June 2024: The Tusk Lewa Marathon

Although regarded as one of the toughest marathons in the world, runners of all abilities take part — from walkers and amateurs to professionals like Paul Tergat, the Kenyan former world record holder. As a result, the event has grown to become one of the country’s major sporting events and is regarded by Runner’s World as one of the world’s top ten “must do” marathons in the world. The race is open to anyone and everyone; there is even a 5 km race for children!

Upon arrival at Nairobi International Airport you will be met by an airport representative as you disembark the aircraft (or, if you are taken by shuttle bus to the airport terminal, you will be met at the entrance). From here you will be assisted with clearing Kenyan immigration, collecting your luggage then escorted to your transport to the Ole Sereni Hotel. The journey from the airport to the hotel is approximately 45 minutes.

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254.Ole Sereni Hotel – B&B
The 254.Ole Sereni Hotel is ideally located just 6 kms to the southwest of Nairobi overlooking Nairobi National Park – your first chance to spot some wildlife before you even leave Nairobi. The hotel offers easy access to the nearby Langata and Karen suburbs which are among the liveliest and most popular in Nairobi with excellent restaurants and the popular Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.

After breakfast you will be collected by your driver and transferred to Nairobi’s domestic airport, where you will be assisted with check-in for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Lewa. This is a scenic, low level, light aircraft flight of about one hour. Upon arrival at the Lewa airstrip, you will be met by a guide and taken to Location Africa Camp for your three night stay.

This afternoon you will have a chance to participate in a supervised training run across the plains, Big 5 game territory, with an armed guard. The evening will take you on a game drive in the Conservancy for some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa, ending with sundowner drinks at a stunning lookout point to chat and mingle with other overseas competitors and discuss the race ahead.

Set in a prime location on the 61,000 acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Maridadi Camp is set up just for the annual Lewa Marathon benefiting Tusk and serves as the fun and entertaining “athlete’s village” for participants and spectators alike.

Each Meru-style walk-in tent is equipped with comfortable twin or double beds and has its own safari bathroom with a hot water bucket shower and short drop toilet at the rear of each tent. The tents come complete with high quality linens, daily housekeeping and have kerosene lanterns to light the way to your tent and bathroom at night. Common areas include a bar, a mess tent and all food from the excellent “bush” kitchen as well as providing a fantastic camp camaraderie!

Today you have the opportunity to visit one of the projects on Lewa funded by the Safaricom marathon such as a school or water project. This is an inspiring, behind the scenes look at conservation in action and to see real examples of how this event is saving and improving lives.

Alternatively, or additionally, there is the option for another game drive to see some of the exceptional wildlife on the Conservancy. In the evening you will have a race briefing in camp and prepare for the big day.

The atmosphere on race day is electric! This morning you will get ready to run or prepare to cheer on the runners and play your part in one of the most important charity sporting events in the calendar. It is a deeply rewarding experience that you will never forget…

This is the land of endangered rhino, the majestic lion, mighty elephant and so much more. Your participation helps to ensure that these animals will be with us for generations to come.

After breakfast you will be given an insider’s look at conservation in action on the Conservancy. Here, ground-breaking work carried out by Tusk with black and white rhino, elephant, and anti-poaching initiatives serves as a model for other Conservancies throughout Africa.

Afterwards, a game-drive transfer will take you back to the Lewa airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Wilson Airport. This is a flight of approximately one hour. Upon arrival in Wilson Airport, you will continue your travels under your own arrangements. There will be plenty of taxis on hand should you wish to head straight to the international airport or you may prefer to go shopping or to one of Nairobi’s many restaurants.

If you would like to extend your travels in Africa, we can happily arrange a safari in the Masai Mara or neighbouring Serengeti in Tanzania, gorilla tracking in nearby Rwanda, or a rest and a flop on a white sandy beach. This continent offers a multitude of  exciting options either before or after the marathon and we have the knowledge and experience to deliver an African journey of a lifetime. We would be delighted to advise and assist with any onward arrangements.

£2,195 Per Person Sharing

Single Supplement of £315 Per Person

£1,465 Per Child Aged 5-15yrs Sharing

COSTS INCLUDE:

– Airport airside meet and assist in Nairobi on 26th June 2024
– Return internal flights from Wilson airport to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
– Passenger and airport taxes
– Airport / airstrip transfers
– Accommodation, melas and activities as stated

– National Park and concession fees
– 2 litres of bottled drinking water per person per day
– AMREF Flying Doctor Cover

Please note that light aircraft require a strict 15 kgs soft sided luggage allowance per person including hand luggage – no wheels or frames.

– International flights to/from Nairobi
– Visas
– Travel insurance
– Tips and gratuities
– Other personal spending
– Race registration
– Drinks can be purchased with US$ cash or Kenyan Shillings.
– All game viewing activities quoted are on a shared basis. If you would prefer to have use of a private guide and vehicle for your safari this can easily be arranged in advance at an extra cost.