On arrival at Nairobi International you will be met and transferred to the Ole Sereni Hotel for an overnight stay.
B&B
Transfer
At Ole Sereni hotel or the airport you will be met by a representative of Destinations Africa and introduced to your driver/guide who will accompany you throughout the trip. You will then be driven North towards Mt Kenya, which looms above the plains at a height of almost 5,200 metres.
Today you arrive at the tree hotel with only a small overnight bag - having deposited your main luggage at the base hotel. The afternoon is spent comfortably watching the stream of animals that come to the floodlit waterhole and saltlick. The smaller animals will come earlier, perhaps to avoid larger animals that come later and throw their weight around, particularly the elephant. This animal trumpets noisily, drinks through its trunk and splashes water on itself then proceeds to have a mud bath blowing the dust a bout and causing much discomfort to other animals. The rhino avoids the elephant and usually comes to drink later at night when most animals have left. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation at The Ark - Standard room (Full Board)
Today we will rise early for breakfast before transferring to Samburu National Reserve with an en route game drive. As you enter the reserve, you will be able to see two beautiful mountains, Koitogor and Ololokwe, which form the perfect background to your safari. Large herds of elephants comprise some of the reserve’s large and diverse wildlife population, which also includes numerous big cats, reticulated giraffes, buffalo and gerenuks. The Ewaso Nyiro River is the main attraction for wildlife here, but many animals can also be seen in the acacia trees, river forest, thorn trees and grasslands. In the late afternoon you will arrive at Samburu Lodge, which has been inspired by the architecture of the indigenous Samburu tribe and blends into its natural environment by making full use of the local building materials. This will be your home for the next two nights. From your private veranda you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the languid river and the wildlife it attracts - which includes the numerous crocodiles that make these waters their home.
Accommodation at Samburu Game Lodge - Standard Room(Full Board)
Transfer
All activities
Sleep in or rise early today, but if you want to see the animals at their most active we recommend taking advantage of the cool early morning to maximise your game viewing experience. As you continue with your game drive through this wildlife rich reserve, watch out for the unique species only found north of the equator which include the helmeted guinea fowl, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra and Beisa oryx. Seek relief from the hot African sun back at the lodge where you will spend the remainder of afternoon relaxing. As the day cools, you can return to the reserve for one last game drive and enjoy a sundowner at a beautiful location, before returning to Samburu Lodge for an opulent dinner before retiring to your room
Overnight at Samburu Game Lodge - Standard Room (Full Board)
Transfer
All activities
This morning leave the unique species and landscapes of Samburu behind you as you head south towards Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary and the Sweetwaters Tented Camp where you will spend the night. Here you will experience a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and safari luxury in a sheltered oasis beside a water hole set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Your game viewing experience will commence this afternoon once the day's temperatures have cooled down. Ol Pejeta conservancy is home to all of the ‘Big Five’ members and, being one of only four private game conservancies found in Kenya, the area has a higher wildlife concentration than any of Kenya`s national parks making it perfect for intimate game-viewing experiences.
Accommodation at Sweetwaters Serena Camp - Standard Room(Full Board)
Transfer
All activities
This morning you will leave the verdant slopes of Mount Kenya and drive to Lake Elementaita, one of the famous soda ash lakes of the Great Rift Valley. This small but perfectly formed lake is perfect for relaxing next to or – for the more active – go on a horse ride, a bird safari or pay a visit to the natural warm spa that flows into the lake (at additional cost). The fairly newly established Sunbird Lodge will accommodate you in eco-friendly luxury in a stunning setting beside the ethereal beauty of the lake. For dinner, the lodge’s chefs will prepare you a delicious meal in the intimate and romantic restaurant as you sit beside an open fire and look out over the lake as the sun sets
Accommodation at Sunbird Lodge - Luxury Cottage (Full Board)
Today, after a hearty breakfast you will set out on a full day’s game drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. The area around Lake Nakuru Park has recently been widened to accommodate a rhino sanctuary - making it one of the largest concentrations of these animals in the country. Both white and black rhino can be seen here, and it is even possible to see them grazing along the lakes shores, often with their young in tow – a truly magical sight!!
Other species commonly found in this beautiful and intimate park include waterbuck, Rothschild’s giraffe and giant python, with lions and leopards making the occasional appearance.
You can chose to return to Sunbird Lodge for lunch and a relaxing afternoon, or to have lunch in the park at a superb picnic site overlooking the lake, followed by a continuation of the game drive before returning to Sunbird Lodge for another exceptional dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Overnight at Sunbird Lodge - Luxury Cottage(Full Board)
From Lake Elementaita, the adventure continues as we proceed to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve - one of the most spectacular game reserves in Africa. An en route game drive through the reserve will whet your appetite for the upcoming days. On arriving in the reserve, you will proceed to Mara Fig Tree Camp for the next 3 nights. Situated on a bend of the Mara river, the lodge is a fantastic place to observe the surrounding savannah and the pods of hippos in the river. The luxurious rooms blend into the landscape and have their own private balconies providing uninterrupted views. There is also a swimming pool in which to take a refreshing dip during the heat of the day.
Accommodation at Mara Fig Tree Camp - Standard Tent (Full Board)
Today, if you want to catch the animals at their most active, you will get up at sunrise. Fingers crossed, you may even spot a leopard, the most elusive of the Big 5. After your game drive breakfast is served overlooking the gardens and the park. Following this you can choose to spend the morning relaxing or else visit a local Masai village to get a better understanding of their culture and way of life. Following lunch, in the late afternoon, you will be offered the chance to go on a leisurely game drive. In the evening you can choose to spend a little longer in the park, perhaps finding a spot facing the sunset from which you can toast your Kenyan adventure.
At the lodge’s Masai inspired dining room, you can taste some traditional Kenyan dishes, such as Nyama Choma – a spread of roasted meats – and sample a selection of old and new world wines, as well as local beers.
Overnight at Mara Fig Tree Camp - Standard Tent(Full Board)
The Masai Mara is the setting for the awe inspiring annual wildebeest migration, which has been described as ‘the greatest wildlife show on earth’. This breathtaking spectacle is shared with the renowned Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, with the animals moving in a circular motion following the rains.
The diversity of the Masai Mara scenery, including its meandering rivers, towering escarpments and rolling grasslands, provides the perfect habitat for the abundance of game, including the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and black rhino – all of which can be found here. Depending on the time of year, today will involve a drive down to the river or across the plains in search of the scores of wildebeest who gather here at certain times of the year, or admiring the resident game which can be found all year round. Whatever the time of year, today is a wildlife safari extravaganza with an experienced and knowledgeable guide that you will never forget. Prepare to be amazed!
Overnight at Mara Fig Tree Camp - Standard Tent(Full Board)
Today you will be transferred back to Nairobi with a last photo opportunity on the escarpment of the Rift Valley which offers breathtaking landscapes. Your safari ends at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport. However if you would like a beach extension to our wonderful beaches this can be easily arranged. If you have time to kill before your evening flight, there are some great excursions in Nairobi that you can book to make the most of your last afternoon in wonderful Kenya (at additional cost).
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