followed her majesty's foot steps.

"I regularly day dream. Africa is definitely one of the places I go to. It does completely settle me down. I didn't really plan it that far in advance. I just knew I wanted it to feel comfortable where I did it." Prince William says of his proposal to Kate during his stay in Kenya at the rustic and ultra-private Rutundu log cabin at the foothills of Mt. Kenya.

Courtesy Lion In The Sun

One of the reasons why celebrities, and indeed, an overwhelming number of other tourists, flock to Kenya, is because of the country's world known safaris but should you want a lavish Kenyan coastal holiday by the Indian Ocean, the famous boutique dwelling of Flavio Briatore Lion in the Sun is as exclusive as it gets.

The 16 large exceptional rooms are spread over 4 splendid intimate villas dipped in beautifully manicured tropical gardens filled with the irresistible fragrance of exotic local plants, interrupted only by 4 swimming pools. Bold dark woods accents stand in contrast to softer, muted neutral tones to create a minimalist but rich décor infusion of Arab, Indian and African ambiance.

Turned into an exclusive retreat since 2007, and one of the only six exclusive Henri Chenot Detox centers around the world, bookings can be made in the form of hotel accommodation on half or full board or hotel stay with detox cure included. The Chenot philosophy of well being through diet and body is fully integrated into the guests staying on cure and with sixty staff at your disposal expect the highest level of personalized attention that is tailored to your wishes.

Among some of the famous names that have detoxed at the Lion in the Sun's Thala Spa are Fernando Alonso, Roberto Cavalli, Bono , John Galliano to name but a few. Supermodel Naomi Campbell spent hers 2017 Easter holidays in Kenya and stayed at the super-exclusive Lion in The Sun resort describing it as "Paradise".

Safari Heaven

The African bush may seem like the most unlikely place for any level of elegance but believe you me, exotic, isolated, remote getaways, authentic bush camps where candlelight dinners are served on fine china, extravagant bedding, exceptional service, endless sophistication, taste and elegance are part and parcel of luxury safaris in Kenya.

Spot the difference! Irregular rosettes shaped spots, a trade mark of the Leopard.

Most people head out on safari hoping to catch a glimpse of the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhino-the big five and the Kenyan wilderness never disappoints.

Contrary to what some news outlets peddle, Kenya's tourism infrastructure is impeccable. The survival of the countless animal kingdom species is dependent on wildlife tourism and. The conservation efforts of the many animal reservations and the safari camps that fund them allows for the protection of such a wide range of animal denominations.

Out of Africa bush camps, private lake island getaways, private houses offering attentive solitude that come with an expert guide,a 4x4 vehicle, private chef and dedicated butler, Kenya offers world-class safari parks and reserves for those seeking unparalleled nature experiences.

No I'm not talking about the non-stop pace flights, ground transportation and schedules with group travels or the walking safaris and bush activities at lodges done with other guests leaving you at the mercy of majority vote during shared group tours. I'm talking tailored private luxury safaris that include exclusive air and ground travel, allowing you the flexibility in scheduling of activities so you journey out into the landscape at your convenience to seek out the animals that thrill and excite you.

Granted the roads can be a pain but with luxury tour companies like the Game watchers Safaris you are in great hands for your and with such a wide spectrum of possibilities from Balloon safaris, birding safaris, culture safaris or Kenya bush and beach safari no two luxury travel holidays are the same.

Should you be passing through and cannot embark on a full wild adventure, you can still have a taste of Kenya in one to two days by a drive through into Nairobi national park, feed a giraffe by hand or pet some baby elephants. See a cohesive one day Nairobi itinerary.

Travel Tip

There are places in Africa where a chunk of cold hard cash can grant you a trophy kill, well Kenya is not one of those places and poaching is a no no so be sure to observe your place as a guest of the game, rather than a superior.

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