12 Days Amboseli/
MtKenya/ Samburu/ Baringo/ Bogoria/ Nakuru/ Maasai Mara Lodge safari
A Grand tour that takes you Kenya’s fertile central highlands, to
the barren northern frontier of Samburu, to the world famous Bird
Sanctuaries of the Great Rift Valley Lakes Baringo, Bogoria and
Nakuru, then South over the Mau Escarpment to Kenya’s greatest
concentration of game - the Masai Mara. Kenya’s rift valley
escarpments offer some of the most breath taking sceneries
Day 1– Amboseli National Park
We depart Nairobi in the morning and drive south through Masai
country to the plains below Mt. Kilimanjaro where Amboseli is
situated. After a stopover lunch at the lodge we proceed into the
scenic Amboseli National Park for a game drive returning to the
lodge in the evening for a sun downer.
The waters from melted snow drain down Mt. Kilimanjaro under lava
flows and surface in Amboseli, creating a green belt of swampland
amidst dusty plains. Here buffaloes, lions, gazelles, cheetahs,
wildebeest, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, Masai Giraffes, zebra,
baboon, hippos and waterbuck can be seen against the backdrop of the
magnificent snow-capped mountain.
Day 2 – Amboseli National Park
After a leisurely breakfast, we explore the park through morning and
afternoon game drives. We have sufficient time for relaxation at the
lodge, complete with the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.
Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Serena lodge
Day 3 – Aberdare Ranges
We leave Amboseli, viewing game as we drive via Nairobi to the
Aberdares to enjoy the experience of staying in a Tree Hotel or
lodge overlooking floodlit waterholes where wildlife and birds
regularly visit. Dinner and a well deserved sleep thereafter.
Over 40 species of wildlife inhabit the Aberdare mountain ranges,
hiding in the heavily forested slopes and in the upper moor lands.
The Aberdares is noted as a rhino sanctuary but keep an eye out for
the elusive rare bongo, which is best, spotted in the upper bamboo
zone and hypericum scrub.
Day 4 – Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast we proceed further north across the Equator to the
edge of the Northern Frontier. Arrival will be in time for lunch and
an afternoon game drive returning in time for a sun downer and
dinner at the Samburu Serena lodge or Samburu lodge.
Samburu is part of a lava plain that includes a diverse landscape of
thorn scrub, red dirt, dried river beds, broken volcanic rock, steep
hills, and rocky outcroppings. This reserve is becoming one of
Kenya's most admired stops after the Mara. Sights of the peculiarly
branched doum palms and thorn trees give an unusual look to the
region.
Day 5 – Samburu National Reserve
The whole day will be spent relaxing and leisurely exploring the
Samburu National Reserve through morning and afternoon game drives.
You may opt to do some of the activities offered at the lodges for a
small extra cost.
The light and vast openness creates a lonesome panoramic beauty and
the permanent water supply acts like a lure for the abundant species
found here. The region is home to the uncommon Grevy’s zebra with
huge fury ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed,
Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs and the shy Oryx. Elephant
and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, excellent bird watching with
numerous varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle. Leopard
sighting is also a special feature here.
Day 6- Samburu - Sweetwaters (Mount Kenya)
We enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Samburu reserve
then depart for the Mt. Kenya region. Arrival at the lodge in time
for you to enjoy the facilities of the lodge, explore the Mount
Kenya National Park or take an optional tour to the nearby
Sweetwaters Reserve which is home to Chimpanzees.
Mount Kenya was shaped by volcanic action linked with the creation
of the Rift Valley and is thought to be older than Mount
Kilimanjaro; geologists believe it previously stretched at least
1500m above its present height of 5199m (17,057ft). The Kikuyu
people settled in the central highlands some 300 years ago called
the mountain “Ngai” (God) who they believed lived on the top of
Mount Kenya.
Day 7 – Lake Baringo via Lake Bogoria
Morning drive via the Nyahururu Falls down to the shallow soda Lake
Bogoria and later to the beautiful lake Baringo where you may enjoy
the pleasure of an evening bird walk. Dinner and overnight at the
lodge.
The Nyahururu Falls also known as Thomson Falls was named after
Joseph Thomson who walked from Mombasa to Lake Victoria in the early
1880s; these falls are shaped by the waters of the Ewaso Narok River
and plunge over 72m into a rift, spraying the dark forest below.
In the spectacular Lake Bogoria; hot springs and geysers are the
main attractions. The lake has been called ‘the new home of the
flamingo’ with a nomad population of up to two million birds. For
the bird enthusiasts, Kesubo swamp located north of the park is home
to more than 200 species of birds.
Lake Baringo is the most Northerly of Kenya’s small Rift Valley
lakes; creased with papyrus and well developed acacia forest.
Hippos, crocodiles and monitor lizards are effortlessly seen from
the shore, as is a magnificent display of water birds. This is
Kenya's bird watching centre with over 1200 different species native
to the country and more than 450 sighted here. A bird watcher's
haven but beware, this is malaria land so it is best to come
prepared with plenty of mosquito repellent.
Day 8 – Nakuru National Park
We enjoy a morning boat ride in search of hippo, crocodile, and fish
eagle. After a sumptuous lunch, we then proceed to Lake Nakuru and
the Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive.
The park covers 180 sq km and is home to warthogs, waterbuck,
buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. White and black
rhinos were introduced to the park some years ago and you will find
white rhino at the southern end. The park has also retained its
reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species
of bird found here. We spend the night at Kembu campsite just
outside of town.
Day 9 – Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, we depart for Masai Mara National Reserve
via the Great Rift Valley arriving in time for lunch at the lodge.
We then proceed on an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge
for a delicious sundowner, and dinner at the Keekorok lodge or Masai
Mara Sopa Lodge.
The Mara reserve is 1510 sq km of incredible wide-open landscapes
and fertile riverine woodland and one glimpse is enough to explain
its appeal; it is typical savannah, with a mass of amazing wildlife.
Wherever you go in the Mara you will see a frequent amount of
wildlife such as Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, bat eared foxes,
grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, hartebeests, wildebeest.
Elephants, buffaloes, zebras and hippos also exist in great numbers.
It is also common to see lions either basking after a heavy meal, or
surveying the plains for their next meal. Cheetahs and leopards are
harder to spot but are still reasonably common.
Day 10 & 11 – Masai Mara National Reserve
The next two days shall be spent viewing game, in the early morning
hours and in the evenings as this is when we have the best chances
of seeing wildlife. The ultimate action here is without doubt the
annual wildebeest exodus in July and August when millions of these
grass eaters move north from the Serengeti in search of lusher grass
before turning south again in October.
You may also opt to do some of the activities offered by the lodge.
On clear days, the Masai Mara offers fantastic orange tinted sunsets
and you will definitely want to capture this moment while sipping on
a sun downer back at the lodge.
Balloon trips are an entirely outstanding way of seeing the savannah
plains and the wildlife after which you come back down for a
beautiful champagne breakfast. These trips can be arranged at our
office upon booking.
Day 12 - Nairobi
After a final early morning game drive we depart for Nairobi
arriving in the afternoon hours.
Cost per person sharing
Safari price Cost Includes:
-Transport on custom made 8 seater tour van ideal for game viewing
and photography
-Full board accommodation whilst on safari
-Accommodation in double/triple room
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
-All game drives as detailed in the itinerary
Complimentary return airport transfers
-Bottled water whilst on safari
-Start and end in Nairobi.
-Personalized service
Tour Cost excludes:
-Tips
-Laundry
-Beverages/Drinks
-International flights
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature
-Any other extras not detailed in
-Hotel accommodations in Nairobi before and after the safari |
