Day 1: Nairobi – Tsavo West National Park

Our long private safari in Kenya starts off with our driver comfortably picking you up from your hotel or the Nairobi airport in the early morning. Together, we then depart by road to the legendary land of the ‘Man-Eaters’ – Tsavo West National Park, home to over 1000 plant species, 400 bird species and more than 60 major mammal species such as Lions, huge herds of Buffalo, the solitary and ill-tempered Rhino and at least 7000 Elephants. The park has been the scene of Africa’s most famous adventure story – the story of the “Man-Eaters of Tsavo”. During the construction of the Kenya-Uganda railway in the late 1900s, two giant lions reportedly killed and devoured hundreds of railway workers. The railway project was thereafter themed the “Lunatic Line”.

We arrive in good time for lunch, then embark on an afternoon game drive to catch up with today’s relatives of Tsavo’s ruthless man eaters. We can opt for a visit to the park’s Rhino Sanctuary, where we spot Elephants, Giraffes, and – of course – the endangered Black Rhinos.

Overnight at the Rhino Valley Lodge, Ngulia Safari Lodge or Severin Safari Camp

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Tsavo West National Park – Tsavo East National Park

We start our second day of safari adventure with an early morning game drive in Tsavo West National Park, then return to our lodge and continue our adventures in direction of Tsavo East National Park. While Tsavo West is hilly and densely vegetated, Tsavo East is mostly savannah and open plains, making game spotting very easy.

We arrive in good time for lunch, then start out for more adventures in an afternoon game drive. Tsavo East is known for excellent game viewing which includes Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Zebras, Giraffes, Antelopes, Kudus, Oryx, Klipspringers, Impalas, Stripped Hyenas, Ostriches, Gazelles, Buffaloes, Tsavo’s famous “Red Elephants” and many more. We can also marvel at a variety of migratory and native birds. These birds are present between late October and early January, and come from as far as Eastern- and Western Europe.

Overnight at the Sentrim Tsavo Tarhi Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Tsavo East National Park – Amboseli National Park

After breakfast, we leave Tsavo East behind us and head for Amboseli National Park (254 kilometers distance, approx. 4 hours of drive). On a clear we marvel at majestic Mount Kilimanjaro as we approach the park. We arrive in perfect time for a delicious lunch and find time to relax and dip into the inviting swimming pool, then set out for an exciting game drive. Amboseli is best known for its great herds of Elephants – you’ll often find plenty of them standing knee-deep in the water, spraying water, eating and bathing in the swamps to cool off. Predators stalk the herds of grazing animals, recreating the age-old drama of life and death under the African sun, in a setting so lushly beautiful.

Cheetahs, Buffaloes, Giraffes, different types of Gazelle and rich plain’s game are but a few examples of the stunning wildlife found here. As the sun goes down on Amboseli National Park, we return to our lodge for dinner.

Overnight at the Sentrim Amboseli Lodge or Kibo Safari Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Amboseli National Park

We spend a whole day in Amboseli National Park, with marvelous morning and afternoon game drives. This park is a genuine paradise for all sorts of stunning wildlife. Amboseli is “Big Game Country”. With a bit of luck, we come face-to-face with all of the BIG Five here. Mount Kilimanjaro provides the background scenery for our adventures in Amboseli. Anyone will agree it’s a one-of-a-kind experience to witness the exact moment in which the mountain emerges from the cloud layers into bright sunshine. Kilimanjaro dominates the landscape from every perspective, dwarfing even the park’s huge Elephants. Amboseli is a must-see and even experienced safari adventurers enjoy returning here.

We can also decide to visit a Maasai Village close-by and learn about the proud tribe’s rich culture and traditional practices.

Overnight at the Sentrim Amboseli Lodge or Kibo Safari Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Amboseli National Park – Aberdare National Park

After an early breakfast, we head for Nairobi for lunch. Heading further north, we drive through coffee plantations until we reach the marvellous Ark Lodge in Abderdare National Park. The lodge comes alive at night with the various sounds of the animals close-by. All of the en-suite rooms have balconies from which you can look beyond the trees to observe the endless parade of wildlife.

If someone had to come up with a total contrast programme to the usual safari setting, they couldn’t propose anything more fitting than the Aberdares. Rising up to 4000m, the Aberdares are characterized by wild mountain ranges covered in thick mist. Cascades and falls dominate the picture, testifying to the area’s humid climate. The thick green of the lower-lying plateaus is home to Elephants, Buffaloes, Giant Forest Pigs and Leopards. Leopards? Yes, but something about them is different. Equipped with a good portion of luck, visitors might spot one of the rare Black Leopards that call the park home.

Overnight at the Ark Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Aberdare National Park – Samburu National Reserve

We take breakfast in our lodge, then travel by road to Kenya’s northern frontier. Wild and rugged, Samburu National Reserve is fiercely beautiful with its arid savannahs watered only by the lovely Ewaso Ng’iro river. A safari through Samburu will show you the strange and out-of-the-ordinary species of northern Kenya. It is ideal for people who are not just after the Big Cats and the Great Migration, but love remote areas and unique landscapes. If you are looking for a tour off the beaten track, Samburu is a good choice.

After lunch at our lodge in Samburu, we find time for leisure and refreshment, then head off to an afternoon game drive. Samburu is home to a number of very unique animals. You can marvel at beautiful Reticulated Giraffes, Grevy’s Zebras, Beisa Oryx, Blue Legged Somali Ostriches and Gerenuks (especially beautiful long-necked antelopes). These stunning animals are referred to as the “Samburu Five”.

Overnight at the Samburu Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Samburu National Reserve

This full day in the Samburu Game Reserve will be spent searching for the Big Five, the Samburu Five, and with observing the vast unspoiled scenery during morning and afternoon game viewing drives. Kenya’s north is characterized by hot and dry climates. Yellow grass, red earth and huge old trees paint a romantic picture of African beauty. But the environment within Samburu National Reserve is as challenging for its inhabitants, as it is beautiful.

Water is scarce here, and the Ewaso Ng’iro, the gently flowing river in Samburu, is the reserve’s only lifeline. Buffaloes, Elephants, Giraffes, Gazelles and occasionally Wild Dogs are indulging in the refreshing wet. Leopards and Lions are waiting for the heat of the day to wear off, as they patiently gaze at their evening prey. But they are not the only predators at the scene. Huge Nile Crocodiles await everyone who is all too impatient to get to the river’s shores….

Overnight at the Samburu Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Samburu National Reserve – Lake Nakuru National Park

We enjoy an energizing early morning breakfast, then depart Samburu for marvelous Lake Nakuru National Park. Taking lunch on the way, we arrive in the early afternoon hours. “Lake in pink” is probably the best way to describe Lake Nakuru. Up to two million Flamingos nest around its shores, giving the lake its unique colour. Sometimes the birds are present in such numbers that the lake’s surface cannot be seen!

The lake is home to more than 450 species of birds. There are no Elephants in the park, but in a afternoon game drive we can spot the other members of the Big Five, including tree-climbing Lions. Special attention is paid to a conservation area for White and Black Rhino. In one of Kenya’s largest Rhino sanctuaries, rangers protect the endangered species from poaching. Towards the east of the lake, we take a look at Africa’s biggest Euphorbia forest, tall, cactus-like trees which are not only visually appealing, but are also providing a unique habitat for the park’s wildlife.

Overnight at the Lake Nakuru Lodge or Flamingo Hill Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Lake Nakuru National Park – Lake Naivasha National Park

We wake up early for a spectacular morning game drive within Lake Nakuru National Park, then we continue our journey towards Lake Naivasha. Nakuru and Naivasha may be close in geographical terms, but the two lakes are very different when it comes to their ecosystems and the wildlife they host. While Lake Nakuru’s water is saline, Naivasha is a freshwater lake. It is the highest-lying lake in the eastern arm of the East African Rift Valley and one of only two freshwater lakes in Kenya. Naivasha is a paradise for all sorts of water birds: Pelicans, Herons, Eagles, and Geese are found here.

We arrive in good time for a boat ride (optional, at an extra cost) to watch the sun set over Lake Naivasha. Navigating right through herds of Hippos is a rather special experience that – we guarantee for that – you won’t easily forget. Alternatively, a nature walk at Crescent Island is an excellent way to see wild animals. The island is home to Zebras, Gazelles, Monkeys, Hares, Bucks and Giraffes.

Overnight at the Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or Naivasha Kongoni Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Lake Naivasha – Maasai Mara Game Reserve

After a comfortable breakfast, we depart stunning Lake Naivasha for the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, the jewel among Kenya’s game reserves. The enormous reserve is actually part of the vast Serengeti plains and is well-known for its spectacular wildebeest migration. It is the true home of the BIG FIVE: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino and Cape Buffalo. Its name derives from the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who still call the wide plains of Kenya and northern Tanzania home. As we travel through Maasai land, we occasionally come across a solitary Maasai Moran (=Warrior) standing on one foot while herding hundreds of cows, goats and sheep. His only defense against the dangerous wildlife surrounding him to all sides is a single stick or spear!

Upon arrival in the Maasai Mara, we comfortably take lunch at our camp before exploring the huge reserve on a late afternoon game drive. In the evening, we relax around the campfire and enjoy an excellent dinner.

Overnight at the Osero Camp or Oloshaiki Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Maasai Mara Game Reserve

This day of safari adventure is exclusively spent in the Maasai Mara. We look out for the park’s Big Cats, the Big Five and the abundance of wildlife and natural wonders found in Kenya’s most famous game reserve. Remember to keep a sharp lookout; you may witness a dramatic hunt, a solitary Leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree, or a herd of Elephants protecting their young from predators. The Maasai Mara has one of the richest wildlife ensembles in the world, hosting over 95 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. Game viewing is never dull here, and patience is usually rewarded with unique sightings.

Between July and October (usually best in July and August), we can witness the famous Wildebeest and Zebra migration from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara. A massive accumulation of 1.5 million Wildebeest, 200,000 Zebras and 350,000 Gazelles stretches their legs over 2000km in an annual race to find enough water and green grass for their survival.

Overnight at the Osero Camp or Oloshaiki Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Maasai Mara Game Reserve – Nairobi

After a good night’s sleep, we wake up early for a spectacular morning game drive. The Maasai Mara has been the setting of the well-known movie ‘Out of Africa’. Its astonishing wildlife is the star of the show, providing drama and intrigue against the backdrop of a spectacular scenery. Fueled by our impressions, we take breakfast in the mid-morning hours. After breakfast, we start our journey back to Nairobi, enjoying lunch on the way. In Nairobi, our driver safely brings you back to your hotel or the airport. Our long private safari in Kenya ends here, but you won’t go empty-handed. Instead, you take home a big smile and a lifetime of memories – that much is certain!

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Program includes:

• Drive in a Private Safari Van with English speaking tour driver/guide
• All park entry fees
• Accommodation and meals as mentioned in program
• Government taxes
• Mineral water on the van

Not included:

• Tips and gratuities
• Laundry
• Drinks and beverages and any other item of personal nature
  
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