14 Days Kenya Safari

We will start off with our activities after breakfast such as heading to Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage on the outskirts of Nairobi, located on the grounds of Daphne Sheldrick’s residence. Here you get to meet the orphaned animals and the individuals that care for them. The orphanage’s staff are always eager to answer any questions. From there we will have our lunch break before heading to Giraffe Centre, a conservation and education facility dedicated to conserving the endangered Rothschild giraffe. The center runs educational programs for school groups and visitors, and there may be a chance to feed giraffes from an elevated feeding platform, offering an up-close interaction with the giraffes there is also a nature trail within the grounds where visitors can learn about local flora and fauna. The center is involved in a successful breeding program aimed at increasing the Rothschild giraffe population, and they have successfully reintroduced these animals into various Kenya national parks

After an early breakfast, hop into the 4×4 safari vehicle and get whisked to the iconic ‘Out of Africa’ Safari destination, the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. En route, you will stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint to enjoy the panoramic views over the spectacular African Great Rift Valley. Arrive in time for lunch at your luxury tented camp, Ashnil Mara Camp. After a short time to relax and refresh, head out for an afternoon safari in Kenya’s most popular game reserve. The Mara, as it is fondly called, is home to Kenya’s largest lion prides and boasts high elephant numbers, so you are certain to see both. Spotted hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs are among the other predators that lurk, while the herbivores include zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, a variety of antelopes and large herds of wildebeests. Nile crocodiles and hippos may be seen wallowing in the Mara River. Birding enthusiasts are in for a treat with over 550 bird species documented. The Masai Mara National Reserve is home to ‘the largest animal spectacle on earth’ – the annual migration that sees approximately one million wildebeest move to the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania, on the other side of the border. See a write-up about the Great Migration at the end of this itinerary. As the sun sets, return to camp in time for campfire drinks and tuck into a hearty safari supper. Savor the peace of the African bush as you sit around the campfire before turning in for the night. You will have a sunset experience in Masai Mara. The next two days will always be morning and evening games drives with one last evening of Masai village cultural tour accommodation

Kenya Take a last early morning game drive in Masai Mara before returning to camp for a final breakfast before setting off for the next destination of your Kenya Safari, Lake Naivasha. Arrive at beautiful Naivasha Sopa Resort (or similar) on the lakeside in time for a late lunch and a rest before the afternoon excursion. Embark on a boat ride on the lake, weaving between pods of hippos. You will make a stop on Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha nearby. This is the lip of an extinct ancient volcano that protrudes from the lake and is home to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Take a leisurely walk amongst the animals on the island, amid giraffes, wildebeest, zebra and waterbuck, while watching the wallowing hippos offshore. They usually come out of the lake each evening to feed on the banks and doze under the acacia trees. Take a walk to the summit of the hill for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, with Lake Longonot, Hell’s Gate, and the Mau Escarpment in the distance. This vista is particularly lovely in the golden hour before sunset when animals graze against the shimmering lake waters. Head back on the boat to the lodge for a hearty meal and an evening spent beneath the stars around the campfire enjoying the tranquility of this lakeside location. Included Activities: Crescent Island Boat & Walking Safari Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Kenya On day 7 of our Kenya Safari & Beach Package, your guide drives you to Amboseli National Park after breakfast. Stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint to take in the spectacular vistas before continuing through the Nairobi outskirts and on to Amboseli. The Kenyan National Park is dominated by the dry bed of Amboseli Lake, an expanse of cracked earth with saline deposits. Large herds of elephants are to be found wandering the grassy plains that fringe the lake bed, together with the other of Africa’s Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo- – and a host of other birds and wildlife. A distant view of Africa’s tallest mountain, mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, dominates the background. Arrive at Amboseli Sopa Lodge (or similar) in time for lunch and rest before heading out for a late afternoon game-viewing drive around the Reserve. This desolate landscape, set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, creates a stark yet beautiful contrast to the surrounding savannah, attracting wildlife seeking water during the wet season and offering a unique, otherworldly scenery for visitors year-round. Travel across this enormous lake bed, frequently dry but occasionally marshy, keeping a lookout for wildlife including cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, gazelles, and herds of elephants.

Day 8 will see you spend a full day on safari in Amboseli National Park. Head out into the reserve early morning and late afternoon in search of wildlife, retreating to camp in between to enjoy hearty meals and relax by the swimming pool. There is also an option to visit the local Maasai community, where you will be able to engage and learn about the vibrant culture of this traditionally nomadic pastoralist people who have been entwined in this environment for so long. Included Activities: Amboseli Safari Optional Activities: Maasai Cultural Village Tour Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Day 9 sees your Kenya Safari & Beach Package head further along the Kenya border lands to Tsavo West National Park. At 8,000 square miles, Tsavo National Park is Kenya’s biggest national park and one of the world’s largest, and is bisected by the Nairobi-Mombasa road, dividing the park into 2 sections. You will arrive at Severin Safari Camp (or similar), in the heart of Tsavo West, in time for lunch and a short siesta before embarking on an afternoon safari drive through Tsavo West National Park. Head out into the mix of forest shrub vegetation and rolling volcanic hills, covered in long grass and dotted with huge baobab trees, in search of the resident wildlife, including cheetah, leopard, zebra, giraffe, a variety of antelope from waterbuck to klipspringer, impala, and gazelles, along with herds of buffalo, and elephant. The national park also has a large lion population, including some ancestors of the famed “Man-eaters of Tsavo.” Over 600 bird species have been reported, including the endangered corncrake and the near-threatened Basra reed warbler. As the sun begins to set, retreat to the comfort of the safari camp for your last evening by the campfire. Included Activities: Tsavo Safari Optional Activities: Rhino Sanctuary Visit, Mzima Springs Visit, Maasai Cultural Tour Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Severin Safari Camp, Day

Kenya Enjoy a final early morning game-viewing drive in search of Kenya’s wildlife before returning to camp for a hearty breakfast. Then your Kenya Safari & Beach Package heads to the coast for some beach time. Travel along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, making a stop in the town of Voi for lunch before continuing to the Indian Ocean coastline. You are headed to Diani Beach, located just south of Mombasa. Spend the next four days relaxing at a Diani Reef beach resort & Spa, the Swahili Beach Resort (or similar). It is perfectly located on stunning Diani Beach with its expanse of white sand, the horizon dotted with traditional wooden dhow boats. Your days are free to spend as you choose. Unwind on the beach and swim in the balmy ocean. The ocean is full of marine life – remember to bring your underwater camera. Green and Hawksbill turtles, both endangered, call these waters home. Kenya is also one of the few places where reef sharks are frequently seen. A glass-bottom boat trip is a fantastic day out for people who like to keep dry while yet experiencing the marine ecology as schools of beautiful fish swim beneath you. KitsiteMpunguti Marine Park, located barely 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Diani Beach, is a protected refuge of coral reefs and tiny islands populated by dolphins, turtles, birds, and a variety of fish. Shimba Hills National Reserve is a tiny rainforest park located only 15 kilometres (9 miles) away. Optional Activities: Watersports, Scuba Diving, Glass-bottom Boat trips, Dhow boat rental, Funsi Island Day trip, and more Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

& Beach Package comes to a close. Depending on your international departure, you will have the day at leisure before being driven to the Ukunda airfield in time for your domestic flight back to Nairobi (at extra cost) for your onward travels