Leap Year: Five Epic Adventures to do in a Day

Staying at the luxurious Deplar Farm, wake yourself up with a morning surf in one of the best swells in the country. Yes, it’ll be cold, but their 6/5/4 wetsuits will keep you warm and surfing surrounded by snow and ice it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Reward your hard work with a helicopter tour of the Diamond Circle, a route that connects three of the most spectacular phenomena in the region and a great alternative the more renowned (and much busier) Golden Circle. Lunch is a private BBQ in remote cave only accessible by helicopter, then, swap the skies for the high sea, as you’re picked up for an exclusive whale watching trip. After an action-packed day, alternate between Deplar’s Viking sauna with the cold plunge pool for the ultimate health benefits, before getting a front-row seat to the Northern Lights as you sit back in their geothermally heated outdoor pool. 

Begin the day with fresh Kenyan coffee brought to your tent before setting out on a two-hour immersive walking safari with your expert Samburu warrior guide, learning the intricacies of the African bush while spotting the elusive ‘Northern Five’, endemic to Northern Kenya. As you round a kopje (hill), scramble up the side to your awaiting bush breakfast cooked over an open fire by your private crew, with sweeping views of the vast Laikipia Plateau below. In Out of Africa style, enjoy a scrumptious bush lunch under the shade of an acacia tree. Fill your plate with organic and fresh fare, take your time to relax in the shade and absorb yourself in the sounds of the bush. Set out on foot again in the afternoon, tracking prints and learning about flora and insects along the way before coming upon your refuge for the night: the permanent Tumaren Camp. Indulge in the creature comforts of camp, enjoy sundowners by the fire and a delicious meal under the stars swapping tales from the day.

After a breakfast prepared by your private chef at your ultra-luxe lodge, Blanket Bay, you’ll take off in your personal helicopter. The morning is yours to play with as you choose, from glacier hiking with crampons to kayaking on breathtakingly remote alpine lakes and traversing ridge tops and challenging peaks. Whether you’re after something reflective or exhilarating, your guide is there to make it happen. A delicious lunch of awaits showcasing the country’s famed cuisines. Lamb racks, fresh crayfish and seafood gathered from remote beaches during your journey will be prepared by a private chef and matched with the finest wines, while you soak up the idyllic wilderness views. Your adventures continue for the afternoon before you’re flown to your bed for the night. Accessible only by helicopter, a luxury camping experience awaits, set up just for you. Enjoy the peace and quiet over another freshly served dinner before sleeping under the stars in your own little corner of the world.