Day 1. Arrive Nairobi, Kenya

Arrive this evening in the city of Nairobi and transfer to the luxurious Norfolk Hotel. Brimming with British colonial charm, you will revel in this hotel’s rich history.

Day 2. Nairobi

Travel this morning to ‘Karen’, on the outskirts of Nairobi, where you will visit the farmhouse of Karen Blixen, author of the book “Out of Africa”. Next, experience the local wildlife firsthand as you have an opportunity to feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes from a raised platform at the Rothschild Giraffe Sanctuary. Dine this evening at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. (B D)

Day 3. Nairobi – Amboseli National Park

This morning depart Nairobi for Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is famous for its open plains that are home to big game such as lions and elephants, and the breathtaking snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro which dominates the landscape. Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge. (B L D)

Day 4. Amboseli National Park

Enjoy a morning game drive followed by an elegant champagne breakfast at your hotel. With any luck you will see the “Big 5”: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. An afternoon game drive provides another opportunity for sightings. (B L D)

Amboseli national park was declared a national reserve in 1968. It became a national park in 1974. Amboseli National Park covers 392km² (151miles²) and has a mixed topography of plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps and marshes. This diversity, along with a long dry season, ensures excellent viewing of the large concentrations of African animals living in this natural habitat. Amboseli is one of the most popular safari parks in Kenya, the wildlife viewing is first class throughout the year, and the park is renowned for the spectacular backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa

Wildlife and Bird Watching in Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is home to large herds of free-ranging elephants, buffalo, impala, lion, cheetah, hyena, giraffes, zebra, and wildebeest among other African animals. There is also a host of Kenya birds, both large and small, to see if you keep your eyes open and stop at every sighting.

Activities and What to do in Amboseli National Park

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world is best viewed from Amboseli National Park

Visit Observation Hill, which overlooks the park, swamps and, of course, the herds of free-roaming elephants.

Amboseli is Masai land so you have a chance to meet the Masai people and learn about the Masai culture and their indigenous lifestyle on a Masai village tour.

Bird watching is best between October and January if you want to see Kenya’s migratory birds, including African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffalo weavers and palm nut vultures, to name a few.

Day 5. Amboseli – Aberdare National Forest

Travel today through lush tea and coffee plantations to the Aberdares, a beautiful mountain range in the central highlands of Kenya, home to many buffalo, rhino, and elephant. Here you will enjoy a stay at the world-famous tree lodge, the Ark. Built

on stilts deep in the heart of the forest, this lodge provides once-in-a-lifetime game viewing. Watch in awe from the deck or the underground bunker as the animals come to drink at a watering hole and salt lick located below the lodge. (B L D)

The Aberdare National Park covers the higher areas of the Aberdare Mountain Range of central Kenya of 766sq km and the Aberdare Salient to their east. Aberdare National Park is located in Nyeri / Nyandarua District and was created in 1950. The Park covers an area of 766Km2 and occupy the volcanic range that form the eastern wall of the rift valley. The Aberdares range is dominated by two peaks separated by a saddle of moorlands. The Northern Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and the southern peak Kinangop (3,906m). Other significant elevations in the park are Chebuswa( 3364m), Table Mountain(3791), Maratini Hill (3698m) and the Elephant (3590m). The terrain of the park is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes with numerous clear streams and waterfalls.

Wildlife and Bird watching at the Aberdares National Park, Kenya

Animals easily observed include the lion, leopard, baboon, black and white Colobus monkey, and Sykes monkey. Rarer sightings include those of the golden cat and the bongo – an elusive forest antelope that lives in the bamboo forest. Animals like the eland and spotted and melanistic serval cats can be found higher up in the moorlands. The Aberdare National Park also contains a large population of the black rhino. Visitors can also indulge in walking, picnics, trout fishing in the rivers and camping in the moorlands and even bird viewing due to the presence of over 250 species of birds in the park, including the endangered Aberdare Cist cola, Jackson’s Francolin, sparry hawk, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.

The lodges are one of the main attractions of the Aberdares. Both Treetops and The Ark are built above the ground beside floodlit waterholes with salt licks. Visitors must book in advance and cannot make their own way to the lodges in private vehicles. Instead check-in is at the Aberdare Country club for The Ark and the Outspan Hotel for Treetops, from where guests are bused to their respective lodges.

Day 6. Aberdare National Forest – Shaba Reserve

The northern game parks of Kenya, known as Samburu and Shaba, are home to some of the most exotic game viewing in the country. As well as the Big 5, you may find such species as the Reticulated Giraffe and Grevy’s Zebra in this area. Enjoy a game drive en route to our stunning riverside lodge where you can spend the evening relaxing and watching the local crocodiles. (B L D)

Day 7. Shaba Reserve – Samburu Reserve – Shaba Reserve

Your search for the elusive Big 5 continues today as we journey to Samburu Reserve. The striking contrast of sky, sand and bush will leave you breathless as you travel the region. Keep your eye out for some of the spectacular local bird life.you may spot a Somali Ostrich, a Martial Eagle, or one of the other 365 species of birds known to Samburu. Tonight enjoy a special lecture by a local tribal warrior. (B L D)

Day 8. Shaba Reserve – Nanyuki

Journey to the Equator and the town of Nanyuki. You will arrive at the world-famous Mt. Kenya Safari Club. Sprawling in the shadow of Mt. Kenya, this icon boasts a delightful history and beautiful grounds. The resort was once the private hunting lodge and retreat of movie star William Holden. Relax in the luxurious surroundings, lounge by the pool, enjoy afternoon tea in the Zebra Bar, or wander about the grounds. Your visit to the Equator would not be complete without experiencing the phenomenon known as the Corealis effect. Watch and discover why water spins different ways on different hemispheres. (B L D)

Day 9. Nanyuki – Sweetwaters – Nanyuki

Today enjoy a full day excursion in the Sweetwaters Private Sanctuary. Visit the Sweetwater Chimp Sanctuary, which was set up so that chimps could be taught to fend for themselves in an area similar to their natural living conditions. Priority is

given to orphaned and abused chimps. Your afternoon includes a game drive in the sanctuary before returning to Mt. Kenya. (B L D)

Day 10. Nanyuki – Lake Nakuru

After a leisurely breakfast you drive to Subukia, located on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, and take an entertaining tour of a delightful tea estate run by an engaging local entrepreneur. During your visit enjoy farm fresh tea and Turkana dances performed by tea-pickers. Next, drive to Lake Nakuru National Park and enjoy an evening game drive through this park, renowned for black & white rhino, leopard, and spectacular birdlife including thousands of flamingos. (B L D)

Lake Nakuru National Park was first gazette as a bird sanctuary in 1960 and upgraded to National Park status in 1968. A northern extension was added to the park in 1974 and the lake was designated as a Ramsar site. Lake Nakuru is world famous for its stunning flocks of lesser flamingo, which literally turn its shores pink. Its birdlife is world renowned: a beacon for leading ornithologists, scientists and wildlife film-makers. The park spans an attractive range of wooded and bush grassland around the lake offering wide ecological diversity, from lake water, woodland to the rocky escarpments and ridges.

Lake Nakuru Natio0nal Park rivals Amboseli as Kenya’s second-most-visited park. This is one of the best places in Kenya to see leopards, white rhinos and black rhinos and the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Lake Nakuru National park’s most famous attraction is the flamingos that ring the lake in thousands.

Notable game within the lake includes hippo and clawless otters. On the shores roam waterbuck, Bohor’s Reedbuck and zebra. The woodlands and forest are now home to both black and white rhino. In 1987, only two black rhinos remained following the ravages of poaching. By creating a rhino sanctuary within the park and reintroducing a breeding herd from Laikipia, the K.W.S. has now successfully re-established rhino in the park. Lake Nakuru National Park is also a sanctuary to the endangered Rothschild Giraffe.

Game viewing is relatively easy: buffalo, leopard, lion, Rothschild’s giraffe, Black and White Colobus monkey are plentiful in the forest. The bushlands offer eland, steinbok, impala, Chandler’s reedbuck and dik dik, whilst rock hyrax and klipspringer occupy the cliffs and escarpment.

Day 11. Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara

This morning travel to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Masai Mara is an extension of the great Serengeti Plain and is generally thought to be the most magnificent game viewing spot in all of Kenya. Here you may see lions, giraffes, zebras,elephants, and other wildlife as they exist in their natural habitat. An afternoon game drive is included.Your bush experience is truly complete as you relax this evening in your luxurious tented camp. Your tent will provide all the deluxe amenities of a lodge, complete with the adventure of the wild!! (B L D)

Masai Mara National Reserve (also known as Masai Mara or The Mara) is situated within the Great Rift Valley (a fault line some 3,500 miles (5,600km) long that extends from the Mediterranean Sea through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and to South Africa)in the southern part of Kenya. Measuring approximately 1510sq. kilometres (approx. 938sq. miles) in size. The Masai Mara is one of the best known and most popular reserves in the whole of Africa. The reserve’s topography is mainly open savannah (grassland) with clusters of acacia trees along the southeastern area of the park. The Mara and Talek rivers grace the rolling plains of the reserve. Myriad seasonal rivers appear during the rainy season but dry out once the rains are gone.

Wildlife and Game Viewing in The Masai Mara National Game Reserve

The Mara is also home to the richest concentration of wildlife, including the “Big Five” (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo), zebras, antelope, gnus, Oribis, hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, hartebeests, hippos, crocodiles and others. The park has the largest concentration of African lions, including the black-manned lion.

Birdlife is as plentiful as wildlife at the Masai Mara, which boasts over 400 different birds species. In the Mara and Talek rivers you’ll find crocodiles as well as Hippos.

The Great Wildebeest and Zebra Migration of The Masai Mara National Game Reserve

Then of course there is Wildebeest and Zebra migration which has made the Masai Mara famous. The trek happens with a fair share of animal drama as the migrating herds attract the attention of hungry predators – the hyenas and lions that prey on the lame and sick animals along the way. The Masai Mara Wildebeest and Zebra migration last for four months (July-October) towards the Mara. The months of July and August are the best times to see what is truly the world’s most spectacular wildebeest migration and the dramatic sights that occur during the mass crossing of the swollen Mara River

Day 12. Masai Mara

Experience the magic of the Masai Mara with a full day of activities. An optional hot air balloon ride over the plains is available this morning. Today both a morning and afternoon game drive are included. Enjoy a nature walk guided by a local Masai warrior and a visit to a local Masai Village. This evening you will be treated to a traditional bush dinner featuring a Masai traditional dance performance. (B L D)

Day 13. Masai Mara – Nairobi

Journey back to Nairobi this morning. Arrive at lunch time have a day room at hotel. After transfer to the airport where your tour ends. (B D)