DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi

You will be met at Nairobi Airport and transferred to your hotel in this bustling city.

Check in and relax in your warm and friendly African surroundings.

Day 2: Drive to Masai Mara National Park

We leave Nairobi early this morning and drive 5 hours across the scenic Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara, travelling in a safari jeep (with pop-up roof for game viewing and guaranteed window seat).

We pass through Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the rift escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners during World War II. Look for the charming chapel they built at the foot of the escarpment. We pass the impressive Longonot Earth Satellite Station and head across the valley to Narok, before reaching the Masai Mara in time for lunch.

Masai Mara National Park is named after the Maasai people and the Mara River that divides the park. It is famous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest from the adjoining Serengeti National Park. This phenomenon occurs every year from July to October, when game migrates along a circular route from the plains of the Serengeti to the Masai Mara and back again in search of fresh pastures, followed by hungry predators - most notably lions and hyena.

Check in to your lodge in this magnificent wildlife sanctuary and enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Note: Due to limited space in the vehicle, rigid suitcases are not suitable. Luggage needs to be packed in soft side bags (sports bags are ideal) not exceeding 15 kg and 65 x 46 cm. On escorted group tours please note that for operational reasons it is sometimes necessary to substitute one hotel with another of similar quality.

Day 3: Game Viewing

Today is dedicated to game viewing on the open plains of the world famous Masai Mara National Park.

We set off early each morning, when game viewing conditions are at their best, to view the abundant wildlife of this region. Return to the lodge to rest in the heat of the day, before setting off again in the late afternoon for another game drive.  We also visit a local Masai Village to see their way of life.

Nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley, the Masai Mara is famous for its many prides of lions, packs of hyena and other predators - as well as huge herds of wildebeest, which number over one million, zebra and giraffe. All the Big Five can be seen here, as well as numerous other species including the Thomson's gazelle, topi, kongoni, impala, roan antelope and hippo. The nocturnal bat-eared fox, rarely found elsewhere in Kenya, also inhabits this park as well as the endangered cheetah and black rhino.

Bird watching is also excellent with over 450 different species. These include the marabou stork, secretary bird, crowned crane, ostrich, African pygmy falcon, brown snake eagle, black-chested snake eagle, bateleur, martial eagle, African paradise flycatcher, red-fronted & white-headed barbet, black-faced go-away bird, woodland kingfisher, violet-backed starling, black cuckoo-shrike and various species of larks, cisticolas, vultures, hornbills and so much more.

Day 4: Drive to Lake Nakuru

A full day on the road today as we travel 5 hours from the Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru in the heart of the Great Rift Valley.

We drive across the "breadbasket" of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley cover the landscape towards Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. As we traverse the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keep an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle, before we head up towards Maai Mahiu and on to Lake Nakuru in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. We arrive at the lodge for lunch and a siesta before heading out for an afternoon game drive.

A soda lake on the floor of the Rift Valley, at certain times of the year Lake Nakuru National Park is home to huge throngs of pelicans and over 400 different bird species, including the greater (white) and lesser (pink) flamingo. The lake is also a haven for certain endangered species including the Rothschild giraffe and black and white rhino. Enjoy a game drive around the lake after checking in to your lodge.

Day 5: Lake Naivasha & Amboseli National Park

After an early breakfast we leave Lake Nakuru and drive to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the heart of the spectacular Great Rift Valley. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake, with the opportunity to see hippo and over 400 different bird species.

We then leave the Rift Valley behind and drive 3 hours to Nairobi, where we stop for an early lunch (or picnic lunch, depending on road conditions).

We continue travelling 4 hours to Amboseli National Park, arriving in the late afternoon. Situated in southern Kenya, if the weather is clear this national park offers magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro in neighbouring Tanzania.

Amboseli is best known for its great herds of elephant – you will often find many of them standing knee deep in the water, spraying themselves to keep cool - but there is a lot of other game here including cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, many types of gazelle and other plains game.

Day 6: Game Viewing

After breakfast, depart for a full day game drive in Amboseli National Park, renowned for its large herds of elephants and where the local people are mainly Maasai (with picnic lunch included).

In the early morning it is wonderful to see Mount Kilimanjaro hovering above the clouds. If the clouds clear, wildlife photography against this dramatic backdrop is particularly rewarding. With its dramatic contrast between dry savanna, freshwater swamps, salty plains and acacia forests, this sanctuary offers a fantastic array of birds and wildlife. You should see buffalo, black and white rhino, zebra, wildebeest and much more - as this low rainfall area is one of the best game viewing regions in the whole of Kenya.

Amboseli is also a haven for birding due to its many different habitats. Depending on the amount of rain that has fallen, you will find various water loving birds or other species on the salty plains. You can also hope to see a martial eagle or lappet-faced vulture.

Return to the lodge in the late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner.

Day 7: Drive to Nairobi & fly to Mombasa

After an early breakfast, enjoy your last views of Mount Kilimanjaro as we leave Amboseli and drive 4 hours to Nairobi Airport, where your tour ends.

Connect with your flight to Mombasa, where you will be met transferred 2 hours by road and local ferry to your beach resort on the south coast.

Check in to your hotel situated on the shores of the sparkling Indian Ocean and relax in your warm tropical surroundings.

Days 8 to 10: At Leisure

At leisure to relax and soak up the sun on the Indian Ocean beaches of the warm Mombasa coast.

Enjoy the lush tropical gardens of coconut trees, fan-shaped travellers palms and the vibrant blooms of hibiscus, bougainvillea and frangipani - as well the splendid coastline. Various water sports are available, as well as many optional activities such as a snorkelling trip to Kisite Marine Park and Wasini Island, Mombasa city tour, scuba diving, deep sea fishing and golf.

Day 11: Fly Home

Transfer 2 hours by road and local ferry to Mombasa Airport for your flight home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, with full board whilst on safari. All transfers, park fees and game drives are included. International and domestic flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.