Experience Kenya like the Queen

On 1st February 1952 a 25-year old Princess Elizabeth travelled to Kenya as part of a Commonwealth tour. The trip would prove to be life changing when five days later upon receiving news of her father’s death she was to succeed to the throne. This year, 6th February 2012 will mark the beginning of commemorations to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee year of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Princess and the Duke of Edinburgh had travelled to Kenya as the first stop on a 30,000-mile Commonwealth tour across four continents. Having spent the night at Treetops Lodge in Aberdare National Park the royal couple were heading to Sangana Lodge in the foothills of Mount Kenya, a property given to them by the Kenyan people as a wedding gift in 1947.

Due to their remote location the sad news took some time to reach them and Prince Phillip was given the difficult task of breaking the news to his wife. Queen Elizabeth was the first British monarch since the accession of William IV to be outside the United Kingdom at the moment of succession and she was proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II two days later on 8th February 1952.

The big game expert, Jim Corbett who was acting as a guide for the royal party later wrote the now famous lines in Treetops’ visitors book, “For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience she climbed down from the tree next day a Queen”*.

Treetops’ unique ground level viewing decks and observation rooms, perfect for photographing passing game, have contributed to its longstanding reputation for offering superior wildlife viewing.

The iconic lodge is currently run by Aberdare Safari Hotels and is undergoing a six-month refurbishment with its doors due to reopen on 1st April 2012. The refurbishment aims to restore the history and romance of Treetops by improving guest facilities and services while retaining its charm.

The character of the ‘tree house’ look and feel will be maintained while en-suite guest rooms with improved comfort and size will have a superb view of the nearby waterhole. With enhanced adventure activities on offer, guests will also be able to book to stay for longer periods as they experience the breathtaking and unique Aberdare Ranges.

Kenya is a country with a rich history, fascinating culture and spectacular wildlife not to mention its world-renowned status as a first class safari destination. The country is proud to be part of the British monarchy’s history and with Prince William proposing to Kate whilst on holiday in Kenya in 2010, the royals’ affiliation with Kenya continues to remain strong.

Experience Kenya like the Queen 60 years on from that momentous day with these fantastic packages…

Royal Jubilee journey through Kenya tour with Bales Worldwide from £2,895pp
To celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee Bales Worldwide has designed a special journey through Kenya. The seven-night ‘Royal Jubilee Journey through Kenya’ starts from £2,895 per person for departures on 19th April 2012 (Queen’s birthday) and 31st May 2012 (Diamond Jubilee week) or £3,095 per person departing on 29th March 2012 and 21st June 2012. Itinerary includes two nights in both Samburu national park and the Maasai Mara with one night at Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha as well as Aberdare national park. Bales Worldwide is also offering a free hot air balloon flight and champagne breakfast over the Maasai Mara – which has a value of £345 per person – for every passenger who books for the above departure dates. Price includes return economy class flights with Kenya Airways, most meals, game drives and transfers within Kenya. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit balesworldwide.com.

Nine-day Kenya Horizons tour with Travelbag from £1,499pp
Explore Kenya with Travelbag on this nine-day trip departing on 5th February 2012 from £1,499 per person with a saving of £160 per person and child price starting from £1,099. Itinerary includes full board stays in the Samburu, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara national parks as well as one night in Aberdare national park – home to the iconic Treetops Lodge. Price includes flights from London Heathrow to Nairobi, all transportation and transfers, accommodation and all meals. Trip must be booked by 31st January 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit travelbag.co.uk.

Kenya beach escape with Hayes and Jarvis from £895pp
Departing on 5th February 2012, Hayes and Jarvis are offering a seven-night stay at Voyager Beach Resort from £895 per person with a saving of £161. Price includes return flights departing from London Heathrow to Mombasa with Kenya Airways, in-resort transfers and all-inclusive accommodation. Book by 27th January 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit hayesandjarvis.com.

Kuoni half board beach stay from £999pp
Departing on 6th February 2012 for seven nights from London Heathrow to Mombasa, Kuoni are offering a half board stay at the 4* Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort from £999 per person. Save up to £170 per couple. Price includes return international flights and resort transfers. Book by end of January 2012. Terms and conditions apply.
For more information and to book, visit kuoni.co.uk.

Love Live Africa Diamond Jubilee escape from $2,210pp (£1,418**)
Love Live Africa is offering a 4* seven-day classic safari from $2,210 per person (£1,418**) based on two people or $1,655 per person (£1,062**) based on six people. Child prices start from $795 (£510**) for under 12 years of age when sharing a room with two adults. Trip departs on 4th June 2012 from Nairobi with luxury accommodation at the Sankara Hotel and then continues on to Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Flamingo Hill Camp in Lake Nakuru and Mara Timbo Camp in the iconic Maasai Mara. Price includes luxury accommodation, private use of minivan and English speaking Kenyan driver/guide, park entrance fees, game drives, airport transfers, accommodation on a full board basis (with one night on bed and breakfast basis in Nairobi) and excludes international flights. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit loveliveafrica.com.

Best At Travel Kenya safari and beach stay from £1,999pp
Best At Travel is offering a Best Of Kenya trip including stays in Samburu, Aberdare, Rift Valley and Maasai Mara national parks followed by a seven-night beach stay on Mombasa’s south coast. Price is from £1,999 per person when travelling between 1st April and 12th June 2012 including one free night in Mombasa (Easter supplement of £80 per person will apply on 8th April 2012). Safari departures available every Monday or Wednesday. Price includes return international flights, domestic flights and taxes from London, transfers, accommodation, game drives, park fees and English-speaking guide. All offers are subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit bestattravel.co.uk.

2 by 2 holidays’ overland Kenya tour from £2,995pp
Experience this overland tour departing on 9th June 2012 with personal driver/guide visiting three of Kenya's greatest game parks from £2,995 per person sharing. Price includes flights with Kenya Airways from London Heathrow and accommodation in luxury Atua Enkop lodges including Elephant Bedroom Camp, Mbweha Safari Camp and Mara Ngenche lodge as well as The Ark in the iconic Aberdare reserve. Itinerary includes stays in Samburu, Aberdare, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara national parks. Lodges can be tailormade to meet a customer's budget and requirements. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit 2by2holidays.co.uk.

Dial a Flight 14-night 4* safari and beach stay from £1,799pp
Dial a flight are offering a great value 14-night 4*safari and beach stay from £1,799 per person with a saving of £190. The itinerary includes a six-night full board Kenya Classic Safari Tour and a seven-night all-inclusive stay at Baobab Beach Hotel. Price includes flights from London Heathrow to Nairobi, all transfers, accommodation as specified and game drives. Selected Sunday departures available and offer valid between 15th April 2012 and 30th June 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit dialaflight.com/flights/africa/kenya/.

10% discount on Cox and Kings Kenyan Explorer for departures in June – £2,857.50pp
Cox and Kings is offering a 10% discount off Kenyan Explorer private journey for any departures in June. The usual price is from £3,175 per person so with the 10% discount price is from £2,857.50 per person. The tour is nine days/seven nights and includes flights with Virgin Atlantic, transfers, game drives and full board accommodation whilst staying in safari lodges. Begin in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia and continue through the spectacular scenery of the Great Rift Valley to the lakes of Nakuru and Naivasha and finishing in the Maasai Mara. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit coxandkings.co.uk.

Seven night Kenya safari from £9,970 total for a family of four with New African Territories
A family of four can spend seven nights at the Serian Camp in the Maasai Mara from £9,970. Price includes international flights with Kenya Airways, return domestic flights from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara and full board accommodation for two adults and two children (under 12years). Valid until 30th June 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information and to book, visit steppestravel.co.uk.

For more information on Treetops Lodge, visit aberdaresafarihotels.com.

For more information on Kenya, visit magicalkenya.com.

*Visitors' log book at Treetops Lodge, Kenya – 1954
**GBP rate based on exchange rate as per 24/1/2012