Today you arrive in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Nairobi is a vibrant city with a mix of cultures, and one of the most prominent cities in Africa. You will be transferred from the airport to the Boma Hotel. Here, you will meet other members of the group and rest up for the days ahead.
This morning you will take a scheduled flight from Nairobi the Amboseli airstrip. Welcome to Amboseli National Park, a photographer’s heaven.
Amboseli National Park lies in the shadow of the famous Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, with its peak standing 5895m above sea level. If it is a clear sky this morning, you will be rewarded with views of its snow-capped summits.
Facing the mountain and overlooking its own private conservancy (Kitirua Wildlife Conservancy) is Elewana Tortilis Camp. The camp has spacious and comfortable en-suite tents, where you will be staying for the next 3 nights. Here you will enjoy game drives in open sided vehicles, exclusive access to Kitirua Wildlife Conservancy, guided bush walks and stunning sundowners.
From camp, you will spend today exploring Amboseli Park, renowned for its large elephant population, including some impressively tusked bulls. You will also have the opportunity to observe herds of wildebeest, zebra, and impala grazing, explore areas of acacia forest that make for good birding, and maybe even spot a cheetah.
In addition to a rich diversity of wildlife, this area is also home to many Maasai communities, whose culture centers around the park.
Today you will enjoy another day of game drives and activities at the scenic Elewana Tortilis Camp.
This morning you will take a scheduled flight from Amboseli airstrip to Lewa Conservancy, via Nairobi.
Set on top of the hill with extensive views of the conservancy and Mt. Kenya, is Lewa House. Here, you will enjoy three days of unique safari activities, including both day and night game drives, guided walks, pre-historic site visits, and horseback or camel treks.
Today and tomorrow you will experience Lewa Conservancy, a private and cutting-edge conservation for rhinos and other wildlife. It is part of the greater Laikipia County which has used tourism to address economic development, social inclusion, conservation and sustainability. With the highest concentration of endangered species in the country and Mt. Kenya as a backdrop, Laikipia offers some of the best safari experiences, wildlife and landscapes in Kenya.
Today will be your last day at Lewa House, exploring the jaw-dropping landscapes and beautiful wilderness areas with your enthusiastic local guides.
This morning you fly to Maasai Mara, the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife areas.
A 1,500+ square km continuation of the Tanzanian Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular destinations in Kenya, as its topography offers a unique variety of animals. Located between the Great Rift Valley and Lake Victoria, Masai Mara has hilly topography and fertile soils that are watered by the perennial Mara and Talek rivers. These lands provide an abundance of water and food that bring together the greatest population of wild animals in the whole of Africa!
While in the Mara, you will stay at the highly-regarded Governors’ Il Moran Camp. Set beneath ancient trees along the banks of the Mara River, these luxurious tents will bring you close to nature and the wildlife that inhabits it, while providing the comforts of king beds made from fallen olive trees and Victorian style baths.
Over the next few days of game drives, you will witness herds of gnus (wildebeest), zebras, and buffaloes. Following these herds are predators such as hyenas, jackals, leopards and lions as well as elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. Being apart of this spectacle will bring a new appreciation for these species, and leave you with unforgettable memories.
Continue to immerse yourself in safari life and take in your surroundings. With 95 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles and over 400 bird species recorded on the reserve, your are sure to be treated on every game drive or even as you relax at camp. Nowhere in Africa is wildlife more abundant, and because of this visitors rarely miss seeing the big five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino) – a truly incredible experience.
Today you will have one last full day in Maasai Mara to indulge in more camp activities and have the opportunity to see even more wildlife. Don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate everything you have experienced here – whether it be the game drives, dining on the banks of the Mara river, or learning interesting facts about the area from your guides.
Early afternoon, you will fly from Maasai Mara back to Nairobi. After enjoying a lunch at the Crowne Plaza, you will then fly to Kigali, Rwanda.
The night in Kigali will be yours at leisure.
Today you and the group will be visiting the Kigali genocide museum. Here you will learn about the history of the Rwandan genocide. The Center is a permanent memorial to those who fell victim to the genocide and serves as a place in which the bereaved could bury their family and friends.
From the museum you will take about a 2.5 hour drive to Sbyinyo Silverback Lodge. Once arrived at the lodge, the next couple of days will include gorilla trekking.
Gorilla treks take place in the morning and depart from the Park Headquarters at around 07:30am. Prior to departure you are given a briefing by park staff. The treks take place on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes. The trek normally lasts between 2 and 5 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family and a maximum of eight visitors is allowed per gorilla family. Once you reach the gorillas you are permitted to stay for one hour to view them.
Today you will have another chance to visit with the mountain gorilla families.
Today you will be driven back into Kigali. Here you will have time to visit a local market to experience how the locals shop. You will then have an early dinner together before you journey home or onward.
