Elephant Level

Hooked on fishing? Take this unique opportunity to combine an exiting safari with incredible fishing, in some of the most stunning and exotic locations on earth! On this trip you’ll be fishing on three well-known Kenyan hotspots: highland lakes, Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean. Don’t forget to spot the game and bush walk in between!

Starting high up on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, experience fantastic trout fishing. An exhilarating start to your fishing safari, enjoy the comfort of cozy log cabins and spectacular day-long hiking and fishing trips.

From Mt. Kenya to the hot dusty plains of the Masai Mara, a trip to Kenya would not be complete without a few days on safari. With two nights at the luxurious Governor’s Camp, enjoy fabulous game viewing for the “Big Five” animals and a ‘safari back in time’.

After two days on safari, fly by private charter to Mfangano Island, famous for its excellent year-round Nile Perch fishing. With its private fleet of specialized fishing boats, equipment and experienced crew, this island retreat is an angler’s dream.

The final angler fantasy has to be the deep blue sea. Your last stop is Hemingway’s Resort on the Indian Ocean, internationally renowned for billfish and other record breaking game fish.

Day 1 On arrival at the Nairobi international airport, you will be met by your Eco-resorts representative and transferred to Macushla House. Located in the suburb of Langata, Macushla House gives a quiet, peaceful stopover in this busy city area. With six spacious bedrooms, two lounges, a private study, bar, pool and dining room, Macushla caters for both the business and the holiday travelers. A delicious range of fresh, home cooked meals, served throughout the day, provide fine dining at your convenience. Located close to the Giraffe Manor, Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi National Park and the Animal Orphanage, Macushla is the perfect place to start your safari adventure. Overnight at Macushla House.

Days 2 After breakfast you will be transferred at 08:15 to the domestic airport, to catch the 09:15 Air Kenya flight to Nanyuki. Here you will be met by your own private charter flight to the Rutundu Cabins. Rutundu is situated on the northern slopes of Mt. Kenya at 10,200 feet, just above the forest line. These log cabins overlook Lake Rutundu in total privacy, surrounded by alpine vegetation.

Lake Rutundu and Lake Alice, both a scenic hike from the cabins, are stocked with rainbow trout, averaging 2-3 pounds, with the larger fish weighing 6 pounds. Not many people can say they’ve caught a trout within 5 km of the equator! There are three casting platforms and a boat/punt, as well as plenty of keen and experienced hands to help you.

Rutundu’s two cozy log cabins, each with open fires and two en-suite bedrooms, are ideal for small groups. The wonderful staff will take care of your every need. Full board and overnight at the Cabins.

Day 3 Today, enjoy hiking and fishing on Lake Alice. There is a beautiful walk around Lake Alice, through Giant Groundsel and heather forests. In contrast to this moorland terrain, the Cedar and Podo forest, a half hour drive below Rutundu, provides lovely walks and picnic sites. Nearby, the Kizita River Gorge offers a crystal clear river, with small brown trout. Full board and overnight at the Cabins.

Day 4 It’ll be an early start this morning as you board your charter flight to back to Nanyuki, where you will catch the 10:00 flight to the Masai Mara. It would be criminal to travel to Kenya and not visit one of its best-known safari parks! The Mara is so rich in game and bird life that even this short visit will provide you with some spectacular wildlife memories to add to your fishing adventure.

You will spend the next two nights at Little Governor’s Tented Camp. Enjoy bush walks and game drives, as well as the pure luxury of this famous camp. Overnight and full board at the Camp.

Day 5 Located to the south of Nairobi, and bordering Tanzania, the Masai Mara forms part of the huge Serengeti eco-system. The Mara spreads over 1510 square km of rolling plains, sudden rocky outcrops and green winding rivers.

Not only is the Mara blessed with this stunning landscape, but also its animal diversity is one of the greatest in Africa. Surrounded by the grazing lands of the Masai people, the Mara is a sanctuary for all of the “Big Five” animals: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The sweet grasses and abundant water ensure a full compliment of plains game such as the impala and Thompsons gazelle. The deep river pools provide homes for hippo and crocodiles.

Each year, generally in August/September, the Mara is host to the spectacular Wildebeest Migration, one of the natural wonders of the world! Literally millions of these awkwardly shaped ungulates move across the open plains in an endless stream stretching from horizon to horizon. The movement of this vast herd is fascinating in itself, but seldom a day goes by without the added bonus of watching the predators that follow the herd. Lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dogs rely on the herd for food. Spotting one of these magnificent predators is more or less guaranteed at this time.

You may enjoy, if you wish, up to three game drives today. Or why not stretch your legs and have a good walk through this wild bush land with your guide? Overnight and full board at the Camp.

Day 6 This morning you will board a private charter for a 40-minute flight and then a relaxing 15-minute boat ride to Mfangano Island on Lake Victoria.

Mfangano Island Camp, a small remote hideaway on Mfangano Island, is a perfect place to explore fishing on Lake Victoria. This great lake has romantic associations as the source of the River Nile, ever since explorers such as Speke and Burton came to the area at the end of the last century.

Mfangano Island Camp occupies an entire secluded bay on the western shores of the island, situated under ancient fig trees right by the lakeshore. The six rooms all offer complete privacy and en-suite bathrooms with bath and shower. Decorated in the ethnic style, all rooms have four poster beds and private verandas, which gives them a special charm and romance. Each room is open to the lake and offers uninterrupted views and spectacular sunsets.

The centre of Mfangano Island Camp is the cozy sitting room and dining room, both open to the lake shore. Here you can sit and listen to the waves, feel the breeze in your hair, read a book or watch the dhows on the lake. The cormorants dive for fish or spread their wings to dry in the sun and the fish eagles call from the treetops.

The meals in Mfangano Island Camp are superb. Fresh salads and the daily catch served with fresh, crusty bread and chilled wine.

The lush hillside and Camp surrounds are abundant with indigenous plants and flowers. In the early morning, fleets of multi coloured fishing boats gracefully sail past the bay, and in the evening spectacular sunsets are seen as the sun dips below the unbroken lake horizon. The fishing is excellent, the bird life is unsurpassed and seeing the families of otters is an added bonus. You can also enjoy walks through lush vegetation on top of the hills or along the lake shore. For those interested in culture, there is the possibility to visit a Luo family and experience their day-to-day life or the school in the next village. Overnight and full board at the Camp.

Day 7-8 Lake Victoria is the second largest fresh water lake in the world; only Lake Superior in North America is larger. The lake is unusual in many ways. She does not lie in a deep trough created by the Great Rift Valley, as do Lakes Tanganyika, Turkana, Malawi or Manyara, but rather sits in a shallow basin that is rarely more than 230 feet deep. Victoria is also a fresh water lake, unusual in an area where streams that travel through highly mineralized lavas feed most lakes, resulting in alkaline and undrinkable waters.

Lake Victoria was the object of European exploration in the 19th century, as the source of the Nile became the object of heated debate and much conjecture. The famous British explorers, Burton and Speke, set out in search of the magical ‘source’. Speke claimed Lake Victoria, but Burton disagreed, and voluble debates were held in the Geographic Societies of Europe before Speke was proven correct.

The Lake is surrounded by gently rolling, lush green hills. The area is known for its Nile Perch fishing and scenic beauty, offering a stunning contrast to the yellow brown plains and semi-desert savanna that surround it.

Mfangano has its own private fleet of 22 foot, open decked ‘Vixens’ made from specialized fiberglass, which are at your disposal while on the island. Each has an experienced skipper and can take up to 5 people. This part of the lake is well respected for its year-round fishing success, but the best times are usually in June and December. The average Nile perch weighs in at 50 pounds…monsters have been reported! Directly in front of the main lodge is a jetty, which takes you out into the clear waters where you can cast or simply sit lazily waiting for that bite.

All activities and fishing trips from the island are included. The camp managers will be happy to assist and advise you on the best places and times to fish. Enjoy your two days here! Overnight and full board at the Camp.

Day 9 Catch your private charter back to the Masai Mara, where you will catch the 11:00 flight to Nairobi and then later fly to Malindi and transfer to Hemingway’s Resort in Watamu.

Hemingways is world famous for its luxurious accommodation, delicious cuisine and fantastic fishing. Just walking into the bar offers you a fishing lesson with its original photographs and fish trophies decorating every wall!

There are two sizes of fishing boats at Hemingways: 23 feet for up to two anglers and 33 feet and bigger for up to four anglers. All the boats are fully equipped with lifesaving and fire fighting equipment, radio links between boats and shore, revolving fighting chairs with footrests and all necessary fishing paraphenalia. The crew are well versed both with beginning and experienced anglers. You’ll be in good hands all the way!

The East African coast offers you some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world, including the opportunity to catch the Fantasy Slam. Striped, black and blue Marlin are frequently caught near Watamu, as well as Sailfish, Dorado, yellow fin tuna, Giant Trenally, Wahoo, sharks and Kingfish. Overnight drift or troll fishing for Broadbill is a Hemingway’s specialty; their boats hold all the world records for Broadbill Swordfish on fly! Overnight and half board at Hemingway’s.

Day 10 Today you can do as little or as much as you please. Hemingway’s offers very exciting activities but also has an air of peace and relaxation. With two delightful swimming pools, kilometers of white beach and luxurious rooms with terraces overlooking the sea, you’ll find just the spot to put your feet up and relax! Overnight and half board at Hemingway’s.

Day 11 Today you have a full (10 hour) day out on one of Hemingway’s deep sea fishing boats with one of their top skippers. Enjoy your day on the Indian Ocean and hopefully come back with a Marlin, Sailfish or even a shark! Hemingway’s practice Billfish “Tag and Release” so don’t be disappointed if you come back with merely a flag to show for your efforts! Overnight and half board at Hemingway’s.

Day 12 Another early start this morning as you enjoy another trip out into the deep. This time it’s only a half-day out at sea, returning in time for a well-deserved lunch and a relaxing afternoon at your leisure. Overnight and half board at Hemingway’s.

Day 13 Today you embark on your final trip of your fishing safari. It’s your last change to catch that giant! A full 10-hour day of fishing. Tight lines! Overnight and half board at Hemingway’s.

Day 14 Spend the morning at your leisure. Later today, you will catch the flight to Nairobi where you will be met and transferred to the international airport for your return flight home.

Includes: All transfers, all accommodation and meals (full board at Rutundu Cabins, Little Governors and Mfangano, bed & breakfast at Macushla House, half board in a superior room at Hemingway’s), activities as listed above including all fishing trips, equipment, skippers/guides, National Park entrance fees, local taxes and all internal flights.

Excludes: All drinks, lunch and dinner at Macushla House, lunch at Hemingway’s, telephone calls, personal purchases, tips, visas and international flights.

NOTE: Due to the weather, this trip is available only from October to April. October to March is the best time to experience this trip.

Contact Melinda Rees for more information on this safari.

Why travel with us? Because Eco-resorts is changing the world-one journey at a time.

Animals and people both need land. Ecotourism provides an alternative income for the people, leaving space for the migratory animals. Eco-resorts actively supports the villages and projects that are protecting East Africa's environment and culture.

We develop self-help eco-projects, which promote wildlife conservation. We also educate both our consumers and our partner camps with two free ezines. We use renewable energy products, reduce paper and plastic consumption in our office and have left the natural vegetation unscathed, resulting in duiker and monitor lizards visiting the office!

We donate 10% of all post-tax profits to fund community and/or conservation projects. Community projects are operated with the local villagers as the operators and managers; Eco-resorts provides advice and guidance when requested, but abides by local beliefs and traditions.

Our current projects include:

- The Children of the Rising Sun Orphanage, which provides accommodation, meals, medicine and schooling for 28 street-children. Our goal is to have a vocational job-training center operational at the home, for the kids and local villagers.

- The Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, the last remaining tract of coastal lowland forest in Kenya, which provides the only refuge for several endemic birds and mammals, such as the golden-rumped elephant shrew and the Sokoke Pippet. Designated as one of Conservation International's 26 global bio-diversity hotspots (www.conservation.org) and surrounded on all sides by an ever increasing human population, the Forest is in danger of disappearing as trees are cut for carvings, land cleared for subsistence farming and animals trapped for food.

Eco-resorts hopes to ensure that the local villagers become the greatest supporters of the Forest. One of the many projects in the Forest trains the local villagers to breed forest butterfly species for export to the live butterfly market.

With two local butterfly farms already in operation, over 400 people in the area bordering the Forest now have an income that relies upon the continued health of the Forest. Our goal is to employ another 100 people.

Please contact melinda@eco-resorts.com for more detailed information on our ezines and the Eco-resorts community and wildlife conservation projects that your eco-adventure safari will support. Help us make a difference!