Alfajiri Villas and Galdessa Camp
Alfajiri:
"Perched on a small cliff above whit esands and azure seas, Alfajiri looks out over a kaleidoscope of coastal colors – with a clarity of vision guaranteed to soothe the soul."
Alfajiri has been described as 'the most glamorous house on the Indian Ocean' – and it's impossible not to agree. With its lofty position above the broad white sands of Diani Beach, its bright, breezy rooms and immense windows framing picture-perfect views, this beautiful private villa offers what is arguable the most luxurious – and certainly the most romantic – retreat on Africa's east coast. With a second villa available on the same property, Alfajiri can guarantee exclusive use to parties of any size. This very special home is surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens and fronted by a spectacular cliff top swimming pool, which merges with the azure waters of the Indian Ocean – giving the entire property a stunning dreamlike quality.
Alfajiri sits atop a tall coral wall, it's elevated position affording sweeping views and complete privacy. With its white Danish floors, ancient Lamu doors, and exquisite African and Asian artifacts, the house combines a romantic ambience with very personal, five-star luxury. The house also benefits from the presence of the property's main villa, which can also be hired buy larger groups. Both villas have incredible 'turreted suites; with 360-degree views (Alfajiri's was recently described by Harpers & Queen as 'one of the top five most romantic bedrooms ever'), while the main villa boasts a Jacuzzi and two charming garden gazebos. Located right in the middle of Diani Beach, Alfajari offers invigorating five-mile walks both to the north and south.
Alfajiri is owned and hosted by Fabrizio and Marika Molinaro, who have been welcoming visitors to Kenya for more than 20 years. The property also has a discreet and attentive staff, who between them speak English, French and Italian. The highly-trained chefs prepare all meals to guests' individual preferences, while Fabrizio and Marika will personally make sure that you want for nothing during your stay. The house is a perfect destinations for families with young children, with two highly trained nannies, a mountain of toys, and a television with children's videos on hand at all times.
Alfajiri is a 75-minute drive from Mombasa International Airport, which is served by over 50 flights a week from Nairobi. Airkenya also flied direct to Diani's Ukunda Airstrip five times per week.
For more information please visit www.alfajirivillas.com
Galdessa:
"Perched above the banks of the Galana River in Tsavo National Park, Galdessa offers an unexpected drop of luxury in the arid wilderness of Kenya's largest park."
When it comes to luxury camping, Galdessa is for many the ultimate exponent of the art. With its elegant thatch-and-canvas tents overlooking the meandering waters of the Galana River, Galdessa offers the ultimate 'bush style' in one of East Africa's wildest locations. As well as pods of frolicking hippos and crocodiles basking beside the ricer, the cam's environs draw large elephant herds, antelopes and prides of lion. Galdessa was recently voted one of Africa's top 10 lodges by Vogue magazine – and one of the world's top millennium destinations by Harpers and Queen.
The camp is run by professional camp managers who have a long and extensive experience running camps and working as safari guides in Southern Africa and East Africa. They are assisted by a highly trained staff of 25, including certified guides and trackers from the Waliangulu tribe – the famous elephant poachers of yore, who are today renowned as the best guides in the business. Galdessa works in conjunction with the Tusk Trust, ,a British charity working to preserve the African wilderness, which distributes over 90% of the funds it raises directly to the field.
Galdessa sits beneath giant doum palms on the southern bank of the Galana River, 15 kilometers upstream from Lugard's Falls, in the heart of Tsavo East National Park. The camp's riverside location means that many of Tsavo's large animal hers come to you, families of earth-caked elephants, graceful giraffes and several rare antelope species, including lesser kudu, gerenuk and the exquisite and highly endangered hirola. Galdessa offers a unique chance to get involved in Tsavo's growing conservation work, through its close relationship with the Kenya Wildlife Service's rhino reintroduction program.
The camp's environs are home to 51 black rhinos – the largest unfenced population in Africa. Galdessa recycles all its waste, uses solar power, and has its own water treatment plant. It also has an additional thatched dining room and bar – decorated entirely from the local area – offering parties of six guests or more the privacy of their own personal camp.
Galdessa is close to the Kenyan coast and the Chyulu Hills, which are both a 30-minute charter flight away. It is a one-hour flight from Nairobi to the nearby Manyani Airstrip, a 3 ½ hour drive from Mombasa, or a 4 ½ hour drive from Nairobi.
For more information please visit www.galdessa.com
