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My Holiday Summary
People and Wildlife of Kenya - Kenya
11 days (13 inc. flights) - from £1925
- Game viewing in Samburu Game Reserve, the Rift Valley, Loita Hills and the Masai Mara.
- Cultural interaction with the Masai people.
- The spectacular sight and sound of thousands of flamingos of Lake Bogoria.
- Hot springs and geysers.
- Walking safaris and vehicle game drives.
- Private camp in the heart of the Masai Mara.
- Dine under the stars, sit around camp fires, listen to the African night...
Description
Witness the diversity of Kenya's wildlife reserves and National Parks, where the different ecosystems attract a wide variety of animals and birds. And get to know some of the people who live in this beautiful country, visiting their villages, being guided by them, and learning about their culture.You'll start with a night in Nairobi where, if time permits, you could choose to Make it Yours and get a head start on the ele watching, with a trip to Daphne Sheldrick's elephant orphanage. Or visit the giraffe centre or the Karen Blixen museum.
You'll have an afternoon and a full day's game viewing in Samburu, one of the parks where Elsa of 'Born Free' fame was reared. The parched terrain is home to many desert-adapted species, and the Ewaso Nyiro River, which provides a vital water source, draws wildlife including elephant, lion, buffalo and hippo from miles around. So you'll see an incredible range, and the lack of grass makes it quite easy to spot elusive animals such as leopard.
We'll take you through the northern desert region to the bustling market town of Maralal, and descend into the Rift Valley to Lake Bogoria, famed for its flamingos, natural hot springs and boiling geysers. And to Lake Naivasha, a birdwatcher's paradise and where gazelle, zebra and giraffe graze on the lake edge. And we'll take a walk on Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, a private game reserve in a partially submerged volcanic crater.
This trip also takes in the beautiful Loita Hills in the Masai Mara ecosystem. Black and white colobus monkeys live in the forested areas and cheetah, wildebeest, zebra and giraffe roam the plains. In this Maasailand you'll be guided by traditional Maasai, and we will take you to their villages.
Finally, you'll enjoy two full days' game viewing in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, world famous for the annual migration during the months on July to October. If you're there at that time of year you'll witness the unforgettable spectacle of literally millions of wildebeest and zebra moving across the plains and rivers, with predators in hot pursuit. But at any time of year there is fantastic game viewing in the Mara, which is renowned for its big cat sightings. And we even squeeze in one final morning's game drive on the last day of your holiday.
You'll spend nine nights under canvas, travelling in a comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle with roof hatches, with a driver/guide and cook taking care of you. You'll set up camp in amazing locations, eat under the stars, sit around the campfire, and listen to the sounds of the African bush at night. You'll be getting back to nature, with no electricity (lanterns light the camp at night), and with bush toilets and showers, but you'll sleep on comfortable mattresses in igloo tents and you'll enjoy great food and a true safari experience in some of the most beautiful parts of this fabulous country. If you have a sense of adventure, this is the holiday for you!
Itinerary Summary
- Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi. Transfer to hotel.
- Day 2: Drive from Nairobi to Samburu Game Reserve. Afternoon game drive. (B,L,D)
- Day 3: Samburu game Reserve - full day's game viewing.(B,L,D)
- Day 4: Maralal.(B,L,D)
- Day 5: Lake Bogoria National Reserve.(B,L,D)
- Day 6: Lake Naivasha - walking safari in Crescent Island Game Sanctuary.(B,L,D)
- Days 7-8: Loita Hills - game drives, walking safaris with Maasai guides, visit Maasai villages.(B,L,D)
- Days 9-10: Two full days of game viewing in the Masai Mara.(B,L,D)
- Day 11: Morning game drive in Masai Mara, then on to Nairobi. Overnight flight to the UK (if selected). (B)
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 (Sat): Arrive in Nairobi, where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy exploring the city, or you could Make it Yours with a trip to Sheldrick's elephant orphanage, the giraffe centre or perhaps the Karen Blixen museum.
- Day 2 (Sun): Depart Nairobi and drive north to Samburu Reserve passing the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Enjoy game viewing in the afternoon. (B,L,D)
- Day 3 (Mon): Full day's game viewing in Samburu. Elephant, lion, buffalo and hippo are all found here, along with desert-adapted species who thrive on the arid terrain. You may even see the rare Grevy's zebras. (B,L,D)
- Day 4 (Tues): Drive through the northern desert region and up onto the high plateau of Maralal. Visit the colourful town where the local Samburu people come to trade their goods. (B,L,D)
- Day 5 (Wed): Descend into the Rift Valley to visit the fascinating landscape of Lake Bogoria, where geysers shoot hot spring water high into the air and flamingos feed in the warm waters. (B,L,D)
- Day 6 (Thurs): Head south to the birdwatcher's paradise of Lake Naivasha, where you'll spend the night camping on a private farm near the lake's edge. Take a walk in the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. (B,L,D)
- Day 7 (Fri): Cross the Rift Valley and drive into the Loita Hills where you will visit a traditional Masai village. (B,L,D)
- Day 8 (Sat): Enjoy a full day's walk in the green hills with a Masai guide, taking in some wonderful views and hopefully seeing some great wildlife. You will pass villages on the way where you can stop to meet the local people. (B,L,D)
- Days 9-10 (Sun, Mon): Two days game watching on the open plains of the Masai Mara, where you will be able to enjoy viewing the plentiful wildlife. If you're here at migration time (around July to October) you'll witness millions of zebra and wildebeest making their mammoth trek, pursued by predators, but whatever time of year you are here, the wildlife will be astonishing. (B,L,D)
- Day 11 (Tues): A final early morning game drive you will be taken back to Nairobi. After nearly a week of mobile camping, you'll no doubt enjoy having the use of a hotel room for a good clean up, after which you will be taken to the airport for your onward journey or to connect to the overnight flight back to the UK (if selected). (B)
Is it for you?
If you have a sense of adventure and want to see the real Kenya and spend some time with the local tribes people then this is the trip for you! Coupled with some truly spectacular game viewing and good oppotunities for walking, it makes a fantastic holiday for all the family.
Best times to go
Kenya is a great year round destination but do be aware that the long rains arrive traditionally in late March and last until the beginning of May. There is also a short rainy season in November.
Getting there
Our with flights price is based on using Kenya Airways which would leave the UK the day before this itinerary on an overnight flight. On the way back you would also have an overnight flight arriving back in the UK the next day.
Gallery
Responsible Travel
The community fees paid go to help local schools and community projects in Loita Hills. Also, you have local Maasai guides in Loita Hills and a Samburu guide near Maralal, which helps bring income to small communities.Add-ons
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