Day 1
Nairobi/Amboseli: (250 km Approx 4 hrs)
Morning drive to Amboseli National Park; lunch, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight at your lodge/Camp
Amboseli National Park is the second most popular park after Maasai Mara, is 260 km (160 miles) from Nairobi, on the border with the neighboring country of Tanzania. Its magnificent location is at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Combined with its excellent opportunities to view Kenya’s animals, it is one of the most-visited safari parks in Kenya.
Day 2
At Amboseli: Full Day with Game Drives
Experience the majestic view of Kilimanjaro with morning and afternoon game drives, lunch, dinner and overnight at your lodge/Camp
Amboseli is best known for its great herds of elephants. You’ll often find many of them standing knee-deep in the water, spraying, eating and at the same time bathing in the swamps to cool off. The park is a relatively small park, hence animal spotting is easy and fast. The game is plentiful; you will see cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, different types of gazelle and other plains game, prolific bird life up to approximately 425 species and it’s all set against the amazing backdrop of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Other attractions of the park include opportunities to meet the Maasai people to experience their traditional way of life and dances.
Weather permitting you shall get a view of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro with its snow capped peaks where its background offers a good photographic scenery coupled with wild animals on the ground.
Day 3
Amboseli/Aberdares National Park: (410 km Approx 7-8 hrs)
Morning drive to Aberdares National Park via Nairobi with lunch enroute, in the evening transfer to the Ark Lodge, dinner and overnight game viewing from the verandahs of the lodge.
The Ark Lodge
The Ark Lodge is nestled deep in the forests of Aberdares National Park on the path of an ancient elephant migratory route between the Aberdares Mountains and Mount Kenya and is strategically located right in front of a watering hole and salt lick which is visited by a variety of animals. Often seen here are the elephants, rhino, warthog, bush pig, waterbuck, duiker, bongo, and reedbuck. Occasionally a leopard or a giant forest hog may be seen.
Day 4
Aberdares National Park/Samburu: (220 km Approx 4-5 hrs)
Morning drive to Samburu National Reserve; lunch afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight at your lodge/Camp
Samburu is fiercely beautiful with its arid savannahs watered by the lovely Uaso Nyiro River. The highlights of Samburu game reserve is the spectacular scenic beauty, rivers and forests.
Day 5
At Samburu: Full Day Game Drives
Experience the unique Samburu; with morning and afternoon game drives, lunch, dinner and overnight at your lodge/Camp
Samburu is home to species only found north of the equator, the famous (Samburu Special Five) very rare species which include; Beisa Oryx, Grevy’s zebra, Gerenuk, blue-necked Somali ostrich, and Reticulated giraffe. The herds of elephants in this reserve will stun you. The Ewaso Nyiro river provides an excellent spot for game viewing. The reserve has a wealth of wildlife which includes leopard, hippo, elephant, lion, and crocodile in the Ewaso Nyiro River. Over 365 species of birds have been identified in the reserve. It is also an area where the local people have a rich and colorful heritage.
Day 6
Samburu/Naivasha: (380 km Approx 6-7 hrs)
Morning drive via Nairobi to the floor of the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. Lunch, afternoon boat ride & visit to the crescent island, dinner and overnight at your lodge/Camp.
Lake Naivasha – one of the freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley to see the lake’s dense population of hippos and birds on a boat. Crescent Island is about 15 minutes by boat away from the shores of Lake Naivasha. It is a private game sanctuary, which is home to zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, vervet, monkeys, waterbuck and giraffe and one of the few places where one can wander on foot amidst wild animals as there are no predators.
Day 7
Lake Naivasha/Maasai Mara: (240 km Approx 4-5 hrs)
Morning drive across the Rift Valley down to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Lunch, afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight at your lodge/Camp
The Masai Mara Game Reserve is one of the best places in Africa for wildlife viewing. Game drives are a great way to experience the park and they take place all year round. If the big cats are what you’re looking for on your Kenyan safari, you are guaranteed to spot them at the Mara. All of the “Big Five” animals (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo) can be spotted here.
Wildebeest Migration
Over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and several species of antelope make an annual circular tour between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya in search of greener pastures. The trek happens with a fair share of animal drama as the migrating herds attract the attention of hungry predators – the hyenas and lions that prey on the lame and sick animals along the way. The animals trek for four months (July-October) towards the Mara.
Day 8
At Maasai Mara: Full Day with Game Drives
Experience the magical Maasai Mara: with morning and afternoon game drives, lunch, dinner and overnight at your lodge/Camp
Bird Watching
For bird lovers, the Mara birds come in every color and size. More than 400 bird species have already been recorded, including birds of prey.
Maasai Cultural Tours
You will have an opportunity to visit the maasai village where you get a chance to interact with the Maasai people in their traditional setting and experience their culture. Often the Maasai morans (young Maasai warriors) will perform their traditional dance. (Maasai cultural tour – optional at an extra US$30 per person)
Hot Air Balloon rides
For the adventurous tourist who wants a sky-high view of wildlife from the hot air, balloon rides and safaris are the best way to travel over the massive Masai Mara park. Hot air balloon rides last approximately an hour and a half and often take place at dawn. (Hot air balloon safari ride – optional at an extra US$450 per person).
Day 9
Maasai Mara/Nairobi: (265 km Approx 5-6 hrs)
This morning, you will have your breakfast at your lodge/camp, and check out. You will then drive back to Nairobi. On arrival, you will drive to Carnivore Restaurant for a farewell lunch or dinner. Later, you’ll transfer to JKIA for your flight back home or you will be dropped off at your pick up hotel.
