Upon arriving at the JKIA in Nairobi in the early morning, you will be met by one of our team and transferred to your hotel where you can relax after your international flight. Depending on when you arrive there may be the opportunity to book optional activities such as a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum or Giraffe Center (Extra cost). Dinner for own account at the hotel restaurant.
Today, you will journey to the enchanting Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving around midday. Nestled within the Great Rift Valley, this park is famed for its vast flocks of pink flamingos that once transformed the lake into a shimmering sea of color. Although the water level is now higher due to climate change, leading to fewer flamingos, the park still offers incredible wildlife experiences—especially the chance to see one of the endangered Big Five: the magnificent rhinoceros.
After checking in, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before setting out on an exciting afternoon game drive. Along the lake’s edge, you may spot waterbucks, reedbucks, and graceful zebras. Lake Nakuru is home to both black and white rhinoceroses. The story of the black rhino is particularly moving: in 1987, only two individuals remained in the wild. Thanks to the establishment of a rhino sanctuary within the park and a successful breeding program with a partner from Laikipia, the Kenya Wildlife Service managed to bring the population back from the brink of extinction.
Wildlife viewing here is wonderfully rewarding. Buffalo, leopards, lions, and the elegant Rothschild giraffes are often seen, while several primate species—including playful baboons and striking colobus monkeys—inhabit the park’s forests.
Today, we continue our thrilling safari adventure in the magnificent Maasai Mara Game Reserve—a place whose name means “spotted plains” in the Maasai language. This breathtaking reserve is home to the largest concentration of big mammals in Africa and is widely regarded as one of the continent’s ultimate wildlife sanctuaries. The vast savannahs and gentle rolling hills provide an unparalleled backdrop for the incredible array of wildlife living here in their natural habitat.
The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is also the northern extension of the vast Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, world-famous for the spectacular annual Great Migration. This awe-inspiring natural phenomenon sees thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journeying across the plains in search of fresh grazing grounds.
As we make our way to the camp today, a short but exciting game drive awaits you. Enjoy the rich diversity of sights and keep your eyes peeled for the majestic inhabitants of this unique wilderness—from graceful giraffes and powerful elephants to the sleek big cats that roam these lands.
After an early breakfast, you will embark on exciting game drives both in the morning and the afternoon, exploring the captivating Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The landscape of the reserve is predominantly open savannah, consisting of vast grasslands, with iconic acacia trees dotting the southeastern parts of the park. Gently rolling hills are traversed by the winding Mara and Talek rivers, adding a dynamic beauty to the scenery.
During the rainy season, numerous seasonal rivers flow through the area, transforming the landscape into a vibrant network of waterways. However, these rivers gradually dry up once the rains cease, creating a fascinating cycle that shapes the vegetation and wildlife behavior throughout the year.
The Mara is renowned for hosting Africa’s largest concentration of wildlife. Here, you will encounter the legendary “Big Five” – elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes – alongside vast herds of zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, oribis, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, impalas, hippos, crocodiles, and many others. The reserve boasts one of the highest densities of African lions, including the rare and majestic black-maned lions that lend this region its unique character.
Not only mammals but also the birdlife of the Maasai Mara is extraordinarily rich. Over 400 bird species inhabit this remarkable ecosystem, offering birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts countless opportunities for awe-inspiring sightings.
Spend another day discovering the wildlife of the Maasai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives.
After breakfast and check-out, you set off for Lake Naivasha, the first of the Rift Valley lakes, nestled at the foot of the majestic Mount Longonot. Lake Naivasha holds historical significance as the landing site of East Africa’s first air passengers, who arrived here aboard Imperial Airways’ flying boats.
Following a leisurely lunch at the camp, you will embark on a charming afternoon boat ride across the lake. This is a perfect opportunity to observe the diverse waterbird species and spot hippos in their natural habitat.
A highlight of the day is a visit to Crescent Island, famous as one of the filming locations for the movie Out of Africa. For the shoot, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species were relocated to the island—and these magnificent animals still roam the peaceful landscape today.
To conclude your visit, explore the small arts center on the lakeshore, where you can discover traditional pottery and weaving crafts. Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee at the cozy bakery before heading to your hotel.
Discover Tsavo West - the second largest national park in Kenya with a fascinating history and impressive nature!
Famous are the “man-eating lions of Tsavo”, which became notorious during the construction of the railroad from Mombasa to Uganda. Their dramatic story was immortalized in the film The Ghost and the Darkness.
After a relaxed lunch at the lodge and a restful siesta, you set off on an exciting game drive in the afternoon. Tsavo West also offers ideal conditions for walking safaris with numerous nature trails and the opportunity to explore the impressive Chaimu lava.
An absolute highlight is a visit to the Mzima Springs - a geological wonder where around 230 million liters of crystal-clear water gush out of the dry lava plain every day. You can observe the fascinating underwater world from a glass shelter in the lake: Hippos walking along the bottom and, with a bit of luck, shy crocodiles!
Experience the diverse nature and history of Tsavo West on this unique safari.
Spend another unforgettable day in Tsavo West National Park and enjoy exciting game viewing in the midst of a fascinating, varied landscape. Tsavo West impresses with its volcanic formations, which were created at the same time as the volcanic activity on Kilimanjaro.
The impressive ecosystem of rugged wilderness and savannah includes vast grasslands, dense bushland, majestic acacia woodlands, lush riverine vegetation zones and rocky ridges. A particular highlight is Poacher's Lookout - from here you have a breathtaking view of the lively herds of animals on the plains below.
The animal inhabitants include elephants, rhinos, hippos, lions, cheetahs, leopards and buffalo. Plant and bird species also delight visitors, including the endangered corncrake and the rare Basra reed warbler.
Experience the impressive diversity and wild beauty of Tsavo West up close!
This morning, after breakfast, you will travel to the Swahili Coast and Diani Beach, which is considered one of the best beaches in the world. You will be dropped off at the resort and you and spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the facilities.
Wake up to the sounds of the Indian Ocean for a relaxed breakfast at the main hotel restaurant. After breakfast, embark on excursion to Mombasa old Town and Fort Jesus on extra charge.
Optional Excursion: Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is perhaps the most popular attraction in the Old Town. Constructed by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596 and designed by an Italian architect, Cairati. Fort Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although it is partly damaged, Fort Jesus is a fine display of 16th-century Portuguese military architecture. Originally used by the Portuguese, the imposing structure rests upon a coral ridge at the entrance of the old town harbour, and its strategic location has resulted in many battles for its control. The site has also been used as soldier barracks and a prison before being obtained by the Trustees of the Kenya National Museum in 1958, and the on-site museum was opened in 1962. Enjoy the exhibition of the wide collection of ceramics and pottery reflecting the various cultures that traded along the coast. Within the compound are many fascinating battlements and derelict buildings including the Omani house, a building with Omani jewellery and displays on Swahili life.
After the fort, your guide leads you into alleys of Old Town, the original Mombasa city that was built in the 13th century and still maintains many significant architectural features of the time, such as filigree timber balconies, beautifully carved wooden doors, Indian and colonial designs and more than 20 mosques, and in 1985, the area received protected status as a conservation project to preserve the historically significant buildings.
Spend another day relaxing at the beach or choose to book an optional excursion.
Optional Activity: Kaya Kinodo Cultural Forest Walk
Experience the Kaya coastal culture walk in the sacred forest. Have a chance to see the endangered species of the ora and fauna. Kaya Kinondo is the only forest open to visitors among the nine tribes along the coast. Ceremonies are centred around the most sacred area of the Kaya especially the burial site for the elderly where they believe the spirits dwell.
Departure to the Kaya forest can be in the morning from 10.00am or in the afternoons from 3.00pm. These are the cooler times of the morning and afternoon when temperatures are not too hot.
We have an option of doing this tour by bicycle which is for the fit and strong, the distance from most of the hotels is about 10km of cycling. The most preferred option is by vehicle. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel or villa and drive you to the entrance for the Kaya. From here the Kaya guide takes over and you will have a guided tour of the forest for the next 2 hours.
If you are interested in a traditional dance we can pre-book one for you just after the walk. Drinks and refreshment is served after the walk, then you will be escorted back to your hotel. Proceeds from this trip helps the community in schools and the village hospital. This is a good trip to learn about the coastal communities, you will also spot some animals inside the Forest and leave there having gained knowledge about the culture of the local Digo tribe.
This morning, you will enjoy breakfast before being transferred to Moi International Airport for your return flight home.
