Tour Summary: In This tour you will discover the contrasting sceneries that define the Kenyan bio-diversity, wildlife conservancies and cultures of some of the most intriguing people, the Masai. This tour includes visits to The Masai Mara, The Great Rift Valley Lakes, The Abedares mountain ranges, Mt Kenya forests and the rugged semi arid northern game parks of Samburu and Buffalo Springs.
During the tour you will experience some of the day-to-day life of the Masai,  the Samburu (a close relative of the Masai) and the Kikuyu peoples- visit their villages, homesteads and farms and get a first hand insight of their livelihoods. The itinerary has been designed to cover a wide range of environments, game parks and cultural experiences - all at a comfortable pace. Accommodation ranges from a mix of hotel, lodge, easy camping and bungalow accommodation.

 

Daily  itinerary: African Group Safari

Day 1:
Drive from Nairobi via the Masai town of Ewaso Ngiro for lunch and colorful market visit. Then into the bush to a small Masai homestead ("boma") for insights into their fascinating culture and way of life. Overnight camp under acacia trees by a small spring - dinner round camp-fire, starlit skies and sleep to the sounds of the African night - often lions and hyenas roaring in the distance.
Day 2:
Optional 2-3 hour walking safari along small river course and through the savanna for wildlife viewing with the Masai as guides and interpreters of their lands, where you will often walk amongst giraffe, impala, zebra and wildebeest. Drive to a natural hot spring at Maji Moto (where you can take a dip or just dip your toe in). Our visits here support a primary school and we can arrange visits during term times. Then on to our secluded camp in the Masai Mara and late afternoon game drive. Or option to hike all or part-way up nearby Naumare Hills to watch an invariably stunning sunset over the Mara. Overnight in our comfortable permanent tented safari camp.

Day 3:
Game drives. Ecologically the Masai Mara is an extension of the great Serengeti plains and teems with wildlife. We spend all today in the reserve on game drives and this is where you can see elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, leopard, zebra, giraffe, hippo, crocodile and a whole ark-full of other animals. Our expert naturalist guides and 4WD vehicles ensure you have the very best chance of seeing them all. From August to October, the Mara is home to the great wildebeest migration. Overnight again in our permanent tented safari camp.
Day 4:
Lake Elementaita. After another morning game drive in the Mara (to spot any animals you may have missed yesterday), we drive up and over the forested Mau Escarpment, and descend to Lake Elementaita, a soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and overnight in small bungalows right by the lakeside with thousands of pink flamingos just a few meters away.
Day 5:
Lake Nakuru. Early start for short drive to Lake Nakuru. This is a smallish but spectacularly picturesque park with abundant wildlife and where there is an excellent chance of seeing the rare rhino - both black and white species, vast herds of buffalo and the unusual Rothschild's giraffe. It has also had nearly 400 species of birds recorded within its boundaries. Return to bungalows again at the Elementaita lakeside for overnight.

Day 6:
A day exploring the lakeside environment. There won’t be time for everything but there are options to bathe in hot springs (with amazing heat tolerant fish); explore an archaeological site where early humans sat and made stone tools; visit nearby Kikuyu farms and homesteads. There is also a possibility of an overnight stay in a villager’s house for fascinating and personal insights into the lives of the locals, (no extra cost but advise in advance please). Or relax in the afternoon watching the flamingos and pelicans, while the sun goes down over the lake. Bungalows overnight.
Day 7:
Lake Naivasha. After early breakfast drive to Lake Naivasha, a vast freshwater lake, famed for its many hippos and bird life - particularly fish eagles, love-birds and pelicans - and we take a morning boat trip to see them. Afternoon and overnight spent relaxing in one of the more luxurious lodges around Lake Naivasha as a sort of mid-trip break.
Day 8:
Mutubio Park. Leisurely drive to the Aberdares arriving at Mutubio Park gate for lunch. The Abedares Range towers between the Rift Valley and Mt Kenya, more than 4,000m at its highest point. It is high altitude moorland with spectacular views and much of the strange Afro/Alpine vegetation that is found high up on Mt Kenya and Kilimanjaro. After visits to several spectacular waterfalls and opportunistic game viewing (lion, elephant and buffalo abound up here) we overnight at Kiandongoro campsite on the eastern side of the range.
Day 9:
Salient. Early breakfast then game drive in the Salient - this is the location of the Tree Tops lodge and waterhole - made famous when in 1952 a certain Elizabeth was staying here, and on the death of her father became queen of England. Picnic lunch then exit through Treetops Gate, drive through the local farms at Mweiga to arrive at Mountain Rock Lodge for afternoon tea. Opportunities for a short nature walk around the forest, birdwatching, medicinal plant study, search for monkeys and horse riding. Or relax in the extensive lodge grounds Overnight in the Mountain Rock Lodge.
Day 10:
Mau Mau caves. An excursion into the virgin montane forest and a morning walk through the towering trees to the Mau Mau caves. Colobus monkeys crash around the branches, scarlet winged turacos flash through the forest canopy and you may see buffalo in the clearings. The Mau Mau fighters used the area for shelter during their freedom struggle from the British in the 1950's and en-route our naturalist guide will reveal their forest foods, herbal medicines and survival techniques providing an understanding of the history and ecology of these forests. Return for lunch then cultural visits to local villages and subsistence farms of the Kikuyu people living on the lower slopes of the mountain. Afternoon tea with the villagers. Overnight Mountain Rock Lodge.
Day 11:
Drive north to Samburu. Located in the semi-arid Northern Frontier District this area has an atmosphere of mystery and adventure amid a stark and beautiful landscape. The permanent water from the Ewaso Nyiro river ensures an abundance of wildlife concentrates in the reserves at all times. Afternoon game drive and then bush camp overnight at our well-selected site along the River.
Day 12:
Buffalo Springs National Parks. Full day game driving in Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Parks. These parks teem with wildlife. Some of the unique wildlife species found only here or further north include the oryx, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and the Somali ostrich. Picnic lunch with opportunity to swim at the most beautifully sited natural spring pool in the world - in my opinion. Return to Samburu campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 13:
Morning game drive. Lunch, then cultural activities in a true Samburu manyatta on the edge of the reserve. An opportunity to interact with this colourful tribal people and learn about their culture and lifestyle. Drive back to Mountain Rock Lodge arriving in the late afternoon for overnight.
Day 14:
Depart. After breakfast transfer to Nairobi arriving before 13.00. This is convenient for most onward travel plans; to the coast, Arusha in Tanzania, or for afternoon/evening return flights.

	Season Dates
Low season	01 Apr - 30 June / 01 Nov-14 Dec
Peak Season	01 Jul - 31 Oct
High season	01Jan - 31 Mar /15 Dec - 31 Dec.

 

We offer competitive rates and prices that include any offers available during that season!