Day 1: Nairobi – Masai Mara game reserve ( 265 km – Approx. 5-6 hrs)
Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner.
0730hrs: On day one we’ll pick you up at your hotel or location of choice for the journey to Africa’s finest wildlife reserve – the Masai Mara. We should arrive in time for plenty of game viewing throughout the afternoon. The drive to the Mara is via Kenya rural settings that contrast dramatically as you progress towards the Great rift valley escarpment. Most of the drive shall be at the floor of the great rift valley and through Masai country. During the afternoon, explore the Masai Mara on your first game viewing drive of safari.
Day 2 & 3: Masai Mara Game Reserve – full day
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Here in Kenya’s most popular park with its deep savannahs offset with iconic acacia trees, you’ll have a good chance to spot the “Big Five” – lion, leopard elephant, rhino and buffalo because of the great density of animals in this reserve.
At the Mara River, we’ll see hippo and crocodile deep in their usual habitat as wildebeest, zebra and gazelle forge across in search of food. The park also supports masses of impala, eland, Masai Giraffe, cheetah and hyena. You won’t go a day here without enjoying the ever-present wildlife.
We offer several optional excursions to round out your safari. An early morning hot air balloon ride over the awakening Mara with its views of the endless trains of wildlife is an unforgettable memory. Just ask your guide to make the arrangements for you.
You can also take a moment out from wildlife tracking to visit the local Maasai people. Here you can meet the villagers, learn about their lives and purchase some of their colourful crafts.
Day 4: Maasai Mara – Lake Naivasha
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner
It’s a 4 hours drive to Lake Naivasha and its surrounding parks and preserves. This is a pretty area of forest, extinct volcanoes, imposing gorges and Africa’s signature acacia trees. Naivasha is another Rift Valley lake that attracts over 450 species of birds.
We’ll take a sailing safari across this lake looking for weavers, firefinches, cormorants and pelicans. As we glide by the hippos foraging about, we may also take in giraffe and zebra grazing on the nearby shore of this idyllic spot.
Then it’s a quick trip to Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, a private preserve where we’ll enjoy a guided walking safari amongst the grazing buffalo, zebra and giraffe. And if bicycling is more your speed, take advantage of an optional riding safari at nearby Hell’s Gate National Park.
This is a place of dramatic cliffs, canyons and active steam vents rising from the earth below. But it’s also an easy-going opportunity to bicycle past impala, eland and even baboon.
Day 5: Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National Park (350 km – Approx. 5-6 Hrs)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A long and easy drive to the Amboseli National Park.
There shall be stops to view the great rift valley escarpment along the highway as you proceed towards Nairobi
A short game viewing drive with possible views of the Mount Kilimanjaro peaks at Amboseli -Weather permitting
There will be plenty of stops along the way to Amboseli Park to eat, relax and appreciate vistas of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. As you approach the park, the great rise of Mt. Kilimanjaro overpowers the horizon. Africa’s tallest mountain is one of the ever-present features of this reserve – a picture postcard whenever you snap a picture. Check in for lunch and have an afternoon game drive.
Day 6: Amboseli National Park Full Day Game Drive
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Though not a large park, the density of wildlife here will make for an active and gratifying safari experience. Amboseli is known for its practically endless herds of elephants and you will see these wonderful titans marching to their watering holes.
It’s been a busy 7 days, and you’ve seen and absorbed so much during this discovery safari. But there’s still more to experience on your way to Kenya’s sun-dappled coast.
Day 7: Amboseli – Emali (100 km – approx. 1.5 Hrs) SGR Train to Mombasa
Meal Plan: Breakfast
As we exit the park, you’ll be seeing your last views of Amboseli. However, on your upcoming train journey, you’ll be passing through both Tsavo West and Tsavo East Parks for more vistas and possibly wildlife viewing.
Your driver/guide will bring you to the train station at Emali. There, he’ll assist you with tickets and transfer to the Madaraka Express, the new high-speed train to Mombasa and the coast. On arrival our guide will await you and take you to your hotel of choice.
