10-Days Kenya Experience
Budget Covers;
• Local flight Nairobi Wilson – Amboseli
• Local flight Masai Mara – Wilson Nairobi
• Ground transport in a 4 x 4 safari Jeep, pop-up roof for game viewing, photography, and touring
• Full board accommodation whilst on safari
• Meal plan as listed
• Accommodation in double/twin room sharing
• All park entrance fees to include government taxes
• Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
• Game drives as detailed in the itinerary
• Masai Village Culture Visit
• Boat Ride at Lake Naivasha
• Safe Drinking Water
• Start and end Nairobi
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to Nairobi Four Points Airport Hotel, where you will overnight, awaiting next day afternoon explorations in Nairobi.
Day 2 – Karen Blixen Museum Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. This afternoon we depart for the beautiful property of the Karen Blixen Museum and take a guided tour. Constructed in 1912, this was home to the iconic Danish author of ‘Out of Africa’ (the movie won many Academy Awards, including Best Picture 1985). The famous author, artist, and poet lived here while setting up her coffee farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills. Karen’s house features rooms designed in both the original decor and with props from the 1985 film. There is also a gift shop. Afterward, we will check-in at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages for two nights. The cottages are located in the midst of one of the oldest formal gardens in Kenya, which has huge jacaranda, candelabra, cactus, bottlebrush, and other trees. Time to relax or enjoy the pool.
Day 3 – Baby Elephants & Rothschild Giraffes After breakfast on the veranda, we will set out for the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The DS Wildlife Trust operates a successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, and we will watch the morning feeding in the nursery. Later we go for lunch at the Talisman Restaurant, http://www.thetalismanrestaurant.com/. Lastly, we will visit the Giraffe Center, a creation of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, established in order to protect the vulnerable Rothschild giraffe, found only in the grasslands of East Africa. Here you can interact with the giraffes as they extend their long tongues to receive food pellets from you.
Day 4 – Flight to Amboseli National Park You will be picked up from the Karen Cottages at 6:00 am and be driven to Wilson Airport for the 7:30 am flight, arriving at Amboseli National Park at 8:05 am. On arrival, you will be met by our driver guide and begin your game viewing adventure, searching for Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Cheetah, Warthog, Ostrich, and many others…. You will arrive at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge where you will have a hot lunch and time to rest. Late afternoon we will set off for an evening game drive, and the chance to see Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the tallest mountain in Africa and, with its the snow-capped peak, dominates the background while we marvel at the wildlife and scenery.
Day 5 – Amboseli National Park Game Viewing Drives This will be a full day of game viewing, with plenty of time to soak up the wildlife and the magnificent scenery. And we’ve allowed time for relaxation as well. We will start the day with an early morning game drive, followed by breakfast at the lodge (conveniently located within the park). Then we will have a mid-morning game drive. After a comfortable lunch, we’ll set out on a late afternoon game drive. Between the wildlife viewing sessions, relax at your Amboseli Serena Lodge, maybe enjoy a swim.
Day 6 – Lake Naivasha After breakfast at the lodge, say goodbye to Amboseli as you head to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake that lies northwest of Nairobi. It is part of the Great Rift Valley. You will arrive in time for a hot lunch at the Naivasha Sopa Lodge. Afternoon at leisure and a sunset boat ride, viewing many birds and hippos in this lake. Later, back to your lodge for dinner.
Day 7 – Maasai Mara Today your safari will take you to the jewel of Kenya’s parks, the world-famous Maasai Mara Game (Wildlife) Reserve. This is Kenya’s number one park and is always on every tourist’s “Must see list”. Full of life with various types of animals and birds, the Maasai Mara crowns the climax of every safari in Kenya. Its rolling grasslands and acacia savannah have time and again been captured on film, with the movie “Out Of Africa” being the most famous. Maasai Mara is home to the “Big Five” (Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, and Rhino) and over 450 bird species. Your home for the next three nights will be at Mara Ashnil Luxury Tented Camp, located within the National Reserve, close to the Mara River, ideal for game viewing. The camp and its staff offer first-class customer service. After lunch and some time for relaxation, your driver/guide will take you for an afternoon game drive in search of the shy and elusive leopard, the solitary and ill-tempered Rhino, lions, cape buffalos, cheetah, and many others. As the sun starts to edge its way into the African horizon it will be the perfect opportunity to photograph the beautiful Mara landscape.
Day 8 – Game Drive and Village Visit We will set out before sunrise for a morning game drive to catch up with the wild animals in these wee hours. Later we will be back at the camp for a leisurely breakfast. Mid-morning you may take a swim in the pool under the African sun or just sit back and relax. Lunch at the Camp will be followed by an afternoon visit to the Maasai Village. The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best-known local populations due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, and their distinctive customs and dress. The Maasai speak the Maa language, a member of the Nilo-Saharan family that is related to Dinka and Nuer. Interact with them as you learn more about their traditions.
Day 9 – Maasai Mara – 3 Game Drives Our full day in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve will be on the hunt for the big cats – lions, leopards, and cheetah. We may witness a dramatic hunt, a solitary leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree or a herd of elephants protecting their young from predators. The reserve is regarded as the most spectacular wildlife viewing area in Kenya with over 95 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. Game viewing is never dull in the Mara and patience is rewarded with unique sightings, such as a pride of lion stalking prey. All meals will be served at the Lodge.
Day 10 – Nairobi After breakfast in the Camp, you will enjoy your last game viewing opportunity en route to Maasai Mara Keekrok Airstrip for your 11:15 am flight to Nairobi, arriving at 1:00 pm. On arrival, you will be picked up by our company representative and be driven to Tamarind Tamambo Restaurant for a leisurely lunch and any last-minute shopping. Later you will be transferred to the airport for your safe journey home.