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JOIN OUR SAFARI CONVOY THROUGH KENYA BY LAND ROVER SERIES 1

JOIN OUR SAFARI CONVOY THROUGH KENYA BY LAND ROVER SERIES 1

Self-drive in a Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions convoy of up to six 1950's Series I and Series IIa Land Rovers through the Kenyan bush on an overland safari of a lifetime. Head out with Anti-Poaching patrols, meet Maasai elders, sleep out under the stars with a multi-night wild-camp safari, encounter incredible wildlife and much more!

7-DAYS, SELF-DRIVING SIX 1950's SERIES 1 LAND ROVERS IN CONVOY THROUGH SOME OF KENYA'S MOST INCREDIBLE WILDERNESS AREAS TEEMING WITH WILDLIFE, EXPLORE THE LOLLDAIGA HILLS IN THE SHADOW OF MT KENYA, ENCOUNTER BIG GAME SUCH AS LIONS, ELEPHANTS, LEOPARD AND MUCH MORE, DISCOVER MAASAI CULTURE INCLUDING MEETINGS WITH TRIBAL ELDERS & A NIGHT AT TRADITIONAL MAASAI VILLAGE BOMA, OVERNIGHT WITH WILD-CAMPS DEEP IN THE BUSH (PLUS EXCITING OPTIONS TO CLIMB MT KENYA & SPEND TIME WITH A HIGHLY TRAINED ANTI-POACHING UNITS).

Interested to learn more about this unique adventure opportunity? Discover much more below with a complete overview of the trip including a day by day breakdown as well as a summary of activities and adventures.

To find out dates of our Land Rover trip, register your interest for the adventure: simply call our office on +44 (0)1764 664 236 or email enquiries@sandgrousetravel.com.

An ageless matriarch still roaming wild, these British icons were kicking up red dust on the tracks of Northern Kenya when the old King was alive!

Flying direct into Nairobi, Kenya, the group will hop straight on a short internal flight which will see them land at a remote airstrip in Northern Kenya. Here they are a short 45-minutes trundle on dirt roads from their HQ for the next 6-nights. The traditional tented safari camp in which the group shall be based is set by the Lolldaiga Hills on a private 50,000-acre conservancy. This part of Kenya is truly breathtaking, under-populated it remains a sanctuary for nature and wildlife. Most of the conservancy in fact overlooks the slopes of snow-capped Mt. Kenya, Africa's second highest peak (second only to Mt Kilimanjaro) - which is available to climb with a guide as optional extra. 

The all-canvas camp is situated deep into the bush overlooking an often frequented watering-hole making this the perfect spot to start your safari. Here you will find a main mess tent for group hang-outs, coming together, relaxing, meals and briefings. Well spread out from the main mess tent are a further 6-canvas accommodation tents, each sleeping two adults comfortably with their own bush bathrooms. The camp is unfenced, which means wildlife does walk through the camp at night, leaving tracks and signs to discover each morning over a strong coffee as the African sun climbs into the sky. 

A very long time in the making, this is safari as we have all dreamt it - fans of these old girls, who still trundle with pride across the African savannah, will surely live a travel dream on this unique Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions journey.

During your stay we have planned an exciting itinerary which takes you on a multi-day safari using the six restored Land Rover Series 1 & 2 vehicles - the group will be able to self-drive these iconic overlanders themselves through the bush! 

Your hosts will make sure you walk, drive, climb and camp in lush woodland and dry savanna in search of lion, leopard and elephant, as well as leave the wildlife behind to spend time learning from Maasai elders. Their lessons on leadership, courage and tradition can be illuminating and certainly offer a unique perspective - be prepared to discover something about yourselves too!

When the days are done, venture back to camp (wild-camping and or the main camp) with the safari-converted Land Rovers for some chill-time by the campfire and a night under canvas. 

N.B. Based on x12 adults across x6 tents sharing x6 Series Land Rovers.

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS:

SELF-DRIVE 6 SERIES LAND ROVERS THROUGH THE KENYAN WILDERNESS
CONSTANT SAFARI - LIONS, LEOPARDS, ELEPHANT & MUCH MORE
BOTH DAY AND NIGHT GAME DRIVES
OVERLANDING CHALLENGES ON AN EPIC MULTI-DAY OVERLAND JOURNEY
EXPLORE THE REMOTE LOLLDAIGA HILLS
TRADITIONAL CANVAS TENTED CAMP
FLY-CAMPING (WILD CAMPING IN THE AFRICAN BUSH WITH TENTS AND HAMMOCKS)
MEET MAASAI TRIBES INCLUDING TRIBAL ELDERS
SPEND A NIGHT IN A MAASAI VILLAGE BOMA
DISCOVER 10,000 YEAR OLD ROCK ART
OPTION TO WORK WITH ANTI-POACHING UNITS IN AREA
OPTION TO CLIMB MOUNT KENYA WITH GUIDE - 5,199M (17,060ft) 

Day 1: Arrival into Kenya

Arrival into Nairobi in Kenya, will be followed by catching a short internal flight up to the remote north of the country close to the slopes of Mt Kenya. Touching down at Nanyuki Airport, clients will be met by the teams airside with a warm welcome. From here they will be transfered in x2 Land Rover Defender 110s. 

On collection, the group will have a 45-minute drive through the wilderness, true African bush - depending on what wildlife or 'game' is encountered on the way, the time to camp may increase on this 'game drive transfer' from airstrip to camp. 

On arrival into camp, the hosts and owners will make sure to greet you warmly, before getting you all settled into life in the Kenyan bush. Select your tents and reconvene in the main mess tent before a breifing on the days ahead and some general information on your time in Kenya. 

Tonight will be an early dinner before a convivial sundowner drink by the campfire. Once the stars start to come out, it will be time for bed before the adventure of a lifetime truly kicks off tomorrow. 

Day 2: Lolldaiga Hills

Today sees the group rise early to the orchestra of the bush - birds and wildlife throng in this area, especially by the watering-hole in camp. Days on safari typically start early, as this is when animals are still very active and there's a high chance of good encounters. After an early wake-up call, a strong coffee and some breakfast,  a game drive in Lolldaiga Hills awaits in two Land Rover Defender 110's especially converted into multi-seat safari vehicles.

During today's extensive game drive and exploration, the group will embark on a walk to some ancient caves to view pre-historic tribal rock art. Whilst here, a discussion into tribalism and how to has the power to destroy a united country by Peter, the conservancy Head Ranger will begin. Peter's entire family were killed by cattle rustlers from another tribe in 2018 and he speaks very well on the subject of unity.

This afternoon, you will embark on a game drive back to camp, not before catching some sundowner drinks in the hills at a suitable superb lookout spot. 

Once back at camp,  gather in the mess tent for dinner together, before heading down to the fire pit for a beer and time together sharing stories.

Day 3: Land Rover Overland Safari, Walk and Wilderness Camp

This morning you will wake up in camp and enjoy a delicious breakfast and morning brew at HQ before a breifing and the big 'off'. 

Today you will all be piling back into the Series Land Rovers where you will have about a one and a half hour drive through complete wilderness heading north to the furtherest reaches of the conservancy.

Depending on what wildlife and driving challenges the convoy encounters along the way, of course this journey time could be much longer. On arrival into the area you are set to reach, the team will start to search, with the guides suggestions, for a suitable place to set up a wilderenss camp for the night. 

Set up camp as a group in the wilderness, gather some wood etc for a fire later this evening and have a bite to eat.

This afternoon you will be embarking on a walking safari with head guide / ranger Peter. During a walking safari, you will see and learn a lot more about the aspects of the bush you miss from the vehicles. Look out for the 'Small Five', animals that don't make the box ticking of typical tourist but are surely just as interesting.

Tonight the team will cook on the campfire and sleep under the stars in the true wilderness. 

Day 4: Overlanding by Series Land Rover

Today's incredible African dawn brings with it a full day of adventure and learning. Enjoy a bush breakfast in camp, some East African blended strong coffee a stretch before striking camp making sure to try and leave no trace.

Pile back into the beautiful old Series Land Rovers and head to the nearby Maasai community. Here you will spend the morning meeting the community, where as a group you will have the chance to have a personal discussion with the elders in the camp.

Then leave the community and drive the LRs back into the south, all the while tackling some unique driving challenges on the way (Your hosts / guides have planned a route that will test you and the Land Rovers!). Instead of going back to the camp this afternoon, the group will spend another night in the bush with another wilderness 'fly-camp'.

Tonight will be slightly different however, instead of camp beds, the group will hang up a hammock each against a tree and sleep out! Gather around the campfire and share stories and laughs from the day whilst dinner is prepared by one of the group and the host team...

The following morning, wake up and drive back to the camp for a proper shower! 

Day 5: Maasai Teachings and Night in a Boma

Today is a day that will likely offer the whole group a unique perspective that you are unlikely to find elsewhere or again in your lives. A full day spent with the tribal community on the northern border of the conservancy

The Maasai community here are great friends of the camp owners, having known them all their lives. Through this special relationhip, and mutual respect, todays's experience is not a touristy experience and the group will embed with the locals completely. Your host, the lodge owner Ed, has worked with this community for many years. Ed has worked with businesses from across the world to help companies restategise and work out business ‘mind blocks’ using the Maasai’s intricate and in-depth knowledge of their area and tribe and apply it to business (a sort of strategy session with unique insights from an alternative life stuggle).

Today the group will have a small strategy session / meeting with the Maasai elders where the group, led by Ed as a facilitator (and often translator), discuss challenges they have faced, problems they are having in their lives, and then talk with the elders about what they can learn from a nomadic community such as this one. Ed can explain this idea further on arrival into camp in Kenya and we can make a contingency if required, but this is really a worthwhile and fulfilling experience which none of the group are likely to forget. 

After the visit to the community elders, the group can sit and eat with the community before sleeping in the boma (the traditional massai village, encircled by thorn bushes to keep wildlife out). 

Day 6: Safari Drives, Relaxation or join an Anti-Poaching Unit

Today is a day with little to no agenda. Part of being in the magical African bush is having the time to soak it up and enjoy this very special part of the world. Today if free for self-drive safari and / or resting in the camp, not too much after a less-than-comfortable night’s sleep in the boma! 

As an alternative today, and at an additional charge, (please discuss with your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions travel planner prior to booking) we can arrange an incredible experience teaming up with a local Anti-Poaching Unit on a nearby famous wildlife conservancy

Ranger Experience - Meet rangers working on the front line to protect wildlife from human-wildlife conflict and poaching. Train with the rangers. Visit a highly successful, award winning conservancy, visit HQ to learn how conservation can work to protect wildlife. All in all an enthralling day which will not be forgotten in a hurry, and a chance for the group to take away some interest, as well as perhaps impart some of their own service skills to the ranger team?

Day 7: Departure Day or Mt Kenya

Today you will either be departing camp and heading back to the nearby airstrip to connect with your domestic flight to Nairobi Airport, and onwards home to the UK, or alternatively you may have chosen to extend your stay and embark on our Climb Mt Kenya addition!?

Mt Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain and is only a 30-minute drive from the camp. It takes approx 3-4 days to the third highest peak and is an incredible bolt-on to this most magical of trips.

Speak to your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions travel planner to discuss adding this into your itinerary. The climb can be added in at any stage of your trip (early on, mid-way through or at the end) but please let us know before booking your Safari Convoy itineary so we can make arrangements with mountain porters and guides before arrive in Kenya. 

Mount Kenya Climb

Climb Mt Kenya with Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions on a three day bolt-on to your Land Rover safari in Kenya. Please speak to your travel planner to discuss the very real possibiliy of adding in three additional days to your itinerary to climb Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain and the highest mountain in Kenya at just over 17,000 feet. 

Guests can either reach the third highest point on the mountain or push for the true summit which is more of a technical climb involving some roped-up sections and a very good level of fitness. 

Fly-Camping or Wild Camps

For those with an adventitious spirit, we encourage guests to spend a night or two sleeping under the stars in a fly camp or wild camp. The fly camp allows you to spend the night perched on top of a rock or in a sandy river bed - giving you the perfect location to start your safari the next morning.

A roaring fire and chef-cooked meals will accompany the intimate sounds of the bush. A watchman stands guard to keep wildlife at bay and to keep guests safe at all times.

This experience is always a highlight for our guests, and we encourage you to experience it.

Game Drives and Bush Walks

The camp has a fleet of custom-built Land Rovers made for the bush and for game viewing, included in the fleet are long wheelbase game viewing vehicles.

As well as having the opportunity to drive your own 4x4 on a self drive we always recommend making use of professional drivers, excellent spotters and local knowledge to help you navigate rocky roads and herds of elephant.

Early mornings and dusk are the best times to spot a leopard or surprise a lion. The open sided, extended Land Rovers are the perfect vehicles to help you encounter our incredible wildlife.

On foot, join one of the local guides on a safari-less-ordinary and set off on foot across the bush to learn more about the things that you might miss in a car. Groups will be on the lookout for the ‘Small Five’, which include the leopard tortoise among them and are common in the area. Our guide are also well educated in the flora of the area, including trees, flowers and which plants are used for medicinal purposes by local communities

Cave Visits

Northern Kenya has some of Kenya’s oldest rock art in it, and a visit to these ancient sites can transport you back several hundreds of years to a continent that was extremely different to the one you see today. The art gives a glimpse into the lives of the hunter-gathers that lived in the area and the traditional lives they lead - some elements are even visible in today’s nomadic communities that can be met with during your stay.

Cultural and Maasai Teachings

The world from other eyes, We think that to truly understand a place, you need to spend time with its people. Africa is home to thousands of different tribes each unique and ancient in their traditions. Africa is so much more than wildlife, so why stop at The Big Five?

The owners of the camp share an ethos to better understand what we can learn from indigenous tribes ability who inhabit the region and have learned how to thrive in the harshest lands, and how we can use that to develop ourselves into more conscious, aware and purposeful members of the global community. As a result, the camp owners love to bring guests to meet with their friends, and to their home - a manyatta (a local Maasai home) - in northern Kenya to speak with the village elders and empowered women of the community to learn about their past, present and future in this ancient place. 


Call now on 01764 664 236 or alternatively email enquiries@sandgrousetravel.com.

Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions is a luxury travel company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. We specalise in tailormade holidays to Scotland, Scandinavia and Africa and bring a wealth of first-hand experience to each of the bespoke trips we carefully create for our clients. 

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Jill Woods

Jill Woods says: December 6th, 2023 at 6:02 am

I want to enquire about your Land Rover based guided tours. My husband and I are looking for something adventurous to do for our 25th wedding anniversary. A few years ago we did an amazing trip around the Australian Outback in an old Land Rover Defender, which we loved so we are keen to look for something similar in Africa. We have done a long overland trip in Namibia so are looking to visit other countries. Is this something you might be able to offer? Our anniversary is not until May 26 so a way out yet but I am just looking at our options. Many thanks Jill Woods
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