In Depth Safari

This safari covers a wide range of kenya’s best wildlife reserves; tsavo west, amboseli, mt kenya, samburu and the maasai mara. Travel is by 4x4 vehicle, and light aircraft, with your private guide accompanying throughout.

 
Day 1 - Nairobi
Arrive today into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and transferred to the Norfolk Hotel. The Norfolk is a landmark in Nairobi dating from it's colonial days, updated with modern amenities. There are four restaurants, a lobby bar, swimming pool and full gym. Overnight - The Norfolk Hotel

Days 2 - 3 - Tsavo National Park West
This morning after an early breakfast you will meet your guide and depart by road with for the legendary land of the Man-eaters – Tsavo. A diverse and vast park with altitudes ranging from 500 – 6,000 ft. and an area of 5,633 sq. miles (9,065 sq. kms), this wilderness supports large numbers of wildlife including elephant, rhino, lion, huge herds of buffalo, giraffe and a variety of plains species.
You will arrive in time for lunch at the Kilaguni Lodge. Kilaguni was Kenya’s first wildlife lodge and is known for its magnificent setting in the heart of the Park with views of the Chyulu Hills and the snowy peaks of Kilimanjaro. Each of it’s 52 rooms has a private verandah overlooking a waterhole and Mt. Kilimanjaro and the lodge has a restaurant, lounge and pool.

After lunch relax a bit before heading out on your first game drive in the park, returning for dinner. On your next day head out again for morning and afternoon game drives in this huge park. Overnight - Kilaguni Lodge (all meals & activities)


Day 4 - Amboseli National Park
After breakfast you will depart by road through the back side of Tsavo south to the Amboseli plains and Amboseli National Park. The park and surrounding game reserve cover 1,260 sq. miles (1,930 sq. kms) and is mostly arid woodland with a series of swamps and lakes that provide a year round water supply for the wildlife. Amboseli sits in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro and is known for it's large elephant population and other big game that is attracted to the area by underground springs which are fed by the Mountain. With a game drive along the way, you’ll arrive at your lodge in time for lunch.

The Amboseli Serena Lodge sits in the shadow of Kilimanjaro and is built in the style of a Maasai Village> the lodge enjoys one of the best wildlife-viewing locations in the Park. From the comfort of the dining terrace you can watch animals come down to the swamp to drink. Built from ecologically sympathetic materials, its architectural shapes, style, textures and colors enable it to blend effortlessly into the landscape and work in gentle harmony with the natural environment. The lodge has 96 rooms, each with an uninterrupted view over grass lands below. Guests can also enjoy an acacia-shaded swimming pool fed by the springs of Kilimanjaro, a selection of natural timber game viewing decks, and a water hole for the animals in front. Dining is al fresco, under canvas, by hurricane lamp or by the candle-lit elegance and roaring log fires of the dining room - the choice is yours.

In the afternoon you’ll depart on an afternoon game drive in search of Amboseli’s famous elephants and with luck Kilimanjaro with be out for some sunset photos. Overnight - Amboseli Serena Lodge (all meals & activities)


Day 5 - Amboseli National Park
Awaken at dawn and depart on an early morning game drive while the light is just perfect for photographing the magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro. Return to the lodge for breakfast, followed by another morning game. This afternoon, your guide will depart for Nairobi and you will have the afternoon to relax at the lodge and view the nearby wildlife from your deck or by the watering hole. Overnight - Amboseli Serena Lodge (all meals & activities)

Day 6 - Nairobi / Mt. Kenya / Samburu National Reserve
This morning after an early breakfast you will be transferred by lodge vehicle to the airstrip and depart on the scheduled flight to Nairobi and continue to Nanyuki. When you arrive you will be met by your guide (who left for Nairobi the night before) and proceed to the nearby Mt. Kenya Safari Club. This beautiful property sits at the base of Mt. Kenya and was formerly the hunting lodge of William Holden. With its blend of romance, history and scenery, it has become a Kenyan tradition. At an elevation of over 7,000 ft., the air is cool, the gardens lush and the views of Mt. Kenya are magnificent. You’ll arrive before lunch with time to explore the beautiful grounds and visit the William Holden Animal Orphanage next to the club.
After a delicious lunch you’ll depart for Samburu National Reserve and drive north through the high wheat fields of Timau, crossing the equator and then down into the arid, thorny landscape of Samburu country. The Samburu region is known for it’s northern species of game seldom found south of the equator, Here you will find the Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali Ostrich, long-necked gerenuk, and dainty dik dik, as well as some of the most beautiful birdlife in Kenya. You’ll also see herds of elephant, plains game and their predators. The backdrop of rocky outcrops and prominent mountain ranges to the north, and the doum palms and riverine forest create a spectacular setting.

Your accommodation for three nights will be at Larsen’s Camp, a luxury permanent tented camp, on the riverbank under of canopy of giant yellow acacias. The camp consists of only 17 large walk-in tents with en-suite facilities, a dinning tent, swimming pool, fire pit and tree house, from which you can spot wildlife from. You’ll have morning and afternoon game drives in this exotic reserve. Returning to camp each early evening in time for drinks around the fire and dinner. Overnight - Larsen’s Tented Camp (all meals & activities)


Day 7 - Samburu National Reserve
This morning you’ll be awakened early and after some coffee or tea and biscuits, depart at dawn on an early morning game drive. After your drive you’ll return to camp for breakfast and then depart on a late morning game drive. After lunch and time to relax and do some serious bird watching, you’ll depart on a late afternoon game driven when again the light is perfect for photography. Return to camp each early evening in time for drinks around the fire and dinner. Overnight - Larsen’s Tented Camp (all meals & activities)

Day 8 - Samburu National Reserve
Depart today on an early morning game drive stopping for a picnic breakfast. Later in the day you will have the opportunity to take an nature walk with conducted by a camp guide or head out for a game drive. You will also have time today to relax on your verandah or perhaps view wildlife from the high viewing platform. Overnight - Larsen’s Tented Camp (all meals & activities)

Day 9 - Maasai Mara National Reserve
This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the Samburu airstrip and board the scheduled flight to the renowned Maasai Mara, Kenya's premier wildlife reserve. The Maasai Mara is actually the northern portion of the great plains ecosystem that in neighboring Tanzania is called the Serengeti. It is the home of the “big five” - lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant, as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe and vast herds of plains antelope and numerous other wildlife.
Your destination today is Kichwa Tembo tented camp, situated below the Oloololo Escarpment on the western boundary of the Maasai Mara reserve. Each of the 40 luxurious tents are spaced for complete privacy, have an en suite bathroom with shower, stone floors and soft lighting. A private deck affords a sweeping view of the Mara. The main lodge has a curio shop and a reception. The courtyard is candlelit in the evening and you may relax in the lounge area and take a dip on the swimming pool which overlooks the plains of the Mara.

After lunch and some time to relax and perhaps take a dip in the pool, you will depart with your guide, who will have driven down from Samburu, for an afternoon game drive in search of the big five. The late afternoon light is perfect for photographing the beautiful rolling plains of the Maasai Mara. In the early evening as you make your way back to camp, you may get lucky and spot a leopard on the prowl. As the sun starts to set you’ll return to your camp for dinner and overnight. Optionally we can arrange ahead of time for you to go on a wildlife walk along the Mara River and up the Oloololo Escarpment, guided by a park ranger and resident Maasai tracker and naturalist. Overnight - Kichwa Tembo (all meals & activities)


Day 10 - 11 - Maasai Mara National Reserve
Spend your day as you like, discussing your next days activities with your guide at dinner. On morning game drives you will awake before dawn and set out at sunrise in search of game. In between your morning and afternoon game drives you'll have ample time to relax and enjoy the ambiance at your luxury tented camp. You can also go out on all day game drives with a picnic lunch too. Overnight - Kichwa Tembo (all meals & activities)

Day 12 - Maasai Mara / Nairobi / End Of Safari
Arise at dawn for an early morning game drive or perhaps end your safari with a spectacular hot-air balloon ride over the Mara. After breakfast you’ll have a final game drive in the Mara as you make your way to the airstrip for the scheduled flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the Norfolk Hotel where you will have the use of a dayroom until your evening transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departing flight.Dayroom – The Norfolk Hotel (breakfast)



Safari Includes
Private airport transfers
All accommodations and meals as per itinerary
Customized 4WD safari vehicle with photographic roof hatch
Services of a private professional safari guide throughout
All National Park & Wildlife Reserve entry fees
Lunch at the Mt. Kenya Safari Club
Nature and bird walk in the Samburu Game Reserve
Scheduled flights: Amboseli - Nairobi, Nairobi - Nanyuki, Samburu - Maasai Mara, Maasai Mara - Nairobi
Mineral water during game drives
Membership in Flying Doctor's service

Not Included
International airfare & flights
Alcoholic beverages and drinks while in camps
Laundry services
All items of a personal nature
Gratuities to safari guide
Airport departure taxes
Travel Insurance
Visa and visa fees
Portage