When one hears the word safari, Kenya comes to mind. The word alone conjures up visions of acacia-dotted landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, covered with vast herds of elephants, zebra, and wildebeest. And there are tribal people who have called this part of Africa home for thousands of years and whose very survival has depended on their ability to life in harmony with nature. It is this part of Africa that most paleoanthropologists believe that approximately 35,000 years ago the first Homo Sapiens walked north (probably because of a change in the climate) and began a journey that has resulted in close to seven billion of us inhabiting one small planet, of which few live in harmony with nature. During our two weeks in Kenya, we will have an opportunity to observe and photograph the large numbers and variety of wildlife in the four most popular game parks and reserves set aside for wildlife conservation. We will also see hundreds of birds as Kenya has over 1,200 different species. We will spend time visiting and photographing the indigenous cultures such as the colorful Maasai and Samburu. Our deluxe accommodation will be some of the best lodges and tented camps in East Africa.
Accommodation will be similar to those feature in the book, On Safari.
On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, we will be met by our David Anderson Safaris representative who will transfer us to Karen Blixen Coffee Garden
After breakfast we will proceed for visit to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage located just outside the Nairobi National Park. This elephant and rhino orphanage is part of a conservation foundation established to rehabilitate baby elephants and other wildlife. Lunch will be at our hotel. In the afternoon we will have an opportunity to visit the Karen Blixen Museum and the Giraffe Center - a sanctuary for the rare and protected Rothschild Giraffe, one of the three species of giraffe found in Kenya
After breakfast, we will drive southeast to Amboseli National Park, one of the most popular parks on the Tanzania border. We will arrive in time for lunch at Amboseli Serena Lodge and we will take an afternoon game drive.
The park is famous for its big game and scenic beauty with the landscape dominated by snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro. It offers an interesting contrast in appearance with its dry and dusty appearance, which can be attributed to the volcanic ash that came out of Mt Kilimanjaro when it last erupted. In spite of the appearance, there is a continuous supply of water that gets filtered through volcanic rocks from Kilimanjaro's melted snow. These streams flow underground, creating lush green areas, and converge at two clear water springs in the park.
After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airstrip for our scheduled flight to Wilson Airport where we will connect with our scheduled flight to Samburu. On arrival, we will be met by our driver/guide who will transfer us to Samburu Intrepids Camp with a game drive enroute. We will also take an afternoon game drive until sunset.
We will spend Thursday in Samburu, embarking on morning and evening game drives. This region is noted for the unique species that live here, such as the Grevy's zebra, gerenuk and reticulated giraffe. The Uaso Nyiro River runs through the park and guarantees an abundance of wildlife the year around.
After breakfast, we drive via the Thompson Falls with picnic lunch boxes, down the floor of the Great Rift Valley escarpment to Lake Nakuru National Park, a protected game sanctuary for endangered species such as the Black and White rhino, Rothschild giraffe, among other usual game such as the leopard and lion. We will enjoy an afternoon game drive.
We will spend another day exploring Lake Nakuru National Park, taking morning and afternoon game drives. Lake Nakuru is known for its stunning pink vision as millions of flamingos congregate to feed in the alkaline waters. Visitors to this area will be taken with the beauty of the fever trees and the richness of the wildlife, which includes a rhino sanctuary that includes both white and black rhino. In recent years, Lake Nakuru National Park has also been a good place to see leopard.
After early breakfast, we drive across the Rift Valley escarpment to Maasai Mara Game Reserve arriving in time for lunch at Siana Intrepids Camp.
Rich in game and birds, the Maasai Mara is the scene of the spectacular annual migration of wildebeest and zebra, when millions of animals following the unbroken cycle of survival as they move between Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh grasses. From the Rift Valley escarpment, to the rolling plains and the groves of woodlands, the Maasai Mara is a vast and varied landscape. The Mara River bisects this great reserve and provides a rich habitat along its banks. And everywhere, the seemingly endless herds of animals live out their daily lives to the rhythm of nature.
After breakfast, we check out and proceed with a game drive en-route to arrive in time for lunch at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp. We have three more days spent game viewing in what many believe is the best game reserve in all of Africa. The Mara is home to myriad species of animals, including lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, cheetah, leopard and topi, as well as a plethora of colorful birdlife.
After breakfast, we will drive back to Nairobi arriving in time for lunch on your own arrangements. Later we will be driven to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for our departure flight.
Transportation in a chauffeur driven 7-seater minivan with pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
Flight: Amboseli/Nairobi/Samburu
Services of an English speaking driver-guide.
Game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
All Government taxes and levies.
Free safari hat.
Free mineral water during game drives only.
All meet and greet services.
All arrival and departure transfers.
24 hours stand-by contact number.
All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
Guaranteed window seat in the vehicle (unless specified by agent).
Two-way long range high frequency radio communication in the vehicle.
On safari accessories in the vehicle: - First-aid kit, wildlife books, beanbags for easy photography, a pair of binoculars, cool box and fire extinguisher.
Not included:
Any international flight and departure taxes.
All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc.
Tips and gratuities to hotel, lodges, camp staff and driver- guide(s).
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Any local or international flight and departure taxes.
Laundry services.
Carbon Offsets:
Focus on Africa understands that air travel contributes to increased green house gases and global warming. Therefore, we encourage our expedition participants to assist us in making each Focus on Planet Earth expedition carbon neutral. You can offset your air transportation carbon impact by purchasing carbon off-sets. To offset the emissions from your flights go to Carbon Off-Set Calculator. Use (NBO) (Nairobi) as your destination.
International Air Transportation:
You are responsible for booking your own international air transportation. To assist you, we have provided you with the airport codes and the dates you need to arrive or depart.