ESSENCE OF KENYA

Tour Description

In this Safari tour we take you to great safari destinations rich in variety of wild/Birdlife, rich cultures and picturesque landscapes bordering these bespoke safari destinations.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 360 km2 (140 sq mi) not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in Central Kenya’s Laikipia County. It is situated on the equator west of Nanyuki, between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes, and generate income through wildlife tourism and complementary enterprises for re-investment in conservation and community development.

The Conservancy boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa; in 2013, it reached a population milestone of 100 black rhino. It also houses the two remaining northern white rhino in the world, who were moved there from Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic

The Samburu National Reserve is a game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro river in Kenya. On the other side of the river is the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. The park is 165 km² in size and is situated 350 kilometers from Nairobi. It ranges in altitude from 800 to 1230 m above sea level. Geographically, it is located in Samburu County.

Aberdares National park provides a habitat for elephants, black rhinos, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs and bushbucks among others. Rare sightings include those of the Giant Forest hog, bongo, golden cat, serval cat, African wild cat, African civet cat and the blue duiker. Visitors can indulge in picnics, trout fishing in the rivers and camping in the moorlands.

Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha are birding hubs with wildlife and you can take a guided walking safari or bicycle ride at Hells Gate National Park.

Masai Mara is a unique wildlife conservation haven, famous for its spectacular natural diversity of wildlife and happens to be a premier Kenya Safari location in East Africa, offering visitors many reasons to visit this animal paradise. Large numbers of Lions, Cheetah, Elephant, Rhino, African Buffalo, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Zebra and many more animals are found in the park in their natural habitat, unconfined and free to roam the vast wilderness stretching for miles on end.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: NAIROBI

Arrival of your international flight, met by our representative outside customs and immigration halls. Transfer to your city hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.

THE SAROVA PANAFRIC HOTEL

DAY 2: NAIROBI – OL PEJETA

09h00: Breakfast and depart for Ol Pejeta Sanctuary.
Arrive and check-in followed by lunch at the Sweet Waters Serena Camp.
16h00: Afternoon game drive in the Sanctuary with a visit to the Jane GoodAll Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Dinner and overnight stay.
SWEET WATERS SERENA CAMP

DAY 3: OL PEJETA – SAMBURU

08h00: After breakfast, check out and drive to the Samburu Game Reserve. Check-in at the lodge and lunch.
15h30: Afternoon game drive.

In the arid North of Kenya, water means life. The waters of the great Ewaso Nyiro river draw wildlife in great numbers to its banks, creating an oasis of green. This river flows through three great northern reserves, Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba. This is spectacular country, set against a backdrop of the mighty Mountain Ol Olokwe. The verdant riverine forest is a stark contrast to the arid thorn studded plains. Samburu is visited by large herds of Elephants, drawn by the promise of water. In the dry season, the elephants use their tusks to dig deep into the dry river beds, unearthing precious water. These waterholes then become a focal point for other game. The Samburu region is the best place to find several endemic Northern species, including Gerenuk, the Reticulated Giraffe, and Grevy’s Zebra.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

SAROVA SHABA GAME LODGE

DAY 4: SAMBURU

06h30: Early morning game drive after Tea or Coffee.
Breakfast at the lodge. Rest of the morning at leisure or embark on optional activities.
12h30: Lunch at the lodge.
16h00: Afternoon game drive.
18h00: Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

SAROVA SHABA GAME LODGE

DAY 5: SAMBURU – MOUNT KENYA

06h30: Early morning game drive, followed by breakfast.
After breakfast, drive to Mount Kenya, situated on the Equator.
Check-in at the Mount Kenya Safari Club, a world famous resort facing Mount Kenya.
Rest of the day at leisure, relax and enjoy.
All meals and overnight at the club.

MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB

DAY 6: MOUNT KENYA – ABERDARES

09h00: After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to the Aberdares region.
Check-in at the Base Hotel followed by lunch.
Afternoon transfer to the ‘Tree Hotel’ located in the heart of the forest.
Game viewing from the terrace overlooking a flood-lit water hole below.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

ARK LODGE
NB: Children below 7yrs are not permitted at The Ark Lodge.

DAY 7: ABERDARES – LAKE NAKURU

09h00: After breakfast, rejoin your safari guide and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Arrive and check-in for lunch.
15h30: Game drive in the park and around the alkaline lake.

Lake Nakuru is a shallow alkaline lake in Kenya’s Rift Valley and some 62 km2 in extent. The road from Nairobi to Nakuru passes down the Kikuyu escarpment with fine views of the Kedong Valley and Mounts Suswa and Longonot. The landscape is picturesque, areas of sedge, marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrop. In late 80’s the park also became Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary and is today home to both the White and Black Rhinos. Lions, leopards, hippos, giraffes, waterbucks are equally at home in this unique park.

Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

SAROVA LION HIILS LODGE

DAY 8: LAKE NAKURU – LAKE NAIVASHA

06h30: Early morning game drive and breakfast.
09h30: Depart for Lake Naivasha, a fresh water lake in the Rift Valley.
11h00: Arrive at the lodge and check-in.
12h30: Lunch at the lodge.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure / Optional Boat Ride on the lake and a guided walk on Crescent Island.

Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake, fringed by thick papyrus. The lake and its surrounds are rich in natural bounty, and the fertile soils and water supply have made this one of Kenya’s prime agricultural regions. Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. These forests abound with bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding destination. The waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores. Giraffes wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large hippo population sleep the day out in the shallows.

Dinner and overnight stay.

ENASHIPAI RESORT

DAY 9: LAKE NAIVASHA/MASAI MARA

07h30: Breakfast and drive via Narok town to the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Check-in at the lodge followed by lunch.
15h30: Afternoon game drive in the reserve.
Dinner and overnight at the camp.

SAROVA MARA GAME CAMP

DAYS 10 & 11: MASAI MARA

06h30: Early morning game drive in the reserve, followed by breakfast.
10h30: Another game drive or relax by the poolside.
12h30: Buffet lunch at the camp.
15h30: Afternoon game drive.
(You have the choice of going out on full day game drives with picnic lunches if you so desire).

Masai Mara offers an absolutely unique variety of animals. The reason is that this hilly region is both humid and fertile, and is crossed by the rivers Mara and Talek, full of crocodiles and hippos, which carry water the whole year round. The banks of the rivers are covered in thick forest, which gradually makes way for bush and grassland. The abundance of water and excellent availability of food are the reasons why the Masai Mara, which in fact is a continuance of the Tanzanian Serengeti National Park, has the greatest population of wild animals in the whole of Africa. There is a particularly dramatic “spectacle” from July to November, the annual migration of huge herds of Gnus and Zebras. Predators such as Hyenas, Jackals, Leopards and Lions of course, closely follow these herds. Gigantic herds of over 200 buffaloes can also be observed. Plenty of food is available for elephants, giraffes, and the many species of antelopes.

Dinner and overnight at the camp.

SAROVA MARA GAME CAMP

DAY 12: MASAI MARA – NAIROBI – DEPART

06h30: Early morning game drive, followed by breakfast.
Return to Nairobi. Lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant.
Afternoon drop off at the venue of your choice within the city or the Airport.