Richard Branson has been at it again. This summer, a new property just opened in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Mahali Mzuri, a safari lodge that includes 12 ultracontemporary tents, is a hip and chic option for travelers who want a little luxury with their rustic experience in East Africa.
The rooms were referred to in one article as creations that resemble a battalion of spaceships. In almost South American style, the terra-cotta and slate is a bright contrast and yet works well with the trees, green and foliage.
Imagine sitting on the deck and taking in some of the best African wildlife while absorbing vast panoramic views. There are game drives of course and you can see zebras, lions, elephants, giraffes and other wildlife.
Mahali Mzuri opened in 2013 and is Sir Richard Branson’s Kenyan Safari Camp located in the Motorogi Conservancy within the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Mahali Mzuri has been set up in collaboration with the local Maasai communities and a limited number of other tourism partners. Mahali Mzuri is part of Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s portfolio of unique retreats.
Mahali Mzuri is about 240km almost due west of Nairobi and the best way to arrive is by plane from the city’s Wilson Airport which serves domestic destinations within Kenya. We can arrange transfers between the international and domestic airports for you. A number of domestic airlines are based at Wilson Airport and most provide scheduled flights to the region which take about 1 hour. From the public airstrip the journey by vehicle to the camp is roughly one hour’s drive. Special charter flights can also be arranged on request if the scheduled times don’t suit you and these flights can land at the private airstrip in the conservancy, roughly 20 minutes’ drive from camp. For the more adventurous we can arrange a private helicopter transfer which can land right at our front door.
The main international airport in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, with daily direct flights from the main European hubs: London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. There are also daily arrivals from Johannesburg in South Africa as well as from hubs in the Middle East including Dubai and Qatar. Flights from Europe take on average just over 8 hours and those connecting from the USA will need to travel via one of the cities above.
Rooms at Mahali Mzuri range from $590 a night.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
