COVID-19 LATEST UPDATE:
International flights have been coming into Nairobi again since August 2020 when we were delighted to be able to re-open our camps and we have been welcoming visitors ever since flights started up once more.
Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda have all been awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) “Safe Travel Stamp” after adopting its global health and hygiene protocols. Airlines including Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways, Emirates Air, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, Turkish Airlines and Egypt Air are now operating to our key locations and we have re-opened all of our Porini Safari Camps, Rhino River Camp and Nairobi Tented Camp. Our teams have been happy to welcome guests and to share with them some unsurpassed wildlife-viewing in and around our conservancies.
Here in Kenya the government took early measures intended to avert the spread of the virus by restricting international arrivals, early testing of anyone with a temperature or flu symptoms and promoting hygiene, hand-washing and social distancing. Kenya has been fortunate to have experienced a relatively low level of fatalities as compared to most other countries in the world to date. This is attributed to the fact that Kenya has a relatively young population with 97% aged under 65, and to the effectiveness of the containment measures which have been enforced over the past few months. With a Covid-19 fatalities rate of less than forty deaths per one million people, Kenya is below over 146 other countries globally that have rates that are much higher, typically 20 times higher than Kenya in most countries of America and Europe.
Keeping our Guests & Teams Safe
To ensure the safe health and security of our guests, team members and business partners, we have taken various measures to avoid the spread of coronavirus based on the protocols recommended by the World Health Organization and the Government of Kenya. These include social distancing, regular deep-cleaning of all areas of camps and vehicles, strict rules on staff hygiene, regular staff temperature checks and temperature checks on arrival for all guests.
We have introduced specially-reduced accommodation rates at our Porini Camps (Reduced Rates for 6 Nights) and in order to alleviate any concerns we are offering a new flexi-booking policy with relaxed Terms & Conditions for our guests regarding future changes / postponement should their travel plans be adversely affected by COVID-19.
Flexible booking terms for our customers:
No Amendment Fee Guarantee for existing bookings
In order to alleviate any concerns we are offering a new flexi-booking policy for our customers with relaxed Terms & Conditions regarding future changes / postponement should their travel plans be adversely affected by COVID-19:
• Those booking a safari staying at our Porini Camps in 2022 can opt to postpone their travel dates if they have any concerns relating to COVID-19 and no amendment fee will be charged.
• We will allow any payments already made for travel dates in early 2022 to be carried forward to later dates in 2022.
• The new travel dates will be subject to availability and any added cost if there are any price differences from the date originally booked (apart from Porini Camps and Nimali Camps where the same price will apply to the new date so long as travel is in the same season as the original booking)
New bookings for 2022
In addition to allowing existing bookings to be postponed, for all new bookings for travel in 2022 we will be offering our Flexi-booking terms while the uncertainty over the Pandemic continues.
For all NEW bookings that are made with us for subsequent travel dates, we can agree that the deposit of 25% (or any other pre-payments of the balance or amounts greater than 25%) is fully refundable up until 30 days before date of travel if customers decide to cancel in the event that any of the following restrictions apply due to the Pandemic:
- Suspension of all international flights to Kenya or Tanzania from the customer’s country of residence.
- Entry restrictions on arrivals inbound into Kenya or Tanzania from the visitor’s country of residence (including mandatory quarantine regardless of whether a visitor has a valid PCR certificate) imposed by the governments of Kenya or Tanzania.
- Change to outbound government/state/regional travel advisory which prohibits travel to Kenya or Tanzania from the customer’s country of residence.
These flexible conditions apply to Porini Camps in Kenya and Nimali camps in Tanzania; other accommodation bookings will be subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant supplier(s). Your Travel Consultant can advise on these at the time of booking.
Plan Ahead Now for 2022 and 2023
If you are researching your options for 2022 and 2023 then do get in touch now and our expert Safari Consultants can help you secure the best deals and offers.
By booking early you’ll make savings on your international flights and you can take your pick of the very best camps and lodges whilst they still have availability for your choice of travel date.
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10 Reasons to Book a Porini Camps Safari
With a seemingly endless choice of locations, camps, lodges, transport and activity options, planning a safari can be over-whelming. So to help you make some informed decisions, here are 10 good reasons why you should choose Porini Safari Camps for your next African adventure …
NB there are many other reasons, such as our consistently high Tripadvisor ratings, our World Travel Awards, our Eco-Warrior Gold Ratings, our competitive prices and our three decades of experience creating safaris that benefit the wildlife, the environment and local communities as well as our guests .. but here are just 10 reasons to start with:
1. Exceptional wildlife-viewing in our private Conservancies
Our conservancies are brimming with wildlife year-round. The truly wild animals freely wander in to our reserves, attracted by the tranquil, protected habitat, away from the crowds of tourist minivans in the adjacent National Parks.
Guests at our Porini Safari Camps are treated to some spectacular sightings in and around our Conservancies, and our safari guides show visitors the varied flora and fauna on daily game-drives and guided walks.
Our visitors capture some wonderful wildlife photos. Guest Matthew Grodzins stayed at our Porini Camps in Amboseli, Ol Pejeta and the Masai Mara and he has kindly shared these great images.
More of our guests’ photos can be seen on the Safari Diary section of our website.
Find out more: Safari Diary …
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2. See various locations in one trip by combining two or more Porini Camps
To really make the most of your time in Kenya you can easily combine stays at two or more of our Porini Camps. Each camp is set within its own wildlife conservancy, surrounded by nature, with opportunities for seeing a broad range of Africa’s iconic animals. But the differing topography and habitat in each area gives a different feel and game-viewing experience.
Porini Amboseli Camp is renowned for its good numbers of elephants, the Mara conservancies have Africa’s highest density of wild lions and Porini Rhino Camp is set within a world-famous rhino sanctuary where visitors can see the World’s last two Northern White Rhino as well as the rest of the Big Five.
The latest addition to our Porini Camps collection is Rhino River Camp which is situated in 80 acres of privately owned wilderness right on the edge of the Meru National Park – a beautiful wilderness which is home to all of the Big Five and much more. Meru is famous as the home to George & Joy Adamson and Elsa the Lioness of the book and film “Born Free”.
Rhino River Camp, Meru
A great combination is our Meru & Mara Safari which stays 3 nights at Rhino River Camp before flying to the Masai Mara for a further 3 nights at Porini Mara Camp.
Find Out More: Meru & Mara Safari special offer …
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3. Close-Up Wildlife Encounters in our Photography Hide
Guests at Porini Rhino Camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy have been enjoying the new photography hide which has been carefully placed to enhance wildlife-viewing at the watering hole right in front of camp.
The watering hole offers visitors an opportunity to observe the wild animals that come for a drink – and the hide allows guests to get close (safely!) to the animals which can freely stroll into camp.
Spending time in a hide can, with a little patience, result in some incredible sightings, as our repeat guest Matt Caldwell found during his recent visit.
See some of Matt’s images taken from the hide here: Porini Rhino Camp Photography Hide …
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4. Family Tents now at four Porini Camps – ideal for groups
Our Porini Camps in Amboseli (Selenkay Conservancy), Ol Pejeta Conservancy and both of our Masai Mara camps now feature large Family Tents.
The Family Tents are comprised of two Twin / Double Tents each having its own separate bathroom, with an additional lounge area between them, giving a large private space which is ideal for any family or group travelling together. They are simply priced as two tents, but have the advantage of the extra space.
The Family Tents are proving popular but are subject to availability at the time of booking – so do book early to secure them!
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5. Customised Photographic Vehicle for Game Drives
Photography enthusiasts can now embark on a safari in our new specially-equipped photographic vehicle at Porini Lion Camp.
This specially-adapted Landrover has lowered window openings to maximise photography opportunities, and the centre row of seats has been removed allowing increased space for photographers to move to the most advantageous positions.
Our regular guests Olli Teirila and Alison Buttigieg captured this video from the vehicle on their recent safari in the Masai Mara while visiting the Porini Camps:
Video: Photographic Vehicle at Porini Lion Camp …
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6. Guided Walks with Maasai Warriors
Who better to guide you on your African safari than the Maasai people, whose presence has helped shape Kenya’s history for centuries?
Some of our safari guides and spotters descend from generations of Maasai warriors who have made their home on East Africa’s savannah plains near the most important game reserves in Africa.
Walk with them through the vast conservancies and learn the secrets of the savannah without crowds of visitors and noisy vehicles interrupting your journey.
A guided safari walk enables you to get closer to the flora and fauna often missed when in a vehicle. Search for “Africa’s Little 5”, discover how to track the footprints of big cats and their prey. You can even learn how to throw a spear!
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7. Breakfast in the Bush
A defining moment of any decent African safari is taking breakfast in the bush – but not all safari lodges and camps can offer this.
Each of the Porini Camps includes this experience. As a Porini guest you will awake at dawn to hot coffee or tea and biscuits served to your tent, then you are off on an action-packed morning of game-viewing while the wildlife is at its most active. Having made the most of the morning’s animal activities, you are treated to a full picnic breakfast out in the bush.
How better to enjoy your breakfast than “Out of Africa” style, immersed in nature and with views of the African plains?
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8. Experience an authentic Maasai Village
There is something otherworldly and powerful about visiting the Maasai boma, or village. Perhaps it’s the hearty, cheerful greeting of the children, youths and all the family members in their colourful garb. Perhaps it’s the high-pitched singing of the women or the energetic jumping dance of the lithe young men.
Whatever it is, the visit will be a memory that will stay with you and challenge your perceptions. It’s a definite must-see on your Kenya safari.
From Porini Amboseli Camp Maasai warriors will escort you on a guided walk to their village where you will be welcomed and invited to find out about the Maasai culture, traditions and way of life.
Find out more (video): Bush Walk to Maasai Village …
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9. Porini Safari listed in Kenya’s Top 15 Experiences
The Kenya Tourist Board recently pronounced one of our Porini Safaris – the “Paka Kubwa Safari” – as one of the 15 best signature experiences in Kenya.
Paka Kubwa means “Big Cat” in Swahili and this eight day tour offers an excellent chance of seeing the big cats – and much more – by combining Nairobi National Park, Selenkay Conservancy, Amboseli National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Masai Mara National Reserve & Conservancies.
Find out more: Paka Kubwa Safari special offer …
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10. Your Visit Will Support Conservation
As a local Kenyan company, we are committed to helping preserve East Africa’s unique wildlife and natural landscapes in close co-operation with local communities.
We believe that the best way to do this is to establish wildlife conservancies to enlarge the area of protected habitat for wildlife and to ensure that this benefits the local communities while giving our guests a rewarding wildlife watching experience.
“What a marvellous example of how people and wildlife can live alongside one another. Thank you all.” Sir David Attenborough at Porini Amboseli Camp
In this short video clip, our Founder, Jake Grieves-Cook, explains the “conservancy concept” that we have championed for more than two decades and which has proved very popular with so many of our regular guests who keep returning to stay at the Porini Camps.
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Contact us to discuss your options
Simply get in touch with us via our online enquiry form and one of our Safari Consultants will email you with recommendations based on your travel dates and budget.
In addition to our friendly sales team based in Kenya, we have safari experts based in the USA, Canada, UK, South Africa, India and Australia.
