Arrive into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport located in the capital city, Nairobi. After clearing customs and immigration procedures, you are met by our representative, who will be waiting for you outside of the airport; he will be holding a sign with your name. Afterwards, you are transferred to your hotel, where our representative assists you with check-in.
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, meet your representative who escorts you to your vehicle for your transfer to Tamarind Hotel. Lunch and dinner under your own arrangements.
Located minutes away from both of Nairobi's airports, Tamarind Tree Hotel is a new 4-star hotel located in Langata, Nairobi. The hotel features 160 guest rooms and suites that include 12 inter-connecting rooms. Meals are served at the Tamambo a la carte restaurant while the Duka Coffee Shop offers the best of Kenya's coffee. Its two heated pools are perfect for a quick dip and the state-of-the-art gym is just right for fitness enthusiasts. Tamarind Tree is a five-minute walk from the iconic Carnivore Restaurant and close to the popular Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre. The hotel works well for first night arrivals and dayrooms prior to departure.
After breakfast, you are transferred to Wilson Airport where you board your scheduled flight to Nanyuki Airstrip. On arrival you will be met by Karisa guide and transfer to Karisia where you will start your walking Safari.
Walking safari through Karisia.A tall rocky outcrop will be visible for miles before you arrive. It’s called Nyasura used for millennia by hunters and others seeking shelter. Ancient graves, flints and pounding stones called boluses are all in evidence around the rocks and particularly the caves. You camp beside Nyasura and in the evening after a jaunt about scale its slopes for a view and a sundowner.
Today traverse the rich Acacia bush country that thrives with plains game as well as the predators that like to eat them. It is not uncommon to run into a Lion, Leopard, Hyena or Wild dog along the course of this safari.
With the riding camels carrying the heavier cameras, water and snacks you venture forth each morning while the bulk of the remaining camels bear the tents, fly sheets and kitchen straight on to the next camp. This safari finishes on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, the second largest river in Kenya.
From the river camp you are picked up and transferred to board your flight to the Masai Mara.
Upon arrival at the Mara North Airstrip airstrip, you are met by Serian Original camp representatives and driven to camp with a game drive en-route.
Serian and Ngare Serian are on the Mara River overlooking a valley and the Olooloa Escarpment. The main camp comprises eight marquee style tents set on grass plinths with hardwood decks. Beautifully decorated with four-poster beds, swathed with netting, this is an extremely glamorous and exclusive camp.
Serian is perfectly situated for game-viewing all year round and for the wildebeest migration for which the Mara is famous. Owner Alex Walker is a professional hunter, filmmaker, photographer and guide, so well worth going for a walk with through the bush that surrounds the camp. Serian is shaded by large walburgia spp. trees so it never gets too hot even in the heat of the day. Serian is a stylish luxury camp with great game viewing.
After breakfast, visit the Mara Elephant Project. Mara Elephant Project’s (MEP) mission is to protect elephants to conserve the greater Mara ecosystem. They accomplish this mission by utilizing anti-poaching patrols and rapid response ranger units, collaring, monitoring and collecting data on elephants, and using innovative techniques and technologies to mitigate human-elephant conflict. You can venture to MEP HQ in Lemek Conservancy where you’ll meet the MEP rangers, see an elephant collar, learn about their collar tracking system and unmanned aerial vehicle operation and get a tour of MEP HQ to see the helicopter (if it’s at HQ). You’ll also be guided to visit a MEP collared elephant on your way back to camp and learn all about elephant protection and the complicated issues with poaching and human-elephant conflict in the Mara.
eEnjoy a full day game drive. The Maasai Mara plays host to the most spectacular array of wildlife. 1,500 square kilometres (580 square miles) of broad biscuit coloured savannah sprawls as home to huge numbers of birds (almost 600 species) and animals and is adjacent to the enormous expanse of the Serengeti; the two make up the most diverse ecosystem on the continent.
After an early breakfast, check out and transfer to the airstrip for your Airkenya flight to Entebbe via Kisumu departing at 08:45 to arrive at 11:30.
Connect to your Aerolink flight to Kihihi airstrip in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp representative will meet and transfer you a 90 minute drive to the camp.
07:30: After an early breakfast, your guide escorts you to the Uganda Wildlife Authority Park headquarters where you meet fellow trackers and gorilla guide who then leads you into the forest to find the Mountain Gorillas. The trekking may be strenuous - up to six hours or longer is not uncommon – at relatively high altitude. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, and so, sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 95%. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approximately 650 remaining. You will get within meters of the family, and be privileged to spend up to one hour amongst them.
Returning to the lodge later in the day and time permitting, you have an opportunity to visit the Bwindi Women Bicycle Enterprise. The Bwindi Women Bicycle Enterprise employs six local women living in communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This village bike shop and tour enterprise provides these women with the opportunity to earn a much-needed income while also giving their community vital access to transportation. The women are directly involved in the repair, assembly, and sales of bikes around the area.
07:30: You are allocated another gorilla group to track. No two treks are the same and provide a different challenge and satisfaction.
Returning to the lodge later in the day, relax and enjoy your photos of the mountains gorillas.
Breakfast at the camp and transfer to Kihihi airstrip for your scheduled Aerolink flight back to Entebbe that departs at 09:45 and arrives at 11:25.
You are met on arrival at Entebbe Airport and assisted to connect to your departure flight. A day room available in case of a late flight out).
