Itinerary Type - Lodge Safari
Destination - Kenya

Itinerary Summary

Starting from the early July to late September, every year over a million wildebeests and Zebras followed by the big cats cross over the rolling plains of the Masai Mara setting the most spectacular marvel of mother nature that cannot be witnessed in any other part of the world. This undoubtedly becomes the best times to visit Africa. On this safari we will visit the most popular parks and game reserves of Kenya. First you will head north to the lush forest of the Aberdare mountain range, where you will observe the many forest species that come to the waterhole. From the Aberdare you will head north to the famous Samburu / Buffalo Springs game reserves where you experience the beautiful dry northern country, which is home to wildlife only seen north of the equator: namely grevy's zebra, beisa oryx and reticulated giraffe. Other residents are gerenuk gazelle, the Somali ostrich, 'big five', and the more common savannah game. From Samburu, the journey now heads back south with one night spent at Sweetwaters luxury tented camp situated on the equator and one night Lake Nakuru national park famous for its spectacular bird life. The last part of the safari takes you to Masai Mara, where the wildebeest migration will be taking place. Literally, millions of wildebeest and zebra move north from the plains of Tanzania's Serengeti savannah during July and August in search of the lush grass following the rain pattern they cross the Tanzania/ Kenya border to the rich Kenyan Maasai Mara in search of the 4,000 tons of grass they eat each day. By September and early October they start winding their way back to Tanzania. The sight of the mass migration is awesome. Many do not survive this trip as they expire from exhaustion and injury or fall prey to hungry crocodile in the struggle to cross the Talek and Mara rivers. As the migration unfolds, the wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are trailed by the predators- lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena and scavenger birds. It is a wonderful event of a life time and the most picturesque encounters.

Day 1: - Nairobi
This road safari starts in Nairobi. On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International airport, you will be met by our Company representative and greeted and escorted to a city hotel where you will be assisted with check-in procedures. Overnight at the hotel at Jacaranda hotel
Meal Plan; Bed and breakfast.

Day 2: Nairobi city tour
After breakfast, you will be taken for a city tour of Nairobi which includes visit to the Nairobi Museum, Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre, and various other landmarks of Kenya. During the city tour and its surroundings you see Uhuru Park, Kenya's Parliament House, the Kenyatta Conference Centre and City Square. This evening, we assemble for a safari briefing before proceeding to the famous Carnivore Restaurant for a mouth-watering barbecue "Welcome to Kenya" dinner. Return to Jacaranda hotel for overnight stay. Meal plan Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Day 3: - Nairobi - The Aberdares (Tree Hotel)
After breakfast, depart Nairobi and drive north to Kenyas central highlands through pineapple, coffee, and sisal plantations to the lower slopes of the Aberdares arriving at your base hotel, the Outspan hotel for lunch. You leave the main luggage at the base hotel and continue with just an overnight bag to one of the famous "tree hotels", deep in the Aberdares Forest. This world-renowned rustic tree hotel is dedicated to game viewing and strategically situated in front of a watering hole and salt lick which attract many animals. Different species of animals are active during the night compared with during the day and many shy species such as rhinos will only approach the lodge at night. It is fascinating to watch their behaviour around the watering hole as they take turns in drinking from the watering hole and eating the salt which is put out for them at the 'salt lick'. On a clear morning a spectacular view towards jagged outline of Mount Kenya can be seen. Overnight at the Treetops Lodge.

Day 4: - Aberdares - Samburu Wilderness Lodge
After breakfast, drive north and pass Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain at 17,000 feet (5,199 metres). The massive size of this mountain and its gleaming and eroded snow-covered multiple peaks means that Mount Kenya dominates the surrounding countryside and even affects the local climate. This is also the traditional homeland of the Kikuyu people, the largest of Kenya's 40 recognized tribes. The Kikuyu believe that their god, Ngai, lives on Mount Kenya and so they build their homes with the doors facing towards the mountain, to welcome their god in. Cross the Equator again into the northern hemisphere on your way to Samburu Game Reserve in a semi-desert area of Kenya. Samburu is located on the Ewaso Nyiro River. In this dry land the forested riverbanks are excellent areas to see wildlife, as all animals congregate here to drink, especially at dusk and early in the morning. Have an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Samburu lodge.

Day 5: Samburu Game Reserve
Early morning and afternoon game drives in Samburu Game Reserve, which covers 40 square miles (104 square kilometres).Ololokwe Table Mountain forms a dramatic backdrop to our game viewing today. In Samburu you are sure to see elephants, warthogs and buffalo, which can be seen in many of Kenya's parks, but the park is famous for animals not found in other areas. These include the Grevy's Zebra, which has much narrower and more numerous stripes than the common (Burchell's) zebra. Samburu is also home to the third of Kenya's giraffe species - the Reticulated Giraffe. This is also the best chance to see the blue-legged Somali Ostrich , the long-necked Gerenuk gazelle and the straight-horned Beisa Oryx antelope. Down by the river you may see crocodiles and hippos, as well as many beautiful birds. Dinner and overnight at Samburu lodge.

Day 6: - Samburu – Sweetwaters (Chimpanzee Sanctuary)
After breakfast depart Samburu and drive back south to the Equator and the slopes of Mount Kenya. Although situated on the Equator, Mount Kenya is permanently covered in glaciers and snow. You will arrive at the Sweetwaters Game Reserve in time for lunch. This very special 23,000 acre wildlife sanctuary was originally established to protect and breed highly-endangered Black Rhinos. In 1994 the Jane Goodall Institute established the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary within the game reserve and moved a large group of chimps here from the unstable situation in their native West Africa. Have an afternoon game drive in the reserve and tour the Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Overnight at Sweetwaters Tented Camp. Optional Camel Ride or a Night Game drive.

Day 7: - Sweetwaters - Rift Valley Lakes (Lake Nakuru)
This morning you drive across the equator and descend the Nyandarua Escarpment into the Great Rift Valley and visit Thomson Falls to arrive at Lake Nakuru in time for lunch. Take a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park often described as the world's biggest ornithological spectacle. This lake is famous for its flocks of over one million Greater and Lesser Flamingoes. The abundance of these birds is due to the alkaline mineral salts in the water, which support vast blooms of the blue-green algae and diatoms on which the flamingoes feed. As well as seeing many large game animals such as zebras, elephants and gazelles, this is the first place in Kenya to be selected for rhino reserve, highly endangered animals and are the second largest land animals in the world. Also one of the few places where we can see Rothschild's giraffes. Overnight at the Lake Nakuru Lodge

Day 8: - Lake Nakuru - Lake Naivasha
After a morning game drive, depart for the Masai Mara located further south into the Great Rift Valley. The Valley floor in Kenya is studded with volcanoes and seven lakes. These lakes fluctuate greatly in size according to the quality of the rains during the monsoons each year, sometimes drying up altogether. Driving south along the Great Rift Valley you will arrive at Lake Naivasha for lunch. Even though this lake is on the floor of the Valley, it is still situated at about 6,200 feet (1,890 metres) above sea level. Naivasha presents a mystery - even though the lake has no apparent outflows, its waters are fresh. The other lakes of the Valley have the only way of losing water by evaporation but they are very alkaline. Being the largest sources of fresh water in Kenya, Lake Naivasha attracts a huge variety of birds in large numbers. It is a bird-watchers' paradise. Dinner and overnight at Naivasha Sopa Lodge.

Day 9: - Naivasha - Maasai Mara Game Reserve (West)
After breakfast depart for Maasai Mara Game reserve. The vast, open grasslands of the Serengeti-Mara are home to over 3 million large mammals. These include over 1.4 million wildebeest, which migrate in an enormous, straggling herd each year between the southern part of the Serengeti to the northern part and back again. With them move other herbivores such as gazelles and zebra, also looking for the best grass. Along the way they provide food for big predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs. Here we learn about and see first hand the intricate web of dependency that binds the different species together. Each animal has adapted to its own niche and to the other animals that surround it. Here you see Nature at its most subtle and, sometimes, most cruel as each animal struggles to survive and reproduce. On our morning and afternoon game drives in the Maasai Mara you have a very good chance of seeing all the major Plains animals including the “big 5” lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhino, hyena, cheetah, jackal, warthog and many species of antelope. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Mara Tented Lodge.

Day 10 and 11: - Maasai Mara Game Reserve (West)
You continue to explore this miraculous area on our morning and afternoon game drives. This is one of the most spectacular sights in the world. You encounter and learn about the Masai, a proud tribal people struggling to preserve their traditions in the face of modernization and at sunset visit a section of the Mara River where you may see many hippos. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge.


Day 12 – Maasai Mara Game Reserve Back To Nairobi and Depart
After breakfast, say 'Kwaheri' - a Swahili word for bye to Masai Mara and leisurely drive back to Nairobi, arriving at around late afternoon. Day rooms has been reserved until 1800 hrs for your comfort at The Stanley Hotel. Optional Dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant - time permitting. Later transferred to the airport for your home bound/ departure flight having enjoyed this great wildlife trail.

Additional Information

This tour is valid July - October yearly
IMPORTANT: Prices are Subject to Change Without Prior Notice. Please book in good time to secure accommodation.
HIGH SEASON DATES: 05th January - 31st March and 01st July to 15 December (Excludes Xmas Holidays)
LOW SEASON DATES: 01st April to 30th June of Every Year (Excluding Easter). Rates for Major Holidays are available On Request.

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

Single Room Supplement: per person using the room alone

Mid season: USD.730.00 High season: USD.775.00

DEPARTURES:
Daily with a minimum of 2 people.

Mid season:01st June to 30th June 2008 and 01st November to 15th December 2008.
High 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.

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