Itinerary
NOTE: More information regarding our accommodations can be found at the bottom of this page.
Day 1: Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Arrive at Nairobi airport and receive a private airport transfer to our hotel.
Accommodation: Nairobi Serena Hotel or similar
Day 2: Thursday, September 27, 2012 - Nairobi
Our African safari begins with a visit to the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage at the Nairobi Game Park headquarters, just in time for the 11am feeding. Together we'll enjoy lunch at Karen Blixen's House, made popular by the film "Out of Africa" with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. After lunch we have scheduled a tour of the museum with some free time to stroll through the beautiful grounds. Our afternoon ends with a visit to the Giraffe Center, a sanctuary for the endangered Rothschild giraffe, where we can hand feed the giraffes.
Dinner at leisure.
Accommodation: Nairobi Serena Hotel or similar
Meals: B, L
Day 3: Friday, September 28, 2012 - Nairobi - Samburu
An exciting day begins with a drive to Samburu National Park. We'll depart from the urban center of Nairobi and travel through the fertile highlands. This semi-arid frontier of Kenya is breathtaking and a great way to see the countryside. An afternoon game drive through the sandy Samburu desert region will be our first introduction to tracking the African wildlife. Have your camera ready, it's going to be an exhilarating day! Our lodge, situated close to the Buffalo Springs and the Uaso Nyiro River offers stunning views over the plains, where elephants graze. Nearby, rare game such as the reticulated giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, Beisa Orynx and long-necked Gerenuk can be seen.
Welcome group dinner at the lodge and evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge or similar
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Saturday, September 29, 2012 - Samburu
Today we will meet for an early morning game drive. This is particularly thrilling as Samburu is renowned for the opportunity to see species that are unique to this region. The Grévy's Zebra (Equus grevyi), also known as the Imperial Zebra, is the largest species of zebra. It is found in the Samburu area as well as parts of Ethiopia. Compared to other zebras, it is taller, has larger ears, and its stripes are narrower. Grévy's Zebra is considered endangered, partly due its coveted zebra skin, which fetches a high price on the world market. It also suffers habitat destruction, human disturbances at water holes and competition with domestic grazing animals. There are estimated to be 17,000 Grévy's Zebra still living in the wild. With luck, we'll see some today! Another species unique to the Samburu region is the Gerenuk. With luck, we'll see some while on our game drive. It's amazing to watch them stand on their hind legs to eat! The Gerenuk also known as the Waller's Gazelle is a long-necked species of antelope found in dry bushy shrub and steppe in East Africa. The word Gerenuk comes from the Somali language, meaning "giraffe-necked", and leads to another common name, the Giraffe-necked Antelope. We have both morning and afternoon game drives planned today so we'll have plenty of opportunity to view the wildlife. Have your camera ready!
Accommodations: Samburu Simba Lodge or similar
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Sunday, September 30, 2012 - Samburu - Laikipia
This morning we will leave Samburu and drive about 2 hours to Laikipia. Our scenic drive will take us through the rural areas of Kenya with a stop to visit with the women at Nanyuki Spinners & Weavers Co-Operative Centre. This centre was started with the main aim of training poor, widowed and single women in the crafts to help them become self reliant. Half of all proceeds acquired are given directly to the women. This will be a special opportunity to tour the centre, meet the women and purchase a few hand-made items. This afternoon we embark on a game drive in the Laikipia region and will have an opportunity to visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy home to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Tonight you and your BH travel buddies will be introduced to a permanent tented camp experience at Sweetwaters Serena tented camp. Located on the plains of Mount Kenya, the camp features thirty-nine luxury tents, each with its own private veranda overlooking the water hole. The central Rhino Restaurant is housed in the former manager's house of this once colonial farm, and offers both regional and international cuisine. Also within the house is the Kashoggi Bar and lounge, which centres on a blazing log fire. The Waterhole Bar, built in the style of a game-viewing hide, overlooks the waterhole and offers unrivalled wildlife-watching.
Accommodation: Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp or similar
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Monday, October 1, 2012 - Laikipia – Masai Mara
This morning we will take a short 45 minute flight from Laikipia to Masai Mara. On the way to the camp, you will enjoy a game drive followed by lunch. The afternoon's game viewing will be exciting as you are searching for game with your private guide and driver. If we're lucky, there is a good chance to hopefully spot a leopard around waterholes or up in a tree. Kensington Mara camp offers an authentic Out of Africa experience and boasts one of the best views in East Africa.
Accommodation: Kensington Mara West or similar
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 - Masai Mara
Today you will enjoy an early morning game drive with your expert guide. The Masai Mara Park will offer a diverse range of animals to our Broad Horizons gals and their English speaking guide. The park is home to the Big Five (Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard) and numerous other antelopes including Thomson's and Grant's Gazelles, Impalas, Topics, Hartebeest, Zebra and Masai Giraffe. It's also home to over 450 species of birdlife! Among these are vultures, marabou storks, secretary birds, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, long-crested eagles and African pygmy-falcons. The Great Migration takes place anytime between mid July and mid October. While one cannot predict the forces of nature, we've scheduled this trip with the hope of experiencing this migration, one of the world's most impressive spectacles.
Accommodation: Kensington Mara West or similar
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 - Masai Mara
After experiencing Kenya's natural wonders, we'll take some time to give back to its people, the Masai. Depending on the current needs within the community, we can participate in a variety of developmental activities focused on improving the health and education of the Masai people. We will choose a group activity on-site depending on the needs of the community. Working closely with our guide we will select a group Voluntourism* endeavor. Our group activity may include a water catchment system to provide a local family with clean drinking water or perhaps we'll barter for a goat or cow which we will then deliver to a struggling family as a long term source of sustenance and income. We'll also include visits to a local Masai village including a rural school and community clinic where our ladies can donate school and medical supplies to the community.
Accommodation: Kensington Mara West or similar
Meals: B, L, D
*While a group Voluntourism activity will be included in your tour, individuals are more than welcome to participate on an individual basis as well.
Day 9: Thursday, October 4, 2012 - Masai Mara
Morning and afternoon game drives are planned today but individuals can also choose to participate in an optional morning hot air balloon ride (additional cost) leaving at dawn. This special event is complete with an elegant champagne bush breakfast - a memory sure to last a lifetime!
Masai Mara is named after the traditional inhabitants (Masai) and the Mara River. Today on our game drive we'll travel along the river - a great place to spot wildlife. This area is a photographer's delight where with any luck we'll be able to take amazing pictures of the hippos and elephants in the water and the wildebeest herds during their annual migration.
Accommodation: Kensington Mara West or similar
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Friday, October 5, 2012 - Masai Mara - Nairobi
If time permits we'll have one last game drive prior to being transferred to the airstrip for our 1 hr 25 min flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival we'll visit the Kazuri Bead factory and Utamaduni Gift and Souvenir Centre. This is a very large and diverse gift centre which features good-quality items from local artisans and authentic Kenyan craftsmen. You'll be fascinated by the variety of merchandise, and since our tour is coming to an end we can shop without worrying about having to carry purchases while we are en route.
After shopping we'll dine at the popular Carnivore Restaurant for a sumptuous farewell dinner where we'll reminisce about the magical memories of our African safari. Hakuna Matata!
Private transfer to the airport.
Meals: B, L, D
***Itinerary is subject to change***
About Our Accommodations
Nairobi Serena Hotel
The Nairobi Serena Hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, excelling in quality, service, and comfort beyond expectations. Its vibrant tropical gardens and skyline offer a range of views from its 184 rooms and suites, each decked with pan-African themed influences. Two stylish restaurants, offer both a la carte and/or buffet, and serve an international selection of fine cuisine amidst mesmerizing settings. Take advantage of the local attractions and, following a demanding full day, relax in the hands of an expert masseuse at the Maisha Serena Health Club. Gym, spa & pool at the hotel.
Samburu Simba Lodge
Samburu Simba Lodge is a relatively new lodge; situated in the Buffalo Springs National Reserve, part of the larger Samburu system. Removed from the beaten path of the typical tourist circuit, the lodge is ideally located on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, the lifeblood of this arid area. All rooms and central areas have views of the river and the nearby waterhole, where large herds of elephants and other wildlife come to drink. The lodge has two luxury swimming pools, a restaurant and bar, curio shop and expansive conference facilities. Enjoy unobstructed views of game along the river banks and the waterhole from either your room terraces, at the lodge, or from restaurant.
Sweetwaters Serena
A sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Sweetwaters Tented Camp offers a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and safari luxury. Located on the plains of Mount Kenya, the camp features 39 luxury tents, each with its own private veranda overlooking the water hole. The central Rhino Restaurant is housed in the former manager's house of this once colonial farm, and offers both regional and international cuisine. Also within the house is the Kashoggi Bar and lounge, which centres on a blazing log fire. The Waterhole Bar, built in the style of a game-viewing hide, overlooks the waterhole and offers unrivalled wildlife-watching.
Kensington Mara West
Kensington Mara West Camp has been revamped and relocated to what is surely one of the best views in East Africa. Perched elegantly on the Ololoolo escarpment forming the western boundary of the Masai Mara Reserve itself, this is the authentic ‘Out of Africa’ experience where much of the original film itself was filmed & produced. The camp borders the remote and beautiful western edge of Masai Mara National Reserve. Kensington Mara West provides nature lovers with deluxe accommodations while experiencing the sights and sounds of an unforgettable African safari. Chalets are perched in secluded spots on an escarpment edge overlooking the vast plains of the Masai Mara Game Reserve, giving tremendous views and a sense of private exclusion. Mara West is providing high quality service with beautifully designed, comfortable accommodations.
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Images © Bonnie Hinschberger
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