Itinerary Summary
This safari takes you from Kenya s central highlands, to the barren northern frontier of Samburu, the world famous Bird Sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley - Lakes Baringo, Bogoria and Nakuru, then South over the Mau escarpment to Kenya s greatest concentration of game - the Masai Mara. Kenya s Rift Valley escarpments offers some of the most breath taking views whilst the tree hotels which overlook waterholes offer great wildlife viewing in the evening.

Itinerary Description

Day 1:
Nairobi – Tree Top  Aberdare National Park
Depart Nairobi in the morning and depart for the Aberdare ranges arriving in time for lunch at the base hotel, the Outspan in Nyeri town. Transfer to Treetops after lunch.

This world-renowned rustic tree hotel that is dedicated to game viewing, is strategically situated in front of a watering hole and salt lick which attract many animals a relaxing sundowner whilst viewing the game as they gradually approach the waterhole a truly magical experience Dinner and overnight stay will be at Treetops Hotel. Meal plan: L,D.  N/B ONLY SMALL OVERNIGHT BAGS ARE ALLOWED TO TREE HOTELS. THE OTHER LUGGAGE WILL BE STORED AT BASE HOTELS. CHILDREN UNDER 7 YEARS OF AGE ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE TREE HOTELS.

Day 2:
Tree Top - Samburu Game Reserve
Depart after breakfast and drive further north across the equator to Samburu National Reserve to arrive in time for lunch. After lunch proceed for an afternoon game drive. The park is famous as the place for the Samburu semi-nomadic tribesmen, and the endemic reticulated giraffe, the Gravy's zebra gerenuk, beisa Oryx and a host of the big game including elephant and lion. This reserve is becoming one of Kenya's most admired stops after the Maasai  Mara. Dinner and overnight at  Samburu  Serena lodge.  Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 3:
Samburu Game Reserve
Experience a whole day of exciting game viewing in this beautiful rugged terrain with its vast array of wildlife as they frequent the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River. You also have the option to make a cultural visit to a Samburu manyatta to sample some of the customs of the people whose home this is or go fishing and boating. All meals and overnight are at Samburu  Serena lodge. Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 4:
Samburu-Mt Kenya Safari club
After breakfast, depart Samburu Reserve  for the Mt. Kenya Safari Club to enjoy the facilities or take an optional tour to the nearby Sweetwater’s game Reserve a private sanctuary on a 23,000 acre wildlife sanctuary originally established to protect and breed highly-endangered Black Rhinos. In 1994  Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established within the game reserve and  a large group of chimps were moved here from the unstable situation, the only one of its kind in Kenya. You will also visit Morani the tame rhino and the Visitors Information Centre.

Dinner and overnight stay are at Mount Kenya Safari Club. Meal plan:B,L,D.

Day 5:
Lake Baringo via Lake Bogoria, Kesubo Dam
A morning drive via the Nyahururu Falls and down to Lake Bogoria arriving in time for lunch at Lake Bogoria Hotel and later on to the beautiful Lake Baringo, where we enjoy an evening bird walk. The Nyahururu Falls also known as Thomson Falls are shaped by the waters of the Ewaso Narok river and plunge some 72mt into a rift, spraying the dark forest below. In the spectacular lake Bogoria; hot springs and geysers are major attractions.

The lake has been called the new home of the flamingo, with a nomad population of up to two million of these birds. For the bird enthusiasts, Kesubo swamp located north of the park is home to more than 200 species of birds. Lake Baringo is the most Northerly of Kenya s small Rift Valley lakes; creased with papyrus and well developed acacia forest.  This is Kenya's bird watching centre with 450 of the more than 1200 different species native to the country sighted here.
Dinner and overnight stay are at Lake Baringo Club.

Day 6:
Lake Baringo – Lake Nakuru National Park
After a morning boat ride  drive along the floor of the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru and the Nakuru National Park for lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge and an afternoon game drive. Seasonally up to a million flamingos reside along the lake shore giving the lake a pink.  Lake Nakuru National Park  has a fantastic array of bird life and is also a sanctuary for both the black and the white rhino. Also found in the park is the rare Rothschild giraffe, Makalia falls within the park is an additional attraction.  After lunch proceed for an afternoon game drive.  Dinner and overnight stay at Sarova Lion Hill in Nakuru.        Meal plan B,L,D.

Day 7:
Nakuru National Park - Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, we depart for Masai Mara National Reserve through the Great Rift Valley arriving in time for lunch at a tented luxury camp/lodge. Afternoon game drive as you get a feel of this vast game filled reserve. Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge in Maasai Mara.
Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 8 and 9:
Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Two days in Maasai Mara, Kenya's most popular game sanctuary where you will have the best opportunity of spotting the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant).  Wherever you go in the Mara you will see a frequent amount of wildlife such as Maasai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes.  It is also common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are harder to spot but are still reasonably common. An optional visit to a local Maasai village or on one of the days, you can take a balloon flight over the Mara that includes a champagne breakfast in the bush [extra cost]. All meals and overnight stay at Mara Sopa Lodge .  Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 10:
Maasai Mara Game Reserve - Nairobi
After breakfast depart Maasai Mara for Nairobi to arrive late afternoon.  Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Carnivore, a Brazilian style restaurant offering a wide variety of meats, including game, all slow roasted on a charcoal spit and wood fire ovens. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.



2008 Prices in US Dollars,            per person sharing in a double room.

Single Room Supplement per person using room alone
   
Mid season: USD.610 .00                                       High season: USD.675.00  

DEPARTURES:
Daily with a minimum of 2 people.

High season:01st June to 30th June 2008 and 01st November to 15th December 2008.
Peak season: 01st July to 31st October 2008 and 23rd December 2008 to 02nd January 2009.

Optional balloon safari at extra cost
0630 hrs- Take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon provided at extra cost. The balloon package includes a champagne breakfast in the wild! If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience  B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner    

The package includes:

• Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
• All meals as provided in the itinerary.
• Transportation in a chauffeur driven minivan with pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
• Services of an English speaking tour/guide driver
• Game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• All Government taxes and levies.
• Mineral water during game drives only
• 24 hours stand-by contact number
• Guaranteed window seat in the minivan
• Two-way long range high frequency radio communication in each minivan
• On safari accessories in the minivan: - First-aid kit, wildlife books, binoculars,
• cool box and fire extinguisher

Not included:

• International airfares and departure taxes.
• All items of personal nature such as telephone calls, fax, email etc.
• Tips and gratuities to hotel, lodges, camp staff and driver- guide(s)
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Laundry services.
• Holiday supplement over Christmas and New Year.
• Travel Insurance
• Visa and Passport fees

Book for an Exotic Birds & Rift Valley Discovery : 9 Nights /10 Days
Aberdares/Samburu/Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo/Lake Nakuru/Masai Mara