9 DAYS KENYA BUSH AND BEACH IN 5 STAR

Day notes

Your host will be on hand when you arrive at the airport and will take you to the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel. This luxurious and elegant hotel is one of Nairobi’s finest and has a seasoned history of a hosting leisure as well as business travelers dating back in the early 1900's. The hotel has its own private tropical gardens and is still the traditional starting point for many high end safaris. Take a minute to enjoy a few drinks at the Lord Delamere Terrace, or explore the variety of fine dining experiences whilst you relax and unwind after your flight. If you’re ready for sleep, you’ll immediately relax in your luxurious room, with its fine linens. In the morning you’ll be refreshed and ready to go. Who says a safari has to be rustic?

Day notes

Following breakfast, travel to south to Thompson Falls before descending to the floor of the Rift Valley and moving on to Lake Naivasha. You will arrive in time for lunch at Loldia House. Check in to your charming colonial style accommodation with beautiful views of the dormant volcano, Mount Longonot. Wild animals roam free on the farm and in the evenings, hippos munch quietly by the waterside. At Loldia House you’ll experience the life of Kenya’s early settlers. Loldia House is an ideal spot to relax, taste the pleasures of Kenyan country life and explore the Great Rift Valley. Activities at Loldia House, include visits to local flower farms, visits to the local school, bird-watching by boat on Lake Naivasha, visits by boat to Crescent Island (excluding entrance fees), walks with the resident naturalist, horse riding.

Day notes

The third day takes you to the Maasai Mara Reserve, where you will enter the domain of the Maasai. Kenya's Maasai are nomadic cattle herders and one of the best-known African ethnic groups, and they strive to preserve their traditions and culture in the face of modernization. The Maasai depend heavily on their cattle for milk, and Maasai women make money by selling beadwork. The Mara Reserve claims to have Kenya's most abundant concentration of wildlife and is regarded by many travelers as a crucial stop on any African safari. The reserve belongs to the Maasai people. Tonight you’ll stay at the luxurious Little Governors' Camp, an intimate camp tucked around a large watering hole that teems with both birds and wildlife. The camp is approached by a boat ride across the Mara River, then an escorted walk through the riverine forest. Vehicles are left on the far river bank, and the camp is therefore quiet and undisturbed... This is what comes to mind when most people think of a safari. Your time here will certainly give you a sampling of all the natural wonders that Kenya has to offer.

Your second day at Maasai Mara will take you for a morning and afternoon game driving tours and it will lead you to some of Africa's giraffes, its largest lion prides, hyenas, herds of zebra, antelopes, buffalo, wildebeest, and cheetahs. Between the months of July and October, the Mara is famous for the Great Migration, when awe-inspiring numbers of zebra, Thomson’s gazelle and wildebeest move into the area. When westerners think of African safari tours, this part of Kenya is the place they imagine - golden grassland plains dotted with acacia and wide-open savannahs roamed by wildebeest, zebras, lions and jackals. Your camp has great wooden decks with large verandahs for guests to enjoy the constant game activity that takes place around the watering hole at the camp.

You will be glad to have another day to be able to experience game drives in the morning and in the afternoon. Both drives will give you great wildlife viewing opportunities. You will see large herds of local grazing animals going by, and also have a good chance of seeing some of the big cats. No matter when you visit, you will also have a chance to take a “walking safari”, or visit a local tribal village if you wish. You will learn about the Maasai way of life and how they have managed to retain their semi-nomadic customs even in today’s modern world, when so much of their world is at risk. After all these adventures, you will be more than ready for a mid-day nap, a dip in the pool or laze on the veranda to escape the heat of the day.

Day notes

One of Kenya's leading coastal destinations, the Leopard Beach Resort offers a wide range of high quality accommodation, a choice of dining and entertainment venues – including the award winning ‘Chui Grill' – as well as extensive sporting and leisure facilities ranging from diving to golf. Leopard Beach Resort's superb location gives guests easy access to a great variety of cultural, sporting and historical attractions, making it a highlight of your Kenyan safari tour.

Activities include daily family entertainment such as tennis, water polo and volleyball, tug-o’-war competitions, table tennis, pool tables, and video games as well as golf. A range of water sports are also available. Excursions include visits to Haller Park (formerly Bamburi Nature Trail), Mamba Crocodile Farm, Fort Jesus and Gedi Ruins. The historic Mombasa Old Town and Harbor are all available for exploring.

Enjoy the sparkling sands of Diani Beach, which slopes gently toward a coral reef. See for yourself why the beach is internationally renowned as you luxuriate in the warm aquamarine waters or engage in a variety of outdoor activities. Possibilities include professional scuba-diving instruction, dives on East Africa’s largest artificial reef, big game fishing, water sports, windsurfing, canoes and fun boats. There are also organized weekend sailing camps for young sailors as well as glass-bottom boat rides, low-tide reef walks with specially trained marine guides and dhow safaris with picnics and sundowners.

Vibrant, brightly colored Leopard Beach Resort & Spa is famous for presenting fine family entertainment and animation programs; including themed journeys across the seven seas, delicious culinary experiences, and special music, fashion, comedy and acrobatic exhibitions. An African tour would not be complete without an exploration of the local neighborhood, and you will find a great deal of entertainment in the area of Diani. Diani itself functions as a self-contained residential area complete with supermarkets, international restaurants and water parks. Quality restaurants are only a taxi ride away. If you’re feeling adventurous then head out and try grilled fish or goat at an authentic local eatery.

Day notes

Enjoy your last breakfast at the Leopard Beach resort and take the time to bid farewell to the wonderful people of Diani and the lovely scenery, magnificent wildlife and exotic cultures you encountered on your African safari trip. Treasure the lifetime of memories and the friendships you made as you fly to Nairobi before connecting with your international flight home.