Kenya Safari for Party of 3 in July/August

Day notes

Your host will be on hand when you arrive at the airport and will take you to the Panafric Hotel - Named in honor of the Pan African movement, Sarova Panafric was inaugurated by Kenya’s first president, H.E. Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on the 5th January 1965 and truly represents Neo Africa. Enjoy leisurely meals at the lively and warm Flame tree restaurant, once the watering hole for freedom fighters, spies and foreign correspondents and named after the Flame Tree that holds pride of place in the gardens.

Day notes

After breakfast we drive to Sarova Shaba Game Lodge. A lovely property is perched on the saddle of a hill on the banks of the lazy Uaso Nyiro River, with an outlook over the plains, and the distant mountains as a backdrop. During your stay here you can take a dip in the pool, and after a day of safari activities enjoy sundowners while watching traditional Samburu warrior dances. Apart from enjoying a full day of game drives, accompanied by our expert guides, in search of a wide range of animals. For an unforgettable experience, you could take a guided nature walk. Birding is also excellent in this area.

Samburu National Reserve is situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in the dry northern reaches of Kenya. It is a hot and arid area characterized by a parched landscape of hills and plains.

The Ewaso Nyiro River is the lifeblood of the area, especially during the dry season when it draws wildlife to its waters. The presence, however, of the river - and its shady trees - attracts plenty of wildlife. Giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck and zebra (including the endangered Grevy's zebra) from the surrounding savannah plains trek to the water. Lion, leopard and cheetah are also quite easy to spot, thanks in part to the lack of grass cover.

Samburu is also home to large herds of elephants, and the reserve is well known for providing the opportunity to see wildlife that only lives in the dry north of Kenya. Be on the lookout for gerenuks - these odd, yet distinguished looking, gazelle have long necks, and stand on their hind legs to feed.

For the birders, around 365 species have been recorded and the river area is particularly rewarding.

Day notes

After breakfast this morning, it will be time to head out to Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is world-renowned for its millions of flamingos. Watch them from Baboon Cliff and be mesmerized by the sea of pink. The park also serves as Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary and is home to both white and black species. Protection is also offered to rare Rothschild giraffes – a 188-km area around the lake is fenced off to protect them. You’ll also be able to explore the beautiful Malaika Waterfall and, of course, Lake Nakuru. This is truly a special experience as tonight you’ll stay at the Flamingo Hills Tented Camp. The property features excellent chalets with private verandas, modern plumbing and electric power. Guests frequently rave about its cuisine. Wildlife, including lions and baboons will often come right up to the camp, offering rare, close-up glimpses that can’t be experienced elsewhere.

Day notes

When those of us in the west hear the term “African Safari” the picture that comes to mind is the Maasai Mara Reserve, which is where you are going today. Here is where you’ll find the grasslands, the lions, the jackals, the wildebeests and more. This will also be your opportunity to get to know the Maasai, the semi-nomadic natives of Kenya. These cattle-herding people have managed to preserve their way of life through the centuries; visiting them is an enriching experience. Tonight you’ll stay at the lovely Sarova Mara Game Camp. Guests can dine in a Maasai inspired dining room with fabulous views of the rolling plains.

You will be glad to have a second day to explore the Maasai Mara Reserve and to stay at the Keekorok Lodge. Today you’ll have both a morning and an afternoon game drive and you’ll marvel at how completely different they are. You’ll have the chance to see the continent’s largest prides of lions as well as many herds of antelopes, buffaloes, cheetahs, hyenas, wildebeests and zebras. If you’re able to visit between July and October, you may be able to witness the Great Migration, when huge herds of Thomson’s gazelles, wildebeests and zebras travel in mass from the Serengeti. It is an unforgettable experience that is not to be missed. You’ll also have another night under the flowering trees and bamboo groves of the camp, where luxury awaits. A perfect place to spend your last night on safari.

Day notes

You will start this morning with one last real adventure,  a pre-dawn game to see how the African world wakes up.  It’s a rare chance to see the nocturnal world and a sight few people ever witness.  It’s well worth waking up so early – especially knowing there’s a breakfast feast to come.  It’s a fitting repast to end your African safari, so take your time and enjoy it.  Afterward, you’ll have time to hunt for the perfect souvenirs for your loved ones back home (and perhaps a lovely memento for yourself).  You may also want to explore downtown Nairobi a little or taste one last African meal.  When you’re ready, your host will drive you to the airport and see that you get to your flight in plenty of time.  We want the last hours of your Kenya safari to be as relaxed and trouble-free as the rest of the trip has been.