About the trip
Kenya, a home of many native species to the East African region of the continent, has many beautiful national parks and reserves to visit. We land in Nairobi and from there, we’ll explore the parks starting with the Amboseli National Park best known for the beautiful sights of the mountainous area and elephants. The Aberdare National Park is a unique experience, as we reach the centre of park, you’ll notice a unique hotel, called the Treetops Hotel, where wildlife sightings naturally happen surrounding the area. Aberdare’s Treetops is famously known as where Princess Elizabeth heard of news of the King’s death and became Queen Elizabeth II. Not far is the Ark, inspired after the Noah’s Ark, built near the waterholes like the hotel where everything from big mammals to the smaller species would come from time to time to hydrate. Next, we visit the Samburu National Reserve, best known for the unique ecosystem with many rare species such as the Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk. Then we move to the Great Rift Valley for Lake Nakuru, one of the freshwater lakes that’s covered in pink flamingos and many aquatic animals. Finally, we’ll spend the remaining days in Masai Mara Game Reserve, one of the most popular parks, well-known for the wildebeest migration and the rich bird life which also has equally impressive migration routes. Aside from the game drives to see the Big 5, visitors can also take part in community activities and visit local Masai villages to meet the people of this land and learn their culture.
Highlights
- 10 night Accommodation as per given details
- Full board accommodation while on safari
- Transfers to and from the airport
- A safari briefing at the start
- All game drives and site seeing as per the itinerary in private safari minibus driven by a professional English speaking guide, Excursions and scheduled activities as per the itinerary
- Park Entrance fees throughout
- Lunch on last day
- Flying doctors medical evacuation cover
- 1 liter of water per person per day while in a safari vehicle
- Current Government taxes and levies
Accommodation
Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli or Similar
2 night(s) in Amboseli National Park
The Ark Lodge or Similar
1 night(s) in Aberdare National Park
Elephant Bedroom Camp or Similar
2 night(s) in Samburu
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or Similar
2 night(s) in Lake Nakuru National Park - Great Rift Valley
Ilkeliani Camp or Similar
3 night(s) in Masai Mara National Reserve
Included in the price
Amboseli National Park
- Morning and Afternoon game viewing drives
Aberdare National Park
- Spent comfortably watching the stream of animals
Samburu
- Koitogor and Ololokwe Mountains.
- Game drive through the wildlife rich reserve
Lake Nakuru National Park - Great Rift Valley
- Africa's great Rift valley
- Morning and Afternoon game viewing drives at Lake Nakuru National Park
Masai Mara National Reserve
- Two Game Drives in the search of the big five
Amboseli National Park
- Morning and Afternoon game viewing drives
Aberdare National Park
- Spent comfortably watching the stream of animals
Samburu
- Koitogor and Ololokwe Mountains.
- Game drive through the wildlife rich reserve
Lake Nakuru National Park - Great Rift Valley
- Africa's great Rift valley
- Morning and Afternoon game viewing drives at Lake Nakuru National Park
Masai Mara National Reserve
- Two Game Drives in the search of the big five
Day-wise Itinerary
ExpandDay 1: Arrive Nairobi Airport And Transfer To Amboseli National Park
- On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our Representative and your driver guide. After a short safari briefing, you will head straight out on safari towards Amboseli National Park arriving at the Amboseli Ol Tukai Lodge in time for a late lunch. Amboseli National Park lies at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340ft). The mountain dominates every aspect of the park and you can get the best views of its snow-capped peak from Amboseli. The parks fragile ecosystem supports a variety of game and is famous for its large herds of elephant. Swamps and springs, fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro’s melting snow, offer a watering place for the wildlife and birds during the dry season. There is plenty to do, including game viewing, walking, visit a Maasai village or visit the Amboseli Research Centre, the longest study of wild elephants in the world.
- At a time that is convenient to you, return back to the lodge for dinner and a chance to share the days’ highlights.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 2: Amboseli National Park Game Drive - Morning And Afternoon Game Drives
- Today we’ll enjoy double game drives in the early morning and late afternoon. We’ll head out by 6.30 AM to catch nocturnal animals going about their life and catching their last prey of the day before retreating back to their nests and burrows. Catching glimpses of these subtle animals can be rather tricky, but it’s still a worthwhile trip as they’re on our way to catch a view of the sunrise. By 8.30 AM, we’ll be back at the camp for a buffet breakfast and we’ll leave you spend the day at your own pace, whether it’s to catch more sleep before lunch or to explore the area around. Lunch takes place at 12.30 PM.
- From the camp, we’ll head out at 4 PM for a game drive through the park to catch glimpses of the games in the afternoon. Masai Mara is a favourite of wildlife enthusiasts especially around July to November when zebras and gnus would cross the area as part of their annual migration. Enjoy the ride and we’ll head back to the camp as the sun sets and in time for dinner and to spend the night here.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 3: Transfer From Amboseli To Aberdare National Park
- After an early breakfast, we will check-out and head north to Mount Kenya. The scenic route will take us closer to one of the most beautiful sights to be seen in Kenya. The Kikuyu people who are natives to the area considers the mountain to be sacred as it’s the home of their god, Ngai. At the base of Mount Kenya, we’ll enjoy a delightful lunch at Aberdare Country Club, luxurious club with world-class cuisine at The Ark near the reserve we’re heading, Aberdare National Park. We will also temporarily store our bigger luggage here, as you’ll only be able to bring your overnight bag in.
- We continue our drive into the Aberdare National Park, which is a 767km2 land that covers the Aberdare Mountain Ranges. It’s a land with diverse geographical features, including deep ravines, lush green slopes around the higher lands of the mountain, and vast grasslands for grazing animals. We will check-in upon entering the park and head to the tree hotel and experience a unique sight outside your hotel as wildlife freely roam the land and area around you. You’ll be spending your night here at the rustic 80-year-old tree hotel that’s been recently renovated. Queen Elizabeth II famously was staying here when King George VI passed away and she became the monarch.
- Aberdare National Park was initially established to protect the mountains as well as the animals that depend on the area. Most common sightings around here are lions, leopards, elephants, East African wild dogs, and Cape buffalo. There are some rare sightings such as the African golden cat and bongo, as well as white colobus monkey, sykes monkey, and olive baboon. Not far is the Ark, which is a structure built in the shape of Noah’s Ark near the waterholes, making it the best spot to view wildlife both during the day and night time.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4: Transfer From Aberdare To Samburu National Reserve
- Enjoy an early morning breakfast at the hotel before we check-out. We’ll immediately head for Samburu National Reserve and arrive around 1PM, just in time for lunch.
- Samburu National Reserve is a unique game reserve of Kenya, located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river. It may not be impressively large in size as some of the more famous reserves down south, but this place is well-known as home to some of the rarest animals in comparison. It is a safe haven for grevy zebra, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and the Beisa oryx. Sighting of the Big 5 is naturally common as it’s also home to over 900 elephants. One of the lions have gone famous for adopting a baby Oryx. The reserve also works with many group ranches and offers a variety of living quarters for a truly luxurious camping experience.
- We’ll help with your check-in and drop your luggage at Elephant Bedroom Camp. You’ll have free time to walk around the camp or just rest until before the evening game drive starts at 4PM. Enjoy a ride exploring the reserve as we look at how these animals opted to spend their evening. The game drive typically ends at around 6.30PM, in time for dinner at the camp. Afterwards, spend an overnight at Samburu Reserve.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5: Samburu National Reserve – Game Drive
- We’ll head out by 6.30 AM to catch nocturnal animals going about their life and catching their last prey of the day before retreating back to their nests and burrows on an early morning game drive. Catching glimpses of these subtle animals can be rather tricky, but it’s still a worthwhile trip as they’re on our way to catch a view of the sunrise. By 8.30 AM, we’ll be back at the camp for a buffet breakfast, and we’ll leave you spend the day at your own pace, whether it’s to catch more sleep before lunch or to explore the area around. Lunch takes place at 12.30 PM, and you’ll have time to spend on your own to walk around the vicinity and maybe visit nearby attractions before the evening game drive.
- From the camp, we’ll head out at 4 PM for a game drive through the park to catch glimpses of the games in the afternoon. Samburu National Reserve is a unique safe haven to a huge range of rare species and is a perfect way to get your pictures with the vast sky, especially when it starts glowing red as the sun goes down. Enjoy the ride and we’ll head back to the camp as the sun sets and in time for dinner and to spend the night here.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6: Transfer From Samburu To Lake Nakuru - The Great Rift Valley
- Enjoy your breakfast before we check-out for Great Rift Valley’s Lake Nakuru National Park. While the ride may be long, it’s one adorned with gorgeous sights of nature, particularly the Aberdare Ranges which sight will become your longest companion on this journey.
- We’ll arrive in time for lunch and to check-in at Mbweha Camp and drop off your luggage. Your afternoon is free for you to spend to explore the local area or just to rest after a long ride here.
- Lake Nakuru is well known in Kenya as one of the most beautiful and rich lakes of the Great Rift Valley, where you can observe a handful of faunas here. Located at 1.7km above sea level, the freshwater system here brims with life with the pink flamingos turning the lake into fuchsia being some of the most remarkable sightings. There are also waterbucks, hippopotamuses, and several grazing species such as impalas and giraffes.
- By evening time around 4 PM, we’ll invite you on a game drive around here to catch sightings of these animals, and with luck, you might see glimpses of small packs of lions around here. The lush forestry and bushes, the wildlife that flourishes, and just being back to nature; these are things you should never missed in life!
- We’ll return in time for dinner before going back to the hotel/lodge for an overnight at Lake Nakuru.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7: Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive
- We’ll head out by 6.30 AM to catch nocturnal animals going about their life and catching their last prey of the day before retreating back to their nests and burrows on an early morning game drive. Catching glimpses of these subtle animals can be rather tricky, but it’s still a worthwhile trip as they’re on our way to catch a view of the sunrise. By 8.30 AM, we’ll be back at the camp for a buffet breakfast and we’ll leave you spend the day at your own pace, whether it’s to catch more sleep before lunch or to explore the area around. Lunch takes place at 12.30 PM and you’ll have time to spend on your own to walk around the vicinity and maybe visit nearby attractions before the evening game drive.
- Lake Nakuru National Park has gorgeous views as well as great sanctuaries, particularly the rhino sanctuary. A favourite of many who’ve been here are catching glimpses of the elusive leopards.
- From the camp, we’ll head out at 4 PM for a game drive through the park to catch glimpses of the games in the afternoon. Enjoy the ride and we’ll head back to the camp as the sun sets and in time for dinner and to spend the night here.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 8: Transfer From Lake Nakuru To Masai Mara National Reserve
- After breakfast, get ready on another exciting day in the Great Rift Valley and check-out. We’ll head to Masai Mara National Reserve today and make a temporary stop at Tipilikwani Mara Camp to check-in and drop your luggage. We’ll be in time for lunch before continuing down to the reserve. Stock up as we’ll have a long exciting day exploring the park for wildlife sighting. Spend the next few hours resting and just taking in the new view around here.
- Masai Mara is also known locally as the Mara, this National Reserve is a famous wildlife conservation park where the rivers Mara and Talek crosses. One can also find several villages of Maasai people around the area. Maasai Mara has all of the Big Five animals: lions, leopards, African elephants, African buffaloes, and black rhinoceros. The park is also known for being home to one of the largest cheetah populations.
- From the camp, we’ll head out at 4 PM for a game drive through the park to catch glimpses of the games in the afternoon. Masai Mara is a favourite of wildlife enthusiasts especially around July to November when zebras and gnus would cross the area as part of their annual migration. Enjoy the ride and we’ll head back to the camp as the sun sets and in time for dinner and to spend the night here.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 9: Masai Mara National Reserve - In Search Of The Big Five
- After breakfast, we will join another game drive session that can extend to whole day with packed meal for lunch picnic. Or you get to choose how you want to spend your day at the camp. Masai Mara National Reserve offers several activities aside from the exciting safari game drives, which you can still hop on today! Masai Mara is also named in the language of the natives, the Maasai people. There are tours that’ll take you to meet these people and learn about their culture and way of living. Or you can enjoy a change a of pace by going on instead bush walking safari with knowledgeable local guides. There aren’t many parks that allow walking safari, but there are private conservancies area where you can safely walk and just feel the earth under you. You can also ask your guide about the Mara River and get some tips about some river crossing routes you can go through to reach there.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 10: Masai Mara National Reserve
- After breakfast, you get to choose how you want to spend your day at the camp. Masai Mara National Reserve offers several activities aside from the exciting safari game drives, which you can still hop on today! Masai Mara is also named in the language of the natives, the Maasai people. There are tours that’ll take you to meet these people and learn about their culture and way of living. Or you can enjoy a change a of pace by going on instead bush walking safari with knowledgeable local guides. There aren’t many parks that allow walking safari, but there are private conservancies area where you can safely walk and just feel the earth under you.
- (Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 11: Departure From Nairobi
- We start the day early with breakfast at the camp. By 8.30 AM, we will ride for Nairobi City and stop at Carnivore Restaurant for your lunch. Depending on your flight home, we’ll go on a short city tour and enjoy last-minute shopping for souvenirs before heading to JKI Airport for your flight back home.
- (Bed, Breakfast & Lunch)
Exclusions
Expand- International Airfares
- International and domestic departure tax
- Laundry services
- Beverages
- Meals and excursions not described in the itinerary above
- Entry Visas to the country
- Travel and health insurance
- Balloon flight in the Masai Mara (additional charge USD450 per person)
- Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary above
- Gratuities (tips) to your guide, hotel staff and porters
- Any other items of a personal nature, such as drinks, laundry, telephone and postage.
Terms and Conditions
Expand- Currency: The currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KSh20, 10 and 5. Residents may import up to KES 500,000 and must declare if currencies exceeding US $10,000. Non-residents may import local and foreign currencies without restrictions but amounts exceeding US $10,000 must be declared.
- Banking: Banking hours: Monday -Friday 09h00-15h00, and Saturdays 09h00-12h00.
- ATMs are common especially in major tourist destinations.
- Mastercard and Visa Credit Cards are widely accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so.
- Major hotels accept payment by credit card, as do major safari companies, travel agencies and restaurants.
- Very few banks or foreign exchange bureaus accept travellers’ cheques; when they do, they charge high commissions.
- Climate and Weather: Kenya has three types of climates: temperate subtropical climate in the west and southwest highlands (where Nairobi is located), hot and humid along the coast, and hot and dry in the north and east.
- Clothing and Dress Recommendations: For Nairobi and the coast: lightweight cotton and linens are advised. Warmer clothing is needed in June and July, while rainwear is advisable between March and June, and October and December.
- For safari: loose-fitting and light neutral tones are recommended. If you are visiting a luxury lodge, pack a nice set of clothes for dinner is recommended.
- Electricity and Plug Standards: Electrical sockets in Kenya are of the ‘Type G (BS-1363)’.
