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ITINERARY
May 29 – June 5, 2023
DAY 1
5/29 US – Night on board
Arrive at your US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Nairobi.* Night on board.
Day 2
5/30 Nairobi
Arrive, meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Nairobi. Kenya’s capital and largest city, Nairobi is nicknamed the ‘Green City in the Sun’ and is a vibrant place where you can really get to grips with Kenya’s diverse culture. This cosmopolitan capital is a great place to sample the delights of Kenyan cuisine or to hit the local bars or cafes to soak up the atmosphere of the place. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing or exploring at your leisure, ready to set off on your safari adventure in the morning.
Overnight stay in Nairobi.
Day 3
5/31 Nairobi – Amboseli National Park
Early breakfast at the hotel before heading southwards out of the city as you watch the landscape slowly change from an urban metropolis to a vast wilderness. Catch sight of distant Mount Kilimanjaro as you journey for around 4-hours through typical African savannah and past local homesteads and Maasai communities. Arrive at the lodge in Amboseli in time for lunch. Get settled before embarking on your first game-viewing drive of the trip! Amboseli National Park is famed for its large herds of elephants and its dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Experience captivating landscapes and get up close to incredible wildlife before returning to the lodge. Spend the evening relaxing at your leisure.
Dinner and overnight stay in Amboseli.
Game viewing drive in Amboseli National Park – Included
Day 4
6/01 Amboseli – Aberdare
Start the day early with breakfast at the lodge before packing up your luggage and departing for a sunrise game drive through Amboseli National Park. Afterward, continue towards the Central Highlands and enjoy the rural scenery along the approx. 6.5-hour journey. Arrive at your lodge in Aberdare in time for lunch and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, soaking up the captivating landscapes or enjoying the activities on offer at the lodge such as nature walks, horseback riding, or mountain biking (to be arranged at the lodge). Alternatively, why not opt for an afternoon of wildlife spotting with an optional Game Drive at Solio Ranch?*
Dinner and overnight stay in Aberdare.
* Optional Game Drive at Solio Ranch: Discover the wildlife of the Central Highlands area with a game drive through Solio Ranch. Founded in the 1970s it is an important conservation area for the protection of both white and black rhinos.
Day 5
6/02 Aberdare – Lake Naivasha
Breakfast at the lodge. Depart for the papyrus-fringed shores of breathtaking Lake Naivasha today, stopping along the route to visit beautiful Thompson Falls in Nharururu. Continue the 5.5-hour journey as you descend into the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley before arriving at the lodge at Lake Naivasha in time for lunch. Enjoy the remainder of the day enjoying some time at your leisure to relax, take an optional excursion to Crescent Island or head out on an afternoon game drive to Lake Nakuru.*
Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Naivasha.
Brief stop at Thompson Falls in Nyahururu – Included
* Optional Crescent Island Walking Safari: Not actually an island, but a tranquil peninsula, explore this biodiverse area on foot! Home to rare wildlife, the peninsula was famously used as the filming location for a number of memorable scenes in the movie ‘Out of Africa’!
* Optional Game Drive at Lake Nakuru: Take your lunch with you as you head out on an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park with a picnic. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this soda lake is known for its large populations of flamingos and rhinos.
Day 6
6/03 Lake Naivasha – Maasai Mara National Reserve
Awake to the sounds of nature and enjoy breakfast at the lodge. Afterward, depart for the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, journeying along the floor of the Great Rift Valley and passing through the charming towns of Mai Mahiu and Narok, the latter of which is the Maasai capital. Arrive at the lodge/camp in time for lunch and soak up the breathtaking views of the surrounding savannah. In the mid-afternoon, head off on a game drive in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, considered the world’s finest game viewing area! Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary Big Five: lions, rhinos, buffalos, elephants, and leopards as you venture through the wild landscapes and watch in awe as the dramas of everyday life in the animal kingdom unfold before you! Head back to the lodge at sunset for dinner.
Overnight stay in the Maasai Mara.
Afternoon game viewing drive in the Maasai Mara National Reserve Included
Day 7
6/04 Maasai Mara National Reserve
Breakfast at the lodge. Embark on an unforgettable day of wildlife spotting as you set off on a full-day game-viewing drive with a packed lunch on the go. This extra time will allow you to greater explore the vast reserve and discover the spectacular and diverse landscapes of the Maasai Mara. Tick the Big Five off your list as you enjoy some of the best game-viewing on earth and enjoy an authentic Kenyan safari experience! As this magical day draws to a close, return to the lodge and unwind at dinner as you retell the stories of today’s adventures!
Overnight stay in the Maasai Mara.
Full-Day Game Viewing in the Maasai Mara National Reserve – Included
Day 8
6/05 Maasai Mara National Reserve – Nairobi
Awake early for breakfast and enjoy your last moments in the Kenyan wilderness at your leisure or set off on an optional Hot Air Balloon Safari, a morning game drive, or a visit to a local Maasai Village.* In the mid-morning it’s time to head back to Nairobi, arriving back in the capital in the afternoon. Get settled in at the hotel, ready to spend your final evening in Kenya at your leisure, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or indulging in the local cuisine in Nairobi’s many eateries.
Overnight stay in Nairobi.
* Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari: Experience the majesty of the Maasai Mara from the sky on a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon safari. Ascend at dawn and experience the most unforgettable sunrise imaginable as the savannah and its wildlife spring to life in the soft morning light.
Please note: The optional Hot Air Balloon Safari is dependent on weather conditions at the destination and will be confirmed the day before. If the activity cannot go ahead, it will be refunded when you return from your trip.
* Optional Morning Game Drive in the Maasai Mara: Watch in awe as the savannah comes to life on this morning game drive. The wildlife of the Maasai Mara is particularly active during the morning so this is a great opportunity for spotting animals!
* Optional Maasai Village visit: Discover the local culture with a visit to a Maasai Village. The Maasai people are known for their brilliant artisan crafts and colorful clothing.
Included
Departures from main US airports.
International flights US – Nairobi – US.
7 nights in Charm, Superior and Luxury accommodation.
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners.
Transfers and Safaris with an English-speaking guide.
Game drives and park entry fees.
All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
English-speaking guide during the whole trip.
Transportation & Safaris in a Mini-van.
Not included
Kenyan visa, vaccines, drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what’s included.
If you are traveling to Kenya with a US passport, you will require a Kenyan visa. This must be printed to present on arrival in Kenya. You can apply at http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
Important Information
Passengers should bring only soft side bags on safaris.
The US Department of State Office offers up-to-date travel advice by visiting https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kenya.html
Roads in Kenya can be quite bumpy and are not in great condition, particularly those found in the country’s national parks. People who suffer with back problems should consider this before participating in a trip of this nature.
During your stay at Aberdares National Park, warm clothes will be required as the nights can be particularly cold in this region of Kenya. Please note that rooms at The Ark may be smaller in size than those in other accommodations included in this trip.
Price
$3499 per person
Deposit
$2099.40
Final balance due: 3/15/2023 – $1399.60
Click here to reserve your spot!