10 DAYS BIG GAME KENYA IN 4 STAR

Day notes

Your host will be on hand when you arrive at the airport and will take you to the Ole Sereni Hotel. Overlooking the Nairobi National Park, Ole Sereni features a rooftop heated pool and a game-watching snack bar. It offers and a restaurant serving Mongolian cuisine and Sunday brunches with live music. Ole Sereni Hotel is decorated with the traditional style of a safari lodge, including bright colors, wooden details and artwork in raw materials. Its modern facilities include a state-of-the-art gym, a massage center and a sauna. Take some time to explore the wide range of dining experiences as 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.

Day notes

After a tasty breakfast, it is time to head out to Amboseli National Park, considered the prime location in the world for viewing wild elephants. Nothing can beat the site of these magnificent creatures with Mount Kilimanjaro as their backdrop. The mountain is the world’s highest free-standing mountain and its majesty will take your breath away. In addition, you’ll see plenty more wildlife – including giraffes, lions and cheetahs. You’ll know this is a real safari as you travel over the rugged roads to the park and later on your afternoon game drive. It is an exciting day and you’ll be grateful for a chance to unwind at the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, which more than lives up to its serene name. The décor is inspired by the indigenous Maasai people and it harmonizes with the Kenyan terrain beautifully. Walk through the beautifully landscaped gardens to enjoy a delicious meal, including many local food items.

The next day starts with a hearty breakfast and a morning game drive where you’ll see white rhinos, wildebeests, zebras and many other species. Undoubtedly, you will also see many of the more than 400 species of birds that inhabit the park. Amazingly, the sites you see in the morning will be quite different from those you’ll see on the afternoon game drive as the various creatures respond to their unique biological clocks.

Depending on the time of year, the terrain will vary – from Ernest Hemingway’s “Snows of Kilimanjaro” to the hot dry summer to the life-giving rainy season – but it will always be beautiful. The routes taken will depend on weather conditions but they all offer unforgettable scenery, so keep your camera ready. You will also have the chance to take a “walking safari” for a close up view of Kenya, along with an optional visit to an authentic tribal village. When you need a break, take a dip in the lodge’s pool or take a nap in your cool, comfortable room.

Day notes

After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to head to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, situated between the foot hills of the Aberdare and the magnificent snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya. The 90,000-acre private wilderness of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy boasts an astounding variety of wildlife, including all the members of the ‘Big Five' (the endangered black and white rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo and lion).

Offering one of the highest wildlife densities in Kenya and a higher wildlife to acre ratio than any Kenyan national park, the conservancy offers sanctuary to a number of endangered species, most notably the rare Grevy's zebra and the Jackson's Hartebeest. The largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, the conservancy also hosts the only sanctuary for chimpanzees in Kenya. Tonight, you will stay at the Sweetwaters Tented Camp, a sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The camp offers a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and safari luxury.

Day notes

A scenic drive is taken to Samburu Land after a nourishing breakfast. The drive crosses the equator and takes guests in a northerly direction through coffee, tea and pineapple plantations. You will be able to watch velvet monkeys and crocodiles that bask along the river banks in the afternoon. Game-drives take place after lunch and allow guests to see and photograph elephants and other safari animals from the comfort of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The animals in the Samburu National Park include the Beisa Oryx, long-necked Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe and Grevy's Zebra. The game drive provides an unforgettable experience that you're sure to enjoy.

Your Sarova Shaba Game Lodge accommodation includes a comfortable suite with colorful furnishings and fine dining opportunities. It is perfect for relaxing after the excitement of your day.

Several species including the long-necked Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Oryx and Reticulated Giraffe can be seen on private game drives that take place in the morning and afternoon. Since the area has very little grass cover, you may be able to see some cheetahs and lions near the river banks. Mount Ololokwe, a tabletop mountain, can be seen across the red plains and scrub that make up the desert scenery in the area. This desert area is home to the Ewaso Ngiro River, which is an important watering hole for the many species in the area and is a large part of what makes Kenyan safaris enjoyable for wildlife enthusiasts. For those wanting to experience something a little different today, a walking safari, camel ride or a visit to a local tribal village are optional extras.

Day notes

Following breakfast, travel to Thompson Falls before descending to the floor of the Rift Valley and moving on to Lake Nakuru. Here we check into the lovely Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge. Lake Nakuru National 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. In the evening, you will enjoy splendid views from the property. The rustic African décor perfectly blends comfort with adventure, and the restaurant offers the finest in local and international cuisines in a relaxed setting.

Day notes

Your next destination is the Maasai Mara National Reserve, home of the Maasai tribe, where you can see how the tribe preserves their traditions at first hand. The Mara area is considered to be essential when on an African wildlife trip and the area boasts one of the largest wildlife populations. You will see beautiful Savannah grasslands that are full of acacia trees and the wildlife you've always dreamed of seeing, including jackals, wildebeests, lions and gazelles. The setting will certainly make you feel as though you're in harmony with your surroundings. 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.

Game drives are provided in the morning, as well as in the afternoon. This allows guests to have a more fulfilling experience viewing the wildlife. You will be able to see Kenya's famed wildlife up close; including cheetahs, zebras, buffalo, wildebeests, hyenas, antelope, giraffes and lions. These drives will certainly provide a number of outstanding photo opportunities. The accommodations at the camp included private verandas and restrooms located en suite. You can easily catch a quick nap in your room, or visit the pool and bar area while you're waiting for your next game drive. You can also go on a walking tour with one of the rangers from the reserve, or stop by the Maasai village to experience their hospitality and culture.

Day notes

You will go on one last game drive before dawn with breakfast following the drive. The breakfast is a good time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers. You can take your time getting ready to leave; no one will rush you. Transportation will be available to take you back to Nairobi when you're ready. When you get to Nairobi, you can spend some time shopping for souvenirs or taking in sights you didn't see when you arrived. An optional farewell dinner is available the night before you leave. You will be taken to the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight home. As you head for home you will be leaving with a lot of fond memories of your Kenya safari tour.