12 Days Best of Kenya Safari

Day 1: Nairobi - Aberdare's National Park

0730hrs: Depart Nairobi in the morning for Aberdare's National park in the dense forest of the Rift Valley arriving in time for lunch at the Outspan Golf & Country Club. Afternoon transfer by lodge vehicle to treetops lodge for floodlit game viewing.

Major Attractions

Night viewing of wildlife at the Treetops Lodge.
Aberdare’s is home to the first tree hotel in Africa (The Tree Tops) with memories in the world history - In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II learnt of her ascendancy to the British throne while she was a guest at Treetops lodge following the death of her father, King George II. At night you can watch wild animals at the watering hole facing the terrace of the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Treetops lodge.

 

Day 2: Aberdare’s National Park - Samburu National Park

After breakfast proceed to Samburu National Reserve cross Equator, travel through changing landscapes to the rugged-semi region, though harsh but having unique species like the unusual reticulated giraffe, gravy's Zebra, Beisa, Oryx, gerenuk. These species are rarely found elsewhere. The bird life is especially notable. Arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive is taken.

Samburu National Park lies in the hot and arid fringes of the arid northern region of Kenya. The Reserve is within the lands of the colorful Samburu people, closes relatives of the Maasai, and boasts a number of wildlife species rarely found elsewhere.

 These include the Grevy zebra, the reticulated giraffe and the Beisa Oryx all species found only north of the equator. The long-necked gerenuk is a graceful antelope, which spends much of its time in a bi-pedal stance seeking succulence among the withered scrub, which dots this harsh terrain. Other animals commonly seen are elephants, lions, cheetahs, gerenuks, buffalos, grants gazelles, Dik Dik’s and waterbucks. There are over 350 varieties of birds. These include the famous Somali Ostriches (distinguished by their unique purple/blue legs during mating season), kingfishers, humming birds, eagles, guinea fowls and vultures.

Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Samburu Camp.

 

Day 3: Samburu National Park

Spend full day with early morning and afternoon game drives. Optional visit to Samburu villages at an extra cost payable directly. Meals and overnight at Ashnil Samburu Camp.

 

Day 4: Samburu National Park - Lake Nakuru National Park

0730hrs: Depart Samburu after breakfast and proceed south to Lake Nakuru, which is often referred to as the pink lake for its great masses of pink flamingos. Arrive in time for lunch. Here you can also see water buck, leopards impala, Buffalo and is currently a rhino sanctuary.

Lake Nakuru National park lies in the Great Rift Valley, 140km north-west of Nairobi. The ecosystem comprises of the lake, surrounded by mainly wooded and bushy grasslands. The park supports a wide ecological diversity with Flamingos (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds being the major attractions of the area. The ecosystem provides for about 56 different species of mammals including the white rhino and buffaloes and a variety of terrestrial birds numbering nearly 450 species.

Afternoon game drive is taken till dusk. Dinner and overnight at Flamingo Hill Tented Camp

 

Day 5: Lake Nakuru National Park - Masai Mara Game Reserve

Leave Nakuru after breakfast and head for Masai Mara National Reserve which is famous for its great herds of wild game. All animals found in Kenya among the “big five” are found here. Arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon game drives.

The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savannah- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures.

Dinner and overnight at Keekorock Lodge.

 

Day 6: Masai Mara Game Reserve

Spend full day with morning and afternoon game drive. Leisure at lodge or visit the Masai villages- at a small fee paid separately. Meals and overnight at Keekorock Lodge.

 

Day 7:Masai Mara Game Reserve -Amboseli National Park

Depart Mara after breakfast and proceed to Amboseli via Nairobi for lunch. Arrive to the park at the foot of the snow capped Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Afternoon game drive is taken.

Attractions in Amboseli include: Large Herds of Elephants, Mt. Kilimanjaro – the highest free standing mountain in the world forms a back drop for photographing, Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants, buffaloes, hippos and a variety of water fowls like pelican, Egyptian goose etc.

After dinner on a clear day, you may spend the evening around a camp fire while enjoying the scenery of an open African Sky illuminated by an amazing array of Stars.

Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge.

 

Day 8: Amboseli National Park

Spend full day with morning and afternoon game drives in this photogenic park. Meals and overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge.

 

Day 9:  Amboseli National Park - Tsavo West National park

After breakfast drive from Amboseli to Tsavo National Park which is the largest park in Kenya arriving in time for lunch in Tsavo west Kilaguni Lodge then proceed for afternoon game drive.

Places of interest include:

MZIMA SPRING:   The Mzima spring is a peaceful oasis at the heart of red-dusty Tsavo and this magical place is not to be missed. The pure water of the three Mzima's pools filtered by the porous sponge-like soil of the Chyulu and the Shetani lava flow brings life to a unique ecosystem at only 40 km away from the Chyulu Hills. With a daily supply of more than 250 millions liters of fresh water, the pool provides an oasis of green, and heaven for fishes, birds, monkeys, crocodiles and hippos. The main attractions are the two nature trails leading to an underwater viewing tank build to allow visitors to watch hippos - if your are very lucky - and fishes.

WILDLIFE IN THE PARK:   Tsavo West National Park offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world with large herds of dusty-red elephants, hippopotamus, giant crocodiles, black rhinoceros and African buffalos. The park includes also the lion, the cheetah, and the leopard. The "big five" can be seen in Tsavo. Other animals commonly seen in the park are the zebra, the antelopes and gazelles, the mongoose, the hyrax, the dik-dik and the lesser kudu. Birdlife is abundant as more than 600 species of bird have been recorded.

Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

 

Day 10: Tsavo West National Park - Tsavo East National Park

Take a pre breakfast game drive and after breakfast depart driving to Tsavo East arriving in time for lunch at Ashnil Aruba. Later in late afternoon take an evening game drive.

Tsavo East National Park, covering an area of about 11,747 sq. km, is a vast, flat, monotonous and semi-arid area lying equidistant between Nairobi and Mombasa and located opposite to Tsavo West National Park.

The park is a must for professional photographers for its landscapes, its lighting and is famous for its large herds of big mammals (such as elephants, buffalos and lions).

Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Aruba.

 

Day 11: Tsavo East National Park

Spend full day in the park visiting places of interest including:

YATTA PLATEAU:   This impressive lava flow, one of the largest and longest of the world (300 km long and 10 km wide), is lying along the Athi River. The road starting from Mtito Andei gate pass over the plateau to offer splendid views across this vast arena of plains fringed by riverine forests. The road going from Sala gate to Manyani gate has splendid views on the Yatta escarpment. The plateau is a paradise for ornithologists and sundowner lovers. It was formed 11-13.6 million years ago by a stream of lava flow of phonolite finding its way into an ancient river valley. Since, the surrounding land was lowered by erosion leaving the lava standing up as a small escarpment.

Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Aruba.

 

Day 12: Tsavo East National Park - Nairobi

0700 hrs: Depart for Nairobi after breakfast, arriving in time for a complementary lunch at The Carnivore Restaurantthe only Known Restaurant known to serve a selection of game meat. Later in the afternoon, you will be transferred to JKIA Airport to board homebound flight.

Cost per person sharing based on 2 pax

Low season	01 April – 30 June /	US$ 2980
Peak season	01 Jul - 30 Oct	US$  3600
High season	03 Jan – 30 March / 01 Nov 20 Dec	US$ 3396
Christmas	21st Dec - 02 Jan	Enquire

 

Cost Includes:	Excludes:
Full Board Accommodation in standard Lodges.	International flight into East Africa
Transport based on a 4X4 safari Van with pop up roof for game viewing and photography	Gratuities
Game drives as per the Itinerary	Extras i.e. drinks, laundry etc.
Park entrance fee	Departure taxes - Visa and any related fees
Transfer to/from Airport on arrival and departure date	All that not mentioned in what's included
Service of an English speaking professional safari/driver guide
All meals while on safari
Government taxes