This classic 7 - day Kenyan safari includes all the best scenic and wildlife areas, offering scenic splendor and a wildlife spectacle unrivaled anywhere in the world including Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, waterbuck, forest hog and perhaps the elusive Bongo.
Day 1 - Nairobi
Arrival at Nairobi airport. Meet and transfer to the Southern Sun hotel for overnight, bed and breakfast.
This historic hotel, formerly the Mayfair Court Hotel, enjoyed its first heyday in 1940's Colonial Kenya. Since joining the Southern Sun group this charming landmark has been transformed into a comfortable, spacious, modern hotel whilst retaining its distinctive architecture and lush gardens. Situated in the popular shopping and residential suburb of Parklands, close to the city centre, the Southern Sun Nairobi is only 20km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and offers a full range of services and facilities. Guests can look forward to experiencing the traditional warmth and hospitality for which the Southern Sun is renowned. All 171 guest rooms have colour TV, radio, telephone, tea/coffee making facilities and private bathroom. Guests can enjoy in-room movies and 18hr room service. This is the ideal place from which to start your safari.
Day 2 - Mount Kenya region via Aberdares ranges
A morning drive to the Kenya Highlands, ascending the lower slopes of Mount Kenya, deep into the forest. Overnight at Mountain Lodge, set high on stilts and overlooking a floodlit waterhole. Here, guests may observe animals such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, waterbuck, forest hog and perhaps the elusive bongo from the safety and comfort of the lodge.
The only 'tree hotel' ever to be built on the slopes of Kenya's legendary Mount Kenya, Mountain Lodge offers a matchless game viewing opportunity whilst combining a glorious panorama of mountain vistas with the primordial splendours of an ancient rainforest. Floating 2,195 m high (so do bring warm clothes) on the flanks of Kenya's highest mountain and secreted deep within her largest forest reserve, the lodge offers not only the champagne-clarity of mountain air, the tranquility of the forest and a colorful cavalcade of wildlife but also the chance of scaling the icy peaks of Africa's second-highest mountain. Guests can also awake to the trumpeting of elephant, fall asleep to the symphony of the African night or sit in stillness and observe the fascinating interplay of the animals as they arrive to drink, bathe, spar and forage around the water hole. Finally, they can venture down to the secret viewing hide by the water's edge and experience the awesome thrill of being only meters away from some of the most massive beasts on earth.
Day 3 - Sweetwaters
A short morning drive to Sweetwaters game reserve, situated close to Mt. Kenya. Afternoon game viewing and a chance to see Lion, Elephant, Giraffe, Buffalo and plains game as well as a visit to the Rhino and Chimpanzee conservation projects. Overnight at Sweetwaters luxury tented lodge on a full board basis.
Sweetwaters Tented Camp and Chimpanzee Sanctuary lies in the heart of the privately owned Sweetwaters Game Reserve. A 3 hour drive from Nairobi, this wonderful place enjoys magnificent views across the African bush to the snow - capped peaks of Mount Kenya. Overlooking a floodlit waterhole, the camp offers visitors an unforgettable opportunity to watch and photograph game in its natural habitat. Accommodation is provided in 25 luxuriously appointed tents set under thatch with en suite facilities and private verandah. Game drives are offered by four wheel drive vehicle, walking safaris escorted by a knowledgeable ranger, and night game drives ensure that there is always plenty to do! There is also a swimming pool for relaxation!
While staying at Sweetwaters take time to visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is the only one of its kind in Kenya. Visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity of observing the chimps by boat on the Ewaso Ngiro River which flows through the middle of the 1 sq km sanctuary. The riverine forest and savannah grasslands that make up the sanctuary are home to 26 orphaned chimps varying in age from 2 to 15 years. Most of these chimps originally came from the Jane Goodall Institute in Burundi, where a great many were placed after being rescued from a miserable existence. Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is playing a critical part in finding a solution for the plummeting population of chimps in the wild through education and rehabituation of this, our closest living relative. It is a wonderful experience to see these marvelous creatures in a natural environment.
Day 4 - Lake Nakuru
Descend from the Kenya Highlands into the Great Rift Valley and on to Lake Nakuru, famous for the necklace of pink flamingos that surround the lake shores. It is also one of the best parks in Kenya to see Rhino. Evening game drive and overnight at Lion Hill lodge or similar on a full board basis.
Set on a plateau in the Rift Valley, overlooking one of the world's greatest ornithological spectacles, Lake Nakuru, stands Sarova Lion Hill. Beautifully landscaped with natural foliage and a startling variety of flower gardens, the Lodge offers luxurious accommodation complemented by delicious cuisine. The panoramic view from the Lodge reveals a shimmering pink glow across the Lake, created by millions of flamingos, pelicans and Marabou Storks. The park is also the sanctuary for the rare black rhino, leopard, waterbuck and other species of birds. Accommodation consists of 65 beautifully appointed chalet type bedrooms facing the lake, all offering porticos and private bathrooms. Other amenities include restaurant, bar, swimming pool, sauna, and curio shops. Traditional dancers entertain the audience with their splendid performances.
Day 5 - Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara
Early morning game viewing and breakfast. Afterwards, a short drive to Lake Naivasha, one of Kenya's most beautiful fresh-water lakes. There will be time to relax in the beautiful gardens and enjoy the views over the lake before lunch. Afternoon flight over the Rift Valley to Masai Mara, Kenya's most spectacular game reserve. Spend the next two nights at the deluxe Mara Sarova Tented camp.
Set in the heart of Africa's Great Plains, the Masai Mara boasts 1,672 square kilometres of unspoilt wilderness. It is home to the highest concentration of animals and birds anywhere on the continent. Throughout the year the Mara is a place of natural drama, a kaleidoscope of colour and life. The famed "Big Five" - Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo and Leopard - roam the reserve, together with hundreds of others from the fastest animal on earth, the Cheetah, to one of the most secretive, the Bat-eared Fox. After the rains, when the first flush of grass turns the Mara's golden savannah green, the mesmerizing wildlife spectacle anywhere takes place here: the Great Migration. This is the time when 1.5 million Wildebeest, accompanied by vast numbers of Zebra and Gazelles make the long and dangerous trek from drier lands in Tanzania, northwards to this corner of Kenya. For most of the century the Mara has drawn those searching for adventure and the thrill is still the same today with days spent face to face with nature at its most untouched and enthralling.
Located within the world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, Sarova Mara Game Camp's 75 tents capture the true spirit of the Kenyan wild, in Kenya's richest game reserve. One can enjoy the world-renowned "Big 5" from guided vehicles or from breathtaking views aloft in a hot air balloon. Guests can also partake in walking safaris; enhance their cultural awareness with Masai cultural talks and village visits; enjoy a sumptuous breakfast while watching the wilderness slowly come awake; and have a relaxing massage where options range from Swedish, Therapeutic to Aromatherapy, either indoors or out in the great and wild Mara outdoors.
Day 6 - Masai Mara
A full day in the Mara game viewing in a guaranteed window seat Nissan, beginning just after sunrise while the dew is fresh on the grass and the animals are active. Everybody hopes to see the "Big Five" Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo, but just as captivating are the lesser known species such as Hyena, Cheetah, Jackal, warthog and antelope.
Day 7 - Mara-Nairobi
Morning game viewing and lunch in the Masai Mara. Afternoon scheduled flight back to Nairobi and onward transfer to the airport or a city hotel.