Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
These three stunning private villas are set overlooking the quiet southern reaches of Diani beach. Each one is perfect for those looking for complete privacy and exceptional, but unobtrusive service.
All of the villas are fully hosted, with a la carte meals served privately and a butler on hand to help with all your needs.
In addition to the relaxed and very stylish feel of the place, the hosting is almost intuitive, with a welcome that only comes from the owners, Fabrizio and Marika living on-site to take care of your every need.
Marika has spent many years in fashion and her style fits perfectly with the classic feel of the villas; her attention to detail is impeccable. This leaves Fabrizio free to do what he does best – making sure everyone is pampered, wined and dined to perfection. If lucky, he might even pop into the kitchen to rustle up his famous ravioli.
Beach Villa is the smaller and more intimate of the three villas, with a shady, cool interior and a small pool for those who like to keep themselves private. It is ideal for those with younger families.
Garden Villa is for those who prefer to spread themselves out. The main dining and lounge area looks out across the larger pool, towards the open gardens and sea beyond, with the rooms set off to the side.
Cliff Villa has the biggest wow factor, with an enormous garden and infinity pool. It perches on the cliff, overlooking the Indian Ocean. The open-plan bar and lounge is the perfect spot to take in the views and try the delicious local crab. The rooms are split across three floors, with dining options on each level except the very top, where you find the turret room – the bedroom that everyone wants.
Located at the southern end of Diani Beach, the villas sit on a cliff overlooking the beach. The raised position means that this is more a clifftop than a beach property, with the focus on relaxation rather than beach activities. Access is by light aircraft to Ukunda Airport, which is only about 10 minutes’ drive away.
Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.
Water Lovers is a quaint beach resort on the tropical shores of the Indian Ocean, 35 kilometres south of Mombasa on Kenya’s south coast. The area is well-known for its white sands and turquoise warm waters, and for water-lovers certainly lives up to its setting. Accommodation is in six spacious cottages and a self-contained villa. Each cottage has a private veranda overlooking the ocean and is decorated in a style that mixes Swahili culture with the Mediterranean. The beach restaurant serves Mediterranean and local cuisine with the quiet surf of the Indian Ocean just a stone’s throw away. There is a turtle-shaped infinity pool beside the beach.
Less a hotel, more an icon, this shady boutique retreat, sits on the quiet island of Lamu next to a spotless 12km beach. Owned and run by the Korschen family since 1967, the hotel retains all of the character and charm you would expect from a traditional Swahili home. None of the 24 rooms is alike, but all are full of charm and personality, from the fresh flowers, Swahili fabrics and works of art carefully arranged throughout. Traditional dark woods, brass ornaments and whitewashed walls provide a cool interior, the exotic gardens add colour and shade, whilst the swing hammocks under the coconut palms are the perfect place to cool off, after lounging by the pool.
This stylish, Swahili-inspired boutique retreat works on many levels. The owners, Ida and Filip have made this their family home so there is a wonderfully relaxed, informal atmosphere but the standards are kept high. The mix of cottages, suites and rooms are scattered within tropical gardens, all within sight of the private beach.
Illona has been our expert for quite a few years and has always been extremely helpful and attentive.
Destination: South Africa
Travel Expert: Illona
Overall another amazing trip from Steppes Travel. We saw so many different sights and had so many new experiences. Would always highly recommend Steppes.
Steppes Travel
Jackie listened very carefully to our requirements and followed them to the letter. Couldn’t have asked for more.
Zambia
Very content with the prompt response to all my questions and the positive can-do vibes from Illona.
Zimbabwe
Bridget could not have been more helpful in organising all aspects of our trip, she was very knowledgeable about the country and was able to select a fantastic trip which worked well for the whole family.
Zimbabwe
Jackie listened very carefully to our requirements and followed them to the letter. Couldn't have asked for more
Zimbabwe
The advice from Steppes was brilliant- finding us 2 wonderful contrasting camps & a visit to Victoria Falls to finish - we had an amazing trip
Zambia
Detailed, speedy communications from Illona at all stages of the booking
Zambia
A very well balanced itinerary extremely well executed.
Zambia
Right from the first contact, it was clear Chris understood the kind of trip we wanted and his expert advice ensured we were able to plan and experience the perfect trip. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Chris and the rest of the Steppes team.
Uganda
Communication was particularly good and helpful when flight changes occurred during trip, and we needed support through an unplanned connection city
Uganda
We had an amazing trip and would do it again. While I indicated that we would not travel back to Tanzania, that is not a reflection on Tanzania, but rather our interest in exploring other places before making a return trip.
Tanzania
We have had some fantastic experiences with Steppes in the past, but have to say this trip was really up there. The lodge suggested by Ilona was amazing, transfers were fantastic, the communication beforehand from both Ilona and Vanessa was wonderful and the help we received when we had one small hiccup at our first hotel was outstanding. Thanks so much.
Tanzania
Itinerary gave a brilliant cross-section of Tanzanian wildlife and habitat.
Tanzania
Travel documentation was excellent - particularly the hard copies, which very useful on the road when access to the electronic version was not easily accessible. The hardcopies certainly impressed others in the group!
Sudan
Illona and her team were excellent, keeping me well informed, acting very promptly and extremely helpful.
Sudan
Illona and Ali put together a great holiday. The attention to detail made the experience a truly memorable one.
Sudan
The itinerary put together was excellent and surpassed our expectations. The last-minute pre-trip call from Bridget to make sure we had everything and for us to ask about any last-minute queries was welcome and very reassuring.
South Africa
I know from previous experience that Illona knows the country very well, and that is why I let her make the judgements about where best to stay, and I even change my mind about places, based on her advice. I get the photographs I want, because of this expertise and so it really adds value to my holiday. The advice was more than vindicated on this latest trip.
South Africa
An excellent holiday well organised with personal help from Illona. Always available to answer my questions. Everything worked like clockwork whilst in South Africa.
South Africa
Best trip Chris has put together for me.
Rwanda
Jackie was as excited as I was before my trip - I had an amazing time.
Rwanda
Chris gave us great recommendations. Good organisation and service. Added my son to the trip and it all worked very well.
Rwanda
We have had a fantastic experience with Steppes - thank you so much!
Reunion Island
We found the itinerary excellent and the places we visited / experiences exceeded our expectations. Documentation and briefing from both Steppes and their partner in Namibia was excellent.
Namibia
Illona put together a really good itinerary less than 6 weeks before departure. She was very efficient, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Illona has arranged African trips for us before and she was as committed and helpful as ever.
Namibia
Jackie knew about the skeleton coast trip and was able to advise us on the suitability for a 10-year-old.
Namibia
As always, meticulously planned and well-presented.
Mozambique
This was a first-class trip in every way, meeting all that we hoped for. At Vamizi, we had outstandingly comfortable accommodation, terrific in-house service, and great diving and snorkelling.
Mozambique
Lots of information; and the trip was very well planned and easy to book.
Mozambique
A pleasure dealing with Steppes as always. Quick, efficient responses and a feeling that you are the only client they are dealing with!
Mauritius
Chris was very knowledgeable and clearly has a love of Madagascar. It was great to talk the itinerary through with him. Both he and Deborah were very prompt in responding to my questions. I really appreciate having a digital copy of the itinerary.
Madagascar
I have used Steppes travel in the past for quite a few trips. Though slightly more on the price side, the holidays are well planned and executed. Local guides are very knowledgeable
Madagascar
Chris and Illona's enthusiasm for the destination coupled with knowledge on the ground ensured we stayed at great places and saw a varied perspective of the country.
Madagascar
Chris J and `the team` were absolutely first class in every direction.
Kenya
You created an amazing adventure for me!
Kenya
Bridget was extremely knowledgable and gave expert advice on everything we asked no matter how trivial our questions were! She even advised on the type of luggage and packing suggestions which was brilliant!!
Kenya
Illona was very efficient and helpful and clearly knew the country well.
Ethiopia
We were kept very well informed right up until we left for our trip. We were alerted to a better flight home and had all the documents we needed to take with us.
Ethiopia
No words can accurately describe the service afforded by Bridget. She solved problems that weren't of her making which resulted in saving my holiday!
Ethiopia
Felt extremely well looked after. Overall excellent service. Couldn't be better.
Eritrea
As always with Steppes I was very happy with everything. This was one of my favourite trips. Thank you.
Eritrea
Steppes really seemed genuinely interested in my requirements and did their utmost to ensure that they were met. I couldn't praise them highly enough.
Chad
I cannot fault the efficiency, consideration and imagination of Steppes travel
Botswana
It was clear that Steppes had good in-depth knowledge of the countries visited and any queries we had were quickly answered
Botswana
Bridget is amazing and very knowledgable. We travel very often and rarely use travel agents. We plan on working with Bridget again as we found it very helpful!
Botswana
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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